IN MEMORIUM 

Yesterday we received word that our good friend Mike passed away earlier this month. Mike & Elaine were two of the best friends we made when we lived in Chicago from 1975-1980. They introduced us to backpacking & cross-country skiing. We had some really good times together. One memorable experience was backpacking with Mike & Elaine & their daughters Vicki & Jackie in the Porcupine Mts in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He will be missed. 

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCE 

I just finished "Beside Bethesda," 31 daily devotions written by Joni Eareckson Tada. Paralyzed as a teenage, she went on to found Joni & Friends; they sponsor summer retreats for families who have disabled dependents. Lois & her sister Wanda & our grand-daughter Brianna have served at these retreats for the past few years, & Wanda has served even longer. I strongly recommend this book for those who have endured trials, whether their own or their loved ones. It's available from NAVpress. 

HEALING 

 "Oh, God, You were so wise in not giving me physical healing. Because that 'no' has meant 'yes' to a stronger faith in You, a deeper prayer life, & a greater understanding of Your Word. It has purged sin from my life, forced me to depend on Your grace, & increased my compassion for others who hurt. It has stretched my hope, given me a lively, buoyant trust in You, stirred an excitement about heaven, & pushed me to give thanks in times of sorrow. It has increased my faith & helped me to love You more. Jesus, I love You more. He didn't give me the physical healing I had wanted, but the deeper healing I needed so much more." Beside Bethesda 

WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE? 

"And in the whole wide world there is only one who can heal our soul's diseases. That one is Jesus. With His own heart's blood He has won for us the only means by which the virus of sin can be driven out of the souls of those who are sick unto death. Then, one day, He stands before the weary, suffering soul. Do we hear a heartrending cry to Him for help? . . . Most of those who are sick do not desire to be made whole. So they keep their sin--& their sufferings. What do you choose? If you knew the joy of having a soul made whole, a soul at peace with God & at war with sin, you would make the right decision this very day." O. Hallesby, God's Word for Today 

WHO'S THE GREATEST? 

On SUN 9/10, Lois & I were in Concordia, MO, for my St. Paul College 50-year anniversary. We went to church at my home congregation, St. Paul's Lutheran. The Gospel reading was from Matthew Chapter 18, & I was moved by these words, spoken by Jesus. "Whoever receives one such child receives Me (18:5) . . . Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom temptation comes (18:7) . . . See to it that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven" (18:10). Do these words from Jesus have anything to teach us about abortion? What about human trafficking? Or gender reassignment surgery, especially for children? I think they do. Unborn children are still children. How can we receive them as we would receive Jesus, if we murder them before birth? Human trafficking certainly despises these little ones, & too often we'd rather turn the other way & pretend it doesn't happen. And surgical procedures that scar them for life? Sadly, not only do many of our leaders despise little ones by supporting & encouraging abortion, so do many Christians who support abortion rights. Many parents seem to encourage their little boys to think that they are really little girls, or their little girls to think that they are little boys. And young people who suffer from gender-confusion are encouraged to undergo permanent surgical procedures that have radical, lifelong consequences. Another great sin. The consequences? "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom temptation comes." We have to ask ourselves as God's people: Are we on the side of the world or on the side of the Lord. 

EVIL, GOOD & GOOD, EVIL 

"We, too, will face the temptation to call something good that God has declared wicked. We may be persuaded that we can accomplish more good by lying than by telling the truth . . . We will also be tempted to call evil that which God declares good. God says it is good to love our enemies, yet we might decide that our task is to hold them responsible for their actions. It is so important to hold ourselves accountable to God's Word. God does not need us to find exceptions for His commands. He requires our obedience." Henry & Richard Blackaby, Experiencing God Day-By-Day 

DIVINE POTENTIAL 

"Only God knows the potential of each believer. We can project what we think God might do in someone's life, but we have no way of knowing. We see only outward appearances & behavior, whereas God looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7)." Experiencing God Day-By-Day 

REVENGE 

Once again, I came across something in my morning quiet time that I really needed to see. SAT morning was a case in point, because I am prone to seek my justice, not God's justice, on those who practice & profit from abortions, along with those who promote abortion rights; LGBTQ+ propaganda & practices that include the mutilation of children; human trafficking; & CRT. Here's what I read yesterday morning. 

"One of the hardest areas in which to trust God is in the matter of justice. When we perceive an injustice, we want to see the guilty party punished. We want justice to prevail, especially if we are the victim . . . God is absolutely just, & only He can ensure that justice is fully carried out. If we are impatient & seek revenge, we presume that we are wiser than God, & we reveal a blatant lack of trust that God will do the right thing. Only by trusting God's sovereign wisdom will we be free from our anger & preoccupation toward those who have committed evil. If we refuse to trust God's justice, we become enslaved to bitterness & anger. We must guard our hearts & trust God to exercise His judgment against those who oppose Him." Experiencing God Day-By-Day 

BEARING FRUIT FOR JESUS 

"The disciples of Jesus live only to bear fruit for Jesus . . . At some time or another we all meet with adversity or sufferings so great that we cannot fathom or understand them at all. But if we look upon these things as the gardener's wise & loving cleansing of the branches, we will be set free within, even though outwardly the adversity & the suffering still continue . . . We do not live in order to have a good time, but to bear fruit. Unto the glory of the Lord. If we will remember this, we will not be so surprised when the Gardener comes to us also with His pruning knife." God's Word for Today 

LIFE THOUGHTS IN THE YEAR 

Abortion & euthanasia begrudge God's generosity (Matt. 30:15) by regarding one life as less than another. Thank the Lord that His ways are not our ways (Is. 55:8), for none of us deserves to survIve! Yet He preserves & protects us still, just as much as our every neighbor. O Lord, make us bold to speak Your Word of Life without fear (Phil. 1:14)!" Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin 

TODAY'S PRAYER 

"Lord God, heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace & live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lies & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Grace Church Bulletin 

A HYMN FOR TODAY 

When I Behold Jesus Christ (LSB #542, Sts. 1, 3, 4) 

"When I behold Jesus Christ, True God who died for me, I wonder much at His love As He hung on the tree. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is this? You showed Your love, Jesus there To me on Calvary. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is this? You showed Your love, Jesus, there, To me on Calvary. 

You had no sin, holy Lord, But You were tortured, tried; On Golgotha there for all My sins You bled & died. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is this? You showed Your love, Jesus there To me on Calvary. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is this? You showed Your love, Jesus, there, To me on Calvary. 

What love is this? Greater love No one has ever known. My life with God--this I owe To You, & You alone. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is this? You showed Your love, Jesus there To me on Calvary. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is this? You showed Your love, Jesus, there, To me on Calvary.

WHY I BLOG

"I started to blog & write other Facebook posts after I left Lutheran High Northeast in 2014. I was burned out & started seeing a mental health therapist to help me deal with my anxiety & depression. Journaling is one way to cope, & blogging became for me a way to journal. So, I blog mostly for myself, but I always hope that my posts entertain & maybe even help those who read them. There you go!

RAIN? YES!

We enjoyed a thunderstorm the other day, & I woke up to a thunderstorm this morning. We're talking heavy rain. Not only that, it's continued to rain off & on. Can we control the weather? The climate? I sincerely doubt it, so I keep praying for the weather we need, & ask God to help us cope with the weather we get.

MAN'S BEST FRIEND

Our dog Sammy got me up this morning, because it was obviously time for breakfast. Then he decided that he needed to go outside, despite the pouring rain. I gave in, let him out, then watched him wander around the deck before demanding to be let back in, soaking wet. He keeps looking at me like I'm responsible for the rain. And he's been moping, because Lois is in Omaha with our grand-daughter Hadley. I tried to humor him by giving him & few scraps of bacon & letting him lick off my breakfast plate. If he plays his cards right, I may take him for a walk this afternoon.

A MUCH BETTER WEEK FOR CORNHUSKER & CHIEF'S FANS

Nebraska won its first game of the year by defeating Northern Illinois last week. A cupcake opponent to be sure, but a win is a win. And the Chiefs rebounded from a season-opening loss to beat the Jaguars, but still don't look like Super Bowl champs.

EMERGENCY ROOMS

I've made more than my share of visits to the ER. [Broken bones, cluster headaches, kidney stones, not that it's any of your business.] So have some of you. Just a few days ago our grand-daughter Brianna had to go to the ER in Lincoln. [She's out now.] So, I thought you might like to know where Leckband-Hill states rank in terms of ER waiting times.

#2, Nebraska, 1:48; #5, Iowa, 1:59; #13, Minnesota, 2:14; #20, Texas, 2:24; #30, Florida, 2:44; #41, California, 3:00; #39, North Carolina, 2:54. For brevity's sake, I didn't include states where our nieces & nephews live.

SCREEN TIME

I recently watched "Schindler's List," something I've always meant to do. Riveting, but depressing. I just finished watching "Band of Brothers." I watched it a few years ago. Also riveting. Also depressing at times, but ultimately a message of hope. Now I'm watching "The Pacific," which I also watched a few years ago. Also riveting. Also pretty gory at times. Last night I started watching a documentary about wildfires on Paramount+. It features the usual claptrap about climate change & disparages those who refuse to buy in. To it's credit, it also gives time to those who admit that there are more causes than climate change. [See previous comments about weather & climate.]

TRENDING NEWS FROM THE BABYLON BEE *

* Your trusted source of fake news.

> "Only 2 cars in line at McDonald's? This won't take long!" says dumbest man alive."

> "Apostle John leaves Patmos resort brutal 1-star review."

MORE TRENDING NEWS

> "Russian soldiers blew themselves up after getting drunk on resupply run." Drudge Report, 9/18

> "Black bear sighting at Disney triggers closures." Drudge, 9/18

> "Air Force asks:  Has anyone seen missing F-35 fighter jet?" Drudge, 9/18

> "Military personnel seen wandering forest pressing on F-35 key fob." Babylon Bee

> "3rd of Americans can't name all 3 branches of government; 1 in 6 can't name any." Drudge, 9/20

> "STUDY:  Peak happiness in life occurs--at 70!" Drudge, 9/20. I'm over 70, & I don't think I feel as happy as I should be.

> Newest hobby for retirees:  Riding 3,100 roller coasters." Fox news Online, 9/21. I only have 3,098 to go!

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

"Taking care of teeth & gums, oral health can affect brain." FNO, 9/21. For better or worse? I demand answers!

"Side sleepers get achy shoulders." msn.com, 9/22. I sleep on my side. I get achy shoulders. This could explain a lot.

"Trans children who took puberty-blocking drugs had mental healthy issues." FNO, 9/23. Ya think?!

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE CALIFORNIA

"Gas hits $6 in L.A." Drudge, 9/17 Bidenomics? Newsomnomics?

LIKE MICHIGAN

"Woman rescued from outhouse." Omaha World Herald, 9/21. Apparently she was attempting to retrieve her cellphone. I'm not sure if she succedded. Need I remind you that MI is a blue state?

LIKE COLORADO

"CO moose charged woman, headbutted & stomped on her while she was walking her dog." Fox News Online, 9/21. Was it a tiny dog? Inquiring minds want to know.

LIKE TEXAS

"Naked man strolling through DFW airport taken into custody for mental health evaluation." FNO, 9/21

MOST POPULAR RELIGIONS IN AMERICA *

* Compliments of the Babylon Bee

> Pickleball

> Gluten-free-ism

> Hating Donald Trump

> Loving Donald Trump

> Tiny dogs

> Fauci-ism

SPOTTING A LIAR

"A few years ago, during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, I pointed out the large number of people who insist they can tell which figure is telling the truth by watching them speak. Plenty of people insist, “I know how to spot a liar”:

Right, right. This is why some of you bought tickets to the Fyre Festival, bought a lemon of a used car, invested in Enron, let Bernie Madoff manage your money, raved about James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces, believed your ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend’s denials, forwarded that hoax social-media meme, and believed The Martian was based on a true story. Some of you are convinced he really is going to call you back, that the attractive woman connecting with you on social media is real, that your brother-in-law will pay back the money you loaned him, and that the guy who’s hanging around your girlfriend a lot is “just a friend.”

"But you know how to spot a liar, right?

 We live in country where roughly 5 million people bought weight-loss supplements that don’t work, 2 million attended the sales seminar because they were told they could win a prize, and 2 million fell for fraudulent “work at home” offers. Roughly 22.1 million Americans lost an estimated $9.5 billion to phone scams last year. . . .

"Somewhere in your attic, we’ll find a Milli Vanilli album.

"The world has people who are convincing liars, and the world has people who look and sound like they’re lying, even when they’re telling the truth. A lot of people are so afraid of being fooled, that they choose to believe that they have some preternatural sixth sense that turns them into a human lie detector. Perhaps you believe that about yourself. I wish that were true, and I hope your power of perception is indeed exceptionally keen and able to tell the difference between the truth and a convincing lie. But history suggests that it is probably not true." Jim Geraghty, National Review Online, 9/21

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

> "Liberal neighbors in game of chicken to see who will take down their 'Black Lives Matter' sign first." Babylon Bee

> "Biden comforts 9/11 victims by telling about the time he was playing Jenga & his tower fell down." Babylon Bee

> "Hunter Biden's lawyers file motion to have case moved to Ukraine." Babylon Bee

> Prominent doctor says Biden wouldn't be able to answer the question:  'Who is president of the U.S.?" Sarah Arnold, Townhall, 9/23. If it's on the Internet, it must be true, right?

"Senate to now conduct all business sitting cross-legged in drum circle." Babylon Bee

> "Senate relaxes rules to allow Fetterman to take baths in reflecting pool." Babylon Bee

IN MEMORIUM

Yesterday we received word that our good friend Mike passed away earlier this month. Mike & Elaine were two of the best friends we made when we lived in Chicago from 1975-1980. They introduced us to backpacking & cross-country skiing. We had some really good times together. One memorable experience was backpacking with Mike & Elaine & their daughters Vicki & Jackie in the Porcupine Mts in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He will be missed.

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCE 

I just finished "Beside Bethesda," 31 daily devotions written by Joni Eareckson Tada. Paralyzed as a teenage, she went on to found Joni & Friends; they sponsor summer retreats for families who have disabled dependents. Lois & her sister Wanda & our grand-daughter Brianna have served at these retreats for the past few years, & Wanda has served even longer. I strongly recommend this book for those who have endured trials, whether their own or their loved ones. It's available from NAVpress. 

HEALING 

"Oh, God, You were so wise in not giving me physical healing. Because that 'no' has meant 'yes' to a stronger faith in You, a deeper prayer life, & a greater understanding of Your Word. It has purged sin from my life, forced me to depend on Your grace, & increased my compassion for others who hurt. It has stretched my hope, given me a lively, buoyant trust in You, stirred an excitement about heaven, & pushed me to give thanks in times of sorrow. It has increased my faith & helped me to love You more. Jesus, I love You more. He didn't give me the physical healing I had wanted, but the deeper healing I needed so much more." Beside Bethesda 

WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE? 

"And in the whole wide world there is only one who can heal our soul's diseases. That one is Jesus. With His own heart's blood He has won for us the only means by which the virus of sin can be driven out of the souls of those who are sick unto death. Then, one day, He stands before the weary, suffering soul. Do we hear a heartrending cry to Him for help? . . . Most of those who are sick do not desire to be made whole. So they keep their sin--& their sufferings. What do you choose? If you knew the joy of having a soul made whole, a soul at peace with God & at war with sin, you would make the right decision this very day." O. Hallesby, God's Word for Today 

WHO'S THE GREATEST? 

On SUN 9/10, Lois & I were in Concordia, MO, for my St. Paul College 50-year anniversary. We went to church at my home congregation, St. Paul's Lutheran. The Gospel reading was from Matthew Chapter 18, & I was moved by these words, spoken by Jesus. "Whoever receives one such child receives Me (18:5) . . . Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom temptation comes (18:7) . . . See to it that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven" (18:10). Do these words from Jesus have anything to teach us about abortion? What about human trafficking? Or gender reassignment surgery, especially for children? I think they do. Unborn children are still children. How can we receive them as we would receive Jesus, if we murder them before birth? Human trafficking certainly despises these little ones, & too often we'd rather turn the other way & pretend it doesn't happen. And surgical procedures that scar them for life? Sadly, not only do many of our leaders despise little ones by supporting & encouraging abortion, so do many Christians who support abortion rights. Many parents seem to encourage their little boys to think that they are really little girls, or their little girls to think that they are little boys. And young people who suffer from gender-confusion are encouraged to undergo permanent surgical procedures that have radical, lifelong consequences. Another great sin. The consequences? "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom temptation comes." We have to ask ourselves as God's people: Are we on the side of the world or on the side of the Lord. 

EVIL, GOOD & GOOD, EVIL 

"We, too, will face the temptation to call something good that God has declared wicked. We may be persuaded that we can accomplish more good by lying than by telling the truth . . . We will also be tempted to call evil that which God declares good. God says it is good to love our enemies, yet we might decide that our task is to hold them responsible for their actions. It is so important to hold ourselves accountable to God's Word. God does not need us to find exceptions for His commands. He requires our obedience." Henry & Richard Blackaby, Experiencing God Day-By-Day 

DIVINE POTENTIAL 

"Only God knows the potential of each believer. We can project what we think God might do in someone's life, but we have no way of knowing. We see only outward appearances & behavior, whereas God looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7)." Experiencing God Day-By-Day 

REVENGE

Once again, I came across something in my morning quiet time that I really needed to see. SAT morning was a case in point, because I am prone to seek my justice, not God's justice, on those who practice & profit from abortions, along with those who promote abortion rights; LGBTQ+ propaganda & practices that include the mutilation of children; human trafficking; & CRT. Here's what I read yesterday morning.

"One of the hardest areas in which to trust God is in the matter of justice. When we perceive an injustice, we want to see the guilty party punished. We want justice to prevail, especially if we are the victim . . . God is absolutely just, & only He can ensure that justice is fully carried out. If we are impatient & seek revenge, we presume that we are wiser than God, & we reveal a blatant lack of trust that God will do the right thing. Only by trusting God's sovereign wisdom will we be free from our anger & preoccupation toward those who have committed evil. If we refuse to trust God's justice, we become enslaved to bitterness & anger. We must guard our hearts & trust God to exercise His judgment against those who oppose Him." Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Day-By-Day

BEARING FRUIT FOR JESUS 

"The disciples of Jesus live only to bear fruit for Jesus . . . At some time or another we all meet with adversity or sufferings so great that we cannot fathom or understand them at all. But if we look upon these things as the gardener's wise & loving cleansing of the branches, we will be set free within, even though outwardly the adversity & the suffering still continue . . . We do not live in order to have a good time, but to bear fruit. Unto the glory of the Lord. If we will remember this, we will not be so surprised when the Gardener comes to us also with His pruning knife." God's Word for Today

LIFE THOUGHTS IN THE YEAR

Abortion & euthanasia begrudge God's generosity (Matt. 30:15) by regarding one life as less than another. Thank the Lord that His ways are not our ways (Is. 55:8), for none of us deserves to survIve! Yet He preserves & protects us still, just as much as our every neighbor. O Lord, make us bold to speak Your Word of Life without fear (Phil. 1:14)!" Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

TODAY'S PRAYER

"Lord God, heavenly Father, since we cannot stand before You relying on anything we have done, help us trust in Your abiding grace & live according to Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lies & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Grace Church Bulletin

A HYMN FOR TODAY

When I Behold Jesus Christ (LSB #542, Sts. 1, 3, 4)

"When I behold Jesus Christ, True God who died for me, I wonder much at His love As He hung on the tree. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is this? You showed Your love, Jesus there To me on Calvary. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is this? You showed Your love, Jesus, there, To me on Calvary.

You had no sin, holy Lord, But You were tortured, tried; On Golgotha there for all My sins You bled & died. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is this? You showed Your love, Jesus there To me on Calvary. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is this? You showed Your love, Jesus, there, To me on Calvary.

What love is this? Greater love No one has ever known. My life with God--this I owe To You, & You alone. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is this? You showed Your love, Jesus there To me on Calvary. What kind of love is this? What kind of love is this? You showed Your love, Jesus, there, To me on Calvary.

WHY I BLOG

"I started to blog & write other Facebook posts after I left Lutheran High Northeast in 2014. I was burned out & started seeing a mental health therapist to help me deal with my anxiety & depression. Journaling is one way to cope, & blogging became for me a way to journal. So, I blog mostly for myself, but I always hope that my posts entertain & maybe even help those who read them. There you go!

RAIN? YES!

We enjoyed a thunderstorm the other day, & I woke up to a thunderstorm this morning. We're talking heavy rain. Not only that, it's continued to rain off & on. Can we control the weather? The climate? I sincerely doubt it, so I keep praying for the weather we need, & ask God to help us cope with the weather we get.

MAN'S BEST FRIEND

Our dog Sammy got me up this morning, because it was obviously time for breakfast. Then he decided that he needed to go outside, despite the pouring rain. I gave in, let him out, then watched him wander around the deck before demanding to be let back in, soaking wet. He keeps looking at me like I'm responsible for the rain. And he's been moping, because Lois is in Omaha with our grand-daughter Hadley. I tried to humor him by giving him & few scraps of bacon & letting him lick off my breakfast plate. If he plays his cards right, I may take him for a walk this afternoon.

A MUCH BETTER WEEK FOR CORNHUSKER & CHIEF'S FANS

Nebraska won its first game of the year by defeating Northern Illinois last week. A cupcake opponent to be sure, but a win is a win. And the Chiefs rebounded from a season-opening loss to beat the Jaguars, but still don't look like Super Bowl champs.

EMERGENCY ROOMS

I've made more than my share of visits to the ER. [Broken bones, cluster headaches, kidney stones, not that it's any of your business.] So have some of you. Just a few days ago our grand-daughter Brianna had to go to the ER in Lincoln. [She's out now.] So, I thought you might like to know where Leckband-Hill states rank in terms of ER waiting times.

#2, Nebraska, 1:48; #5, Iowa, 1:59; #13, Minnesota, 2:14; #20, Texas, 2:24; #30, Florida, 2:44; #41, California, 3:00; #39, North Carolina, 2:54. For brevity's sake, I didn't include states where our nieces & nephews live.

SCREEN TIME

I recently watched "Schindler's List," something I've always meant to do. Riveting, but depressing. I just finished watching "Band of Brothers." I watched it a few years ago. Also riveting. Also depressing at times, but ultimately a message of hope. Now I'm watching "The Pacific," which I also watched a few years ago. Also riveting. Also pretty gory at times. Last night I started watching a documentary about wildfires on Paramount+. It features the usual claptrap about climate change & disparages those who refuse to buy in. To it's credit, it also gives time to those who admit that there are more causes than climate change. [See previous comments about weather & climate.]

TRENDING NEWS FROM THE BABYLON BEE *

* Your trusted source of fake news.

> "Only 2 cars in line at McDonald's? This won't take long!" says dumbest man alive."

> "Apostle John leaves Patmos resort brutal 1-star review."

MORE TRENDING NEWS

> "Russian soldiers blew themselves up after getting drunk on resupply run." Drudge Report, 9/18

> "Black bear sighting at Disney triggers closures." Drudge, 9/18

> "Air Force asks:  Has anyone seen missing F-35 fighter jet?" Drudge, 9/18

> "Military personnel seen wandering forest pressing on F-35 key fob." Babylon Bee

> "3rd of Americans can't name all 3 branches of government; 1 in 6 can't name any." Drudge, 9/20

> "STUDY:  Peak happiness in life occurs--at 70!" Drudge, 9/20. I'm over 70, & I don't think I feel as happy as I should be.

> Newest hobby for retirees:  Riding 3,100 roller coasters." Fox news Online, 9/21. I only have 3,098 to go!

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

"Taking care of teeth & gums, oral health can affect brain." FNO, 9/21. For better or worse? I demand answers!

"Side sleepers get achy shoulders." msn.com, 9/22. I sleep on my side. I get achy shoulders. This could explain a lot.

"Trans children who took puberty-blocking drugs had mental healthy issues." FNO, 9/23. Ya think?!

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE CALIFORNIA

"Gas hits $6 in L.A." Drudge, 9/17 Bidenomics? Newsomnomics?

LIKE MICHIGAN

"Woman rescued from outhouse." Omaha World Herald, 9/21. Apparently she was attempting to retrieve her cellphone. I'm not sure if she succedded. Need I remind you that MI is a blue state?

LIKE COLORADO

"CO moose charged woman, headbutted & stomped on her while she was walking her dog." Fox News Online, 9/21. Was it a tiny dog? Inquiring minds want to know.

LIKE TEXAS

"Naked man strolling through DFW airport taken into custody for mental health evaluation." FNO, 9/21

MOST POPULAR RELIGIONS IN AMERICA *

* Compliments of the Babylon Bee

> Pickleball

> Gluten-free-ism

> Hating Donald Trump

> Loving Donald Trump

> Tiny dogs

> Fauci-ism

SPOTTING A LIAR

"A few years ago, during the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, I pointed out the large number of people who insist they can tell which figure is telling the truth by watching them speak. Plenty of people insist, “I know how to spot a liar”:

Right, right. This is why some of you bought tickets to the Fyre Festival, bought a lemon of a used car, invested in Enron, let Bernie Madoff manage your money, raved about James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces, believed your ex-girlfriend or ex-boyfriend’s denials, forwarded that hoax social-media meme, and believed The Martian was based on a true story. Some of you are convinced he really is going to call you back, that the attractive woman connecting with you on social media is real, that your brother-in-law will pay back the money you loaned him, and that the guy who’s hanging around your girlfriend a lot is “just a friend.”

"But you know how to spot a liar, right?

 We live in country where roughly 5 million people bought weight-loss supplements that don’t work, 2 million attended the sales seminar because they were told they could win a prize, and 2 million fell for fraudulent “work at home” offers. Roughly 22.1 million Americans lost an estimated $9.5 billion to phone scams last year. . . .

"Somewhere in your attic, we’ll find a Milli Vanilli album.

"The world has people who are convincing liars, and the world has people who look and sound like they’re lying, even when they’re telling the truth. A lot of people are so afraid of being fooled, that they choose to believe that they have some preternatural sixth sense that turns them into a human lie detector. Perhaps you believe that about yourself. I wish that were true, and I hope your power of perception is indeed exceptionally keen and able to tell the difference between the truth and a convincing lie. But history suggests that it is probably not true." Jim Geraghty, National Review Online, 9/21

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

> "Liberal neighbors in game of chicken to see who will take down their 'Black Lives Matter' sign first." Babylon Bee

> "Biden comforts 9/11 victims by telling about the time he was playing Jenga & his tower fell down." Babylon Bee

> "Hunter Biden's lawyers file motion to have case moved to Ukraine." Babylon Bee

> "Prominent Doctor Says Biden Wouldn’t Be Able to Answer the Question: ‘Who Is the President of the U.S?’" Sarah Arnold, Townhall, 9/23. If it's on the Internet, it must be true, right? 

> "Senate to now conduct all business sitting cross-legged in drum circle." Babylon Bee

> "Senate relaxes rules to allow Fetterman to take baths in reflecting pool." Babylon Bee

DEVOTIONAL RESOURCE

I just finished "Beside Bethesda," 31 daily devotions written by Joni Eareckson Tada. Paralyzed as a teenage, she went on to found Joni & Friends; they sponsor summer retreats for families who have disabled dependents. Lois & her sister Wanda & our grand-daughter Brianna have served at these retreats for the past few years, & Wanda has served even longer. I strongly recommend this book for those who have endured trials, whether their own or their loved ones. It's available from NAVpress.

HEALING

"Oh, God, You were so wise in not giving me physical healing. Because that 'no' has meant 'yes' to a stronger faith in You, a deeper prayer life, & a greater understanding of Your Word. It has purged sin from my life, forced me to depend on Your grace, & increased my compassion for others who hurt. It has stretched my hope, given me a lively, buoyant trust in You, stirred an excitement about heaven, & pushed me to give thanks in times of sorrow. It has increased my faith & helped me to love You more. Jesus, I love You more. He didn't give me the physical healing I had wanted, but the deeper healing I needed so much more." Beside Bethesda

WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE?

"And in the whole wide world there is only one who can heal our soul's diseases. That one is Jesus. With His own heart's blood He has won for us the only means by which the virus of sin can be driven out of the souls of those who are sick unto death. Then, one day, He stands before the weary, suffering soul. Do we hear a heartrending cry to Him for help? . . . Most of those who are sick do not desire to be made whole. So they keep their sin--& their sufferings. What do you choose? If you knew the joy of having a soul made whole, a soul at peace with God & at war with sin, you would make the right decision this very day." O. Hallesby, God's Word for Today

WHO'S THE GREATEST?

On SUN 9/10, Lois & I were in Concordia, MO, for my St. Paul College 50-year anniversary. We went to church at my home congregation, St. Paul's Lutheran. The Gospel reading was from Matthew Chapter 18, & I was moved by these words, spoken by Jesus. "Whoever receives one such child receives Me (18:5) . . . Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom temptation comes (18:7) . . . See to it that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven" (18:10).

Do these words from Jesus have anything to teach us about abortion? What about human trafficking? Or gender reassignment surgery, especially for children? I think they do. Unborn children are still children. How can we receive them as we would receive Jesus, if we murder them before birth? Human trafficking certainly despises these little ones, & too often we'd rather turn the other way & pretend it doesn't happen. And surgical procedures that scar them for life? Sadly, not only do many of our leaders despise little ones by supporting & encouraging abortion, so do many Christians who support abortion rights. Many parents seem to encourage their little boys to think that they are really little girls, or their little girls to think that they are little boys. And young people who suffer from gender-confusion are encouraged to undergo permanent surgical procedures that have radical, lifelong consequences. Another great sin. The consequences?  "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom temptation comes." We have to ask ourselves as God's people:  Are we on the side of the world or on the side of the Lord.

EVIL, GOOD & GOOD, EVIL

"We, too, will face the temptation to call something good that God has declared wicked. We may be persuaded that we can accomplish more good by lying than by telling the truth . . . We will also be tempted to call evil that which God declares good. God says it is good to love our enemies, yet we might decide that our task is to hold them responsible for their actions. It is so important to hold ourselves accountable to God's Word. God does not need us to find exceptions for His commands. He requires our obedience." Henry & Richard Blackaby, Experiencing God Day-By-Day

DIVINE POTENTIAL

"Only God knows the potential of each believer. We can project what we think God might do in someone's life, but we have no way of knowing. We see only outward appearances & behavior, whereas God looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7)." Experiencing God Day-By-Day

BEARING FRUIT FOR JESUS

The disciples of Jesus live only to bear fruit for Jesus . . . At some time or another we all meet with adversity or sufferings so great that we cannot fathom or understand them at all. But if we look upon these things as the gardener's wise & loving cleansing of the branches, we will be set free within, even though outwardly the adversity & the suffering still continue . . . We do not live in order to have a good time, but to bear fruit. Unto the glory of the Lord. If we will remember this, we will not be so surprised when the Gardener comes to us also with His pruning knife." God's Word for Today

DIVINE PERSPECTIVE

"The apostle Paul gave us the divine perspective on 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

OUR SHEPHERD

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want . . . Surely goodness & mercy will follow me all the days of my life, & I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Ps. 23:1, 6)

OUR SERVANT-KING

"In Jesus, God purposely took on our humanity. He meets us where we are. But He doesn't leave us there. God meets us in our flesh, in our language, in our culture to complete our deepest longings & to correct our dangerous distortions . . . Mark tells us of the One, Creator God--the Almighty, loving, Father God, who sends His royal Son to become a servant. God's Servant-King conquers the world not by force but by self-sacrifice--by dying for His enemies, & rising for them.

"As we carry the message of Jesus to new generations & cultures, we look for ways to connect with them. We sacrifice our preferences to be interested in what interests them, to meet them where they are. (See 1 Cor. 9:19-23; Phil. 2:3-4.) There is much in their songs, stories, & longings we can affirm (& learn from). At the same time, every cultural expression is deficient. We all need Jesus to fill in the blanks for us, to tell us who our Father really is. He is our only hope, but He is more than just a force. That's why we say, counterculturally, 'The Lord be with you.'" Rev. Michael Zeigler, The Lutheran Layman, Summer 2023

GOD ANSWERS PRAYERS

"God wants to answer the prayers of those whose hearts are completely His (2 Chron. 16:9). God can accurately orient you to the events of your day. Media, public opinion, & political leaders cannot tell you the truth of your circumstances. Only God can. [Emphasis is mine.] God loves you & will speak to you in His time. His answer may come immediately as it did in Daniel's case, or it may be delayed, but it will come (Dan. 10:13). If it seems as though everything is crumbling around you, & you wonder why you do not see God's activity, take comfort in knowing that you are loved in heaven. If you are genuinely seeking God's answers, you can go to your Father confidently with your questions. He will respond to you in love." Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Day-B-Day

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"Surprise pregnancy often comes with complications & difficulties. Terminal diagnosis can involve suffering & sorrow. But our God brought Jesus back from the dead. He makes it His way to wring blessings out of burdens (Gen. 50:19-20). Are we in the place of God, to let abortion or assisted suicide judge (Rom. 14:4) someone else's life as hopeless?" Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

LOVE IS HARD

"Yes, but love is hard when the loved one is in danger of death & does not see it herself . . . Jesus would save you, too, from the greatest cause of your distress, your lack of confidence in God, so that you calmly & trustingly might leave the distress of both your soul & your body in His pierced hands." O. Hallesby, God's Word for Today)

JUST DO THE NEXT THING

"We live in a terribly fallen world. Remembering this, I comfort myself knowing that while I am a sinner deserving only hell & punishment, He has by His grace & kindness saved me eternally, & this life is only temporary . . . So friend, if you are dealing with pain today, or depression or grief or paralyzing anxiety, I encourage you to 'just do the next thing.' It may be simply getting out of bed or up off the couch. Or getting out of the house. Or doing the laundry or washing the dishes that have been sitting in the sink. And as you do it, ask Him to give you joy in some small but noticeable way." Jodi Eareckson Tada, Beside Bethesda

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

"O God, our refuge & strength, the author of all goodness, hear the devote prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, & grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen. Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

TODAY'S HYMN

Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness, LSB #849, St. 1

Praise the One who breaks the darkness With a liberating light; Praise the One who frees the pris'ners, Turning blindness into sight. Praise the One who preached the Gospel, Healing ev'ry dread disease, Calming storms, & feeding thousands With the very Bread of peace.

 

2023 RESOLUTIONS ROUND-UP

> Average 1 road trip per month. A. Ten so far with 3 months to go. Lois is headed to Denver next week for the annual Hill Sister Bash. We have plans for more road trips in OCT & DEC.

> Lose 5 lbs. A+. I've lost 15 lbs so far.

> Add to our national park list. A. We visited Biscayne NP in FL last FEB. The sisters plan on visiting Rocky Mt NP. I visited it during a family vacation in 1971.

> Avoid desserts. B. I slipped a little on our trip to Europe last JUNE, but overall I've done better than expected.

> Exercise and/or walk at least 4X/week. B-. We walked a lot to prepare for our trip to Europe, then did a lot of walking, some of it quite strenuous, while on that trip. Than I went on hiatus, but started walking again recently; also doing pilates from time-to-time.

> Publish my "Buzzwords" devotions book. C. Progress has been slow. I finished writing it. Lois proofed it. Now I'm proofing it one more time, & then I need to find a publisher.

> Write a "Chapter & Verse" devotion book. A+. I finished writing it ahead of schedule.

> G.P.A. B+

ACCIDENT UPDATE

Those of you who follow my posts know that I was in a serious auto accident nearly 8 months ago. I spent a little over 2 weeks on the hospital & almost 10 days in a rehab facility. Here's my progress report.

* Broke 3 ribs, probably due to the seat belt restraining me. I had those ribs plated, which speeded up the recovery process. They're still tender but not painful.

* Fractured my right hand, due to the air bag deploying. I had surgery & 3 pins inserted. Those pins were removed, & I've done a lot of hand exercises. I still do those exercises off & on. It rarely bothers me.

* Dislocated my pinky, also due to the air bag. It was "relocated." Still sore from time-to-time.

* Bit through my tongue, again, the air bag. I had 2 stitches, which eventually dissolved. Ever had lidocaine injected into your tongue? I wouldn't recommend it.

* Knocked out 1 front tooth & experienced trauma on 2 other front teeth, ditto the airbag. I had a dental implant on the tooth that got knocked out & root canals on those other teeth. I recently had crowns "installed" on 2 of those teeth. Hopefully, no more crowns in the future.

* The fire truck that hit me after I ran a stop sign almost t-boned me. [In my defense, glare from the sun contributed to my carelessness.] I could have been more seriously injured or worse. God is good.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

We recently finished the latest season of "Star Trek Discovery." Now we're binge-watching "Star Trek Strange New Worlds." It's disappointing how woke these 2 series, along with so many other series. Still, we soldier on. I'm also watching "Asian Tsunami:  The Deadliest Wave," about the 2,004 tsunami, the deadliest on record, that caused 230,000 lives. Pretty sobering.

WHAT I'M READING

I just finished reading "Into the Great Emptiness:  Peril & Survival on the Greenland Ice Cap," by David Roberts. It started slow but gained traction, so I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars. Last night I started reading "The Lincoln Highway," a novel by Amor Towles. I don't read many novels, & it's too early to tell how much I'll enjoy it.

CRIMINAL MINDS

"AZ 10-yr-old caught speeding in car as father sat in the passenger seat." Fox News Online

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE NEBRASKA

"Steer & its owner pulled over by police. Bull in vehicle has been popular in area parades. A car driving with a bull in it was pulled over by police earlier this week in Norfolk." Norfolk Daily News 9/1. True story. Even made Fox News Online. No bull!

CLIMATE CHANGE

"DeSantis slams climate alarmists saying that adopting leftist policies will stop hurricanes:  'It's a lie!'" Daily Wire

TOP 10 COLLEGE MAJORS *

* Source:  Big Red Printer's Press

1. Business

2. Engineering

3. Health professions

4. Psychology

5. Social sciences

6. Media & communications

7. Biomedical & biological sciences

8. Computer & information technology

9. Visual & performing arts

10. Education

TRENDING NEWS FROM THE BABYLON BEE

"Melania Trump indicted for wearing white after Labor Day."

"Local man having trouble getting friends to sign up for his WNBA fantasy league."

TODAY'S TRIVIA

"If you're healthy, your stomach is home to more than 400 different bacteria strains." Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Bathroom Reader

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

"For constipation, drink a tablespoon of olive oil." Reader's Digest, June 2022

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

"The media still refuses to cover the fact that a huge number of President Joe Biden's closest aides are Obama's closest political allies. Obama resides in Washington, D.C.; all of the people who made policy for him now make policy for Biden. And yet nobody talks about the Obama influence in the current White House.

"All of this is part of a broader pact on the part of every major apparatus in American life to mirror Obama's perceptions of the world. In Obama's own mind, he was a world-historical figure; that's why, in 2010, when he received a predictable shellacking in a midterm election, he responded by suggesting that his opposition was actually motivated by vicious racism & brutal bigotry. The media mirrored that perspective; so did entertainment; so did tech companies. The immaculate, solid wall of support for Obama's intersectional coalition is intimately connected to direct allegiance from the movers & shakers toward Obama's persona . . . 

"But that victory--that triumph--came at the expense of the American people, who were promised a racial conciliator & a man of honor by a media invested in that lie. When the truth materialized & our institutions continued to perpetuate a lie, our institutions collapsed. We live in the era of Barack Obama still." Column by Ben Shapiro, Norfolk Daily News, 8/14

BAN ELECTRIC VEHICLES?

"The New York Fire Department recently reported that so far this year there have been 108 lithium-ion battery fires in NYC, which have injured 66 people & killed 13 . . . Last year there were more than 200 fires from batteries from e-bikes, EVs & other devices. A fire ignited at an e-bike shop & killed 4 people near midnight on the morning of 6/20. Two individuals were left in critical condition . . . FDNY also reports that in just 3 years, lithium-ion fires have surpassed those started by cooking & smoking as the most common causes of fatal fires in NYC. It's happening all over the country as these blazes have become more commonplace. Cars & e-bikes are randomly blowing up in driveways & garages . . . 

"And yet the same scaremongers on the left who have zero tolerance & want bans for small risks when it comes to everything from swimming pool diving boards, gas stoves, plastic straws, vaping, fireworks, & so on, have a surprising high pain threshold when it comes to people dying or suffering critical injuries from 'green' electric battery fires . . . But with EVs, the greens are pushing aside any concerns about collateral damage of deaths & injuries. Biden wants to mandate that nearly all new cars sold in the U.S. be EVs by 2032. If that happens, many thousands of Americans may die or be injured from electric vehicle fires." Column by Stephen More, NDN, 8/16

"Electric vehicles catch fire after Hurricane Idalia flooding." DW

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING

"A woman in MN has set a Guinness World Record for world's longest fingernails--also, world's worst texter." Late Night with Seth Meyer 

CLEARING YOUR NAME *

* Source:  Reader's Digest, July/Aug 2022

Governments across the world have made certain names illegal, sometimes after parents have tried to bestow them. You cannot name your child:

> Friday in Italy

> Robocop in Mexico

> Thor in Portugal

> Nutella in France

> 007 in Malaysia

THE DIVINE PERSPECTIVE

"The apostle Paul gave us the divine perspective on 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

NO GREATER COMFORT

"For God's children, there can be no greater comfort than knowing that the Lord is their reliable & true Shepherd." Rev. Peter Jurchen, Engaging the Psalms

A NEW HEART

"I want a new heart. I want a changed heart that fits right into heaven. I want a heart that no longer twists the truth, resists God, looks for escapes, gets defeated by pain, tries to justify itself, or becomes anxious & worried about the future . . . 

"It will be glory to have a new heart, & it is glory--right now--to have a heart renewed & made clean by Jesus Christ . . . There is profound, deep-down-to-the-soul healing in Jesus. As James 3:2 says, 'We all stumble in many ways,' but there is forgiveness, release & an almost indescribable renewal in a relationship with the living Son of God. And in the heaven to come, that healing will be permanent." Joni Eareckson Tada, Beside Bethesda

FINDING JESUS IN YOUR HELL

"As reluctant s we might have been to admit it at times, some of the best, sweetest, most intimate moments in our walk with Jesus have grown out of some of the darkest, most painful, & frightening times of our lives. They were moments when the Son of God came striding into our darkness, just as He once walked on the wild waves of the Sea of Galilee, approaching the boat of His friends in the teeth of a terrifying storm. To find Jesus in your hell, to find Him walking across the waves of your storm in the night with His hand outstretched, is a taste of heaven. 

"Somehow, in the midst of your suffering, the Son of God beckons you into the inner sanctum of His own suffering--a place of mystery & privilege you will never forget. I have suffered, yes. But I wouldn't trade places with anybody in the world to be this close yo Jesus." Beside Bethesda

FEELING OVERWHELMED

"When you become aware of a need, do not automatically assume God wants you to meet it. The only reason to perform ministry is that God clearly tells you it is His will. If you are feeling overwhelmed by all you are doing, you are probably doing more than God has asked. Pray carefully about the assignments you take on, so that you don't rob yourself & others of God's best." Henry & Richard Blakaby, Experiencing God Bay-By-Day

RESIST

"Jesus know how you & I act. And now He asks us:  'Resist not him that is evil' (Matt. 5:39). Hold your peace & pray to God when you are met with harsh & unjust remarks. And remember:  as you do so you are doing something for Jesus which is worth more than your most fervent testimonies & your greatest financial contributions . . . Hold your peace & pray God for patience . . . O God, teach us to look upon our adversaries with Thine own eyes. Help us to look upon the losses they afflIct upon us as inconsequential, & let us see the salvation of their souls as the great thing, the thing that matters. Amen." O. Hallesby, God's Word for Today

LIFE THOUGHTS FOR THE CHURCH YEAR

"Our bodies & lives are on loan from Almighty God. He creates us in His image, redeems us with His Son, & calls us by His name (Jer. 15:16) from fertilization to forever. So He does not abandon us in our families & mistakes. Shall we not extend this Gospel also to neighbors facing surprise pregnancy & terminal diagnosis?" Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

THE PROMISED COMFORT OF HEAVEN *

* Source:  Rev. Matthew Harrison, The Lutheran Witness, Nov. 2022

Matthew 22:2  "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feat for his son." Jesus' parable notes the requirement of the robe of righteousness for all at the feast. This is the robe of Christ's righteousness, received by faith in Him. There will certainly be joy, feasting & celebration in heaven.

Matt. 26:29  "I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." At the institution of His body & blood for the forgiveness of sins, Christ lets us know clearly that there will be celebratory drinking in heaven.

STEWARDSHIP GIVES GOD HONOR & GLORY *

* Source:  Steward Builders

> Stewardship gives God honor & glory because through our faithful stewardship we live obediently.

> Stewardship gives God honor & glory when we do our deeds of stewardship out of joy & love rather than duty.

> Stewardship gives God honor & glory when we become more like Jesus.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

"Almighty God, Your Son willingly endured the agony & shame of the cross for our redemption. Grant us courage to take up our cross daily & follow Him wherever He leads. Delighting in Your goodness to us, we ask for this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives & reigns with You & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. Amen." Grace Lutheran Church Bulletin

A HYMN OF STEWARDSHIP

Forgive Us, Lord, for Shallow Thankfulness (LSB #788, Sts. 1, 6)

Forgive us, Lord, for shallow thankfulness, For dull content with warmth & sheltered care, For songs of praise for food & harvest press, While of Your richer gifts we're unaware.

Open our eyes to see Your love's intent, To know with minds & hearts its depth & height; May thankfulness be days in service spent, Reflection of Christ's life & love & light.

2023 RESOLUTIONS ROUND-UP

> Average 1 road trip per month. A. Ten so far with 3 months to go. Lois is headed to Denver next week for the annual Hill Sister Bash. We have plans for more road trips in OCT & DEC.

> Lose 5 lbs. A+. I've lost 15 lbs so far.

> Add to our national park list. A. We visited Biscayne NP in FL last FEB. The sisters plan on visiting Rocky Mt NP. I visited it during a family vacation in 1971.

> Avoid desserts. B. I slipped a little on our trip to Europe last JUNE, but overall I've done better than expected.

> Exercise and/or walk at least 4X/week. B-. We walked a lot to prepare for our trip to Europe, then did a lot of walking, some of it quite strenuous, while on that trip. Than I went on hiatus, but started walking again recently; also doing pilates from time-to-time.

> Publish my "Buzzwords" devotions book. C. Progress has been slow. I finished writing it. Lois proofed it. Now I'm proofing it one more time, & then I need to find a publisher.

> Write a "Chapter & Verse" devotion book. A+. I finished writing it ahead of schedule.

> G.P.A. B+

ACCIDENT UPDATE

Those of you who follow my posts know that I was in a serious auto accident nearly 8 months ago. I spent a little over 2 weeks on the hospital & almost 10 days in a rehab facility. Here's my progress report.

* Broke 3 ribs, probably due to the seat belt restraining me. I had those ribs plated, which speeded up the recovery process. They're still tender but not painful.

* Fractured my right hand, due to the air bag deploying. I had surgery & 3 pins inserted. Those pins were removed, & I've done a lot of hand exercises. I still do those exercises off & on. It rarely bothers me.

* Dislocated my pinky, also due to the air bag. It was "relocated." Still sore from time-to-time.

* Bit through my tongue, again, the air bag. I had 2 stitches, which eventually dissolved. Ever had lidocaine injected into your tongue? I wouldn't recommend it.

* Knocked out 1 front tooth & experienced trauma on 2 other front teeth, ditto the airbag. I had a dental implant on the tooth that got knocked out & root canals on those other teeth. I recently had crowns "installed" on 2 of those teeth. Hopefully, no more crowns in the future.

* The fire truck that hit me after I ran a stop sign almost t-boned me. [In my defense, glare from the sun contributed to my carelessness.] I could have been more seriously injured or worse. God is good.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING

We recently finished the latest season of "Star Trek Discovery." Now we're binge-watching "Star Trek Strange New Worlds." It's disappointing how woke these 2 series, along with so many other series. Still, we soldier on. I'm also watching "Asian Tsunami:  The Deadliest Wave," about the 2,004 tsunami, the deadliest on record, that caused 230,000 lives. Pretty sobering.

WHAT I'M READING

I just finished reading "Into the Great Emptiness:  Peril & Survival on the Greenland Ice Cap," by David Roberts. It started slow but gained traction, so I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars. Last night I started reading "The Lincoln Highway," a novel by Amor Towles. I don't read many novels, & it's too early to tell how much I'll enjoy it.

CRIMINAL MINDS

"AZ 10-yr-old caught speeding in car as father sat in the passenger seat." Fox News Online

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE NEBRASKA

"Steer & its owner pulled over by police. Bull in vehicle has been popular in area parades. A car driving with a bull in it was pulled over by police earlier this week in Norfolk." Norfolk Daily News 9/1. True story. Even made Fox News Online. No bull!

CLIMATE CHANGE

"DeSantis slams climate alarmists saying that adopting leftist policies will stop hurricanes:  'It's a lie!'" Daily Wire

TOP 10 COLLEGE MAJORS *

* Source:  Big Red Printer's Press

1. Business

2. Engineering

3. Health professions

4. Psychology

5. Social sciences

6. Media & communications

7. Biomedical & biological sciences

8. Computer & information technology

9. Visual & performing arts

10. Education

TRENDING NEWS FROM THE BABYLON BEE

"Melania Trump indicted for wearing white after Labor Day."

"Local man having trouble getting friends to sign up for his WNBA fantasy league."

TODAY'S TRIVIA

"If you're healthy, your stomach is home to more than 400 different bacteria strains." Uncle John's Awesome 35th Anniversary Bathroom Reader

HERE'S TO YOUR HEALTH

"For constipation, drink a tablespoon of olive oil." Reader's Digest, June 2022

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

"The media still refuses to cover the fact that a huge number of President Joe Biden's closest aides are Obama's closest political allies. Obama resides in Washington, D.C.; all of the people who made policy for him now make policy for Biden. And yet nobody talks about the Obama influence in the current White House.

"All of this is part of a broader pact on the part of every major apparatus in American life to mirror Obama's perceptions of the world. In Obama's own mind, he was a world-historical figure; that's why, in 2010, when he received a predictable shellacking in a midterm election, he responded by suggesting that his opposition was actually motivated by vicious racism & brutal bigotry. The media mirrored that perspective; so did entertainment; so did tech companies. The immaculate, solid wall of support for Obama's intersectional coalition is intimately connected to direct allegiance from the movers & shakers toward Obama's persona . . . 

"But that victory--that triumph--came at the expense of the American people, who were promised a racial conciliator & a man of honor by a media invested in that lie. When the truth materialized & our institutions continued to perpetuate a lie, our institutions collapsed. We live in the era of Barack Obama still." Column by Ben Shapiro, Norfolk Daily News, 8/14

BAN ELECTRIC VEHICLES?

"The New York Fire Department recently reported that so far this year there have been 108 lithium-ion battery fires in NYC, which have injured 66 people & killed 13 . . . Last year there were more than 200 fires from batteries from e-bikes, EVs & other devices. A fire ignited at an e-bike shop & killed 4 people near midnight on the morning of 6/20. Two individuals were left in critical condition . . . FDNY also reports that in just 3 years, lithium-ion fires have surpassed those started by cooking & smoking as the most common causes of fatal fires in NYC. It's happening all over the country as these blazes have become more commonplace. Cars & e-bikes are randomly blowing up in driveways & garages . . . 

"And yet the same scaremongers on the left who have zero tolerance & want bans for small risks when it comes to everything from swimming pool diving boards, gas stoves, plastic straws, vaping, fireworks, & so on, have a surprising high pain threshold when it comes to people dying or suffering critical injuries from 'green' electric battery fires . . . But with EVs, the greens are pushing aside any concerns about collateral damage of deaths & injuries. Biden wants to mandate that nearly all new cars sold in the U.S. be EVs by 2032. If that happens, many thousands of Americans may die or be injured from electric vehicle fires." Column by Stephen More, NDN, 8/16

"Electric vehicles catch fire after Hurricane Idalia flooding." DW

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING

"A woman in MN has set a Guinness World Record for world's longest fingernails--also, world's worst texter." Late Night with Seth Meyer 

CLEARING YOUR NAME *

* Source:  Reader's Digest, July/Aug 2022

Governments across the world have made certain names illegal, sometimes after parents have tried to bestow them. You cannot name your child:

> Friday in Italy

> Robocop in Mexico

> Thor in Portugal

> Nutella in France

> 007 in Malaysia