tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-186577192012-01-29T23:30:45.915-05:00Malachi 4:1 (ESV) "For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.comBlogger7101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-56434421991241918042011-06-23T07:53:00.002-04:002011-07-05T10:13:36.451-04:00

It's just time.

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-81064661673626919362011-05-06T11:03:00.004-04:002011-05-06T11:25:10.090-04:00

I know this is a week late but I've been busy playing metrologist which is a good thing considering that is my vocation. Anyhoo, Dan over at Time Out produced a special video presentation of hymn number 460 in the Lutheran Service Book; "Christians to the Paschal Victim" for Time Out Episode 115.Anna Baseley of Emmanuel-Dearborn and Mark Fergus of Zion-Columbus join Cantor Beethe and and Dan for

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-43548764306853652762011-04-27T08:52:00.003-04:002011-04-27T09:18:34.319-04:00

According to the Catholic News Service the blood of Pope John Paul II is to be venerated this weekend. From the news story:A small vial of Pope John Paul II's blood is the relic for the Mass for his beatification, the Vatican said.The relic was to be presented to Pope Benedict XVI and exposed for veneration during the Mass in St. Peter's Square May 1, the Vatican said April 26.Yep, the church of

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-5756356275966615172011-04-24T13:16:00.003-04:002011-04-24T13:20:43.746-04:00

Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain by John of Damascus for this blessed Easter day!Come, you faithful, raise the strainOf triumphant gladness!God has brought his IsraelInto joy from sadness,Loosed from Pharaoh’s bitter yokeJacob’s sons and daughters,Led them with unmoistened footThrough the Red Sea waters.This the spring of souls today:Christ has burst his prisonAnd from three days’ sleep in

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-44650541793458015112011-04-22T12:17:00.003-04:002011-04-22T12:22:57.758-04:00

A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth by Paul GerhardtA Lamb goes uncomplaining forth,The guilt of all men bearing;And laden with the sins of earth,None else the burden sharing!Goes patient on, grow weak and faint,To slaughter led without complaint,That spotless life to offer;Bears shame and stripes, and wounds and death,Anguish and mockery, and saith,“Willing all this I suffer.”This Lamb is Christ,

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-15280292704849467242011-04-21T06:03:00.004-04:002011-04-21T13:39:35.268-04:00

Today is Maundy Thursday; the day where the historic and catholic church celebrates Jesus’ intuition of the Lord’s Supper; often referred to as the Eucharist. From the Gospel of Matthew 26:26-30;And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-36512886382159629972011-04-18T10:14:00.002-04:002011-04-18T10:18:41.511-04:00

Pastor Matthew Harrison who is now president of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod talking about youth and the liturgy.HT Paul McCain

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-22949156177675498112011-04-15T09:28:00.002-04:002011-04-15T09:33:54.222-04:00

This week’s blog pick of the week comes from Kelly Klages’ self titled blog with her post “I didn’t see Jesus on the cross!”In this wonderfully succinct piece Kelly recounts how upset her daughter gets when she didn’t see Jesus on the cross in one of Pastor Jonathon Fisk’s Worldview Everlasting video podcasts and the comfort of seeing Jesus lifted up in glory in the ending credits.Kelly’s closing

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-39449452515670818352011-04-11T13:52:00.004-04:002011-04-11T14:22:38.865-04:00

And the winner is...Congratulations go out to Claudis K from the great state of Michigan for logging on and capturing a screenshot of her visit which marked Sitemeter recording my 100,000 hit! Yeah Claudia! Claudia beat out a particularly strong showing from my international readers from Jr. America to our north as well as a host of regulars here at POTF for a sweatshirt from the Official Ablaze!

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-78753482735194317602011-04-05T22:12:00.005-04:002011-04-08T22:49:31.393-04:00

I was clearing out my inbox earlier today while waiting for the keynote speaker of a metrology and biopharmaceutical trade show which I was attending when I noticed an email from the good folks at Sitemeter. Normally I don’t pay attention to how many people read this blog unless I’m getting a ton of hate mail which usually only happens when I shine a light on problems facing our beloved synod

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-33150744672800897212011-04-01T15:14:00.003-04:002011-04-01T15:20:40.027-04:00

What seems like ages ago there was once a Lutheran Carnival where a variety of Lutheran bloggers contributed posts in an effort promote some of the best writing coming from Lutherans all over the world. Then, after seventy editions of the Lutheran Carnival, there came a Sabbath rest as many great bloggers switched to microblogging on either twitter or facebook or just left the blogosphere

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-83652064242760851122011-03-26T23:29:00.001-04:002011-03-26T23:30:15.371-04:00

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-29727239841708339242011-03-22T20:52:00.000-04:002011-03-22T20:53:28.404-04:00

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-62912298267475427082011-03-09T22:32:00.004-05:002011-03-09T22:52:04.189-05:00

Here’s my random thought of the day: If you think that the recipe used to prepare the bread for the Lord’s Supper is what makes it valid, you are really missing the point.If you tell someone who can’t eat wheat that it's "better safe than sorry" that they consume something that makes them sick in order that we follow the right recipe, you do damage to this member and only cause them doubt what it

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-82994646138822411542011-03-01T13:59:00.001-05:002011-03-01T14:01:31.517-05:00

What a fantastic commercial! Who doesn’t love commercials with cute bunnies? There’s really nothing more to say is there?

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-2996025104533023332011-02-20T22:24:00.001-05:002011-02-20T22:28:27.986-05:00

Today’s quote of the day comes from a friend of mine over at Facebook:___________ Pietism: making people feel guilty for doing things that God has not forbidden, and making them feel guilty for not doing things that God has not commanded.There is nothing more I could add to this brilliant and succinct description of pietism except to say amen!

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-75091005278515997852011-02-15T08:52:00.003-05:002011-02-15T11:26:21.512-05:00

For the past few weeks I’ve been working on remodeling my master bedroom. This is no small task and is the reason for my lack of posting over the last month or so. How big of a job was this? well, the missus and I tore the walls down to the studs to replace the aluminum wiring (which isn’t the best stuff to running in your walls!) and to insulate the walls for the first time since the house was

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-86332963296704052192011-02-01T13:42:00.005-05:002011-02-01T14:18:52.042-05:00

It’s just plain weird that in our western society couples are prevented from getting on an airplane because their child a doll with a three inch plastic gun and deemed a safety threat and Nerf- Guns are banned as if they were weapons used by SEALs teams as part of a zero tolerance policy but bringing a knife to school as long as it is done by certain religious groups is just hunky-dory.From the

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-75536626495422866572011-01-29T13:54:00.006-05:002011-01-29T15:12:31.604-05:00

My missus and I will try out a new church tomorrow.I always like to call ahead (OK, my favorite niece was on Facebook and IM’d the pastor for me, she was more than happy to help her uncle out!) and announce that I’m going to visit someplace new so that the pastor’s job is made easy and he doesn’t have to wonder if the person he is communing shares the same confession of faith that all Lutherans

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-6978689045151093732011-01-26T08:33:00.004-05:002011-01-28T15:35:31.223-05:00

Since this picture was such a big hit on my Facebook page…So what does it mean when you look back and only see one set of footprints in the sand during times of trial and hardship? It means you’ve had a Sandpeople problem and they were probably sent to teach you what it means to be a theologian of the cross as opposed to a theologian of glory.Now, to steal a phrase from Paul Harvey, you know the

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-17932402117707230422011-01-18T09:02:00.005-05:002011-01-18T16:26:35.154-05:00

Dan over at Necessary Roughness has the newest Time Out: Time Out, Episode 100 posted. Episode 100? w00t!The Scripture reading for this episode is the entire book of Philemon with commentary from the Kretzmann Commentary Series. The hymn this time is “Jesus, Once with Sinners Numbered” found on page 404 in the Lutheran Service Book.From Dan:Paul appeals, rather than orders, Philemon to take

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-17160467588580228922011-01-12T13:44:00.003-05:002011-01-12T14:01:40.190-05:00

Today’s quote of the day is from Joe Carter writing for First Things about the anger atheists feel toward a God they don’t believe exists. From the article:A new set of studies in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology finds that atheists and agnostics report anger toward God either in the past or anger focused on a hypothetical image of what they imagine God must be like. Julie Exline

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-52136457565643906812011-01-03T13:47:00.003-05:002011-01-03T14:43:27.397-05:00

I stumbled across a story last week that highlighted an iPhone / iPad app that allows Jews to now “visit” the Western Wall. The reason that visit is in quotation marks is that the visit (allowed at any time except the Sabbath or on religious holidays when electronic gizmos are said to be forbidden) is only visit in a virtual sense and the notes left in pixilated Western Wall are really only

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-10303954266083193002010-12-30T15:22:00.002-05:002010-12-30T15:25:06.422-05:00

It’s time once again to award the annual and highly, highly coveted Uncle Frank's Favorite Gift Of The Year Award for Christmas presents.The prestigious award for the bestest present goes to once again, drum roll please….. my favorite niece Valerie for giving her Uncle Frank a hug on Christmas day. Valerie being saddled with huge student loan debts after completing the deaconess program through

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-76908853257104991042010-12-26T08:33:00.004-05:002010-12-26T08:53:38.839-05:00

So, ya want to hear one of the neatest Latin phases ever concerning Saint Stephan who was the first Christian martyr? Heri natus est Christus in mundo, ut hodie Stephanus nasceretur in coelo which means “Yesterday Christ was born in the world so that today Stephan would be born in heaven.” What a wondrous Latin phase that we should all keep in mind as untold numbers of our brothers are today

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-34599172256700394222010-12-25T12:35:00.003-05:002010-12-25T12:42:42.407-05:00

From the Gospel of Saint John:In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.There was a man sent from God, whose name

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-44929278884543908182010-12-22T13:57:00.002-05:002010-12-22T13:59:49.346-05:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately folks but the real world has simply had me running ragged. My vocation as a metrologist has been keeping me a busier than expected and I’ve been battling Maytag over a brand new stove that hasn’t had a working oven since I got it. What makes the stove situation even more ironic is that model I picked out has TWO ovens and neither of the have worked more than

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-25448576541450749532010-12-09T10:14:00.002-05:002010-12-09T10:18:56.057-05:00

Today makes the end of Hanukkah also known as the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah marks when the Maccabees back in the second century B.C. rededicated the Holy Temple and its altar, which had been desecrated and defiled by the pagans. Here's a snippet from Wikipedia:According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-87952327578446685382010-12-03T09:15:00.001-05:002010-12-03T09:17:47.790-05:00

When Christ said in John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I choose you…” he didn’t actually mean to say “You did not choose Me, but I choose you, however, first you need to choose to accept Me into your heart."If a person is going to make a case that the words of Jesus don’t mean what they clearly mean and instead can or should be understood to mean the exact opposite of what is recorded in the

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-58161852398641222852010-11-28T22:44:00.002-05:002010-11-28T22:47:05.194-05:00

I sometimes hear, in the various mission meetings I attend, that we are now living in a “Post-Church Age.” This phrase has always bothered me a bit not so much for the somewhat weak logic for arriving at such a conclusion which I don’t think can be supported by the most basic examination of church history but rather what invariably follows; a call to change the methods the church catholic has

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-24062282560832429322010-11-23T20:53:00.000-05:002010-11-23T20:53:24.543-05:00

In this video Pastor Fisk of Worldview Everlasting looks at spiritual gifts and talks about the charismatic movement (which just so happens to be alive and well in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod!

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-4511817463988449282010-11-21T17:37:00.002-05:002010-11-21T17:52:44.823-05:00

Dan over at Necessary Roughness has the newest Time Out: Time Out, Episode 92 posted.The Scripture reading for this episode is Ephesians 2 with commentary from the Kretzmann Commentary Series. The hymn this time is “The Day is Surely Drawing” found on page 508 in the Lutheran Service Book.From Dan: As the church year nears its end and we look to the world to come, it’s prudent to remind ourselves

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-51535187894875174652010-11-15T22:47:00.002-05:002010-11-15T22:52:40.751-05:00

Today’s quote of the day is from Leo the Great warning the hearers of his sermon on the Feast of the Nativity (Sermon XXIV.6) and us today as well to be on guard against false teachers who wish to introduce new teachings and doctrines under the “a cloak of piety and chastity” and to remain steadfast in the apostolic faith:You, dearly beloved, whom I address in no less earnest terms than those of

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-47922755790518633282010-11-09T19:52:00.001-05:002010-11-09T19:53:08.017-05:00

I haven’t posted any of Pastor Fisk’s videos in a while so….In this video Pastor Fisk of Worldview Everlasting answers the question “What are the essentials of Christianity?” He also has a smidgeon on pietism. Good stuff!

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-52758405303161519192010-11-04T06:33:00.003-04:002010-11-04T06:57:23.648-04:00

From the there’s no way in Hades that even I could make this up files, this gem was brought to my attention by a friend on Facebook this morning:KFUO Radio AM Program HostKFUO Radio Station seeks applicants for a program host for KFUO Radio AM. The program host is responsible for on-air announcing, which may include interviewing, reporting of news, sports, weather, religious and other features

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-55869645125220600582010-10-31T13:13:00.003-04:002010-10-31T13:20:13.466-04:00

The POTF blog of the week has to go to Dr. Gene Edward Veith’s post “Bringing the Reformation to Protestantism” over on his Cranach blog. Martin Luther once said the church is always in need of a reformation. In his post, Dr. Veith lays out but a few points to make the case that Dr. Luther’s point is just as applicable and valid today as it was almost five hundred years ago.From the post:The

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-71914362724395704582010-10-20T08:42:00.000-04:002010-10-20T08:42:00.144-04:00

Pastor Jonathon Fisk from over at Worldview Everlasting answers the question “Is Baptism necessary?” in his latest video.

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-87797024251328676472010-10-15T06:59:00.003-04:002010-10-15T15:48:55.356-04:00

Dr. Gene Edward Veith over at his Cranach blog had a post up on Monday titled “PowerPoint corrupts absolutely” in which he highlights a critique of PowerPoint by Edward Tufte in the magazine Wired. From the linked article Tufte writes:Imagine a widely used and expensive prescription drug that promised to make us beautiful but didn’t. Instead the drug had frequent, serious side effects: It induced

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-85740703956673165442010-10-13T06:38:00.003-04:002010-10-13T06:53:06.875-04:00

Today’s quote of the week is from one of my friends on Facebook:__________ My Master doesn't pat me on the head and give me treats for obedience-tricks.I listen to a lot of sermons and hear a goodly number of church leaders who falsely teach their people that our Lord’s gifts are certainly free but we need to do something to tap into the Divine gift registry before we can fully enjoy the benefits

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-29301342702039807412010-10-12T07:22:00.003-04:002010-10-12T07:30:01.495-04:00

My favorite talk show for the thinking Christian, Issues, Etc., is celebrating reformation week next week with a series of special programming segments and guests. Do yourself a favor and tune in for what looks like a great week of learning and catechesis by some of the most knowledgeable guests available anywhere. If you are not able to tune in live, go to either the on-demand page or iTunes and

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-69019858224778411062010-10-10T16:35:00.003-04:002010-10-11T06:55:44.913-04:00

Some random thoughts on critical thought…Critical thinking for the Christian is never suspended but rather presupposed.It is customary and unobjectionable for the agonistic, atheist, or rationalist to bring hypothesis and conjecture to the table in a manner not afforded to anyone who confesses Scripture as being authoritative. While comprehending the latter, Christians in our western post modern

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-78369396430267467962010-10-06T06:39:00.004-04:002010-10-06T06:43:27.878-04:00

Today’s Issues. Etc. soundbite of the day comes from Dr. Alister McGrath of Oxford University commenting on religion being the serpent in the rationalist’s Garden of Eden back on October 1, 2010.I normally wait a week before posting a soundbite but Dr. McGrath’s observation is brilliant and his characterization of the unbeliever’s frustration with religion seducing away what seem to be otherwise

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-26787592847658720732010-10-04T09:21:00.000-04:002010-10-04T09:21:41.188-04:00

Pastor Jonathon Fisk from over at Worldview Everlasting explains Methodism and has a quick look at the center of Lutheranism (which is in Africa and not America or Germany) and what our brothers over there truly need.

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-73622765238843093072010-09-29T11:15:00.004-04:002010-09-29T11:21:35.589-04:00

Today's quote of the day comes from Dr. Luther commenting on worship:[Worship] is not a function of the mouth but of the whole body. It is to bow the head, bend the body, fall on the knees, prostrate one’s self, and so forth, and to do such things as a sign and acknowledgement of an authority and power; just as people bow in silence before secular princes and lords, and just as popes, bishops,

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-75899707087107654872010-09-27T13:02:00.008-04:002010-09-27T14:34:58.842-04:00

So, what are the rubrics for when Christian’s gather to worship and wish to incorporate the use of “thundersticks” into worship? Does anybody know? I can’t find the required rubrics anywhere in the Lutheran Service book! Why is that?First we need to define some terms…Rubrics are according to the Lutheran Cyclopedia are “Directions for conducting services; the name is derived from the red ink

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-4718614991334881392010-09-26T15:15:00.001-04:002010-09-26T15:18:40.020-04:00

Pr. Jonathan Fisk from over at Worldview Everlasting answers more email and addresses predestination, devotional materials, and how to talk with your friends.

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-36344977348224970872010-09-24T12:58:00.003-04:002010-09-24T13:25:14.999-04:00

Dan over at Necessary Roughness has the newest Time Out: Time Out, Episode 84 posted.The Scripture reading for this episode is Mark 7 with commentary from the Kretzmann Commentary Series. The hymn this time is “Who Trusts in God A Strong Abode” found on page 714 in the Lutheran Service Book.Dan makes the case that “Mark 7 has all sorts of Gospel goodness in it. First Christ calls out the

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-77944556421897570632010-09-22T07:54:00.001-04:002010-09-22T08:00:24.151-04:00

Issues, Etc. had a great segment on Monday with Pastor Wil Weedon of St. Paul Lutheran-Hamel, IL study the Te Deum, one of the Christian church’s most ancient hymns of praise. I hope everyone will take some time out of their day and listen to Pastor Weedon walk through this marvelous hymn that is so strong theologically that Martin Luther thought it should be one of our creeds. Listen here.The Te

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-29562816216148849262010-09-20T17:14:00.001-04:002010-09-20T17:15:10.649-04:00

Pr. Jonathan Fisk from over at Worldview Everlasting asks one of my favorite questions: "who's running the verbs" and answers email with another awesome video

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-52474076277329630702010-09-16T22:41:00.005-04:002010-09-16T23:07:34.599-04:00

If anyone noticed in my last post that the prayer for pastors seemed a little bit old school in the language department, then rejoice in your winning of a coveted POTF no-prize. I’ll be sending out the POTF no-prizes as soon as everyone who has won the award gives me a call and leaves me their address. I trust everyone to be honest and claim the no-prize only if you actually have won the

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-80146752066251509582010-09-15T07:19:00.001-04:002010-09-15T07:21:21.558-04:00

A prayer for pastors through whom the faithful hear the very words of Jesus Christ and receive His blessed sacraments:Almighty and gracious God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hast commanded us to pray that thou wouldest send forth laborers into Thy harvest, of Thy infinite mercy give us true teachers and ministers of Thy Word, and put Thy saving Gospel in their hearts and on their lips

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-31123987669674382582010-09-13T06:38:00.000-04:002010-09-13T06:38:47.823-04:00

So, do you know the difference between a Lutheran and a Calvinist? I know that sounds like a joke but it’s not and the answer has something to do with flowers according Pastor Jonathon Fisk over at Worldview Everlasting.

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-81806425924904306272010-09-09T12:59:00.003-04:002010-09-09T13:04:04.762-04:00

Today's quote of the day is from John Warwick Montgomery:"The New Testament documents must be regarded as reliable sources of information...the documentary attestation for these records is so strong that a denial of their reliability carries with it total skepticism toward the history and literature of the classical ...world.""History and Christianity" (San Bernardino, CA: Here's Life

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-41433268174692359782010-09-02T09:23:00.004-04:002010-09-02T09:33:05.272-04:00

Just so ya’ll don’t think it’s just me… here’s Pastor Tom Chryst’s excellent list on evaluating hymnondy to be sung during the Divine Service:Words:1. Is it Christian? If a Jew or Mormon or Buddhist could sing the song without pause, it is likely not a Christian song.2. Does it mention Jesus (Christ) by name? Titles such as Savior and Lord are not wrong, but songs/hymns are most clear when the

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-2956060105454508082010-08-28T12:01:00.001-04:002010-08-28T12:04:29.637-04:00

Pastor Jonathon Fisk, who shepherds St. John Lutheran Church up in Springfield, PA, and whose blog is a favorite of mine over at Worldview Everlasting, has put up his newest video which is a high octane introduction to the Lutheran confessions of the Book of Concord. Watching this video is a bit like drinking history and theology through a fire hose but Pastor Fisk has created a ten-minute e

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-55218927374023491852010-08-25T08:34:00.005-04:002010-08-25T09:00:19.742-04:00

I was having a “friendly discussion” with a friend of mine concerning what goes on during worship on a Sunday morning recently on Facebook. After much back and forth about the Divine Service versus praise and worship as a mere preference (it’s not a matter of personal preference for confessional Lutherans but that is a whole other can of worms and another post to be written for a later discussion

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-31238008611025136012010-08-23T13:19:00.001-04:002010-08-23T13:22:48.863-04:00

Pastor Jonathon Fisk from Worldview Everlasting looks at some of the weird goings on at the national youth gathering like liturgical dancing and a prayer walking class that was taught as part of a breakout session in his video titled “I'm Just Very Confused - Part 2: Authorized Take-Over Deum”Part 1 can be viewed here

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-7335404470662377322010-08-20T15:58:00.004-04:002010-08-20T16:20:05.688-04:00

Pastor Jonathon Fisk from Worldview Everlasting continues his look at the national youth gathering in his video titled "I'm Just Very Confused - Part 1: Simulized Adrenali-Fide"

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-10993081986242000882010-08-17T06:24:00.001-04:002010-08-17T06:26:48.845-04:00

Here’s another great video from Pastor Jonathon Fisk. Pastor Fisk is a favorite blogger of mine no matter what medium he’s using over at Worldview Everlasting.This video looks at what went on at the last nation youth gathering, an event which congregations from all over the country sent their youth to. So what are these national gatherings teaching? Pastor Fisk gives us a hint in the embedded

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-37469113921671126652010-08-14T16:33:00.002-04:002010-08-14T16:42:18.019-04:00

Brett McCracken writing in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal warns of the perils of “wannabe cool” Christianity. He reports that as many as 70% of Protestants between the ages of 18-22 are “pouring out of their churches, never to return” because of trends that have Americanized Christianity’s congregations scrambling to stay ahead of the relevance curve and sustain the cool, hip, and relevant image

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-80038257926010462922010-08-11T14:56:00.006-04:002010-08-11T16:08:34.735-04:00

This morning I found in the inbox my monthly Youth Ministry E-bulletin from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The E-bulletin focused on the recent national youth gathering that wrapped up down in New Orleans a few weeks ago. One thing really caught my eye…Rev. Dr. Terry Dittmer, the director of the Youth Ministry Office of the District and Congregational Services , in his final thought this

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-38530389355763507672010-08-09T13:59:00.003-04:002010-08-09T14:25:46.578-04:00

I’ve been criticized on more than one occasion, usually by my evangelical friends but also by Lutheran folk, for just not being emotive enough on a Sunday morning while singing hymns. How anybody can tell that I’m not getting emotional enough by looking at a list of the hymns we sing in a bulletin without actually standing next me in the pew and monitoring my facial expressions, body language,

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-14586908605884455752010-08-06T07:13:00.003-04:002010-08-06T07:33:47.736-04:00

In spite of this month being one of the busiest I’ve experienced in years, I took a friend up on her offer to participate in a discussion where a commenter on her site was trying to make the case that songs of the contemporary Christian music variety’s focus on the “personal relationship” was no different that that of the personal nature of the Palms. Wrote the commenter:As for the “personal

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-76399646088908358392010-08-03T13:58:00.001-04:002010-08-03T14:02:19.454-04:00

No matter how many times as I’ve watched the embedded video from Pastor Jonathon Fisk I always find myself cheering and wanting to hit the replay button to watch it again, and again, and again. Pastor Fisk hits a home run going from explaining our freedom to do good works not because we have to but because we get to and then juxtaposing the account of Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus over Martha

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-10119167422449184072010-07-28T14:36:00.005-04:002010-07-28T14:56:13.610-04:00

‎Today’s quote of the week is from one of my friends on Facebook commenting on my status where I stated that I believe that "liturgical puppets are a sign of the apocalypse." After watching the embedded video my friend replied: ‎"That would NEVER happen in our church I know that for certain, mainly because almost everyone is a member of NRA"It is good to know that whatever differences we might

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-51193525708090620922010-07-24T13:16:00.004-04:002010-07-24T13:30:52.918-04:00

Dan over at Necessary Roughness has the newest Time Out: Time Out, Episode 75 posted.The Scripture reading for this episode is from Amos 9 with commentary from the Kretzmann Commentary Series on Amos and Obadiah. The hymn this time is “We All Believe in One True God” found on page 954 in the Lutheran Service Book with a Bonus Bumper: Mozart – Requiem, “Dies Irae”.The reading from Amos contains

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-1437015758861569442010-07-19T20:10:00.003-04:002010-07-19T20:18:00.647-04:00

Every year literally thousands upon thousands of people gather in San Diego for the annual San Diego Comic-Con. The San Diego Comic-Con is the largest comic book and pop culture themed convention of it’s kind in the world. While originally showcasing comic books the convention has grown to include exhibits from movie studios, gaming companies, toys and collectibles over the years. If you want to

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-12006615143703220132010-07-15T07:36:00.003-04:002010-07-15T07:46:08.339-04:00

Back on June 26, Dr. T. David Gordon, author of Why Johnny Can't Sing Hymns: How Pop Culture Rewrote the Hymnal was on my favorite radio program Issues, Etc. Today’s Issues, Etc. Today's Issues, Etc. soundbite of the day is from that interview and has Dr. Gordon making the case that there are some children's hymns that have more depth theologically than contemporary worship songs.The entire

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-23146144174011550352010-07-09T13:27:00.005-04:002010-07-09T19:29:24.231-04:00

So, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod sells it’s KFUO radio station to a contemporary Christian music station. Check. Then, oh this just priceless then “The Lutheran Church forced all Classic 99 employees to sign an agreement that is at the least questionable under Missouri and federal labor law. It states that if employees want six months severance pay they can not work for anyone, at any job,

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-56336370965968368902010-07-06T14:40:00.003-04:002010-08-14T16:31:37.017-04:00

If… LC-MS Southeastern District spiritual directors are correct and what was taught concerning dream work at a recent prayer and spiritual formation workshop was in fact “reclaiming our ancient heritage going way back, right to the New Testament”, “one way of consciously getting in touch with God’s will for us and cooperating with it” and here to stay so if ya’ll don’t like it “you really ought

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-63826713356149217782010-06-27T07:35:00.004-04:002010-06-27T07:47:01.880-04:00

The following is today’s reading from the Treasury of Daily Prayer:We have learned from none others the plan of salvation, than from those whom the Gospel has come down to us, which they did at one time proclaim in public, and, at a later period, by the will of God, handed down to us in the Scriptures, to be the ground and the pillar of our faith…We allege…against those who do not recognize Paul

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-38297184336643642822010-06-25T07:48:00.002-04:002010-06-25T08:07:53.047-04:00

Dan over at Necessary Roughness has the newest Time Out: Time Out, Episode 71 posted.The Scripture reading for this episode is from Ezekiel 3 with commentary from the Kretzmann Commentary Series. The hymn this time is “Rise, Shine, You People” found on page 825 in the Lutheran Service Book.In Ezekiel 3, God holds Ezekiel accountable for the preaching of repentance and deliverance of his people.

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-71526140771572909172010-06-21T08:34:00.005-04:002010-06-21T10:01:40.011-04:00

On June 21, 1991 I walked into a movie theater and met the women who would be my missus. A three o’clock in the afternoon exactly one year later we were married.I count each and every day since walking into that theater as a blessing from God. I knew the moment I met her that she was the person who I wanted to bury me and fortunately she thought so as well.Happy anniversary missus!

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-74787435796006055902010-06-16T06:53:00.004-04:002010-06-16T07:06:16.491-04:00

Maybe it’s always been the case and I never noticed it before, I’m just not sure. There are several churches on the way to work that have signs that do more than advertise when the congregation gathers for Sunday worship. Of the ones that fall into that grouping are a couple that like to distinguish themselves with cute or whimsical proverbs (but rarely proverbs of a Biblical origin or nature)

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-5776005168180650732010-06-10T08:00:00.003-04:002010-07-15T07:48:13.915-04:00

I’m way behind in listening to my podcasts so today’s soundbite of the day comes from a segment that aired two weeks ago to the day on Issues, Etc. I hope the guys at IE don’t mind that it takes some of us a while to listen to all the shows…Back on May 27 Pastors Henrickson and Woerth discussed on the Pastors’ Roundtable the fact that Dr. Luther’s viewed teaching falsely in the name of God was

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-44113906537003423222010-06-04T14:19:00.008-04:002010-06-04T15:06:37.274-04:00

Last week on Issues, Etc. host Todd Wilken conducted three interviews with Dr. Steven Hein of the Concordia Institute for Christian Studies on man’s failed attempts to reach God. The three interviews covered the topics of moralism, rationalism, and finally mysticism. What a great series of interviews with the subject of mysticism being somewhat timely in light of the most recent posts!What is

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-18523095995325077092010-05-28T15:47:00.004-04:002010-08-23T10:30:19.426-04:00

In my report of the Prayer and Spiritual Workshop I attended I said that there were several portions of the workshop that I thought were very good. These sections met with my approval because they were most identifiable the reformation era confessions, historical practices, and finally and most importantly Scripture. The portion of the class that stood head and shoulders above the rest was the

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-60431776355115974162010-05-24T14:58:00.004-04:002010-08-23T10:27:12.724-04:00

I said at the end of my last post I would address some questions that popped up since I wrote my first post on the Prayer and Spiritual Formation Workshop so here we go…One thing that came up a lot more often than I expected was whether or not I was even qualified to critique the material in the workshop. More than one commenter suggested that since I had never gone to a seminary that any

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-19646008116136306352010-05-15T00:15:00.009-04:002010-08-23T10:23:35.899-04:00

And to quote the famous theologian and apologist Samuel L. Jackson from chapter three of the third book of Tarantino; “Well, allow me to retort…”Let me first state that contrary to what some might think I’m not against people learning to get into the habit of daily praying or studying privately or corporately the Bible. I believe that if folks both prayed and read their Bibles with just modicum

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-25161253894745447142010-05-05T14:26:00.004-04:002010-08-23T10:20:21.340-04:00

Let me first state that the account of the discussions during lunch were not part of the Prayer and Spiritual Formation Workshop nor were they heard by all who attended said workshop. There were two professional church workers, two laypersons, and the presenter at my table but not everybody participated in the conversation. It is because these discussions were not heard by all in attendance that

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-4278275818992716582010-04-27T17:29:00.008-04:002010-08-23T10:16:42.593-04:00

If there was any change in how the class was conducted in the morning to the afternoon it was that the presenter didn’t stray as much from the handout as he had the night before or in the morning session. The most likely reason for this was that there was still a lot to cover in class and to get through it all we’d have be a bit more focused to in the time that remained.After we returned from

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-38335315619167933472010-04-15T14:24:00.013-04:002010-08-23T10:13:10.277-04:00

The next morning we started first thing with a short talk on the importance having of a good study Bible. To his credit the presenter held up The Lutheran Study Bible by CPH as a great resource. When the issue of translations came up someone asked what the presenter’s preference was he responded that the NIV is his preferred translation but that he also likes to have his copy of the Message close

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-5651217701878153222010-04-08T14:36:00.008-04:002010-08-23T10:07:50.176-04:00

A bit ago I attended a Prayer and Spiritual Formation workshop put on by my district; the SED. When the class was over I was even more concerned about the direction of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod than I was ever before. This post will be the first in a series of posts on the class. I haven’t decided how many posts to write just yet because there is just so much material that I could spend

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-31653697752132678292010-04-06T07:27:00.004-04:002010-04-06T14:34:09.390-04:00

My new favorite person just might be Brian Yamabe, who blogs over at Vocation in the Valley, for putting together a Book of Concord application for the iPod Touch, iPhone, and Apple’s newest cool toy; the iPad! The “Triglotta – The Book of Concord" app can be found here at iTunes App Store. And best of all; it’s free!Brian deserves a huge thank you for taking the time to put this great resource

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-27484063764732153802010-04-05T09:16:00.002-04:002010-04-05T09:21:50.621-04:00

Well, that didn’t take long…Just one day after the iPad goes on sale, Messiah Lutheran Church in Vancouver, WA used Apple’s latest cool toy, an iPad, to read the assigned passages of Scripture for Easter Sunday in an effort to establish its relevance cred with the high tech faithful.My own congregation stuck to the old ways and read the readings out of a Bible.

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-62367889826963633772010-04-04T16:44:00.002-04:002010-04-04T16:49:02.843-04:00

From the Gospel according to Luke 24:1-12: But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-88255694555333452102010-04-02T13:51:00.003-04:002010-04-02T13:59:02.872-04:00

From the Treasury of Daily Prayer:But if any honest Christian wants to know why the Lord suffered death on the cross and not in some other way, we answer thus: in no other way was it expedient for us, indeed the Lord offered for our sakes the one death that was supremely good. He had come to bear the curse that lay on us; and how could He “become a curse” otherwise than by accepting the accursed

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-33325632354581091282010-04-01T10:19:00.007-04:002010-04-01T11:57:29.727-04:00

Today the Church catholic observes Maundy Thursday which celebrates Jesus’ institution of the Sacrament of the Altar or as it more popularly called; the Lord’s Supper.So what is the Sacrament of the Altar? From the Small Catechism we read:What is the Sacrament of the Altar?It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink,

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-6649226563429646992010-03-23T16:24:00.003-04:002010-07-28T14:38:38.571-04:00

Today’s quote of the week is from one of my friends on Facebook commenting on the recent passage and signing of the health care reform bill:________________ As a Christian, I am sad that the government is legislating mercy for the poor and sick. We should be doing more of that.'Nuff said.

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-61923016224002592432010-03-18T21:11:00.003-04:002010-03-18T21:32:29.062-04:00

Dan over at Necessary Roughness has the newest Time Out; Time Out, Episode 57 posted.The Scripture reading for this episode is Ruth 1:1-18 and the hymn is “I Bind Unto Myself Today” found on page 604 in the Lutheran Service Book. This beautifully Trinitarian hymn is actually from the pen of St. Patrick himself.I have it on pretty good authority that Dan and Kantor Beethe did an amazing job on “I

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-76747471271335239172010-03-15T19:44:00.003-04:002010-03-15T19:54:41.058-04:00

An evangelical friend of mine, who I had not talked with for some time, called me Saturday evening on her way home. She said that since it was such a long drive she thought she would give me and the missus a shout as she had a few hours to burn.When she asked me “guess what I did this morning?” I gave my usual random off the wall quirky answer “uh, you killed yerself a couple of possums?” Usually

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-23588152813417404672010-03-11T19:49:00.004-05:002010-03-11T20:19:13.118-05:00

From the I swear I aint making this up department the AP news is reporting that a women from New Zealand just auctioned off two souls suspended in holy water:The rare spirits that went under the gavel at a recent online auction in New Zealand weren't aged brandies or hard-to-find liqueurs.Instead, two glass vials purportedly containing the ghosts of two dead people sold for $2,830 New Zealand

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-11818149403708838442010-03-09T18:24:00.002-05:002010-03-09T18:32:23.896-05:00

For our opening hymn on Sunday we sang O God, Thou faithful God by Johann Heerman which can be found on page 696 of the Lutheran Service Book. What a great hymn! While not in Lenten section (we are in Lent ya know!) of the hymnal what a terrific hymn to sing this time of the year.What struck me more than anything else was the last two stanzas in that they confess that which we hope for; the

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-79945642618461015862010-03-06T17:45:00.006-05:002010-03-13T11:31:12.877-05:00

Today’s quote of the week is from one of my friends on Facebook commenting on the recent revelation that an air traffic controller let his children direct airplanes from the JFK tower:_______ is marveling at how everyone gets worked up over a kid repeating ground control instructions when even the pilots got a kick out of it, while no one gets upset over the notion of a youth-lead worship

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-15953511106106625292010-02-27T15:30:00.007-05:002010-02-27T15:47:31.029-05:00

I received an email earlier this week that I wanted to address but couldn’t because of my work schedule being ramped up to get ready for a couple of weeks out of town. A friend of mine has written me that she has been visiting a very traditional congregation that uses the historic liturgy and sings the time tested hymnody sung by conservative congregations across denominational lines to

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-23829011619091652482010-02-23T08:26:00.002-05:002010-02-23T08:32:53.127-05:00

In my last post I posted a comment from Mike in which he took issue with my statement that Mormons are not Christian. Mike stated that any group who claims to be and believes themselves to be Christian should be considered as such. I of course respectfully disagree.Heaven will at the last day be filled with a whole group of folks that Lutherans disagree with. There will be Methodists, Baptists,

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-6074141196564327702010-02-18T08:56:00.003-05:002010-02-18T09:15:40.448-05:00

I get all sorts of angry email from folks taking me to task for everything from my insistence that hymnody solidly confess the faith and not sound like a love song to Jesus to my making crazy statements like we shouldn’t even try to separate the mission from the message so as to be more seeker sensitive to unchurched peoples.When I get angry emails or comments I always try to be as nice as

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-21981650239876979432010-02-16T14:35:00.003-05:002010-02-16T14:47:18.668-05:00

I started teaching a class this past Sunday on whether the Old Testament can be viewed as an account of a historical nature or if, as many modern and postmodern would have it, we should look at the Biblical narrative and accounts as myths, fables, or morality tales similar to parables in that they are only meant to teach us how to play nice and love one another but have no grounding within

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-49384344271045569482010-02-12T15:32:00.004-05:002010-02-12T16:27:49.245-05:00

Finally, here’s my completed homework project “Image Composition” given to me by Dan over at Necessary Roughness explaining how I composed/manufactured a picture of Tom Monson declaring that he’s not a cylon. The first portion of my homework assignment can be found here.Hope ya’ll enjoy it in spite of the poor sound quality!Something that I forgot to include is that the text in the crawler along

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18657719.post-5697286982428569162010-02-09T14:22:00.005-05:002010-02-09T14:42:07.373-05:00

From the there’s no way in all of Hades even I could ever come up with something this bizarre comes this gem from Craig’s List:I need a Jesus Christ for Sweet Sixteen (Midtown)My daughters sweet sixteen is in 5 weeks from friday, she is a huge film buff. Her favorite movie of all time is Passion of the Christ and I want to surprise her with someone dressed as Christ to dance with her after she

Frank Gillespiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606601821325532724noreply@blogger.com6