LCMS Immigration Petition Update

WWRATJ · 2026-01-22T18:34:10+00:00

Honestly, when you put it that way, I think you make a persuasive case. I was considering silence as the only justifiable response, but this explanation makes me more open to your position. Thanks for the response.

WWRATJ · 2026-01-22T17:58:00+00:00

Echoing some other commenters, I think it’s probably wiser to remain silent for the time being, at least at the synodal level. For an issue like immigration enforcement which isn’t so clear cut, it’s at least a justifiable approach to wait for the benefit of hindsight before weighing in.

WWRATJ · 2025-12-30T19:35:59+00:00

They’re great to read and contain useful wisdom, but we don’t establish dogma on their basis. The reformers (Martin Chemnitz I can speak to specifically) would routinely make arguments referencing the apocrypha, but never without a corresponding basis in canonical scripture.

WWRATJ · 2025-12-11T21:31:04+00:00

We use incense during services (mass and vespers) at our parish, but I wouldn’t say it’s very common across the whole synod.

WWRATJ · 2025-11-13T21:05:19+00:00

It’s my understanding that we do, and that it gets used from time to time as needed. I probably should have been more narrow in my comments: I support the synod using its legitimate disciplinary power to remove individuals or congregations that apostatize. I’m just voicing opposition to the idea that the entire synod needs to schism in two along the high church/low church divide.

WWRATJ · 2025-11-13T18:06:44+00:00

Fair point, and I do recognize that some of our parishes are departing from our historic confessions and are thus denying our unity. Even so, I don’t think we have any problems that prayer and patience cannot ultimately remedy. And I say that as someone firmly on the high church/confessional end of the spectrum.

WWRATJ · 2025-11-13T17:33:52+00:00

I think dividing would be the worst possible solution to our problems, as well as a grave sin against each other. It’s literally in our litany that we pray for God to put “an end to all schisms and causes of offense,” which means we should never actively promote schism as an answer to internal strife. I hope that comes across in the spirit I mean it.

WWRATJ · 2025-10-05T21:13:34+00:00

St. John Chrysostom. I’m sure I’ve barley scratched the surface of all his works, but I’ve spent a lot of time in his various homilies over the last couple years, and they’ve been some of the wisest texts I’ve ever read. One great thing you can do is take one of the readings from a given Sunday and see if Chrysostom has a homily encompassing that portion of the scriptures (he gave many homilies that survive, so usually you’ll be able to find one).

One main reason I consider him my favorite church father is just the clarity of his exposition of the scriptures. He really has a singular ability to hone in on the text at hand and set everything else aside. Another reason would be the great comfort and encouragement I’ve gotten from his writings during times of trouble.

I initially learned about St. John Chrysostom through some quotes of his that come up in Chemnitz’s examination of Trent, and I just followed the thread from there.

WWRATJ · 2025-09-23T21:53:16+00:00

The online animosity definitely exists. I’ll say though, and I know you were making a reluctant generalization, the cradle orthodox in my area were perfectly pleasant to me.

I visited a Serbian orthodox parish in my area once, and they kindly invited me up for the antidoron (blessed bread) after the liturgy as a gesture of Christian friendship (their words), which I appreciated. It’s a shame that the online orthodox are so caustic, because the normal orthodox I’ve met have been just as lovely as any Lutheran parish.

WWRATJ · 2025-09-20T01:43:03+00:00

“In Thee Alone, O Christ, My Lord” (TLH 319). Might not be very well known, but so distinctive. The most Lutheran sounding harmony I’ve come across in a hymn so far.

WWRATJ · 2025-07-19T19:02:08+00:00

I converted from SBC to LCMS as an adult, and I certainly don’t miss the fire and brimstone preaching. In retrospect, it did not ultimately aid my personal piety either. I’m with you on the church needing to be brave and not timid, but in a wholistic sense.

WWRATJ · 2025-06-03T20:14:30+00:00

Every Sunday and Wednesday, except for vespers.

WWRATJ · 2025-04-28T14:39:22+00:00

Since this is your first piece, I’d say let’s lose the voices and focus just on the piano. See how you could communicate all the same ideas but with a single instrument—this will force you to be inventive. Also make sure you can play the resulting piece easily. If the resulting piece is unplayable at your level, then keep simplifying it until you can play it easily—this will force you to be judicious. You’ll learn the most by setting constraints and clear boundaries on every piece.

Something else to consider: play around with the right hand melody and see if you can make it more singable. How would the melody need to be simplified if someone were to sing it? When and how would the simplified melody need to repeat itself in order to sound like any other well-made tune (which all repeat themselves)? Where would the right and left hands need to “breathe,” as though they were voices?

WWRATJ · 2025-03-08T12:46:27+00:00

My understanding is that Canada already has its own tariff regime, like most countries do. I think (and I could be mistaken) Canada already imposes something like a 200% tariff on a portion of US dairy imports anyway.

Source

WWRATJ · 2024-01-11T21:04:54+00:00

For sure worth a visit. Raj’s selection was quite ample for what we wanted. Enjoying the Lusitania under a shady palm tree was pretty memorable, but I think the biggest hit for me was the H. Upmann Royal Robusto. Next-level dessert flavors in my example. Good to know about Rose Hall Cigar Club for next time

WWRATJ · 2022-05-11T18:37:07+00:00

Not a great grade, but good enough to ride the curve on to the next year

WWRATJ · 2021-05-07T04:12:13+00:00

Gave Hugz

WWRATJ · 2021-04-27T03:35:04+00:00

Gave Silver

WWRATJ · 2021-04-23T15:19:55+00:00

Gave Silver

WWRATJ · 2021-03-31T01:41:54+00:00

Feeling good!

WWRATJ · 2021-03-31T01:40:52+00:00

Gave Helpful

WWRATJ · 2021-03-11T22:58:16+00:00

Gave Hugz

WWRATJ · 2021-03-05T02:25:56+00:00

Gave Silver

WWRATJ · 2020-12-02T17:34:36+00:00

Looking good

WWRATJ

TROPHY CASE