tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288611782024-02-07T18:33:10.488-08:00Musings of a Recovering LutheranRecovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.comBlogger2770125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-10281229690170661442018-04-07T13:43:00.000-07:002018-04-07T13:43:04.751-07:00Today's verse<i>And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.</i>
<p><p align=right>Mark 16:1-7 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-35628174052038129942018-03-30T06:57:00.003-07:002018-03-30T06:57:55.236-07:00The debt is paid<i>And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, The King Of The Jews. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors. And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down. And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.</i>
<p><p align=right>Mark 15:20-39 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-47139823868566798362018-03-30T06:54:00.002-07:002018-03-30T06:54:26.177-07:00The mocking<i>Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.</i>
<p><p align=right>Matthew 27:27-31 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-25893351383678190572018-03-30T06:51:00.004-07:002018-03-30T06:51:57.993-07:00The trial<i>Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee. Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die. Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.</i>
<p><p align=right>John 18:28-40 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-78375774934999480682018-03-29T19:27:00.001-07:002018-03-29T19:27:04.916-07:00Today's verse<i>And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.</i>
<p><p align=right>Mark 14:22-25 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-62137251776086768422018-03-10T18:05:00.004-08:002018-03-10T18:05:49.759-08:00Today's verse<i>Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.</i>
<p><p align=right>Isaiah 60:1-2 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-41778639190747750392018-01-20T14:14:00.005-08:002018-01-20T14:14:59.740-08:00Today's verse<i>For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.</i>
<p><p align=right>Romans 3:23 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-87613358567612809102018-01-15T10:12:00.002-08:002018-01-15T10:12:50.282-08:00I have a dream<center><iframe width="400" height="310" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3vDWWy4CMhE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-5670876364285830182018-01-15T08:31:00.000-08:002018-01-15T08:31:17.876-08:00Reading list<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9774149-sally-scott-of-the-waves">Sally Scott of the WAVES</a>, by Roy J. Snell, Hedwig Jo Meixner.Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-42563353350017821642018-01-15T08:22:00.002-08:002018-01-15T08:22:51.840-08:00Today's verse<i>He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.</i>
<p><p align=right>Isaiah 40:29 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-40899703503060016212018-01-14T19:32:00.001-08:002018-01-14T19:32:23.303-08:00Today's verse<i>The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.</i>
<p><p align=right>Nahum 1:3 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-91665904958571859862018-01-05T13:17:00.002-08:002018-01-05T13:17:28.434-08:00Reading list<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21821937-bosom-friends">Bosom Friends</a>, by Angela Brazil.Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-28829722590423554312018-01-05T13:14:00.000-08:002018-01-05T13:14:07.046-08:00Today's verse<i>The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.</i>
<p><p align=right>Psalm 29:3 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-48676889931779814612018-01-01T14:37:00.000-08:002018-01-01T14:37:28.146-08:00Update on Asia Bibi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBLZc_Y5eoAbXPgv4Q67th92GrsrZCpsHDRqY6WXpc-_b45tBuEkuvM8uszFOo_xbpumSms9oF_yphXyaaRcP6E1luv3dtpTaEAYJ77UpNGkIZnw2m02Qb1ErVp9hFRcgD4CB/s1600/Asia+Bibi+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 205px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBLZc_Y5eoAbXPgv4Q67th92GrsrZCpsHDRqY6WXpc-_b45tBuEkuvM8uszFOo_xbpumSms9oF_yphXyaaRcP6E1luv3dtpTaEAYJ77UpNGkIZnw2m02Qb1ErVp9hFRcgD4CB/s320/Asia+Bibi+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565109249368075602"></a><br />
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<a href="https://dailytimes.com.pk/169465/blasphemy-21st-century/">Nasir Saeed writes about blasphemy laws.</a>
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Key quote:
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<i><blockquote>A Christian prisoner, Qamar David, who was serving a life sentence for blasphemy died a year after his custodial term began, despite being considered to be in good health. Though, in this case, it must be noted that he had spent some four years in pre-trial detention; in a ‘Christian only’ block.
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Sadly, his is not a lone case. Many variations exist. There was Ranjha Masih, another Christian man charged with blasphemy back in 2003. Though he was acquitted after eight years – here, again, it is pertinent to note he had spent five additional years in pre-trial detention, bringing the total number of years spent in prison to 14. Yet only his physical being gained freedom; his mind remained mentally unstable before he died a few years later. Then there is Asia Bibi, yet another Christian inmate. She was arrested back in 2009 and sentenced to life imprisonment a year later. It has been reported that she has spent the last three years in solitary confinement where no one – neither her husband nor her five children – has been allowed to meet her during this time. The bitterest irony is that while almost the whole world knows her name she is not permitted to speak to anyone. And no one knows if she will ever get life back.
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Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have even been deliberately misused to target the vulnerable, such as Rimsha Masih who was said to have suffered mental health issues that effectively placed her at an even younger age than her estimated 14 years at the time of her arrest. There is also Asif Masih. And so the list goes on.</blockquote></i>
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blasphemy-asia-bibi/1114805395?ean=9781613748893">Read Asia Bibi's own words.</a>
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For those who do not know who she is, <a href="http://www.persecution.com/public/newsroom.aspx?story_ID=MzE2">here is the story</a> about Asia Bibi's unjust imprisonment and death sentence for "blasphemy" against the Prophet Muhammad.<br />
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Please pray for Asia Bibi and her family. Also, please pray for those who are risking their lives to free her.Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-6840409079619757172018-01-01T14:20:00.000-08:002018-01-01T14:20:11.564-08:00Reading list<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/545910.There_s_a_Boy_in_Here">There's a Boy in Here</a>, by Judy & Sean Barron.Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-35832463336220241412018-01-01T14:14:00.000-08:002018-01-01T14:14:07.349-08:00Today's verse<i>For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.</i>
<p><p align=right>Psalm 90:4 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-4564284218786317932017-12-31T16:42:00.001-08:002017-12-31T16:42:21.985-08:00Reading list<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9774200-nancy-dale-army-nurse">Nancy Dale: Army Nurse</a>, by Ruby Lorraine Radford.Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-82369801355945742542017-12-31T16:36:00.001-08:002017-12-31T16:36:13.174-08:00Today's verse<i>Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.</i>
<p><p align=right>2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-77734907172636824552017-12-29T18:04:00.002-08:002017-12-29T18:07:12.233-08:00The Last Jedi or The Last Star Wars Movie?I ran across this yesterday, and my sides still hurt from laughing so much. I have never seen a better explanation why the <i>Star Wars</i> franchise has been ruined by political correctness. The language is very rough, but it is hard for me to be too upset with someone who tells the truth.
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<i><b>(WARNING: NSFW - language)</b></i>
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<iframe width="400" height="310" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LPsRp7uUXUk" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</center>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-6259859705749284762017-12-29T17:36:00.004-08:002017-12-29T17:36:56.351-08:00Today's verse<i>Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.</i>
<p><p align=right>1 John 2:22 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-5576807531830377772017-12-28T09:30:00.001-08:002017-12-28T09:30:58.763-08:00Reading list<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22602719-premonition">City of God: Premonition</a>, by Randy Ingermanson.Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-65322017533714198892017-12-28T09:13:00.003-08:002017-12-28T09:13:30.937-08:00Today's verse<i> And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.</i>
<p><p align=right>Luke 2:36-40 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-77308292233017199502017-12-27T12:07:00.002-08:002017-12-27T12:07:57.377-08:00Today's verse<i>And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.</i>
<p><p align=right>Luke 2:21-33 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-63193314753476924122017-12-26T14:32:00.003-08:002017-12-26T14:32:47.933-08:00Reading list<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25362017-the-girl-with-seven-names">The Girl with Seven Names</a>, by Hyeonseo Lee.Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861178.post-88737243035144263312017-12-26T14:28:00.001-08:002017-12-26T14:28:39.805-08:00Today's verse<i>Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.</i>
<p><p align=right>Matthew 2:1-12 (KJV)</p>Recovering Lutheranhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14681139117745192567noreply@blogger.com0