I don’t seem to get to write here very much. That needs to change. I am so busy with my work at the newspaper and sometimes my mind is very much taken up with that…and sometimes, I just fall asleep on the couch in the evening….!

Last night I was reading my new Christian History magazine. I actually didn’t get far, but the new issue is about Luther. I think the next couple may also be about the Reformation.

I read some interesting things (I thought) about him. Martin Luther made singing and music  a central part of Protestant worship. In 1526, he got rid of the choir, and assigned all singing to the congregation! He even scheduled “rehearsals” through the week, so the whole congregation could come and learn new hymns. I thought this was amazing. It lends credence to the idea that the whole Body of Christ is to be involved in the expression of Jesus on the earth, not just a select few. It seems Luther got that.

Another thing that happened was he became frustrated with the people he was teaching, feeling that they remained godless. He even went so far as to go on strike and quit preaching for a while. Luther sounds like a guy who really cared about his people getting it!

Luther and his wife were very hospitable and always had people either visiting or staying in their home. He had a sense of humor, as displayed by some colorful sayings that are attributed to him, such as, “If our Lord is permitted to create nice large pike and good Rhine wine, presumably I may be allowed to eat and drink.” Another thought he mused upon: “Think of all the squabbles Adam and Eve must have had in the course of their 900 years. Eve would say, ‘You ate the apple,’ and Adam would retort, ‘You gave it to me.'” I have my own musings on that one.

He also said “The devil should not be allowed to keep all the best tunes for himself.” I like that one too.

I never thought about the fact that the culture was so illiterate that it was difficult teaching the people.

Yeh, I think Luther and I would have gotten along pretty well….I don’t like corruption in  the church or government either. I can and have been vocal about it!