SPECIAL SATURDAY EDITION!

Sadly, Nebraska is like at least some other places.

Excerpt from Omaha World Herald (8/12/15):  "UNMC proud of its fetal tissue research. The University of Nebraska Med Center has been among the leading recipients of federal grants for research projects that involves fetal tissue research . . . " [I could have ignored this article or thrown this clipping away, but my conscience wouldn't let me. If you check-out my "Whimsical WED entries {formerly "Whatever WED"}, you know that a regular feature includes There is No Place Like...NEBRASKA, which always includes props for the Cornhusker State, usually at the expense of other states. Well, here is a clipping that spotlights the UNMC's fetal tissue research, & I can't help but assume, since federal grants are involved, that this fetal tissue research would include tissue from aborted babies. Not something for Nebraskans to take pride in.]

But this couldn't happen in America, could it?

Also from OWH (9/3):  "Beware euthanasia's slippery slope. If you were a psychiatrist & a chronically depressed patient told you he wanted to die, what would you do? In Belgium, you might prescribe this vulnerable, desperate person a fatal dose of sodium thiopental. Between Oct. 2007 & Dec. 2011, 100 people went to a clinic in Belgium's Dutch-speaking region w/depression or schizophrenia or, in several cases, Asperger's syndrome, seeking euthanasia. The doctors, satisfied that 48 of the patients were in earnest & that their conditions were 'untreatable' & 'unbearable,' offered them lethal injection. Thirty-five of the 100 patients went through with it . . . 
      "The very 'worrisome' trends in Europe 'should give us pause' about where the 'assisted dying' movement might lead in the United States, Lerner & Caplan write. To be sure, the Benelux countries go far beyond laws in Oregon & 4 other U.S. states that permit physicians to prescribe, not administer, a fatal dose--& only in cases of terminal physical illness . . . What's noteworthy about euthanasia in Europe, though, has been its tendency to expand its use since the taboo against physician aided death is breached . . . 'Part of the problem w/the slippery slope,' they write, 'is that you never know when you are on it.'" [This could never happen in America, right? We're a Christian nation, right?]

Is Cal Thomas a Lutheran?

Also from OWH (9/14):  "Complications of church & state. (from column by Cal Thomas) Let's get something straight. America has never been a 'Christian nation.' Those who believe otherwise have an obligation to say what part of our history was uniquely Christian. Was it when slavery was legal? How about when women were denied the vote? The Gilded Age? The Roaring '20s? America is a nation in which Christians--& every other religious & nonreligious person--have the right to practice their beliefs in private & public free of government intrusion, except in some cases of life-threatening medical conditions into which the courts have occasionally intruded.
      "It may make some evangelicals feel better to believe the country once reflected biblical principles, but despite generous quotations about 'Divine Providence' that hark back to our founding, that's difficult to prove." [Some will disagree w/me, but I think Cal Thomas happens to be on the mark here. We're warned many times in the Psalms, among other scriptures, not to put our faith in princes.]

It's Reformation Day & You Can Still Obtain Indulgences

Also from OWH (10/30):  "Pope OKs indulgences for Legion during anniversary. Pope Francis has granted a special plenary indulgence to members of the scandal-tainted Legion of Christ order as it celebrates the 75th anniversary . . . Indulgences are the ancient church tradition related to the forgiveness of sins that roughly amounts to a 'get out of Purgatory free' card. Catholics seeking them must be contrite & have a moment of deepening faith. Legion members must also renew their vows, evangelize & perform works of mercy." [I don't mean to stir up any old controversies, but seriously . . . how can a Lutheran NOT get worked up, reading about indulgences, still making the rounds as we celebrate the Festival of Reformation, October 31, TWENTY-FIFTEEN!

This News Makes Me Sad

Also from OWH (10/30):  "Cow-protection squads ready to fight. (Dateline Yadavnagar, India) Dozens of men spread across the moonlit farm, hiding behind trees & wielding long-handled machetes & hockey sticks. They are devout Hindus, ready to fight for their religion. They are lying in wait for smugglers' trucks carrying cows. 'I am a Hindu. It is my duty to protect the cows.' said Rajendra Prasad, 35, who makes religious statues. 'I will not allow anyone to smuggle cows for slaughter. Either we die or they die. But we won't let anyone eat beef here,' said Vijendra Singh, a 22-yr-old farmer." 

• While this serves to highlight a key difference [but not the only one] between Christianity & all other world religions--that our God does NOT call us to practice vigilante justice against our enemies, it's also a story that engenders great sadness....
• Because it also highlights how many are still living without God's gracious Truth in their lives.
• Ephesians 2:8-9. Happy Reformation Day!