Interesting facts about the Reformation

In the course of studying about the Reformation for Sunday's message, I learned many interesting facts. Here are a few.

1. The Reformation was promoted by a new technology, the printing press. Luther's supporters published countless flyers and pamphlets with his writings.
2. Luther's salary was paid in part by income derived from tourists who came to see his employer's extensive collection of relics. Frederick " the Wise" had over 16,000 relics, most of which were fake and incredibly superstitious.
3. Frederick was raised up by God to protect him, without him Luther would have been destroyed by the church and pope early on. Frederick the Wise was just far enough from Rome, strong enough, and smart enough to keep Luther alive.
4. Luther may have been motivated to post his theses by Halloween. The church replaced pagan Halloween with All Saints' Day, which was a huge time for people to come and venerate the saints and the collection of relics. Anticipation of this huge crowd may be why Luther posted when he did.
5. Columbus discovered America only 9 years after Luther's birth. Maybe God prepared America at this time for refugees of the religious persecution coming from the backlash against the Reformation.
6. Jan Hus, often called the Morningstar of the Reformation, gave basically the same message as Luther 100 years earlier in Prague. He was burnt at the stake by the church for heresy, but prepared the way for the Reformation. He is considered the national hero of the Czech Republic. His huge statue in the center of Prague (I was there about 4 years ago) brought tears to my eyes.
7. The Reformation only succeeded in countries which were never controlled by the Roman empire. Ex-Roman countries stayed with Catholicism, which was also tied in with a political commitment to Rome.
8. A century after the Reformation and continuing to today, the new Protestant Reformation countries became more prosperous and prominent than the Catholic countries, due to the teachings of the Reformation.

Dream

Friday night I had an odd dream. I saw a very short ugly lady standing in front of me, who was a demon and blocking my way. I tried to rebuke her so I could move on, but could not. After several tries I was able to say the name Jesus, and she moved aside and I was able to move ahead.

Moneyball

This is a really good movie, regardless of whether or not you like baseball (if you like baseball, it is a fantastic movie). It is a true story, my favorite type of movie.

Word to me

The last few weeks God has been speaking to me, as He said to Joshua, "I have given you this city."
I believe this means an unusual turning to God in Marlboro, as well as much of the surrounding area.

Exciting times are ahead!

Visit to Joe McCain's church in North Carolina

A few weeks ago I was honored to be the guest speaker at Pastor
Joe McCain's church in Raleigh, NC, for their new building dedication. The rented space is in a strip mall off a main road. The area is booming with lots of building (a shock, there is very little construction in NJ right now). I spoke on "The Power of Dreams" from the life of Joseph (the origin of Joe's name). Several people in the church used to be in MWC (see the Fredericks on the left). Afterward we had a celebratory dinner at a local Chinese buffet, and then watched some football at Joey's apartment. It was a good time of being together, and hopefully giving the church a fresh vision for the future. Pray for God's blessing and growth on the church.

Our grandchild Lydia

Lydia Xin-Mei Jasko was born in Lancaster, PA, on October 6. Her middle name means "beautiful heart." We are excited about being grandparents. I plan to do an extensive Bible study on their
role, and the influence of older adults on their grandchildren, to get me ready for this new role.

My son Timothy and daughter-in-law Jennifer are doing well as new parents.

Prophetic dream

The other day I dreamed that we had bought a new house. It much much larger and newer than our current one. I walked around and almost got lost. Christina was asleep in a bedroom, and I was surprised to see her. We still had the old house.

I read a book on Christian dream interpretation a year ago. This is a common dream, and speaks of moving into new gifts, potential, and opportunities. It speaks of growth and blessing.
I look forward to the fulfillment!