Fleabane & Rogue Verses

Meow-ie greetings to you! My name is Tex (where that name came from, I have no clue) and I'm here on the blog today to discuss with you this little wildflower called Daisy Fleabane.........that's FleaBANE.......NOT FleaBAIT.......(which is the scientific name of those canine-ite monstrosities that chase poor little innocent creatures like me up into trees).

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I, Tex, sneaked onto the computer last night and "meow-gled" Daisy Fleabane and found a website called Prime Focus - Iowa , that has lots of nice photos of Iowa wildflowers.......sure is funny Jeannelle never stumbled onto that site before, considering it features info about Iowa.

Whoops, gotta run.......here comes Jeannelle........

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What's going on here?? If it isn't my kids hogging the computer, then its a kitty........what's the world coming to??! Scram, Tex!

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I just felt like mentioning something from yesterday's sermon: Our Epistle reading was Romans 7:14-25a. (The "b" part of verse 25 was left out.)

We have a new pastor.......as of now, my opinion of him is positive, but barely formulated, really. The text for his sermon was the abovementioned Epistle reading from Romans 7. He spoke with much intensity about each verse.......skipping over verse 22, however.......never mentioning it at all, "For in my inner being, I delight in God's law". The "b" part of verse 25 is along a similar vein, ".....I serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." (RSV)

My layperson's opinion is that the idea of a person delighting in God's law in their mind/inner self (or even having an "inner self")..........is a rogue concept that doesn't fit anywhere in Lutheran theology. We're taught that we are sinners through and through, in body AND mind; our actions and thoughts being sinful continually. (That's the LAW)

The Cross of Christ brings salvation. (That's the GOSPEL.) However........salvation is accessed only by faith........and faith is accessed through the Sacraments. (Jumping through the churchly hoops.)

Because of the Word of God preached and bestowed on us in the Sacraments (Baptism & Communion), we Lutherans are made saints, while simultaneously remaining sinners.

After 30 years, I've finally figured out that the crux of the difference between being a Baptist and being a Lutheran is that as a Baptist I put my trust in Christ, and as a Lutheran I'm supposed to put my trust in the Sacraments. Martin Luther didn't feel that people could believe in Christ with their own minds; faith comes from the Word bestowed in Sacraments. Finally, after all these years, I can see that----in my opinion, anyhow----- that is what encompasses the difference between the two denominations.

Actually, if I would have understood the denominational differences years ago, I might not have joined the Lutherans. But, I was young then, and not inclined to think very deeply about things. Truly, I wish denominational differences didn't exist.......they make no sense, considering what the message of Christianity is supposed to be.

But, hey.........if Lutheranism sounds good to you........go get catechized and become one. Be sure you choose the correct brand of Lutheranism, though, which is, of course, the Missouri Synod. (Woe is me.....my son is marrying one of the "other" Lutherans.)

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(IF you would like to receive an email message which has clickable links to EVERY chapter of EVERY book in the Bible, email me at junebug1976@hotmail.com .)

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Enjoy your day!!!