Hello again! Here is James W. O'Flannery, Founder and President of Ohio Irish Lutheran Press, again with another blog post. We have three things to discuss; 1. my transient vendor's license, 2. waiting on the printers, and 3. St. John the Baptist. These are all very important topics, but St. John the Baptist is the most important topic for this discussion, so we'll save the best for last.
I just recently applied for my transient vendor's license. I need this license, so I can legally sell my books and eventually other products on this website. I can get into serious trouble with the State of Ohio for selling my books and eventually other products without this license, so we're stuck waiting. I personally think, that this license is limiting my freedom of speech, since I can't legally sell books on here without it.
I'm still waiting on the printers to send me both a digital proof and printed proof of The Rising of The Moon Book I Changing Tides Part I. I also received proofs for the eBook versions of both The Rising of The Moon Book I Changing Tides Parts I and II, but, since I don't have an eReader device, I was unable to preview them. So I imagine, the printers will want to show me these proofs, when I review the printed proof for Book I Part I. I plan on selling all of my paperback books on this website, but I'm not sure yet, if I'll sell eBooks on here or not. I do plan on selling eBooks on Amazon, though. Maybe I'll sell eBooks on both Amazon and on this site, but I'm not sure yet. At least Christmas will be here, before we know it.
Ok here is the best part of the blog; the devotional section. St. John the Baptist was the cousin of God the Son Jesus Christ. He was a very eccentric character, who lived a very pious and rugged lifestyle. He wore interesting clothes and his diet would not have satisfied me. The most important thing about St. John the Baptist is, that he baptized people and pointed them to Jesus, so they could be saved. Without Holy Baptism, Faith in Jesus' death on the cross for our salvation, confession of sins, and worship of Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, there is no salvation. John the Baptist was beheaded by King Herod, because this king lusted for his stepdaughter and she knew it. The king's stepdaughter danced before him and his guest at a party and she made him swear to grant her any wish, she wanted. The stepdaughter plotted with her evil mother, to have Jesus' cousin John beheaded. The evil wife of Herod was angry with John for his criticism of their immoral lifestyle. This often happens, when clergy tell people in authority to repent of their sins, the authorities often seek revenge. Herod's wife got her revenge along in St. John the Baptist's head. In Vatican City back in 1511, Martin Luther went on a pilgrimage and he carried letters to Rome for his monastic superior Father Johann Staupitz. While in Rome Luther saw both the "young" head and "old" head of St. John the Baptist. Needless-to-say Vatican City should have weeded this particular holy relic out, since it makes the Roman Catholic Church look foolish. However, I must say for the most part, that Catholics are saved, because they are baptized, they have Faith in Jesus' death on the cross, they confess their sins, and they worship Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, Who are the Holy Trinity.
Here is an account of St. John the Baptist and Yahweh says, He is "pleased" with Jesus, in St. Matthew's Gospel Chapter 3 King James Version (KJV):
"3 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,2 And saying,'Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.3 For this is He that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying,'The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.'4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his Baptism, he said unto them,'O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:12 Whose fan is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.' 13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.14 But John forbad him, saying,'I have need to be baptized of Thee, and comest Thou to me?'15 And Jesus answering said unto him,'Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.'Then he suffered Him.16 And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the Heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like Dove, and lighting upon Him:17 And lo a Voice from Heaven, saying,'This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I AM well pleased.'"
Happy Advent and Happy Christmas!