Happy Halloween . . . NO! Reformation!!

      WALKING IN THE REFORMATION TRUTH 

Today’s Scriptural Truth

“Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.” Revelation 14:6

“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

. . . Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”  Romans 3:21-24, 27-28                          

“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ They answered Him, ‘We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?’

“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’”  John 8:31-36

Today’s devotional thoughts

      Ordinarily, today should be a mental health MON blog. If I was simply reverting to the ordinary, I would be sharing something EXTRAordinary. Today is the 46^th anniversary of my first date with the love of my life. More on that tomorrow . . . On with some devotional thoughts . . .

I felt that today being the 499^th anniversary of The Reformation, in order to be true to my Lutheran roots, I should share some devotional thoughts about The Reformation. Here they are.

      Lutherans do NOT observe Reformation out of reverence for Martin Luther.

      Martin Luther was a monk who—when he posted his 95 theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg—considered himself to be a loyal member of the Holy Christian Church . . . the ONE Holy Christian Church at that time.

      He believed that he had discovered some serious doctrinal errors that Church leaders would be delighted to have him point out.

      He was wrong.

      Lutherans celebrate Reformation because we believe that the Holy Spirit used passages like the one in Romans above to illuminate Martin Luther’s mind with the Truth.

One More Truth from Scripture

“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith—and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

And one (or two) more devotional thoughts

      And I think it would be a Lutheran thing to let Scripture take up more space than my devotional thoughts.

      And I also think that you don’t have to be Lutheran to celebrate The Reformation.

Today’s Prayer *

“Though all our life is like a scroll Unrolled with blemished pages;

Though sin has shredded what was whole And death is now our wages;

Yet here we stand in confidence, With Jesus as our sole defense,

For He alone still saves us.

“Though pompously we try to dress In costumes of our making;

Though fig leaves of self-righteousness Are futile and heart-breaking;

Yet filthy rags Christ gladly wore So we would perish nevermore.

His grace alone still clothes us.

“Though earth’s deep waters foam and roar As surging waves are rolling;

Though all the nations rage with war While bells of doom are tolling;

Yet God gives peaceful fortitude, He nurtures us with Heaven’s food.

True faith alone still anchors.

“Though critics cut out Scripture’s claims And treat them with derision;

Though they conduct their hostile aims With scalpels of suspicion;

Yet how the living, two-edged sword Proclaims the dead and risen Lord!

God’s Word alone:  still truthful.

“Now sing a high doxology To God who gives salvation.

Both here and in eternity Let this be our vocation.

To Father, Son, and Spirit raise A symphony of grateful praise,

For He alone is worthy.”

* SOURCE:  “Though All Our Life Is Like a Scroll” [Sermon hymn printed in Grace Lutheran Church bulletin, SUN 10/30/16]

A Non-Partisan Devotional

walking in the truth

Today's Truth from Scripture

"Save us, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, the tongue that makes great boasts, those who say, 'With our tongue we will prevail, our lips are with us; who is master over us?' 
      "'Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise,' says the Lord; 'I will place him in the safety for which he longs.'
      "The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times. You, O Lord, will keep them; You will guard us from this generation forever. On every side the wicked prowl, as vileness is exalted among the children of man."  Psalm 12

Some devotional thoughts for today

I hesitated before writing this devotional, although these thoughts have been heavy on my heart for some time. I hesitated because:

1. I can tend to get a little preachy. [No! Seriously!]
2. Some who know me also suspect that I am partisan [No! Seriously!], despite the title of this entry.
3. This scripture could easily be taken to heart by either or any partisan position & applied to the other. I pray that this is not so.

Would you agree with me that most of us are really, really sick of this election season? Would you agree that there have been plenty of reasons to take offense at words & actions of both political parties & their presidential candidates? Would you agree that many will make their choice--not based on whom they think is the best choice but on whom they think is the lesser of two evils?

Well, it really doesn't matter what you or I think, because, on the morning after the election, the sun will still come up. Contrary to partisan punditry, Armageddon will not be brought about regardless of which candidate is elected. [As we approach the the last few Sundays of the Church Year, & if you attend a church that follows the traditional readings for these last few Sundays, take note of Biblical prophecies of the End Times. You want scary prophecies? You'll hear scary prophecies!]

No matter who is elected, promises won't get kept. Expectations won't be met. Hopelessness & helplessness will prevail. Depression & gloom will likely be the order of the day.

Uh, shouldn't you be reading something uplifting by now? Yes, you should. But instead of more Paul Leckband's devotional thoughts, how about . . . 

More Truth from Scripture

"Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish
     "Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.
     "The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked.
      "The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord."  Psalm 146:3-10

Final devotional thoughts

• God's plan for salvation embraces far more than salvation from political & secular strife.
• As believers, "our hope is found in nothing less than Jesus blood & righteousness." [My bad...I can't remember the hymn reference.]
• Compared to the creative powers of the Creator, what can any political leader or party possibly construct that comes close to the majesty of our Lord?
• No matter the results on Election Day, don't expect much lasting relief for the oppressed, the hungry, the foreigner, the fatherless, the widow . . . unless the relief comes from our Savior . . . 
• . . . Who sets prisoners free from the tyranny of Sin & Satan & Death . . . 
• . . . Who gives sight to those blinded by so much earthly garbage.
• Ultimately, we will see evil frustrated, although we may not live to see it in this earthly life.
• Why? Because Republicans won't reign forever. Democrats won't reign forever . . . 
• Only Jesus Christ will reign forever. And for that we say . . . 

PRAISE THE LORD! 

Today's Prayers *

• Prayer for Good Government:  Eternal Lord, Ruler of all, graciously regard those who have been set in positions of authority among us that they may be guided by Your Spirit, be high in purpose, wise in counsel, firm in good resolution, and unwavering in duty, that under them we may be governed quietly and peaceably; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
• Prayer for Responsible Citizenship:  Lord, keep this nation under Your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth. Help us provide trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and thus serve You faithfully in our generation to the honor of Your holy name; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
• Prayer for Our Country:  Almighty God, You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Make us who came from many nations with many different languages a united people. Defend our liberties, and give those whom we entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful; and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

* SOURCE:  Lutheran Worship, Concordia Publishing House (1982).

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 traveling to spread the word about their mission work in Africa & 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

In their most recent e-newsletter, their prayer list included:

> The people of Ghana & West Africa

> The pastors & workers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana

> All missionaries world wide

> God's grace & mercy to spread throughout all nations

> Stu & Deb as they travel, sharing the news about God's work in Ghana & the rest of West Africa

Offensive Costumes...PETA + Bacon...End of Civilization

WED Whimsy . . . Brought to You on FRI

From Lincoln Journal Star (10/18):  "'Offensive' costumes back on shelves. 'Queen of the Tribe,' 'Noble Warrior' & other Native costumes are bak on store shelves at Spirit Halloween Headquarters--following a mandate from its corporate office, according to a local store manager . . . " [Follow-up below.]

Also from LJS (10/22):  "Costumes:  Fun or culturally insensitive. If local controversy over selling Native American Halloween costumes has done anything, it has revealed the disconnect between what people see as 'fun' & others see as culturally insensitive . . ." [With the 500th anniversary of the Reformation coming in 2017, don't be surprised to see Martin Luther "monk" haircut wigs on the shelves next year . . . ] *
* You may have to Google "Martin Luther" in order to understand this reference. Look for a picture of him nailing his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

Also from LJS (10/27):  "PETA seeks highway memorial for pigs. Group wants people to remember pigs that died in truck crash. It's an unusual message for a roadside memorial: 'Try Vegan.' People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has asked Nebraska roads officials for permission to install a tombstone along U.S. 30 near Blair on behalf of at least 33 pigs killed in a crash there last week. A truck hauling the hogs to slaughter overturned Oct. 20, at a roundabout just south of town . . . PETA wants people to remember the pigs . . . "

DEPT. OF IMAGINARY PRESS CONFERENCES

Spokesperson:  I've called this press conference as a spokesperson for PETA. Media rep: You represent People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals? PETA spokesperson:  Heaven's no! I represent People for the Eating of TASTY Animals. Media: Wait...What? PETA: We're asking Nebraska Highway officials to let erect a tombstone for us, as well. Our marker will read, "Try Bacon."

Settled Science

Taglines from Drudge Report (10/17): 

• "Officials warn of 'long overdue' solar storm, EMP flare dangers . . . Could 'end modern civilization as we know it' . . . " [That's right. You read it here first . . . The Sun is ultimately going to be responsible for the global climate change that WILL "end modern civilization as we know it."]
• "Climate activists Seek to Redefine What Hurricane Is 'So We'll Have More of Them' . . . " [I can neither confirm nor deny that climate activists were bitterly disappointed that our East Coast didn't suffer the same devastation as our neighbors in the Caribbean.] *

* Response from climate activists:  "That is blatantly unfair." **

** Response from Cornhusker State Blog: Duh.  

O Say, Can You . . . 

From Omaha World Herald, column by John Crisp (9/8):  "Kaepernick's protest worthy of respect. I decline to take a position on whether SF 49ers backup QB Colin Kaepernick, by refusing to stand during the national anthem, has chosen the most productive way to focus attention on our nation's failure, after all these years, to evolve into a genuinely race-blind society. But, really, it doesn't matter what I think. A fellow citizen has chosen a form of speech that is clearly protected by the 1st Amendment to make a point that deserves attention. Some might prefer that he keep quiet, but, in fact, he has reminded us of our unfinished racial business more powerfully than he might have by any other method. And he had to exercise courage to do it . . . "

1. At least Mr. Kaepernick takes a position, albeit a kneeling one, unlike Mr. Crisp, which is totally indicative of a particular value-free mindset in our culture.
2. It really doesn't matter what you think? THAT'S when I should have stopped reading.
3. Yes, this is a clearly protected form of Free Speech . . . 
4. . . . which begs the question of whether it is a RATIONALE form of Free Speech.
5. Given that Mr. K is playing in an extremely racially-integrated, major sports venue . . . 
6. Protected by "color-blind" law enforcement in the face of potentially thousands of spectators who may NOT be as politically sensitive & enlightened as Mr. K . . . 
7. In front of a flag defended by thousands of men & women, many of whom have sacrificed their bodies & sometimes paid the ultimate sacrifice for men like Mr. K to practice his Free Speech in the manner in which he chooses. I'm just sayin'. 

From OWH, column by Steve Grasz (9/29):  "Rose-Ivey offers a lesson in civics. Every Nebraskan should be grateful for the controversy created by UNL FB player Michael Rose-Ivey. This is true not because they should condone or agree w/his actions but because of the civic learning opportunity presented. This is a chance for all of us to engage in some critical thinking & reflection on the laws protecting our most basic constitutional rights. First, there are some basic concepts that need to be understood. Rose-Ivey has a constitutional right not to participate in honoring our flag or our country. In fact, he has a heightened constitutional right in the state of Nebraska not explicitly found in the 1st Amendment.

      "The Nebraska Constitution expressly protects 'the rights of conscience.' The Nebraska Bill of Rights states, 'nor shall any interference w/the rights of conscience be permitted. . . . " [I would hope that in our States' schools, both public & private, a conversation is happening which ESPECIALLY includes lessons in civics AND critical thinking skills.]

Also from OWH (10/11):  "Athletes' anthem protests 'dumb & disrespectful,' Ginsburg says. 

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has called the protests of FB players who decline to stand for the national anthem 'dumb & disrespectful.' In a wide-ranging interview posited MON on Yahoo. Ginsburg said she had the same opinion about flag-burning.

      "'I think it's a terrible thing to do, but I wouldn't lock a person up for doing it,' she said. 'I would point out how ridiculous it seems to me to do such an act.'" [RBG thinks it seems ridiculous??? Wait...What?!]

Also from OWH (10/15):  "Ginsburg, once again, says she regrets sounding off. For the 2nd time in recent months, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg voiced regret for unwisely sounding off in an interview. On FRI, the liberal justice said she should not have denounced NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick's silent protests during the national anthem as 'dumb' & 'disrespectful.'

      "'Barely aware of the incident or its purpose, my comments were inappropriately dismissive & harsh.' Ginsburg said in a brief statement issued FRI afternoon. 'I should have declined to respond.'"  [Whew . . . You had me worried there for a day or two, RBG.] *
* I can think of 1 or 2, maybe a gazillion SCOTUS decisions where I wish she would have declined to respond.

From Norfolk Daily News (10/17):  "Singers question anthem. "Grammy-winning R & B singer Anthony Hamilton has sung the national anthem. Don't ask him to sing it in the near future . . . "  [I have a feeling that few if any invitations to sing the Anthem will be forthcoming for Mr. Anthony in the near future. I'm just sayin.']

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

My niece Lia, who attends FSU in Tallahassee [I don't hold her responsible. I blame her parents.], reported yesterday that she was the victim of PPP ** . Years ago we had to stop displaying pumpkins in our neighborhood in Norfolk, because the aforementioned PPPers would snatch pumpkins OFF PRIVATE PROPERTY & smash them in the street. 
     My daughter Sarah would put pumpkins on her front steps in Lincoln, but due to the plethora of squirrels scampering around the vicinity, due to the plethora of oak trees & acorns, she has had to give up this tradition, as well, because the varmints have a taste for these gourds. ***

* Grumpy Old Men & Their Elucidating Rants
** Perverse Pumpkin Purloiners
*** FYI:  Squirrels rank just barely above PPPers. ****
**** Reformation Trivia:  Although Martin Luther did, in fact, originate the tradition of the Christmas Tree ["Good Ol' Martin Luther" *****], he did NOT, contrary to some fanciful Germanic legends, originate the tradition of Halloween pumpkins.
***** Another possibly obscure reference unless you are an alumni of St. Paul's High School in Concordia, MO.

Whimsy...Retirement Plans...BLAH, BLAH, BLAH

SPECIAL THU EDITION of whimsical WED

Why am I ticked off? I'm glad you asked? Because the blatant hypocrisy of the mainstream media--not to mention "She-Who-Should-Be-Indicted-By-Now" BFF * has forced me to post items that some may misconstrue as my support for "He-Whom+I-Have-Not-Endorsed." No, I have NOT endorsed HWIHNE, & some of my items below will lend credibility to my assertion . . . but first I choose to post some other WED Whimsy a day late on THU. **
* That would be "Blind Faith Followers", not "Best Friends Forever" 
** Because after all, it's my blog.

A Faithful Companion Update

I don't think I've posted much about my dog Sammy lately, so here goes. Today I took him for a stroll around Mahoney Park in Northeast Lincoln--a favorite destination when Lois & I lived in Lincoln from 1980-1993, especially when our kids were growing up. We visited playgrounds & softball fields, but I don't recall ever walking the entire length of the hiker biker trail around the park.
      In the last 10-11 years, since Sarah moved back to Lincoln, we've continued to visit Lincoln & we've continued to visit Mahoney Park, particularly taking the grand-kids to the playgrounds. Yet today was my first stroll around the hiker-biker trail w/my faithful companion.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spiritual discipline. One of my daily prayers is for humility. To be more precise, since my "enforced sabbatical" from LHNE, which began almost one year ago in Nov. 2014, I think the Lord has taken me on a journey toward greater humility. I've posted before that I do NOT particularly enjoy cruising the byways of our great land [& neighborhoods] carrying a plastic bag filled w/doggie DNA. Well, today Sammy deposited quite a pile of doggie DNA by the side of the Mahoney hiker-biker trail almost immediately after we hit the trail. [Something else "hit the trail," not to put too fine a "point" on it. I'm just sayin.'], & I was forced to carry the evidence bag around most of the perimeter of the park. When we pray for humility, God doesn't bless us with humility. He challenges us w/OPPORTUNITIES that allow us to practice humility . . . & that's your 1st sermonette of the day.
• Close encounters of the dog kind. Sammy handled both of them w/aplomb.
• A lesson in natural history.  I love trails that involve soaking up natural history, & soon after our stroll began we encountered a marker entitled "Wetland Invaders." [A great name for a rock band, don't you think? * ] I couldn't help noticing that two of the "invasive" species were "saltcedar" & "knottyseed." I am pretty confident that I came across those names before when I read "The Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis.

* DISCLAIMER from Cornhusker State Blog staff:  The author of this blog is a known 

admirer of Dave Barry. While he resents any implication that his blog is derivative of the aforementioned humorist, let this "aside" speak for itself.

Wonderful, Wide World of Wacky Celebrities

From Norfolk Daily News (10/25):  "Schumer slammed. Amy Schumer is brushing off critics who called her parody of Beyonce's 'Formation' video racially insensitive. The video features a sweaty Schumer dancing to the song alongside Goldie Hawn, Wanda Sykes & Joan Cusack . . . " [Personally, I'm one of the critics slamming A.S. for being hygienically insensitive.]

There Is No Place Like . . . 

Chicago!

From Lincoln Journal Star (10/27):  "'I've been a fan for 90 years' . . . A baseball party 71 years in the making, w/food & frivolity & Carl Ander in the midst of it all, wearing his new Cubs shirt & his old Cubs cap, a lifetime away from the cheap seats at Wrigley Field, where he cheered as a boy . . . " [During the 5 years we lives in Chicago, 1975-80, the Cubs didn't give us much to cheer about. I remained a faithful KC Royals fan, but since the Royals didn't make the World Series this year & we still have good friends who live on the North Side, I'm cheering for the Cubbies!]

Nebraska!?

Ditto (10/27):  "Gov. Ricketts living the Cubs dream. When Pete Rickets was a college student, he used to sleep outside & wait in line to purchase 4 bleacher seats to every weekend home game. All he had to do was leave his apartment above the Sports Corner Bar & Grill at Addison & Sheffield & cross the street to Wrigley Field."  [FYI:  I have been to Wrigley Field, although not during my 5 years in Chicago. Lois went to a Cubs game & even sat in the rowdy bleacher seats. I attended a game years later while accompanying an LHNE Senior Class trip, & I got to see a pre-scandalous Sammy Sosa.] *

* He did not hit a homerun, which may have been for the best.

From Omaha World Herald (10/24):  "Yes, in Nebraska, you can take a selfie w/your ballot . . . " [Other states where this is allowed include MN & CO. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.]

Breaking News for English Majors

Also from NDN (10/??? * ):  "Shakespeare credit. The Bard was not a solo act. Oxford University Press' new edition of William Shakespeare's works will credit Christopher Marlowe as co-author of the 3 Henry VI plays, underscoring that the playwright collaborated w/others on some of his most famous works . . . While scholars have long suspected that Shakespeare's plays included the work of others, new analytical methods helped researchers conclude that sections bore the hallmarks of Marlowe's hand . . . " [Coming soon to Netflix:  CSI Shakespearean England.]

* I clipped the date too close to the margin.

Bracing for Retirement

I have been on a long-term medical disability since November 2014. [If nothing else, I'm all about transparency. I think it adds to my credibility . . . Whatever.] It looks like sometime between Nov. 2016-March 2017, I may have to seriously take the big step into early retirement. However, although my current lifestyle would be hard to distinguish from what some would call "early retirement," I think I may need other gainful "employment" besides my current pastimes of volunteer work & writing. So, I will post some possibilities that I'm considering, just to see what kind of feedback I get. My first inspiration was triggered by the following excerpt.

Also from OWH (10/15):  "Tree-Mendous Fall Views Are Just a Day Trip Away."  Ponca State Park, Ponca, NE . . . Platte River State Park, Louisville, NE . . . Mahoney State Park, Ashland, NE . . . " [I've been to all 3 of these colorful locales & can attest to their autumnal brilliance . . . Now run the following idea up your adventure-seeking-spirit flagpole.]

Norfolk Neighborhood Arboretum

Tucked away in the Bel Air neighborhood, just a quarter-mile from Skyview Lake in Northeast Norfolk, the Paul & Lois B & B offers stunning fall colors:  a maple tree is prominently featured in the front yard. Next to the driveway, a tree of undetermined species catches the last rays of the unparalleled Nebraska fall sunsets, streaked by the pollen-saturated harvest skies, which more than make up for the dead branches on the top half of this majestic topiary. Greeting visitors basking in the comfort of the north-facing deck are the four majestic pine trees & their golden-khaki needles, reminiscent of the Douglas fir of the Nebraska Pine Ridge or even--dare we say--Redwoods National Park.
PRO:  Lois could handle that cooking & housekeeping. I could handle the marketing and . . . that's about it.
CON:  Lois is not as agreeable to this idea as possible...I'm not sure that our neighborhood is zoned for a B & B...The maple in our front yard lost all it's leave over a period of 17 hours...Not everyone appreciates golden-khaki needles on pine trees...Guests would have to share living quarters w/my other "faithful" companion.
"CON"CLUSION:  There you have it.

BL.A.H. . . BL.A.H. . . BL.A.H. . . *

* Bloggers Against Hypocrisy

Re:  "She-Who-Should-Have-Been-Indicted-By-Now" . . .                      "He-Whom-I-Have-Not-Endorsed" . . .                                                   "Our P.O.T.U.S.' Proud Legacy . . .

DISCLAIMER!  There is no rhyme or reason to the order in which I've listed these pundits & their punditry, along w/mainstream "news."

"Our New Country:  Women + Minorities Hit Hardest," anncoulter.com (10/26); I read it via Drudge on 10/27.

"Is WikiLeaks Justified?" by Jim Geraghty, National Review Online (10/26); I read it via NRO on 10/27.

"'We Need to Clean This Up': More Evidence Obama Lied about Hillary's Private Emails," by Andrew McCarthy," NRO (10/25); I read it via NRO 10/27.

"The Bottomless Ignorance of Donald Trump," by Steve Chapman," Townhill (10/27); I read it via TH on 10/27.

From LJS (10/27):  "GOP 'war on women' flares . . . " [DEPT. OF HEADLINES I'D LOVE TO SEE:  Meanwhile, Democrat war on unborn women rages.]

From NDN, column by Kathleen Parker (10/24):  "If animals voted, bad for Trump . . . " [DEPT OF COLUMNS I'D LOVE TO READ:  If unborn children voted, bad for Hillary."]

From NDN (10/25):  "Double-digit premium hike for Obamacare. Premiums will go up sharply next year under President B. Obama's health care law, & many consumers will be down to just one insurer, the administration confirmed MON . . . " [No, no, no . . . We were promised, PROMISED, I tell you, that our rates would go DOWN, & we could have our PICK of doctors . . . Wait . . . What?]

From NDN, column by Cal Thomas, (10/25):  "Dems using same tactics of Nixon era . . . " [True confession time . . . In my very first presidential election, I proudly--& arrogantly, I might add--voted for George McGovern, because I pointed out to my father on more than one occasion that Nixon was a crook. *  Somebody pass me the humble pie . . . please?]
* Which he was, but SWSHBIBN's spouse & quite possibly our current POTUS's legacies could conceivably dwarf TD's criminal conspiracies & corruptions.

From LJS, column by Jonathan Bernstein, (10/21):  "It's a shame Clinton wasn't tested in debate . . . " [C'mon, Hillary BFF's . . . even YOU have to admit that this is quite the headline for a column by a left-leaning pundit, syndicated by a Bloomberg View columnist.]

From LJS (10/21):  "Foreign policy elites not sorry to see Obama go. There is one corner of Washington where DT's scorched-earth presidential campaign is treated as a mere distraction & where bipartisanship reigns. In the rarefied world of the Washington foreign policy establishment, President B. Obama's departure from the White House--& the possible return of a more conventional & hawkish HC--is being met w/quiet relief . . . " [Given how her "inactions" & subsequent lies & betrayal of the families of those who were murdered contributed to the debacle in Benghazi, I'm not sure I would use the phrase "quiet relief" . . . ]  

Still Fizzling + Reasons to Be Optimistic . . . or Vexed

mental health monday

I'm still leaning on excerpts from my sectional at the LEA Convocation in Grand Rapids earlier this month. My title [admittedly pretty lame, but I thought it might pique some interest] was "Fizzling? Drop & Roll!" Among my goals? First, convince my audience that what some might think is a case of "burnout" might really be a case of clinical depression & why it might be crucial to distinguish between the two. A second goal was to examine the causes & symptoms of each. A third goal, which I will start to flesh out this week, involves "strategies" for addressing a case of depression.
      CAVEAT:  I am a victim & student of clinical depression [among a few other mood disorders] & a student, as well. However, I am NOT a mental health practitioner. A diagnosis & treatment plan is best left to a mental health therapist and/or doctor.
      SUB-CAVEAT:  My comments are  [bracketed]. Everything else is "sourced."

False & Destructive Narratives

• You aren’t praying or studying the Bible enough.
• You have insufficient or weak faith.
• God is causing tribulation to draw your soul to repentance.

      [MY COMMENTS:  These are false narratives constructed by other people about those who are depressed and/or constructed by those who are suffering from depression. They are destructive because:

1. They are false, so all they do is contribute to a depressed person's feelings of unworthiness, hopelessness, & helplessness.
2. They are destructive, because they are more likely to delay effective treatment than to encourage a person to seek effective treatment.
3. Furthermore, if you are suffering from clinical depression, your thought processes and/or feelings cannot entirely be trusted. That makes both these narratives & the following spiritual myths especially insidious.]

Spiritual Myths

The faithful shouldn’t become depressed.

• What about Moses? He had moments of despair en route to the Promised Land. 
• What about David? “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts every day & have sorrow in my heart? Psalm 13:1-2a
• What about Elijah on Mt. Carmel? In the Wilderness? After God reigned down fire on Elijah’s offerings & he slew the prophets of Baal, he fled to the wilderness & wanted to die. 
• The faithful shouldn't become depressed? Conclusion:  FALSE! [Obviously nobody can diagnose these three pillars of faith with clinical depression, but if you go back & check my previous post(s) re:  symptoms, you'll find that they display some of those symptoms. I would also encourage you to do some digging in the OT to refresh your memories about these three. And, last but not least, is a reminder . . . this spiritual myth can also be considered a false narrative . . . & you can't trust your thought processes and/or feelings if you are suffering from clinical depression.]

Depressed people are being punished by God.

• What about Job? If God allowed Job to suffer in order to fulfill a godly purpose . . . 
• We can’t expect that we will remain free from suffering. 
• If God could sustain Job’s faith when assailed by Satan himself, He can surely sustain us.
• There is a difference between punishment & testing or godly discipline.
• Depressed people are being punished by God? Conclusion:  FALSE!  [There is one punishment for sin & that would be eternal damnation. What about death? That's a consequence of sin. Doubt me? You'll have to talk to your pastor about it, since he's more of a theologian than I am. God will allow us to be "tested," which sounds so much better than "disciplined." Keep in mind that "Disciple" & "discipline" have the same route. These tests serve to strengthen our faith as we turn to Him in Word & prayer. Second, check out the scriptural references which follow.

If you think you may be suffering from depression . . .                  

1. Make an appointment w/your pastor, a counselor, a physician to tell them what's been happening in your life. 
2. Let them know how many things have become very difficult for you & you don't seem to be getting better.
3. Try to follow their recommendations.
4. Arrange follow-up visits, especially if the symptoms of your illness are continuing to leave you feeling discouraged & defeated. [I'll include this list again & add to it again next time. Once again keep in mind that if you clinically depressed, you can't entirely trust your thought processes and/or your feelings, so it may be difficult for you to "force" yourself to follow these suggestions. This list is from mental health sources . . . NOT from Paul Leckband. I'll list some of my own strategies in a subsequent entry.]

Truth & Hope from Scripture

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” [Well, how do you know that you've been called according to His purpose? It has nothing to do w/the "divine call." Martin Luther would tell you that if you believe that Jesus is your Lord & Savior, you can be assured that you have been called to be a child of God according to God's own purpose. I learned that from reading a short version of Luther's Commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans.]

Romans 8:35, 37-39  

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword . . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  [This, along w/8:28 & verses in-between, was part of the text that Lois & I chose for our wedding. We have fallen back on this verse many, many times throughout our marriage--really, too many times to count.]

Sources

• Halloran, Kevin. “Christian Ministry Burnout, Prevention, Signs, Statistics & Recovery. leadershipresources.org, posted 10/22/13.
• Lukits, Ann. “Are Burnout & Depression the Same Thing?” Wall Street Journal on-line, 3/7/16.
• Yahnke, Dr. Beverly. “Depression:  Understanding the Pieces of the Puzzle.” Lutheran Hour Ministries brochure, 2013.

Some Reasons to Be Cheerful, Optimistic, Upbeat

Conversation between My 7-year-old Grand-daughter & Me at the Lincoln Lutheran Fall Concert Last THU 10/20):  ME:  Isn't the junior high band awesome? * HADLEY: Yeah! ME: What instrument do you want to play in band some day? HADLEY: The ukulele! ME:  Take a good look at the band . . . Do you notice that there aren't any ukulele's? HADLEY (after a slight pause, turns to her mother, my daughter Sarah, & says):  Mom, I want to go to another school that has a ukulele in the band!"

* My 12-year-old grand-daughter, a 7th grader, plays clarinet in the band **

** Also participating in the concert:  6th grade band & choir; middle-school choir; high school choir; high school marching band. KUDOs to the music department. It was an awesome concert!

From Omaha World Herald (10/21):  "Ice cream maker plans a large expansion in Le Mars. Ice cream maker Wells Enterprises plans a $40.5 million expansion that will create 81 jobs in Le Mars (Iowa) . . . " [There is no place like IA!]

From Lincoln Journal Star (10/22):  "An app to relieve your election stress. The final debate started relatively peacefully, at least by 2016 standards. But, by the end, you may have been watching w/fists clenched, stomach knotted, & heartbeat accelerated. You may have gone to bed w/emotions charged, your mind racing. And now you've woken up knowing talk about the election will be largely unavoidable.

      "Breathe . . . The good news is there are now guided meditations available for the sole purpose of calming your election stress. By now we've established that election-induced stress is a real & common phenomenon inflicting more than half of American adults & negatively impacting their work, their relationships & their health . . . So last week the meditation app 10% Happier enlisted several leading instructors to put together 'election emergency' meditations to offer tips & breathing exercises to help our stressed-out populace manage their emotions . . . "  [My strategy? Watching videos of charming baby raccoons & foxes on YouTube.]

Some Reasons to Be Grumpy, Anxious, Vexed

From Parade Magazine 'All the Answers' (Oct '16):  Q. Is my smartphone making me depressed? A. Our smartphones & tablets help us feel connected, but too much connectivity can contribute to stress & anxiety. This is especially true if your devices keep you connected to your job after you've gone home for the day . . . [DEPT. of IMAGINARY CONVERSATIONS:  Satan: Were you REALLY told not to pluck the fruit of the Tree of 24/7 Connectivity? Eve: I think so. Satan: But if you "taste the forbidden i-fruit," you will know what it's like to be omniscient. Eve:  OK. Adam: Me, too!] *
* I'm a blogger, not a theologian.

From OWH (10/18):  "Unintended consequence of password demands. A federal study finds that users overwhelmed by 'security fatigue' become more careless . . . "  [I don't like to brag, but I consider myself to be an expect in this field because of my extensive viewing of TV shows such as NCIS.]

From OWH (10/19):  "Cauliflower takes center stage as the new hot veggie. A curious popularity contest is putting the food-obsessed on the lookout for the next 'it' veggie. Popular obsessions have included chef Wolfgang Puck's now classic pairing of beets & goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, portobello mushrooms, heirloom tomatoes, kale, Brussels sprouts &, most recently, cauliflower.
      "Cauliflower has been called the new kale, & many chefs on both coasts are serving it in a new hip incarnation known as cauliflower 'steaks" . . . [Those who shared a table w/Lois & me at the THU night banquet at the L.E.A. Convocation were privy to my favorite Brussels sprouts recipe. They really seemed to appreciate it. Here it is.]
******************************************************
PAUL'S FAVORITE BRUSSELS SPROUTS RECIPE.

1. Empty one bag of frozen Brussels sprouts into a sauce pan & bring to a boil.
2. Use another smaller sauce pan to heat some cheese sauce. Use whatever cheese sauce "tickles your palate."
3. Throw away the Brussels sprouts.
4. Pour the cheese sauce on a bowl of nacho chips.
5. Enjoy!

*****************************************************

From LJS (10/22):  World wine output near 20-year low. World wine output may fall 5.3% this year because of excess rain that spoiled grape harvests in S. America & adverse weather in French vineyards, resulting in one of the smallest vintages of the past 20 yrs, according to an intergovernmental group . . . "  [I can neither confirm nor deny that this may seriously impact plans for a potential Hill Family Summer of 2017 Sister Bash.]

Ditto LJS):  "Evangelicals are more accepting of 'immoral' politicians. In just 5 years, white evangelicals have become much more likely to say a person who commits an 'immoral' act can behave ethically in a public role. In 2011, just 30% of these evangelicals said this, but that number has more than doubled to 72% in a recent survey . . . "  [This is a sad commentary on "white evangelicals." ] *
* ALTERNATE THEORY THAT MAKES JUST AS MUCH SENSE, PROBABLY MORE:  This is a phantom survey conducted by a quasi-scientific entity hostile to white evangelicals. I'm just sayin'.

License Plate Update

No doubt some of you were anxiously waiting to see if our road trip to Grand Rapids resulted in garnering the last three license plates needed to successfully complete our 2016 license plate "bingo" game. Sadly, it did not. We did NOT see license plates from the last three states we need to complete our "bingo" card:  Hawaii, New Hampshire.
      Our last hopes are riding on:

• Christmas shoppers and/or Big 10 FB fans swarming into Lincoln, NE, where I will be continuing to make trips to assist my daughter by providing limo service for my grand-daughters while my son-in-law is deployed;
• Christmas shoppers swarming into Norfolk, NE, because of the awesome Thanksgiving Day/Christmas sales; [Unlike Mall of America, Sunset Plaza has NOT announced that it will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.]
• Our planned road trip to TX toward the end of the calendar year.

Responding Kindly . . . Not In-Kind

Walking in the Truth 

A few devotional thoughts to begin . . . 

My last devotional was titled "Walking in the Truth at a Funeral, Part I." My intention was for my next devotional to be titled, "Walking in the Truth at a Funeral, Part II." Well, then Lois & I attended the Lutheran Education Association Triennium Convocation in Grand Rapids, MI, OCT 12-15. 
      Coincidentally(?) one morning the the readings in "Treasury of Daily Prayer," one of the sources for my daily quiet time, fit so neatly into the theme of Christian education, that I decided to postpone funeral talk & engage in some talk about nurturing the faith of little people . . . 
      Until our drive home on SUN  10/16. We found ourselves engaged in a Facebook conversation because of a link to an article by John Pavlovitz, "White, Conservative Friends--I Wish You Really Were Pro-Life," published on The Huffington Post. [Sorry...I couldn't find a time stamp. Actually, Lois read it to me while I was taking a turn driving back from the Convocation. I referred back to the link & skimmed it only briefly.] 
      After much discussion between ourselves, prayer, & scripturally-guided meditation, which included searching for the Truth of Scripture to inform my devotional thoughts, I decided to go for Devotional Plan #3. I pray that it's a devotional that glorifies God & edifies others, including myself.

Walking in the Truth of Scripture

"The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.'"  Jeremiah 1:4-5

"For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully & wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

"People were also bringing babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to Him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'"  Luke 18:15-17

(Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."  John 10:10

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ."  Ephesians 4:15

Some Devotional Thoughts for Today

Who is my audience? That was the first question I wrestled with, because as a poor, sinful being, my first reaction to the article was to fire back "with a vengeance." I came up w/the title of this devotional fairly easily & wrote many notes while we traveled. [Lois was driving when I wrote notes, just to reassure you. She contributed many ideas, also to reassure you.] By the time we got home on Sunday, I was ready to write. She left for Lincoln later that same day; I wrote my devotional that same day . . . 

. . . but didn't post it, because . . . 

. . . because I ultimately was left feeling that I was responding IN-KIND instead of responding KINDLY. My original devotional was SUPPOSEDLY aimed at fellow pro-lifers, but some of my proof-texts & devotional thoughts were aimed directly at those in what many of us would consider the pro-choice camp. 

• I didn't post the devotional that evening. 
• I didn't post it on MON 10/17. 
• Here it is SAT 10/22. 
• I gave myself almost a full week to ponder & pray about my approach.

Not that we do NOT have an obligation to "speak the truth in love," but "true believers" of any "truth" are rarely moved by words of retaliation--rarely moved by arguments of logic or reasoning--rarely IF EVER moved to a true change of heart by words of Law. When confronted by the Law, our most common reactions are:

• Despair. "I can't possibly live up to YOUR expectations, let alone God's expectations, so what's the use. I give up. Why even try?"
• Self-righteousness. This was the Pharisee's problem, remember? "I thank God that I'm not like those sinners, the tax collectors. [If you work for the IRS, I'm just using a parable from Scripture as an illustration. Some of my best friends are tax collectors. Seriously!] *
• Anger & defiance. "Who are YOU to judge ME?! How DARE you tell ME how to live MY life!"

* As I reflect back on my life as a "pro-lifer," I sadly confess that there was a time when I wasn't a pro-choicer, but I was "ignorant & apathetic."

I have a feeling this author was preaching to HIS choir. I think my audience also involves preaching to the choir, & so my topic is "Responding Kindly . . . Not In-Kind."

Which is a very, very hard thing for me to do, by the way. I'd much rather respond "In-Kind," that is, by stereo-typing pro-choice proponents & calling them to repentance. I mean, after all, they can't argue abortion on the basis of biology. Everyone knows that human life begins at conception, don't they? And abortion can't seriously be argued on the basis of ethics, can it? If you think it's OK to abort a baby because it's life is less important than the needs of the mother or the needs of society or "I'm the person who gets to decide whether that baby should live or die," well, if you're a student of history, the 20th century on into the 21st century is awash in the blood of tyrannical regimes who slaughtered millions by the same reasoning.

Uh-oh . . . here I go. I'm starting to slide down the slippery slope of judging another person's faith by his/her outward actions. Am I really, truly "speaking the truth in love?"

I fear that I'm starting to get a little preachy, so I'll try to sum up what I think I want to say to the choir I think I'm preaching * to, & move on. Here goes . . .
* Poor choice of words. I genuinely want to share some thoughts with you, that fire them at you. My bad.]

• In my original devotional, I followed with a list of apologetical & scriptural "reasoning" to "slap down" pro-choice" proponents. Ultimately I deleted all of that. Why? I came to the conclusion that I was more interested in preaching damnation than trying to change hearts. If you're Lutheran--& even if you're not--you hopefully subscribe to the theology that claims that a true change of heart is only possible through the Gospel. The Law may curb sinful behavior. It may show us our sins & give us guidelines for holy living, but only the Gospel points us to a loving Savior who has the power to forgive & save . . . US ALL!
• I have very mixed feelings about telling anybody that I am praying for them & leaving it go at that. Why? The message I MIGHT be sending is this:  "I am righteous. You are not righteous. You are bad & don't know what is right, so I am praying for God to have mercy on your soul & teach you what is right." Once again, I seriously doubt whether that message works to change hearts . . . 
• And that's not the message I want to give. 
• My prayer is first of all for myself--remembering to love others, not just as myself but as Jesus loves me.
• And Jesus loved me--He loves ALL of us--so much that He died for us in SPITE of our reckless abandon of ALL of God's Laws, not just those we choose to highlight. ["For all have sinned & fall short . . . "] **
• Secondly, I pray for women who find themselves pregnant & desperate--who can't see any solution other than an abortion. I pray that somehow, some way they learn about crisis pregnancy centers like Birthright, where they can get neo-natal & post-natal care for themselves & their babies. I pray that they would be influenced by pro-life people who support them & do not "cast the first stone" ** at them.
• Thirdly, I pray for women--& men--who suffer from post-abortion trauma . . . a HUGE untold story. These are people suffering from the guilt of participating in the death of their unborn children. They need to know that there is a Savior who loves them, who died to forgive & save them. They need to know that it is God who gives them dignity. Their dignity does NOT depend on their choices. It's all about grace. "For it is by grace that we are saved through faith--and that not of ourselves! It is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8-9. [As I reflected further about this, I realized that this could also hold true for those who have aided in the abortion of unborn babies.]
• Finally, I pray that Jesus would bless me with opportunities to "speak the truth in love" to those who need to hear God-given--Holy Spirit- guided TRUTH & love. I pray that He would "break my heart of stone & give me a heart of love alone" toward those whom He loves, even while I struggle in my sinful nature to love them . . . & I pray that "He would have ALL people come to the knowledge of THE TRUTH" [not Paul Leckband's "truth"--HIS Truth] . . . & BE SAVED." **
• May Jesus Christ bless you with the peace that only He can bring. May He bless you with the joy of His salvation.

** I think I'm doing you a favor by letting you look up some of these scriptural references & praying your own prayer from your heart today. Amen? Amen!