A MILESTONE

Today at 1:00 p.m. I will be celebrating my 70th birthday. I'm receiving many Happy Birthdays on Facebook, for which I am grateful. I don't think I'll have (or make) time to respond to all of them. I already received tasteless yet demeaning birthday cards from my brother & sister. Ditto from Lois. Tonight we're having supper at El Mezcal--our favorite Mexican restaurant in Norfolk--with Brianna, Rachel, maybe Derek, & Bentley. We haven't told the others yet that it's Dutch treat. (For the record, I'm not hating on the Dutch.) Some some that 70 is the new 40. Not buying it. Lois' Grandma Lois used to say that she never really felt old until she turned 70. I can relate, but I don't want to sound like I'm whining. Well, actually, I don't care. Perhaps this is what happens when you turn 40.

EPIPHANY

Yesterday was Epiphany, the Gentiles' Christmas, a holyday that resonates with me, since I am of Gentile stock. I picture my ancient forefathers (& mothers), scampering around the forests of Northern Germany, worshiping trees & sacrificing babies until someone or someones evangelized them, for which I will always be grateful. God is good.

RESOLUTIONS 2023

After much pondering, & after realizing how my tardiness has undoubtedly disappointed many of my loyal followers, here are my New Year's resolutions for 2023, along with some pithy comments.

* Average 1 road trip per month. Definitely doable. It takes 2 nights on the road to qualify. For context, I/we successfully completed 15 road trips in 2022.

* Lose 5 lbs. It looks more & more that losing 22 lbs in 2020 was a fluke. I failed miserably in both 2021 & 2022, so I've settled on a more more modest goal for 2023.

* Add to our National Park list. Definitely doable, since we're planning to visit Biscayne Bay NP while on our annual FEB pilgrimage to Florida.

* Avoid desserts. Notice that I didn't say "give up desserts." I said "AVOID desserts."

* Walk and/or do my physical therapy exercises at least 4X/week. Especially important, since the DDD in my neck has really become an issue. The question? Can I follow-through.

* Publish another 365-day devotion. After already reviewing all 365 devotions twice, I've delivered all 365 devotions to my wife for her editorial review. When she's done, I'll make any necessary revisions, download them from my computer at OGT onto a zip drive, load them onto my laptop at home, review them again, then submit them to a publisher.

* Write another devotion book. I've started a 52-week devotion book. 

MORE RESOLUTIONS

After looking at "115 Comical Tweets Making Fun of New Year's Resolutions" on Bored Panda, here are some resolutions that I rejected.

> Always return my shopping cart.

> Eat more cookies.

> Have my body make less sound when I get up.

> Discard old socks.

> Procrastinate. Starting tomorrow.

> Wake up earlier & be more productive . . . LOL.

> Figure out how to squeeze a 4th & 5th meal into my day.

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE FLORIDA

"TSA says 'emotional support' boa constrictor snake found in carry-on bag at FL airport." Fox News Online

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

Although I lobbied to keep them our tree & decorations up until Easter, when the kids & grandkids will join us again, I lost the battle. Lois did most of the heavy (literally) lifting. I provided a minimum of help. Now we have the bagged Christmas tree & containers of decorations & wall hangings cluttering our living room. Because of my neck condition, I can't help hoisting them back on the shelves in the garage. Lois, Brianna, & maybe Rachel & Derek will help with that. Hopefully before Easter.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

Two nights ago we watched "Monty Python & the Holy Grail." Although we've seen it before, Brianna hadn't. She found it hilarious. Last night we watched the original "Top Gun," as a precursor to watching "Top Gun Maverick." Brianna wasn't very impressed.

FOR THE RECORD

When everything was said & done, I got our cards, letters, & pictures in the mail before Christmas. Barely. I thought I was doing pretty well with sending over 60 pieces of Christmas correspondence. Then I found out from some friends that they send 160 cards & letters out. Now I'm bummed.

GOD IS POWERFUL & MIGHTY

2 Chronicles 20:6.  “O Lord God of our fathers—the only God in all the heavens, the Ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth—You are so powerful, so mighty. Who can stand against You?” The Living Bible

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

TODAY'S VERSE FROM PSALMS

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!" (Ps. 8:1)

JESUS' SUFFICIENCY

"I've encountered Jesus' sufficiency most deeply during the most crushing crises--when I was weakest. Jesus & His grace are all we need." Isabella Campolattaro, Mornings with Jesus

JUSTIFICATION

"St. Paul expresses the scriptural teaching of justification by grace, through faith, apart from human works. In Romans 3:21-24, he says:  'But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law & the Prophets bear witness to it--the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:  for all have sinned & fall short of the glory of God, & are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.' Paul states it more succinctly in Romans 3:28:  'For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.'" Rev. Curtis Giese, The Lutheran Witness, Aug. 2022

A CHRISTMAS HYMN

What Child Is This? (LSB #370, St. 1)

What child is this, who, aid to rest, On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet Whle shepherds watch are keeping? Thi, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard & angels sing; Hase, hase to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary!

SOME THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR

I continue to be very disillusioned with the path that our country seems to be taking. Where is God? So many seem to have abandoned Him & followed after evil teachings about abortion & gender. Yesterday morning during my quiet time, I read Psalm 94 & highlighted these verses.

Blessed is the man whom You discipline, O Lord, & whom You teach out of Your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not forsake His people; He will not abandon His heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, & all the upright in heart will follow it . . . Can wicked rulers be allied with You, those who frame injustice by statute? They band together against the life of the righteous & condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord has become my stronghold, & my God the rock of my refuge. (94:12-15, 20-22)

My conclusions? God's people are not to lose hope, despite "wicked rulers" who are not "allied with (Him)." They may act against the Lord & against His people, but God remains in control. We are to put our trust in Him & not in earthly leaders & political parties. We are not to hate our enemies. Rather, we are to pray for them, & we are called to give our authorities the honor & respect that God requires, while still striving to speak the truth in love.

RESOLUTIONS 2023

I'm still working on my resolutions for 2023. In the meantime, this morning's Omaha World Herald had an article entitled "Rock Your Resolution." It included these tips for success.

1. Confront your temptations.

2. Tell your friends.

3. Remember the reward.

4. Accept challenges.

5. Be prepared for a setback.

6. Commit yourself.

ROAD TRIPS REDUX

Those of you who follow me know how much Lois & I enjoy our road trips. Here's a list of the trip we made in 2022, keeping in mind that in order to qualify, a road trip must include 2 or more nights on the road.

JAN:  Minnesota [We visited my son Nathan & his family in Eagan.]

FEB:  Florida [We visited Lois' sister Kathy in St. Petersburg], & took a side trip to Key West & Dry Tortugas NP [which included Lois' sister Anita].

MAR:  Kearney, NE, where I represented OGT at the Nebraska District Pastors Conference.

APRIL:  Lois & I celebrated our wedding anniversary early by spending a couple of nights at the historic Bassett Lodge in Bassett, NE.

MAY:  Lois' 50th high school class reunion at St. Paul's Lutheran High School in Concordia, MO.

JUNE:  A long weekend at Nathan's in Eagan, MN; a little over a week in Kingsburg, CA, to visit her sister Wanda, our brother-in-law John, & our niece Teresa & her family. Our grand-daughter Brianna accompanied us. She, Wanda, & Lois volunteered at a Joni & Friends Retreat in Mission Spring. I got to attend  a couple of John's band concerts. And we had a family reunion with our children & grand-children in Arnold's Park next to Lake Okoboji, IA.

SEPT:  While Lois was in St. Petersburg for the Hill Family Sister Bash, I represented OGT at the Nebraska District South LWML Convention in Kearney, then spent a few nights at our favorite KOA, adjacent to the Badlands of SD.

NOV:  We took a 10 day cruise to Hawaii, which included stops in Oahu, Maui, the Big Island [including a visit to Volcanoes NP], & Kauai; also a stop in Ensenada, Mexico on the way back to San Francisco.

DEC:  Lois joined her sister Kathy in Washington, DC, for Wreaths Across American, & we spent the week after Christmas in Lincoln, NE, at our daughter's Sarah & her family.

A PREVIEW

JAN:  We'll spend a week in Eagan, MN again, where we'll get to celebrate our grandkids' birthdays at Nathan Laura's.

FEB-MAR:  We'll make what's turned into our annual tradition of visiting Kathy in St. Petersburg. We'll also make a side trip to Key Biscayne NP, & we'll be joined by her sister Anita & brother David & Carmen.

JUNE:  Our first trip to Europe, where we'll retrace St. Paul's missionary journeys in Greece.

JULY:  Our annual family reunion, this year back in Omaha.

SEP:  My 50th St. Paul's College reunion in Concordia, MO.

SPEAKING OF NATIONAL PARKS

Last FEB we spent a few days in Key West. While we were there we took a boat to Dry Tortugas NP, in our never-ending quest to stay ahead of my son & his family when it comes to checking off NPs from our bucket list. Good thing we went there last FEB, because here's what I learned in an article found in today's Drudge Report.

"Nearly 500 migrants come ashore in Florida Keys, forcing major park to close. A massive wave of migrants arrived in the Florida Keys over the weekend, as some 500 people believed to be from Cuba & other part of the Caribbean came ashore in what local officials described as a major crisis.' The arrival forced authorities to close Dry Tortugas NP, where some 300 migrants arrived over New Year's & were met by first responders who did their best to provide aid, including food & water."

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL

We woke up to maybe 6" of snow on top of a layer of ice, & we're still in an ice warning. Thought you'd like to know.

TODAY'S TRENDING NEWS FROM BABYLON BEE

"Teacher frustrated as half her student detransitioned over Christmas break."

"Eve mistakenly eats from Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil instead of adjacent Tree of Good Driving."

"Open-minded programmer only works in non-binary code."

"Southern Baptist softball league implements 'once safe, always safe' rule for baserunners."

PARENTHOOD *

* Compliments of Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Bathroom Reader"

"It just occurred to me that the majority of my diet is made up of the foods my kids didn't finish." Carrie Underwood

"If you're not yelling at your kids, you're not spending enough time with them." Reese Witherspoon

"I've noticed that one thing about parents is that no matter what stage your child is in, the parents who have older children always tell you the next stage is worse." Dave Barry

"When your children are teenagers, it's important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you!" Nora Ephron

WAYS TO BUILD RESILIENCE *

* Reader's Digest, Mar/April 2022

* Nurture relationships. When adversity strikes, a supportive friend with good listening skills can make a big difference. And if you want your friends & family to support your resilience, remember to support theirs too.

* Find a sense of purpose. Your sense of purpose doesn't have to come from school or work; it can also come from hobbies or volunteer projects, like growing a backyard vegetable garden or cleaning up litter in a neighborhood park.

* Don't try to banish misfortune completely. Everyday stress probably helps us learn how to handle bigger challenges & graually optimize our adaptive systems.

SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS IS GOOD FOR YOUR BRAIN

"We know that getting some fresh air can be a mood lifter, but not a German study gives us insight into why. When researchers scanned city dwellers' brains, they discovered that those who spent more time outside had a larger volume of gray matter in the right prefrontal cortex--the area involved in planning thought & actions. Of course, the stakes for getting outside could be even higher than a mood shift. Earlier studies have found that less prefrontal gray matter is linked to depression. If you're not naturally inclined to leave the coziness of your home, make it a goal to spend at least two hours outside every week." Ditto

2022 RESOLUTIONS POST MORTEM

1. Lose at least 12 lbs. F. Total debacle. Didn't even bother weighing this morning.

2. Cross 2 things off our bucket list. A+. Hawaii cruise, Key West, Dry Tortugas NP.

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

4. Walk at least 4X/week. D. I did a lot of walking in FL last FEB; also a lot of walking while rehabbing after my hip replacement; also while on our Hawaii cruise.

5. Publish my 365-day devotion book. A+

6. Write & publish another 365-day devotion book. B. Finished, but still needs to be proofed & published.

GPA:  B/B-

TODAY'S TRIVIA *

* Compliments of Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Bathroom Reader

> According to scientists, 40% of people have a first memory that didn't really happen.

> The last president with facial hair:  William Howard Taft.

> The main source of food for coral is fish urine.

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

* Courtesy of Reader's Digest, Mar/April 2022

"The longest drum solo was 10 hours & 25 minutes & was performed by the child sitting behind me on Delta Flight 963 from Los Angeles to Tokyo."

"The first woman to have a baby was probably like "Whaatt the ... !!!!"

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

"STUDY:  Staying hydrated liked to lower risk for disease, early death." Drudge Report

TRENDING FROM THE BABYLON BEE

"Federal judge orders Arizona child to dismantle border wall he built out of legos."

"Southwest's work from home policy under scrutiny."

"Danny DeVito cast a Zacchaeus in 'The Chosen.'"

"4-hour-long political lecture to be disguised as awards show."

"Bible experts determine Goliath died of COVID-19."

"New Canadian operation game just has you murder the patient."

"Scholars believe Cain murdered Abel out in a field so the Elf on the Shelf wouldn't see it."

"Mary holding out hope for 4th wise man bearing an air fryer."

"Zelensky shoots his eye out with the rocket launcher he got for Christmas."

"Santa' sleigh mistakenly shot down by Ukrainian missile."

Predictions for 2023

> Jan. 6:  AOC dies again of PTSD after recounting her death on Jan. 6.

> Feb. 13:  Kamala Harris reports that Biden had an unfortunate accident coming down the stairs.

> Feb. 16:  Kamala caught laughing while at Biden's funeral.

> Mar. 3:  Whoopi Goldberg says something racist.

> Mar. 23:  John Fetterman finally finishes taking his oath of office.

> Oct. 27:  Elon Musk buys The View & promptly cancels the show forever.

> OCT. 29:  Post Office releases Jan. 6 commemorative stamp.

> Dec. 10:  A late-night host says something funny.

Shocking Revelations from Trump's Tax Returns

> Trump charged over $500,000 worth of business lunches at McDonald's.

> On his 2027 return, he listed his occupation as "America's Favorite President."

> He claimed 328 million people as his dependents in 2019.

> He applied for the same basic deductions available to any American citizen. Criminal!

THE WIT & WISDOM OF CAL THOMAS *

* Column in Norfolk Daily News, 12/31

"Eighteen Republican senators voted for the monstrosity known as the $1.7 trillion Omnibus spending bill, thus forever relinquishing their claim to belong to a party committed to less spending, smaller government, & personal responsibility . . . Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), is among the few calling out his colleagues for their spending orgy, though few seem to care so long as they are getting their share of the largesses. Paul lists some of the financial sins committed by this Congress. They include what he called a 'whopping $482,276,543,907 of waste, including an asteroid-induced hamster fight club, a study to see if kinds love their pets, & a study of the romantic patterns of parrots & coffee machines for the Pentagon.' That's just for starters. The conservative Heritage Foundations lists some more.

* $1.2 million for LGBTQIA+ Pride Centers & another $1.2 million for support services for DACA recipients (aka helping migrants with taxpayer funds) at San Diego Community College.

* $477,000 for the Equity Institute in Rhode Island to endow teachers with anti-racism virtual labs.

* $1 million for Zora's House in Ohio, a coworking & community space for women & gender-expansive people of color.

* $3 million for the American LGBTQ+ Museum in New York City.

* $3.6 million for a Michelle Obama Trail in Georgia.

* $750,000 for LGBTQ & Gender Non-Conforming housing in Albany, NY.

* $2 million for the Great Blacks in Wax museum in Baltimore.

* $856,000 for the LGBTQ Center in New York.

* $750,000 for the TranLatin@ Coalition to provide workforce development program & supportive services for Transgender & Gender Nonconforming & Intersex (TGI) immigrant women in Los Angeles.

A PRAYER FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY 

It is on account of Your mercy alone, O Lord that we are not consumed, because Your compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Abide with us, O God, throughout the coming year. Be our guide in all our perplexities, our strength in our weakness, our ever-ready help in all our troubles. Forgive us all our sins, O Sabaoth Lord, look down from heaven & in grace behold & visit Your holy Church, which You have chosen for Your own. Preserve for us Your saving Word & Sacraments, that Your vine may send out its boughs from sea to sea & its branches to the uttermost parts of the earth. Look graciously upon our nation & all the nation of the world, & bless them with peace. Grant to all that are in authority wisdom & courage to rule in such a way that we may lead quiet & peaceful lives in all godliness & honesty. To You, almighty Creator & gracious God, we commit this nation our churches, our families & loved ones, ourselves. Abide with us. With Your grace & mercy preserve us whole--souls & bodies--blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Lutheran Prayer Book