The Problem of Facebook

Check out this great post about facebook at Esgetology.

Websites to Check Out

Here are a few websites that you should check out right now... what are you waiting for... go... now... you'll thank me later....

Lutheran Hymn Revival

Hymnoglypt

Lutheran Public Radio

and of course Esgetology

Baptismal Hymn

Just today I finished writing the hymn for my sweet little girl. I have written a few hymns (none of which are probably worth anything) and I have noticed that writing a doxology stanza seems to be the most difficult writing that I do. Maybe it is because the content of that stanza is so very specific, or maybe I am just not very good at writing. Either way, I find it a real challenge. I powered through it, and now the editing process begins...

Here is stanza 1 as it is right now:

Sin infects me. Since my first days,

Even since my conception,

Sin has driven my thoughts and ways,

And I am fully corrupted.

My view of life is always curved

Inward, and I only think

About myself -what I’ve deserved-

Without a care for anyone.

So much has sin corrupted me

That my eyes are now blind

To the awful reality

That what I deserve is death.

"Dad is Great..."

Preparation for fatherhood...

Durer and The History of Salvation: Part 8

He Is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Durer and The History of Salvation: Part 7

The Passion Of Our Lord According To St. Matthew

Durer and The History of Salvation: Part 6

Durer and The History of Salvation: Part 5

Durer and The History of Salvation: Part 4

Durer and The History of Salvation: Part 3

Durer and The History of Salvation: Part 2

Durer and The History of Salvation: Part 1

A Lawyer's Case for Christianity

Craig Parton defends the faith in Birmingham, AL. Listen to it here.

Cheerful He to Suff'ring Goes?

The fifth stanza from the hymn My Song is Love Unknown states "Yet cheerful He [Jesus] to suff'ring goes." While this seems innocent enough, I do not think it serves the Christian well to underestimate the severity of what happened to our Lord during His passion. It is entirely possible that our Lord could do His work without sin while still understanding the severity of that work. Let me illustrate this with a modern example.

This picture shows a man who had experienced hell. He had seen things and done things that we do not like to even think about. He knew that his work could be deadly, and that it would not be finished until his enemy was destroyed. In this picture is a man who knew what had to be done and would do it willingly, but he also understood the gravity of the situation.

Read the account of Jesus in the time immediately before His betrayal.

"He knelt down and prayed, saying 'Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.' Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground."

Our Lord knew that His work would be deadly. He knew that scourging, fatigue to the point of collapse, starvation, thirst, torture, and death were before Him. He also knew that He would be mocked, spit upon, tried in a kangaroo court, and convicted regardless of His innocence. He knew that He was not only man but also God. He knew that He could have legions of angels tend to Him at the utterance of a word. This account shows us a man who knew what had to be done and would do it willingly, but He also understood the gravity of the situation.

"Cheerful He to suff'ring goes?" Hardly.