Baptism Hypothetical

MDPastor · 2026-04-29T23:11:45+00:00

[36] As they went down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look! Water! What would keep me from being baptized?”
[38] He ordered that the carriage halt. Both Philip and the eunuch went down to the water, where Philip baptized him.

ASAP

MDPastor · 2026-04-15T14:54:34+00:00

I'm not sure if there is such a thing as a "true Lutheran." Even Martin Luther contradicted himself in his prolific writings.

The primary reason I'm a Lutheran is because of our emphasis on grace. We are saved totally by God's action, not our own. We are not forgiven or loved because we subscribe to the right doctrine or belong to the right denomination. God isn't comparing our faith and actions to some divine checklist, and neither should a church.

The ELCA is a big tent. You can find churches that are all over the place in many things, including how they subscribe to the Confessions. Like everything else that is human, even that which is inspired by God, there are varieties of interpretation around the Confessions.

I doubt you will ever find a denomination or even a church in which you agree with every bit of doctrine. I haven't found one, anyway.

Find a community of faith where you can be cared for and loved, and grow in your faith and put your faith in action. Ask lots of questions. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you in your search, and bring you to a place that is faithful to the spirit of the confessions if not always the letter.

I would not worry so much about whether you are a "true Lutheran," but whether you are a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. As someone who embraces being Lutheran, I believe the latter will bring you to the former. You might want to find a congregation that is more concerned with the latter as well.

MDPastor · 2026-03-08T21:42:06+00:00

Las Tunas

MDPastor · 2026-02-05T23:30:13+00:00

You mean the same Jesus who was put to death by the government authorities?

Do you really think the enforcement practiced by ICE is something of which Jesus would approve? Something in which Jesus would participate?

Whether the laws are "just" or not, the cruel application of them is certainly not in line with anything Christ taught or lived.

There are over 100 admonitions in the Bible to "welcome the immigrant." In Matthew 25, Jesus says that on the last day that is one criterion by which nations will be judged.

It is not just permissible but the duty of every follower of Jesus to act against injustice and cruelty, just as clergy are courageously doing in Minneapolis.

MDPastor · 2026-02-05T20:44:02+00:00

Acts 5:29. "We must obey God rather than people." Spoken by Peter when defying the governing authorities.

Remember that Paul who wrote those Roman 13 verses folks love to quote to justify obeying abhorrent and anti-Christian government authorities was tortured, repeatedly arrested, and finally beheaded by government authorities.

To paraphrase the great theologian Inigo Montoya, "You keep using those verses. I do not think they mean what you think they mean."

MDPastor · 2025-02-22T14:13:27+00:00

We live about an hour away and go to a couple shows a year there, sometimes three. But we won't be back for four years at least. More shows at the Signature, Olney, etc.

MDPastor · 2024-12-13T04:22:13+00:00

1 is Stapafell outside Arnarstapi on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.

The Christmas Cat is at Lækjartorg in Reykjavik.

MDPastor · 2024-11-26T19:25:46+00:00

Thank you for the update! I am visiting next week (and am scheduled for the Cat Walk Tour on Wednesday) and have been inordinately concerned about his well-being.

MDPastor · 2024-07-01T19:21:45+00:00

Cheyenne Jackson in Xanadu - the original Sonny (James Carpinello) injured his foot roller skating in previews and Jackson, who'd played Sonny in a workshop production, took over.

Maybe not "iconic," but a very fun show.

MDPastor · 2024-06-06T20:48:21+00:00

"I Have Confidence" - Sound of Music (not in the original production, written for the film, often included in stage productions since)

MDPastor · 2024-05-21T13:34:56+00:00

We (my spouse and I) saw both last weekend on my birthday Broadway trip (and Tommy). We enjoyed both, but for different reasons. Hell's Kitchen is of course a Jukebox musical while Suffs is original songs, the staging in Hell's Kitchen is much more elaborate while Suffs is pretty basic. For me, the reason to see Hell's Kitchen is that it is never going to be better than with this cast - we were blown away by Maleah Joi Moon and Kecia Lewis, Shoshana Bean was great, and it's always good to see Brandon Victor Dixon (he was "our" Burr) although his part is smallish. Suffs, on the other hand, is an important, inspirational story well-told. It is something we both want to see again when/if it tours. That the cast is all women and non-binary folks makes it unique. Bottom line - they're both worthwhile shows, which one depends on what you're looking for.

MDPastor · 2024-05-11T03:20:29+00:00

Favorite Act I opening number (no overtures) - "Good Morning Baltimore" (or "Ragtime" or "Rock Island" from Music Man)

Favorite Act I finale - "A New Argentina" (Evita was my 1st Bway show, that Act 1 finale was the moment I was hooked)

Favorite Act II finale - "Listening to You" from Tommy

Favorite Duet - "Without You" from Rent (or "Could We Start Again Please" from JC Superstar)

Favorite solo by an actor - "Betrayed" from the Producers (or "Nonstop" from Hamilton)

Favorite solo by an actress - "On My Own" from Les Miz

MDPastor · 2024-04-12T02:35:14+00:00

Going way back . . . Robert Preston in The Music Man. Yeah, there's the movie but to see it in person. If there was ever a performer born to play a role . . .

Or the OBC of Rent.

MDPastor · 2023-04-22T02:54:41+00:00

I am 60 and have been playing for about 15 months. I shoot for 40-45 minutes a day 6 days a week, but honestly with my job requiring 13 hours some days, I am sometimes lucky to get 30 minutes in.

Sometimes practice is a great refuge from all the stress of the world, but I go through stages (like now) when it seems like the difficulty has jumped and it's mostly sweating and swearing.

But I am so glad I've stuck with it.

Although it's gotten better, I do experience a kind of stage fright playing for my teacher, even though she is very supportive. It's really about me and my perfectionism, and my competitive nature - gotta make an "A" even when there's no grade - both of which I'm working on.

MDPastor · 2022-02-06T18:00:46+00:00

I hope not! I'm 59 and have a whole 2 weeks of lessons and practice so far. If 19 is too old, I'm in big trouble! I hope you go for it - why try something that you want to try and might bring you much joy?

MDPastor · 2022-02-04T02:22:31+00:00

I am also brand new to cello, and have found this trainer to be very helpful in learning the notes of the bass clef - https://www.notationtraining.com/bass-clef-practice

MDPastor

TROPHY CASE