Lutheran is Lutheran is Lutheran

Hybl Contact Information Change

2010-10-03T16:00:00.001-04:00

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to give all of you my new contact information including, addresses and cell phone number for Kansas!!!

As of October 18, we will be on site. Our mail and packages and other stuff has already started to arrive, so if you will be sending anything, please feel free to begin. Our last day in VA will be Oct. 15. We leave that day. Movers are coming October 11-13, 2010.

Ordination is set for October 23, 2010 4PM Mountain Time. Prayers are always appreciated.

Here is the new address for home and work:

220 West 13th Street

Goodland, KS 67735

Darian's Work Address:

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Attn: Rev. Darian L. Hybl

222 West 13th Street

Goodland, KS 67735

New Cell Phone Number:

785-821-4727

Thanks for all your prayers and support!!!

God is GOOD!!!

Yours In Christ,

Darian L. Hybl

Jeff Williams Interview

2010-06-10T16:45:00.001-04:00

This is the link (http://bit.ly/db5V8t) for an interview with Col. Jeff Williams. He has spent over a year viewing God's creation from the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle.

Col. Williams is definitely not afraid to talk about his faith and God's wonderful handiwork!
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

Jeff Williams

2010-06-10T12:35:00.001-04:00

This should be a GREAT program! I can't wait for the book!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/concordiapublishing

Thanks for your work Jeff!!!!
Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

A very true set of statements!

2010-05-25T09:56:00.001-04:00

"Nothing done in humility for the sake of God is bad. But things and pursuits differ. Everything not strictly necessary is a hindrance to salvation - everything, that is to say, that does not contribute to the soul's salvation or to the body's life. For it is not food, but gluttony, that is bad; not money, but attachment to it; not speech, but idle talk; not the world's delights, but dissipation; not love of one's family, but the neglect of God that such love may produce; not the clothes worn only for covering and protection from cold and heat, but those that are excessive and costly; not houses that also protect us from heat and cold, as well as anything human or animal that might harm us, but houses with two or three floors, large and expensive;.. .not friendship, but the having of friends who are of no benefit to one's soul; not woman, but unchastity; not wealth but avarice; not wine but drunkenness; not anger used in accordance with nature for the chastisement of sin, but its use against one's fellow-men."

St. Peter of Damaskos.
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ISS to announce Latin Grammy

2010-03-16T23:31:00.000-04:00

I just heard that Cdr Jeff Williams and Flight Engineer T.J. Creamer will be announcing from a taped event on the ISS the Latin Grammy winner! How cool!
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ISS and The Gospel

2010-02-21T06:32:00.001-05:00

http://byztex. blogspot. com/2010/ 01/relics- icons-and- crosses-onboard- intl.htmlRelics, icons, and crosses onboard Intl. Space StationMoscow, Russia, Jan 20, 2010 / 12:11 am (CNA) - The Gospels, four icons, crosses and a relic of the True Cross have been taken aboard the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS), a Russian cosmonaut has reported. A photo taken by the station crew shows an icon and a crucifix floating in zero gravity in the ISS.Writing on his blog at the website of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), Cosmonaut Maksim Suraev responded to readers' questions about religious symbols on the space station."We have four holy icons on the Russia segment. We also have the Gospels and a big cross," he said, according to a blog entry translated by Russia Today in November 2009.Russia Today reported that the Lord's Divine Cross was given to A.N. Merminov, the head of Roscosmos, by the late Patriarch of Moscow Aleksy II. The cross was delivered to the station in 2006 by the crew of Soyuz TMA-8.Suraev added that he has a reliquary cross in his cabin."A priest gave it to me at Baikanur before the launch. Father Job told me a piece of the original cross on which Jesus was crucified is contained in mine."He added that his cross was blessed in the major monastery of Sergiev Posad."It will be with me the whole expedition and will return with me to Earth," the cosmonaut wrote.Holy relics and other objects have been on previous spaceflights. U.S. astronaut Ronald Garan brought a relic of St. Therese of Lisieux with him on the space shuttle Discovery in 2008. He plans to bring another relic of the saint with him on a mission to the ISS in 2011
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Technology!

2010-02-20T12:54:00.000-05:00

Technology is fabulous! I am trying to get back into blogging and this is the first post from my phone! Look for more!
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Lenten Resource Update

2009-02-25T02:21:00.002-05:00

Hello Loyal Readers,

Just wanted to update you on the Lenten Resource I was thinking of providing....

As of right now, due to the impending birth of our daughter, I believe it is in the best interest of our daughter and the relationship with my wife to not provide the resource this year.

This is something I would have loved to complete, but I much rather want to insure my relationship with my wife and daughter begin as they should with them as my emphasis.

I humbly ask for your prayers during the coming weeks!!!

Yours In Christ,
Darian L. Hybl

A Query for Lent: Luther's Catechism as a Devotion

2009-02-15T01:04:00.002-05:00

With Lent fast approaching, I am considering providing "40 Days of Luther's Catechism". If there is interest in this reading program, post a comment and let me know. I will attempt to provide this for those who would like to 'feed' this blog for Lent!!!

Yours In Christ,
Darian L. Hybl

A Mission Church Post from Father Weedon

2009-01-26T00:01:00.002-05:00

A Mission Post from Father Weedon got me to thinking. I commented the following on his site, but wanted to post it here for response and reaction...

Pastor Weedon,

You commented...

trying to assign the feasts and festivals to the Wednesday Eucharists and getting frustrated over the whole endeavor! It was easier when we just observed them on their days!!!

It seems that we (the church, district and synod) are stuck in this mentality that we need to 'move God', instead of move US to come to worship daily!! The early church had it correct I believe that our goal is worship of God daily and 'not when it suits our calendar'!! I know these comments may generate 'flak', but if our focus is to have participation and not worship, are we not worshiping a false god??

A further comment is our need to return to smaller churches as was indicated in others comments. Should we not return to 'house churches'? Does Jesus not say, 'where two or three are gathered in my Name'?

One other thought and/or question is that the main purpose in worship is to celebrate and venerate God, why are we worried about numbers? I have seen to many churches concentrate on the fullness of the pews and neglected the fullness on the Altar side of the rail. Is worship and Holy Communion not an opportunity for connecting with the Saints of the church and hearing the Word and receiving His Body and Blood? Even if only one or two people are in attendance, the number of 'Saints' in attendance I would venture is more than the 'stars in the sky' if we could number them.

May God refocus our worship on Him and have mercy on me a sinner!!!

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

Celebrating Christmas Old Calendar

2009-01-07T06:42:00.002-05:00

The link is for the pictures from the BBC for the Celebration of Christmas Old Calendar. The pictures are a good mixture and included a picture of the First Family of Russia.

Wouldn't it have been nice if our press would have included a picture of the United States First Family at Christmas Liturgy!!!

What does all this mean? The Nativity Fast is now over for Old Calendar Parishes of the Orthodox Church!!

What is ironic? New Calendar Churches just celebrated Epiphany!!

Changes to the Blog

2009-01-05T01:23:00.004-05:00

Just thought I'd mention the changes I made to the blog today....

Changed the whole design....I'd like to do more, but have to learn a little more programming...
Added a picture to my profile....granted it is the same picture from Facebook!!!
Added a Menologion for those who are interested in remembering the Saints!!
Added LONG OVERDUE Links to some other Good Blogs!!!

Things to be thankful for....

Increased traffic to the blog page....
A new year and hopefully NEW opportunities!!!

Things that are interesting....

The number of people interested in "Lutheran Prayer Beads"

What am I working on.....

An article about Mentoring for NCSCLS Filter Paper!!

What I am considering!!!!

An article on use of Prayer Beads and Lutheranism (Let me know if you would be interested)

Christmas Meditation

2008-12-27T00:08:00.003-05:00

The following is one of the most profound Christmas meditations I have read!! It is very poignant and strikes me at the core of my being!!

Metropolitan PHILIP's Christmas Meditation

Lord,

What shall I offer you on your birthday in return for your infinite love?

I have neither gold nor silver, neither myrrh nor frankincense.

My house is without a roof. I have no room for you; not even a manger.

My soul is even darker than the clouds of my passion.

My eyes are too dim to look beyond the horizon of myself.

Help me behold your bright star; "For in thy light we shall see light."

Lord,

You have been knocking on my door for thirty-nine years, but I never dared let you in because my garment is not white as snow.

Forgive me if I do not invite you to my table, for my table is full of everything you despise. I have denied you more than Peter.

I have doubted you more than Thomas.

I have betrayed you more than Judas.

My hands are empty. My lips are not clean to sing your praise.

And my heart is wrinkled with sorrow like a withered leaf under autumn's wind.

Lord,

The only thing I can offer you on your birthday is myself.

Drown me in the ocean of your love.

Feed me with your heavenly bread, for the bread of this world will never satisfy my hunger.

Quench my thirst with your divine fountain, for the water of this earth will never satisfy my thirst.

Give me your eyes to see what you see, your ears to hear what you hear and your heart to love what you love.

Take me with you to Mount Tabor and let me bathe in your eternal light.

Lord,

"Create a clean heart in me. Cast me not away from Thy face. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit."

Teach me how to pray in simple words, for only through prayers I may overcome my loneliness.

Help me to care for the needy, the oppressed, the orphans, the sinners and the despised whom you love.

As I kneel before your manger with love and humility I beseech you to listen to my prayers.

To the Ends of the Earth

2008-12-21T02:01:00.001-05:00

This article shows to what end the Orthodox Church will go to Evangelize and Worship God!!!!

To God be the Glory!!

A Gem of a Quote about Advent and Christmas!

2008-12-21T00:31:00.003-05:00

“In recent times in America the proper observance of Advent has suffered greatly from the commercialization of Christmas. To stimulate sales of Christmas gifts, stores and communities often use Christmas decorations as early as November 1. Christmas carols and music are heard so continuously that Advent is all but completely blanketed and Christmas is spoiled long before it arrives. Even the church has been guilty of abetting this secular attitude. Christmas is often observed on what is popularly called “Christmas Sunday” which is actually the Fourth Sunday in Advent, rather than on Christmas Day. Choirs often present their programs of Christmas music before Christmas and during the Advent season. In the face of such heavy opposition, it is difficult to combat the popular feeling that Christmas is over on Christmas Day. Actually, for the church down through the centuries, Christmas begins on Christmas Eve and continues everywhere until Epiphany, and in some places until Candlemas (February 2). The exchange of gifts on Christmas is not universal and some countries have not suffered from the commercialization as much as America has. Christmas should be observed in the church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas music and carols should begin then and be sung throughout the Christmas season. No one would think of singing an Easter hymn during Lent or Holy Week!” (P. 59-60)

Edward Horn III. The Christian Year. 1st ed. Muhlenberg Press, 1957.

Liturgical Humor

2008-12-13T00:52:00.003-05:00

This was something I read on a comments page and it tickled my funny bone!!!

I remember a priest describing a theoretical problem posed to him in the seminary:

Question: What if a mouse ran across the altar and snatched a consecrated Host?

Answer: Throw a stole on a cat and send it after the mouse.

Can you imagine the picture in the paper describing this scene of events!!!

Indian Philosophy

2008-12-10T01:10:00.002-05:00

A Story which is very true!!!

Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside all people. He said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.'

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his granddfather: 'Which wolf wins?'

The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'

Humility

2008-12-10T01:07:00.002-05:00

The following is a digest I receive daily with readings from the Rule of St. Benedict. This one struck me as appropriate given an e-mail/Facebook post from one of my high school classmates.

Apr. 10 - Aug. 10 - Dec. 10
If there are artisans in the monastery, let them practice their crafts with all humility, provided the Abbot has given permission. But if any one of them becomes conceited over his skill in his craft, because he seems to be conferring a benefit on the monastery, let him be taken from his craft and no longer exercise it unless, after he has humbled himself, the Abbot again gives him permission. If any of the work of the craftsmen is to be sold, those responsible for the sale must not dare to practice any fraud. Let them always remember Ananias and Saphira, who incurred bodily death (Acts 5:1-11), lest they and all who perpetrate fraud in monastery affairs suffer spiritual death. And in the prices let not the sin of avarice creep in, but let the goods always be sold a little cheaper than they can be sold by people in the world, "that in all things God may be glorified" (1 Peter 4:11).

A FEW THOUGHTS.... .

There are times when the life of Oblates, or other Lovers of the Holy Rule, differs greatly from the life a vowed Monastic; other times hardly at all. And yet....hidden among the differences and similarities is a reality that Oblates must learn.

For one thing Humility is a virtue not greatly esteemed in the world of commerce (I include every job from ditch digger to brain surgeon). In a monastery humility is loved and respected; very often held in awe. Both Monastics and Oblates recognize humility when we see it but many of us (myself very much included!) have very little personal success acquiring it as a habit. Oh, we all pay lip service to it but it is so hard to stamp out our pride and insidious self-love consistently and permanently.

So....what is this Humility? Monastics cultivate its tender blossoms while Oblates, living away from home, must many times shy away from showing it as though it were a poisonous plant. For, unfortunately, to hold a job (called a position by those who wear suits, pantsuits or dresses to work) and to have any hope of success in rising to higher levels of pay and responsibility, a soul must be (and convey) an aura of confidence and have a "can do" attitude.

Is that an attitude that can cohabitate with humility? Absolutely and without a doubt! For humility is not a pathetic, hand wringing, falsely deprecating manner (think Uriah Heep here) but is simply recognizing and accepting the truth as God sees it. And part of that Truth is that His Majesty, in His infinite goodness and wisdom, has given all of us talents which He expects us to use to the absolute BEST of our ability.

Do we not yet understand that God *EXPECTS* good, God fearing, moral souls to rise to the highest levels of influence! To perhaps even become wealthy because of the good things that good souls can accomplish with wealth! It has always been a surprise to me how many souls question whether the Holy Rule prohibits seeking advancements in their work. Except for monastics, Humility does not necessitate nor require poverty. It does require that inordinate attachments to created things be purged from the soul of monastic and oblate alike.

Two lines in this instruction from the Rule may lend themselves to the misconception that we are not allowed to rise to higher levels of success: "....let them practice their crafts with all humility.... ", and, "...but if one of them becomes conceited over his skill...". Obviously both phrases are true. But we must examine them closely to discover what that truth tells us.

We are instructed by St. Benedict, a) To hate our own will; and, b) To give God the praise for good and worthwhile things we accomplish. Do we not see that we can only be unfaithful to the spirit of the Holy Rule expressed in those two instructions if we begin to think, believe, and proclaim, "Hey, it's ALL good. Look what I did! Yeah, I'm all that! I am really HOT STUFF!" (Please excuse the street argot)!"

I exaggerate of course but I hope you get the point. Do we see the pieces of a pattern begin to emerge here? That pattern sewn together make a garment of *Conceit!* No matter how high we may rise (Head Ditch Digger or Chief Brain Surgeon) we must see and proclaim the simple truth and give God all the credit. For we are only in possession of the talents with which He blesses us for a short time and then they return to Him.

The Prime Directive of every soul He created and died for, is to share His love with others and to bring Him honor and Glory (which implies a *living* Faith in Him, also). It is our labor of love and we are intended to rise to the highest levels of that job too!. Then, Beloveds, we will be blessed beyond our wildest expectations and rewarded to hear, "Well done good and faithful servant...enter into the joy of your Master."

Our main function as Oblates is to pray for a world that has refused to pray for itself. (Fr. Denis Robinson OSB, Rector, St. Meinrad School of Theology.)

To love is to labor, to detach and strip oneself for God's sake, of all that is not God. (SJC)

Much Love and Many Prayers..... michael.. .oblate

Should not all of us be more humble.....

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

Couple of Thoughts...From the Fathers

2008-12-10T00:08:00.001-05:00

"If you are an ardent reader, seek not brilliant and erudite texts; otherwise the demon of haughtiness will strike your heart. But like a wise bee that gathers honey from flowers, so also through your reading obtain healing for your soul."

St. Ephraim the Syrian

"I want you to know this, that Jesus Christ our Lord is Himself the true Mind of the Father. By Him all the fullness of every rational nature is made in the image of His image, and He Himself is the head of all creations, and of His body the Church. Therefore we are all members one of another, and the body of Christ, and the head cannot say to the feet, 'I have no need of you,' and if one member suffers, the whole body is moved and suffers with it."

St. Anthony the Great

"We however, who extend the accuracy of the Spirit to the merest stroke and tittle, will never admit the impious assertion that even the smallest matters were dealt with haphazard by those who have recorded them, and have thus been borne in mind down to the present day"

Gregory Nazianzus

40 Languages....

2008-12-09T23:57:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in 40 Languages

Apache (Western) - Gozhqq Keshmish
Arabic - I'D Miilad Said ous Sana Saida
Croatian - Sretan Bozic
Danish - Glædelig Jul og godt nytår
Farsi - Sal-e no mubarak
French - Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!
German - Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr!
Greek - Kala Christougenna Ki'eftihismenos O Kenourios
Chronos Hawaiian - Mele Kalikimaka & Hauoli Makahiki Hou
Hebrew - Mo'adim Lesimkha. Shanah Tova
Hindi - Shubh Naya Baras
Iraqi - Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah
Irish - Nollaig Shona Dhuit
Iroquois - Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson homungradon nagwutut & Ojenyunyat osrasay
Italian - Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo
Japanese - Shinnen omedeto. Kurisumasu Omedeto
Korean - Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Kyrghyz - JangI jIlIngIz guttuu bolsun!
Latin - Pax hominibus bonae voluntatis
Maori - Kia orana e kia manuia rava i teia Kiritimeti e te Mataiti Ou
Mongolian - Zul saryn bolon shine ony mend devshuulye
Nepali - krist Yesu Ko Shuva Janma Utsav Ko Upalaxhma Hardik Shuva & Naya Barsa Ko harkik Shuvakamana
Norweigan/Nynorsk - Eg ynskjer hermed Dykk alle ein God Jul og Godt Nyttår
Polish - Wesolych Swiat i Szczesliwego Nowego Roku.
Portuguese - Boas Festas e um feliz Ano Novo Romanian - Craciun fericit si un An Nou fericit!
Russian - Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva i s Novim Godom
Samoan - Ia manuia le Kilisimasi ma le tausaga fou
Somali - ciid wanaagsan iyo sanad cusub oo fiican.
Spanish - Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Sudanese - Wilujeng Natal Sareng Warsa Enggal
Swedish - God Jul och Gott Nytt År
Tagalog - Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon
Tahitian - Ia ora i te Noere e ia ora na i te matahiti 'api
Thai - Suksan Wan Christmas lae Sawadee Pee Mai
Ukrainian - Veseloho Vam Rizdva i Shchastlyvoho Novoho Roku!
Vietnamese - Chuc Mung Giang
Sinh - Chuc Mung Tan Nien
Zulu - Sinifesela Ukhisimusi Omuhle Nonyaka Omusha Onempumelelo

To Good not to Pass On

2008-12-09T23:49:00.002-05:00

I had to share this picture....

Three Catholic Priests

2008-12-08T00:17:00.002-05:00

This is an interesting article about a venture for the Catholic Church.

Here is the web site of the Three Priests.

Does this mean that Latin is back on the mainstream for language lessons???

Patriarch Alexy II

2008-12-08T00:04:00.004-05:00

This is a brief article with pictures of Pat. Alexy II.

Here is an article link to a NY Times article.

This is an article from years ago with Patriarch Alexy II. Interestingly the reporter is the son of Father Alexander Schmemann.

May His Memory Be Eternal!!

Post from Monasterion Group about Alexy II

2008-12-06T06:53:00.003-05:00

Bishop Hilarion on the Death of Alexy II

"There Are No Words to Express My Sadness"

By Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev

VIENNA, DEC. 5, 2008 (Zenit.org). - On Friday, Dec. 5, I was to call His Holiness Patriarch Alexy to discuss details of his visit to Austria scheduled for Dec. 20-23.

At 10 a.m. Moscow time I dialed his direct number, but instead of him a nun working in his residence answered the phone. She told me to call half an hour later. I called in half an hour, and the same voice said: "His Holiness died." And she cried.

There are no words to express my sadness at this unexpected death. It is a great loss.

On Nov. 30 His Holiness celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Munich. After the service he looked tired, but was, as usual, joyful and peaceful.

It so happened that during the last days of his life I spoke with His Holiness several times about the program of his visit. He was very eager to come to Vienna to re-consecrate the St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral after its restoration. We discussed every detail of his visit and even decided together which gifts and souvenirs he would bring to Vienna.

All of us knew that His Holiness had heart problems, but nobody could imagine that his death would be so sudden. He died full of energy and plans for the future.

In my memory Patriarch Alexy will remain first of all as a loving father, who was always ready to listen, who was supportive and gentle.

Almost half of the bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, including myself, were ordained into episcopate by Patriarch Alexy. We are all deeply indebted to him.

The years of his patriarchate constituted an entire epoch in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church. It was precisely in this time that the resurrection of the Russian Church took place, which continues to this day.

May his memory be eternal.

* * *

Russian Orthodox Bishop Hilarion Alfeyev of Vienna and Austria, is representative of the Russian Orthodox Church to European Organizations.
------------ --------- ---------

Pope Laments Death of Alexy II

Called Patriarch "Courageous" Defender of Values

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 5, 2008 (Zenit.org). - Benedict XVI has sent a message of condolence to the Russian Orthodox Church upon hearing of the death of Patriarch Alexy II, calling him "courageous" in his efforts to promote Gospel values.

The Pope stated in the note that he "was profoundly saddened" to hear of the patriarch's death, and that he wished to convey his "most sincere condolences" and to assure the faithful of his "spiritual closeness at this very sad time."

Alexy II, 79, who had been the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church since 1990, died today at his residence near Moscow. No cause of death was given.

"Mindful of the common commitment to the path of mutual understanding and cooperation between Orthodox and Catholics, I am pleased to recall the efforts of the late patriarch for the rebirth of the Church, after the severe ideological oppression which led to the martyrdom of so many witnesses to the Christian faith," the Pope said.

The Pontiff also recalled Alexy II's "courageous battle for the defense of human and Gospel values, especially in the European continent, and I trust that his commitment will bear fruit in peace and genuine progress, human, social and spiritual."

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Pope's secretary of state, also sent a message of condolence, as did Cardinal Walter Kaper, the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

"Patriarch Alexis was called to guide the Russian Orthodox Church in a period of great change," wrote Cardinal Kasper, "and his leadership has enabled that Church to face the challenges of transition from the Soviet era to the present with renewed interior vitality."

Alexy II was last seen in public on Thursday, when he celebrated a liturgy in the Kremlin. His funeral will be held next week.

Alexei Mikahilovich Rediger, the son of a priest, was born Feb. 23, 1929, in Tallin, Estonia. Ordained in 1950, he was elected bishop of Tallin and Estonia in 1961.

In 1986 he was elected bishop of Leningrad (currently St. Petersburg) and Novogorod, and in 1990 the patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

Dialogue

Benedict XVI and Alexy II have worked in recent years to intensify dialogue between the Churches.

In 2006, Benedict XVI sent Alexy II a message for his birthday. The patriarch responded to the Pontiff with a letter sent with Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, and he gave him a pectoral cross as a gift.

In January of this year, Alexy II proposed a series of common pastoral actions to be taken in conjunction with the Catholic Church.

In May, Benedict XVI sent through Cardinal Kasper a letter to the patriarch that addressed the path to full union between the Churches.

In October, Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, the archbishop of Naples, delivered to the patriarch another letter from the Pontiff, in which he invited the patriarch to offer with him a common testimony of peace to the world.

The patriarch responded with a letter in which he underlined the positive development of the relationship and cooperation between Rome and the Moscow Patriarchate.

May His Memory Be Eternal!!!

2008-12-06T00:54:00.001-05:00

May His Memory Be Eternal!!!

A link to the Yahoo article about Patriarch Alexy II!!!!

My Prayer Beads

2008-12-01T06:24:00.002-05:00

I took this picture of my prayer beads that I use on a daily basis. I made these from wool yarn, wooden beads and five magnetic beads.

Can anyone tell me how many total beads I have on this necklace/prayer beads?

Please don't forget to take part in the survey/poll.
YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

Picture Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone

A New Poll

2008-12-01T06:18:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone,

I am amazed at the traffic I have had on this blog since I started. A lot of the interest has come from the Prayer Beads section I posted a while back.

Thus, I am starting a poll on my site that appears on the left hand side. Please vote for which describes you best. I am interested and will probably post another Prayer Beads Section.

I appreciate your interest and look forward to the results.

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

Invincible Weapon: Prayer

2008-10-15T00:15:00.002-04:00

"Fire makes iron impossible to touch, and likewise frequent prayer renders the intellect more forceful in its warfare against the enemy. That is why the demons strive with all their strength to make us slothful in attentiveness to prayer, for they know that prayer is the intellect's invincible weapon against them."

St. John of Karpathos

East vs. West "Understanding of Repent"

2008-10-15T00:03:00.003-04:00

From the Rules of St. Benedict
October 15

Chapter 12: How the Morning Office Is to Be Said

The Morning Office on Sunday shall begin with Psalm 66 recited straight through without an antiphon. After that let Psalm 50 be said with "Alleluia," then Psalms 117 and 62, the Canticle of
Blessing (Benedicite) and the Psalms of praise (Ps. 148-150); then a lesson from the Apocalypse to be recited by heart, the responsory, the Ambrosian hymn, the verse, the canticle from the Gospel book, the litany and so the end.

REFLECTION

By now, it should be clear that St. Benedict goes out of his way to make Sunday special, its liturgy more solemn and joyous. Tucked in this short chapter, however, is a key to the monastic struggle that is often forgotten or under-emphasized in the modern West: lifelong repentance. Not just during the week, but even on Sundays, the feast of the Resurrection spread throughout the year, he wants the monastics to say Psalm 50(51), "Have mercy on me, O God..." This is
the most famous confession of guilt in the Psalter, *THE* penitential Psalm par excellence!

Because East and West understand very different things by "repentance" it is easy for either side to become annoyed with the interpretation of the other. Extremely put, an Easterner might
be turned off by what would be seen as the Western practice of "repent and get over it," a more or less (to their eyes,) temporary activity.

Westerners would be equally grossed out by the Eastern position of LIFELONG repentance. It would strike them as severe and overdone, a bit like the perfect student cheerleader who bursts into tears because she got an A minus! (How many of us plodders have wanted to retch and gag at such Honor Roll tears!! Puhleeze, get a life!)

Hate to tell you, folks, but I think that the East has the healthiest view on this one. They view repentance not just as mourning, but as turning around, "metanoia." Granted, the term metanoia gained a certain popularity in the West in the late 20th century, but its full Eastern meaning as a synonym for repentance seems to have escaped us!

In the West, we would term metanoia as "conversion" , a turning around or away from and repentance more as a passive regret. To the East, both these active and passive actions make up the whole of repentance. This may seem a silly distinction, but when two parties mean slightly different things by the same term, it is wise to clear up the picture!

In that light, repentance is a turning which does not turn back. It is not just passive remorse, it is active and lifelong conversion. Ah, now our Western minds can wrap around it more easily! Repentance means to Eastern ears what we Benedictines would call conversion of manners! You don't repent once and quit, you go on and on in converted life.

There might be a Western glimmer of that absolute repentance which continues in some fashion or other in a Spanish phrase: "De repente." It is used to mean suddenly, all at once, in a twinkling. However, (correct me, mis Latinos, if I am wrong here!) once something happens "de repente" a complete and total return to the prior state of affairs does not occur. If you fall in love "de repente" you may indeed later fall out of love, but you will never return to the condition which preceded your love, to the beloved being unknown or ignored. De repente is not just sudden, it is, in a real sense, definite: things will never the exactly the same again.

That's why St. Benedict wants us to repent everyday. He wants us to never be exactly the same again! And that, beloveds, is what conversion of manners is all about: different and hopefully better each day.

Love and prayers,
Jerome, OSB
http://www.stmarysm onastery. org
Petersham, MA

Baby Pictures

2008-09-28T02:15:00.003-04:00

This week Michele and I were able to see some pictures of our baby. One of the interesting things is that every time the DR attempted to get a picture, the baby would move, flip or have the hiccups. Needless to say, Michele and I are extremely excited about the next few months.

I would share some of these pictures, but I don't want to be attacked again like I was previously on the blog.

To God be all the Glory!!!
YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

How to Talk to a Hermit

2008-09-28T02:09:00.003-04:00

How to Talk to a Hermit

This is an interesting story about a hermit in the Middle East. For those who have read Father Thomas Merton or any monastic contemplative, this article will provide some grist for the mill.

If you have problems with the link on the title here is the complete link (http://time-blog.com/middle_east/2008/09/how_to_talk_to_a_hermit.html).

This is a Blog that has some really beautiful pictures of Qannoubine Monastery. Here is the complete link (http://www.bloggingbeirut.com/archives/1156-Qannoubine-Monastery-Summer-of-2007.html).

A Story to Consider

2008-09-09T02:50:00.002-04:00

There are times when we wonder if evil exists.

There are times when we think evil doesn't exist.

There are times when we know evil exists.

The story I am linking to above speaks on so many different levels, but the most profound for myself is the selfless act of being a 'martyr for Christ'. Our culture doesn't believe in this and feeds drugs and medicines to 'change our awareness'. But being a martyr for Christ is what Heirmonk Nestor believed in and gave his life as a witness to God even to the end.

May His Memory be Eternal!!!

Perspective

2008-08-27T00:19:00.001-04:00

Perspective

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, 'How was the trip?' 'It was great, Dad.'

'Did you see how poor people live?' the father asked. 'Oh yeah,' said the son.

'So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?' asked the father.

Listen to the wisdom coming from the mouths of babes:

The son answered:
'I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.'

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, 'Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.'

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing?

Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

Task of the Preacher or Church Today "Kaj Monk"

2008-08-10T23:39:00.002-04:00

Reference was made to Kaj Monk--
I came across these words from danish Pastor Kaj Monk and thought they were definetely worth reprinting:

"What is, therefore, the task of the preacher [or church] today? Shall i say "faith, hope, and love"? That sounds beautiful, but i would say - courage. No, even that is not challenging enough to be the whole truth.

Our task today is recklessness. For what we christians lack is not psychology or literature, we lack a holy rage.

The recklessness that comes from the knowledge of god and humanity. The ability to rage when justice lies prostrate on the streets...and when the lie rages across the face of the earth -
a holy anger about things that are wrong in the world.

To rage against the ravaging of god's earth and the destruction of the world.
To rage when little children must die of hunger, when the tables of the rich are sagging with food.
To rage at the senseless killing of so many, and the madness of militaries.

To rage at the lie that calls the threat of death and the strategy of destruction - peace
To rage against complacency.
To restlessly seek that recklessness that will challenge and seek to change human history until it conforms with the norms of the kingdom of god.

And remember the signs of the christian church have always been - the lion, the lamb, the dove, and the fish...but never the chameleon."

Our Responsibility

2008-08-05T00:18:00.001-04:00

Be careful who you judge...

A little story passed on to me:

'Some people!' snorted a man standing some distance behind me in the long line at the grocery store.

'You would think the manager would pay attention and open another line, 'said a woman.

I looked to the font of the line to see what the hold up was and saw well dressed, young woman, trying to get the machine to accept her credit card. No matter how many times she swiped it, the machine kept rejecting it.

'It's one of them welfare card things... people need to get a job like everyone else,' said the man standing behind me.

The young woman turned around to see who had made the comment. 'It was me,' he said, pointing to himself.

The young lady's face began to change expression.

Almost in tears, she dropped the welfare card onto the counter and quickly walked out of the store. Everyone in the checkout line watched as she began running to her car. Never looking back, she got in and drove away.

Several minutes later a young man walked into the store. He went up to the cashier and asked if she had seen the woman. After describing her, the cashier told him that she had run out of the store, got into her car, and drove away.

'Why would she do that?' asked the man.

Everyone in the line looked around at the fellow who had made the statement.

'I made a stupid comment about the welfare card she was using. Something I shouldn't have said. I'm sorry, said the man.

'Well, that's bad, real bad, in fact. Her brother was killed in Afghanistan two years ago. He had three young children and she has taken on that responsibility. She's twenty years old, single, and now has three children to support,' he said in a very firm voice.

'I'm really truly sorry. I didn't know,' he replied, shaking both his hands about.

The young man asked, 'Are these paid for?' pointing to the shopping cart full of groceries.

'It wouldn't take her card,' the clerk told him.

'Do you know where she lives?' asked the man who had made the comment.

'Yes, she goes to our church.'

'Excuse me,' he said as he made his way to the front of the line. He pulled out his wallet, took out his credit card and told the cashier, 'Please use my card. PLEASE!'

The clerk took his credit card and began to ring up the young woman's groceries.

Hold on,' said the gentleman. He walked back to his shopping cart and began loading his own groceries onto the belt to be included. 'Come on people. We got three kids to help raise!' he told everyone in line.

Everyone began to place their groceries onto the fast moving belt. A few customers began bagging the food and placing it into separate carts. 'Go back and get two big turkeys,' yelled a heavyset woman, as she looked at the man.

'NO,' yelled the man.

Everyone stopped dead in their tracks. The entire store became quiet for several seconds.

'Four turkeys,' yelled the man. Everyone began laughing and went back to work.

When all was said and done, the man paid a total of $1,646.57 for the groceries. He then walked over to the side, pulled out his check book, and began writing a check using the bags of dog food piled near, turned around and handed the check to the young man.

'She will need a freezer and a few other things as well,' he told the man.

The young man looked at the check and said, 'This is really very generous of you.'

'No,' said the man. 'Her brother was the generous one'

Everyone in the store had been observing the odd commotion and began to clap. And I drove home that day feeling very American.

We live in the Land of the free, because of the Brave!!!

Remember our Troops of Yesterday and Today!!!

A great example of why we should be kind and patient.

Kindness is the language the blind can see and the deaf can hear.

Never judge someone...until you have walked a mile in their shoes.

May God's many blessings continue to be with you - ALWAYS MAY THIS KEEP GOING....IT MAY OPEN A LOT OF EYES, HOPEFULLY HEARTS, AND KEEP SOME MOUTHS SHUT.

I am THANKFUL!!!

2008-07-26T23:37:00.001-04:00

I AM THANKFUL

FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.< /B>

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS
WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT
I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AN D I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEYBECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES
AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

A Tribute to Randy Pausch

2008-07-26T00:31:00.003-04:00

For those who may not have heard, a man who lived his life to the very end passed away on Friday, July 25, 2008. His name was Randy Pausch!!!

If you ever want to read a REALLY good book, get his "The Last Lecture"!!!! Take a look at the video as well!!! (Link) (Video)

May his memory be eternal!!!

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

The Pickle Jar

2008-07-20T23:11:00.001-04:00

The Pickle Jar

The pickle jar as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside the dresser in my parents' bedroom. When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets and toss his coins into the jar.

As a small boy I was always fascinated at the sounds the coins made as they were dropped into the jar . They landed with a merry jingle when the jar was almost empty. Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as the jar was filled.

I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar and admire the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's treasure when the sun poured through the bedroom window. When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the kitchen table and roll the coins before taking them to the bank.

Taking the coins to the bank was always a big production . Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box, the coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his old truck.

Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would look at me hopefully. 'Those coins are going to keep you out of the textile mill, son You're going to do better than me. This old mill town's not going to hold you back.'

Also, each and every time, as he slid the box of rolled coins across the counter at the bank toward the cashier, he would grin proudly 'These are for my son's college fund. He'll never work at the mill all his life like me.'

We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping for an ice cream cone. I always got chocolate. Dad always got vanilla. When the clerk at the ice cream parlor handed Dad his change, he would show me the few coins nestled in his palm. 'When we get home, we'll start filling the jar again.' He always let me drop the first coins into the empty jar. As they rattled around with a brief, happy jingle, we grinned at each other. 'You'll get to college on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters,' he said. 'But you'll get there; I'll see to that.'
No matter how rough things got at home, Dad continued to doggedly drop his coins into the jar. Even the summer when Dad got laid off from the mill, and Mama had to serve dried beans several times a week, not a single dime was taken from the jar.

To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me, pouring catsup over my beans to make them more palatable, he became more determined than ever to make a way out for me. 'When you finish college, Son,' he told me, his eyes glistening, 'You'll never have to eat beans again - unless you want to.'

The years passed, and I finished college and took a job in another town. Once, while visiting my parents, I used the phone in their bedroom, and noticed that the pickle jar was gone. It had served its purpose and had been removed.

A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the dresser where the jar had always stood. My dad was a man of few words, and never lectured me on the values of determination, perseverance, and faith. The pickle jar had taught me all these virtues far more eloquently than the most flowery of words could have done. When I married, I told my wife Susan about the significant part the lowly pickle jar had played in my life as a boy. In my mind, it defined, more than anything else, how much my dad had loved me.

The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Mom and Dad sat next to each other on the sofa, taking turns cuddling their first grandchild Jessica began to whimper softly, and Susan took her from Dad's arms. 'She probably needs to be changed,' she said, carrying the baby into my parents' bedroom to diaper her. When Susan came back into the living room, there was a strange mist in her eyes.

She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand and leading me into the room. 'Look,' she said softly, her eyes directing me to a spot on the floor be side the dresser. To my amazement, there, as if it had never been removed, stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already covered with coins. I walked over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins. With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the coins into the jar. I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying Jessica, had slipped quietly into the room. Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I felt. Neither one of us could speak.

This truly touched my heart. I know it has yours as well. Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life, for better or for worse.

God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for good in others.

The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched - they must be felt with the heart ~ Helen Keller

- Happy moments, praise God.
- Difficult moments, seek God.
- Quiet moments, worship God.
- Painful moments, trust God.
- Every moment , thank God.

Seven Grievous Sins

2008-07-20T01:58:00.003-04:00

In my reading recently, of the "Way of the Pilgrim" I read about confession. It has inspired me to list the Seven Grievous Sins. What I find humbling is that I am guilty of all of these and deserve.....I will leave that to God and trust in His mercy......For I confess I am guilty of:

Pride
Greed
Lust
Anger
Gluttony
Envy
Sloth

Doing what is only 'Logical'!!

2008-07-19T23:16:00.001-04:00

"Fasten Your Seat Belts" from Cybersalt

Flying to Los Angeles from San Francisco the other day, a passenger noticed that the "Fasten Seat Belts" sign was kept lit during the whole journey although the flight was a particularly smooth one. Just before landing, he asked the stewardess about it.

"Well," she explained, "up front there are 17 University of California girls going to Los Angeles for the weekend. In back, there are 25 Coast Guard enlistees. What would you do?"

Slip of the tongue or 'truth in advertizing'?

2008-07-06T23:49:00.000-04:00

Coincidence? Slip of the tongue? I doubt it.........

You are aware, probably, that Barack Obama lost his bearings recently and said that he was going to campaign in all 57 states. You heard this? And everybody chalked it up to, "Well, he's tired."

Barack Obama says he's gonna go out and campaign in 57 states, he was just tired, you know, it's been such a long campaign, he's been so many places, he probably thinks there are 57 states. Well, I have here a printout from a website called the International Humanist and Ethical Union. And here is how the second paragraph of an article on that website begins. "Every year from 1999 to 2005 the organization of the Islamic conference representing the 57 Islamic states presented a resolution to the United Nations commission on human rights called combating." And the title of the piece here is, "How the Islamic states dominate the UN human rights council," and there are 57 of them.

Obama said he's going to campaign in 57 states, and it turns out that there are 57 Islamic states. There are 57 Islamic states. So did Obama just lose his bearings, or was this a more telling slip, ladies and gentlemen?

1st Century Tablet

2008-07-05T23:54:00.002-04:00

The article from the New York Times was an interesting take on the connections of the Old Testament with Christianity. What is more interesting is that this 'stone' has not been 'hit for the anti-Christian establishment.'

Enjoy the read (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/world/middleeast/06stone.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss)!!

Flying...WWII...Honoring A Hero...

2008-07-05T04:16:00.002-04:00

Piggyback Hero
by Ralph Kenney Bennett

Tomorrow they will lay the remains of Glenn Rojohn to rest in the Peace Lutheran Cemetery in the little town of Greenock, Pa., just southeast of Pittsburgh. He was 81, and had been in the air conditioning and plumbing business in nearby McKeesport. If you had seen him on the street he would probably have looked to you like so many other graying, bespectacled old World War II veterans whose names appear so often now on obituary pages.

But like so many of them, though he seldom talked about it, he could have told you one hell of a story. He won the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart all in one fell swoop in the skies over Germany on December 31, 1944. Fell swoop indeed.

Capt. Glenn Rojohn, of the 8th Air Force's 100th Bomb Group was flying his B-17G Flying Fortress bomber on a raid over Hamburg. His formation had braved heavy flak to drop their bombs, then turned 180 degrees to head out over the North Sea. They had finally turned northwest, headed back t o England, when they were jumped by German fighters at 22,000 feet. The Messerschmitt Me-109s pressed their attack so closely that Capt. Rojohn could see the faces of the German pilots. He and other pilots fought to remain in formation so they could use each other's guns to defend the group. Rojohn saw a B-17 ahead of him burst into flames and slide sickeningly toward the earth. He gunned his ship forward to fill in the gap. He felt a huge impact. The big bomber shuddered, felt suddenly very heavy and began losing altitude. Rojohn grasped almost immediately that he had collided with another plane. A B-17 below him, piloted by Lt. William G. McNab, had slammed the top of its fuselage into the bottom of Rojohn's. The top turret gun of McNab's plane was now locked in the belly of Rojohn's plane and the ball turret in the belly of Rojohn's had smashed through the top of McNab's. The two bombers we re almost perfectly aligned -- the tail of the lower plane was slightly to the left of Rojohn's tailpiece. They were stuck together, as a crewman later recalled, 'like mating dragon flies.'

Three of the engines on the bottom plane were still running, as were all four of Rojohn's. The fourth engine on the lower bomber was on fire and the flames were spreading to the rest of the aircraft. The two were losing altitude quickly. Rojohn tried several times to gun his engines and break free of the other plane. The two were inextricably locked together. Fearing a fire, Rojohn cut his engines and rang the bailout bell. For his crew to have any chance of parachuting, he had to keep the plane und er control somehow..

The ball turret, hanging below the belly of the B-17, was considered by many t o be a death trap -- the worst station on the bomber. In this case, both ball turrets figured in a swift and terrible drama of life and death. Staff Sgt. Edward L. Wooda ll, Jr., in the ball turret of the lower bomber had felt the impact of the collision above him and saw shards of metal drop past him. Worse, he realized both electrical and hydraulic power was gone.

Remembering escape drills, he grabbed the handcrank, released the clutch and cranked the turret and its guns until they were straight down, then turned and climbed out the back of the turret up into the fuselage. Once inside the plane's belly Woodall saw a chilling sight, the ball turret of the other bomber protruding through the top of the fuselage. In that turret, hopelessly trapped, was Staff Sgt. Joseph Russo. Several crew members of Rojohn's plane tried frantically to crank Russo's turret around so he could escape, but, jammed into the fuselage of the lower plane, it would not budge. Perhaps unaware that his voice was going out over the intercom of his plane, Sgt. Russo began reciting his Hail Marys.

Up in the cockpit, Capt.. Rojohn and his co-pilot 2nd Lt. William G. Leek, Jr., had propped their feet against the instrument panel so they could pull back on their controls with all their strength, trying to prevent their plane from going into a spinning dive that would prevent the crew from jumping out. Capt. Rojohn motion left and the two managed to wheel the huge, collision-born hybrid of a plane back toward the German coast. Leek felt like he was intruding on Sgt. Russo as his prayers crackled over the radio, so he pulled off his flying helmet with its earphones.

Rojohn, immediately grasping that crew could not exit from the bottom of his plane, ordered his top turret gunner and his radio operator, Tech Sgts. Orville Elkin and Edward G. Neuhaus to make their way to the back of the fuselage and out the waist d oor on the left behind the wing. Then he got his navigator, 2nd Lt. Robert Washington, and his bombardier, Sgt. James Shirley to follow them. As Rojohn and Leek somehow held the plane steady, these four men, as well as waist gunner, Sgt. Roy Little, and tail gunner, Staff Sgt. Francis Chase, were able to bail out.

Now the plane locked below them was aflame. Fire poured over Rojohn's left wing. He could feel the heat from the plane below and hear the sound of 50 cal. machinegun ammunition 'cooking off' in the flames. Capt. Rojohn ordered Lieut. Leek to bail out. Leek knew that without him helping keep the controls back, the plane would drop in a flaming spiral and the centrifugal force would prevent Rojohn from bailing. He refused the order.

Meanwhile, German soldiers and civilians on the ground that afternoon looked up in wonder.. Some of them thought they were seeing a new Allied secret weapon -- a strange eight-engined doub le bomber. But anti-aircraft gunners on the North Sea coastal island of Wangerooge had seen the collision. A German b attery captain wrote in his logbook at 12:47 p.m.:
'Two fortresses collided in a formation in the NE. The planes flew hooked together and flew 20 miles south. The two planes were unable to fight anymore. The crash could be awaited so I stopped the firing at these two planes.'

Suspended in his parachute in the cold December sky, Bob Washington watched with deadly fascination as the mated bombers, trailing black smoke, fell to earth about three miles away, their downward trip ending in an ugly boiling blossom of fire.

In the cockpit Rojohn and Leek held grimly to the controls trying to ride a falling rock. Leek tersely recalled, 'The ground came up faster and faster. Praying was allowed. We gave it one last effort and slammed into the ground.' The McNab plane on the bottom exploded, vaulting the other B-17 upward and forward. It slammed back to the ground, sliding along until its left wing slammed through a wooden building and the smoldering mess of came to a stop. Rojohn and Leek were still seated in their cockpit. The nose of the plane was relatively intact, but everything from the B-17 massive wings back was destroyed. They looked at each other incredulously. Neither was badly injured.

Movies have nothing on reality. Still perhaps in shock, Leek crawled out through a huge hole behind the cockpit, felt for the familiar pack in his uniform pocket pulled out a cigarette. He placed it in his mouth and was about to light it. Then he noticed a young German soldier pointing a rifle at him. The soldier looked scared and annoyed. He grabbed the cigarette out of Leek's mouth and pointed down to the gasoline pouring out over the wing from a ruptured fuel tank.

Two of the six men who parachuted from Rojohn's plane did not survive the jump. But the other four and, amazingly, four men from the other bomber, including ball turret gunner Woodall, survived. All were taken prisoner. Several of them were interrogate d at length by the Germans until they were satisfied that what had crashed was not a new American secret weapon.

Rojohn, typically, didn't talk much about his Distinguished Flying Cross. Of Leek, he said, 'in all fairness to my co-pilot, he's the reason I'm alive today.'

Like so many veterans, Rojohn got unsentimentally back to life after the war, marrying and raising a son and daughter. For many years, though, he tried to link back up with Leek, going through government records to try to track him down. It took him 40 years, but in 1986, he found the number of Leeks' mother, in Washington State. Yes, her son Bill was visiting from California. Would Rojohn like to speak with him? Some things are better left unsaid. One can imagine that first conversation between the two me n who had shared that wild ride in the cockpit of a B-17. A year later, the two were re-united at a reunion of the 100th Bomb Group in Long Beach, Calif. Bill Leek died the following year.

Glenn Rojohn was the last survivor of the remarkable piggyback flight. He was like thousands upon thousands of men, soda jerks and lumberjacks, teachers and dentists, students and lawyers and service station attendants and store clerks and farm boys who in the prime of their lives went to war.

He died last Saturday after a long siege of sickness. But he apparently faced that final battle with the same grim aplomb he displayed that remarkable day over Germany so long ago. Let us be thankful for such men.

Aptera: Vehicle of Tomorrow

2008-07-01T01:15:00.002-04:00

I ran across this vehicle and believe it is the future!!!

If I had the money, I would purchase one right now!!!

Take a look at the information provided, it is astounding!!!

Here is the YouTube Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClpwPxKoGKU)

Or just watch below:

What would you do when the music stopped?

2008-06-24T23:16:00.001-04:00

WHEN THE MUSIC STOPPED

For those who are unaware, at a military theater, the National Anthem is
played before every movie.

From a Chaplain in Iraq:

I recently attended a showing of 'Superman 3,' here at LSA Anaconda. We
have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and
other large gatherings. As is the custom back in the States, we stood and
snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature.
All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through The
National Anthem the music stopped.

Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in
the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude
comments; and everyone would sit down and call for a movie. Of course, that
is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.

Here, the 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed
forward. The music started again. The Soldiers continued to quietly stand
at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would
you expect to happen? Even here I would imagine laughter, as everyone
finally sat down and expected the movie to start.

But here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier continued to stand
at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly
the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where
the recording left off: 'And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in
air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say
does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the
home of the brave.'

It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq. I wanted you to
know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here. Remember them as they
fight for you!

Pray for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. For many have already paid the
ultimate price.

Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins
LSA Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad GOD bless
all our loyal men fighting over seas.

Cute 'baby sayings'.....that are probably true!!!

2008-06-17T23:16:00.001-04:00

"Baby Talk"
What your baby would tell you if he/she could talk:

1. I have my blankie, you have your caffeine. Enough said.

2. Don't be jealous, but I think I'm in love with the ceiling fan.

3. I know where the remote control is, but it'll cost you.

4. To you, it's just an empty egg carton; to me it's PlayStation 2.

5. Actually, I don't mind sitting in a bathtub that I've peed in.

6. Bang a screwdriver slowly and steadily into your gums. That's what teething feels like.

7. Two words I'd rather not hear from you: rectal thermometer.

8. There's no point in teaching me to say "mama" or "dada." My first word is going to be "hat."

9. I've told you five times what cow says. If you can't remember, I'm not telling you again.

10. There is no question that I can cry longer than you can listen.

11. I'm not just wildly throwing my food. I'm exploring the laws of gravity, estimating mass, and testing wind velocity.

12. If you wanted a good sleeper, you should have gotten a cat.

13. Who that baby in the mirror you keep asking me about?

14. If my bottom is so darn cute, why is someone always trying to cover it up?

15. Who are you two to tell me how important it is to sleep alone?

16. What you secretly believe is true: I am much smarter than other babies.

I'm sorry.....The Truth and nothing but the truth!!!

2008-06-16T23:11:00.001-04:00

Lieutenant General Chuck Pitman

Semper Fi!

This 'Letter of Apology' was written by Lieutenant General Chuck Pitman, US Marine Corps, Retired:

For good and ill, the Iraqi prisoner abuse mess will remain an issue. On the one hand, right thinking Americans will abhor the stupidity of the actions while on the other hand, political glee will take control and fashion this minor event into some modern day massacre.

I humbly offer my opinion here:

I am sorry that the last seven times we Americans took up arms and sacrificed the blood of our youth; it was in the defense of Muslims ( Bosnia , Kosovo, Gulf War 1, Kuwait , etc.)

I am sorry that no such call for an apology upon the extremists came after 9/11.

I am sorry that all of the murderers on 9/11 were Islamic Arabs.

I am sorry that most Arabs and Muslims have to live in squalor under savage dictatorships.

I am sorry that their leaders squander their wealth.

I am sorry that their governments breed hate for the US in their religious schools, mosques, and government-controlled media.

I am sorry that Yasser Arafat was kicked out of every Arab country and high-jacked the Palestinian 'cause.'

I am sorry that no other Arab country will take in or offer more than a token amount of financial help to those same Palestinians.

I am sorry that the U. S. A. has to step in and be the biggest financial supporter of poverty stricken Arabs while the insanely wealthy Arabs blame the USA for all their problems.

I am sorry that our own left wing, our media, and our own brainwashed liberal masses do not understand any of this (from the misleading vocal elements of our society like radical liberal professors, CNN and the NY TIMES).

I am sorry the United Nations scammed the poor people of Iraq out of the 'food for oil' money so they could get rich while the common folk suffered.

I am sorry that some Arab governments pay the families of homicide bombers upon their death

I am sorry that those same bombers are brainwashed thinking they will receive 72 virgins in 'paradise.'

I am sorry that the homicide bombers think pregnant women, babies, children, the elderly and other noncombatant civilians are legitimate targets.

I am sorry that our troops die to free more Arabs from the gang rape rooms and the filling of mass graves of dissidents of their own making.

I am sorry that Muslim extremists have killed more Arabs than any other group.

I am sorry that foreign trained terrorists are trying to seize control of Iraq and return it to a terrorist state.

I am sorry we don't drop a few dozen Daisy cutters on Fallujah.

I am sorry every time terrorists hide they find a convenient 'Holy Site.'

I am sorry they didn't apologize for driving a jet into the World Trade Center that collapsed and severely damaged Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - one of our Holy Sites.

I am sorry they didn't apologize for flight 93 and 175, the USS Cole, the embassy bombings, the murders and beheadings of Nick Berg and Daniel Pearl, etc....etc!

I am sorry Michael Moore is American; he could feed a medium sized village in Africa .

America will get past this latest absurdity. We will punish those responsible because that is what we do.

I am sorry the Barack Hussein Obama may be elected president of the United States when he doesn't have a clue on how to be a strong Commander-in-chief in a world filled with Muslim extremists who will do whatever it needs to do to destroy the lives of civilized people while killing innocent men, women and children in order to bring a change that is beneficial to all Islamic terrorists worldwide.

I am sorry that voters on the liberal left don't understand the frightening changes that are taking place in the Muslim world and what these changes will do to this world in which we live.

I am sorry that the Democratic Party has been highjacked by Socialists and Communists right under the very noses of those who take pride in calling themselves democrats.

We hang out our dirty laundry for the entire world to see. We move on. That's one of the reasons we are hated so much. We don't hide this stuff like all those Arab countries that are now demanding an apology.

Deep down inside, when most Americans saw this reported in the news, we were like - so what? We lost hundreds and made fun of a few prisoners. Sure, it was wrong, sure, it dramatically hurts our cause, but until captured we were trying to kill these same prisoners. Now we're supposed to wring our hands because a few were humiliated?

Our compassion is tempered with the vivid memories of our own people killed, mutilated and burnt amongst a joyous crowd of celebrating Fallujahans.

If you want an apology from this American, you're going to have a long wait! You have a better chance of finding those seventy-two virgins.

Chuck Pitman

Lieutenant General, USMC

Oldest Church Not New News....

2008-06-15T01:57:00.003-04:00

This press release is interesting reading since it was clearly October 31, 2002.

It makes one wonder how long it takes for information to be considered, 'breaking news'.

(For those who need the URL: (http://www.ncsu.edu/news/press_releases/02_10/291.htm))

Some Ancient Church Fathers Links

2008-06-14T22:42:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to provide for anyone interested in "Ancient Church Fathers" some really good links for texts.

http://www2.nd.edu/Departments/Maritain/aristotl.htm
http://www.luc.edu/faculty/mhooker/google_books-bible_judaism_christianity.html

These are just two links that provide a great abundance of texts!!

Let me know what you think and if they are helpful!!!

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

Ancient Church of 70??

2008-06-11T22:17:00.003-04:00

This is an interesting article. Even more interesting is the GOC reference.

Enjoy!!!

Link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080611/ap_on_re/jordan_oldest_church)

Update:
Here is a blog with pictures..... (http://nickianddusty.blogspot.com/2008/06/worlds-oldest-orthodox-church.html)

Teachers and Trust

2008-06-10T23:12:00.000-04:00

"Trust"

As a new school Principal, Mr. Mitchell was checking over his school on the first day. Passing the stockroom, he was startled to see the door wide open and teachers bustling in and out, carrying off books and supplies in preparation for the arrival of students the next day.

The school where he had been a Principal the previous year had used a check-out system only slightly less elaborate than that at Fort Knox.

Cautiously, he asked the school's long time Custodian, "Do you think it's wise to keep the stock room unlocked and to let the teachers take things without requisitions?"

The Custodian looked at him gravely. "We trust them with the children, don't we?"

Pictures of Orthodox Churches and Bishops

2008-06-10T11:26:00.002-04:00

This is a link I was exposed to that really makes me appreciate Russian Orthodox History and beauty. This is pre revolution when the church still had a strong hold in Russia.

Here is the link for the 1st Page (http://all-photo.ru/temples/index.ru.html). Just click the 'numbers at the top' next to "Страницы:" This will take you to the subsequent pages.

Some really neat pictures....

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

Desert Fathers Translation

2008-06-10T01:27:00.003-04:00

A possible New Translation??

For those who may be interested in the Desert Fathers, I found the following link that I believe may be of great interest to those who read the Desert Fathers.

I need to make a confession, I read the Desert Fathers daily. I find if I don't read them, my life seems out of balance.

Enjoy this link. I have e-mailed the owner a question about the text and await with GREAT interest his reply!!!

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

P.S.
For those who would like the URL, (http://www.bombaxo.com/blog/?p=299)

Carl

2008-06-04T01:26:00.001-04:00

Carl

'What a Testimony'

"May Your Day, Your Week, And Your Life; BE BLESSED!" (*You're Blessed to be a Blessing*)

I don't know if this is a true story or not, but it demonstrates how we should, and can, imitate Jesus.

Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well.

Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us.

He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII.

Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.

When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up.

He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened.

He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, "Would you like a drink from the hose?"

The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, "Yeah, sure," with a malevolent little smile.

As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled.

Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him.

Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it.

"Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?" the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet.

Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head.

"Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday."

His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose.

He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water.

Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, "Carl, what are you doing?"

"I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately," came the calm reply.

Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.

A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose.

This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water.

When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done.

Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.

The summer was quickly fading into fall, Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches.

As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack.

"Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time."

The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl.

"What's this?" Carl asked.

"It's your stuff," the man explained. "It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet."

"I don't understand," Carl said. "Why would you help me now?" The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. "I learned something from you," he said. "I ran with that gang and hurt people like you. We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate."

He stopped for a moment. "I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back."

He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. "That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess." And with that, he walked off down the street.

Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride who still smiled back at him from all those years ago.

He died one cold day after Christmas that winter.

Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church.

The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, "Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden."

The following spring another flyer went up. It read: "Person needed to care for Carl's garden.."

The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door.

Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer. "I believe this is my job, if you'll have me," the young man said.

The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl.

He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, "Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honour him."

The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done.

In that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it.

One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, "My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday."

"Well, congratulations!" said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. "That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?"

"Carl," he replied.

That's the whole gospel message simply stated.

Take 60 seconds give this a shot! Let's just see if Satan stops this one.

All you do is:

1. Simply say a small prayer for the “Carl in your life”. Father, God bless this person in whatever it is that You know he or she may be needing this day!

2. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life for doing the thing that you know He loves, caring for other people by praying for them.

GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE ANGELS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE THEM TO KNOW THEY

ARE THERE

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything.....they just make the best of everything."

The Veteran

2008-06-04T01:09:00.002-04:00

It is the VETERAN,

not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN , not the reporter,

who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the

VETERAN , not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the

VETERAN , not the campus organizer,

who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the

VETERAN , not the lawyer,

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the

VETERAN , not the politician,

Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the

VETERAN

who salutes the Flag,

It is the

veteran

who serves under the Flag,

ETERNAL REST
GRANT THEM O LORD,
AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT
SHINE UPON THEM.

We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve.

God Bless them all!!!

Persecution on Mount Athos

2008-06-04T00:46:00.004-04:00

This is a link to a web site about the current persecution of an Orthodox Monastery on Mount Athos. (http://www.esphigmenou.com/)

Those who believe that persecution does not exist today will be shocked!!

Continued Prayers for the Monks on Mount Athos!!!

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

You Could Have Heard a Pin Drop!!!

2008-06-02T23:35:00.000-04:00

A Tribute to the American Soldier!!!

You could have heard a pin drop

When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building' by George Bush. He answered by saying, 'Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.

You could have heard a pin drop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then there was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American.

During a break one of the French engineers came back into the room saying 'Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intended to do, bomb them?' A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly:

'Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have? '

You could have heard a pin drop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, 'whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English.' He then asked, 'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?' Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied 'Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German.'

You could have heard a pin drop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AND THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ABOVE...

A group of Americans, retired Teachers, recently went to France on a tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.

At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. 'You have been to France before, monsieur?' the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.

'Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.' The American said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it.' 'Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !' The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained. 'Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in '44 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find any Frenchmen to show it to.'

You could have heard a pin drop.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What Is A Veteran?

A "Veteran" -- whether active duty, discharged, retired, or reserve-- is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to, and including his life." That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today, who no longer understand that fact.

Cutting the Grass

2008-05-28T06:31:00.004-04:00

This story came to me via e-mail and I wanted to post it, because I am thankful for the freedom to cut my own grass!!!!

Thanks to those who give me that freedom!!!

I hope the picture will go through for you - of this Army soldier in Iraq with his tiny 'plot' of grass in front of his tent.

It's heartwarming!
Here is a soldier stationed in Iraq , stationed in a big sand box. He asked his wife to send him dirt (U.S.soil), fertilizer, and some grass seed so that he can have the sweet aroma, and feel the grass grow beneath his feet. When the men of the squadron have a mission that they are going on, they take turns
walking through the grass and the American soil - to bring them good luck.

If you notice, he is even cutting the grass with a pair of scissors. Sometimes we are in such a hurry that we don't stop and think about the little things that we take for granted.

Please say a prayer for our American soldiers that give and give (and give up) so unselfishly for us.

Ascending to the Judgment Seat....Father Forgive me a sinner!!!

2008-05-26T00:02:00.003-04:00

First, I am a sinner.
Second, I would like to thank God for His Son!!!
Third, through my baptism into His death on the Cross my salvation is through His action, not my own. Thanks be to God!!!

To respond to an Anonymous comment from a previous post. Here is the comment in its fullness:

You do know that IVF results in the taking of unborn life? The "mature eggs" are human beings.

You two really need to rethink what you are doing, you are destroying the lives of unborn children in order to satisfy your desire to have children.

This is not right.

I initially was going to respond to this person and comment with all the anatomical and cell information to prove them incorrect. This is a sinful way to handle this. May God have mercy upon me a sinner!!!

It is my prayer that anyone who ascends to a judgment seat may please reconsider, for in doing this they make themselves 'equal to God'. I cannot do this, because I am sinful.

May God have mercy upon me a sinner!!!

May God have mercy upon this anonymous poster and anyone else who ascends to the judgment seat!!!

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

5 Lives Given by God

2008-05-25T23:34:00.000-04:00

Thank you for your prayers. We were dealt another blow today. The one LIFE was not dividing the way it should have and we will not be going through the implantation tomorrow (Sunday). The main DR called us and we called him back. It was one of the 'immature' eggs. So in the last 72 hours we have lost 5 children, and we didn't even get to know them, but God does, because He formed them!!! To God be the Glory and in His time!!!

Please continue to pray for us!!!

YIC,
Darian and Michele

God giveth and God taketh away, Blessed be God!!

2008-05-25T23:31:00.001-04:00

Hello Everyone,

I need to catch everyone up on the last 48 hours of our lives. (As we may have told everyone, we (Michele and I) are undergoing IVF invitro fertilization), Michele came home from the initial procedure with lots of pain, but managing well. We were trying to settle in to get some sleep Thursday afternoon when the phone rang.............

Well, it was the Head DR of the Fertility Clinic. They had 'extracted' seven 'eggs'. He said, four of them were 'mature'. Then his next words have caused us the greatest pain and heartache......He said, "while performing the 'procedure' something happened and they lost ALL 'four' mature eggs." They had spent the previous two hours (this was 3PM) searching for the eggs and had not found any eggs, but were still looking.

He said, this has only happened one other time in his 21 years of Fertility work. And he and his team and staff were 'heartbroken'. He said that the three non-mature eggs would be watched for the next 24 hours to see if they mature. He continuously and profusely apologized for this whole thing. He said they would do everything in their power to make this right. I told him that prayer was the only thing that we could do.....He said he would be in contact 'tomorrow' (Friday). He also gave me his personal cell phone number and said call any time. He said to give Michele a hug from him.

I again thanked him and again asked for his prayers.

I hung up the phone and had to have one of the hardest conversations of my life. I began by hugging Michele from me and then hugging Michele from the Dr.

Then I told Michele what I knew. This was the hardest and most gut wrenching conversation I have had to have to date.

To say the least, having lost all four mature eggs was like having the death of four of your closest family members all at once.

For the next 16 hours all Michele and I could do was try and console one another, pray about this and ask God for His Grace and Blessing. All of our hopes, dreams and plans were dashed and we only kept asking ourselves what could we have done differently? Why did this happen to us?

Being Friday now, I had to go to Nottaway HS to teach my College Chemistry course. I would have gladly called in sick, but this was the day I was giving my final exam and couldn't 'not show up'.

To leave to go was the hardest thing for me to do, because I could do nothing to comfort Michele while I was gone or protect her in any way. I offered to take her with me, but she declined. I told her I would only call her cell phone and try and get out early.

I went, gave my test and left early. The students weren't happy, but you can only imagine my feelings.....and my emotions....

On my way home, I called Michele to let her know I was on my way. Then I called a good friend of mine. While on the phone with him, Michele called me. I 'switched lines' and Michele gave me the news.

Remember, we started with 'seven eggs', lost 'four mature eggs', had 'three immature eggs'.

Michele said, the Dr. had just called. The first words out of his mouth, "We have one embryo".

As fast as I got this information, I was going through the drop zone I encounter along Hwy 46 between Blackstone and Alberta and this happened at the same moment I was talking to Michele.

After getting this news from Michele my cell phone dropped all calls. I immediately "THANKED and PRAISED GOD" for the one LIFE (egg/embryo) we have left.

As of right now we are scheduled for 'implantation' of this one LIFE Sunday at 845 AM.

Please, please, please, please pray for the LIFE created by God, for Michele and myself and the Dr's and medical teams on Sunday. We covet your prayers and are thankful to call you family!!!

Thank you for all of your support throughout this!!!! Please keep all of us (including the single LIFE created) in your prayers!!!

All our Love,
Darian and Michele Hybl

Humbled by Pastor Weedon

2008-01-26T23:33:00.000-05:00

Here is a link to a request I made to Pastor Weedon. The long form is http://weedon.blogspot.com/2008/01/for-darian.html.

Pastor Weedon was kind enough to give an outline of his daily prayer routine.

Kudo's Pastor Weedon!!!

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

7 Percent

2008-01-16T01:06:00.000-05:00

7 Percent
One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right. He thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.

His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had, that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment, and frustration.

Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:

"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, you have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot, I don't know how. It is not fair Lord, I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray you teach me to do the one thing I cannot do: Teach me to forgive ."

As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt. He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.

He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.

"Have you ever told a lie?" He asked?

The man answered - "Yes, Lord."

"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?"

The man answered - "Yes. Lord." And the man sobbed more and more.

"Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked?

And the man answered, "Yes, Lord."

"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain?"

The man, crying now, answered - "Yes, Lord."

As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - "Yes, Lord".

Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder He looked and saw that it was the blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.
Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you."

It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is.

Read the following first line slowly and let it sink in.

If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it.

When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you! Are you one of the 7% who will stand up for Him?

93% of people won't .

To Know Him

2008-01-12T03:39:00.000-05:00

Sorry this is in all caps...

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.

IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE.

WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.
"A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST ," HE BEGAN.

"WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE. THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED."

THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN, LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.

THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, "GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE.

HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION.

THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT.

THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES.
AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!' HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND.

BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT.

HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.

BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH.

"THE FATHER," HE CONTINUED, "KNEW HIS SON WOULD STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS.. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND. "

HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE."

WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM.

THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL.

WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE.

"THAT WAS A NICE STORY," POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM,"BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN."

"WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE," THE OLD MAN REPLIED, GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS AND SAID, "IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT, I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.

YOU SEE...I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND."

I Support the Troops

2007-12-12T00:20:00.000-05:00

You stay up for 16 hours He stays up for days on end.

You take a warm shower to help you wakeup. He goes days or weeks without running water.

You complain of a 'headache', and callin sick. He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

You put on your anti war/don't supportthe troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends. He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket. He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash about your 'buddies' thataren't with you. He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at allthe pretty girls. He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is. He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe hisbrow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong. He doesn't get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes. He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair redone. He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutesover. He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight. He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday. He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries. He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything. He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and rememberswhy he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and makefun of men like him. He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.

You see only what the media wants you to see. He sees the broken bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by yourparents. You don't. He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.

You stay at home and watch TV. He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your soft bed, with downpillows, and get comfortable. He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.

If you support your troops, say a prayer for them right now.

You won't die in 7 days, your love life won't be affected, and you won't have theworst day ever.

It's not like you know the men and women that are dying to preserve your rights.

The Jesus Prayer

2007-08-03T23:14:00.000-04:00

The Jesus Prayer

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner"

Those twelve words have the most power contained in them due to many facts, whether it be the confession they make, the repentance they provide opportunity for or even for their humble declaration that can only truly take place because of the Holy Spirit. These words evoke emotion, resonate the soul and enable those who pray those twelve words to feel a freedom beyond any and all expression.

This post has been a long time in coming. I have been watching my stats for people who come and see my web blog. I said to myself, when I reach a certain number of hits for the day, I would post about this prayer that has changed my life.

Everyone is different and I am not an authority. So I only provide here some links that are and were helpful for me with the "Jesus Prayer"!!

May God intersect your life and enable you to experience Him more fully!!!

Articles
http://www.svots.edu/Faculty/Albert-Rossi/Articles/Saying-the-Jesus-Prayer.html

Prayer Rope Sites
http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/comboschini.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_rope
http://www.unicorne.org/orthodoxy/articles/alex_roman/prayerrope.htm
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Prayer_rope
http://www.grigaitis.net/?doc=articles/chotki/index.html
http://www.unicorne.org/Orthodoxy/hiver2004/lestovkr.htm
http://www.anamchara.org.uk/index.html
http://www.st-george-church.org/English/Prayer_Rope.htm
http://www.svots.edu/Faculty/Albert-Rossi/Articles/Saying-the-Jesus-Prayer.html
http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/blessed-father-paisios-guidance-about-the-jesus-prayer.aspx
http://www.schoolforteachers.org/about3.html

A Promise Kept

2007-05-29T00:57:00.000-04:00

I am unsure if this is a true story, but since Monday was Memorial Day I was moved to post this in honor of those who served in ALL Wars and those currently serving both here in the United States and Everywhere Abroad!!!!

A PROMISE KEPT!!

I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that you find all over the country. You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around with long neck beers and sizzling platters.

Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal. They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they were definitely "military:" clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that "squared away" look that comes with pride.

Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my husband usually sat. It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth, talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East.

That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak. In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking about him until he returned home.

I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where he was at this very moment. Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters getting through to him?

As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voices from the next booth broke into my thoughts.

"I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq. You'd think that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good lord. What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, he stole the election."

I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them, as they began an endless tirade running down our president.

I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox and anthrax shots.

The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still gives me chills.

Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts.

"It is all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'. Hmmm! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving it a thought? It's pure greed, you know."
My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped it on my finger. I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform, affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest over it.

"You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to increase the president's popularity. That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our social security and education. And, you know what else? We're just asking for another 9-11. I can't say when it happens again that we didn't deserve it."

Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched gathering outside our base. Did no one even appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave their homes and family to ensure our freedom? Do they even know what "freedom" is?

I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw their courageous faces change. They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly, listening to the women talking.

"Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional baby-killers we call a military."

“Professional baby-killers?” I thought about what a wonderful father my husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our children again.

That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had.

Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her pride in our troops be known.

Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and placed my hands flat on their table.

Lowering myself to eye level with them, smiling I said, "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone. And, do you know why? Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around the world defending your right to say rotten things about him."

"Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none of my business. However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband, and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is an expensive commodity, ladies. Don't let your actions cheapen it."

I must have been louder than I meant to be, because the manager came over to inquire if everything was all right.

"Yes, thank you," I replied.

Then, turning back to the women, I said, "Enjoy the rest of your meal."

As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak. The women picked up their check and scurried away.

After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode. "Compliments of those soldiers," he said. He also smiled and said the ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten them to it.

When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of "one of our boys."

With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and thanked them for the cobbler. Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth.

"We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."

As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I didn't feel quite so alone. My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and would keep him in their prayers.

I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day. Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in our country, and the military who protect her. And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our country, would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom America offers, and the price it pays to maintain it's freedom.

As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference.

Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!"

To those who fought for our Nation: Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for their commanders.

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior."

Please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground, air and navy personnel in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Merchant Marines, Navy and National Guard in every area of the Middle East and all around the world!!!

Lack of Posting

2007-05-27T23:23:00.000-04:00

I have to thank everyone who has written and prayed about and for my struggles that have been going on in my life. The challenges that I have previously spoken about continue. I am not allowed to elaborate because of the pending Federal Court Case against a number of individuals.

This continues to weigh heavily on me, my wife and my family. I am thankful for my family, friends and support given us by my Brothers and Sisters In Christ!!!!

Without this support I would have been lost!!!!

I have not posted since February due to the 30+ pages of documentation I have worked on for my case and teaching on-line an Old and New Testament Course. As well I have preached twice in Smyrna, DE at Peace Lutheran Church. In June and July I will be preaching again and look forward to the joy of spreading God's Gospel Message.

Hopefully this summer will be better than last Summer, but as of right now there are still lots of challenges in my life.

I still have lots of projects I would like to complete, but these are taking a back seat to other more pressing issues.

Again, thank you for visiting my page and checking in to see what is new. If you would like please feel free to leave a comment. I ALWAYS enjoy hearing from people who read what I have written or referred to on my page!!!

May God richly bless all of us as we celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit!!!

Yours In Christ,
Darian L. Hybl

Pentecost: The Original Pentecost Sermon

2007-05-27T23:04:00.000-04:00

Today was the celebration of Pentecost in most of Christendom!!!

Like most who celebrated this day I read like some heard, Acts 2:1-13 (NASB)as follows:

Acts 2 - The Day of Pentecost
1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all
together in one place. 2And suddenly there came from heaven a noise
like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were
sitting. 3And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing
themselves, and they rested on each one of them. 4And they were all
filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit
was giving them utterance.
5Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from
every nation under heaven. 6And when this sound occurred, the crowd
came together, and were bewildered because each one of them was hearing them
speak in his own language. 7They were amazed and astonished, saying,
"Why, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8"And how is it
that we each hear them in our own language to which we were
born? 9"Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of
Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and
Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from
Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs--we hear them in
our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God."
12And they all continued in amazement and great
perplexity, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"
13But others were mocking and saying, "They are full of sweet wine."

This text was for a devotion I am reading, but what really spoke to me was the truth of the rest of the 2nd Chapter of Acts. I consider this to be the "Original" Pentecost Sermon. It reads as follows:

Peter's Sermon
14But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his
voice and declared to them: "Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let
this be known to you and give heed to my words.
15"For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day;
16but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel:
17'AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,' God says, 'THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT ON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; 18EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT
And they shall prophesy.
19'AND I WILL GRANT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD, AND FIRE, AND VAPOR OF SMOKE. 20'THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD SHALL COME. 21'AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.'
22"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by
God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your
midst, just as you yourselves know-- 23this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.
24"But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.
25"For David says of Him,
'I SAW THE LORD ALWAYS IN MY PRESENCE; FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN. 26'THEREFORE MY HEART WAS GLAD AND MY TONGUE EXULTED; MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE; 27BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY. 28'YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL MAKE ME FULL OF GLADNESS WITH YOUR PRESENCE.'
29"Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30"And so, because he was a prophet and knew that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH TO SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, 31he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that HE WAS NEITHER ABANDONED TO HADES, NOR DID His
flesh SUFFER DECAY.
32"This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.
33"Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.
34"For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: 'THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, "SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, 35UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET."'
36"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified." The Ingathering 37Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?"
38Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39"For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself."
40And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation!"
41So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were
added about three thousand souls.
42They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
45and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
46Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47praising God and having favor with all the people And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

May the Holy Spirit move your heart when you break bread with one another 'with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God'!!!

Yours In Christ,
Darian L. Hybl

Luther's Catechism for Lent Day 2

2007-02-19T02:47:00.000-05:00

Luther’s Catechism for Lent Day 2

Luther’s Small Catechism

A. The First Commandment

You must not have other gods.

Q. What does this mean?

A. We must fear, love, and trust God more than anything else.

Luther’s Large Catechism

III.
Part First.
The First Commandment.
__________

The First Commandment.

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

That is: Thou shalt have [and worship] Me alone as thy God. What is the force of this, and how is it to be understood? What does it mean to have a god? or, what is God? Answer: A god means that from which we are to expect all good and to which we are to take refuge in all distress, so that to have a God is nothing else than to trust and believe Him from the [whole] heart; as I have often said that the confidence and faith of the heart alone make both God and an idol. If your faith and trust be right, then is your god also true; and, on the other hand, if your trust be false and wrong, then you have not the true God; for these two belong together faith and God. That now, I say, upon which you set your heart and put your trust is properly your god.

Therefore it is the intent of this commandment to require true faith and trust of the heart which settles upon the only true God and clings to Him alone. That is as much as to say: "See to it that you let Me alone be your God, and never seek another," i.e.: Whatever you lack of good things, expect it of Me, and look to Me for it, and whenever you suffer misfortune and distress, creep and cling to Me. I, yes, I, will give you enough and help you out of every need; only let not your heart cleave to or rest in any other.

This I must unfold somewhat more plainly, that it may be understood and perceived by ordinary examples of the contrary. Many a one thinks that he has God and everything in abundance when he has money and possessions; he trusts in them and boasts of them with such firmness and assurance as to care for no one. Lo, such a man also has a god, Mammon by name, i.e., money and possessions, on which he sets all his heart, and which is also the most common idol on earth. He who has money and possessions feels secure, and is joyful and undismayed as though he were sitting in the midst of Paradise. On the other hand, he who has none doubts and is despondent, as though he knew of no God. For very few are to be found who are of good cheer, and who neither mourn nor complain if they have not Mammon. This [care and desire for money] sticks and clings to our nature, even to the grave.

So, too, whoever trusts and boasts that he possesses great skill, prudence, power, favor friendship, and honor has also a god, but not this true and only God. This appears again when you notice how presumptuous, secure, and proud people are because of such possessions, and how despondent when they no longer exist or are withdrawn. Therefore I repeat that the chief explanation of this point is that to have a god is to have something in which the heart entirely trusts.

Besides, consider what in our blindness, we have hitherto been practising and doing under the Papacy. If any one had toothache, he fasted and honored St. Apollonia [[acerated his flesh by voluntary fasting to the honor of St. Apollonia]; if he was afraid of fire, he chose St. Lawrence as his helper in need; if he dreaded pestilence, he made a vow to St. Sebastian or Rochio, and a countless number of such abominations, where every one selected his own saint, worshiped him, and called for help to him in distress. Here belong those also, as, e.g., sorcerers and magicians, whose idolatry is most gross, and who make a covenant with the devil, in order that he may give them plenty of money or help them in love-affairs, preserve their cattle, restore to them lost possessions, etc. For all these place their heart and trust elsewhere than in the true God, look for nothing good to Him nor seek it from Him.

Thus you can easily understand what and how much this commandment requires, namely, that man's entire heart and all his confidence be placed in God alone, and in no one else. For to have God, you can easily perceive, is not to lay hold of Him with our hands or to put Him in a bag [as money], or to lock Him in a chest [as silver vessels]. But to apprehend Him means when the heart lays hold of Him and clings to Him. But to cling to Him with the heart is nothing else than to trust in Him entirey. For this reason He wishes to turn us away from everything else that exists outside of Him, and to draw us to Himself, namely, because He is the only eternal good. As though He would say: Whatever you have heretofore sought of the saints, or for whatever [things] you have trusted in Mammon or anything else, expect it all of Me, and regard Me as the one who will help you and pour out upon you richly all good things.

Lo, here you have the meaning of the true honor and worship of God, which pleases God, and which He commands under penalty of eternal wrath, namely, that the heart know no other comfort or confidence than in Him, and do not suffer itself to be torn from Him, but, for Him, risk and disregard everything upon earth. On the other hand, you can easily see and judge how the world practises only false worship and idolatry. For no people has ever been so reprobate as not to institute and observe some divine worship; every one has set up as his special god whatever he looked to for blessings, help, and comfort.

Thus, for example, the heathen who put their trust in power and dominion elevated Jupiter as the supreme god; the others, who were bent upon riches, happiness, or pleasure, and a life of ease, Hercules, Mercury, Venus or others; women with child, Diana or Lucina, and so on; thus every one made that his god to which his heart was inclined, so that even in the mind of the heathen to have a god means to trust and believe. But their error is this that their trust is false and wrong for it is not placed in the only God, besides whom there is truly no God in heaven or upon earth. Therefore the heathen really make their self-invented notions and dreams of God an idol, and put their trust in that which is altogether nothing. Thus it is with all idolatry; for it consists not merely in erecting an image and worshiping it, but rather in the heart, which stands gaping at something else, and seeks help and consolation from creatures saints, or devils, and neither cares for God, nor looks to Him for so much good as to believe that He is willing to help, neither believes that whatever good it experiences comes from God.

Besides, there is also a false worship and extreme idolatry, which we have hitherto practised, and is still prevalent in the world, upon which also all ecclesiastical orders are founded, and which concerns the conscience alone that seeks in its own works help, consolation, and salvation, presumes to wrest heaven from God, and reckons how many bequests it has made, how often it has fasted, celebrated Mass, etc. Upon such things it depends, and of them boasts, as though unwilling to receive anything from God as a gift, but desires itself to earn or merit it superabundantly, just as though He must serve us and were our debtor, and we His liege lords. What is this but reducing God to an idol, yea, [a fig image or] an apple-god, and elevating and regarding ourselves as God ? But this is slightly too subtile, and is not for young pupils.

But let this be said to the simple, that they may well note and remember the meaning of this commandment, namely, that we are to trust in God alone, and look to Him and expect from Him naught but good, as from one who gives us body, life, food, drink, nourishment, health, protection, peace, and all necessaries of both temporal and eternal things. He also preserves us from misfortune, and if any evil befall us, delivers and rescues us, so that it is God alone (as has been sufficiently said) from whom we receive all good, and by whom we are delivered from all evil. Hence also, I think, we Germans from ancient times call God (more elegantly and appropriately than any other language) by that name from the word good as being an eternal fountain which gushes forth abundantly nothing but what is good, and from which flows forth all that is and is called good.

For even though otherwise we experience much good from men, still whatever we receive by His command or arrangement is all received from God. For our parents, and all rulers, and every one besides with respect to his neighbor, have received from God the command that they should do us all manner of good, so that we receive these blessings not from them, but, through them, from God. For creatures are only the hands, channels, and means whereby God gives all things, as He gives to the mother breasts and milk to offer to her child, and corn and all manner of produce from the earth for nourishment, none of which blessings could be produced by any creature of itself.

Therefore no man should presume to take or give anything except as God has commanded, in order that it may be acknowledged as God's gift, and thanks may be rendered Him for it, as this commandment requires. On this account also these means of receiving good gifts through creatures are not to be rejected, neither should we in presumption seek other ways and means than God has commanded. For that would not be receiving from God, hut seeking of ourselves.

Let every one, then, see to it that he esteem this commandment great and high above all things, and do not regard it as a joke. Ask and examine your heart diligently, and you will find whether it cleaves to God alone or not. If you have a heart that can expect of Him nothing but what is good, especially in want and distress, and that, moreover renounces and forsakes everything that is not God, then you have the only true God. If on the contrary, it cleaves to anything else, of which it expects more good and help than of God, and does not take refuge in Him, but in adversity flees from Him, then you have an idol, another god.

In order that it may be seen that God will not have this commandment thrown to the winds, but will most strictly enforce it, He has attached to it first a terrible threat, and then a beautiful, comforting promise which is also to be urged and impressed upon young people, that they may take it to heart and retain it:

[Exposition of the Appendix to the First Commandment.]

For I am the Lord, thy God, strong and jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.

Although these words relate to all the commandments (as we shall hereafter learn), yet they are joined to this chief commandment because it is of first importance that men have a right head; for where the head is right, the whole life must be right, and vice versa. Learn, therefore, from these words how angry God is with those who trust in anything but Him, and again, how good and gracious He is to those who trust and believe in Him alone with the whole heart; so that His anger does not cease until the fourth generation, while, on the other hand, His blessing and goodness extend to many thousands lest you live in such security and commit yourself to chance, as men of brutal heart, who think that it makes no great difference [how they live]. He is a God who will not leave it unavenged if men turn from Him, and will not cease to be angry until the fourth generation, even until they are utterly exterminated. Therefore He is to be feared, and not to be desisted.

He has also demonstrated this in all history, as the Scriptures abundantly show and daily experience still teaches. For from the beginning He has utterly extirpated all idolatry, and, on account of it, both heathen and Jews; even as at the present day He overthrows all false worship, so that all who remain therein must finally perish. Therefore, although proud, powerful, and rich worldlings [Sardanapaluses and Phalarides, who surpass even the Persians in wealth] are now to be found, who boast defiantly of their Mammon, with utter disregard whether God is angry at or smiles on them, and dare to withstand His wrath, yet they shall not succeed, but before they are aware,they shall be wrecked, with all in which they trusted; as all others have perished who have thought themselves more secure or powerful.

And just because of such hardened heads who imagine because God connives and allows them to rest in security, that He either is entirely ignorant or cares nothing about such matters, He must deal a smashing blow and punish them,,so that He cannot forget it unto children's children; so that every one may take note and see that this is no joke to Him. For they are those whom He means when He says: Who hate Me, i.e., those who persist in their defiance and pride; whatever is preached or said to them, they will not listen; when they are reproved, in order that they may learn to know themselves and amend before the punishment begins, they become mad and foolish so as to fairly merit wrath, as now we see daily in bishops and princes.

But terrible as are these threatenings, so much the more powerful is the consolation in the promise, that those who cling to God alone should be sure that He will show them mercy that is, show them pure goodness and blessing not only for themselves, but also to their children and children's children, even to the thousandth generation and beyond that. This ought certainly to move and impel us to risk our hearts in all confidence with God, if we wish all temporal and eternal good, since the Supreme Majesty makes such sublime offers and presents such cordial inducements and such rich promises.

Therefore let everyone seriously take this to heart, lest it be regarded as though a man had spoken it. For to you it is a question either of eternal blessing, happiness, and salvation, or of eternal wrath, misery, and woe. What more would you have or desire than that He so kindly promises to be yours with every blessing, and to protect and help you in all need?

But, alas! here is the failure, that the world believes nothing of this, nor regards it as God's Word, because it sees that those who trust in God and not in Mammon suffer care and want, and the devil opposes and resists them, that they have neither money, favor, nor honor, and, besides, can scarcely support life; while, on the other hand, those who serve Mammon have power, favor, honor, possessions, and every comfort in the eyes of the world. For this reason, these words must be grasped as being directed against such appearances; and we must consider that they do not lie or deceive, but must come true.

Reflect for yourself or make inquiry and tell me: Those who have employed all their care and diligence to accumulate great possessions and wealth, what have they finally attained? You will find that they have wasted their toil and labor, or even though they have amassed great treasures, they have been dispersed and scattered, so that the themselves have never found happiness in their wealth, and afterwards never reached the third generation.

Instances of this you will find a plenty in all histories, also in the memory of aged and experienced people. Only observe and ponder them.

Saul was a great king, chosen of God and a godly man; but when he was established on his throne, and let his heart decline from God, and put his trust in his crown and power, he had to perish with all that he had, so that none even of his children remained.

David, on the other hand, was a poor, despised man, hunted down and chased, so that he nowhere felt secure of his life; yet he had to remain in spite of Saul, and become king. For these words had to abide and come true, since God cannot lie or deceive. Only let not the devil and the world deceive you with their show, which indeed remains for a time, but finally is nothing.

Let us, then, learn well the First Commandment, that we may see how God will tolerate no presumption nor any trust in any other object, and how He requires nothing higher of us than confidence from the heart for everything good, so that we may proceed right and straightforward and use all the blessings which God gives no farther than as a shoemaker uses his needle, awl, and thread for work, and then lays them aside, or as a traveler uses an inn, and food, and his bed only for temporal necessity, each one in his station, according to God's order, and without allowing any of these things to be our food or idol. Let this suffice with respect to the First Commandment, which we have had to explain at length, since it is of chief importance, because, as before said, where the heart is rightly disposed toward God and this commandment is observed, all the others follow.

Luther's Catechism for Lent Day 1

2007-02-18T01:01:00.000-05:00

Since I am a fan of Luther's Catechism, I thought we should spend Lent reading the Luther's Catechism. So for the next 50 Days I will attempt as I read to provide you one place to supplement your daily readings and devotional life for Lent leading up to Easter!! Come along for the journey!!!

These readings are taken from:
The Large Catechism, by Martin Luther. Translated by F. Bente and W.H.T. Dan. Published in: Triglot Concordia: The Symbolical Books of the Ev. Lutheran Church . (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921).

Luther's Little Instruction Book
(The Small Catechism of Martin Luther)

Translated by Robert E. Smith
May 22, 1994

(Version 1.1 -- December 22, 1994)
PW# 001-003-002Ea

This text was translated in 1994 for Project Wittenberg by Robert E. Smith and is in the public domain. You may freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any comments or suggestions to:

Rev. Robert E. Smith
Walther Library
Concordia Theological Seminary.

E-mail: smithre@mail.ctsfw.edu
Surface Mail: 6600 N. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN 46825 USA
Phone: (260) 452-3149 - Fax: (260) 452-2126

Introduction to the Large Catechism
__________

A Christian, Profitable, and Necessary Preface and Faithful, Earnest Exhortation of Dr. Martin Luther to All Christians, but Especially to All Pastors and Preachers, that They Should Daily Exercise Themselves in the Catechism, which is a Short Summary and Epitome of the Entire Holy Scriptures, and that They May Always Teach the Same.

We have no slight reasons for treating the Catechism so constantly [in sermons] and for both desiring and beseeching others to teach it, since we see to our sorrow that many pastors and preachers are very negligent in this, and slight both their office and this teaching; some from great and high art [giving their mind, as they imagine, to much higher matters], but others from sheer laziness and care for their paunches, assuming no other relation to this business than if they were pastors and preachers for their bellies' sake, and had nothing to do but to [spend and] consume their emoluments as long as they live, as they have been accustomed to do under the Papacy.

And although they have now everything that they are to preach and teach placed before them so abundantly, clearly, and easily, in so many [excellent and] helpful books, and the true Sermones per se loquentes, Dormi secure, Paratos et Thesauros, as they were called in former times; yet they are not so godly and honest as to buy these books, or even when they have them, to look at them or read them. Alas! they are altogether shameful gluttons and servants of their own bellies who ought to be more properly swineherds and dog-tenders than care-takers of souls and pastors.

And now that they are delivered from the unprofitable and burdensome babbling of the Seven Canonical Hours, oh, that, instead thereof, they would only, morning, noon, and evening, read a page or two in the Catechism, the Prayer-book, the New Testament, or elsewhere in the Bible, and pray the Lord's Prayer for themselves and their parishioners, so that they might render, in return, honor and thanks to the Gospel, by which they have been delivered from burdens and troubles so manifold, and might feel a little shame because like pigs and dogs they retain no more of the Gospel than such a lazy, pernicious, shameful, carnal liberty! For, alas! as it is, the common people regard the Gospel altogether too lightly, and we accomplish nothing extraordinary even though we use all diligence. What, then, will be achieved if we shall be negligent and lazy as we were under the Papacy?

To this there is added the shameful vice and secret infection of security and satiety, that is, that many regard the Catechism as a poor, mean teaching, which they can read through at one time, and then immediately know it, throw the book into a corner, and be ashamed, as it were, to read in it again.

Yea, even among the nobility there may be found some louts and scrimps, who declare that there is no longer any need either of pastors or preachers; that we have everything in books, and every one can easily learn it by himself; and so they are content to let the parishes decay and become desolate, and pastors and preachers to suffer distress and hunger a plenty, just as it becomes crazy Germans to do. For we Germans have such disgraceful people, and must endure them.

But for myself I say this: I am also a doctor and preacher, yea, as learned and experienced as all those may be who have such presumption and security; yet I do as a child who is being taught the Catechism, and every morning, and whenever I have time, I read and say, word for word, the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Psalms, etc. And I must still read and study daily, and yet I cannot master it as I wish, but must remain a child and pupil of the Catechism, and am glad so to remain. And yet these delicate, fastidious fellows would with one reading promptly be doctors above all doctors, know everything and be in need of nothing. Well, this, too, is indeed a sure sign that they despise both their office and the souls of the people, yea, even God and His Word. They do not have to fall, they are already fallen all too horribly, they would need to become children, and begin to learn their alphabet, which they imagine that they have long since outgrown.

Therefore I beg such lazy paunches or presumptuous saints to be persuaded and believe for God's sake that they are verily, verily! not so learned or such great doctors as they imagine; and never to presume that they have finished learning this [the parts of the Catechism], or know it well enough in all points, even though they think that they know it ever so well. For though they should know and understand it perfectly (which, however, is impossible in this life), yet there are manifold benefits and fruits still to be obtained, if it be daily read and practised in thought and speech; namely, that the Holy Ghost is present in such reading and repetition and meditation, and bestows ever new and more light and devoutness, so that it is daily relished and appreciated better, as Christ promises, Matt. 18, 20: Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.

Besides, it is an exceedingly effectual help against the devil, the world, and the flesh and all evil thoughts to be occupied with the Word of God, and to speak of it, and meditate upon it, so that the First Psalm declares those blessed who meditate upon the law of God day and night. Undoubtedly, you will not start a stronger incense or other fumigation against the devil than by being engaged upon God's commandments and words, and speaking, singing, or thinking of them. For this is indeed the true holy water and holy sign from which he flees, and by which he may be driven away.

Now, for this reason alone you ought gladly to read, speak, think and treat of these things if you had no other profit and fruit from them than that by doing so you can drive away the devil and evil thoughts. For he cannot hear or endure God's Word; and God's Word is not like some other silly prattle, as that about Dietrich of Berne, etc., but as St. Paul says, Rom. 1, 16, the power of God. Yea, indeed, the power of God which gives the devil burning pain, and strengthens, comforts, and helps us beyond measure.

And what need is there of many words ? If I were to recount all the profit and fruit which God's Word produces, whence would I get enough paper and time? The devil is called the master of a thousand arts. But what shall we call God's Word, which drives away and brings to naught this master of a thousand arts with all his arts and power? It must indeed be the master of more than a hundred thousand arts. And shall we frivolously despise such power, profit, strength, and fruit -- we, especially, who claim to be pastors and preachers? If so, we should not only have nothing given us to eat, but be driven out, being baited with dogs, and pelted with dung, because we not only need all this every day as we need our daily bread but must also daily use it against the daily and unabated attacks and lurking of the devil, the master of a thousand arts.

And if this were not sufficient to admonish us to read the Catechism daily, yet we should feel sufficiently constrained by the command of God alone, who solemnly enjoins in Deut. 6, 6 ff. that we should always meditate upon His precepts, sitting, walking, standing, Lying down, and rising, and have them before our eyes and in our hands as a constant mark and sign. Doubtless He did not so solemnly require and enjoin this without a purpose; but because He knows our danger and need, as well as the constant and furious assaults and temptations of devils, He wishes to warn, equip, and preserve us against them, as with a good armor against their fiery darts and with good medicine against their evil infection and suggestion.

Oh, what mad, senseless fools are we that, while we must ever live and dwell among such mighty enemies as the devils are, we nevertheless despise our weapons and defense, and are too lazy to look at or think of them!

And what else are such supercilious, presumptuous saints, who are unwilling to read and study the Catechism daily, doing than esteeming themselves much more learned than God Himself with all His saints, angels [patriarchs], prophets, apostles, and all Christians For inasmuch as God Himself is not ashamed to teach these things daily, as knowing nothing better to teach, and always keeps teaching the same thing, and does not take up anything new or different, and all the saints know nothing better or different to learn, and cannot finish learning this, are we not the finest of all fellows to imagine, if we have once read or heard it, that we know it all, and have no further need to read and learn, but can finish learning in one hour what God Himself cannot finish teaching, although He is engaged in teaching it from the beginning to the end of the world, and all prophets, together with all saints, have been occupied with learning it and have ever remained pupils, and must continue to be such?

For it needs must be that whoever knows the Ten Commandments perfectly must know all the Scriptures, so that, in all affairs and cases, he can advise, help, comfort, judge, and decide both spiritual and temporal matters and is qualified to sit in judgment upon all doctrines, estates, spirits, laws, and whatever else is in the world. And what, indeed, is the entire Psalter but thoughts and exercises upon the First Commandment? Now I know of a truth that such lazy paunches and presumptuous spirits do not understand a single psalm, much less the entire Holy Scriptures; and yet they pretend to know and despise the Catechism, which is a compend and brief summary of all the Holy Scriptures.

Therefore I again implore all Christians, especially pastors and preachers, not to be doctors too soon, and imagine that they know everything (for imagination and cloth unshrunk [and false weights] fall far short of the measure), but that they daily exercise themselves well in these studies and constantly treat them; moreover, that they guard with all care and diligence against the poisonous infection of such security and vain imagination, but steadily keep on reading, teaching, learning, pondering, and meditating, and do not cease until they have made a test and are sure that they have taught the devil to death and have become more learned than God Himself and all His saints.

If they manifest such diligence, then I will promise them, and they shall also perceive, what fruit they will obtain, and what excellent men God will make of them, so that in due time they themselves will acknowledge that the longer and the more they study the Catechism, the less they know of it, and the more they find yet to learn; and then only, as hungry and thirsty ones, will they truly relish that which now they cannot endure because of great abundance and satiety. To this end may God grant His grace! Amen.

II.
Short Preface by Dr. Martin Luther
__________

This sermon is designed and undertaken that it might be an instruction for children and the simple-minded. Hence of old it was called in Greek catechism, i.e., instruction for children, what every Christian must needs know, so that he who does not know this could not be numbered with the Christians nor be admitted to any Sacrament, just as a mechanic who does not understand the rules and customs of his trade is expelled and considered incapable. Therefore we must have the young learn the parts which belong to the Catechism or instruction for children well and fluently and diligently exercise themselves in them and keep them occupied with them.

Therefore it is the duty of every father of a family to question and examine his children and servants at least once a week and to ascertain what they know of it, or are learning and, if they do not know it, to keep them faithfully at it. For I well remember the time, indeed, even now it is a daily occurrence that one finds rude, old persons who knew nothing and still know nothing of these things, and who, nevertheless, go to Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and use everything belonging to Christians, notwithstanding that those who come to the Lord's Supper ought to know more and have a fuller understanding of all Christian doctrine than children and new scholars. However, for the common people we are satisfied with the three parts, which have remained in Christendom from of old, though little of it has been taught and treated correctly until both young and old who are called and wish to be Christians, are well trained in them and familiar with them. These are the following:

First.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OF GOD.

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

2. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord, thy God, in vain [for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain].

3. Thou shalt sanctify the holy-day. [Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy.]

4. Thou shalt honor thy father and mother [that thou mayest live long upon the earth].

5. Thou shalt not kill.

6. Thou shalt not commit adultery.

7. Thou shalt not steal.

8. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

9. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maidservant, nor his cattle [ox, nor his ass], nor anything that is his.

Secondly.

THE CHIEF ARTICLES OF OUR FAITH.

1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

2. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

3. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Thirdly.

THE PRAYER, OR "OUR FATHER," WHICH CHRIST TAUGHT

Our Father who art in heaven.

1. Hallowed be Thy name.

2. Thy kingdom come.

3. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

4. Give us this day our daily bread.

5. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

6. And lead us not into temptation.

7. But deliver us from evil. [For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever.] Amen.

These are the most necessary parts which one should first learn to repeat word for word and which our children should be accustomed to recite daily when they arise in the morning when they sit down to their meals, and when they retire at night; and until they repeat them, they should be given neither food nor drink. Likewise every head of a household is obliged to do the same with respect to his domestics, man-servants and maid-servants and not to keep them in his house if they do not know these things and are unwilling to learn them. For a person who is so rude and unruly as to be unwilling to learn these things is not to be tolerated, for in these three parts everything that we have in the Scriptures is comprehended in short, pain, and simple terms. For the holy Fathers or apostles (whoever they were) have thus embraced in a summary the doctrine, life, wisdom, and art of Christians, of which they speak and treat, and with which they are occupied.

Now, when these three arts are apprehended, it behooves a person also to know what to say concerning our Sacraments, which Christ Himself instituted, Baptism and the holy body and blood of Christ, namely, the text which Matthew [28, 19 ff.] and Mark [16, 15 f.] record at the close of their Gospels when Christ said farewell to His disciples and sent them forth.

OF BAPTISM.

Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

So much is sufficient for a simple person to know from the Scriptures concerning Baptism. In like manner, also, concerning the other Sacrament in short, simple words, namely the text of St. Paul [1 Cor. 11, 23 f.].

OF THE SACRAMENT

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and gave it to His disciples and said, Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me.

After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.

Thus, ye would have, in all, five parts of the entire Christian doctrine which should be constantly treated and required [of children] and heard recited word for word. For you must not rely upon it that the young people will learn and retain these things from the sermon alone. When these parts have been well learned, you may, as a supplement and to fortify them. lay before them also some psalms or hymns, which have been composed on these parts, and thus lead the young into the Scriptures, and make daily progress therein.

However, it is not enough for them to comprehend and recite these parts according to the words only, but the young people should also be made to attend the preaching, especially during the time which is devoted to the Catechism, that they may hear it explained and may learn to understand what every part contains, so as to be able to recite it as they have heard it, and, when asked, may give a correct answer, so that the preaching may not be without profit and fruit. For the reason why we exercise such diligence in preaching the Catechis so often is that it may be inculcated on our youth, not in a high and subtile manner, but briefly and with the greatest simplicity, so as to enter the mind readily and be fixed in the memory.

Therefore we shall now take up the abovementioned articles one by one and in the plainest manner possible say about them as much as is necessary.

God's Eyes

2007-01-27T23:35:00.000-05:00

Genesis 6:5-8, Psalm 14:1-7
God’s Eyes
“Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” Genesis 6:8

As a lover of the outdoors one of the most important items I always wear in all seasons whether camping, gardening, fishing or walking is a cap or hat with a brim. A brim helps protect my eyes from the sun and its glare.

In today’s passage the glaring sin and wickedness of man causes God to question mans creation and the decision to blot out mans very existence. The sight of God into the heart of man was perfect and saw nothing but his glaring sin. However, unlike the rest of the world, one man, Noah, did find favor with God. Through one man, he did what no one else could do, he saved the world.

So to through the death of one man, Jesus Christ, our wickedness and glaring sins we daily commit are not seen by God because of the ‘brim’ of protection earned for us by Christ. We are saved and forgiven, we now by Christ’s death find ‘favor in God’s eyes’, like Noah, through our brim of protection, the one man, Jesus Christ.

May God continue to see and save us through the protection of forgiveness earned for us by Jesus Christ. Amen.

Catching Up

2007-01-27T23:19:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone in Blogland!!!

I need to apologize for not writing anything for a good little while. As I have mentioned in the past I have been 'busy' attempting to get ready for a battle against.......something I haven't had to deal with in nearly two years.

Please know I continue to be amazed by the people who pass by my site. There are some who have found it through Pastor Hansen, Lutheran Blog Directory and others by mere chance. Still there seems to be a lot of people who find my site because of the "Ranger Rosary" I have posted about previously. If this site has done nothing, but brought you closer to the love and forgiveness God has given freely through Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for you, than I cannot ask for anything more.

Something to put in your 'look out list', I am working on a project that will eventually have a site of its own. I am attempting to create a devotional based on the readings taken from Luther's Small and Large Catechism. My model is a 50 day read of both Catechisms. I am about half way through the project, so keep a look out for this.

The other project I am contemplating is a Lutheran Rosary for Lent based on the Catechism and Scripture. I haven't thought this through totally, but am seeking God's will in this project.

That does not include the battle I spoke of earlier in this post that will require me to travel to either, 413 Middle Street, New Bern, NC OR 310 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina. I only ask for your prayers that God's will be done!!! I am at peace with the issue!!

One other thing to let you know about. I am going to be posting on occassion some devotions I prepared for submission. Please contact me and let me know what you think, good, bad and corrections.

As always, May God continue to bless all of you!!

Yours In Christ,
Darian L. Hybl

Individual Cups

2007-01-03T05:24:00.000-05:00

This is a post I made to a discussion group concerning the use of individual cups. I wanted to share it with the readers to ask for your opinion!! Please post a response!!!

Individual Cups

This is a persistent question on this group since I first made the post concerning the use of individual cups. What I am about to write and you read I do so with GREAT FEAR and TREMBLING. Please take this as one who is only trying to imperfectly confess, understand and portray God’s Gift of Grace found in the sacrament of His Body and Blood.

The discussion has been harsh, heated and potentially taken as hurtful from all sides. Each person who has responded believes they have the ‘high ground’ or correct interpretation about this issue, whether it is those who condemn everything, but the ‘historic’ handed down traditions of the church, to those who clearly parse the words and meanings from the translation of the New Testament passed down to them.

What clearly shows here is our persistent desire to be ‘RIGHT’ over and against everyone else with the claim, this is what God meant!!!

I cannot and will not say that either assertion is correct or incorrect. The following I know to be true!!!!

God came in Human form known as Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ was and still is SINLESS

Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law in ALL respects.

Jesus Christ using divine words, neither inclusive or exclusive instituted a sacrament

The sacrament is made such, because of the connection of God’s Words and an Earthly medium, like Water in Baptism or Bread or Wine in Holy Communion

This sacrament is meant to bestow grace and forgiveness, because Jesus fulfilled the Law with His life and death

We are to share with each other His sacrament that He instituted

As sinners, we won’t get it right all of the time

But the sacrament is His doing, not ours

The sacrament is His action intersected with our individual lives

Making the bread into Body is His intervention that we accept and believe by faith as His promise and action

Making the wine into Blood is His doing that we accept and believe by faith as His promise and action

How we share, distribute and consume the bread made Body does not matter, because it is God’s action and our acceptance by faith of His action

How we share, distribute and consume the wine made Blood does not matter, because it is God’s action and our acceptance by faith of His action

How much of Body or Blood we receive is irrelevant, because whether it be one gram, one pinch, one drop, one molecule or one atom, it is the connection of faith in the words “given and shed for you for the remission of sins” that complete the effects and action instituted by God and received by faith of His grace given to and for us

To claim the point that one is only following God’s EXACT Words brings fear and trembling to me, because I do not know the mind of God. Here an individual has potentially entered the Garden of Eden and has taken a bite of the ‘forbidden fruit’, from the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. Making the assertion that God has limits is a place where I cannot go, because I was created and He was before everything else and questioning His identity, abilities and mind ascends to the level of understanding of being an equal with God, which I am not.

All I am able to say for myself is that this sacrament and sacrifice of His Body and Blood is a gift of God that I follow and do out of my imperfect loyalty and trust in God’s grace and mercy to complete His promise to me with faith in His words, “given and shed for you for the remission of sins”. Beyond that my sinfulness impacts, interacts and infests and I only can believe in His limitless Word and limitless promises and limitless applications and abilities.

For all is a gift from God and I receive it firm in the belief that His Body and Blood are “given and shed for me for the remission of my sins”

To God be the Glory!!!

May God have mercy on me!!

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

The Real 12 Days of Christmas

2006-12-25T23:46:00.000-05:00

Here is a link to a good blog post by Kelly about the real reason for the season. I have included below a story I related to her in her comments section. This story poignantly relates the need for education in our Christian parishes!!

May everyone have a Blessed 12 Days of Christmas!!!

Here is my story!!
YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

Kelly,
Some real poignant thoughts from your post this
"Christ"-Mass Day!!

One thought that I had was something I watched unfold at the
Dentist office earlier this month. While sitting there waiting to be taken
back for a regular check-up a woman came in bearing a gift for one of the
mothers who works there children.

Trying not to overhear the conversation I was reading
about some Christmas hymns. The mother was explaining to the friend what
the gift was all about. Apparently there were a total of 12 gifts in the
basket, one for each of the 12 days of Christmas. Here is where my wife's
train derailed. The mother bearing the gifts said, "The twelve days of
Christmas started a day or two ago (Dec. 12 or 13) so she would have to catch
up. And she is to open a present a day until Dec. 24th."

My wife sitting next to me immediately asked me in a hushed
tone. That's not right, is it!!!
After we got out to the car we talked
more about the REAL 12 Days of Christmas!!

Needless to say this again proves the point that the church
has not properly educated the laity about the real reason for the season or the
proper understanding of the liturgical seasons!!!

Blenders

2006-12-05T04:18:00.000-05:00

It has been my hope for the last few weeks to have begun this past week a new addition for catechetical preaching according to the Historic Pericope system. I have even worked on it and have some information gathered, assimilated and on its way to being ready......

Then the blender hits......The blender I am speaking of has taken everything I have been working with and changed my priorities.......

For those of you who may not know, I am in desperate need of prayer and support. In the last year and a half my faith and health has been challenged, my strength as a human and child of God has been pushed to its breaking point and I am in the depths of this battle with no end in sight.

I am about to embark on an epic journey and in essence hit the wall of no return. I am about to file a FEDERAL lawsuit that will change my life forever.

All of this is to say, I would love to have more done on this project that has become so important to me, but all of my physical, mental and emotional energy has been channeled into trying to make this wrong a right.

If you are reading this much, please pray for me and my family. Please pray for God's direction, healing and strength during this time for my parents and for myself and my wife. But also, please either leave a comment here or e-mail me at stoleman@yahoo.com. I know and believe in the power of prayer and only desire your help.

This has been a lonely time for me and right now I ask for your help to get me through this situation.

Thank you for your support and uplifting as I am drawn to the center in this blender of life!!!!

Rosary Ideas

2006-11-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today/Yesterday/Last Week (Being on a 3rd Shift Schedule presents a challenge of terminology. As well, this post started 11/15 and is posted 11/23) I received a nice post concerning my Rosary Information.

Oratiomom complimented me on the idea, but 'rightfully' questioned some of the ELCA prayers that were linked in the post. I have to make a blanket statement, that I don't always agree with the theology that I may link with on my site, however, like a lot of things, they have to be taken with a grain/bag/truck/mine of salt!!!!

Yet, something still rings true about using the Rosary for contemplative prayer. Ironically, Catholics, Lutherans and Anglicans are not the only groups who use a means to help with prayer. Muslims use a form of prayer beads, (link 1, link 2, link 3).

Ironically, Lutherans of the 21st Century may be 'johnny-come-lately' to catch back up to what Luther had in mind. Yet, like anything our own 'baggage' may get in the way of trully understanding what is meant.

I hope this helps with those who are interested in the Rosary!!!

I am thinking about creating some real "Lutheran" Rosary Prayers and Catechism Prayers.....But that is another to do item!!!!!

Lutheran Rosary - How To and Supplies

2006-10-28T04:20:00.000-04:00

Hello Children of God,

Besides this last week being my birthday, I have also been very involved in some legal matters that have taken a lot of my time. Needless to say, these matters are far from over and will be going on for the near future. To follow Luther's Eighth Commandment, God is using this situation to help me understand how I need to grow as a Child of God!!!!

On to my short excurses today....I have always had an interest in the Catholic Rosary and in teaching World Religions, I have had the opportunity to have students who are Catholic speak about their faith and the use of the Rosary in Prayer.

One way I would like to help Lutheranism is to help further develop the use of Prayer Beads for Contemplative Prayer. Thus, I have been doing some searching on-line for some resources. The below list is only composed of on-line resources that I found and believe would be of benefit for those who are interested in learning more about the Rosary. Let me make my disclaimer here by saying, I only offer these as resources and only believe that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ do we receive any benefit. Further more I do not believe in praying to the Saints. My intention is only to offer resources for Christians, specifically Lutherans to enrich their faith by directed prayer.

On to the resources I found. Here are the web links for the sites:

http://www.rukoushelmet.net/English.htm

http://www.centralmpls.org/serve/prayer/beads.php

http://aelflaed.homemail.com.au/doco/rosaries2.html

Broad Rosary Site

http://www.rosaryworkshop.com/

Ranger Rosary Site – How to make a Rosary

http://www.rangerrosary.com/make.html

Prayer Cord/Rope

http://www.rosaryworkshop.com/SERVICEcordRosaries.html

Keepsake Rosaries

http://www.keepsakerosaries.com/Links.htm

Confessional Lutheran Reaction to the Rosary

http://orthodoxlutheran.fws1.com/bvm/rosary.html

Lutheran Prayer Beads – ELCA Affiliated Site

http://www.lutheranprayerbeads.com/

As well, here are some sites that you can get some of the accessories needed to make prayer beads. These are compiled from an e-mail I received from Kelly Klages (Thank you Kelly!!!) Please go and look at her web blog and site. She is a real artist who is very talented and married to a Lutheran Pastor in the LCMS Sister Synod, Lutheran Church Canada!!!

~General beading supplies:

Fire Mountain Gems – http://www.firemountaingems.com

~Freshwater pearls, clasps, other gemstone strands –http://www.treasureislandpearls.com/sunshop/

~Crucifixes/crosses

American Source –http://www.rosaryparts.com/index.asp

Canadian source – http://www.avemariascircle.com/Contact_Us_USD.htm

Pendants (including crosses) – http://www.silver-insanity.com/category_s/11.htm

~Other charms – http://www.beadstudio.com/catalog.php

Please e-mail me if you have questions. I would love to hear from you!!!!

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

Top Belated Birthday Presents...

2006-10-24T23:25:00.000-04:00

Since it was my birthday Monday, October 23rd, I didn't do much celebrating. I did receive phone calls from both of my brothers in Florida (one on the panhandle who is currently at school in Montgomery, AL and one in the Orlando area), my parents and my niece and nephew from the panhandle. It is always good to talk to all of them and catch up on the news. My niece is an aspiring 'basketball legend' like her Father. She was proud of making 148 shots in the driveway hoop. That is something to be proud of at her age of 9. My nephew was wound up about "Star Wars".....It just tickles me to hear their voices and the excitement and energy......

As far as the "Top Belated Birthday Present", I received an e-mail today informing me of the index I worked on being placed on the Scholia web site. Here is the appropriate link to the file. If you like this file, please e-mail me to let me know. This is a work for the greater church and to God's Glory. I have also created other Scripture indexes to other texts. I am working on Copyright information for the other texts currently.....

I look forward to any feedback and again, To God be the Glory!!!!

AMEN!!!!

Nesper and Birthday

2006-10-23T05:19:00.000-04:00

Greetings Loyal Readers,

The purpose of my post today is two fold. First I wanted to post some information that I have copied from the Nesper book on "Biblical Texts". In order to make sure I do not infringe on copyright, this is NOT my own work. If you have information who has the copyright on the Nesper text please e-mail me (stoleman@yahoo.com). I want to insure I give proper credit.

Thus from the text these are the texts for the Advent Season. The text I have copied it from is from the Wartburg Press (Now Augsburg Fortress) 1952 edition of Biblical Texts, by Paul W. Nesper, p. 208-219.

The First Sunday in Advent
Epistle: Rom. 13:11-14 The New Day Calls for a New Life
Gospel: Matt. 21:1-9 Christ's Entry into Jerusalem
O. T.: Jer. 31:31-34 The New Covenant

The Second Sunday in Advent
Epistle: Rom. 15:4-13 The Patient Endurance of Hope
Gospel: Luke 21:25-36 Signs of the Coming of the Lord
O. T.: Mai. 4:1-6 The Healing Sun of Righteousness

The Third Sunday in Advent
Epistle: I Cor. 4:1-5 Appeal to the Judgment of God
Gospel: Matt. 11:2-10 John's Message to Jesus
O. T.: Isa. 40:1-8 God Comforts His People

The Fourth Sunday in Advent
Epistle: Phil. 4:4-7 The Presence of the Lord Gives Joy
Gospel: John 1:19-28 The Testimony of John
O. T.: Deut. 18:15-19 A Prophet from among Their Brethren

I will be using these texts as a basis for my 'through the year project' of how the different catechisms use these texts. This is a big project, but one I believe worth its weight in Gold!! Look for it in the near future.

The second purpose is to comment on a celebration today.....It is my birthday!!! As my mother reminded me this weekend, the number doesn't matter!!!! Happy Birthday to me!!!! :-)

To be fair today is also celebration of St. James of Jerusalem!!!!

Please contact me if the above resource interests you.

Yours In Christ,
Darian L. Hybl

Discussion of Book of Concord

2006-10-22T15:48:00.000-04:00

As a 'novice' blogger, and like lots of bloggers, I read other people's posts on other blogs. One blog/site that really crystalizes some thoughts for Lutheranism is penned by Pastor Paul McCain. Pastor McCain is a knowledgeable resource for the church at large in so far as history, practice and application in Lutheranism.

One of the more recent posts deals with the Book of Concord. This is a good discussion of the 'known' texts of the Book of Concord. I made some comments in this post and wanted to post them here:

Like Pastor McCain, I have all of the editions he and others mentioned except the Jacobs. Similar to some, I agree each edition provides its own 'glimpse' into the daily life and interpretation of the confessions for the day. For some, to each their own.

However, one thing I find very interesting is that each edition provides sometimes 'different' biblical citings for links in the confessions. This may be the better 'bar' to measure a texts use for the church. Where and how can we apply it (Holy Scripture) to daily life for our people in the pews?

As a church body we have sometimes given 'silent nod' to the confessions. Like Pastor Bergstrazer alluded to we have a corporate consistent lack of providing linkage to the confessions of the church for the people and teaching them what they are and what they actually mean. This is due to many issues including, lack of education of children, laity and clergy, desire to be more 'biblical' in reaction to the 'fundamentalists' and our culture's desire to make church a 'feel good place', instead of heeding Jesus words, "teaching them all I have commanded".

The ultimate model we as a church have is Jesus Christ Himself. In teaching he would cite scripture and connect it for the people and disciples with the past, apply it to daily life in the present and provide for us in the future the model we need for teaching the importance not of knowledge, but of interest in matters of the soul, rooted in the Old Testament, fulfilled on Calvary and connected to us today.

We have tools provided for us by the church, but do not have a consistent, persistent hunger to learn and grow as Christians or use the tools already available.

All of this is a sad commentary on our church, but I have digressed from the original point. No matter which edition is used, we need to apply it daily for the people in the pew. Only in providing the concrete link to the confessions they agreed to at their confirmation or affirmation of baptism to join the individual church, will the link be provided that we are still a confessional church rooted, not only in the 'historic confessions' of the church, but their basis, Holy Scripture. For then in providing the link and light on scripture we see Christ and Him crucified for our sins.

I apologize if this has offended anyone, but today is the hour for the church to stand and boldly confess Christ and Him crucified for our sin!!!

The reason for posting this is three-fold. First, to have my own record of what I wrote, second, link to a good site that talks about some interesting issues, third to give kudo's to Pastor McCain concerning a response he sent to me concerning Luther's Small Catechism. Pastor McCain wrote,

Thanks for your efforts. Just one word of caution. Please keep
in mind that the Small Catechism by Martin Luther is *only* the six chief parts
printed in the front of the Synodical Catechism. The rest is not Luther's
Catechism, but the LCMS explanation. Just so you know.

He is absolutely correct stating that the Small Catecism 'is *only* the six chief parts'. What I find in our church is that this 'confession' is not used to the degree or benefit that it could/is meant and intended for use by Martin Luther.

My personal interest has been to collect different editions of individuals 'explanation/interpretation' of Martin Luther's Small Catechism. I have catechisms from many different 'synods', decades and generations. I would love at some point to offer a 'complete' explanation of how different explanations use 'Holy Scripture' to highlight the 'original six chief parts'. But this is definitely a labor intensive resource. Difficulty will be in finding someone to publish this 'future' text. My main interest is for any and all of my work to be used by pastors, teachers, theologians and sunday school teachers for teaching the laity!!!!! To God be the Glory in ALL things!!!!

Currently I have a resource I am offering to ANYONE. Just e-mail me!!!

YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

1991 Index and Historic Lectionary

2006-10-14T05:51:00.000-04:00

Hello readers,

I have finished and am ready to offer ANYONE the updated 1991 Luther's Small Catechism Index I have been working on. If you are interested in receiving it, please e-mail me at stoleman@yahoo.com.

I have also found a really neat article on the Historic Lectionary. This article follows very well the one-year lectionary.

One of my aims by the beginning of Advent is to begin offering the One-Year Lectionary references to the most common Catechisms. These would include the 1991 CPH Catechism, the Koehler Catechism, Reu Catechism, Stump, Pontoppidan and Tanner Catechisms. Others I would hope to add would include the Gausewitz and 1902 Augustana Catechism.

Please contact me if you have an interest in this information and reference.

Thank you for your support in advance.

Yours In Christ,
Darian L. Hybl

Patience is more than a virtue

2006-10-07T21:48:00.000-04:00

Good evening everyone!!!

I wanted to let you know that I have finished and sent off the index file for the 1991 Catechism from CPH. A great individual Rev. Michael McCoy has graciously agreed to post the first index to his site. Here are the challenges......

The site will be down for update and additions for the near future (1+ weeks)
Once the file is uploaded I will try and have a link on my blog
A request is that if you download the index my only request is for you to e-mail me
The pdf file is being offered FREE for anyone with only a request to e-mail me
If anyone would be interested in other indexes I have created, I will be making them available, they include, Koehler's Annotated Catechism, Reu's Catechism, Stump's Catechism, Schwan's Catechism

I look forward to any and ALL comments, please let me know. Until the file get's on the site by Rev. McCoy, if you would like a copy of the file please e-mail me at stoleman@yahoo.com with the following Subject line Request for 1991 CPH Index.

Thanks,
YIC,
Darian L. Hybl

Historic Lectionary and CPH Permission

2006-09-24T03:01:00.000-04:00

Hello dedicated readers.....

I wanted to provide anyone who is interested the link to the Lutheran Service Book One Year Historic Lectionary. At this site you can download the one included in LSB.

There are some marked differences that only become apparent when you compare them side by side with a text like Paul Nesper's "Biblical Texts". According to Nesper who penned his book in the EARLY 1900's (1930's I believe), the old testament texts included were from the Commission on a Common Liturgy. How the others developed for this 2006 re-fit will need to be followed up.

However, for the task I am undertaking, I am going to use the more 'historic'/'older' texts as suggested by Nesper. I am in the process of getting permission from Augsburg Fortress to use Nesper's text for this work and look forward to working more on this and completing it in time for the new church year starting in November.

On to bigger news, I received from CPH permission to use the Biblical Index from the 1991 Luther's Small Catechism. Thus, in a few weeks I should have available the updated index that includes ALL the illustrations. This should be a great help for the pastor and teacher.

I am also in the process of getting permission from Concordia Press for use of the Koehler text to allow me to publish the biblical index to the Koehler Annotated Edition.

I really can't wait!!!!

Thanks for keeping up on this!!!!

Hans Kung - "The Catholic Church"

2006-09-24T00:55:00.000-04:00

I recently purchased and started to read, Hans Kung's book entitled, "The Catholic Church: A Short History". This text provides a broad in-depth and historical chronology of the church from Jesus to present day from the perspective of a Catholic priest and scholar.

Granted, I have been called by previous seminary professors and a district president, "theologically incompotent", however, this text begins with a question that peaks my curiosity as a child of God and a baptized and communicant member of an LCMS church. "Did Jesus of Nazareth found a church at all?" (Kung, p. xxv.)

If we were to follow Luther's lead with his interpretation of the 8th Commandment of 'putting the best construction on all things ' and Pieper's potential montra of 'putting our ego's to the side', we might see that this learned theologian of our day has some good points if we only think about them 'outside of our comfort box'.

Whether we are British, Anglican, German, Lutheran, Swedish, Canadian or American or whatever or wherever we are, this question of 'founding a church' tugs at our ecclesiastical underpinings and strips away everything. Thus when we start with Jesus Christ and Him crucified for all of our sins for ALL people, we begin and potentially end at the one place where Grace overcomes ALL things.

This is going to be a good book!!!

Loss of a Great Theologian

2006-09-23T02:48:00.000-04:00

For those who may not have heard, the LCMS is mourning the loss of a theologian that has contributed to the development of theology whose baptized name was "Kurt Erik Marquart".

As a brother in Christ, baptized into the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I mourn his passing. As I listen to the mp3 file the beauty of the service and the giving of Glory to God for the sacrifice of Christ for all of us is overwhelming. It reminds me of my time at seminary in St. Catharines.

I have had a few instructors who sat at Rev. Marquart's feet and I have also had the opportunity to hear him speak. May Rev. Marquart rest in the peace of Christ!!

If you are interested in reading more, the following link is the bulletin for the funeral.

A Good Quick Read

2006-09-16T04:25:00.000-04:00

I was having trouble getting to sleep yesterday and decided to sit down and read a book. The book I chose to read I hoped would be a 'quick' read and I was right.

Yet, as I read this book lots of ideas started swirling through my mind. Theologically the language in this text was both on task and target, but also very 'decision theology' oriented.

If nothing less, this text could open the door for how the Holy Spirit can work in our lives!!!

Honestly this is a good text for 'creating' a retreat for most any age!!

Enjoy reading about how Aslan has similar traits of Christ who saved all of us with His atoning death on the cross for each and every one of us!!!

To God be the Glory!!

Stephenson Article

2006-09-11T15:27:00.000-04:00

Have you ever read an article that makes you think? An article that shines light in darkness. An article that makes good points of history, practice, understanding.

The article I am referring to is by Rev. Dr. John Stephenson at Concordia St. Catharines. It is entitled, EVALUATING PASTORAL SUITABILITY.

It is my belief that Dr. Stephenson has some good points. May our clergy, past, present and future be able to "articulate with his lips the faith once delivered to the saints." (p. 45)

Military Tribute

2006-09-09T03:22:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone,

I recently received an e-mail with two pictures. Both pictures are a commentary on the length to which some go to provide all of us the freedom of religion.

I have to admit, when I looked at these pictures they both struck nerves.

Thank God for people such as these that serve our country and give us the right and privilege to worship!!!!

After looking at these pictures, I did a Google search and found the pictures came from an article in the Rocky Mountain News. Here is the link to the article (http://denver.rockymountainnews.com/news/finalSalute/). This is a hard job that is chronicled here.

Here are some of the pictures from the article!!!

The people who taught me about worship, Dean Humann at St. Catharines and Dr. Hawkins at LTSS would potentially disagree with the scene of the second picture.

However, this picture tugs very hard and very deep at my heart string!!!

If we are law oriented then we would say one 'cannot/should not/will not' allow someone to sleep in the sanctuary.

However, if we believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and live Gospel centered lives, not only 'can we/should we' support this, but we should like the Marine standing guard to the left of the casket, also stand/support and be a living reminder of Christ's presence.

Let's let go of our ego and let God be Glorified by holding up the Gospel Light of Christ!!!

To Him be the glory, forever and ever!!!

Inspiration

2006-09-06T19:57:00.000-04:00

Greetings to everyone from Winona to Kansas City to Winkler to anywhere on the globe!!!

I appreciate the traffic on the site. It is neat to see people from all over checking the progress of this site. To give you some update on my work at present.

Here are the catechisms I have finished the indexes for:
Stump Catechism
Schwan Catechism
Koehler Catechism
1991 LCMS Catechism
Owen/Wilson Catechism

Still in Progress:
Reu Catechism
Kuske Catechism

I am also trying to determine a layout for how I can put this information in a useable format so everyone can understand and find useful the information I have labored over.

I have had an inspiration to begin this work using the One-Year pericope system instead of the three year system. One of the advantages of this would be the ability to work the bugs out of the system and not have to go 'revise' the wheel. Another advantage is the tie with some of the great "Lutheran scholars" who only had the one-year pericope system including Walther, Luther and others. This inspiration came from a text I recently received and will begin to use at the beginning of the church year. Entitled, "God Grant It" by C.F.W. Walther it makes daily devotionals from his sermons based on the historic lectionary. One of the things I will be making a further determination on is whether to use the 'Old' Historic one year Lectionary or the LSB One Year Lectionary.

If you have comments as to which you would prefer, please e-mail me!!!!

Thanks for reading and staying up on things!!!

Update and An Error That I found

2006-08-30T06:16:00.000-04:00

Hello Everyone!!!

This post is going to be short and sweet. I am posting from where my wife works.....

1. I finished the Book from the previous post.....Interesting reading. It seems that a lot of churches are having problems with clergy who do not understand themselves. This is a sad state for the church.

2. I am about 3/4 done with the Stump Catechism index. After finishing this I will be one step closer to getting information out and writing about current topics.

3. In my work I have found an error with the Stump Catechism. It is an error of a scripture passage that does not exist. In looking at some from Gutenberg, Project Wittenberg and other places that I have seen the text, they still contain the error. If anyone has contacts with Rev. Smith at Concordia Fort Wayne, I would gladly help with this error.

Thank you for following my progress. Please post a comment here or send me a message at stoleman@yahoo.com.

Yours In Christ,
Darian L. Hybl

An interesting commentary

2006-08-19T23:40:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone!!!

As I continue to work on the pericope texts I have mentioned earlier, I am relaxing by reading a very interesting book entitled, Vows: The Story of a Priest, A Nun, and Their Son. (http://www.petermanseau.com/pages/1/index.htm)

As much as I have read it has some similarities to our Lutheran heritage, specifically Martin Luther. Yes it is obvious that these two individuals, Luther and Father Manseau are reacting against the church, but I find a strange kinship with some of the symbolism mentioned about preparation for the Holy Ministry.

The most profound so far would be that the parish we grow up in forms us to be the children of God we are made to be through our baptism and the seminary teaches us what a pastor is to do with the formation from the church. Yet, in my own case it appears that the church at large doesn't want people interested in empowerment of the people, but submission to the will of man, not the will of God. If the Holy Spirit talks through the lips of the people and the church does not listen or 'forms their own opinion', should we not submit to the will of God?

I look forward to everyone's thought on this and the book I am reading.

Please also leave me some comments on the pericope stuff I have asked about. I know people are looking at the site, but please, please, please let me know what your thoughts are concerning the project!!!

Need Your Help and Input

2006-08-12T23:28:00.000-04:00

Greetings one and all,

I have been impressed with the number of visits my site has had recently. Although, I would love to have some comments from some of the visitors.

Therefore, I would ask everyone who visits this site to weigh in on the following questions:

1) Which would be more helpful, a resource concentrating strictly on:
A. Luther's Small Catechism
B. Luther's Large Catechism
C. Book of Concord
D. Current Pericope Systems (LCMS, WELS, RCL) and the Book of Concord
E. Current Pericope Systems (LCMS, WELS, RCL) and only Luther's Small and Large Catechism

2) Which of the following would be more helpful:
A. A commentary on Luther's Catechism (Small and Large)
B. A biblical index of most of the catechisms (LCMS, Augsburg, Free Lutheran, WELS)
C. A biblical index for all the catechisms as far as the pericope system (LCMS, WELS, RCL)

I am trying to ascertain which resource would be most helpful for everyone.

Thank you for your input. I will gladly receive your responses either here as a comment or sent to me at stoleman@yahoo.com.

Yours In Christ,
Darian L. Hybl

Luther's Catechism for Preaching

2006-07-23T14:53:00.000-04:00

I am attempting to get some feedback on interest in a potential resource for preaching using Luther's Catechism and the different editions of the Book of Concord (Kolb, Tappert, Triglotta, BK). There are lots of catechisms out there including the 1991 CPH Catechism, Koehler Catechism, 1912 Schwan Catechism, 1907 Stump Catechism and Kurske Catechism. No where has an index been created that provides easy reference for sermon preparation or teaching.

If this would be a resource you would be interested in using, please e-mail me (stoleman@yahoo.com) or post a comment here. I will be looking at potentially offering this in the near future.

Yours In Christ,
Darian L. Hybl

Luther's Catechism Reference

2006-07-09T04:15:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been studying to prepare for a sermon, a catechism class, a class on doctrine and wondered if the catechism talked about a particular passage? What about the Book of Concord?

If you are searching for this kind of tool you don't have long to wait. A book is currently being prepared with this kind of searching in mind.

Here is a list of the texts that will be included in the reference book:

1991 CPH Luther's Small Catechism
1912 Concordia Schwan Catechism
1940's Koehler Annotated Catechism currently Fort Wayne Press

Later editions will include the Book of Concord (Triglot, Tappert, CPH 2005 Edition, Fortress 2005 Edition), Koehler Summary of Christian Doctrine and Mueller Christian Dogmatics

If you are interested in hearing more about this, please contact me at stoleman@yahoo.com!!

To God be the Glory!!
Yours In Christ!!
Stoleman

First Post

2005-11-26T10:25:00.000-05:00

Greetings one and all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

This is my first attempt at posting information on the world wide web in the form of a Blog. A learning experience it will continue to be.

I want to mainly discuss and debate the narrowness and broadness of the use of Lutheran.

Let's get started.

Enjoy yourself on this blog!!

Yours In Christ,
Darian L. Hybl

Lutheran is Lutheran is Lutheran

Hybl Contact Information Change

Jeff Williams Interview

Jeff Williams

A very true set of statements!

ISS to announce Latin Grammy

ISS and The Gospel

Technology!

Lenten Resource Update

A Query for Lent: Luther's Catechism as a Devotion

A Mission Church Post from Father Weedon

Celebrating Christmas Old Calendar

Changes to the Blog

Christmas Meditation

Metropolitan PHILIP's Christmas Meditation

To the Ends of the Earth

A Gem of a Quote about Advent and Christmas!

Liturgical Humor

Indian Philosophy

Humility

Couple of Thoughts...From the Fathers

40 Languages....

To Good not to Pass On

Three Catholic Priests

Patriarch Alexy II

Post from Monasterion Group about Alexy II

May His Memory Be Eternal!!!

My Prayer Beads

A New Poll

Invincible Weapon: Prayer

East vs. West "Understanding of Repent"

Baby Pictures

How to Talk to a Hermit

A Story to Consider

Perspective

Task of the Preacher or Church Today "Kaj Monk"

Our Responsibility

I am THANKFUL!!!

A Tribute to Randy Pausch

The Pickle Jar

Seven Grievous Sins

Doing what is only 'Logical'!!

Slip of the tongue or 'truth in advertizing'?

1st Century Tablet

Flying...WWII...Honoring A Hero...

Aptera: Vehicle of Tomorrow

What would you do when the music stopped?

Cute 'baby sayings'.....that are probably true!!!

I'm sorry.....The Truth and nothing but the truth!!!

Oldest Church Not New News....

Some Ancient Church Fathers Links

Ancient Church of 70??

Teachers and Trust

Pictures of Orthodox Churches and Bishops

Desert Fathers Translation

Carl

The Veteran

Persecution on Mount Athos

You Could Have Heard a Pin Drop!!!

Cutting the Grass

Ascending to the Judgment Seat....Father Forgive me a sinner!!!

5 Lives Given by God

God giveth and God taketh away, Blessed be God!!

Humbled by Pastor Weedon

7 Percent

To Know Him

I Support the Troops

The Jesus Prayer

A Promise Kept

Lack of Posting

Pentecost: The Original Pentecost Sermon

Luther's Catechism for Lent Day 2

Luther's Catechism for Lent Day 1

Luther's Little Instruction Book(The Small Catechism of Martin Luther)

Translated by Robert E. SmithMay 22, 1994

God's Eyes

Catching Up

Individual Cups

The Real 12 Days of Christmas

Blenders

Luther's Little Instruction Book
(The Small Catechism of Martin Luther)

Translated by Robert E. Smith
May 22, 1994