Letters On The Page

 W H Auden, who was a student of J R R Tolkien at Oxford, has said that there are two kinds of people, "Those that have read the Lord of the Rings and those that will eventually read the Lord of the Rings."  I am pleased to say that a few years ago after watching the Peter Jackson movies, I reread both the Hobbit and the trilogy that became The Lord of the Rings.  The first time I read them I was in Junior high or a freshman or sophomore in High school during the late 1970's or early 1980's.   I understood much more of what Tolkien was doing the second time around.  When I read them again in the upcoming year, I will see even more of what Tolkien is accomplishing in this remarkable and enduring work of fantasy.  A delightful way to enter into a deeper appreciation of Tolkien's work is to watch or listen to Ralph Wood's lecture.  I have experienced Prof. Wood in person as he delivers a lecture.  The man is a live wire and is a delight to listen to....

                                                         St. Luke Ev. Lutheran Church, Rensselaer, IN                                                            Lutheran Church of Our Saviour, Monticello, IN Pastor Jeff and Marie Zell at St. Luke Pastor Jeff and Marie Zell at Lutheran Church of Our Saviour Pastor Zell donating blood in fellowship hall of St. Luke.  St. Luke hosts the American Red Cross three times a year.

Charles Bukowski. Post Office: A Novel . 1971, 2002. Positive statements first. A well written book. Bukowski uses short sentences that flow beautifully from one to another. He provides just enough description of place, mood, situation, etc. to fully appreciate the different scenes and scenarios that are in the book. As one who just completed a brief stint in the Post Office as a processing clerk, I can attest that his description of the monotony and challenges of the work, management styles, and rules of the PO remain true. Bukowski captures well the impact of multiple years of this kind of work on the body and mind.  Negative statements: I did not like the main character who is also the narrator of this story. Henry Chinaski is a selfish, foul-mouthed, booze loving drunkard, cigarette smoking, race-track gambling, and womanizing man. He lives for the moment and is impulsive. He does honest work, complaining about it bitterly the whole time, to support an immoral life.  Yet, ...

2024 Epiphany 4 – Deuteronomy 18:15-20   1 Corinthians 8:1-13  Mark 1:21-28 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Amen.  It seems innocent enough. Jesus is recognized as an up-and-coming Rabbi. On the Sabbath, he is exactly where he is supposed to be as a man of faith.  He is with his faith community.  The leadership of the synagogue invites him to expound on the scriptures. So, we are told that he begins teaching.  We would not take any notice of what is happening here except for three things. First, the Old Testament reading. Second, the listener’s reaction to Jesus’ teaching.  “ They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes .” Third, of course, is the disruptive behavior of the man with the unclean spirit.  All three of these things add to the growing list of what we learn abo...

 My son, sister and sister-in-law and their families sent me beautiful birthday cards.  They are a delight to behold. 

2024 Epiphany 3        Jonah 3:1-5, 10;        1 Corinthians 7:29-35;         Mark 1:14-20 Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning.  Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Most of us are familiar with at least part of the story of the prophet Jonah.  The Sunday School type stories I have seen generally tell the story of Jonah’s call from God to go to Nineveh, his attempt to flee from God and His call, and then getting swallowed up by the whale or fish, his repentance, arrival in Nineveh and the people’s repentance.  What is usually left out is chapter 4 where Jonah is indignant and angry that God chose...

Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum The Word of the Lord Endures Forever 1 Peter 1:24-25 https://lutheranreformation.org/history/the-motto-of-the-reformation/