Wednesday What-Not is a free newsletter. Your subscription is a helpful donation. Thanks!
1/ Joy and Gladness
It is the LORD who opens our ears to hear the joy and gladness of His mercy.
2/ The Father’s Love reminds us that it wasn’t just Jesus who suffered for us
(LW 6:384)
More…
This will be part of today’s Worldwide Bible Class. Join us live at 9a if you can.
3/ Q&A Podcast
I’m going to *try* to post up a weekly What-Not/Q&A podcast. We’ll see how that goes, and I’d appreciate your feedback.
Yesterday’s edition covered questions about:
The real presence in the Lord's Supper?
Were Adam and Eve Christians?
How do Lutherans respond end-times prophecies?
How to honor bad parents?
Is the Lutheran Church in crisis?, and
How do we handle being sinned against?
Listen here (and subscribe through your favorite podcasting platform).
Send in your questions here.
(Last week we discussed (1) pedo-communion, (2) doubt about how close God is to us, (3) the LCMS and the boldness of chaplaincy, (4) the problem of radical pietism, (5) are there errors in the book of Concord, (6) who welcomes to communion, (7) is there really a third use of the law, and (8) how do we deal with imposter syndrome as Christians? Listen to that episode here.)
4/ The Man from Snowy River
Here’s a story for you.
When I was 19 I was working in far-north Queensland for a student adventure travel company that was, in part, running horse-back pack trips through the outback and rainforest. “Stretch” was the Australian cowboy in charge, and he had one of those horseshoe chain puzzles that you see in the Cracker Barrel, but in his the loop went around both chains.
I worked on it for days, but couldn’t sort out how to get the ring off. Stretch said, “Right, Wolfy, I’ll make you a deal. You memorize this poem, and recite it for us, and I’ll show you.”
The poem was The Man from Snowy River. It took me a few weeks, but I was motivated, and got it locked in. I stood up in the fire-light and recited the entire poem by memory. (Alas, now I just remember a line or two.) I’ll tell you, if more poems were like this!
I sat down to thunderous applause (from the 20 people sitting there), and handed Stretch the horse shoe puzzle. “Right. Look,” he said, twisting the puzzle this way and that, “You’ll need a hacksaw. I welded it like this.”
He did buy me a six-pack of VB.
5/ How to Listen to a Sermon
"You would think this would be obvious, wouldn't you? But in an age when listening is an afterthought that went out the window with thinking, sermons are just plain odd. In this retreat, Dr. Todd A. Peperkorn of Concordia Theological Seminary will talk about how preaching is a part of our holy conversation with God as His people, and how we can most benefit from learning how to listen to a sermon. This is a free event and all are welcome to attend. Scan the QR code to see more information and register.”
Saturday, July 19, St Paul Lutheran Church, Austin, TX, with Todd Peperkorn
Click here for more information.
6/ A Prayer for the Feast of the Visitation of Mary
From Dylan’s Substack Treasures from the Lutheran Church. You should definitely subscribe.
July 02, 2025
O almighty, eternal God, we rightly marvel at the great grace which You have always bestowed upon Your elect and saints, on hearts called and sanctified by You, especially that Mary earnestly hastened over the hill country to her cousin Elizabeth upon the angelic annunciation, and that the baby leaped in Elizabeth's womb at the greeting of Mary. Let Your holy Word also work in and among us, that we may always remain earnestly, vigorously, and willingly obedient and subject to You in matters of faith. Defend us against and steer away, through Your Holy Spirit, all sloth, unwillingness, doubt, and impatience, by which we are so often tarried and hindered in what is good. Make us meek to handle and comprehend Your Word with joy, that what You have fatherly promised to us may be brought to completion. Amen.
Esaias Heidenreich, Betbüchlein (1572)
7/ The Travel of the Apostles (according to tradition)
This is pretty amazing.
8/ Dying Well
I hope to see some of you in St Louis next week.
Dying Well in Christ: A Forum on the Church’s Care at Life’s End, is a conference for pastors and the people of God who seek to learn more about and help foster a faithful practice of merciful care at life’s end within the body of Christ.
Join other faithful Lutherans July 7-9, 2025 on the campus of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis Missouri. Use this link to learn more and register: **https://www.csl.edu/dying-well-forum/
Please add your own theological recommendations in the comments.
If you are new here, visit the archives for a ton of stuff. (You can even search for your favorite topics.)
Remember to go to your pastor's Bible Class this week and, read old theology books. (If you don't have a pastor or congregation, click here. If you don't have old theology books, click here.)
If you find this helpful, forward it to a friend. If this was forwarded to you, click here to sign-up for yourself.
Thank you, again, for your time and attention, and for your prayers. Please keep in touch.
Christ is Risen! Pastor Wolfmueller
Psalm 27:4
Books | YouTube | website | certificates | Devotions
Wednesday What-Not is a free newsletter. Your subscription is a helpful donation. Thanks!
For more theology, upcoming events, and links to video, audio, etc. visit www.wolfmueller.co.
What a hoot!! Your friend "Stretch" sounds like quite a character! Thank you for a great story.
Im so glad you had that Aussie Experience. If you would also like to share with your American audience the following you tube of 'The man from Snowy River' set to music by the iconic Australian Musician, 'slim Dusty' people might appreciate that if they like our culture. It's so powerful every time I hear it it still brings a tear to my eyes.....https://youtu.be/g0LdUalTPDs?si=R2UEVbP0DXIkIpQC