Joining up with Dave

THE NATIVITY
From the picture by Sandro Botticelli, in the National Gallery, London

I'm joining forces with my husband Dave on a single blog. Be sure to visit me at http://lambert-blog.com/.

I'll still be blogging weekly at Ephesians 6:18 which is the blog for the Praying Moms of Our Shepherd Lutheran School.

Merry Christmas!

Nicholas of Myra - The Movie

http://nicholasofmyra-movie.com

Happy St. Nicholas Day

December 6 is St. Nicholas Day.

There is lots of information on the Internet about St Nicholas. My favorite website is http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23.

Happy Reformation Day

Meet Coffee

We have a new member in our family --- Coffee, the guinea pig. She is about 2 months old and an adorable little piggie. Alex is thrilled beyond belief and Cinnamon has a companion again.

PSALM 139 MV

Nutmeg

Yesterday, October 17, we had to help our son make a hard decision about his beloved Nutmeg -- the guinea pig. Nutmeg was 3 years and had been suffering with cancer since March. She had a very large tumor as well as numerous small tumors. After prayer and discussion with the Vet we decided that the humane thing to do was to 'put her to sleep'. Alex was a courageous 11 year old. It was so hard, but he feels he did what was best for Nutmeg. We miss her so much. Now Alex will focus all his love on Cinnamon and remember Nutmeg fondly.

Happy Birthday BJ

Where have the years gone? Happy Birthday Jill. 29 years ago (1979) you arrived on a snowy South Dakota night 2 months ahead of schedule. You were a peanut -- 3 pounds 12 ounces and 17 inches long. And now you are beautiful young woman successfully navigating life and you don't weigh 3 pounds anymore. You don't remember, but we called you BJ (Baby Jill).

Pirate Christian Radio

Pirates are mean and cruel robbers and thieves, why would you name a Christian radio station "Pirate Christian Radio"?

"Pirate" radio stations are those that broadcast from outside of "the system". We are no different. Now-a-days, far too many "Christian" radio stations have become havens for every absurd fad and all types of foul winds of bad doctrine that are blowing through the church. Sadly, the Gospel and sound doctrine have mysteriously disappeared from large segments of the 'Christian' airwaves. The system has become corrupted by false doctrine and false teaching. That is why it has become necessary for us to create a "pirate" Christian radio station.

Pirate Christian Radio is an online radio station that is free from the scurvy plagues of pop-psychology, goofy fads, self-help, pietism, purpose-drivenism, the prosperity heresy, contemplative mysticism, seeker-sensitivism, liberalism, relevantism, Emergent nonsense, and the sissy girly Oprah-fied religiosity that is being passed off as "Biblical Christianity"..

This station proclaims "Christ crucified for our sins" and exalts and defends THE historic Christian faith.

If you're looking for "Biblical Principles" that will improve your financial situation, help you raise happier children or have a more fulfilling sex life then you're NOT going to like Pirate Christian Radio.

But, if you are looking for Christian programming that is truly Christ Centered and proclaims the good news of Christ's death and resurrection for your sins, then you will find Pirate Christian Radio to be a refreshing stream of living water that quenches the thirst of your soul.

~ from http://www.piratechristianradio.com/

Evangelism Equipping Program

I'm a proud hiker on The Wittenberg Trail. Earlier this year Pastor Bill Cwirla from The God Whisperers posted a great way to evangelize.

This is Rev. Cwirla's 7-Step Evangelism Equipping Program™

1. Talk to people about sin and Jesus' death and resurrection wherever and whenever you can.
2. Don't worry that people will think you're weird, you are.
3. When possible, invite them to church and hang with them through catechesis to their Baptism.
4. Practice talking sin and Jesus with folks in your congregation, most of whom are Christians already, but hey, if you can't talk about sin and Jesus in church, where can you?
5. Memorize the small catechism so you'll have something intelligent to say and don't just blather on and on about yourself.
6. Don't worry about failure; God works through that too.
7. No ifs, ands, or buts when it comes to faith in Jesus or it isn't "good news." If you don't know what that means, go back to catechism.

The God Whisperers

You say you have a God problem? God isn’t the problem. The problem is people wanting to be God. We reintroduce God; we retrain people. Craig Donofrio and Bill Cwirla are

The God Whisperers

The Book of Concord

The Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod as well as most confessional Lutherans subscribe to the Book of Concord. Here it is online in an easy to navigate and read form. Enjoy!

http://bookofconcord.org/

The Lutherans Song by Lost and Found

I realize this has an ELCA flavor...but it's great!

Praying Moms of Our Shepherd Lutheran School

Summer is basically history at our house as Alex begins school next week. I am clueless as to where summer went!

As Alex begins his second year, as a 6th grader, at Our Shepherd Lutheran School I am very excited to be leading a group of moms who will be praying throughout the school year. I've started a new blog for that group. It's called Ephesians 6:18 (http://www.prayingmomsos.blogspot.com/)

"Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints..."

What Is Prayer?

What is Prayer?

This is a short video that explains 'what is prayer?' as Lutherans understand. This is part of a 15 week adult instruction course. It's only 5 minutes long!

Prayer is talking to God with your mouth and lips or with your heart. Prayer is an opportunity for you to exercise your faith.

O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

Psalm 139: 1-4

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:7-8

Commemorating the Fifth Evangelist -- Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach, Kantor

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) is one of the most famous and gifted of all composers in the entire western world. He was orphaned at the age of ten and basically taught himself music. His professional life as conductor, performer, composer, teacher, and organ consultant began at the age of 19 in the town of Arnstadt and ended in Leipzig, where for the last 27 years of his life he was responsible for all the music in the city's four Lutheran churches. In addition to his being a superb keyboard artist, the genius and bulk of Bach's vocal and instrumental compositions remain overwhelming. Bach was a devout and devoted Lutheran, and is honored in Christendom for his lifelong insistence that his music was written primarily for the liturgical life of the church to glorify God and edify his people.

1 Peter 3:16

FIVE MINUTES A DAY WITH LUTHER

July 26
And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

1 Peter 3:16

And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. Of this St. Paul has already spoken above. We cannot disregard it. If we will follow the Gospel, then must we be despised and condemned by the world, so that men shall hold us as contemptible rabble. But let the devil and all the world rave and rage, let them abuse us as they will, yet they shall at last be made to understand, with shame, that they have injured and defamed us, when that day shall arrive - as St. Peter has said
above - in which we shall be secure, and stand up with a good conscience. These are, in every respect, suitable and forcible replies, which can comfort us and make us courageous, and yet we
will go on circumspectly, with humility.

And grant me, Lord, to do,
With ready heart and willing,
Whate'er Thou shalt command:
My calling here fulfilling;
To do it when I ought,
With all my strength; and bless
The work I thus have wrought,
For Thou must give success.

From Five Minutes a Day with Luther .... Pastor Robin Fish
http://lcmssermons.com/5mins.php?d=2008-07-26

1 Peter 3:15

FIVE MINUTES A DAY WITH LUTHER

July 25

But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

1 Peter 3:15

We must here acknowledge that St. Peter addressed these words to all Christians, clergy and laity, male and female, young and old, of whatever state or condition they may be. From these words it will follow that every Christian should know the ground and reason of his faith, and be able to maintain and defend it where it is necessary. Yet with gentleness and reverence. That is, if you are examined and questioned about your faith, you should not answer with haughty words, and proceed to respond with contempt and hostility, as if you would tear up a tree by the roots, but with such gentleness and reverence as if you stood before God's tribunal, and were there required to give an answer. You must stand in faith, and not rely on your own strength, but on the Word and promise of Christ

"But when they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you will speak; for it shall be given you in that hour what you are to speak. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you."

Matt 10:19-20

It is right, when you are to answer, that you should prepare yourself well with passages out of Scripture; but beware that you do not insist on it with a proud spirit, since God will even take the most forcible reply out of your mouth and memory, though you were previously prepared with all your replies. Therefore reverence is proper.

O let me never speak
What bounds of truth exceedeth:
Grant that no idle word
From out my mouth proceedeth;
And then when in my place
I must and ought to speak,
My words grant power and grace,
Lest I offend the weak.

From Five Minutes a Day with Luther .... Pastor Robin Fish http://lcmssermons.com/5mins.php?d=2008-07-2

Traditional Lutheranism

Suzuki Family Camp at Blue Lake

Alex and I attended Suzuki Piano Family Camp at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan. We went when Alex was 7 and now he's 11. It was awesome. Alex played lots of music and made new friends.
He played lots of music on wonderful pianos!

Faculty Night was devoted to Russian composers! What a bonus for us!