THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE CHICAGO . . . 

"Chicago reports 40 tragic bullet accidents over weekend." Babylon Bee FYI! Lois & I lived in Chicago from 1975-1980.

. . . SAN FRANCISCO

"San Francisco stores hold 100% off Black Friday sale." Babylon Bee

MAJOR DISASTERS FROM HISTORY *

* And how the media reported them, compliments of the Babylon Bee

French Revolution:  Hundreds of guillotine accidents reported.

Tiananmen Square:  Man killed in collision with tank.

OJ Simpson:  Pair of gloves strangles OJ's wife.

Aztec human sacrifice:  Native peoples discover innovative way to reduce carbon footprint.

Pompeii:  Trump destroys Pompeii

Oklahoma City bombing:  Fertilizer mishap at government building.

9/11:  Shortsighted contractors build Towers in path of oncoming planes.

Herod killing babies:  Strong attendance at pro-choice rally in Bethlehem.

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

* Compliments of Reader's Digest, Sept. 2021

"Dubious claims my toddler made this week:"

> He invented the thumbs-up. 

> Only "some" lizards can read. 

> He forgot how to eat carrots. 

> His day care allows swords.

ADVENT

Today is the 1st Sunday of Advent. According to dictionary.com, an "advent" is "a coming into place, view, or being; arrival." Although it's tempting to think of Advent as preparation for Christmas, in the Church year, it is much more than that. It is a preparation for the Lord's second coming. 

AN ADVENT PRAYER

"O Lord, Jesus Christ, King of glory, King of kings, & Lord of lords, the Son of the living God & Son of David, come. Come now to Your Church that You have purchased with Your blood. Come with Your gracious presence, that we may rejoice in You. Come & rule over us, that we may serve & follow You. Come with Your love, humility, & perfect obedience, & let Your lowliness become our glory Come into the midst of Your people & bless us, for we are Your heritage. Forgive us our sin, & do not angrily cast away Your servants, for You are meek & gracious. Clothe us with the garment of Your righteousness, for You are the only righteous one & our helper. Satisfy us with the abundance of Your mercy for You did become poor for our sakes, that by Your poverty we might be made rich. Hear us, Lord Jesus, for the sake of Your holy name. Amen." Lutheran Book of Prayer

AN ADVENT HYMN

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, LSB #357, Sts. 1, 7

O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Bid Thou our sad divisions cease, And be Thyself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

NOTE:  "Emmanuel" means "God with us," & "Israel" refers to all believers, who are waiting for Emmanuel to return & take us to heaven for eternity.

A RAVISHINGLY BRIGHT FUTURE

"The children of this world are looking into a dark future; & they will be cast into eternal darkness. We children of God, believing the Word of God, are looking into a ravishingly bright future, & we shall be received into eternal light . . . Why do we not rejoice more exceedingly, more exultantly, because we are to go there, away from here? Because our faith is weak. But still, the Spirit, the Spirit of God, who dwelleth in us, helpeth our infirmities . . . We are only pilgrims here. Hallelujah! We seek the eternal city that is to come, & shall find it. Hallelujah!" C.M. Zorn, Crumbs

NOTE:  Today I finished this devotion book, which I've been using in my daily quiet time for the past year. Although the language is often archaic, it is a book of meditations faithful to God's Word, & I have found it to be spiritually nourishing.

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST

"Every baptized Christian is obliged by his baptismal promises to renounce sin & to give himself completely, without compromise, to Christ, in order that he may fulfill his vocation, save his soul, enter into the mystery of God, & there find himself perfectly in the light of Christ." Thomas Merton, Men's Devotional Bible

ONE

"God has in all times & places gathered His church by the voice of Christ through the voice of His preachers, from Adam to Abraham, from Moses to Christ & His apostles & those whom He still sends today. Therefore, the church cannot be merely a human institution with human ceremonies no matter how pious those ceremonies may appear. The church is from start to finish created & sustained by Christ with His Word & Spirit. This means the church is not simply an ideal to strive for, but the real embodiment of St. Paul's words,'one body & one Spirit ... one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God & Father of all.'" (Eph. 4:4-6) Jason Lane, The Lutheran Witness, June/July 2021

A THANKSGIVING HYMN

For the Fruits of His Creation, LW #894

For the fruits of His creation, Thank be to God. For His gifts to ev'ry nation, Thanks be to God. For the plowing, sowing, reaping, Silent growth while we are sleeping, Future needs in earth's safe-keeping, Thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labor, God's will is done. In the help we give our neighbor, God's will is done. In our world-wide task of caring For the hungry & despairing, In the harvests we are sharing, God's will be done.

For the harvests of the Spirit, Thanks be to God. For the good we all inherit, Thanks be to God. For the wonders that astound us, For the truths that still confound us, Most of all, that love has found us, Thanks be to God.

DAY OF SPECIAL OR NATIONAL THANKSGIVING

Psalm 104:33; 104:24, 27, 30

I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. How many are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. These all look to You to give them their food at the proper time. When You send Your Spirit, they are created, & You renew the face of the earth.

PRAYERS FOR THANKSGIVING

Collect of the Day:  Almighty God, whose mercies are new every morning & whose goodness, though undeserved, still abundantly provides for all our wants of body & soul, grant us, we humbly pray, Your Holy Spirit that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, & serve You in willing obedience, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen.

Thanksgiving to God (LSB):  Heavenly Father, God of all grace, govern our hearts that we may never forget Your blessings but steadfastly thank & praise You for all Your goodness in this life until, with all Your saints, we praise You eternally in Your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.Amen.

For Thanksgiving Day (My Prayer Book):  With a heart full of appreciation because of Your goodness & with thanksgiving in my soul for Your boundless grace, I come on this national day of thanksgiving, God of loving-kindness & mercy, to join with heart & voice all the people of this country to praise & adore You as a wonderful God & understanding Father in Christ Jesus. Throughout the year You have opened Your hands & poured out on me blessing after blessing. You have provided me with all that I need to sustain body & life. You have opened Your heart & drawn me closer to Yourself, blotted out all my sin, cleansed my conscience from guilt, & spoken peace to my heart. Richly & abundantly You have offered to me Gospel & Sacrament, that my soul be healed, my faith strengthened, my character developed, & my life directed. Accept the thanks & praise of my grateful heart. I sing of Your goodness, I shout for joy because of Your mercies.

Let my thanksgiving, however, go beyond words & give evidence in the sharing of my blessing with the hungry, the needy, the lonely. Give me the grace to continue to praise You as a thankful child of Your love & with all the family of Your household to serve You with faithfulness & loyal devotion through Jesus, my Savior & Friend. Amen.

On Thanksgiving Day (Lutheran Book of Prayer):  Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good & His mercy endures forever. Lord God, heavenly Father, You have created me & endowed me with all that I am or have as a pure gift of Your "fatherly, divine goodness & mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me." You sustain me from day to day with the gifts of daily bread in the food that I eat, the family that surrounds me, the friends I enjoy, the country where I live, & countless other benefit that I constantly receive from Your open hand.

On this Day of Thanksgiving, cause me to gratefully remember the good gifts that You shower upon me. Deepen in me the knowledge of Your goodness, & awaken my heart to praise You for all Your gifts, especially the forgiveness of sins that You purchased & won for me & the whole world in the atoning death of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Keep me mindful of Your mercies every day, & grant that I may thank, praise, serve, & obey You not only with my lips but also with a life dedicated to the service of my neighbor. To You,  O Lord, Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, be all honor & glory, praise & thanksgiving, now & forever. Amen.

THANKS GIVING

" Thanksgiving is a time for reflecting on all those things for which we are grateful. It seems particularly important now at the end of the second year featuring a pandemic and unprecedented restrictions. This past year also brought many abuses of government powers with long-lasting consequences. Americans' discontent is incredibly high, and some scholars worry that for the first time in over 150 years, we could be heading toward an epic slip downward. Despite all these problems, if one takes a moment to think about it, the goodness and charity of people remain in such abundance that gratitude is warranted." Veronique De Rugy, Townhall

TURKEY

"It turns out you can't blame turkey for your Thanksgiving nap. Instead, food & sleep experts say holiday drowsiness likely comes from feasting & energy exertion. 'Folklore has it that the tryptophan-rich turkey is the reason behind the prevalence of snoozers sprawled out in your living after leftovers are tucked away . . . But if you look a little further into the science (or lack of) behind this folklore, you will soon realize that this tryptophan theory just doesn't make any physiological sense . . . '" Fox News Online 

THANKSGIVING DINNER

You maybe have heard of the infamous turducken, a chicken inside a duck inside of a turkey. We haven't indulged in one for Thanksgiving yet, although I've lobbied for it. Lois says that the kids would never stand for it.

This morning Lois heard on "The Five" about a new Thanksgiving treat:  a piecaken, which is a dessert featuring layer upon layer of pie & cake. Sadly, Lois says it's too late to put one together for our traditional Thanksgiving feast tomorrow.

TURKEY DAY COOKING TIPS

* The most obvious concerns are about proper length of time for cooking [the turkey] . . . Traditionally, for an oven-roasted bird, you multiply the number of lbs the turkey weighs by 15 (15 min per lb.) Being leery of undercooked poultry, I suggest taking the product of the turkey weight X 15, then multiplying that number by the sum of all the numbers in your cellphone number (including area code). Not once has anyone complained that my turkey was undercooked. My turkeys may taste like the bottom of your shoe, but they are never undercooked.

* Does a splash of white wine in the gravy help? It has been my experience that wine doesn't do all that much for the gravy, but it can have a calming influence on the cook.

* How do you remove the bag of internal organs, bits of intestines & waddle buried deep inside the bird? For many years, I wore plastic gloves & wrestled the bag out with a wrench. Eventually, I discovered that I am mentally healthier, & more able to enjoy the holiday, by leaving the disgusting little bag inside & letting it explode. Make sure you have a self-cleaning oven. Oh, & work on looking surprised.

* The best turkeys ever were the ones my grandma made:  Golden-brown on the outside & pure deliciousness on the inside. Unfortunately, I have no idea how she made them because I was a kid, one of 23 first cousins on my mother's side, all of whom were routinely told to "Get outside & stay outside!"

* What is the best turkey you have ever served? Hands down, the best turkey I ever served was a tender turkey breast, smoked, thinly sliced & purchased at Honey Baked Ham." Column by Lori Borgman, Norfolk Daily News 11/22

MORE THANKSGIVING NEWS

"Americans expect to gain 8 lbs during holidays." Drudge Report

"White House says everyone can save on Thanksgiving by skipping it since there is nothing to be thankful for." Babylon Bee

COVID 

"Aaron Rodgers doesn't just have any toe injury. He has COVID toe." Drudge Report

TRENDING

"Clever business owners ward off looters with Kyle Rittenhouse scarecrows." Babylon Bee

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

"When you know God, you can't help but love Him, & when you love Him, your reasons go on & on . . . When a guy loves a girl he can't shut up about how amazing she is, so why would it be any different when he loves God? And tell God too, because when you do you are giving Him praise & thanks for all He is." I have an amazing wife. We have an amazing God.

TRENDING

 "Last surviving woman born in 19th century dies at 124." Drudge Report

"Army cadets steal wrong goat in botched pre-game Navy mascot raid." Drudge

"Rittenhouse verdict raises concerns that it's no longer safe to beat people to death with a skateboard." Babylon Bee

CRIMINAL MINDS

"Woman used obituaries to rob homes during funerals." Drudge

TOXIC MASCULITY *

* Compliments of the Babylon Bee

Ways to Be a Less Toxically Masculine Father

* Wear your wife's clothes.

* Shrug & grunt apathetically when your kids ask for help. They need to learn they have autonomy & don't need a male savior!

* Stop throwing the football around & play soccer instead.

* Do not ever change your child's diaper until they can provide clear verbal consent.

* Encourage your kids to whine as much as possible. They are speaking THEIR truth.

* Never open pickle jars.

FASCINATING FACTS *

* Compliments of Reader's Digest, July/Aug 2021

Fascinating facts about the streets where we live

> Your block is home to 8.1 squirrels.

> Letter carriers bring you 41 lbs of junk mail a year.

> Garbage collectors pick up 6,424 lbs of your trash a year.

> If you push a button at a crosswalk in a major city, it probably won't do anything.

> If you had x-ray vision, you'd see that a concrete sidewalk is typically 4" thick; a driveway, 6"; the interstate, a beefy 11".

> You have a one in six chance of receiving a speeding ticket this year.

> You probably live within a ten-minute walk of a park.

HOLIDAY HOSTING HACKS: 

Tips for a stress-free celebration  Omaha World Herald, 11/21

* Keep centerpieces simple

* Give the kids something to do

* Cover the table in kraft paper

* Stick to white plates

* Skip fancy silverware

* Cover your turkey in bacon Winner winner turkey dinner!

* Make your stuffing in a muffin tin

* Let guests play mixologist

* Make crowd-sized appetizers

* Love your slow cooker

* Prepare your pans

* Embrace shortcuts

* Serve drinks in jars

* Make your own own roasting pan 'rack'

* Make your gravy in a roasting pan

MORE THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS

"Thanksgiving dinner will cost 14% more this year" OWH 11/21

"5 ways to get along this Thanksgiving--even with family members you may not like" Fox News Online 11/21

> Listen before your talk

> Ask questions

> Show concern for the people with whom you disagree

> Don't expect perfection

> Give thanks

"When you pray this holiday season worry less & thank Jesus more" Ditto

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

* Compliments of Reader's Digest, July/Aug 2021

"Every time a sexy woman jumps out of a giant cake, there is at least one guy who is bummed about the cake being ruined."

"Fortune Cookie:  YOU JUST BROKE MY HOUSE IN HALF & NOW YOU'RE READING MY JOURNAL."

"The best way to prepare cauliflower is by throwing it in the trash while ordering a delicious pizza."

"Mom, Dad, I'm a gatherer. -- Caveman coming out to his parents."

"How do they get the hurricanes to arrive in alphabetical order?"

"In a thousand years, archeologists will dig up tanning beds & think we fried people as punishment."

THE LORD STILL WAITS

Isaiah 30:18  "Yet the Lord still waits for you to come to Him, so He can how you His love; He will conquer you to bless you, just as He said. Blessed are all those who wait for Him to help them." The Living Bible

MISUSE OF LEISURE

"Leisure is a gift of God, but in our sin we often take the good things God gives us & use them in the wrong way. Make no mistake:  'The flesh is weak' (Matt. 26:41). In our weakness, leisure easily becomes a perversion of God's intent, & we make it an end in itself rather than a means of restoration in the midst of doing the good works that God has prepared for us to do. The Scriptures warn us about ways that we misuse leisure or make it the goal of life rather than keeping it in its rightful place as an aid to our earthly labors:  idleness, gluttony, self-indulgence, drunkenness, decadence, luxury, shallow entertainment, laziness &, worst of all, spiritual complacency. 'Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense' (Prov. 12:11) . . . 

"Ultimately, we will find ourselves perfectly at leisure as we rest from our labors in Christ Jesus. On the Last Day, He will call us out of our graves into a time of eternal refreshment. As the hymn 'Behold a Host, Arrayed in White' portrays it, the saints of God who labored in this life will, 'Now enjoy the Sabbath rest, The heav'nly banquet of the blest; The Lamb, their Lord, At festive board Himself is host & guest.'" (LSB 676:2) Rev. Michael Schuermann, The Lutheran Witness, May 2021

A COMMITTED FATHER

"A boy who has a father who is committed to his mother will have a tremendous advantage when he becomes a husband. He will have an intuitive understanding that his commitment in marriage is not a right to be happy, but to demonstrate a willingness to be responsible. Even when it's inconvenient. Even when it crowds out his personal happiness." Steve Farrar, Men's Devotional Bible

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"The sanctity of every human life involves far more than personal choices or political issues. We have the chance to snatch sisters & brothers from destruction (Jude 23) in the epic battle between good & evil. And the Lord's Words do not require our anger to prevail (Ps. 93:4), so let us engage every neighbor with mercy to untangle their confusion (Jude 22). Receive them as gifts & treat them as privileges just like our Father treasures us." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

STEWARDSHIP CORNER

"Jesus said, 'Whoever would be great among you must be your servant' (Mark 10:43). Servanthood is not a natural inclination for most of us. We have an inborn desire to be served, even to be exalted. This desire is promoted by the society in which we live, but it is contrary to Christ's desire for us & the example He left for us. He desires that we, as He did, set aside our own wants to serve others' needs, &, 'By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, & the generosity of your contribution for them & for all others' (2 Cor. 9:13)." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

WHEN TRIALS COME

"When trials come & God seems silent, you can still be sure that He is present. If He wasn't, then He wouldn't be God. By His very nature He knows everything (He's omniscient) & He is everywhere (He's omnipresent). The God Guy knows His God, so he knows that no matter how things look or feel, everything is well. He trusts that when he looks for God, he will find Him & that if he trusts God, the Father will bring him only what is good for him." Michael DiMarco, Devotions for the God Guy

A HYMN FOR TODAY

In Christ Alone

"In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song. This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought & storm. What heights of love, what depth of peace when fears are stilled when strivings cease. My Comforter, my All in All. Here in the love of Christ I stand.

"In Christ alone, who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe. This gift of love & righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save, 'til on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied, for ev'ry sin on Him was laid. Here in the death of Christ I live.

"There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world, by darkness slain. Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again. And as He stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me, for I am His & He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.

"No guilt in life, no fear in death; this is the pow'r of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand. 'Til He returns or calls me home, here in the pow'r of Christ I stand."

PERFECT PEACE

Isaiah 26:3-4  "He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! Trust in the Lord God always, for in the Lord Jehovah is your everlasting strength." The Living Bible

PAIN & COMPASSION

"Yet when we confront our pain & despair & begin to accept the loss, surrendering ourselves to God in our powerlessness, then pain & despair can give way to hope. The unwanted pain can be accepted & transformed. When we accept our pain as our own, suffering can grow into compassion. It's as if the heart opens, & out of sorrow come warmth & joy." Philip Williams, Men's Devotional Bible

CHOOSE GOD'S WAY

"Make it your prayer that no one should gain control over you but that you can learn to love others God's way. Work on humility instead of pride. Don't worry about what others might do or say; just always choose God's way & that He will truly work everything out for the good of those who love Him." Michael DiMarco, Devotions for the God Guy

LABOR & LEISURE

"Following God's pattern of labor & leisure leaves us well prepared to work for the neighbors God has given us to care for, to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us, to readily let God know our needs in prayer & supplication, & to better understand the creation to the praise & glory of God." Rev. Michael Schuermann, The Lutheran Witness, May 2021

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

On SAT 11/12 I shared information about the most popular Thanksgiving side dish in every state [according to Fox News Online], which has resulted in many protests on blog-land & elsewhere. Well, here's a list of the Top 5 "Must Haves" for Thanksgiving dinner, published by the Norfolk Daily News, also on SAT 11/12. Remember--I don't make the news, I just report it.

#5, stuffing

#4, mashed potatoes

#3, cornbread

#2, pumpkin pie

#1, turkey

TELEVISION

Here is a list of the smartest TV characters of all-time, which I found on the Internet yesterday. [I failed to note the source, so you'll just have to take my word for it.] I've highlighted the ones that are familiar to me. I don't recognize a lot of them, but maybe you do.

Sheldon Cooper, Lisa Simpson, Professor Farnsworth, Walter White, Adrian Monk, Gregory House, Steve Urkel, "Screech" Powers, Sherlock Holmes, Velma Dinkley, The Professor [Gilligan's Island], Doogie Howser, Frasier Crane, Lilith Sternin, Tyron Lannister [Game of Thrones, I think.], Angus MacGyver, Rick Sanchez, Lieutenant Columbo, The Brain, Charlie Eppes [Numbers] Benjamin Linus [Lost], Walter Bishop, Phineas & Ferb, Jimmy Neutron, Dexter.

What about Jethro Gibbs & Ducky? [NCIS]

TRENDING

"Liberals accuse Rittenhouse of trying to avoid punishment through legal loophole known as 'trial.'" Babylon Bee

"U.S. military switches to swords & bows to meet carbon neutral goals." Ditto

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

* Compliments of Reader's Digest, July/Aug 2021

"When my wife gets a little upset, sometimes a simple 'Calm down' in a soothing voice is all it takes to get her a lot upset."

"You know that guy who looks like that other guy in that show we used to like? He died.--How my wife & I communicate."

"Just found the worst page in the entire dictionary. What I saw was disgraceful, disgusting, dishonest, & disingenuous."

"Autocorrect walks into a bar. Bartender says, 'What can I get you?' Autocorrect says, 'I'll have a bear. A bare. Bier. Briar. Never mind.'"

MONDAY MEDITATION

I neglected to publish my customary SUN meditation post yesterday, so here are some meditative thoughts today.

Isaiah 25:4  "But to the poor, O Lord, You are a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, a shelter from merciless men who are like a driving rain that melts down an earthen wall." The Living Bible

"I'm glad to know that when I'm marred & broken, the Lord is not through with me yet. I want Him to re-create me." H. Beecher Hicks, Men's Devotional Bible

NATIONAL PARK PROGRESS

2021 has been banner year for Lois & me, as we continue to add to NP list. Last month alone we visited 5 NPs for the first time:  Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef. Here's a list of other NPs we've visited over the years.

Arches (twice), Badlands (multiple times), Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Everglades, Glacier, Grand Teton, Hawai'i Volcanoes, Lassen Volcanic, Redwood, Rocky Mountain (I visited with my family. I need to take Lois there.], Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Teddy Roosevelt, Voyageurs, Wind Cave, Yellowstone (twice), Yosemite, Zion. How does this compare with your list?

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING

"The worst part about being a giraffe is having a lot of time to think about your mistakes when you're sinking into quicksand."

"I drink too much. The last time I gave a urine sample, it had an olive in it."

"Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing."

"My granddaughter wanted a Cinderella-themed party, so I invited all her friends over & made them clean my house."

"I was going to have cosmetic surgery until I noticed that the doctor's office was full of portraits by Picasso."

"Russian dolls are so full of themselves."

CHURCH

"Group of destitute street urchins arrives at church--No wait, Dad just dressed the kids again." Babyon Bee

A SHOUT OUT

Yesterday I attended the annual Veterans Day Service, hosted by Christ Lutheran School in Norfolk. Our grandson Bentley is a 2nd grader at CLS, so he participated, & Lois, my dear wife, taught at CLS from 1997-2019 & still volunteers there.

This service helped drive home for me the service & sacrifice of family. Lois' maternal grandfather serve in World War I, was gassed, & was pretty much an invalid for the rest of his life, leaving her grandmother a widow at an early age. My Uncles Harold & Royce served in the Army in the years immediately following WW II. My brother-in-law John served in the Air Force. Lois' brother John served in the Army. My late brother-in-law Paul was a Marine, & Lois' sister Kathy served in the Navy. Lois' sister Anita served in the Air Force. My two nephews, Kyle & Kory, are serving in the Navy, & my son-in-law Craig serves in the Nebraska Air National Guard. I am well aware of the dangers faced by my loved ones. And I'm also aware of the sacrifices made by them & their families, especially during their deployments. It is an honor to remember their service.

Back to yesterday's Veterans Day Service at CLS. Lois has often told me what a great event this is, & she was right. Veterans from American Legion Post 16 & VFW Post 1644 marched in. Kindergarteners led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, & the Jr. High band led us in the Star-Spangled Banner. Winners from Grades 3-8 read their essays which included topics honoring our country, our symbols of freedom, & our veterans. Sergeant Lance Harvey delivered "A Soldier's Story," which was very moving. Before a closing prayer, students sang an "Armed Forces Medley." As each service's song was sung, members who served in that service stood & were applauded.

In a time in our country when patriotism is denigrated & the service of our countrymen & women is neglected, what a great way to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy & the sacrifices of those who make those freedoms possible. God bless America! And God bless those who have served & continue to serve our country.

PRAYERS ON VETERAN'S DAY

"O Lord, I remember on this day the horrors of war & the mercies of Your providence in the past. I give you thanks for those who have served in our armed forces & the families that have loved them, missed their presence, interceded in prayer for them, & rejoiced in their return. Especially, though, I pray for those families who did not see their loved ones return because they gave their lives in defense of freedom & this land that I love. May I never forget the sacrifices that have been made for me by these courageous men & women. Lord of the nations, I pray, according to Your good & gracious will, that You would grant peace among nations in this time as well. Put into the hearts of rulers & nations the desire to avert bloodshed, strife, & selfishness, & cause all to see the folly of war. You guarantee to all eternal peace in Christ. May Your Gospel be proclaimed that the foundation of love may be laid in Christ Jesus, the Prince of Peace. In His name I ask it. Amen." Lutheran Book of Prayer

"Lord Jesus, the Captain of my soul, who endured the pain of battle with the old evil Foe in order to secure my redemption, grant me a grateful heart for the freedoms I enjoy through Your grace & mercy. Help me to treasure my spiritual freedom from sin, death, & the devil, & open my lips continually to praise You for my liberty in You. 

"Teach me to be thankful for my liberties in this blessed land, which were won & preserved for me by the sacrifices of my countrymen. Help me to honor their memory by a conscientious & loyal citizenship & a readiness to defend the rights of free people everywhere. Grant Thy comfort to families who today remember with sorrow the deaths of those who gave their lives for our country. Sustain those veterans who are confined to hospitals throughout our land, who bear the scars of war, so that I might enjoy the wholesomeness of peace & freedom. 

"Keep me from forgetting the heroes of the past, lest I become a coward in the face of the future. Grant the gift of peace to our land & to the world, so that Your Gospel may have free course & more people everywhere may march under Your lordship beneath the banner of Your cross. Amen." My Prayer Book

MENTAL HEALTH MONDAY

As I've shared before, I started blogging as a way to journal, which is one strategy to cope with depression. I admit--sometimes I get a little political, [I know. "Knock me over with a feather."] but I also like to keep things a little bit on the lighter side. Hence, headlines from the Babylon Bee & Shameless Joke-Stealing. Just thought you'd like a reminder.

THANKSGIVING PREVIEW *

* Courtesy of Fox News

"So what do Americans wish weren't on their Thanksgiving plates?"

> Candied yams 27% "Yams" is just another word for "sweet potatoes," which I hate.

> Green bean casserole 25% I like green bean casserole, but not as much as stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, & dinner rolls with real butter.

> Cranberry sauce 24% I hate cranberries.

> Sweet potato casserole 21% See previous comment.

> Stuffing 12% Lois' stuffing is world-renowned.

> Salad 12% Who wants health foods at Thanksgiving?

> Mashed potatoes 8% Are these people Americans?

> Dinner rolls 7% What I just said.

TRENDING

"Rise of robots speeds up with labor scarce." Drudge Report

CLIMATE CHANGE

"Doctor clinically diagnoses patient as suffering from 'climate change.'" Drudge

"Playskool unveils 'Vaccinate Me Elmo'". Babylon Bee

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

* Compliments of Reader's Digest, July/Aug 2021

> If you're thinking what I'm thinking, here's my therapist's number.

> Just heard a guy at the dog park tell his dog "NO!' & then more quietly, "We talked about this."

> "Don't worry, I'll hold your stuff. You just worry about making friends." --Cargo shorts

> You'll never be as lazy as whoever named the fireplace."

ALL SAINTS DAY

In our church, Grace Lutheran in Norfolk, NE, along with many other churches today, we observed All Saints Day. It's a day when our brothers & sisters in Christ, who passed away during this last year, are commemorated for their faithfulness in remaining true to the Lord throughout their earthly pilgrimage. So, I remember the lives of my parents, Virgil & Janet, who were godly role models for my brother, sister, & I, & who brought us up in the nurture & admonition of the Lord. They brought us to the baptismal font, provided for our Christian education, & set us an example for weekly worship, Sunday school, & Bible class. It's a legacy for which I am thankful. And it gives me great comfort that they are now with the Lord.

TODAY'S VERSE

Isaiah 25:1  "O Lord, I will honor & praise Your name, for You are my God; You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, & now You have accomplished them, just as You said!" The Living Bible

RIGHT OR WRONG

"God is on our side, right or wrong, because even when we are wrong, He still loves us." Michael Card, Men's Devotional Bible

REST & REFRESHMENT

"Rest & refreshment for the body & soul are best found in spiritual pursuits. Christ has set up His Divine Service where He is present to deliver the forgiveness of our sins, to teach us His will in our hearing of the Holy Scriptures & to strengthen our faith in the Supper of His body & blood. As Jesus Himself exemplified, spending time in prayer to God is a crucial part of our resting (Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12). We do well to spend some of our daily leisure time reading from the Bible."  Rev. Michael Schuermann, The Lutheran Witness, May 2021

A HYMN FOR ALL SAINTS DAY

For All the Saints, LW #191, Sts. 1, 2, 8

For all the saints who from their labors rest, All who by faith before the world confessed, Your name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!

You were their rock, their fortress, & their might; You, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight; You, in the darkness drear, their one true light. Alleluia! Alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, Through gates of pearls streams in the countless host, Singing to Father, Son, & Holy Ghost:  Alleluia! Alleluia!

TODAY'S VERSE

Isaiah 9:6-7  For unto us a Child is born; unto us a Son is given; & the government shall be upon His shoulder. These will be His royal titles:  "Wonderful," "Counselor," "The Mighty God," "The Everlasting Father," "The Prince of Peace." His ever-expanding, peaceful government will never end. He will rule with perfect fairness & justice from the throne of His father David. He will bring true justice & peace to all the nations of the world. This is going to happen because the Lord of heaven's armies has dedicated Himself to it." The Living Bible  COMMENT:  I'm using The Living Bible, a gift to Lois & me from my parents, as part of my daily quiet time. I understand that it's a paraphrase, not a translation. I still find it meaningful as a devotional resource.

BABYLON BEE

For those who think that the Babylon Bee is a source of fake news, get yourself a sense of humor. Anyone with an honest amount of reason should recognize that it's satire. Is it possible that progressives just can't stomach anything that smacks of good-natured criticism of their attitudes & behaviors? I think we know the answer to that. Here are some recent headlines.

"Popular new book 'Things That Are Racist' actually just a dictionary."

"Repot:  Hillary Clinton tried to prove Trump was colluding with Russians by colluding with Russians."

"Conservatives stop saying 'Let's Go Brandon' after realizing it makes liberals sad."

DEVOTION BOOK

I'm still working on a final edit of my 365-day devotion book. Yesterday I finished reviewing NOV, so I still have DEC to go. My goal is to have it finished & submitted by the end of November.

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

* Compliments of "Readers Digest," July/Aug 2021

"Great news:  I got a 100 on my son's geometry test."

"My mom said, 'You know what I need? A selfie stick. So whenever I see someone taking a selfie, I can hit them with the stick."

"Me:  Mom, if you could have any power, what would you want? Mom:  Sleep through the night without getting up to pee."

I CAN BE OPINIONATED! [NO, DUH]

Critical race theory:  Call it whatever you want. There are those who are teaching that all whites are racists & oppressors & all blacks are oppressed. There's too much anecdotal evidence to support my opinion. And having the FBI investigate parents who challenge local school boards with fostering this theory? That's just plain stupid. How can CRT be anything but damaging to children & young people, both black & white?

Climate change:  I have no problems believing in global climate change, although some of the science behind it seems spurious. We have plenty of evidence of global climate change over the eons, like Noah's Flood, for instance. I even can accept that humans might be contributing to it. What I do contest is humankind's ability to alter the climate. That seems like the ultimate act of hubris. It strikes me that all the efforts of the world's leaders to damage economies by adopting measures to fight global climate change is just a naked attempt to exercise power. However--& it's a big "however"--God calls us to be good stewards of all of creation. So, I'll try to practice some of that good stewardship without trying to save Mother Earth.

The Border:  It's a fiasco down there, no question about it. And the current administration is responsible for it. Where's the respect for the Rule of Law? And paying immigrants hundreds of thousands of dollars? Doesn't that just foster illegal immigration? I almost suspect that the administration is looking to recruit & bribe future voters.

Afghanistan:  Our withdrawal was a debacle, & I don't think you can lay all the blame on the current administration. Just most of it. There are still Americans there, desperate to escape the Taliban, & we've been lied to about that. And the Taliban is supposed to be reasonable? And our biggest criticism seems to be that there aren't women in Taliban leadership roles? Ridiculous.

Abortion:  Unborn babies are just that--babies. It's a biological fact. It's also provable that an unborn baby is NOT biologically part of a woman's body. While we should do everything we can to support those who are experiencing a crisis pregnancy, we should NOT be doing everything we can to support, encourage, legalize, & glorify this unholy behavior. Should the Supreme Court, overturn Roe v. Wade? I think there are sound constitutional reasons to do so, but I foresee turmoil if this should ever happen. Pro-life Christians should be prepared.

Football:  My two favorite FB teams, the Nebraska Cornhuskers & the KC Chiefs, are having abysmal seasons. I guess I'll still cheer for them. Nebraska is already trying Ohio State in the 2nd quarter today.

COVID:  Lois & I have both been vaccinated, & we've both received boosters, with little or no side affects [just sore arms]. I don't think the government has any right to impose COVID mandates. I do think that companies have the right to impose them. There are good reasons why some should receive the vaccinations. And I think that there are some good reasons to follow mask mandates. However--& it's a big "however"--our leaders haven't done us any favors by issuing contradictory advice, policies, & outright lies. And I think that children have been harmed by protocols imposed by schools. And teachers' unions.

Grand-children:  Are just the best, aren't they? Yesterday we, mostly Lois, got to take care of Bentley, our 8-year-old grandson, most of the day, because CLS was closed. Lois got to take him hiking. I got to toss around the football with him, & we both got to play UNO & Blockus with him. We are SO looking forward to Thanks-mas this year, when we will have all our kids & grandkid together again.

TODAY'S VERSE

"Then I heard the Lord asking, 'Whom shall I send as a messenger to My people? Who will go?' And I said, 'Lord, I'll go! Send me.'" Isaiah 6:8, The Living Bible

DEATH TO SELF

"The reason our death [to self] increases the joy level around us is that it also increases the love level all around. Only when we die to self can we fully love one another." Judson Edwards, Men's Devotional Bible

THE NEED FOR REST

"Our Lord Jesus Christ reiterates the need for rest in the Gospels. In Mark 6, Jesus sends the Twelve to do the hard work of the kingdom of God:  exercising authority over unclean spirits, visiting the people, proclaiming repentance & healing the sick. When they return to Jesus--certainly overjoyed at the work given them, but also exhausted--He says to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place & rest a while.' (Mark 6:31) That is, after your hard labor be rested & refreshed. In Matt. 11 Jesus teaches that one finds spiritual rest & refreshment in Him:  'Come to Me, all who labor & are heavy laden, & I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, & learn from Me, for I am gentle & lowly in heart, & you will find rest for your souls.'

"Christians properly use leisure for both physical and spiritual rest. A Sunday afternoon nap gives a weary body rejuvenation after a week's hard work. A dinner party with good friends, together enjoying delicious food, camaraderie & conversation, gladdens the heart & provides respite & encouragement. Throwing a Frisbee; hitting the links; kayaking a local lake; painting; throwing pottery; making musics; hobbies & pastimes of all sorts, help us take a break from the stresses & anxieties of work in the world. They give us opportunity to enjoy all the created gifts of God." Rev. Michael Schuermann, The Lutheran Witness, May 2021

RESOLUTIONS REVIEW

Here's my latest progress report re:  my 2021 New Year's resolutions.

* At least 8 road trips. A+

* Give up French fries. A- [no slip-ups since June]

* Get a DNA from Ancestry.com. A [I am 52% Germanic Europe, 35% England & NW Europe, 8% Sweden, 3% Norway, & 2% other regions. Could that other 2% be Neanderthal?]

* Do my PT exercises at least 3X per week. D

* Avoid useless FB argument. B

* Add to our NP & bucket lists. A+

* Lose at least 10 lbs. F

This averages out to a GPA of B.

COVID

"CO hits 80% vaccine rate with hospitals STILL in Covid crisis." Drudge Report, 11/2

SLEEPING

"Sleeping naked doubles chances for good night's rest?" Drudge, 11/2

CRIMINAL MINDS

"'Teacher of the Year' arrested for hitting pupil who criticized award." Drudge, 11/2

"Woman convinced husband he had Alzheimer's, police say she stole $600,000 from him." Drudge, 11/2

CHILDREN

"STUDY:  Average child now spends 8 hrs/day looking at screens!" Drudge 11/3

MEN

"STUDY:  Breakups more emotionally painful for men." Drudge 11/3

POLITICALLY POTPOURRI

"Terry McAuliffe baffled that telling parents the state owns their children wasn't a winning strategy." Babylon Bee

"Biden offers to have Hunter repaint Sistine Chapel." Babylon Bee

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

* Courtesy of Reader's Digest, July/Aug 2021

"One of life's great pleasures is to watch two idiots agree on something & then hear one of them say 'Great minds think alike.'"

"When someone tells me 'Great question,' I never hear their answer because I'm busy congratulating myself for asking such a great question."