Saturday, August 22, 2009

John 3:14-17

14Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.


Gospel in a nutshell. Sweet, sweet words that bring us comfort, joy, and peace.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games


What an awesome Wii game. You can choose from various characters like Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, or the various Sonic characters and then do events like running, hurdles, fencing, high jump, archery, swimming, etc. The dream races are cool--it's like Mario Kart where you can get different items to use against your opponents. It's a fun game, and it's fun because it celebrates the Summer Olympics that took place in 2008.

Baptism Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics by David P. Scaer

This is an incredible theological work on Baptism. Topics include: Baptism as the remedy for original sin, the biblical origins of Baptism, the efficacy of Baptism, infant baptism, etc. The book beautifully conveys the significance of Baptism in a straightforward way.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Cubs Clubhouse

I love going to this store and being surrounded by all Cubs stuff--lots of clothing and pretty much anything else imaginable with a Cubs logo on it. Another store that tempts me to spend money!! There are Cubs Clubhouse shops located at Water Tower place in Chicago and at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL.

Jamie


It has been so cool to get to know Jamie (or JB as I call her) since she started working at Holy Cross. Jamie has a flair for the dramatic, so she is a good story teller. She makes me laugh often. When she does something she does it all the way--she is completely dedicated and committed to doing a good job. She is a blessing to have around!

Luke 19:10

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

Thank God because we were ALL lost.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Tootsie Roll Pop

This delicious lollipop has a tootsie roll center with a hard candy coating around it. I like the tanginess of the candy coating. Raspberry and grape are my favorites. And who can forget the beloved tootsie roll pop commercials where the owl is asked "How many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?"

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Music Quote--Martin Luther

"Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise."
--Martin Luther

Luther loved music. This quote from Luther, the great theologian is certainly high praise. He really saw that music could be an instrument of the Holy Spirit. Luther of course made a lot of musical contributions in writing powerful hymns like "A Mighty Fortress."

P.S. I Love You Score

I loved the movie P.S. I Love You, and as I watched the movie, I noticed how beautiful the music was. I was glad the score was available on CD. I could listen to this all the time! It is great music to write to or work to. John Powell is a talented composer. If I was making a movie, I would definitely want him to do the score!

Baptism Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics (p. 162 Faith and Baptism)--David P. Scaer

"While faith is necessary, it is not necessary in the sense that it has anything to offer, but only because it takes what is given in Baptism. Faith has no substantive meaning in itself, but its total value is given it by Christ, who is presented to the believer in Baptism."

Abundant Life Quote--Rev. Dr. Lames I. Lamb

"The abundant life doesn't necessarily mean a life of abundance."
--Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb

Lamb said this during his sermon in the opening worship of the 2009 Lutherans for Life Convention speaking of John 10:10 where Jesus says," I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Being a Christian doesn't guarantee a life of health, wealth, and prosperity as some of the theology of glory preachers out there will try to convince people of. But being a Christian does mean God has given us everything we need. He's given us salvation, forgiveness, and the promise to be with us always, straightening, refreshing, and upholding us. In Christ we have the abundant life.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

P.S. I Love You

I LOVED this movie. It is about a woman who grieving after her husband's death, but is helped by letters he wrote and has arranged to send her at various times within the first year after his death. In the letters he guides her, gives her specific things to do that he believes will help her, and always affirms his great love for her. Though in one sense the movie is sad because this woman has lost her husband, her true love, it is just an incredibly beautiful depiction of what true love is which I find inspiring and powerful. There are also some humorous moments in the film as well. Lisa Kudrow and Harry Connick Jr. are great in their supporting roles. Beautiful music in the film too.

Luke 15:20-24

20So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[a]'

22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.


This is part of the parable of The Lost Son. The son has squandered his wealth, knows he's messed up and finally decides to come home. While he was still a long way off the father runs to him. The father is compassionate, loving and forgiving toward the son. As sinners we were a long way off. God had mercy on us and did all the work of restoring the broken relationship that came about because of sin by sending His Son to suffer and die for us. I love this parable because it presents such a wonderful picture of the loving, forgiving Father we have.