A Great-Grandson of Encouragement

AI and an Ancient Poem on the beauty of Death

1/ Acts 11:25 St Barnabas Day

I wonder how that conversation went, when Barnabas found Paul, and encouraged him to take up his public teaching. I imagine Paul, haunted by all his sins, and especially the murder of Stephen, hesitant to take up the preaching office. But Barnabas brings him to Antioch, and the Word of the Lord continues to grow.

2/ St. Agnes

Since we’re talking about the saints, I found this beautiful poem about St Agnes (martyred in 304) written by St Ambrose (who died in 397).

(https://aquinas-in-english.neocities.org/Ambrose-St_Agnes.pdf)

I think St Agnes was one of Luther’s favorite martyrs, and I have a whole chapter about her and Agatha in my book about Luther’s thoughts on the martyrs (which you can download for free, or listen to for free).

Here’s a sample of the encouragement Luther finds in Agnes:

And in Rom. 5:3 St. Paul says: “We also rejoice in our sufferings.” Later on many martyrs, men and women, went to their deaths with happy hearts and laughing mouths as though they were going to a happy festival or dance. So we read of St. Agnes and St. Agatha, who were virgins of thirteen or fourteen years, and of many others. They not only boldly and confidently conquered the devil and the world through their deaths, but were also cheerful with all their hearts, just as if they had been drunk with great joy. And it does vex the devil beyond measure when one can so confidently despise his great might and guile. In our times, too, many have died cheerfully because they have confessed Christ. (LW 12:177, On Psalm 23:5)

3/ How to Honor the Saints

Three right ways to honor the saints:

4/ Planning Your Theological Summer Vacation

I’ve got a few options for you. Please add your own in the comments.

• July 7-9, St Louis, MO: Dying Well in Christ: A Forum on the Church’s Care at Life’s End.

  https://www.csl.edu/dying-well-forum/ I’m amazed at all the great presenters at this conference. I’ll be talking about Death and Spiritual Warfare, as well as the Seven Myths about Death and Dying.

• July 18-19, Chicago, IL: Making the Case Conference

  https://issuesetc.org/2025conference/ Scott Jennings, Carl Trueman, Mark & Mollie Hemingway, and Dr’s Egger and Bruss, the presidents of both seminaries are presenting. This is always a great conference.

• July 19, Austin, TX: How to Listen to a Sermon

  https://www.stpaulaustin.org/events/continuing-education-retreat-how-to-listen-to-a-sermon/ With Dr Todd Pepperkorn, this free one-day conference for the laity will be great. Stay for Sunday.

• Have more options?

• And don’t forget to check the Young Adult/Singles Events (and add you upcoming events)

5/ On AI

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Please add your own theological recommendations in the comments.

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Christ is Risen! Pastor Wolfmueller

Psalm 27:4

www.wolfmueller.co

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