CLAY & POTTER

Isaiah 64:6, 8-9  "We are all infected & impure with sin. When we put on our prized robes of righteousness we find they are but filthy rags . . . And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay & You are the Potter. We are all formed by Your hand. Oh, be not so angry with us, Lord, nor forever remember our sins. Oh, look & see that we are all Your people." The Living Bible

THE ART OF MARRIAGE

"Realism demands patience & a willingness to adjust. The art of marriage, it has been said, is in maintaining equilibrium through the various changes & adjustments of life together." G.R. Slater, Men's Devotional Bible

TRUE LOVE

"But selfish love isn't really love at all, because true love thinks nothing of itself but focuses on loving others in order to serve them & Christ, who is our example of selfless love . . . The only rule when it comes to giving love is that love for a human can never come before our love for God . . . The love you give to others should never be conditional on what you get back but should come from knowing the God who first loved you." Michael DiMarco, Devotions for the God Guy

GOD PROVIDES

"Go provides for us by making the earth fruitful. He provides the food, resources & raw materials that sustain & bless our lives. The ability to work & the enjoyment of the fruitfulness of the earth are gifts from Him. In addition, civil authorities & structures, such as a stable government & good economy, provide the setting in which we can work & receive our daily bread. In other words, God typically provides for us through these regular, ordinary means." Rev. Peter Gregory, The Lutheran Witness, Aug. 2021

G.O.M.E.R. *

* Grumpy Old Men & Their Elucidating Rants

SCOTUS:  There are good reasons to block Ketanji Brown's nomination to the Supreme Court. What's striking is--despite some hard questions--Republicans are being way more courteous than Democrats have been during the last few nominees' hearings.

WILL SMITH VS CHRIS ROCK:  Who cares. And while I'm at it, the Oscars? Who cares! What a pathetic gathering of self-glorifying egotists.

DON'T SAY GAY:  If those condemning FL's legislation would actually take the time to study it, they'd realize that it never bans the word "gay." What it does ban is the prevention of educators with an anti-child agenda from sexualizing children with age-inappropriate propaganda at an early & vulnerable age.

INFLATION:  Obviously influenced by spending trillions of dollars that we don't have. Republicans are equally guilty. Where I fault Biden is his refusal to admit why we're suffering from inflation & what we should be doing about it.

TRANSGENDER ATHLETES:  NOT about transphobia. It's about ignoring the obvious, biological advantages that transgender women enjoy in athletic competition.

GAS PRICES:  Here I do blame Biden. Cancelling pipelines & impeding domestic gas & oil production, all the while seeking more oil imports from other countries, make him both unreasonable & complicit.

UKRAINE:  Can Biden be held responsible for a genocidal maniac? I'm not sure. I am sure that our enemies have little or no fear of our president.

HERE'S TO YOUR (& OUR) HEALTH

"Permanent daylight saving time may be harmful to our health, experts say." Fox News Online 

Lois & I are still recovering from Influenza A. [Although she hasn't tested, her symptoms are so similar to mine as to suggest anything else.] I didn't make it to Men's Bible Study this morning, so I missed out on biscuits & gravy. [Yes, I really am that shallow.] And I didn't make it into work. She's already said that she doesn't plan to go to her women's Bible study tomorrow morning. As to whether we'll go to Lenten supper & church tomorrow night, the jury is still out.

TRENDING

"Leak in Earth's core brings us close to solving mystery of how world formed." Drudge Report. We already know how the world was formed. Check out Genesis Chapter 1.

"Amy Schumer horrified to learn you can now get slapped for bad jokes." Babylon Bee

ARE YOU A WOMAN? *

* Courtesy of Babylon Bee

Signs to Look For

* Are you always cold?

* Has a human ever popped out of you?

* Have you ever decorated a bed with six or more pillows?

* Do you frequently describe your emotional state as "fine" when you are not in fact fine?

* Is your Starbucks drink order anything other than black coffee?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"Food prices could spell social unrest, demand destruction & less bacon." Drudge

WRITING *

* Compliments of Reader's Digest, Nov. 2021

" . . . hundreds of studies over several decades have looked at the potential benefits of expressive writing & found that it can strengthen the immune system, including for people with illnesses such as cancer, PTSD, depression, asthma, & arthritis. Research also found that it can help reduce chronic pain & inflammation & improve mood, sleep, & memory. And it may even help reduce symptoms of depression & PTSD, & prevents colds & flu. 

"Expressive writing works because it allows you to make meaning out of a painful experience, experts say. Recognizing that something is bothering you is an important first step. Translating that experience into language forces you to organize your thoughts. And creating a narrative gives you a sense of control.

But there are a few caveats. Expressive writing isn't a magical panacea. It shouldn't be used as a replacement for other treatments.And people coping with a severe trauma or depression may not find it useful to do on their own, without therapy . . . 

How to practice expressive writing

> Set aside time, alone.

> Think short-term.

> Pick your medium.

> Choose a topic.

> Let sleeping dogs lie.

> Make the connections.

> Give  yourself advice.

> Don't limit yourself.

> Don't share.

> Power through.

> Move on.

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

More specifically, here's to OUR health. Last WED I started suffering from some troublesome symptoms--particularly a bad cough & aches. By THU I was experiencing more achiness & fatigue. When my symptoms hadn't improved by FRI morning, I went to see my doctor. I tested positive for influenza A & a "non-COVID corona virus." So, I started taking Tamiflu & industrial-strength cough medicine. Some of my symptoms are lingering, but I do seem to be getting better. [Well, read on.]

Then there's Lois. She decided to take part in a Meridian study, so on FRI morning she got a Pflizer shot. By FRI night she was starting to exhibit some of the same symptoms as me, plus a fever. Was it COVID? Influenza A? A reaction to the vaccine? She was feeling pretty rough by SAT, but yesterday seemed to be doing better.

Monday morning update:  Last night at supper I discovered that I had lost my sense of taste. Well, that seemed alarming, so this morning I took another COVID test at home. I tested negative, but I feel pretty crappy. I had to reschedule an eye appointment & phone in sick for Orphan Grain Train. My cough is really bothering me a lot more, too.  In the immortal words of Linda Ronstadt, "Poor, poor pitiful me."

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE WYOMING

"Wyoming has new app for claiming roadkill." Norfolk Daily News, 3/22

 . . . FLORIDA

"Miami Beach officially declares state of emergency after 2 shootings." msn.com, 4/23

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Worst fast food sauces you should never order *

* Compliments of msn.com, 4/23

> McD's creamy ranch sauce

> Culver's sweet & tangy bbq sauce

> Raising Canes's cane sauce

> KFC honey mustard.

LOVING-KINDNESS

Isaiah 63:7  "I will tell of the loving-kindnesses of God. I will praise Him for all He has done; I will rejoice in His great goodness to Israel, which He has granted in accordance with His mercy & love." The Living Bible

LUST

"Lust is persistent. If it's knocked on your door once, it'll knock again. And again. You are safe so long as you draw upon your Savior's strength." The Living Bible

PEACE IN CHAOS

"As Christians, we are reminded in Scripture that, because of sin, people often lived in chaos . . . Unfortunately, chaos in the world is nothing new, but it does seem that it has gotten worse. We read in Galatians 4:4 that, when the time was right, God sent His Son into the world He did not come as a conqueror with a sword. Jesus came in love to take our chaos upon Himself in order to bring us His grace, mercy, & peace. God sent Jesus because He loves us & wants the best for us. In the Apostle John's letter, we read that 'God is love' (1 John 4:8). Love is His essence, & Jesus, God's Son, modeled what sacrificial love is al about. His life is a model for our thoughts, words, & actions toward other people. Because of sin, chaos in the world will never end. Even though we can't expect eternal peace, we, through Jesus, are blessed with the peace that only He can provide." Grace Lutheran Church Newsletter, April 2022

THE PASTOR

"The pastor teaches God's Word to God's people. Through the ministry of the pastor, God forms His people in the Word to understand it, believe it, & live it, including parents, commissioned church workers & pious laypersons." James Baneck, The Lutheran Witness, Aug. 2021 

A LENTEN HYMN

Glory Be to Jesus (LSB #433, Sts. 1, 2, 6

Glory be to Jesus Who in bitter pains Poured for me the lifeblood From His sacred veins!

Grace & lie eternal In that blood I find; Blest be His compassion, Infinitely kind!

Lift we, then, our voices, Swell the mighty flood; Louder still & louder Praise the precious blood!

OUR GOD IS COMING

Isaiah 62:11-12  "See, the Lord has sent His messengers to every land & said, 'Tell My people, I, the Lord your God, am coming to save you & will bring you many gifts.' And they shall be called 'The Holy People' & 'The Lord's Redeemed,' & Jerusalem shall be called 'The Land of Desire' & 'The City God Has Blessed.'" The Living Bible

JESUS CANNOT BE SILENCED

"Gladly hear the rebukes from Jesus' Word of Law, knowing that they are not abuse but gifts. Gladly hear the comfort from God's Word of Gospel, knowing that through it, God forgives you & strengthens you faith. Jesus cannot be silenced. Death did not eliminate truth. The grave could not imprison truth. Jesus is alive, & so is the Word of God." Matthew Richard, Minute Messages

JESUS IS THE ANSWER

"Yes, Jesus is the answer, & it's precisely because He is the answer that we can venture out. Because He is Lord of all, we can walk into all & find Him Lord. This is not only a privilege, it's a mandate. It's what Christians are called to do in the world." John Fischer, Men's Devotional Bible

CHRIST'S PROMISE

"The downward trend in those seeking to serve in Christ's church is indeed concerning. Christ, however, promises to provide for His church. He will call those to serve His church, & He will send them with His Word. Through them, He will deliver His gifts of forgiveness & eternal life. And through these servants, He will answer the questions of His people with His true & timeless Word." Roy Askins, The Lutheran Witness, Aug. 2021

JOBS *

* Compliments of Drudge Report

Top 5 Most Boring Jobs

1. Data analysis

2. Accounting

3. Tax/insurance

4. Cleaning

5. Banking

Top 5 Most Exciting Jobs

1. Performing arts

2. Science

3. Journalism

4. Health professional

5. Teaching

HOTEL AMENITIES

"Whether out of necessity due to staffing shortages out, out of respect for social distancing or perhaps just to save money, one of the primary amenities that sets a hotel apart from you home--daily housekeeping--is disappearing." Norfolk Daily News, 3/18. Yeah, I've noticed this in the hotels we've stayed at within the last year or so. A lack of housekeeping doesn't usually bother me. What does bother me is soap, shampoo, & conditioner. For years I've collected hotel soap, shampoo, & conditioner, & I've built up quite a collection. Now, more & more hotels are foregoing this amenity & replacing it with containers that pump out shower gel, shampoo, & conditioner. 

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

* Compliments of Reader's Digest, Nov. 2021

"I have an idea for a hot wings restaurant:  The wings are free, but napkins cost $100."

GENDER IDENTITY

"Gender identity” was once just a fringe concept of postmodern philosophy. Today, it’s regularly causing real-world harm to children and teenagers (particularly girls) across the country in sports, schools, and even youth camps . . . The blatant promotion of transgenderism has infiltrated schools without parental consent and at the expense of academic learning. Gender-identity school policies and practices are becoming widespread. And curricula, books, videos, and activities promoting the transgender ideology are used with students as young as five. It’s common, moreover, for these materials used with students to contain sexually explicit content." Keri Ingraham, National Review Online

"When I spoke with parents of female swimmers at the NCAA women’s swimming championships this week, there were typically two main concerns they wanted to communicate. First, they are not transphobic. Second, allowing a biological male to compete against their daughters is unfair. As much as I sympathize with the falsely accused, so long as avoiding accusations of “transphobia” is the primary concern, this madness will continue." Madeleine Kearns, NRO

"At this year’s NCAA swimming championships, organizers allowed a biological male, Lia Thomas, to compete against female athletes on the basis of transgender status. And so, what should have been a moment of sporting pride — a celebration of some of the best female swimmers in the country — became a scandal . . . Even if Thomas had finished last in every race, the effect would still have been to deprive female athletes of their hard-earned opportunities to compete . . . 

"The trouble is that most people know that the emperor is naked but are too intimidated to say so. Inside the McAuley Aquatic Center, cheers and applause for Thomas were relatively muted compared with that for the female athletes. Some crowd members even booed Thomas, and one women’s-rights protester shouted, “He’s a man!” If the reaction to Thomas seems unsporting, consider how the female athletes feel. Parents report that their daughters have been instructed by their coaches to smile, stay silent, and step aside. So much for Title IX, which was supposed to protect women from this kind of discrimination. Instead of allowing, indeed actively encouraging, this fiasco, adults should have taken a hand from the beginning and politely but firmly said “no” to a biological male competing in a women’s sport." The Editors, NRO

CLIMATE CHANGE

"Democrats were so enamored with their Green New Deal delusion that they failed to understand that most people aren't as hyper-obsessed with climate change as they are. A new poll sponsored by my group, Committee to Unleash Prosperity, found that people are much more concerned about inflation and high gas prices than climate change. Moreover, the poll found that respondents' average amount they would be willing to pay for the climate change agenda was $55 a year. Sorry, that's the extra cost we are already spending with two fill-ups at the gas station. Then there is the increasingly unavoidable reality that the green energy sources they fantasize about are decades away from being technologically feasible to replace old-fashioned oil, gas and coal. Even the Energy Department predicts that even with the trend toward renewable energy, by 2035, we will still be heavily reliant on oil, gas and coal for electricity production, home heating and transportation fuels." Stephen Moore, Townhall

"The apocalyptic talk about climate change is nothing more than a diversion tactic by the government, the radical Left, and their mainstream press. The many laws, the trillions in federal appropriations and tax credits, and the unworkable proposals to address climate change will not slow the rise of the oceans or heal the planet. Lobbying for more climate regulation is to enhance the power of the authoritarian state, not protect the environment." Bill Kovacs, Townhall

HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

"The apostle Paul gave us the divine perspective in human relationships--not only in marriage but in every dimension of life. He wrote, 'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves' (Phil. 2:3)." James Dobson, Men's Devotional Bible

THE SPIRIT OF GOD

Isaiah 61:1-2  "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to bring good news to the suffering & afflicted. He has sent Me to comfort the broken-hearted, to announce liberty to the captives & to open the eyes of the blind. He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of God's favor to them has come . . . The Living Bible

SO MUCH MORE

"You have a Savior who is greater than your limited desires. You want entertainment but are given so much more--a bloody cross of forgiveness. You want a circus but are given so much more--an empty tomb of life. You want physical health but are given so much more--eternal life. You want wealth but are given so much more--rich mercy & grace. You want prosperity but are given so much more--an identity in your Baptism, a clear conscience in Absolution, & assurance in the Supper." Matt Richard, Minute Messages

LIFE THOUGHTS

"No death, not even in physician-assisted suicide or embryo destruction pleases the Lord God. And these practices pose spiritual dangers as well as physical ones. So, He has commissioned each of us to warn our neighbors--& especially our brothers & sisters--against them. We have not only the responsibility but the privilege of ushering them to a sacred escape." Grace Lutheran Church bulletin

DEATH IS DEFEATED

"Let your hearts be glad & at peace, fellow believers in Jesus. He has gone to prepare a place for you in heaven. He has promised to come again to take you home to live with Him in heaven forever. He will do it. His resurrection previews your future resurrection. This glorious Gospel truth enlivens & gladdens hearts amidst sorrow. This is the joyous, divine truth that I, & all pastors, have the joy & privilege to share, especially in funeral sermons & on All Saints' Day.

"Death cannot defeat Christians. Those who remain faithful until death will receive their crown of life given to them & paid for by Jesus who has triumphed over the grave. They will stand in that innumerable throng before the Lamb forever. This is the glorious Gospel fact that all Christians share in this dying world:  Death has been defeated by Jesus, & those who believe in Him will live forever. This evergreen message never gets too old to share from the pulpit, in hospice care or at the dinner table--or at a funerals, whether at the 50th funeral or the 500th. Alleluia! Christ is risen!" John Zimmerman, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2021

A BAPTISMAL HYMN

God's Won Child, I Gladly Say It (LSB #594, Sts. 1, 4-5)

God's own child, I gladly say it:  I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth's treasures many? I have one worth more than any That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity.

Death, you cannot end my gladness:  I am baptized into Christ! When I die, I leave all sadness To inherit paradise! Though I lie in dust & ashes Faith's assurance brightly flashes:  Baptism has the strength divine To make life immortal mine.

There is nothing worth comparing To this lifelong comfort sure! Open-eyed my grave is staring:  Even there I'll sleep secure. Through my flesh awaits its raising, Still my soul continues praising:  I am baptized into Christ; I'm a child of paradise.

We sang this hymn at church yesterday, on the occasion of the baptism of 3 children. It's one of my favorite hymns, & I intend to have it sung at my funeral. We sang it when our grandson Bentley was baptized. I got emotional then, & it still has the power to get me emotional now.

A LENTEN HYMN

In Silent Pain the Eternal Son (LSB #432)

In silent pain the eternal Son Hangs derelict & still; In darkened day His work is done, Fulfilled, His Father'w will. Uplifted for the world to see He hangs in strangest victory, For in His body on the tree He carries all our ill.

He died that we might die to sin And live for righteousness; The earth is stained to make us clean And bring us into peace. For peace He came & met its cost; He gave Himself to save the lost; He loved us to the uttermost And paid for our release.

For strife He came to bring a sword,The truth to end all lies; To rule in us, our patient Lord, Until all evil dies:  For in His hand He holds the stars, His voice shall speak to end our wars, And those who love Him see His scars And look into His eyes.

ROAD TRIP

I represented Orphan Grain Train at the Nebraska District LCMS pastors' retreat in Kearney on MON & TUE. Here are some highlights & not-so-highlights.

* Worship at these conferences are always a highlight. 

* People stopped by the OGT table to visit, & many had questions about what OGT is doing to help with the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. I was able to share with them that we are working to send relief supplies to aid refugees in Moldova, Poland, & Romania. Interested in knowing what you can do to help? Visit our web page:  ogt.org.

* I thought I would see some sandhill cranes between Grand Island & Kearney, but I did not. Did you know that 600,000 cranes migrate through Nebraska each March? Yes, the whale migration we witnessed in Hawaii was pretty dramatic, but there weren't 600,000 whales. Anyway, stick with my posts & you will learn all sorts of fascinating facts.

* Although it didn't quite compare with the seafood we sampled in FL last month, I did manage to "enjoy" some seafood in Kearney. I ate at a Chinese buffet on SUN night. It was rather mundane as far as buffets go, but they did have oysters. On MON night I had supper at Long John Silver's. Rachel & I used to eat at LJS's when it was open in Norfolk. It was a lot greasier than I remembered. And yesterday I ordered a McFish from McD's.

* I stayed at the Crowne Plaza, which was very nice. However, no free breakfast! I had to get coffee & a breakfast sandwich from the in-house Starbucks on MON morning. Pricey.

* I got to connect with a lot of pastors that I know. One of them was Greg Rathke, who served with me for many years at Lutheran High Northeast in Norfolk. He's now a vicar at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont. Great teacher & good friend.

OIL

The other day I posted about oil & gas prices. It may very well be that Big Oil is contributing to the enormous price increases. I find it interesting, however, that oil companies are ramping up their contributions to Democrats. Hmmm. I also find it interesting that our president is putting the blame on Putin, yet he revoked the Keystone XL pipeline permit & has pleaded with Saudi Arabia to increase their oil production, even as the U.S. has perhaps the largest oil reserves in the country. What's with that?

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

"Senate UNANIMOUSLY approves making Daylight Savings Time permanent." Drudge Report. I do NOT like springing ahead, but I do like falling back, so I hope the change happens after we fall back this year.

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

"STUDY:  Exposure to even small amount of light while sleep bad for heart." Drudge

"Live cold, die old. Lower body temp linked to longer life." Drudge. FYI:  We lower our thermostat to 62 at night.

TOM BRADY

"Tom Brady realizes it's easier to be hit by 300-lb linemen than stay home all day with young kids." Babylon Bee

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE

Isaiah 60:1-3  "Arise, My people! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is streaming from you. Darkness as black as night shall cover all the peoples of the earth, but the glory of the Lord will shine from you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see the glory of the Lord upon you." The Living Bible

FATHERS

"Experience has shown us that the men who are happiest & most content in the masculine role today are those whose fathers invested a great deal of time & energy in their lives." Stephen Arterburn & David Stoop, Men's Devotional Bible

THE CHRISTIAN CITIZEN

"The Christian citizen's role in a cynical age is expressed perfectly in the explanation to the 4th Commandment:  'We should fear & love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents & other authorities, but honor them, serve & obey them, love & cherish them.' Whether we agree with the current leaders or not, & whether we agree with the people who will hold office after the next election or not, we are to honor them as the authorities whom God has placed over us. We are to obey the laws they pass (unless those laws requires us to sin), pay the taxes they require & pray for their well-being. We are to cherish them because they are God's servants. Most of all, we remember that our eternal welfare is not in their hands but in the hands of our gracious Father, whose Son has opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers." Rev. David Loy, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2021

A LENTEN HYMN

On My Heart Imprint Your Image (LSB #422)

On my heart imprint Your image, Blessed Jesus, King of grace, That life's riches, cares, & pleasures Never may Your work erase; Let the clear inscription be:  Jesus crucified for me, Is my life, my hope's foundation, And my glory & salvation!

LECKBAND TEMP CHALLENGE 

When I saw Norfolk's temp on wunderground.com at 8:08 CST this morning, I thought we had a pretty good chance of winning the temp challenge. I was wrong, but I'll still publish the results.

#1, Eagan, MN, 2

#2, Ventura, IA, 6

#3, Norfolk, NE, 11

#4, Lincoln, NE, 12

#5, BALMIEST LECKBAND, Beatrice, NE, 13

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

"White Castle confirms that its 6 billionth burger has been sold at retail." Fox News Online. When I student-taught in Detroit, my host family extolled the virtues of White Castle, which I had never heard of. We occasionally ate at White Castle when we lived in Chicago. Their burgers were pretty cheap, & we would sometimes order a bag of "belly busters." The last time I had White Castle was in the Twin Cities. Nathan & I were headed on a fishing expedition, & I treated lunch. I would not have to eat there again.

Last night Lois & I ate at The Pier Seafood Restaurant in downtown Norfolk. It specializes in Mexican seafood, & I've wanted to eat there for some time. We shared an order of crab dip. Lois had a shrimp quesadilla, & I had shrimp fajitas. Here's what was really cool. They were playing a Toby Mac CD, so Lois asked our waiter who the Toby Mac Fan was. He said that he & his family were big fans. In fact, he & his wife were going to a Toby Mac concert in Omaha next THU. It just so happens that Lois is taking Brianna to the same concert. How cool is that?

"Doritos cuts number of chips in each bag, blames Bidenflation." Drudge Report

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

"1 in 3 Americans take pain meds every day." Drudge. I used to take a lot of pain meds because of back pain. Now I only take Extra-Strength Tylenol because of the DDD in my neck. My P.A. recently told me to take more Tylenol--at least for the time being--because of my bruised ribs. Just thought you'd like to know.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE FLORIDA

"FL school kid sad he has to wait until 4th grade to be indoctrinated by trans ideology." Babylon Bee

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

* Compliments of Reader's Digest, Nov. 2021

You can learn a lot about kids from their parents

> My daughter had a complete existential breakdown one day when she found out that she was going to have to pee every day of her life."

> After a typical rapid-fire question session with our 5-year-old, my wife wondered why she asks so many questions. Her response:  "Well, I don't know everything."

WHAT IS A WOMAN?

"Anyone who cannot answer this question is worse than useless to the cause of women’s rights." Madeleine Kearns, National Review Online

"The LGBT lobby does not believe in democracy or debate. They believe that all dissent is "hate speech," and any opposition to their treacherous goals leads to youth suicide and emotional torture. They fight dirty, always assuming the worst of their opponents and always engaging in character assassination." Tim Graham, Townhall

OIL

"The other day, Biden declared that there was nothing his administration had done to raise prices or restrict drilling. Actually, there have been plenty of regulatory measures taken and offshore leases curtailed. More importantly, Biden declared war on fossil fuels . . . In a strange bit of optics, as the president was suspending Russian oil imports last week, he requested $2.6 billion for "gender equality" globally. He's causing American energy price increases and wasting billions on nonsense. Now, he wants to blame the Russian oil imports for high gas prices, which were high before the ban . . . 

"If Biden were to commit to tapping our oil reserves and expanding domestic energy production, oil markets would respond rapidly, just as they did in 2008. Instead, even now, his administration dogmatically demands Americans switch to electric vehicles and get off fossil fuels. His administration continually signals that they will put the fossil fuel industry out of business. They thereby disincentivize investments in oil and gas, driving up costs on the American people. Decline is a choice, and it is one Biden's administration is making on the backs of the American middle class." Erick Erickson, Townhall 

GAS

"Amish man smiles smugly as he rides by gas station with $6 prices." Babylon Bee

"Biden says gas prices are not his fault unless they go back down." Ditto

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

"Hillary vows to stop importing dossiers from Russia." Babylon Bee

FACE MASKS

Fun Uses for Your Masks Now That Mandates Are Lifted *

* Compliments of the Babylon Bee

> Toilet paper:  might as well stockpile now.

> Impressing girls by pretending to be a doctor.

> Gag gift for secret Santa.

> Making Ron DeSantis mad.

> To wear on the log flume ride to protect you from THE DROPLETS!

CRIMINAL MINDS

"A man who tried to slither past U.S. border agents in CA had 52 lizards & snakes hidden in his clothing, authorities said TUE." Norfolk Daily News, 3/9

> TO

GAS

"Amish man smiles smugly as he rides by gas station with $6 prices." Babylon Bee

"Biden says gas prices are not his fault unless they go back down." Ditto

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

"Hillary vows to stop importing dossiers from Russia." Babylon Bee

FACE MASKS

Fun Uses for Your Masks Now That Mandates Are Lifted *

* Compliments of the Babylon Bee

> Toilet paper:  might as well stockpile now.

> Impressing girls by pretending to be a doctor.

> Gag gift for secret Santa.

> Making Ron DeSantis mad.

> To wear on the log flume ride to protect you from THE DROPLETS!

CRIMINAL MINDS

"A man who tried to slither past U.S. border agents in CA had 52 lizards & snakes hidden in his clothing, authorities said TUE." Norfolk Daily News, 3/9

RIBS

Based on this heading, you may have assumed that this was an entry extolling my brother-in-law Matt's world famous smoked ribs, but you would be wrong. Or you might have assumed I would be extolling my favorite places to order ribs, such as Famous Dave's or Whiskey Creek. Wrong again.

[Warning! Solicitation for pity ahead!] On Sunday, as I was walking into church, I stepped awkwardly off the edge of the sidewalk & sprawled onto the pavement, landing on my ribs. By MON morning I was in enough pain that I decided to see my P.A. She checked me out & agreed that I might have fractured a rib or two, so she sent me for x-rays. She also explained that, regardless of the outcome, about the only thing I could do was to take Tylenol; that I should take deep breaths to avoid getting pneumonia; & to expect a 4-6 week recovery.

I got the results of my x-rays yesterday. No fractures! Just serious bruising. So, it hurts to breathe deeply, reach, push, pull, lift, pivot, sit up, sit down, get into & out of the car, get into & out of bed, & more things that I'm finding out as I go along, but at least no fractures. But enough about me.

TRENDING

"Biden sells Alaska back go Russia so we can start drilling for oil there again." Babylon Bee

SINFUL STATES *

* Source:  Fox News Online, 3/8

"WalletHub released a report last month on the most sinful U.S. states in 2022, based on 7 categories:  anger & hatred, jealousy, excesses & vices, greed, lust, vanity,  laziness.

Most sinful U.S. states in 2022

* Nevada

* California

* Texas

* Florida

* Louisiana

Least sinful U.S. states in 2022

* Iowa

* South Dakota

* Vermont

* Wyoming

* Idaho

Comment:  Good news for Mark & Christy. Not so good news for John & Wanda, David & Carmen, Jerry & Anita, & Kathy.

COVID

"Covid can shrink brain as much as decade of aging, study finds." Drudge Report, 3/8

"FL first to recommend AGAINST vaccinating children." Drudge

ESSENTIAL COLLEGE COURSES *

* Compliments of Babylon Bee

Essential college courses that will better prepare you to fight in WW III

> Siberian Gender Studies:  Know your enemy! They will not do you the courtesy of announcing their pronouns!

> Atheism 101:  They say there are no atheists in foxholes. Pshaw! Let's fix that.

> Model UN:  Learn to construct strongly worded notes that evil regimes will laugh at & throw in the trash!

> Dismantling Heteronormative Christian Patriarchy in Russia & Beyond:  No point in defending Ukraine if we can't take the opportunity to Build Back Better.

BALANCING LIFE & WORK *

* Courtesy of Reader's Digest, Oct. 2021

"In FEB, an AZ man was found on the side of the road with his hands bound. The victim, who worked for a tire retailer, told a harrowing tale of masked kidnappers who were after his father's money. The story unraveled, though, when surveillance footage showed that the man had 'kidnapped' himself because he didn't want to go to work that day."

TELLING STORIES

"Stories have always been, & will always be, the way we understand ourselves & each other. They tell us who we are, separately as individuals & collectively as people. They point out our differences, but at the same time, they show us how we're all alike, what we have in common & how very much we need each other . . . Good, bad or horrid, our stories can tell it all, including things that make us more human (& might not be mentioned at our funeral) . . . As much as we need to tell our own stories, we also need to listen to the stories others tell. Even if we've heard them before. An old familiar tale can have a different meaning depending on why it's being told. Maybe the teller just needs to tell it again. If we don't share our stories with each other--with people who mean the world to us, or strangers we meet in the check-out line--we might never truly know ourselves or one another or why on Earth we are here." Column by Sharon Randall in Norfolk Daily News, 3/8

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Worst Frozen Foods for Your Health 

* Compliments of Fox News Online)

* Packaged frozen dinners

* Frozen pizza roll snacks

* Frozen pizza

* Frozen pot pies

* Frozen corn dogs

* Frozen french fries

* Frozen calzones

* Sweet & sour chicken

* Frozen toaster pastries

* Frozen baked goods

Ranking Fast Food Fish Sandwiches *

* Compliments of msn.online, 3/4

#6, McD's Filet-of-Fish

#3, Culver's Northwoods Walleye

# 1 TIE, "Popeye's Classic Cajun Flounder Sandwich

#1 TIE, "Culver's North Atlantic Cod

SIDE EFFECTS OF THE VACCINE *

* Compliments of the Babylon Bee

> You can sometimes communicate with chickens:  But only sometimes.

> Your hands will rub together uncontrollably like Nancy Pelosi.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE CANADA

"Canadian diner removes poutine from name because it sounds like Putin." Fox News Online

. . . THE EAST COAST

"Giant 'parachuting' spiders set to cover East Coast." Drudge Report

TRENDING

"Bronx bishop uses rap to draw faithful." Drudge Report

"9-year-old sneaks on to plane, travels 1,700 miles before anyone notices." Drudge

FLYING TIPS *

* Compliments of msn.online, 3/4

* Never close the overhead bins on a plane before takeoff, even if they seem full.

* Stow your luggage in a way that there's enough space for everyone in the overhead bins.

* Don't assume your carryon bag will fit in every plane's overhead bins.

* It's essential to check your luggage if you don't think you can lift your bag into an overhead bin.

STOP OPPRESSION

Isaiah 58:6-9a No, the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you & treat them fairly & give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry & bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor & destitute. Clothe those who are cold & don't hide from relatives who need your help. If you do these things, God will shed His own glorious light upon you. He will heal you; your godliness will lead you forward, & goodness will be a shield before you, & the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then, when you call, the Lord will answer, 'Yes, I am here,' He will quickly reply." The Living Bible

VARIETY

"I have learned that when God looks upon His Body, spread like an archipelago throughout the world, He sees the whole thing. And I think He, understanding the cultural backgrounds & true intent of the worshipers, likes the variety He sees." Paul Brand, Men's Devotional Bible

GROWING UP

"But you are not alone. In your Baptism, Jesus exorcized the devil from you & made room for the Holy Spirit. You were marked with the sign of the holy cross on your head & heart & branded with the name of the Triune God . . . The Lord calls you to grow up into the Word. He roots you, builds you up, & establishes you in the faith so that you may withstand the trickery, doubt, & attacks of the devil." Matthew Richard, Minute Messages

IS GOD SLOW?

"If God is slow in bringing to pass one of His promises to you, there's a reason for it. Like a good father who knows what his kids eed & when they need it, the Father above knows exactly what you need & when you need it. Sometimes not getting the thing you want is exactly what you need . . . That's why is should be such a relief to know that you have a Father God who can be trusted. Everything good that you have comes form Him, & everything bad that you have in your life He has allowed in order that it might bring some glory to Him . . . A God guy's faith must be grounded in the kindness & infallibility of the Father. When you can trust Him, then you can be set free. And that freedom will be the doorway to spiritual growth & maturity." Michael DiMarco, Devotions for the God Guy

LIFE THOUGHTS

"The fruits of the ground belong to he Lord (Deut. 26:10); how much more the fruit of the womb! Children aren't ours to do with as we wish. We must treat them even before birth as the Father Almighty wills. He holds every human life precious enough (Rom. 10:12) to meet the needs of all our bodies (Ps. 91:5-6, 12). It's an invitation for us to do the same." Grace Lutheran Church bulletin

PRAYER FOR THE LENTEN SEASON

"Gracious God, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ & also my dear Father, I thank you that you have permitted me to see another Lenten season, during which I am privileged again to meditate on the Cross of Christ with its many comforting spiritual lessons. May this holy season bring me rich personal blessings. Cause the message of the slain Lamb of Gd to impress on my heart & mind the awfulness of my sins & to lead me to Calvary for pardon & eace. Lead me to see that my sins caused His great agony in the Garden; that He was forsaken by His own that I might not be forsaken by You; that He died so that I might not die eternally.

"O Lord Jesus, grant that especially during this sacred season the story of Your wondrous love for me may draw me closer to You so that in gratitude for Your great love I may rejoice in my redemption, walk with You in willing obedience, & follow Your example of love & sacrifice.

"O Holy Spirit, during this Lenten season grant all pastors a double measure of Your outpouring to arouse the indifferent sinners, to stir up the lukewarm, to encourage the timid, to assure the doubting, to calm the disturbed, & to console the sorrowing. May troubled souls everywhere by the message of Lent be led to sincere repentance & trusting faith in the Cross of Calvary, so that, dyingto sin, they may live to You now & forever. In Jesus' name. Amen.  My Prayer Book

A LENTEN HYMN

Christ, the Life of All the Living (LSB #420, Sts. 1, 2, 7)

Christ, the life of all the living, Christ, the death of death, our foe, Who, Thyself for me once giving To the darkest depths of woe:  Through Thy suff'rings, death, & merit I eternal life inherit. Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

Thou, ah! Thou, hast taken on Thee Bonds & stripes, a cruel rod; Pain & scorn were heaped upon Thee, O Thou sinless Son of God! Thus didst Thou my soul deliver From the bonds of sin forever. Thousand, thousand thanks shall be, Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.

Then, for all that wrought my pardon, For Thy sorrows deep & sore, For Thine anguish in the Garden, I will thank Thee evermore, Thank Thee for Thy groaning, sighing, For Thy bleeding & Thy dying, For that last triumhant cry, And shall praise Thee, Lord, on high.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

For those of you who are endlessly fasciated by the details of my life, we've been ordering meals from EveryPlate. In case you're not familiar with them, they deliver ingredients for meals, which you then assemble & cook. Last night we had Cowboy Skillet Pie, which was outstanding. Somehow or other I have become the sous chef. If you would have asked me what retirement would be like, I never would have imagined this. Yet, somehow I'm enjoying this--mostly.

Now that I think about it, EveryPlate should become my corporate sponsor.

CRIMINAL MINDS

"Children committing carjackings for social media fame." Drudge Report

"Mail carrier allegedly beat turkey to death. Was it self-defense?" Drudge

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

"STUDY:  Glass of Wine with dinner slashes diabetes risk." Drudge  If only someone would have told me.

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

* Compliments of Reader's Digest, Feb. 2022

"I asked my wife if she would still love me when I was old & wrinkled. She replied, 'Of course I do.'"

"Before my wife became pregnant, I always assumed Braxton Hicks was a country music artist."

"6-year-old finishes dinner:  What's for dessert? ME:  We don't always have to have dessert. SIX:  Then why have dinner at all?"

"My 7-year-old staring at my face. ME:  What is it, sweetie? SEVEN:  Is my nose weird, too?

POLITICS & RELIGION

"Lent is also a time to redirect focus. Lent reminds each of us that we are to be humble. That, instead of focusing on ourselves, we should focus on God and on how we can serve others. This humbling is in opposition to the state of hubris, exaggerated pride or self-confidence, which is all too prevalent in our society. Lent provides us with space to reflect and restore ourselves and our connection to God.

"President George Washington understood the importance of personal values as the underpinning of a great nation. In his farewell address, written after serving eight years as our first president, Washington wrote, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports."

"President Abraham Lincoln, too, understood that he was but an instrument in the hand of God, and that the will of God would prevail. Almost halfway through his first term, he wrote a private note: "The will of God prevails. In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time. In the present civil war, it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party -- and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are for the best adaptation to effect his purpose."

"This Lenten season, let us also be humbled and reminded of our responsibility as citizens in our great nation. A democracy is only as effective as its citizens are active. It is our job to go out into our communities and to work together to make progress. Let us also remember that Lincoln reminds us that "it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party -- and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are for the best adaptation to effect his purpose." Allow yourself to be human and to be used by God." Jackie Gingrich Cushman, Townhall, 3/2

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

"Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed legislation Thursday that will immediately restrict participation in women’s college and K-12 sports to biological females. During the signing ceremony, Reynolds asserted that transgender women have a competitive advantage over female athletes, making the playing field fundamentally unfair, regardless of the medical steps taken to mute their biological advantages." Caroline Downey, National Review Online

"While Russia wages a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. Army is putting its soldiers through training on gender pronouns and coaching officers on when to offer soldiers gender transition surgery, according to an official military presentation on the subject obtained by the Washington Free Beacon." Matt Vespa, NRO

"By now you may have forgotten President Joe Biden gave his State of the Union address last week. On Monday, Biden walked across the White House lawn alone and in a mask. On Tuesday, he walked into a crowd of House members rejoicing that no more masks were needed. It was the perfect metaphor for Biden at governance and Biden at speech." Erick Erickson, Townhall

FL ROAD TRIP POST-MORTEM

We had an uneventful trip back from St. Petersburg yesterday. All our flights went off without a hitch. And when we arrived back in Omaha at 4:30p, it was 70 degrees! We did pay over $23 for a lunch at Wendy's during our layover in Houston. Whatever.

Highlights

* Time spent with Lois & her sisters Kathy & Anita.

* Kathy's kindness, hospitality, & generosity.

* An opportunity to visit with our nephew Nick & his family.

* Opportunities to hike in several nature preserves.

* Wildlife sightings, including alligators, frigate birds, ospreys, pelicans, & dolphins.

* Seafood! I sampled peel & eat shrimp, yellow snapper, lobster dip, fish dip, lobster tail, mahi bites, a mahi fish sandwich, & ceviche.

* More food! We had key lime pie a few times. Also, Greek food, which included gyros, souvlaki, & Mythos Greek beer.

* The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St Petersburg.

* Multiple trips to the beach.

* Two visits to the Gulfport Market. 

* A walk through the historical cemetery in the Roser Park National Historic District Register.

* A visit to exotic Key West, which included a highly entertaining trolley ride & an exotic stroll down Duvall St.

* A trip from Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park, although the boat ride to & from would probably not be one of Lois' highlights.

* Movies. My favorites?  "Airplane" & "My Octopus Teacher."

* The view of Boca Ciego Bay from Kathy's 7th floor condo.

RESOLUTIONS REVIEW

> Lose at least 12 lbs. C-. After losing 3 lbs in JAN, I gained back 2 in FEB. Road trips are always a challenge for me. With a net loss of 1 lb, I'm behind my goal of losing 1 lb/month.

> Cross 2 things off our bucket list. A. We visited Key West & Dry Tortugas NP.

> Have fruits & vegetables at least 4X/week. A. 

> Walk at least 4X/week. B-. I got at least 4 walks in per week while we were in FL last month.

> Publish my 365-devotion book. NA. Pending.

> Write & publish another 365 day-devotion book. A. I'm making progress.

AVERAGE:  B+

EASY THINGS TO GIVE UP FOR LENT *

* Compliments of the Babylon Bee

> Russian Vodka:  It's a bad habit & somehow helps you stand with Ukraine!

> Laughing when your kid gets hurt doing something you told him not to do:  Next to impossible. You're aiming for sainthood status with this one.

> Flossing:  That way you'll have a legitimate reason when your dentist asks you why you didn't.

> The Presidency:  If your name is Joe Biden.

LENT

We began our 40-day observance of Lent with Ash Wednesday yesterday. I didn't appreciate Lent when I was growing up. By the time church started on WED evenings, it was already dark, which added to the gloominess I felt. All that talk about sin! No, I wanted the message of Easter! I've learned that in order to fully appreciate Easter, we must first appreciate Lent--a time for us to reflect on our sin & the encompassing grace of Jesus, who took our sins to the cross. I look forward to Lent now, & I pray that the Lord would bless you in a special way during this Lenten season.

CONTRITE & HUMBLE SPIRITS

Isaiah 57:15  The high & lofty One who inhabits eternity, The Holy One, says this:  "I live in that high & holy place where those with contrite, humble spirits dwell; & I refresh the humble & give new courage to those with repentant hearts."

BALANCE

"Our goal is balance . . . always balance. Nt either-or, but both-and. Not just tough. That alone makes a man cold, distant, intolerant, unbearable. But tough and tender . . . gentle, thoughtful, teachable, considerate." Charles Swindoll, Men's Devotional Bible

OUR VOCATION AS CITIZENS

"Just as the corruption of governing authorities does not give Christians an excuse to rebel, neither does it give us an excuse to withdraw from public life as if our actions do not matter. God calls us to love our neighbors in all our vocations & to entrust the results to Him. As citizens of a democratic society, we can show that love for fellow citizens by using the ballot box or even courts of law to hold officials accountable. We can talk with fellow citizens to seek the common good together. God does not call us to achieve specific results. He simply calls us to love our neighbor in the vocation of citizens as in all other vocation Cynically withdrawing from public life prevents us from taking an opportunity to serve our neighbor in love." David Loy, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2021

RETURN TO GOD

"Return to Me with all your heart, with fasting with weeping, & with mourning." (Joel 2:12)

"God's Word calls out to you to approach Him with sorrow, with sin, & with a torn heart. God will neither despise nor reject a person with a broken spirit. God will not cast you off with your crushed, torn-down, wrecked, & crippled heart full of sin . . . Yes, your sin puts you in a tomb, but the Gospel puts you in Jesus' tomb, where you find life because of His resurrection." Matthew Richard, Minute Messages

WORRY

"Worrying denies the power of the God you claim to worship. That's why worry is sin . . . You will win over worry when you decide that you don't want anything more than what God wants for you. And you have exactly that. If God wanted you to have more, He would have given it to you . . . Don't let worry define you, but define yourself by your faith!" Michael DiMarco, Devotions for the God Guy

PRAYER FOR LENT

"Lord Jesus, precious Savior, who went all the way to the cross to redeem me, a lost & condemned creature, graciously look upon me in this Lenten season, & let me find cleansing & healing in Your precious blood. My transgressions caused You the agony of the garden. My sins nailed You to the accursed tree. You were forsaken so that I would not be forsaken throughout all eternity. Make me see the awfulness of my sin & then Your wondrous love that would not let me die.

"Grant that I may ponder day after day upon Your passion. Let nothing distracting take my thoughts from You. Draw me closer that I might find in You forgiveness & peace.

"Bless this Lenten season in our many Lutheran congregations. Grant to the pastors grace to proclaim Your glorious passion with consecrated hearts, that all who hear this message of reconciliation may love You more & more. Abide with my household, & let sin have no dominion over us. As I ponder anew Your death for my transgressions, make me bold to live to You today & tomorrow & forever. Amen." Lutheran Book of Prayer

A LENTEN HYMN

Savior, When in Dust to Thee (LSB #419, Sts. 1, 4)

Savior, when in dust to Thee Low we bow the adoring knee; When, repentant, to the skies Scarce we lift our weeping eyes; O, by all Thy pains & woe Suffered once for us below, Bending from Thy throne on high, Hear our penitential cry!

By Thy deep expiring groan, By the sad sepulchral stone, By the vault whose dark abode Held in vain the rising God, O, from earth to heav'n restored, Mighty, reascended Lord, Bending from Thy throne on high, Hear our penitential cry!