Authenticity + Nostalgia for Havelock + G.O.M.E.R. Returns

mental health MON

Authenticity *

"Authenticity demands Wholehearted living & loving--even when it's hard, even when we're wrestling with the shame & fear of not being good enough, & especially when the joy is so intense that we're afraid to let ourselves feel it . . . Mindfully practicing authenticity doing our most soul-searching struggles is how we invite grace, joy, & gratitude into our lives . . . 
      "When looking at the attributes associated w/masculinity, the researchers identified these as important attributes for men:  emotional control, primacy of work, control over women, & pursuit of status. That means if men want to play it safe, they need to stop feeling, start earning, & give up on meaningful connection. 
      "The thing is...authenticity isn't always the safe option. Sometimes choosing being real over being liked is all about playing it unsafe. It means stepping out of our comfort zone. And trust me, as someone who has stepped out on many occasions, it's easy to get knocked around when you're wandering through new territory . . . 
      "Sacrificing who we are for the sake of what other people think just isn't worth it. Yes, there can be authenticity growing pains for the people around us, but in the end, being true to ourselves is the best gift we can give the people we love . . . 
      "I'm inspired by everyone who shares their work & opinions w/the world. Courage is contagious . . . "

• MY COMMENTS:  "Wrestling w/the shame & fear of not being good enough . . . " I can totally identify with that, & I think it's a spiritual issue, as well as an emotional issue. Until Christ enters our hearts & we are gifted w/His righteousness, the truth is simple:  we are NOT good enough. Too many problems in our contemporary world are rooted in an educational system that teaches children that they are inherently good. No, they are not.
• Are attributes associated w/masculinity a matter of nature or nurture? What do YOU think. I think it's a combination. Once again, I can identify w/"emotional control" & "primacy of work." That 2nd attribute contributed to my "burn-out," but it was not an EXCUSE for my burn-out. I take responsibility for letting this attribute rule me.
• What if wanting to be liked IS part of being real?
• Being true to yourself is a troublesome concept for me, because ultimately we are selfish individuals, most interested in our own wants & needs. Even after Jesus Christ intervenes to bless us w/forgiveness by His grace, our newly saved-self continues to struggle w/the old true-self. In theological terms, we call that the "Old Adam."
• I must be courageous, because I've shared my work & opinions w/the world in my own tiny sphere. However, I don't kid myself into thinking that my work & opinions are worth the digital space they occupy.
• I am grateful to those of you to take time out of your busy schedules to read about my work & opinions . . . even more grateful to those of you who take the time to comment.

* SOURCE:  The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brene' Brown, (Hazelden), 2010.

Reasons to Feel Cheerful...Upbeat...Optimistic

From Omaha World Herald (8/22):  "WWII vet, 93, ends run across America w/toes in Atlantic. After 2 years & 10 months,93-yr-old Ernie Andrus has made it across America. The WWII vet dipped his toes in the Atlantic Ocean SAT, ending a cross-country run that started in San Diego . . . " [I've been accused of picking on certain, left-of-center politicians & celebrities more often than their counterparts on the right. Well, if & when any of them dip their toes in the Atlantic Ocean after a feat like this one--instead of while enjoying a vacation at Martha's Vineyard at taxpayer-expense--I'll re-think my comments.] *
* Toes...feat...I caught that after the fact. Sometimes I crack myself up.

From Lincoln Journal Star (8/18):  "Rocking for a purpose w/'Havelock' Elvis in the building. The rocking commenced at 8:00a & ended at 3:00p, &, in between, there were doughnuts & coffee & snow cones & a man in a silky shirt w/a white guitar & a microphone. 'We have Elvis here right now so the room is crowded,' explained the front-desk greeter at The Arbors.
      "WED was Seniors Rocking for a Reason day at the Alzheimer's care home in north Lincoln. And they were rocking to raise money for the annual Walk to End Alzheimer coming up in SEP . . . " [The first house we owned was in Havelock. We loved that neighborhood but eventually had to move because we outgrew our house. I still like to drive through that neighborhood & by our old house when I return to Lincoln. It brings back great memories--wonderful nostalgia.] *
* Like the time I took my young son & daughter to see "The Fox & the Hound" at the Joyo Theater, up on Havelock Ave. My little girl was sitting on my lap. During the scene where the fox & hound were saying their good-byes, I felt her little body give a shake. She was quietly sobbing. That almost made her daddy sob, too. **
** Do any of my readers remember Captain Havelock?

Fish Fest 2016:  I'm still using this forum to let my faithful(?) readers know how grateful I am to my wonderful & long-suffering wife Lois for getting me to Fish Fest at the Ralston Arena on 8/13. I'm pretty sure that her favorite artist was Lauren Daigle. My favorite, as I've mentioned before, was Matt Maher. Here's a favorite lyric from one of my favorite Matt Maher songs, Lord, I Need You:  
"Lord, I need You, O I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense
My righteousness
O God how I need You."

G.O.M.E.R. * Returns

Also from LJS (8/26):  "Most teens vaping fruity flavors:  health officials warn that electronic cigarettes & other vaping devices are poisoning kids w/nicotine. But new research suggests that most teens aren't vaping nicotine but using sweet & fruity flavors like strawberry, chocolate cake & bubble gum . . . " [In a related story, SOSJK told reporters that sweet & fruity vapor-devices pose a greater risk to Americans than ISIS.]

Ditto LJS (7/27):  "Avoid electronic histrionics w/this cucumber-mint soup . . . " [I associate avoiding any kind of histrionics w/a toasted cheese sandwich on sourdough bread, along w/a cup of hearty tomato soup. You can understand why I would take one look at this headline in the LJS "Seasoned to Taste" feature & ignore the rest of the article.] **
** So why do I waste my money on this progressive, hippy-dippy newspaper whenever I'm spending time in Lincoln? Good question. ***
*** Because I'm OCD when it comes to newspapers. There . . . I answered my own question.

Also from OWH (8/16):  "Michael Weatherly energized by his new CBS series, 'Bull.' [I saw this headline, was immediately demoralized at the thought of one of my favorite characters departing one of my favorite TV series, & couldn't bring myself to read the rest of the article.]

* Grumpy Old Men & Their Elucidating Rants

Discipline . . . What Is It Good For?

walking in the truth

Today's Truth from Scripture

"It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children & not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us & we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits & live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it . . . 

      "But you have come to Mt. Zion & to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem & to innumerable angels in festal gathering, & to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, & to God, the judge of all, & to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, & to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, & to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel."  Hebrews 12:7-11, 22-24

Today's Devotional Thoughts

If you follow my mental health MON blogs, you know that I struggle w/chronic depression. You also know that I've been in a particular struggle w/a depressive episode since last spring. What does this have to do w/discipline?

I think we can all agree that fatherly discipline can be a miserable experience . . . and not just for the one being disciplined. Sometimes it breaks a father's heart to administer discipline, whether it be a carefully place swat to the behind of a toddler who defiantly takes a step into the street or a teenager who breaks curfew.

Yet discipline--which comes from the same root word as "disciple"--is a necessary, no, VITAL part of parenting . . . a critical part of growing up. Educators all too often suffer the consequences of students who have not benefited from godly discipline administered by parents, but that may be a topic for another devotion.

What's my point. Hmm . . . oh, yeah; discipline is not just meant to punish. It's meant to teach a lesson. It's meant to "toughen us up." I interpret my depressive cycles--at least in part--to periodic episodes of discipline.

And in the case of spiritual discipline, it's meant to turn us to those things that strengthen our faith, point us to the Lord, & equip us for the spiritual warfare that we encounter from Day 1 on our "walk through the valley of the shadow of death." [That's a reference from Psalm 23. You can look that up yourself.]

Those spiritual disciplines include God's Word, the Sacraments--and for young men & women . . . along w/us old men & women of the Church, the Lord's Supper--prayer, time spent in devotion & meditation, Bible study, the counsel of godly men & women.

To what end? Well, we are always pointed to what saves us--the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And that's why you read the second portion of the passage from Hebrews above [I hope.] . . . because spiritual disciplines will draw us closer to the Lord . . . will strengthen us for our faith walk . . . 

. . . Remembering that forgiveness & salvation are to be found only in our Mediator Jesus Christ.

A Prayer Thought for Today

May Christ strengthen us through Word, prayer, & Sacrament, that we may find our spiritual walk strengthened to meet the challenges of Satan, this ungodly world, & our own sinful flesh. Give thanks for the saving work of Jesus Christ, our Lord & Redeemer.

Missionary News

Lois & I have "adopted" two missionaries:  Pastor Stuart & Debra Freese, who are preparing to serve in Ghana & West Africa, probably beginning soon after the 1st of the year. They are spending their time now getting ready for this assignment, which includes raising support with the help of Gary Thies. Some of you know Gary from his work via Mission Central. [http://missioncentral.us/missioncentral/welcome] I have Stu & Deb's permission to share the following information with you.

• Email: debra.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Email:  stuart.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FreesesinAfrica/ (NOTE:  You don't need a Facebook account to view this page.)
• Website:  http://debrafreese.wix.com/freesesinafrica
• Giving Page:  http://www.lcms.org/freese

Fact Check Friday

This week I’d like to look at Biblical inerrancy. This is a tough one for a lot of people, so I’ve looked at some different views to help people see where they fall on the spectrum.

Biblical inerrancy, according to the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy , is the doctrine that the Bible "is without error or fault in all its teaching," and, "Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything that is contrary to fact.”

Biblical inerrancy is the foundation for which some Christians believe the Bible is authoritative on all matters: scientific, historic, and spiritual.

The opposite of this view is a total lack of divine revelation—one that views the Bible as a human book, and is only “inspired” insofar as human authors were inspired to write it.

A more moderate view is that the Bible records revelations of God as well as the culture response to those revelations of God. Using the moderate view, Christians can say that even though there are contradictions between books in the Bible and events recorded that are not supported historically or scientifically, the Bible still reveals the revelation of God: that God is living and active, and has revealed himself in history through his acts and in the incarnation of Jesus.

Further reading:

http://www.crivoice.org/inerrant.html

http://peopleof.oureverydaylife.com/eastern-orthodox-views-bible-4755.html

http://www.modernreformation.org/default.php?page=articledisplay&var2=1126

Further reflection:

Hi . . . Nathan's father speaking here. First, I confess my frame of reference. I am LCMS--& not ashamed to admit it. My theological education is largely derived from theological institutions of the LCMS. As a called church worker of the LCMS, I have "affirmed" my acceptance of the canonical books of Holy Scripture, & their true exposition via the confession writings of the evangelical Lutheran Church. [This is not the same as the ELCA.] This would include the traditional Lutheran confessional framework about Biblical inspiration & inerrancy. Therefore, the views expressed in the aforementioned links do NOT necessarily reflect the views of the "author" of the LECKBAND CORNHUSKER BLOG. I keep trying to paddle my way through them, especially the www.crivoice link, which appears to have a Wesleyan, i.e., Methodist imprint, but I keep falling asleep. My "deep" response will have to wait.
      My one CAVEAT:  Those who argue the loudest & hardest in support of Biblical errancy(?) often seem to be those who have an agenda that goes beyond Biblical inerrancy. I'm just sayin'. I'll be in touch. 

Wallet Advice + Matcha + Oxen + Political Whimsy

whimsical wed...special tue edition

WED Whimsy . . . on THU!

From Omaha World Herald (8/22):  "5 things that shouldn't be in your wallet. [Along w/my helpful commentary.]

1. "Social Security card. [I agree! I kept mine in my wallet(s) for years until I wised up & put mine in a secure place "off-site."]
2. "Birth certificate or passport. [I've never had a passport & the thought of carrying my b.c. in my wallet never crossed my mind . . . until now.]
3. "Extra credit cards. [Over the years I have steadily whittled down the # of credit cards in my wallet.] *
4. "PINS & passwords. [I confess . . . I carry the PIN # that gets me access to my daughter's house . . . also to my grand-daughter's day-care.] **
5. "Checks." [My spouse generally doesn't allow me to carry the checkbook with me; she would notice if checks were missing from it. Besides . . . wouldn't this defeat the purpose of a debit card?] ****

* What's in YOUR wallet?

** I also carry the license plate #'s for both vehicles, since whenever I'm asked by a hotel clerk for this information, I can't remember it & have to retreat to the parking lot. ***

*** And I carry a list of all my meds, too. I figure that if I ever suffered a medical emergency, EMT's would look in my wallet for my I.D. & find this list.

**** The one & only PIN # that I never forget, probably because it's the same one I've used since . . . none of your business.

Criminal Minds

Also from OWH (7/11):  "Steal a rock from Gettysburg & risk the wrath of its curse . . . " [I've been to this site once--a side trip while attending a Hill Family Summer Reunion in Virginia. As a Civil War buff, I was awe-struck, but also frustrated, since I didn't get to spend nearly as much time there as I would have liked . . . Where was I? Oh, yeah . . . Not to worry about any curse on me {I can't speak for the rest of the Hill family.} "Take only pictures. Leave only foot prints." That's my motto. * ]

* I can neither confirm nor deny that one of The Sisters has a Civil War-era cannon in her front yard.

Food for Thought

Ditto OWH (8/17): "Coffee make you too jittery? There's a green alternative. Matcha tea has been touted as a superfood because it's high in antioxidants & vitamins. But most who drink it have a simpler mission:  It's their morning cuppa. A majority of Americans drink at least one caffeinated beverage per day, but the side effects can be pleasant . . . For those people, (Vandana Sheth, a registered dietician for 18 yrs), recommends trying matcha. Matcha is green tea leaves crushed into a fine, electric green powder. Whisk the powder into warm or hot water, & it dissolves into a frothy drink . . . A normal serving of matcha contains less caffeine than coffee, around 70 mg compared w/coffee's 100 mg . . . " [Electric? Frothy? This is heresy . . . & I'll bet money that it's trendy among . . . wait for it . . . Millennials!]

Wonderful Wide World of Wacky Celebrities

Ditto (8/22):  "'Brady' star makes huge profit selling house she bout at 11. Jan may have always played second fiddle to older sister Marcia on 'The Brady Bunch,' but she may be tops when it comes to real estate investing . . . actress Eve Plumb, who played Jan on the 1970s sitcom, has sold a Malibu beach house for $3.9 million, 47 years after buying it for $55,300 in 1969, when she was 11 years old." [I always felt sorry for Jan.]

There Is No Place Like . . . 

Vermont?

From Sioux City Journal (8/10):  "Oxen help move historic school house to original site. With dozens of oxen leading the way, a historic schoolhouse has been relocated to the original spot where a prominent African-American scholar & legislator was once its schoolmaster . . . The 105-ton timber-frame school building was moved MON up a hill by an engine on the back of a barge-like rolling platform that filled both lanes of the narrow country road. The 44 oxen, well, they were there more for show & to give the 900 or so onlookers a feel of what it might have been like to move the house back in the day." [I can neither confirm nor deny that 11 of those onlookers were members of P.E.T.O. * ]

* People for the Ethical Treatment of Oxen

Minnesota?

From Minneapolis Star Tribune (6/5):  "We call it invasive; they call it lunch. A herd of goats is blissfully living in Purgatory. That is, in Minnetonka. The 22 goats are feasting away this summer on buckthorn & garlic mustard at Purgatory Park, part of the west metro suburb's experiment to see if the voracious creatures can help combat the spread of invasive species." [You say that this excerpt is dated? I say that news about goats is NEVER dated." * ]

* I also say that this is MY blog.

Political Whimsey or Whimsy *

Re:  "She-Who-Should-Be-A-Convicted-Felon"

"As has been confirmed for the umpteen-billionth time this week, SWSBACF is corrupt & deceitful. She & her husband operate as if they are some medieval royal family, above the petty rules & customs that govern the little people. It's why I've been calling them the Medicis of the Ozarks for so long. If you don't think they are aloof, entitled graspers & grifters, it's probably because you haven't been paying attention . . . " **
* Either spelling is acceptable, according to dictionary.com.
** SOURCE:  From my favorite partisan pundit's column, "Hillary's Advantage: She's Boring, No Shocking," via Drudge report on 8/12, also posted on 8/12.

Re:  "He-Who-Is-Not-Boring" 

"HWINB is not boring. It's possible to love him or hate him, but nobody can be indifferent to him. When you drive past a part of town that has been blighted & run down all your life, you don't slow down to look at it. But if an 18-wheeler loaded w/bovine manure jackknifes on the highway, sending the cargo in all directions, whether you're horrified or amused, you've just gotta slow down to take a gander. This rubber-necking magnetism largely explains HWINB's primary victories, but it also explains his probable general election defeat. Enough primary voters loved the spectacle, but general election voters are apt to recoil at such a spectacle in the Oval Office." *
* SOURCE:  From my favorite partisan pundit's column, "Hillary's Advantage: She's Boring, No Shocking," via Drudge report on 8/12, also posted on 8/12.

Dept. of Cause & Effect

From Norfolk Daily News (8/18):  "Target cuts outlook & profit forecast. Target Corp. cut its profit forecast & a key sales outlook WED as it saw fewer customers in its stores & acknowledged it didn't push the 2nd part of its 'Expect More, Pay Less' slogan."

From OWH (8/20):  "Amid policy backlash, Target to add single-stall restrooms. Target is preparing to spend $20 million in coming months to add single-stall bathrooms in its stores, the company said this week. The move is meant to accommodate shoppers concerned about the retailer's policy of allowing customers & employees to use the bathroom that corresponds to the gender they identify with. 'Some of our guests clearly are uncomfortable w/our policy, & some are really supportive," Cathy Smith, Target's CFO, said during a conference call w/reports." [Allow me to rephrase Ms. Smith's comments for her:  "Some are really supportive . . . a gazillion are uncomfortable & are staying away from our stores in droves."] 

BONUS FEATURE:  Dept. of Secret Conversations!

SETTING:  Conference room at major, mainstream media office.
CNN: Gentlemen, the question remains, have we done enough damage control over our POTUS' ill-advised vacation at the expense of the massive flood catastrophe in Louisiana?
CBS:  What was he thinking?
ABC:  Remember how we laid into George W. for his fly-over after Katrina?
NBC:  Some of our finest investigative journalism!
ALL:  Hear! Hear!
MSNBC:  He should have been impeached!
CNN:  What are you even doing here? Get us some coffee . . . & pastries. Lots of pastries.
CBS:  Well, at least he finally made it to Baton Rouge & promised massive federal assistance.
ABC:  But not before HWINB beat him to the punch.
NBC:  Shut your mouth!
ALL:  A cynical, strategic, campaign ploy!
MSNBC: (while handing out coffee & pastries) Nothing more than a photo-op!
ALL:  Shut up!

A Mental Health Melt-Down + Bonus Devotional Thoughts

mental health MON 8/22

Update re:  Paul . . . Yes, Sometimes * It's All About Me . . . 

Several weeks ago I was blogging that I thought I was beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel . . . beginning to see myself climbing out of a depressive state which began around early April . . . a depressive state that was lingering . . . & I just couldn't seem to get on top of it.

Well, here's the thing . . . Yesterday I had what a non-medical health professional might describe as a "mental meltdown." ** I had big expectations for the day, but even before church ended . . . even while I was doing my grocery shopping before returning home . . . the signs were there.

• Pigging out on two--count 'em--two frosted cinnamon rolls, compliments of Hy-Vee. [My fault, not theirs; an impulse buy . . . still my fault.]
• Buying an Aunt Jemima microwaveable breakfast, also from Hy-Vee. [Their scrambled egg, meat, & hash brown breakfasts fall within my acceptable carb limit for any meal. Pancakes w/sausage + a dousing of regular pancake syrup? Not so much . . . And if Lois is seeing this for the first time . . . True confession time . . . & I am truly sorry that I let you down on multiple counts yesterday.]
• Then I basically crashed on the living room sofa for the rest of the afternoon.
• My personal accomplishments for the day? {1} Getting caught up on newspapers. {2} Clipping some newspaper articles for future blogs. {3} Getting a load of towels started in the washer. {4} Taking Sammy for a relatively short walk after Lois & I finished watching 3 previous episodes of MARVEL: Agents of Shield, which--by the way--only added to my demoralization. ***

* Sadly. I'm not proud of this.
** I would also characterize MYSELF as a "non-medical health professional."
*** I think that last season's NCIS is ready, which should cheer me up, because the good guys almost always win.

Lessons to take-away from my "mental meltdown" on SUN 8/23...maybe?

• Even when things seem to be sailing--or even gliding--along smoothly, a day of regression every once-&-awhile is to be expected.
• A "day of regression" doesn't necessarily signal a major relapse.
• Having said that, I am telling you--as part of my "blogging for self-therapy" regimen--that I am at least mildly anxious that I am on the precipice of a regression.

Why do I think that I might be on the precipice of a regression?

1. I am in a continued "difference of opinion" w/my insurance company--NOT CPS, just to clarify--re:  my health benefits. Until this "difference of opinion" is settled, I will continue to be w/o health coverage, which means paying out-of-pocket costs for some absolutely necessary & very expensive prescriptions, along w/some absolutely necessary doctors' & therapist apps. *
2. Technically, although my lifestyle most resembles that of someone in early retirement, ** I am technically not retired yet. 
3. However, my current status will most likely necessitate early retirement by NOV-DEC 2016. That is coming up all-too-quickly.
4. A side of me welcomes this development, because it will help me achieve a certain measure of closure. On the other hand, it creates another set of anxieties. *** I hope you will continue to pray for me.

* I am sincerely sorry, because I know that some of you hassle with this day-in & day-out, while I have generally been blessed w/a wonderful health plan.

** Although it's technically none of your business, for the sake of transparency, I turn 64-years-old in JAN.

*** O "me" of little faith. ****
**** Matt. 8:26, very loosely paraphrased according to PVLPT *****
***** Paul's Very Loosely Paraphrased Translation

A spiritual digression . . . for what it's worth

If you also suffer from chronic, clinical depression, I think you can relate to the following. It is ALWAYS tempting to see any depressive regression, episode, cycle, whatever also as a spiritual lapse, weakness, failure, whatever . . . and it may very well be that.
      I think there's plenty of empirical proof that there is an organic element to clinical depression. It follows that original sin--deeply rooted in our DNA from the time of Adam & Eve's sinful fall * --means that a whole host of physical & mental disorders also have organic roots. 
     So it's a good reminder for me to fall on the grace & mercy of Jesus Christ . . . & I hope you can find yourself also falling on His grace & mercy . . . because nothing else compares to promises like these from Holy Scripture:

• "But He [Christ] said to me [St. Paul], 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will all the more boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me." (2 Cor. 12:9)
• "All things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28; also part of our wedding text)

And how would you know that you are called according to God's purpose? Well, if you believe that Jesus is your Lord & Savior . . . if you believe that you are forgiven & have salvation through Him . . . You can be assured that He called you to be His son or daughter even before He created the world. That's a Truth from Scripture that I'm going to make you search for yourself!

* Oh, c'mon . . . You & I would have made the same choice. After all, the Garden of Eden was perfect . . . & that fresh fruit would have looked so tempting!

Reasons to be cheerful + optimistic + upbeat

• I think I already told you that we made a side-trip to Trader Joe's a couple of weekends ago while we were in Omaha for FishFest. [More on that in just a moment.] We love Trader Joe's, so we stocked up. Lois & I are both pretty adventurous when it comes to exotic, ethnic food, so I bought a microwaveable entree--Trader Joe's Lamb Vindaloo...Lamb in Spicy Curry Sauce w/Basmati Rice--which I microwaved for lunch today. It was delicious, albeit "Spicy," in keeping w/the "warning" on the package. 
• FishFest, which we attended at the Ralston Arena two Sundays ago, is billed as the "state's largest Christian fest," according to the Omaha World Herald "Go" Magazine." My favorite performance was by Matt Maher, & my favorite selection was "On My Way." A scripturally-sound lyric from the song, which I think expresses a scripturally sound hope:  "Can a dead man come back to life? Can a dead man come back to life? Well, this I know, I'm only alive, because of a man they call Jesus Christ! I'm a dead man walking, come back to life!" Fun facts re: Matt Maher:  He's Roman Catholic {but his wife is not}, & also serves as a worship leader.

Quotation from Brene' Brown *

"We don't need love & belonging & story-catching from everyone in our lives, but we need it from at least one person. If we have that one person or that small group of confidants, the best way to acknowledge these connections is to acknowledge our worthiness." (p. 47)

*SOURCE:  The Gifts of Imperfection, Hazelden (2010).

Reasons to be anxious . . . concerned . . . stressed? *

Taglines from Drudge Report (8/22) . . . I didn't bother to read the articles.

• "SUNNI ETREMISTS INFILTRATING USA...CROSING BORDER WITH EASE . . . "
• "WOMEN 'genetically programmed to have affairs' . . . "
• "NKorea threatens to turn USA into 'heap of ashes' . . . "
• "Chilling ISIS video calls on killers to replicate Nice terror attack . . . " [I would be even more stressed if we hadn't been reassured that we're dealing w/the junior varsity.]

From Lincoln Journal Star (8/19):  "Naked Trump statues greet 5 cities. A stark likeness of Republican presidential candidate "He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named" appeared on a Los Angeles street early THU morning--& boy, is it unflattering. It has a large pot belly, exaggerated varicose veins, a saggy butt, an expression that the artist described as a 'constipated scowl' & other unenviable features." [Two things that stressed me about this item:  {1} Obvious media bias, combined w/no statues apparently representing "She-Who-Should-Be-a-Felon." {2} Possibility of "stark likenesses" of the Democratic presidential candidate showing up in ANY cities.]

* May I remind you that it's NOT necessarily a good idea to search out reasons to be anxious, concerned and/or stressed when there are plenty of these items that will fall our way naturally w/o any extra effort on our part? Well, there . . . I just reminded you.

God's Word vs. human words

Walking in the Truth

Today's Truth from Scripture

Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony . . . and many more believed because of His word." John 4:39, 41

Devotional thoughts from Martin Luther *

"If only God would grant that my interpretation & that of all teachers would perish & that every Christian himself would take for himself the pure Scripture & the clear Word of God. You can see from my babbling how immeasurably different God's Word is from human words, & how no man with all his words is able sufficiently to attain to & elucidate a single Word of God. It is an infinite Word that must be grasped & contemplated with a quiet spirit, as the psalmist says, 'I will hear myself what God Himself speaks in me.' Psalm 85.8"

My devotional thoughts

• You are privileged to read devotional thoughts from a true Biblical scholar today.
• I am not a true Biblical scholar.
• Even Martin Luther disparages his own interpretation & teaching of Scripture in contrast to the actual Word of Scripture itself.
• Quiet time spent with God's Word, coupled with prayer informed by God's Word, has been & will continue to be indispensable to me on my faith walk.
• Did I mention quiet time? Quiet time is important . . . at least for one like me, who is easily distracted under the BEST of circumstances.
• It is dangerous to read God's Word with an agenda in mind.
• As the psalmist says, "I will hear myself what God Himself speaks in me."

* SOURCE:  Martin Luther Day by Day, Concordia Publishing House, edited by David Weinstock. [NOTE:  You don't have to be a Lutheran to appreciate these daily devotionals. I highly recommend it. Today's Scriptural Truth accompanied Luther's devotional thoughts. There is a daily scriptural truth & devotional for each day of the week.]

Today's prayer thought

Thank the Lord for His clear & holy Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit & proclaimed in the Bible. Ask Him to guide you in your quiet time, that you may grasp & contemplate it with a quiet spirit.

Missionary News

Lois & I have "adopted" two missionaries:  Pastor Stuart & Debra Freese, who are preparing to serve in Ghana & West Africa, probably beginning soon after the 1st of the year. They are spending their time now getting ready for this assignment, which includes raising support with the help of Gary Thies. Some of you know Gary from his work via Mission Central. [http://missioncentral.us/missioncentral/welcome] I have Stu & Deb's permission to share the following information with you.

• Email: debra.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Email:  stuart.freese@lcmsintl.org
• Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FreesesinAfrica/ (NOTE:  You don't need a Facebook account to view this page.)
• Website:  http://debrafreese.wix.com/freesesinafrica
• Giving Page:  http://www.lcms.org/freese

Fact Check Friday

After a long hiatus, I'm happy to begin posting intermittent "Fact Check Fridays." This is Nate Leckband, not Paul, writing this blog, so the view expressed therein and in the links below do not represent that of the owner of this blog.

Though I share many conservative values (Pro-life, pro-family, pro-states rights, pro-reasonable taxation), being a city dweller (though I'll admit a suburban city dweller) and as someone who's around a broader swath of humanity on a regular basis (no offense intended to the small town dwellers of the world) than the typical Norfolkian, I like to throw my two cents in every once in awhile, and, honestly, do some good-natured jabbing at some conservative viewpoints.

So, I thought I'd take this, the first of my Fact Check posts to explain how I came to a more liberal position in my faith and in my politics. My father has been trying to avoid too much in the depressing national political arena, so I'll do the same. Instead, I'll focus more on some "issues" in science, history, and theology.

First off, I'd like to comment a bit on bias. In my college journalism and writing classes, "Journalism 101," "Persuasive Writing on Contemporary Issues," and "Creative Writing (which included a piece of creative nonfiction mean to persuade)," we talked a lot about bias.

One thing my father and I definitely agree on is that media bias is not nearly as severe as it was in the past. Take a look back at journalism in the time of the U.S. Civil War, and you'll see that the political parties had their own newspapers, and being the editor of a newspaper was considered a position of political power. Imagine the horror now of having a political candidate and the editor of a major news outlet having a symbiotic relationship (and I know some people do think that's the case as MSNBC and CNN have a reputation for having a liberal bias, while Fox News has a reputation for a conservative bias).

I'll include a link at the end of this post if you'd like to further explore some of the history around bias in journalism, but let me get back to explaining my theological and political liberal bias, and get into what that bias means for my everyday life.

First, the theological bias. I was raised in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. All my education from preschool through high school, along with a good portion of my college education, took place in Lutheran schools. And I'm glad of it. I learned a lot not only about the faith statements and writings of the Missouri Synod and the historical Lutheran Church, but of the greater Christian Church, along with learning some about religious traditions outside the Christian Church.

Now, I'm a member of an Evangelical Lutheran Church, but it's been over a decade since I've called myself a Lutheran. Why? Well, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Corinth wrote, "For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" Read 1 Corinthians 1 for the context.

So, was Luther crucified for me? Was I baptized into the name of Luther? No and no. The second reason I've ceased to call myself a Lutheran, is the Lutheran Confessions. While The Book of Concord contains many insights into the Gospel, I believe that statement of the Confessions as a, "true ad faithful exposition of Scripture" goes too far, elevating the Confessions to a status near the Bible itself.

So, when someone asks me about my faith, I tell them I'm a Christian who goes to a Lutheran church (which, by the way, did not start as a Lutheran Church, but was brought into the Evangelical Lutheran Church after experiencing years of growth).

That's the short version of my Christian liberalism. I could go into much more details, but look at some links at the bottom of this post to explore my views further.

As for my political liberalism, living in the Minneapolis St. Paul metropolitan area, going to a  "liberal" Lutheran college, gave me a bit of a different outlook. I taught at an East African Magnet school in St. Paul, where the population was almost entirely from East Africa, and was made up of mainly Kenyans, Oromos, Ethiopians, and Somalians. Many student's parents were practicing Muslims, and the teenagers at the school were similar to what you'd see in a Christian school--varying degrees of practice and belief in the Islamic Faith.

This exposure, and seeing all hardships and resilience of these students heavily influenced my views on the Islamic faith and immigration policy. May of the students in a senior English class did their persuasive speeches on the danger of Boca Haram, a terrorist group in Africa.

As for my radical liberal positions such as universal health coverage, teaching evolution in the classroom, and same sex marriage, I'd need entire posts to cover those, but I'll leave some links for those interested.

So there you have it, my liberalism in a nutshell, though I'd really say I'm more moderate than truly liberal. I plan on voting this year for no one with an R or a D next to their names unless I absolutely have to.

Here's some further reading if you want more of an idea of my bias:

A Brief History of Media Bias: An interesting history of media bias along with the claim that the liberal media favors the Democratic Party--an interesting bias of the history considering the article doesn't mention news outlets besides the Associated Press.

Fact-checking Fox, MSNBC and CNN: PunditFact's network scorecards: Links of score cards given to major television news outlets rating their truthfulness.

Errantly assuming inerrancy in history: A conservative Christian breaks down the history of Biblical inerrancy.

Taking God at His Word: The Bible and Homosexuality: What does the Bible say about homosexuality?

Thanks for reading. Paul plans to do his weekly devotionals on SAT from now on.

Coffee News + Iowa + Bonus Features + Politics

whimsical wednesday

Wednesday Whimsey

I may have made my last visit to Starbucks on SUN 8/14. We were in Omaha for Fishfest. [SEE mental health MON 8/15 blog.] On Sunday we stopped at a mall so Lois could do some shopping. I went for a walk, then stopped at Starbucks for a dark roast coffee w/1/2 & 1/2; also a vanilla/almond biscotti. I was using up a gift card that I've been working on for maybe two years or more. I like Starbuck's coffee, especially their latte's, but I am boycotting them now because of their corporate support for legalizing same-sex marriage.   [I am NOT a hater.] *
* I may be a hypocrite, because I still "obtained" products there. I justified it to myself, because I was using a gift card that was purchased w/someone else's money . . . except now that I think about it, there wasn't quite enough left on the gift card to cover my products, so I had to spend another $2.15 of my own money. **
** Yes, now that I think of it, I am a hypocrite.

There Is No Place Like . . .  Iowa!?

Special State Fair Feature

From Omaha World Herald (8/8):  "Get set for concerts, midway--and bacon. As families gear up to send children back to school, the IA State Fair is getting ready for last-minute summer fun. The fair kicks off THU in Des Moines & ends SUN 8/21. The Grandstand, the fair's primary entertainment venue, will feature . . . the Newsboys . . . Jeff Dunham . . . Joan Jett & the Blackhearts . . . 
      "No state fair is complete without food. The fair's line-up will feature 26 new items this year, including fried cheddar bacon cheese on a stick, bacon friend in funnel cake batter & Hawaiian pineapple bowls, which are half pineapples filled with rice, pineapple & a choice of meat . . . "  [Why promote the Iowa State Fair? {1} My family has roots in Iowa. {2} Newsboys & Jeff Dunham . . . "I keel you!" {3} Food items.]

From Des Moines Register (8/10):  "Legacy of lawn parking endures near State Fair. This many shaggy lawns being mowed all at once in the neighborhoods around the IA State Fairgrounds is a sure sign that something strange is happening. I'm kidding:  I'm not here to crack jokes at the expense of the east side of Des Moines & its congenial folk who welcome an invasion by the rest of the state for 11 deep-friend days of summer. But the frantic lawn care is real, if only so all this neatly trimmed green grass can be smashed beneath thousands of car tires:  Preparation is nearly as palpable here as on the 445 acres of the fair-grounds proper . . . " [Neighborhoods cashing in on state fair parking? Capitalism at its finest. Do we live in a great country or what?!]

Also from OWH (8/17):  "Family was born for this game. "A woman stopped next to the red outhouse at the IA State Fair & read the words written on the side. The Real Deal. 'What's the real deal?' Jan B. asked a man standing near the small wooden structure. The man, who is in fact named Les Outhouse, then explained to Jan. B. what makes his family of outhouse racers the real deal.
      "On TUE, the IA Outhouse family--yes, that's their real last name--competed for the 3rd time in the annual outhouse races at the IA State Fair. The races have become a tradition for the family--an excuse to drop everything, come together & embrace their unique surname by earning it prestige on the racetrack. And, of course, making a few poop jokes along the way . . . One team is named 'Game of Thrones.'"  [Way more entertaining--in my humble opinion *--than a float w/a "She-Who-Should-Be-Convicted" look-alike inside a prison cage.]
* Maybe not so humble . . . you have the right to question my humility. We live in a great country, which I mentioned before . . . you know, Freedom of Speech . . . A country that has room for political floats AND outhouse races.]

On the Other Hand . . . 

Headlines from DMR-State Edition (8/10): 

• "Woman gets 15 years for IHOP shooting." [Didn't bother to read the article.]
• "Mom: Fight over pitcher of beer led to shooting." [Sorry, Iowa . . . If you're going to expect accolades from me, you better expect "On the Other Hand."]
• "Mom arrested after tot is alone, eating chicken." [I read far enough into the article to find out that the 2-year-old boy was left alone in the back yard, & he was eating RAW chicken.]

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BONUS:  Reading List

Here's what I wrote in my mental health MON 8/15 blog:  
From Norfolk Daily News (8/11):  "Library lists summer's honor readers. Norfolk Public Library's 2016 summer reading program, 'On Your Mark, Get Set...READ!' ended 7/29. A total of 1,890--1,224 females, 666 males--readers were registered . . . " [I am a reader. My wife is a reader. She mostly reads using e-devices. I'm an old-fashioned, hard-copy reader. I'm disappointed that females doubled-up the # of male readers; also mildly alarmed at the "666" reference. Maybe males, like me, were more apt to forget to register. Maybe males, like me, are more apt to read two newspapers per day, like me. In any case, I'm going to try to remember to publish a list of my summer reading selections in my next whimsical WED blog. [Can you stand the suspense? Will I actually remember?]

And here's the list of my summer reading selections, although I may have started--& finished--some of these books last spring while I was recuperating from my hip replacement. I didn't bother putting them in chronological order. 

• Battlefields of Nebraska:  I bought this book at the gift shop in the Lodge at Mahoney State Park while Lois & I spent a few days there with our grand-daughters. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I'm a fan of historical non-fiction, especially of The West, especially of Nebraska . . . & I learned a lot that I didn't know . . . for example, a major battle fought between Pawnees & Otos and a Spanish expedition in 1720, in a location very close to Columbus.
• Jurassic Park:  I picked this book up at a book sale to benefit the Norfolk Rescue Mission . . . seen the movie at least twice & may have read the book many years ago . . . mindlessly entertaining.
• The Gates of the Alamo:  Also picked up at the same book fair . . . it caught my attention because I had read--& thoroughly enjoyed--Lonesome Dove. It wasn't quite up to that caliber, but it was very enjoyable & a reading of the author's notes revealed that he had referenced very recent historical documents, which explained elements of his historical novel that differed from traditional accounts.
• Eighty-One Seconds:  This book chronicled the "Attack & Aftermath as Tornadoes Hit Pilger, Stanton, Wakefield & Wisner, Nebraska on 6/6/14" . . . fascinating because of the familiarity of the locations, events, & many of the names.
• A Rough Business:  Fighting the Civil War in Missouri:  I had bought this book at the visitors' center at the Battle of Lexington, MO, State Historical Site. I acquired it because it had information about partisan massacres by Bushwackers of German Lutherans in & around Concordia, MO, my hometown. Many of these victims were members of St. Lutheran Church--my home congregation. Two of the articles documented these massacres . . . describing details that differed markedly from accounts I had previously learned.
• The Dead Sea Scrolls:  My brother Mark loaned me this book, published by The History Channel, I think. I picked it up the weekend Lois & I were in Garrison, IA, joining with his dual congregations, as they celebrated his 20th year of ministry there. I knew virtually nothing besides the rudimentary accounts of how the scrolls were discovered. Plenty of intrigue! Very readable.
• A History of China:  This is the most recent book I've started. It will be a ponderous book to read, undoubtedly taking weeks to read. However, after reading only the first 27 pages--mostly the introduction--I've already learned things I did not know. Example:  the Great Wall of China is NOT contiguous, has been rebuilt as a "tourist attraction" in many locations, & was not necessarily built to deter invaders.  

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BONUS HOTEL REVIEW

Lois & I spent the night at the Holiday Inn Express Ralston Arena when we attended Fishfest on SAT 8/13. Here is my review, for which I received no remuneration or promotional considerations. CAVEAT:  If your reading this from the NDN web site, you probably aren't seeing my first attempt at using emoji's. Sorry IF this offends you.

• Towels:    😃😃😃😃😃 Luxurious . . . Only required one towel to completely dry off after shower.
• Shower:  😀😃😃😃😃 Excellent! Controls were NOT of the "hair trigger" variety, i.e., microscopic differences between ice cold & scalding hot settings; shower nozzle @ convenient height & comfortable spray settings.
• TV:  😗  Just not relevant anymore, because Lois & I typically are more interested in using our iPads or laptop for You Tube, weather, Drudge Report, NRO, etc. [Would have been nice to have such a plethora of kids' programming available when we were on the road w/kids!]
• Coffee maker in room:  😃😃😃😃😃  Excellent. Keurig. [Coffee at breakfast downstairs was also very good, so we were in good shape anyway.]
• "Lounge" chair:  😃😃😃😃  Adequate. At least it was an actual lounge chair & not a "table" chair, doubling as a lounge chair.
• King-size bed + pillows:  😃😃😃  Adequate. Pillows just plain lacked that "fluffy" factor & mattress was a little too firm.
• Clock-radio:  😟  Did not work. Fortunately, {1} we didn't need to set an alarm {2} we can always use our e-devices to set an alarm, if necessary. However, it's nice to wake up during the night & glance over to see the time w/o having to grab for a cell phone & check it out.
• Lamp & night-stand on both sides of bed:  😃😃😃😃😃  YES!
• Convenient electrical sockets:  😃😃😃😃😃  YES!
• Charge outlets:  😯 Missing. We are always prepared for this eventuality, so no big deal. However, it "smelled" like a relatively new hotel, so we were surprised that we couldn't find any plug-ins for charge cables to power cell phones or iPads.
• Breakfast:  😃😃😃😃😃  Excellent! Biscuits & gravy...Warm cinnamon rolls...Those two items were enough to garner 5 smilies. Scrambled eggs & sausage were available, which I should have chosen as a healthier alternative. My complaint about many hotel breakfasts is the lack of protein & preponderance of carbs. Oh, & there was also a pancake maker, which I've only seen at one other hotel. I did NOT, however, take advantage of it.

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Political Whimsey

Re:  "He-Who-Became-a-Sell-out"

From Norfolk Daily News (8/12):  "Lakefront home. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an advocate for the working people, has bought his 3rd house for nearly $600,000." [emphasis added]

Also from NDN (8/11):  "Colbert at debates. Stephen Colbert, who capitalized on the political conventions with live airings of his late-night show, will do the same for the presidential & vice-presidential debates."  [Stephen Colbert . . . fair & balanced.]

From USA Today (8/12):  "Cowboys Can't Wear Decals Supporting Police. The Dallas Cowboys' plan to use a helmet decal as a tribute to the 5 police officers killed in last month's attack was denied by the NFL, according to a published report."  [Because police lives don't matter.]

Re:  "She-Who-Should-Be-Convicted"

Also from OWH (8/11):  "State-foundation links seen in Clinton emails. Newly released emails from a top aide to Hillary Clinton show evidence of contacts between Clinton's State Dept. & donors to her family foundation & political campaigns . . . " [And I threw up a little in my mouth & stopped reading."]

Taglines from Drudge Report (8/12): [I didn't bother to read the articles.]

• "CLINTON CASH:  $238 MILLION SINCE LEAVING WH 'DEAD BROKE' . . . "
• "CNN FEELS ANTI-MEDIA RAGE . . . ANCHOR:  'We couldn't help Hillary any more than we already have' . . . "

Also via Drudge (8/15):  "HEALTH WATCH: Hillary Clinton's 'Erratic Behavior Raises Eyebrows." [I actually skimmed through this article, which was originally posted by "Heatstreet," also on 8/15.]

Re:  "He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named" *

• "Letting Trump Run Wild Exposes GOP's Lack of Principles." [JG via Drudge (8/12), originally posted 8/10.]
• "Hillary's Advantage:  She's Boring, Not Shocking." [Also JG via Drudge, 8/12].
• "Does Sean Hannity Want Hillary to Win." JG's weekly "news" letter, the G-File, posted 8/13, via Drudge (8/14.

* You'll have to track these down yourself if you want to read them.

Reasons for Anxiety...Optimism...Anxiety

Mental Health MON . . . Special TUE Edition

Lately I've been speculating that the depressive cycle that I seemed to begin in early April was showing signs of diminishing. Now over the past couple of weeks I feel like I'm teetering [tottering?] on a tight-rope [an example of alliterative prose for my fellow English majors], as I engage in a "conflict" w/an insurance carrier which has resulted in my temporary [I hope] loss of health insurance. Meanwhile, there are several medications I take that--if I let you read the fine print in the warning flyers that accompany them--provide documentation that it would be dangerous for me to stop taking them suddenly. Why? To quote from one such warning [actually, this is a paraphrase], "Do NOT stop taking this prescription abruptly without consulting your physician, as an immediate cessation of this medication could lead to seizures or [wait for it] DEATH!" [emphasis added]
      Being the immature Christian that I obviously am, please remember me in your prayers as I work through this turn of events. Among other things, I should be able to obtain "temporary" health benefits, but it may take a few weeks. In the meantime, I'll cover my prescriptions out of my own "rainy-day" fund, which I realize many of you already have to do. [I told you that I was an immature Christian. Need I remind you that I'm all about transparency? I hope you trust me when I tell you that I am NOT sharing this with you in a ploy to enlist your pity. I'm already pitiful enough.]

Reasons for Optimism?

In other blogs I've mentioned that Lois & I keep track of license plates. [Excuse me for not boring you * with the details of how this game is played.] 

• In 2014, we nabbed every state, although we didn't get the last one--Louisiana--until Dec. 29 or 30.
• In 2015, we came up one state short . . . New Hampshire.
• In 2016, as of today [TUE 8/16], we are missing Connecticutt, Hawaii, New Hampshire [What's wrong with those people?], Vermont. [For that matter, what's wrong with those people in New England?]

The reason for optimism?

1. Lois will be visiting our son & his family in Eagan, MN, over the Labor Day weekend, which could mean a trip to the M.O.A. . . . where there is always a good chance of sighting an alien license plate.
2. For reasons too tedious ** to explain, I will be at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island for at least part of Labor Day weekend; most likely in Lincoln, NE, & possibly at Indian Cave State Park in Southeast Nebraska later that same weekend. It goes without saying [but, since it's my blog, I'm saying it anyway] that there is always a good chance of sighting an alien license plate at the Nebraska State Fair or any Nebraska state park. Right?

* Actually, boring myself.
** For me.

More Reasons to Be Optimistic & Cheerful

FishFest

Lois & I were in Ralston--a suburb of Omaha--on SAT 8/13, attending FishFest. A super-sized seafood buffet? No . . . "the state's largest Christian fest," according to the Omaha World Herald (Go! Magazine, 8/11). We got to see these performers, some of whom you'll no doubt recognize. [I've annotated the list to give credit where credit is due, & I'll try to remember to include a special, bonus review in my next whimsical WED blog.]

• Jordan Feliz. Never heard of him. Lois, who listens to CCM on the radio a lot, thought she had heard at least one of his songs.
• 7eventh Time. Never heard of them. Lois was familiar with them. Yes, I spelled the band's name correctly.
• The Afters. Lois had never heard of them either, but after hearing some of their songs, she recognized them from CCM radio.
• Lauren Daigle. We saw her perform along w/Big Daddy Weave at the DeVent Center, earlier in 2016 or later in 2015.
• Matt Maher. He's my favorite. I've been watching his live performances endlessly on You Tube AND listening to his music which Lois downloaded for me on my iPhone. My car has Blue Tooth technology, so while I don't listen frequently to CCM radio, I do listen frequently to my Christian CD's & my Christian play-list off my iPad or iPhone.
• Building 429. "I'm Not Home Yet." Near the top of my list of current, favorite CCM songs.

From Parade Magazine (8/14), quoting Indiana Governor Mike Pence: "A good teacher makes all the difference. We can all think of a teacher that changed our lives--someone who saw more in us than we saw in ourselves. For me it was Sister Rachel & Mrs. Fisher. Too often we don't invest enough in our teachers & allow them to lead as reformers. After all, they have dedicated their lives to education, & we should do more to unleash their creativity & expertise." [KUDO's to some of my former teachers:  Larry Noack, 7th grade teacher; Rick Gove, high school counselor, coach, p.e. teacher; Roger Hohenstein & James Nelesen, college writing professors . . . just to name a few.]

From Omaha World Herald (8/15):  "Turnpike officials reuniting lost teddy bear with boy . . . The New Jersey Turnpike is reuniting a NY boy w/the teddy bear that he lost on a road trip to NC . . . the 12-year-old's mother . . . tweeted that the bear was missing when the family reached the Outer Banks of NC on 8/6. She said the family had stopped at one of the turnpike's service areas & the bear likely fell out while her husband sorted belongings . . . The staff at the Clara Barton Service Area . . . found the bear . . . The authority is mailing the bear." [I will never grumble about turnpike employees again.]

From Norfolk Daily News (8/11):  "Library lists summer's honor readers. Norfolk Public Library's 2016 summer reading program, 'On Your Mark, Get Set...READ!' ended 7/29. A total of 1,890--1,224 females, 666 males--readers were registered . . . " [I am a reader. My wife is a reader. She mostly reads using e-devices. I'm an old-fashioned, hard-copy reader. I'm disappointed that females doubled-up the # of male readers; also mildly alarmed at the "666" reference. Maybe males, like me, were more apt to forget to register. Maybe males, like me, are more apt to read two newspapers per day, like me. In any case, I'm going to try to remember to publish a list of my summer reading selections in my next whimsical WED blog. [Can you stand the suspense? Will I actually remember?]*
* And how's this for a little "snappier" slogan:  "Avoid TV Greed . . . Heed the Need for Reading Need." Norfolk Public Library, you have my permission to use it.]

Reasons for depression . . . sadness . . . anxiety?

Also from OWH (4/25):  "Critics say service dogs may mire veterans in PTSD." [Seriously? I skimmed through this article, which is dated already, so when I'm in Lincoln later this week, visiting my daughter & grand-daughters, I'll solicit her opinion, since she has a Masters' in psychology & is a licensed mental health practitioner, working in a private practice [doing more than just practicing, I assume.]

Ditto OWH (8/9):  "Teens suffering from 'text neck'. Think your kid's posture is starting to suffer because he or she is always looking down at a cellphone? It is, according to a national chain of physical therapy clinics, which reports that more teens than ever are complaining of 'text nick,' or back & neck pain that can only be explained by the strain on the body caused by constant viewing of hand-held technology." [I have what I consider to be good friends--at least for now--who are members of the PT community, so I'd rather not suspect them of colluding w/the text phone industry in seeking a partnership that could be lucrative for both professions.]

Taglines from the Drudge Report (8/12)...I didn't bother to read the articles. *

• "Russia deploys advanced missile system to Crimea . . . "
• "Muslims Threaten CA Church w/'Allahu Akbar' During Mass . . . " 
• "ISIS Waiting in Mexico . . . "
• "Satanist Gives Invocation at Alaska Assembly Mtg . . . " [Well, after all, in today's culture, we're not haters."

Also from Drudge Report (8/14) *

• "OBAMA: Much more to do on 'climate change' . . . " [Two words:  "executive orders."]
• "Too Much TV--Cuts Sperm Count?" [I post this out of anxiety for my son, sons-in-law, & nephews. I'm just sayin'.]

Ditto Drudge Report (8/15) *

• "MORE MILWAUKEE UNREST...WALKER SENDS IN NATIONAL GUARD...BURN DOWN 'THEIR SUBURBS...VIDEO:  Agitators hurl gay slurs at police . . . " [Question: When are gay slurs not considered gay slurs by progressives? When they are hurled by agitators at police. I'm just sayin'.] 
• "Russia building dozens of underground nuclear command bunkers . . . "
• "FARMERS' ALMANAC PREDICTS 'ICE COLD' WINTER . . . " [If global climate change means global warming, we should be OK. If global climate change is responsible for a predicted "ice cold" winter . . . since it seems to be responsible for ALL extreme weather events . . . oops, I just remembered. I really shouldn't be checking out the Drudge Report regularly, due to my general anxiety disorder. 

* Fearing that reading the entire articles would add to my general anxiety disorder.

Two Caveats

1. If you read my blog off the link from the Norfolk Daily News, you don't get all my special features:  color, typefaces, headings, links, etc. If you want ALL those special features, you have to follow my blog another way. [NDN remains my favorite daily newspaper, Kent.]
2. I don't seem to get a lot of comments from the Daily News link. Is it because--as one of my crack team of blog consultants advises me--my self-indulgence, lack of self-restraint, & constant use of footnotes & asides are too distracting & annoying? Or is it because my picture on the blog site isn't as attractive or stately looking as Sharon Randall's, Diane Becker's, Lee Hulm's, or others? I'm just sayin'.