Lutherans for Life

"No one can doubt or deny that we dwell in darkness.

"Sinfulness has broken mankind and left the world wrecked around us. Danger & despair, deception & dysfunction abound. Sanctity of life situations like surprise pregnancy or terminal diagnosis confront us with uncomfortable realities. Serious & genuine threats emerge:  pain & labors, poverty & obligations, abandonment & abuse, disgrace & sacrifice. We get pressed against our limitations, failures, & needs. The voice of the devil, the spirit of this age, & the weakness of our flesh tempt & pester us to use death as the solution to the difficulties.

Yet the darkness reaches deepest right before the dawn. And shadows only show up where the light arrives. The hour has come to wake from slumber because the daylight is at hand (Rom. 13:11-12).

"The incarnate & crucified Son of God, our humble & gentle Lord, our risen & forgiving Savior radiates the light of life in the unlikeliest of places.

"The Almighty Father creates, redeems, & calls every life special, precious, & priceless, no matter what age, appearance, or ability, from fertilization to forever.

"He delivers blessings of truth & love, joy & hope, community & purpose, grace & faith even in humanity's shortcomings.

"To live is Christ, & He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Him is life, & this life is the light of all humankind (John 1:3).

"His power perfects wherever we lack (2 Cor. 12:9).

We get to receive each neighbor as a gift & privilege, just like He embraces us, speaking courage, showing compassion, & sharing every good.

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light (Is. 9:2) Jesus Christ has conquered death & brought life--both immediate & immortal--to light (2 Tim. 2:10)

"God bless our Gospel-motivated voice for Life, fir it shines in the darkness, & the darkness cannot overcome it!

"Rejoice like Lutherans & embrace the sanctity of every human life!"

Source:  Lutherans for Life flyer

RESOLUTIONS 2025

Before revealing my 2025 resolutions, which I'm confident you've been eager to discover, here's my disclaimer. According to Fox News Online, only 9% of people manage to keep their New Year's resolutions. My resolutions may seem overly ambitious, considering it's me, but I decided to up the ante, so here goes.

* Publish my latest devotion book. This seems eminently reasonable, since Lighthouse Publishing accepted my proposal, & we're working on the next steps.

* Send out Christmas cards & letters before Christmas. I consider this one moderately difficult but worthy.

* Cross 2 things off our bucket list. Considering plans for our Alaskan cruise this summer, I think this is doable.

* No falls or surgeries. One can only hope.

* Do PT exercises and/or walk at least 4X per week. Definitely needful.

* Visit at least 1 Nebraska SP. Should be doable. I have my sights set on Chadron & Ft. Robinson SPs this fall.

* Practice more patience. Definitely needful.

* Help out around the house more. I think I'm off to a good start, helping with laundry, meals, dishwashing.

* No McDonald's. Could be the most difficult, since McRibs are still on the menu.

2025 PREDICTIONS *

* Compliments of the Babylon Bee, your trusted source of fake news.

> Something really important happens in Europe. Nobody in America cares.

> RFK Jr. orders all future vaccines to be tested on Dr. Fauci.

> In hilarious April Fool's Day prank, Trump invades Greenland.

> Ellen Degeneres gets caught trying to cross the Rio Grande back into the U.S.

> After weeks of intensely polite protest, Canada officially joins U.S. as 51st state.

> Buc-ee's opens their first location on the moon.

> AZ finishes counting ballots from 2020 election.

> Trump orders mass incarceration of people who serve tofurkey for Thanksgiving dinner.

ELECTION 2024

You may have noticed that I don't make nearly as many political posts as I used to. Why not? I realize that my incisive & insightful comments rarely changed any minds & fell on deaf ears, mostly preaching to the choir. Having said that, I will be voting for those candidates & initiatives that align most closely to my conservative values positions. I may not like a candidate personally, but I can't abide a candidate who favors unrestricted slaughter of the unborn. So, there you have it.

ROAD TRIP UPDATE

Hard to choose our most favorite road trip so far this year. Our trip out west for our niece's wedding celebration & sibling reunion ranks right up there, despite my unfortunate fall & need to be rescued by Bellevue Fire & Rescue. So does our recent cruise to Europe, which included London, ports in Spain, France, Malta, Sicily, Pompeii, Rome, & the unlimited drink package on Princess Plus. We're making a trip to Lincoln this week, but I usually don't include these as qualified road trips. I'm representing OGT at the Nebraska District LCMS Middle School Gathering in Lincoln.

LET'S TALK ABOUT CORNHUSKER FOOTBALL

Let's not.

SURGERY UPDATE

I had a surgical procedure in Omaha on 10/23 to decompress 2 nerves in my neck. It was a little more complicated than anticipated, since the surgeon had to go through the back of my neck instead of the front, due to concerns by my cardiologist. [Don't ask.] One nerve was pinched a little more severely than the other. I did have to begin a course of steroids for some inflammation this past week, but I've been off painkillers for several days. Not allowed to bend my neck or twist from side to side or lift more than 10 lbs for awhile. I'm coping.

RESOLUTIONS REVIEW

> Lose weight. A. I know, low-hanging fruit, but I've lost some significant weight over the last month, so there's hope.

> Limit myself to no more than 2 cups of coffee per day. B.

> Visit at least 1 NP or NM this year. A+.

> Limit my reading to 1 partisan news source per day. B.

> Avoid picking fights on Facebook. A.

> Walk at least 4X per week. B-. I did a lot of walking on our road trip to Europe last month--18,000 steps one day!

> Finish writing & publishing a devotion book. B. I'm excited to announce that LifeLight Publishing has accepted my proposal to publish "Buzzwords," another 365-day devotion book. I'm working on my final edits now.

> G.P.A.    B. 

TRENDING NEWS *

* From the Babylon Bee, your trusted source of fake news

> Nation anxiously waits to see which side will be denying election results.

> Dad says results of Halloween candy inspection could be delayed up to 2 weeks.

> Nation takes solace in fact that no matter who wins election, the political text messages will stop. COMMENT:  I deleted 20 of those texts today, & that just represents the last week. Sheesh!

TODAY'S QUOTE

"The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism." Norman Vincent Peale [Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Bathroom Reader]

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

* Compliments of Reader's Digest, Nov. 2024

I work in a nursing home, & one morning I was helping a gentleman who was particularly hard to wake. As I coaxed him to sit up & get ready for breakfast, he fixed his twinkling blue eyes on my face & said, "My, you're pretty! Have I asked you to marry me yet.?" "No you haven't," I replied, shyly. "Good," he said, "because I can't put up with this every morning!" 

MENTAL HEALTH MONDAY

Just a quick reminder that I blog in order to inform & entertain, but also as a strategy to help me cope with my anxiety & depression. So, I hope you find my post worthwhile . . . just remember it's my post, & you'll have to indulge me.

2024 RESOLUTIONS REVIEW

* Lose weight. F. Still gaining weight. Just read that people who weigh 2-3 times a week tend to be more successful at losing weight. Maybe I'll give it a try. Or maybe I could practice more self-restraint?

* Limit myself to no more than 2 cups of coffee per day. C+

* Visit at least 1 National Park and/or National Monument. A+

* Limit my reading to no more than 1 conservative source per day. B. I think this bears some clarification. I made this resolution, not because I've turned to the dark side, but because political commentary--ANY political commentary--adds to my anxiety level. I can only tolerate so much.

* Avoid picking fights on Facebook. A.

* Walk at least 4X per week. C. I've been doing a little better. On OCT 5, Lois & I embark on an epic road trip [more below], & our excursions will force me on this one.

* Finish writing & publishing another 365-day devotion book. B. I finished writing "Buzzwords" earlier this year. I submitted proposals to several publishers, hoping to avoid the need to self-publish again, which is spendy. I'm waiting to hear back from Concordia Publishing House. And, I'm excited to say that Lighthouse Publishing has accepted my proposal & I will begin the publishing process with them soon.

G.P.A. C+

ROAD TRIPS

I'm heading to Omaha later tonight to pick up the little woman from Eppley Airfield. She's returning from the annual Hill Sister Bash, this year in Charleston, SC, & this year including 2 sisters-in-law. They had a couple dicey days weather-wise, due to torrential rains & a tornado warning associated with Hurricane Helene. Aside from some power outages, resulting in some serious caffeine withdrawal issues, things turned out okay. 

Yesterday I got back from a visit to Niobrara & Ponca State Parks in Nebraska. That adds up to 14 road trips for me thus far. And on OCT 5, Lois & I embark on a cruise that will include time in London, several ports in Spain, Malta, & Italy, & a stop in Rome. If all goes well, you'll be getting travelogues from me!

SPEAKING OF NATURAL DISASTERS

I am privileged to work for Orphan Grain Train, a domestic & international relief agency that ships food & other humanitarian aid across the country & overseas. We are beginning the process of sending relief to areas hit hard by Hurricane Helene. One of the unique things about OGT is that 98% of your donation is directly spent for relief--only 2% is spent on administrative costs. If you have any interest in helping us provide relief, I encourage you to check out our website:  ogt.org. 

FOOTBALL FOLLIES

Yesterday I watched my grandson Bentley's YMCA team lose. He plays both ways on the line. He was disappointed but held his own. Our grandson Calvin threw a TD pass in his flag football game. Our granddaughter Claire kicked 2 goals in her soccer game. [They call soccer "football" in England.] Chiefs won. Cornhuskers won. 

TODAY'S AWESOME TRIVIA

The 7th-largest pyramid in the world is the Bass Pro Shop in Memphis, TN. SOURCE:  Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Bathroom Reader

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING

"My 9yo on Shark Tank:  'It's a shirt, but look, it's also a napkin!'" SOURCE:  Reader's Digest, July/Aug 2024

LIFE THOUGHTS IN THE CHURCH YEAR

"The God of the Gospel leaves no one alone. So the Christian fellowship does not ignore or avoid its members in distress. We fetch cups of cold water for each other (Mark 9:41). We absolve & intercede for each other (James 5:14-16). We assist in preserving surprise pregnancies instead of abandoning them to abortion. And we serve in terminal diagnoses instead of dismissing them to assisted suicide." SOURCE:  Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

THE WIT & WISDOM OF CAL THOMAS

"This suggests that making money & indulging in things that give one personal pleasure with little regard to how it affects others & the unity if the country is now the highest priority for many . . . Cultural elites demand we must accept any & every idea & form of human behavior (except conservative religious & political ideas) . . . If political leadership represents what the masses believe--from entitlement to other people's money, to no restraints on human behavior--that reflects who we are. We get what we deserve. What has become paramount are personal desires, not the greater good." SOURCE:  Column in the Norfolk Daily News, 9/28

RIB REPORT

If you followed my recent travelogs, recounting the adventures & misadventures of our trip to Montana & back, you know about my mishap while hiking the Fox Creek Trail in the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho. I hit a patch of loose gravel, tumbled down an embankment, & had to be pulled back up by Ketchum Fire & Rescue. The result was lots of abrasions & pretty awesome bruises, which modesty prevents me from showing you. I was pretty convinced that I had broken a rib until an x-ray this week revealed I only suffered a bad bruise. God is good!

ROAD TRIP REDUX

With the completion of our road trip to Montana for our niece's wedding in Corvallis & also including traverses across & into S. Dakota, Idaho, & Wyoming, our current tally is 14 road trips. Next on the list? Later this month Lois will join her sisters & two sisters-in-law for Sister Bash in Charleston, SC, while I take a couple days to visit Niobrara & Ponca State Parks in NE. [In hindsight, I should have adopted a New Year's resolution about road trips.] Speaking of resolutions . . . 

2024 RESOLUTIONS REVIEW

> Lose weight. F. Despite this immodest goal, I've gained 2 lbs this year. Too much eating out on our recent road trip.

> Limit myself to no more than 2 cups of coffee per day. C.

> Visit at least 1 national park or monument this year. A+. With the addition of Craters of the Moon NM in ID & Fossil Bluff NM in WY, our total this year is 3.

> Limit my reading to 1 conservative source per day. C.

> Avoid picking fights on Facebook. A. I'm rather proud of myself.

> Walk at least 4X per week. D.

> Finish writing & publishing another devotion book. B. I submitted a proposal to Concordia Publishing House but won't find out their decision for at least 12 weeks.

GPA:  C+

BEST DRINK IN EVERY STATE *

* Source:  Reader's Digest, July/Aug, 2024 [The opinions of this magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of this blogger.] {I'm only including states where family lives.}

Arizona:  Lemonade

California:  Wine [duh]

Colorado:  Hot chocolate

Florida:  Orange juice [also, duh]

Iowa:  Nehi grape

Minnesota:  The Bootleg ["Al Capone & other notorious mobsters sipped this concoction of citrus, sugar, & fresh mint because it packed the right punch to mask the burn of bootlegged liquor."]

Nebraska:  Kool-Aid [actually invented in NE]

North Carolina:  Cheerwine ["This cheerful cherry soda--nope, no wine in Cheerwine--is the official soft drink of the National Barbecue & Grilling Association."]

Texas:  Horchata

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

Lois & I are watching back episodes of "The Resident," streaming on Netflix. B. I recently finished watching, also on Netflix, a docuseries about the 72 most dangerous animals of Latin America & a docudrama entitled "Wyatt Earp & the Cowboy War." B, C. Now I'm watching a documentary about Hope [not Han] Solo & U.S. Soccer. Too early to tell.

WHAT I'M READING

While we were at the Big Hole National Battlefield in Montana, I picked up "Battlefields of Montana." I just caught up with the "Battle of Little Bighorn." No matter how many times I read about this battle, things never turn out well for Custer & the 7th Cavalry.

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING 

* Courtesy of Reader's Digest, May 2024

"My biology report titled 'Your Intestines:  How Your Digestion Works' was marked down a grade. Turns out I'd forgotten the colon."

"When someone hands me a flier, it's kinda like he's saying, 'Here, you throw this away.'"

TODAY'S AWESOME TRIVIA *

Source:  Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Reader

"The makers of Post-it Notes claim the correct way to use Post-its is to peel them with the sticky strip running vertically, not across the top."

POLITICAL POTPOURRI FROM THE BABYLON BEE *

* Your trusted source of fake news

> Democrats to replace Kamala on ballot with ABC moderators

> Kamala prepares for debate by googling "What does a president do?"

> Moderators call timeout to huddle & discuss strategy with Kamala

> Nation eagerly anticipates two brightest minds in country meeting in respectful, productive dialogue

The Bee fact checks last night's debate

* Trump:  "Hello, my name is Donald Trump." False. His name is Donald John Trump. While it's unclear why Trump would deliberately withhold his middle name, one thing is certain. Donald Trump is a liar.

* Trump:  Trump supporters didn't kill anyone on Jan. 6. False. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was killed 13 times that day.

* Harris:  "I'm doing a great job." False. She's doing a GREAT job.

* Davis:  "In some states in this country it is legal to kill a baby after its born." False. Well, technically it's true, but it sounds bad. So let's say false.

* Muir:  "Good night." False. It was not a good night, David. IT SUCKED.

2024 RESOLUTIONS REVIEW

I understand that you may have no interest whatsoever in my review of my New Year's resolutions, but it's a helpful barometer for me, so here goes.

* Lose weight:  A.  I've lost 3 lbs this year. Nothing to brag about, but still.

* Limit myself to no more than 2 cups of coffee per day:  C.

* Visit at least 1 national park or monument this year:  A.  We visited Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, FL, with Lois' sisters Kathy & Anita in FEB.

* Limit my reading to 1 conservative source/day:  C.

* Avoid picking fights on Facebook:  B.  I'm pretty pleased with myself. Recently I read a post by someone who posited that it was unfortunate that the shooter failed to take out President Trump. It took a heroic effort, but I didn't respond.

* Walk at least 4X/week:  D+.  I've been severely hampered by neck pain although I did get in 4 walks this past week. Today I have an appt with a neurosurgeon, & I'm hopeful there are some solutions.

* Finish writing & publishing a devotion book: C. I finished writing "Buzzwords," another 365-day devotion book, but I'm having the dickens of a time finding a publisher. 

GPA:  B-

ROAD TRIP PROGRESS

We've made 13 road trips thus far, with 5 more on the horizon. Our most recent one was our annual grandkids' weekend, this year in S. Dakota, outside Sioux Falls. Toward the end of this month we're headed to MT for our niece's wedding, & we'll include some side trips.

CRIMINAL MINDS

"Man arrested for spaghetti attack on mother." Drudge Report

TODAY'S TRENDING HEADLINES 

"Referee warns Olympic women's boxing finalists not to punch each other in the testicles." Babylon Bee

"Facebook renamed more accurate 'Keeping-track-of-people's-birthdays-book.'" Ditto

"Jesus explains to disciples that they are always sheep in His parables because sheep are really, really stupid." Ditto

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

"Kamala bravely fields hard-hitting questions from reporters about where she got that adorable blouse." Babylon Bee

"Biden says if Trump was such a great president, how come he couldn't stop 9/11." Ditto

TODAY'S TRIVIA *

* Source:  Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Bathroom Reader

"Those who know say that leopard urine smells like popcorn." 

"In 2015, President Barack Obama legalized private asteroid ownership."

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING:

* Compliments of Reader's Digest, May 2024

"Good moms let you lick the beaters after making brownies. Great moms turn them off first."

"Whatever you do, give 100%. Unless you're donating blood."

NO EXCUSE FOR MEDIOCRITY

"To call myself a Christian & then not strive to be the best I can & do the most I can with what has been given me would be the height of hypocrisy. Being a Christian is no excuse for mediocrity or passive acceptance of defeat. If anything, Christianity demands a higher standard, more devotion to the task." Orel Hershiser, "Men's Devotional Bible

OUR STRONGHOLD

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when He delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand . . . The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them & delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked & saves them, because they take refuge in Him." (Ps. 37:23-24, 30-40)

Our Lord does not abandon us, His children, to the schemes of the wicked, but on the Last Day, He will fulfill our salvation & eternally deliver us from our enemies of sin, death, & the devil." Rev. Peter Jurchen, ed. "Engaging the Psalms:  A Guide for Reflection & Prayer"

WE ARE BLESSED

"We are poor, miserable sinners all. And yet, we are blessed. We are blessed by a true confession of the Scriptures. We are blessed by pastors & teachers who believe the Scriptures. We are blessed by enormous resources. We are blessed by great seminaries. We are blessed by Christian leaders at our Concordia universities. We are blessed by growing parochial schools. And we are blessed by thousands of faithful families who love Jesus. Bottom line:  We are blessed to know the Gospel of forgiveness in Jesus. O Lord, take not Your mercy from us. O Lord, stay with us for it is evening. O Lord, thank You for Your blessings. Let it rain, Lord. Thank You! Keep sending us the showers. O Lord, spare us what we deserve." Rev. Matthew Harrison, "The Lutheran Witness, Dec. 2023"

TODAY'S PRAYER

"O God, the Protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong & nothing is holy, increase & multiply Your mercy on us that with You as our Ruler & Guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Collect for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, "Lutheran Worship"

A HYMN OF CONFESSION

"To You, Omniscient Lord of All," LW #234, Sts. 1 & 3

To You, omniscient Lord of all, With grief & shame I humbly call; I see my sins against You, Lord, The sins of thought, of deed & word. They press me sore; to You I flee:  O God, be merciful to me!

O Jesus, let Your precious blood Be to my soul a cleansing flood. Turn not, O Lord, Your guest away, But grant that justified I may Go to my house, at peace to be:  O God, be merciful to me!