Treptow Through the Tulips (WELS) The KJV Would Help Their Literacy Problem

 

 https://www.csl.edu/2019/07/sem-student-new-wels-seminary-president/

I thought using "fully human" was pretty stupid in the earlier WELS hymnal, the one ruined by Tiefel and the 50th Anniversary adulterous pastor. How balanced - unfaithful to the Confessions, unfaithful to one's wife when helping with the hymnal. 

The KJV should be used and studied because it is the backbone of the English language - for that reason alone, said a modern atheist - Hitchens. 

WELS is so full of itself, the alleged leaders, obedient to their Father Below, take every opportunity to oppose Biblical doctrine, ridicule the noble KJV, and adulterate the hymns.

So they have moved in this new hymnal to change "and became man" in the Nicene Creed from the idiotic "fully human" to the illiterate "truly human." Supposedly, Treptow insisted on "truly human." I have come to the conclusion that seminary PhDs, especially from the LCMS, are useless. 

Truly human has the same vibe as sterling silver, m eaning "all silver, not silver plated." Truly human suggests "only human." 

"And became man" is clear, concise and reflective of "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." a phrase so clear and simple that rationalists deny the Virgin Birth in the Gospel of John.

This pratfall x 2 comes from the Woke arena where perfectly good words are tossed away because they irritate and enrage hypersensitive women who suspect male dominance in the words used. Like Church Growth bringing in the youth , feminism in the hymnal is another spectacular failure, with women leaving WELS, ELCA, and LCMS because of such nonsense. 

Congratulations to Ph.D. student Rev. Earle Treptow who became the new president of the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis., a seminary of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), July 1! He succeeded President Rev. Paul Wendland, who stepped down and returned to his role of full-time classroom professor. Treptow is in his third and final year of course work to complete his doctorate at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

Before joining the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2016 as a faculty member, Treptow served as a pastoral recruiter at Martin Luther College, as a pastor in British Columbia and Denver, Colo., and as president of the WELS Nebraska District.

Cantate Easter 4

The Hymn #458        Our Father – Luther                    

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Oh, sing (cantate) unto the Lord a new song: 

for He hath done marvelous things.

The Lord hath made known His salvation: 

His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen.

Psalm. His right hand and His holy arm hath gotten Him the victory.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

O God, who makest the minds of the faithful to be of one will, grant unto Thy people that they may love what Thou commandest and desire what Thou dost promise, that among the manifold changes of this world our hearts may there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. The right hand of the Lord is exalted: 

the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. Hallelujah!

V. Christ, being raised from the dead, dieth no more: 

death hath no more dominion over Him. Hallelujah!

    

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #462      I Love Thy Kingdom           

 The Foundational Sin

Communion Hymn #304     An Awe-full Mystery Is Here

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #657                        Beautiful Savior                     

In Our Prayers -

• Treatment and recovery - Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Callie and her mother Peggy,C.
• Pray for our country as the major trials continue. Victory is around the corner for the duly elected President.
• "The Bethany Lutheran Hymnal texts are finished. All the hymns have their own pages. Norma A. Boeckler is providing art for them. Typo alerts are welcome." That was two years ago! - 34,125 views have been recorded, as of today. 

   

        

Fourth Sunday After Easter

Lord God, heavenly Father, who didst through Thy Son promise us Thy Holy Spirit, that He should convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment: We beseech Thee, enlighten our hearts, that we may confess our sins, through faith in Christ obtain everlasting righteousness, and in all our trials and temptations retain this consolation, that Christ is Lord over the devil and death, and all things, and that He will graciously deliver us out of all our afflictions, and make us forever partakers of eternal salvation, through the same, Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

The Epistle

KJV James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the Word of Truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.

The Gospel

KJV John 16:5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

John 16

8 και ελθων εκεινος ελεγξει τον κοσμον περι αμαρτιας και περι δικαιοσυνης και περι κρισεως

9 περι αμαρτιας μεν οτι ου πιστευουσιν εις εμε

10 περι δικαιοσυνης δε οτι προς τον πατερα μου υπαγω και ουκ ετι θεωρειτε με

11 περι δε κρισεως οτι ο αρχων του κοσμου τουτου κεκριται

The Foundational Sin

KJV John 16:5 But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? 6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

Introduction

The Gospel of John, which completes and explains the first three Gospels, remains a paradox, a seeming contradiction. The words and grammar are as simple. However, the content is the greatest concentration of spiritual treasure in the Bible.

The clever apostate leaders told everyone to ignore the Fourth Gospel because it was written centuries later; in fact, they called the Gospel of John a fake, representing the philosophy of someone several centuries later, not the Apostle John. This came from the Tuebingen School in Germany. That attitude has severely harmed studying and preaching on John's Gospel.

The most ignored verse in the Bible is found in this lesson, so that is why we must emphasize it and repeat its lesson.

This is part of Jesus' farewell messages, which should be foundational for the ministry of the Word, since farewells in the Bible are to be prized for their concentrated wisdom and sometimes future predictions. Those who consider themselves Pentecostal should carefully study what these passages mean.

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Jesus knew His disciples were filled with sorrow because He told them He would leave them. They can barely understand His messages because of their grief. However, the Spirit (as predicted by Jesus) would bring these words to their minds and preserve the Word. That has been true ever since. There has always been an Apostolic Witness, the Scriptures preserved by the faithful and often called the Majority Text, Traditional Text, or the Byzantine Text. (Scholars have mostly ignored the Byzantine Empire - the Eastern Roman Empire - which existed for 1100 years and preserved the Biblical text).

In contrast, the Church of Rome has ignored and adulterated the Biblical text, because it teaches the Institution, itself, not the Scriptures.

The Comforter - or Holy Spirit - is called the Paraclete or Advocate. The Spirit always works with the Word and never apart from the Word. That is how Jesus expanded His ministry through the Apostles, with the Spirit keeping in their minds and remembering what He taught. Isaiah 55:10-11 is abundantly clear about this - but the passage is studiously ignored in favor of dramatic pageants, expensive clergy attire, entertainment, and food served for the worship service. A Lutheran layman said, "There is nothing quite like the munching of popcorn during the prayers."

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 

The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost (a Jewish holy day) and began the world-wide ministry of teaching the Gospel of Christ. What did they teach? 

• Not eating meat - but fish only - on Friday.
• Not getting married but living for the Church by engaging in begging and various businesses.
• Not ever feeling forgiven because they have to do more works, for Holy Mother Church.
• Not going to Heaven but Purgatory at best, because they have not earned the merits.
• Not reverencing Jesus as the Savior, but treating Him as the law-giver, giving His role to Mary.

That was not the message of the Apostles, but it became the message of the Church of Rome and remains so today, with Lutherans and Protestants joining in certain ways - with robes, incense, fish hats for bishops, and the Apocrypha.

We will know the truth of the Gospel when we can explain the three-fold work of the Spirit working through the Word:

1. He will reprove the world of sin, 
2. and of righteousness, 
3. and of judgment:

This is answered below but largely ignored. That is why ministers often resort to chatty homilies about puppies and vacation and such things.

How does the Holy Spirit enter an indictment of sin? 

The best answer is taught the least. The worst answer is expounded upon with many volumes.

The foundational sin is not believing in Christ as our Savior, the God-man, the Redeemer, our Good Shepherd who died for the sheep, rose from the dead, and ascended into Heaven. That is why Ascension Day is mostly ignored today - it requires faith, which is lacking.

The folly of our society is picking a sin and trying to work it away. One example would be alcoholism and related addictions. I know people from this neighborhood who are dying of the effects. I have relatives who are obvious victims. My best friend from high school died just after he confessed to being an alcoholic his entire life. Many clergy are covert drunks, not just the Lutherans, but Roman Catholics too. If this is the foundational sin, the Moses is our Savior, and Jesus is the Law-giver.

The Gospel is our foundation and the only way faith is kindled and sustained in our hearts. This alone is access to grace. Romans 5:1-2.

Luther wrote that we resist doing what is good, so God gives us grace through faith to love following His will and doing what pleases Him. 

Our society tends to start with obvious, visible sin and work back to repentance. But God begins His work with His Son dying for our sins and bearing fruit because of this.

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

Here is the stumbling block, which is like walking into a cinder block outside or the dishwasher lid in the kitchen. Neither will move. This is not the righteousness of the world but the righteousness of faith.

The saints, the righteous, the holy - they are the ones in the Bible (Old Testament too) who believe in Christ. Our best example is Jesus, often bypassed. Paul clearly teaches the Faith of Jesus, that is, the faith belonging to Him. He trusted in God the Father in all that He did, teaching the same truths, performing miracles, and facing a horrible death where He would be completely abandoned while being mocked.

The divine nature taking on the human nature, One Person, means that Jesus knows our temptations and suffering. His faith in the Father meant He did everything for us willingly. It is proper to say that we are justified by the Faith of Jesus because the Bible says so in Greek, and the KJV translated the passages that way. The modern, weak paraphrases (if that!) obscure this.

Our faith does not come from us but from the power of the Gospel teaching us it is His faith that gives us faith. 

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. 

What is this world we live in, but a daily grind of condemnation. 

• You did not wear a mask.
• You did not wipe down the gym equipment.
• You did not pay for your license on time.
• You did not accept my new, illiterate pronouns.
• You upset me.

Satan works very hard at removing faith from the believers, because his troops are already highly trained in unbelief. His rage increases because his time is growing short.

The early Christian martyrs felt honored to did for the Faith. Jesus brought a sword into their lives, really two swords - the Sword of the Spirit at work int the Word, and the sword of persecution. Wherever Satan tried to stamp out the Faith, the number of believers increased, and the Promise to Abraham became true - more than the stars in the sky...

 

Rogate Sunday, 2022

 The Hymn #457     What a Friend We Have in Jesus

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

With the voice of singing declare ye and tell this: 

utter it even to the end of the earth. Hallelujah!

The Lord hath redeemed His servant Jacob: Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Psalm. Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: 

sing forth the honor of His name; make His praise glorious.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

O God, from whom all good things do come, grant to us, Thy humble servants, that by Thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be right and by Thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Christ, who hath redeemed us with His blood: 

is risen and hath appeared unto us. Hallelujah!

V. I came forth from the Father and am come into the world: 

again, I leave the world and go to the Father. Hallelujah!

The Gospel 
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #525             As Pants the Hart

  Prayer and Faith Are United

The Communion Hymn #652     I Lay My Sins on Jesus 
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #660             Heaven Is My Home 

 

Prayers and Announcements

• The Ascension Holy Communion Service is Thursday, May 26th, 7 PM Central Daylight.
• Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Kermit and Maria Way, Callie and her mother Peggy, C., and many others.
• The Bible Book: The KJV Reborn for Those Who Love the Word of God - aiming at June printing.

 By Norma A. Boeckle

KJV James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Prayer and Faith Are United

KJV John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. 25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. 29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. 30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.

Mother's Day 2022

 Jubilate, The Third Sunday after Easter, 2020

Note - The camera got worked into the set-up. There is a sound distortion in the music. Another challenge

 

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

 

One year ago - Easter 3, 2021 - Direct link to that service.

 

Bethany Lutheran Church, 

7 PM Central

Note - the hymn lyrics are linked to the Bethany Lutheran Hymn Blog on the hymn number; the tune is linked on the hymn's name. 

 

The Hymn #586     A Pilgrim and a Stranger - Gerhardt

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

 

Make a joyful noise (Jubilate) unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honor of His name; make His praise glorious.

Psalm. Say unto God, How terrible art Thou in Thy works: through the greatness of Thy power shall Thine enemies submit themselves unto Thee.

 

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

 

Almighty God, who showest to them that be in error the light of Thy truth to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness, grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion that they may avoid those things that are contrary to their profession and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual  

 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. The Lord hath sent redemption unto His people. Hallelujah!

V. It behooved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead: and thus to enter into His glory. Hallelujah!

     

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
Sermon Hymn #288      Lord Help Us Ever To Retain - Loy Translation

 

Pilgrims and Strangers, For a Little While

 

Communion Hymn #651    Be Still My Soul

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #464        Blest Be the Tie That Binds   

 Easy Does It Roses, Rugosa behind them.

 

Prayers and Announcements

• Medical Treatment - Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris Shrader, Kermit Way and Maria Way, Callie and her mother Peggy, C., 
• Lorie Howell lost her mother a few months ago.

                

Norma A. Boeckler Christian Art Books

 

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Lord God, heavenly Father, who of Thy fatherly goodness dost suffer Thy children to come under Thy chastening rod here on earth, that we may be like unto Thine only-begotten Son in suffering and hereafter in glory: We beseech Thee, comfort us in temptations and afflictions by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not fall into despair, but that we may continually trust in Thy Son's promise, that our trials will endure but a little while, and will then be followed by eternal joy; that we thus, in patient hope, may overcome all evil, and at last obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

 

KJV 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

 

KJV John 16:16 A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father. 17 Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father? 18 They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. 19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me? 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

 

Luther’s Sermon on the Gospel Lesson

 

Luther’s Second Sermon on the Gospel Lesson

 The Virtuous Woman

KJV Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

No matter how much society changes, this ending of Proverbs remains true. Those who claim to favor women never mention this passage, though it is the most elegant essay on the value of women. I recall the LCA bishop bragging about never mentioning Mother's Day - on Mother's Day - when leading worship. The same one began women's ordination in his region. 

We live in an era where everyone has practical books on every subject concerning family, but few turn to Proverbs. They support advice columnists and ignore God's version of Dear Abby, Proverbs, which comes from God and is God's will. The beauty of marriage and the family is that God bestows so many blessings on those who believe in Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

The family is a universally accepted unit within society, all around the world. Male leadership is often lacking, but wives and mothers - with relatively few exceptions - carry the burden of the children and the extra work, serving the family and the community. My mother began teaching again when the youngest started kindergarten. The teachers at Garfield referred to their students as their children, and the teachers who were mothers watched over everything, working hard as teachers and serving their own families.

A couple of teachers whined to the Garfield principal that my mother had a cot in the nurse's office where she took a nap each day. The principal said, "If you would come to school as early as she does and stay as late as she does, grading papers, I would make sure each one of you would have a cot in the nurse's office." My mother loved to tell that story, and she worked as hard at home.

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Some think the liberated woman began in 1960 or so, led by a former Playboy bunny waitress, Gloria Steinem. However, the classic wife and mother exemplifies this Proverbs paragraph. Rural women worked all day for the farm and kids. Other women were the ideal part of their husband's businesses. I remember my Aunt Grace Noel, going from one task to another, always grinning. I hauled water with her, shucked peas, mowed the lawn, as my farm "vacation." There was no farm without her, since her husband was raising the animals, milking cows, and tending to the crops. When families owned little businesses, selling goods or services, the wife and mother often took over essential parts of it, to allow the business to thrive.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Somehow we devolved into a country where leisure is more important and valued than labor. If labor is enjoyable, there is no dread of work, but rather a healthy energy in getting work done. Mothers know that raising children is a constant labor of love, because the children keep changing as they grow, and they are not the same (God's plan). 

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Wives and mothers are anchors who do not let themselves or their families drift along idily. They get the honor of being thanked and praised, though too often only later in life.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

The greatest rewards are intangible and overshadow everything else. After 20 years of teaching, one university gave me a tablet of paper worth $1, made in China. Earlier, it was a pair of socks small enough for a child. When we got cheap pens for attending a meeting, I asked, "Do we have to claim this on our income tax forms?" The room burst into laughter, and I was satisfied.

The men can increase their praise and thanks for their wives and mothers and grandmothers. I doubt whether we men can claim we overdo that.