Happy Independence Day and Happy Christmas in July!
Election Reflections: Reverend Matthew Harrison was re-elected President of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). The results of the 2019 Presidential Election of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) were as follows: The Reverend Doctor Matthew Harrison won with 3,014 votes (51.76%) The Reverend Doctor David Maier came in second place with 2,323 votes (39.89%), and Reverend Timothy Klinkenberg came in third place with 486 votes (8.35%). Since Reverend Harrison won the election by more than half of the church body's electors supporting him, there will be no need to have the second round of voting. My reaction to my pastor, Reverend Mike Phillips, announcing during our Bible Study on Sunday June 30, 2019, that there are no term limits for the Office of President of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) was very positive. If I'm not mistaken, Reverend Phillips grinned, when happily said "Yes" and made a positive gesture with my right fist. I forget, what the gesture is called, but regardless I'm extremely happy, that Reverend Harrison got re-elected as President of The LCMS. Reverend Phillips seemed sad today, when he announced, that circa 600 electors chose not to vote in this year's Presidential Election in The LCMS. Reverend Phillips was right to be sad, because voting is such a major part of our identity as Americans. The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is one of most conservative Christian church bodies in the United States of America and we're going to stay that way, as we love everyone, like Jesus loves, the best that we can.
Convention Reflections: With the 2019 Presidential Election in The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod behind us, we move forward to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world. We also happily look forward to The 67th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Tampa, Florida. The LCMS Convention will run from Saturday July 20, 2019 to Thursday July 25, 2019 and our theme shall be JOY:FULLY LUTHERAN. You can watch The LCMS convention on the church body's website www.lcms.org live, but you can probably also watch it on YouTube. Christmas in July is a great day to end a great convention and I shall be JOY:FULLY LUTHERAN in the A/C up here in Ohio. ;)
Let us look at the most famous Psalm associated with Lutheranism; Psalm 46. The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 46 "1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His Voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations He hath made in the earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire. '10 Be still, and know, that I AM God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.' 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah" (KJV 1611).
July Book Signing: I will be signing copies of my Christian romance novels The Rising of The Moon Book 1: Changing Tides Part 1 and The Rising of The Moon Book 1: Changing Tides Part 2 and my Greek and Roman Mythology book A Survey of Classical Mythology on Saturday July 13, 2019 from 11 AM to 1 PM at the Eastgate Hallmark Store in Lima, Ohio.
August Book Signing: I will be signing copies of of my Christian romance novels The Rising of The Moon Book 1: Changing Tides Part 1 and The Rising of The Moon Book 1: Changing Tides Part 2 and my Greek and Roman Mythology book A Survey of Classical Mythology on Saturday August 3, 2019 from 10 AM to 3 PM at Jen's Furniture and Collectibles on High Street in between Circle K Gas Station and Zion Lutheran Church (NALC) in St. Marys, Ohio.
Other Stores: My books are also available at the following stores: Brunner News Agency on Flanders Avenue in Lima, Ohio, the Hallmark Store on Elm Street in Lima, Ohio, Wagner's IGA Grocery Store in Minster, Ohio, and of course in the Shop section of this website.
OIL Press News: My next Christian romance novel The Rising of The Moon Book 2: Faith, Hope, and Love sadly might be delayed until Fall 2019. Sadly I had to get two new tires due to getting a nail stuck in one of them during Spring 2019, which sadly has put me into a little financial pinch. I'm grateful, that things are turning around for me. The Rising of The Moon Book 2: Faith, Hope, and Love should be published and available sometime before Christmas 2019. Also I plan on doing blog posts about some of my books in the near future.
Thank you,
James W. O'Flannery, President and Founder of Ohio Irish Lutheran Press (OIL Press)