Trivializing the Miraculous Mission

Posted on January 29, 2019 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

Below for you listening pleasure or discomfiture are the VBS songs the Missouri Synod’s publishing house is offering for it’s 2019 program: Miraculous Mission – Jesus Saves the World. CPH’s website devoted to this  says: “A Concordia Publishing House (CPH) we don’t need fairy tales to make VBS fun. God’s Word stands alone with real stories about real people” (https://miraculousmission.cph.org/downloads). Apparently what it does need is cute, shallow, memorable ditties. Be sure to listen to the last too offerings. They are “From all that Dwell Below the Skies” and  “Jesus Shall Wher’er the Sun” to know what you will be singing in the LCMS circa mid-21st century. In the words of Melanie: “Ils ont chang? ma chanson Ma.” Their web page touts them as having “VBS with purpose.”  I quail at what that purpose it. Continue reading →

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We’re Part of the 15% – A Letter to President Harrison

Posted on January 9, 2019 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

Well, it’s been over a year since our Voters Assembly sent President Harrison a letter calling for him to repent. We’ve heard nuttin’ from no one. I wrote to President Bohlmann in 1986 and he answered me personally. How far I have fallen! This letter, though largely authored by me, is really from Trinity Lutheran Church. I didn’t think any churchman, any true Seelsorge, could turn up his nose at a flock of sheep. Sure, maybe he could ignore one smelly shepherd, but not a whole flock. I was wrong. We are part of the 15% President Harrison refers to when he says 85% of the Synod can get along with our present doctrine and practice. I can’t. I predict 5% of the liberals can’t either, but I think 10% of the 15% Harrison is willing to lose will come from the confessional, liturgical side of things. Continue reading →

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For Your Christmas Eve/Day Preparation – Danger Close

Posted on December 20, 2018 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

‘Danger close’ is what a solider radios to the fire control center if he is calling in artillery or an air strike on a position close to friendly troops. One of the items I share below can get a pastor blown up if used ill-advisedly. Continue reading →

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We Have Only Just Begun to Redact

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

I don’t know how you feel about the removal of Confederate personalities from the pages of history and town squares of southern cities and commons of southern colleges, but it is proceeding apace. I am conflicted. Continue reading →

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Blessing for A Confessional Pastor

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

The only blessing I know is the first stanza of the Irish one. Continue reading →

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Message by Humanism; Music by Disney – Visit to a PCUSA

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

I know the acronym for Presbyterian Church USA is not PUKE but that’s how I have always thought and heard it. A visit to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Austin, Texas confirmed that this wasn’t a mondegreen on my part. Continue reading →

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The Sharpest Knife in the Drawer – Visit to a Non-Denominational Church

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

If you’re a pastor who thinks what the world needs is another non-denominational church or your winning personality, give-up. Send them to Shoreline, Austin, Texas. They have a better sound system than any Dolby movie theater, as comfortable seating as any Continue reading →

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 “Family Guy” Sees what Seminaries Don’t

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

In a “Family Guy” episode from 2005 Peter lists 29 shows that had been canceled by Fox after short runs (“North by North”). Check out the video clip. It’s impressive how many shows a network runs through. In their attempt to catch lightening in a bottle, they break lots of bottles. Continue reading →

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The Lutheran Study Bible More Aptly Named Self-Study Bible

Posted on August 29, 2018 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

            You’ll recall that the 1986 Bible published by Concordia Publishing House was titled Concordia Self-Study Bible. The knock on it was that it was a Lutheranized version of Zondervan’s NIV Study Bible. However, even given the inherent Calvinistic, Reformed, Millennialism bias of the 1984 NIV Bible translation as well as the weakness of some of the notes they didn’t remove, it still was a study Bible that aided in studying the Bible by one’s self. This is as opposed to the 2009 The Lutheran Study Bible which is study of the self. Continue reading →

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Bet You Can’t Do This

Posted on August 9, 2018 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

My father would say, “I bet you can’t rub your head with one hand and pat your stomach with the other.” Try it; it’s hard, but is it possible. He would also say, “I bet you can’t grab yourself by the neck and pick yourself up.” This you can’t to. You have to be outside of yourself to do that. This is the problem with those who have faith in faith, by the way. Their faith is from within not without and it waxes and wanes with how they feel. But I digress, but not too far. Continue reading →

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