lindespirit

I am a pastor and the recipient of perspectives, concerns and interests handed down from a long line of pastors in the Lutheran Church (one German script sermon from my great-grandfather is dated 1857, two undated sermons are from my great-great-grandfather), hence my interest and background in such things as the Sacraments, the Covenant, and even the Star of Bethlehem. My Bible Study groups have also contributed greatly in developing these various themes, and now as retirement approaches, this is a good time to gather these thoughts into a more finished form. Born and raised in New York City, I have come to also value the life in the smaller communities. With my deeply appreciated companion (my wife), our family bulges at the seams with four natural, two adopted, a variety of foster children, and now grandchildren – there is no end to the usually delightful competition for my attention. Perhaps in the coming years there may even be time to pursue my Master’s interest in carpentry.

The Magi Series – VII.  The Magi – Herod’s Fear

Between 333 and 323 BC, Alexander the Great of Greece had conquered all of Asia Minor over to India and down into Egypt.  Then he died at 33 years of age and his empire was split among his generals.  General Seleucus governed Babylon and Persia and later added Syria and Asia Minor.  In the midst […]

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The Magi series – VI. The Magi – Creation Mourns the Death of Its Creator and the Nation of Israel is Ended

Although the death of Jesus was not directly involved with the Magi, it is important that the sign in the heavens not be omitted either.  Of all the festivals which were involved in the birth of Jesus, one omission stands out prominently: the Passover.  This feast had a powerful message to its participants: while Israel

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The Magi series – V. The Magi – Astrology/Astronomy meets the Jewish Festival Year – Crowning the King – Part 2

Jupiter meets Regulus –  Second Encounter – February 17, 2 BC Purim (Esther) Jupiter closed in to its second Regulus encounter at about 51 arc minutes separation, and that evening The Feast of Purim (Adar 14) began.  This is the story of Esther, and although not a God-commanded festival, it commemorated a wonderful salvation from

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The Magi series – IV.  The Magi – Astrology/Astronomy meets the Jewish Festival Year – Crowning the King – Part 1

The Magi series – IV.  The Magi – Astrology/Astronomy meets the Jewish Festival Year – Crowning the King – Part 1 This perhaps is the most startling element in this discussion.  First a little background information: A conjunction simply means that stars and/or planets are in the near neighborhood of each other.  However when they

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The Magi Series – III. The Magi – Astrology/Astronomy and a Living Prophet

What was the “star” which brought the Magi?  Some think a supernova; others, perhaps a comet; still others, a special conjunction of stars, and still others, some unique extraordinary heavenly event.  The problem was that in each year, each century, each millennia a great number of these heavenly events have been occurring – how could

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The Magi series – II. The Magi – Zoroaster meets Yahweh

It seemed an impossible task when Daniel was made the chief of the “wise men” (Daniel 2:27 *rab-mag* = “chief of the Magi” Daniel 4:9) in Babylon, an office which apparently was carried through to Persia..  After all, he was a monotheist (one God) who now was in charge of the keepers of the empire’s

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Magi Series – I. The Magi – Who were they?

I am still surprised about how many people don’t know who were the Magi, those early visitors to the infant Jesus.  Where did they come from?  How did they know which sign in the heavens was the one they should respond to?  Why would they come specifically to Palestine and why now?   What was that

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Is There a Spiritual Aspect to Gender?

A big topic of discussion on many fronts recently has been about genders. The discussion focuses on the “what” of genders.  But what about the “why,” which can provide an essential perspective? “Male and female” are immediately identified at the Bible’s first mention of the origin of humanity: Genesis 1:26-27 Let Us make man in

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Vacuum or Fountain

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect

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The Door She Could Not Shut

Behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon–possessed.”    Matthew 15:22 My dad’s sermon startled me.  I have been scanning files into the computer over the last years and so there are about 30 files

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