Great sale on new book: Lutheranism 101

I hesitate to mention other books while we are featuring a particular Book-of-the-Month at Messiah. However, this one appears to be just too good to pass up. Lutheranism 101 is one of the latest outstanding offerings from Concordia Publishing House.

You may order it now at a special price WEB ONLY price of $14.99. Click here to order at Concordia Publishing House's website. This special offer ends at the end of October.

Here's what the CPH website has to say about it:

Lutheranism 101 examines Lutheran beliefs and heritage in a fresh way. If you are a lifelong Lutheran searching for more information or new to Lutheranism looking to understand what we believe, this book will be your guide. It is written in an easy-to-read conversational style with short articles, side-bar features, and some humor. Lutheranism 101 helps create a solid foundation of reference upon which a lifetime of sound teaching can be built. Explore the basics of Lutheran theology by digging into the history of Lutheranism and making connections between what Lutherans believe and what Lutherans do.

There is a sample available for download by clicking here.

If you're still not convinced, check out the Lutheranism 101 blog by clicking here.

Here is an interview with the editor, the Rev. Scot Kinnaman, about Lutheranism 101.

October Book for Kids: "Things I See at Christmas"

Throughout the year we will also be offering some books for kids.  This is one in a series by my friend Julie Stiegemeyer.  She has written this wonderful series of board books which, as the publisher's website says,

"are designed to assist parents and teachers as they help young children identify and understand what happens in church and see Jesus at the center of the worship experience, understand the significance of the worship experience, feel a part of the worshipping community, [and] build a foundation for regular worship."

Order now by signing up on the sheet in the entryway or calling the church office.

October Book of the Month: "Wittenberg Confessions"

From the publishers website:

"The institutional church is drifting further and further from the historic liturgy and the proclamation of the pure Gospel. It is devolving into a pop culture version of the faith that emphasizes 'feel good' worship over the historic liturgy and tolerance over the truth of the pure Gospel. But all is not lost. Internet blogs like the Brothers of John the Steadfast and radio programs like Issues, Etc. and Pirate Christian Radio are being used by God to raise up a new generation of committed believers.

Wittenberg Confessions presents the testimony of eight of these new converts to Confessional Lutheranism. Reading these testimonies of what God has done in these lives will give you hope that Christ continues to build His Holy, Catholic Church, despite man's foibles in the institutional church.

Jim Pierce is a layman from Seattle, Washington. He wrote the introduction and conclusion and also organized the other essayists. He leads off the collection of essays with his own odyssey of faith. He voyaged away from Pentecostalism into atheism and is now at peace as a Confessional Lutheran at Messiah Lutheran Church in the north Seattle neighborhood. Elaine Gavin edited the collection. She is a lifelong confessional Lutheran. She is a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Naperville, Illinois."

Jim Pierce is a personal friend of mine and is a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle.  He is also a theologian in his own right and authors a terrific blog called Confessionals Bytes.  You can visit his blog by clicking here.

To order, sign up on the sheet posted in the entryway or call the church office.

September Book-of-the-Month

Sign up on the sheet posted in the entryway at church, or call the church office to reserve a copy. Read more about Law & Gospel at CPH's website by clicking here. Also, make sure to read Rev. Paul McCain's blog post discussing the significance of this recent translation of Walther's classic text. Click here to read his post at Cyberbrethren.
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Lutheran conversion testimonies

Here's Gene Veith plugging a new book by Seattle resident and my friend Jim Pierce.

Some may consider that phrase a contradiction in terms. But a new book contains the stories of various people who converted to Christianity as proclaimed in Lutheranism. It's called Wittenberg Confessions: Testimonies of Converts to Confessional Lutheranism, by Jim Pierce, Edited by Elaine Gavin. I mention it in particular because it includes accounts from some of the readers and commentators on this blog, such as author Jim Pierce (former atheist and just about everything else you could name) and Kelly Klages ... You can buy the book, from the wonderfully-named new publisher Blue Pomegranate Press, by clicking here.

And to whet your appetite a bit more, here is the description of the book from Blue Pomegranate Press' own website...

The institutional church is drifting further and further from the historic liturgy and the proclamation of the pure Gospel. It is devolving into a pop culture version of the faith that emphasizes "feel good" worship over the historic liturgy and tolerance over the truth of the pure Gospel. But all is not lost. Internet blogs like the Brothers of John the Steadfast and radio programs like Issues, Etc. and Pirate Christian Radio are being used by God to raise up a new generation of committed believers.

Wittenberg Confessions presents the testimony of eight of these new converts to Confessional Lutheranism. Reading these testimonies of what God has done in these lives will give you hope that Christ continues to build His Holy, Catholic Church, despite man's foibles in the institutional church.

Jim Pierce is a layman from Seattle, Washington. He wrote the introduction and conclusion and also organized the other essayists. He leads off the collection of essays with his own odyssey of faith. He voyaged away from Pentecostalism into atheism and is now at peace as a Confessional Lutheran at Messiah Lutheran Church in the north Seattle neighborhood. Elaine Gavin edited the collection. She is a lifelong confessional Lutheran. She is a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, Naperville, Illinois.

Yet another reason why I believe Matt Harrison will be a great synodical president

Any guy who reads a book called "Orbiting the Giant Hairball" should automatically qualify for the job. Click here to read Pr. Harrison's post and an excerpt from the book.

Defense of chanting from Hobbits

According to Pastor Weedon at his blog...

I'm convinced that no one ever offered a better insight into the Church's penchant for chanting than J. R. R. Tolkein in The Lord of the Rings, when the hobbits are in the house of Bombadil:

"The guests suddenly became aware that they were singing merrily, as if it was easier and more natural than talking."

Song is the native tongue of heaven; speaking is so of the earth.

"A Little Book on Joy" is in its second printing

I learned last week via Pastor Harrison's blog that "A Little Book on Joy" (with illustrations by yours truly) is now coming out in a second printing.

Order by clicking HERE.

Arch Books for the Children of Haiti

This arrived in my inbox yesterday from Concordia Publishing House.

This past Easter Sunday we celebrated Jesus Christ, our Lord’s resurrection. Keep the celebration going by sharing the Gospel with children who’ve recently experienced much trauma.

Did you know that school in Haiti has been canceled—indefinitely?

For just $10, You have the opportunity to impact Haitian children's lives by sending 6 Arch books entitled “Jesus Blesses the Children”, translated into French, and $4 to relief efforts. Money has been donated from dozens or organizations, but together we have the opportunity to provide something else that children desperately need: the Gospel.

To donate, visit www.concordiaoutreach.org or call 800.325.3040. Contributions can also be mailed to Concordia Gospel Outreach/Help for Haiti at 3558 S. Jefferson Ave., Saint Louis, MO 63118.

Good advice on prayer, and not just for teenagers

Pastor Will Weedon wrote a post on his blog entitled "Helping a Teen Ager Use the Treasury." His advice applies to people of all ages, not just teenagers. The Treasury of Daily Prayer is just that...a treasure chest full of scripture, song, and prayer to help guide us in our daily life of prayer and teaches us how to pray.

I have frequently commented that Luther really didn't get rid of monasteries; his idea was to move the monastery into the home! I mean, he PREACHED at home, for heaven's sake. Not to mention hymns and prayers and Bible reading and such.

But it is true that most people are not called the monastic life and cannot actually pray the daily office, even in the sense of three offices of Matins, Vespers and Compline that comprise the heart of the office for Lutherans.

So what can a young person do who laments that they just don't know how to pray? I had this conversation last night. "But I always only think about myself. My prayers are so narcissistic."

My answer is: "take up the Treasury." A very simple discipline can be made of praying each day the Psalm (printed out for the day) and one of the Bible readings and the prayer for the day and then the prayer for the day of the week (pages 1306ff.) and wrap up with the Lord's Prayer. Simple, really. It does NOT need to be elaborate. It does need to be consistent, but even with when you fail to pray on a certain day, remember - as Pr. Kinnaman wrote so beautifully in the intro - that others of the Body of Christ are praying that day and you are not alone; you are joining a vast company who bear your weaknesses. Doing this much will keep you praying for all sorts and conditions of people, will draw you out of yourself into the Word and into the world as you bear the burdens of others. Yesterday was Wednesday, and I pointed out that by praying the week day prayers we remembered all those whose pilgrimages are coming to an end, and asked God's grace and mercy on them.

Making disciplined, daily prayer a part of one's life is a battle - and Satan wants nothing more than to see you go for days without being fortified by the Word or calling on God. Remember above all: the discipline of prayer is FOR YOUR BENEFIT. It doesn't make God love you any more than He already does (His fullness of love for you can never be diminished). He doesn't NEED your prayer; YOU need Him, and that's why you pray. He comes to you in His Word (and that's why praying the Psalm and the Bible reading are vital to the discipline). Treasury simply makes these much easier.

Too many start out trying to do too much in prayer. It's a formula for failure. Start out small, do so consistently, and it will grow. It can't not.

My two cents on the topic.

Joyfully illustrating "A Little Book on Joy"

Today our Gospel reading was the story of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15. Seldom am I able to talk about this parable without getting all weepy. Happened today in early service. One church member suggested that for second service, maybe I ought to think about the drawing I did (shown above) for the cover of "A Little Book on Joy." It worked. It didn't stop me from getting emotional, but I was at least able to control myself.

When Matt Harrison first inquired whether I would be interested in illustrating a book he was wrapping up, internally I balked. My art chops, from my perspective, just ain't what they used to be. The confidence I once had (or at least feigned) during my undergrad years (as an art major, Cal State Fullerton '87) was nowhere to be found. But after sending some sketches for him to look at, Pastor Harrison said that my work was just what he was looking for ... something along the lines of Quentin Blake's illustrations for Roald Dahl's books. I did a little research on Quentin Blake on the internet, and started sketching some ideas based on the manuscript that Matt sent to me. I scanned them, sent them via email to the author, and his positive responses were just the encouragement I needed to dive headfirst into the project.

So here we are, a couple of months past publication, and I am so happy with the way things turned out. I tried to draw with my own style that has evolved over the years. I didn't want to copy Blake. Although, one church member said that my drawings remind him of Sergio Aragones' cartoons in Mad magazine. In hindsight, I think he's right. That's what I get for reading Mad during my 7th and 8th grade years.

I've said it before in previous posts, and I'll say it again, it was a great honor to be involved with this book. My doodles are just the pinch of seasoning on the filet mignon of the text by Pastor Harrison. The book is overwhelmingly Gospel-centered (did we expect anything else from him?). "A Little Book on Joy" does not give you "five easy steps to be more joyful" nor is it a law-laden harangue to "be more joyful, since you are a Christian, after all!" Instead, it leads you to true joy through the proper channel, and that is through the cross of Christ.

To order "A Little Book on Joy" click here.

Matt Harrison interviewed about "A Little Book on Joy"

Rev. Todd Wilken recently interviewed Rev. Matthew Harrison about A Little Book on Joy on Issues, Etc. Click on the player below to listen.

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Robert Baker's review of "A Little Book on Joy"

Click here to read another review of A Little Book on Joy by Pastor Matt Harrison (with illustrations by yours truly).

Lent: A time to renew your prayer and devotional life

Ash Wednesday is tomorrow, the first day of Lent. For those of you using the Treasury of Daily Prayer, it's time to go back to the beginning and start the cycle of readings all over again. The Treasury editors chose Lent as the place to begin since many people make a new commitment to devotion and prayer during this season.

Whether you use the Treasury or not, Lent is indeed a good time to start a new devotional regimen and to enjoy the blessings God gives through a regular, daily time spent in God's Word and prayer. There are other resources you may choose to use, such as Portals of Prayer (most LCMS churches have copies available for free), the Lutheran Book of Prayer, Starck's Prayer Book, or even the orders of service and collects contained in Lutheran Service Book.

Another wonderful book to help you invigorate your prayer and devotional life is Grace upon Grace: Spirituality for Today by John Kleinig. You may wish to read this during Lent to give some guidance for your devotion, prayer, and meditation on God's Word.

And don't forget Pastor Matt Harrison's book A Little Book on Joy with it's devotional guide in the concluding section entitled "The Great Ninety Days of Joy after Joy" (the ninety days from Ash Wednesday through Pentecost).

Another review of "A Little Book On Joy"

Click here to read another review of Matt Harrison's "A Little Book on Joy" (with my doodles inside!). This one's by Jenny Jordan at Cross-Focused Leadership.

Review of "A Little Book of Joy"

Dr. Albert Collver reviewed Pastor Matt Harrison's new book "A Little Book of Joy" at Logia's blog. Click here to read it. He also had some nice things to say about my illustrations.

You will love this book...I guarantee it. I'm not just saying this because I had a small part in it. Pastor Harrison has given us a wonderful, encouraging, funny, poignant, Scriptural, Christ-centered ... and, yes, joyful ... perspective on what true joy is and where it is to be found.

Click here to order "A Little Book of Joy."

New Book from Pastor Matt Harrison...

...with illustrations by yours truly. And it was truly an honor to be involved with this project.

Here's the description from the back cover:

"So many churches, so many pastors and Christians have so little joy today," my friend observed. "These are difficult times."

With these Words Matthew Harrison embarks on a quest to rediscover the joy of being a Christian—the secret of living a Good News life in a bad news world. In A Little Book on Joy, Harrison takes the reader on a journey . . .

• from the father’s joy at the prodigal’s return, to the joy of Mary’s Magnificat.
• from the joy of the Holy Spirit and repentance, to the manifold joys of life together in community, marriage, and family.
• from the joy of forgiveness and perfect righteousness in Christ, to the joys of humor, worship, the sanctity of life, and the wonders of creation.
• from the joy of the Gospel mission throughout the world, the joy of everyday life and of a generous and faithful Lutheranism, to the joys in store for us in the life of the world to come.

Study Questions follow each chapter making A Little Book on Joy the perfect guide for a Bible study or sermon series on the topic of Christian joy.

A Prayer Guide for “The Great Ninety Days of Joy after Joy: Daily Texts with Prayers to Gladden the Heart from Ash Wednesday through Pentecost (or any time),” makes this the perfect devotional guide for Lent and Easter, or any time of year.

To order the book, click here.

You can also download a sampler by clicking here.

Helpful comment re: 90 Minutes in Heaven

Here's what my friend Jim Pierce commented over on the Wittenberg Trail about my review of 90 Minutes in Heaven:

I think the story of Lazarus and the Rich man holds a key biblical insight on this topic.

"And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’" —Luke 16:24-26 ESV

Jesus is pretty clear in pointing out that those who "pass from here" are not able to come back over once they have died. I don't see any way around our Lord's words. So, I think you are correct with your assessment that such stories are explained physiologically and/or psychologically. Since the soul may not "cross over" once it is in heaven, or hell, then that must mean this man didn't really die and we must find another explanation for his experience.

Thanks, Jim! Good stuff!

Pastor Weedon's reflections on TLSB

Click here to read Pastor Weedon's reflections on The Lutheran Study Bible.

The first cases of The Lutheran Study Bible have arrived at Messiah. First come, first served for the first 30 copies. After that, you'll have to wait until the next order is placed. Sign up on the poster in the entryway.

I'm still waiting for my leather edition, which is supposed to be an early Christmas present. Julie won't let me look at her hardback copy. (Just kidding...she's graciously letting me peek inside).

"Chuckling in the Shack" from The Ship of Fools

Another interesting review of The Shack. Click here to read it over at The Ship of Fools.