They killed her

She was living, not dying, but they starved her to death. Because in the eyes of many, she was worth less.

Man sinks lower in the depths. Such is a life eeked out where there is no black and white, but the murkiness of gray. Lord only knows what happens, then, in the fog.

Such indifference.

The lack of moral courage is to be expected from those who accept no morality outside their own convenience. Life is a commodity and an abstract concept, when it is someone else's, and we are insulated by distance and newspaper and internet.

But we sink deeper, unknowing, and helpless. Dragged by the weight of our own moral impotence.

Life without God is, indeed, lost.

We walk farther into the darkness, into oblivion.

Lost in the same room as death.

So, who's going to take his life?

DrudgeReport is saying that Pope John Paul II may need a feeding tube inserted. Since many Americans have shown themselves indifferent to killing Terri Schiavo because she needed help, who's going to be the first brilliant person to suggest we off the pope?

I might sound like I'm joking, but I'm not. Is it only his stature that's going to keep the "enlightened" folks at bay? His political power? His popularity? I know many people (like Terri), who have not the same clout- and we have seen how that ends.

In other news, Jesse Jackson -- of all people -- is now involved in trying to protect Terri Schiavo. Get the story.

Cinnamon rolls on Easter morning

One of the favorite traditions around the Yow house! Mom does a good job with these; here she is doing the final touches.

Job said it first

Be Strong In The Grace tells about the Easter worship service she went to, where the Pastor showed why it is that we say not "good luck on Judgment Day" but "I know that my Redeemer lives." As the song goes, "what comfort this sweet sentence gives!"

Go here for the rest of the post.

It's Easter Monday...

... but on a day off, I get to -- perhaps against my better judgment -- carry out an exploration of the blogosphere that I wouldn't otherwise get to do. Intolerant Elle, who I've linked to before, has some interested ruminations from this past weekend during Holy Saturday.

I wonder if the day after Jesus’ execution didn’t seem so holy at the time.

I wonder if the disciples slept, and if they did, what did they dream about?

I wonder if they woke up feeling good and then the reality of what happened the previous day came crashing in on them when they remembered.

I wonder how much time they spent praying and how much time they spent hiding - or both.

Go here to finish reading the list.

Not just a sip; a tavern

Ran across a funny blog today: Purpose Driven Drinking: The Misadventures of Some Beer Drinking Lutherans. I thought it was kind of bordering on overkill, if done by one blogger, but it turns out it's got several contributors, including the Terrible Swede. Since they are all bloggers in their own right, I think this blog is just to discuss this one of God's particular gifts.

This weekend...

... after the Resurrection Day service ended, my fam that was there, Laura, and I had a photo taken at the front chancel area of the church.



Stay tuned for other 'snaps'!

A Resurrection Hymn

We sang this at yesterday's joyous Easter festival service. There were so many good ones, I think I might post others over the course of this week, so as to keep from making this day's post(s) overly long.


"At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing"
By: office hymn, 17th cent.

1. At the Lamb’s high feast we sing
Praise to our victorious king,
Who has washed us in the tide
Flowing from his pierced side.
Alleluia!

2. Praise we him, whose love divine
Gives his sacred blood for wine,
Gives his body for the feast
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.
Alleluia!

3. Where the paschal blood is poured,
Death’s dread angel sheathes the sword;
Israel’s hosts triumphant go
Through the wave that drowns the foe.
Alleluia!

4. Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, paschal bread;
With sincerity and love
Eat we manna from above.
Alleluia!

5. Mighty Victim from the sky,
Hell’s fierce powers beneath you lie;
You have conquered in the fight
You have brought us life and light.
Alleluia!

6. Now no more can death appall,
Now no more the grave enthrall;
You have opened paradise,
And your saints in you shall rise.
Alleluia!

7. Easter triumph, Easter joy!
This alone can sin destroy;
From sin’s power, Lord, set us free,
Newborn souls in you to be.
Alleluia!

8. Father, who the crown shall give,
Savior, by whose death we live,
Spirit, guide through all our days;
Three in One, Your name we praise.
Alleluia!

--
Hymn #126 from Lutheran Worship
Author: Bohemian Brethren
Tune: Sonne Der Gerechtigkeit

Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Good Friday

How do I capture Good Friday and put it on the blog? I could post the Gospel readings, the Old Testament prophesies, the Biblical accounts. I could describe the Tenebrae service we attended last night. I could post for a long while all the splendid Lenten hymns and songs that depict the profound event that changed the course of history.

Hard to put it all in a blog!

I can make it easy on myself, though, and simply regurgitate a popular post from last year, which has gone out to my email list for years: a couple of medical, physical accounts of Jesus' crucifixion. Go here to see the post.

Here is Psalm 22, which was read near the end of the Tenebrae last night, before the loud strepitus:

Psalm 22
  
   1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
   Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
   and by night, but I find no rest.

   3 Yet you are holy,
   enthroned on the praises of Israel.
4 In you our fathers trusted;
   they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they cried and were rescued;
   in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

   6 But I am a worm and not a man,
   scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
7 All who see me mock me;
   they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
8 "He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;
   let him rescue him, for he delights in him!"

   9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
   you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.
10 On you was I cast from my birth,
   and from my mother's womb you have been my God.
11 Be not far from me,
   for trouble is near,
   and there is none to help.

   12 Many bulls encompass me;
   strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
13 they open wide their mouths at me,
   like a ravening and roaring lion.

   14 I am poured out like water,
   and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
   it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
   and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
   you lay me in the dust of death.

   16 For dogs encompass me;
   a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet--
17 I can count all my bones--
they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them,
   and for my clothing they cast lots.

   19 But you, O LORD, do not be far off!
   O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
   my precious life from the power of the dog!
   21 Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

   22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;
   in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!
   All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
   and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or abhorred
   the affliction of the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him,
   but has heard, when he cried to him.

   25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
   my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
   those who seek him shall praise the LORD!
   May your hearts live forever!

   27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
   and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
   shall worship before you.
28 For kingship belongs to the LORD,
   and he rules over the nations.

   29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
   before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
   even the one who could not keep himself alive.
30 Posterity shall serve him;
   it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
   that he has done it.

And in what will be a shout tomorrow, I breathe with anticipation: "Christ is risen!"

I ought not to blog tomorrow, but if I do, I'll post something about the Resurrection. But... not yet!

Quote of the Day II

"Life is real! Life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal." --Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Quote of the Day

"I still can't help wondering how we can explain away what to me is
the greatest miracle of all and which is recorded in history. No one
denies there was such a man, that he lived and that he was put to death
by crucifixion. Where...is the miracle I spoke of? Well consider
this and let your imagination translate the story into our own time --
possibly to your own home town. A young man whose father is a carpenter
grows up working in his father's shop. One day he puts down his tools
and walks out of his father's shop. He starts preaching on street
corners and in the nearby countryside, walking from place to place,
preaching all the while, even though he is not an ordained minister. He
never gets farther than an area perhaps 100 miles wide at the most.
He does this for three years. Then he is arrested, tried and convicted.
There is no court of appeal, so he is executed at age 33 along with two
common thieves. Those in charge of his execution roll dice to see who
gets his clothing -- the only possessions he has. His family cannot
afford a burial place for him so he is interred in a borrowed tomb.
End of story? No, this uneducated, property-less young man has, for
2,000 years, had a greater effect on the world than all the rulers,
kings, emperors; all the conquerors, generals and admirals, all the
scholars, scientists and philosophers who have ever lived -- all of them
put together. How do we explain that -- unless He really was what He
said He was?" --Ronald Reagan

When the Church stops being Christian

From blogger Paul McCain, we have an interesting news item from across the pond. A bit of it:

The results of the year-long survey of 14,000 UK residents by the interdenominational Ecumenical Research Committee has been called 'surprising' by mainstream secular and Christian media. The overwhelming response is to call on churches "to robustly defend moral values with conviction and courage and cease being 'silent' and 'lukewarm' in the face of moral and social collapse."

The Church must regain the courage it once had to rebel a little, and tell the story of Christ crucified, and not just mirror the society in which it lives. True "seekers" will only then be satisfied, and the Church will have recovered her voice.

Today in history

Blogger Balaam's Ass reminds us that today in 1933 was the Prohibition ended. WooHoo!

The Kiss-inator?

With apologies to our non-California readers, who are probably thinking we are even stranger than first suspected...



Go here for the article.

Quote of the Day

"What is it to serve God and to do His will? Nothing else than to show mercy to our neighbor. For it is our neighbor who needs our service; God in heaven needs it not." --Martin Luther

Before I add it to the list

I'm scouting around for recommendations for Bo Giertz's Hammer of God. I've heard good things, so far. Anyone familiar with it?

Here's an intriguing excerpt:

Fridfeldt seated himself on the sofa. He felt that he must not put off confessing where he stood. This strange old man with his brandy and his soldiers should at least learn what kind of assistant he had gotten.

"I just want you to know from the beginning, sir, that I am a believer," he said. His voice was a bit harsh.

He saw a gleam in the old man's eyes which he could not quite interpret. Was approval indicated, or did he have something up his sleeve?

The rector put the lamp back on the table, puffed at his pipe, and looked at the young man a moment before he spoke.

"So you are a believer, I'm glad to hear that. What do you believe in?"

Fridfeldt stared dumfounded at his superior. Was he jesting with him?

"But, sir, I am simply saying that I am a believer."

"Yes, I hear that, my boy. But what is it that you believe in?"

Fridfeldt was almost speechless.

"But don't you know, sir, what it means to be a believer?"

"That is a word which can stand for things that differ greatly, my boy. I ask only what it is that you believe in."

"In Jesus, of course," answered Fridfeldt, raising his voice. "I mean -- I mean that I have given Him my heart."

The older man's face became suddenly as solemn as the grave.

"Do you consider that something to give Him?"

By this time, Fridfeldt was almost in tears.

"But sir, if you do not give your heart to Jesus, you cannot be saved."

"You are right, my boy. And it is just as true that, if you think you are saved because you give Jesus your heart, you will not be saved. You see, my boy," he continued reassuringly, as he continued to look at the young pastor's face, in which uncertainty and resentment were shown in a struggle for the upper hand, "it is one thing to choose Jesus as one's Lord and Savior, to give Him one's heart and commit oneself to Him, and that He now accepts one into His little flock; it is a very different thing to believe on Him as a Redeemer of sinners, of whom one is chief. One does not choose a Redeemer for oneself, you understand, nor give one's heart to Him. The heart is a rusty old can on a junk heap. A fine birthday gift, indeed! but a wonderful Lord passes by, and has mercy on the wretched tin can, sticks His walking cane through it and rescues it from the junk pile and takes it home with Him. That is how it is."

[pages 146-147]

Hymn lyrics

This song was the processional in the Divine Service on Sunday, which was Palm (or Passion) Sunday. Interestingly, the hymn used to have 39 verses(!), way back when churches would sing it as they processed through the entire town on their way to Service on Palm Sunday. This past Sunday, however, kids walked up the aisle with little palm fronds, as we sang,


"All Glory, Laud, and Honor"
By: Theodulf of Orleans

1. You are the king of Israel
And David’s royal Son,
Now in the Lord’s name coming,
Our King and Blessed One.
All glory, laud, and honor
To you, Redeemer, King
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.
 
2. The company of angels
Are praising you on high;
Creation and all mortals
In chorus make reply.
All glory, laud, and honor
To you, Redeemer, King
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

3. The multitude of pilgrims
With palms before you went,
Our praise and prayer and anthems
Before you we present.
All glory, laud, and honor
To you, Redeemer, King
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

4. To you, before your Passion,
They sang their hymns of praise.
To you, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.
All glory, laud, and honor
To you, Redeemer, King
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

5. Their praises you accepted;
Accept the prayers we bring,
Great author of all goodness,
O good and gracious King.
All glory, laud, and honor
To you, Redeemer, King
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

--
Notes;
Hymn #102 from Lutheran Worship
Author: Melchior Teshner
Tune: Valet Will Ich Dir Geben
1st Published in: 1821

Terri cried out for help

According to yesterday's article,

Weller essentially told Terri Schiavo, "You had better say you want to live or they will kill you. Just say you want to live."

Schiavo responded with a drawn out, "IIIIII," then screamed out "waaaaaaaa" so loudly that a police officer stationed outside the room came in.

The officer then ordered Weller removed from the room, according to Terry.

The event was witnessed by Terri Schiavo's sister Suzanne Vitadamo and Suzanne's husband Michael.

Blog reader, note that the Michael named in the news story is not the same Michael as Terri's monster of a husband (naturally, he was not to be found).

How callous can some be? People, when in doubt, err on the side of life! Such hearts of stone. Beware of them, for such hearts will decide many fates beside Terri's... for that is the habit of slippery slopes.

Convenience is the new god of this age, and he is a cruel master. One that individuals have no power over, helpless ones most of all.

And this is why we love John Bolton

From the World Tribune:

Bolton took a vehement stand against North Korea when he was serving as undersecretary of state for arms control. He once described North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Il as "tyrannical" and called the life in the Stalinist state a "hellish nightmare."

Bolton also blasted North Korea as "the world's foremost peddler of ballistic missile-related equipment, components, materials and technical expertise," saying the Bush administration would push for the UN Security Council to urge North Korea to drop its nuclear programs.

North Korea, in return, referred to Bolton as "human scum" and a "bloodsucker."

Late night last night...

... so since I'm running behind, I thought I'd just post a poem from blogger SAStark's site:

I AM A CALVINIST

Fear my intellectual superiority!
Hate my condecsention!
Despise my historic Faith!
Misrepresent my beliefs to others!
Ignore my Biblical support!
Cringe as I baptize my children!
Gasp in horror as I drink real wine in communion!
Scratch your head as I use theological terms!
Take offense to the truth I speak!
Attend your church despite its self-contradictions!
Plug your ears at the sound of "reformed"!
Continue in your ways, but don't say I didn't warn you!

For the rest of the post, including some exuberant soul announcing that Jesus was a Calvinist -- good golly! -- go here. (And then read 1 Corinthians 1:11-13.)

I've followed the ensuing debate, and noticed that some of the reactions have been to the effect of, "Well, my goodness, what are we supposed to do? It's just so hard to be humble if you're a Calvinist." Such comments gradually conceded the perceived arrogance and blindness, but rarely took it a step further and allowed for fallibility or error.

Unfortunately, some of the folks that I think would have a fun time taking this apart this type of thing don't visit blogs- mine or anyone else's. Oh, well. I retreat to my quiet corner. ;-)

Yankee or Dixie?

Take the quiz and find out! Thanks to Meredith for posting it on her blog.

My score? It said:

61% (Dixie). A definitive Southern score!

There were a few questions where I had split answers, but apparently despite the fact that I include non-Northern pronunciations in my speech, those particular ones constituted a wash. Anyway, I like my score.

From the Governator

Below is a transcript of Governor Schwarzenegger's weekly radio address.

The 2 minute 19 second address is available at http://speeches.gov.ca.gov/dir/03-12%20Radio%20Merit%20Pay.mp3. The file is 2.1 Mb.

...

This week, I would like to talk to you about rewarding good teachers in our schools.

Now imagine for a moment that you work for a company selling computers. You are the hardest-working person in the office, selling more computers than any of your co-workers and helping your company succeed.

But for all of the hard work that you are doing, you don't make a penny more than the employees who just show up for work every day. Everyone would agree that is unfair.

But this is exactly what is happening in our schools today.

The best and the brightest teachers - the super teachers who make the biggest difference in the classroom - take home the same pay as those who just show up.

That's because California teachers are rewarded only for seniority, not performance. The system offers no incentive to improve and no reward for great teachers who make a real difference in our low-performing schools.

We see it again and again. Great teachers who do a terrific job, helping students and new teachers, only to leave for a better school as soon as they can.

The problem is when a struggling school is turned into a successful school, there is no reward for the teachers and the principals who made it all happen.

Parents are deeply concerned about this, and they have a right to be. When your child's education is at stake, losing a great teacher is devastating.

So this year, I have proposed legislation that will tie a teacher's pay to their performance, so that we can recognize the best teachers for their hard work and excellence, provide incentives for great teachers to serve where they are needed most and to have schools hire and promote teachers based on performance not seniority.

Other professions reward employees for good results. In a profession as important as teaching, we must do the same.

Now, I know that the special interests are already pushing, trying to keep things exactly the way they are. But I will push back because when it comes to our children, failure is not an option.

So I hope that you will join me and adopt the education reforms that our schools desperately need.

Thank you very much for listening. I'll be back.

###

If you can't stand the heat...

This 'snap' is from this past weekend, back home at my parents' house. We had most of the gang together, and in this photo, we're cooking up Sunday dinner after church. The dog, as you can see, is completing another pass through the kitchen to look for any stray bits of food.

Thoughts of the Day

- Others may have differing opinions on which one I am, but of the Seven Dwarves (of Snow White's famed circle of friends), I think I'd be Sneezy. If there is such a fella'.

- A nice thing about making a phone call to a company headquartered in the South is that you get to hear that accent.

- Why is "Johnson" called a "family company"? Is it how they are positioning themselves as a family of companies or a company for families?

Review this

Did you see what the Sacramento Bee had to say about the SCSO's recent performance of Haydn's "Creation"?

Oh, the possibilities!

Paying by Fingerprint at the Supermarket

Mon Mar 14,10:31 AM ET

BERLIN (Reuters) - Customers of a German supermarket chain will soon be able to pay for their shopping by placing their finger on a scanner at the check-out, saving the time spent scrabbling for coins or cards.

An Edeka store in the southwest German town of Ruelzheim has piloted the technology since November and now the company plans to equip its stores across the region.

"All customers need do is register once with their identity card and bank details, then they can shop straight away," said store manager Roland Fitterer.

The scanner compares the shopper's fingerprint with those stored in its database along with account details.

Edeka bosses said they were confident the system could not be abused.

###

Mmmmm, meat!

"If God hadn't wanted us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat." -unattributed

While Yow's too busy to post I'll slip in a little reminder here for the Third Annual International Eat an Animal for PETA Day. I expect A Small Victory to be putting up her IEAPD Meat Lovers Recipe Roundup any time now so keep checking back for updates.

It's a one with a decimal point way, far away from it

Forbes' released its annual list of the world's billionaires, and little info about each of them. Read the story here.

By the way, I used to want to find 1,000 people (or more) that would each join me in buying a piece of a share of Berkshire-Hathaway stock (that's Warren Buffet's company). Kind of like those stock market clubs you hear of, only this one would not meet and research and buy and sell; they would, collectively, hold a single share that's worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Businessman Offers $1 Million to Keep Terri Schiavo Alive

Businessman Offers $1 Million to Keep Terri Schiavo Alive

To: National Desk

Contact: Gloria Allred, 323-653-6530

LOS ANGELES, March 10 /Christian Wire Service/ -- Statement from today's press conference with Robert Herring, Sr. and his attorney, Gloria Allred:

Statement from Gloria Allred, Attorney-at-Law, Representing Robert Herring, Sr.:

We are here today to announce that our client, Robert Herring, Sr., is making an offer to Terri Schiavo's husband, Michael Schiavo, which could save Terri's life.

Terri Schiavo is currently in a coma in Florida. Michael Schiavo has asked the court for permission to disconnect her feeding tube, which would result in her death. Terri's parents, Bob and Mary Schiavo, have opposed the request. After a long court battle the court has set March 18, 2005 for the removal of Terri's feeding tube.

It now appears that the court process is ending, and that the legislative process has failed to stop the removal of the feeding tube.

This situation has deeply moved and distressed our client Mr. Herring who has been observing the case in the media, as millions of others have for about a year.

Mr. Herring is a successful, socially responsible entrepreneur who spent more than 30 years in the electronics industry as the founder and owner of HERCO Technology. In 2000, Mr. Herring sold HERCO Technology to a New York Stock Exchange listed firm.

In 2003, Mr. Herring founded WEALTHTV, a lifestyle and entertainment television channel. He is a supporter of and a believer in stem cell research and the medical breakthrough that are occurring in this area. He is married with 5 children and 19 grandchildren and lives in the San Diego area.

He recognizes that unless something is done immediately, Terri Schiavo is not likely to survive very long after March 18th. Knowing that time is of the essence and realizing that he is fortunate enough to be able to help, he has decided to take action.

He contacted me and retained my law firm to convey the following offer to Terri's husband. If Mike Schiavo agrees to transfer the legal right to decide all of Terri's current and future medical discussions to Terri's parents, then Mr. Herring will pay Mr. Schiavo the amount of 1 million dollars (subject to court approval of Terri's parents as her conservators or guardians).

The million dollars was deposited into my law firm's client trust account yesterday and this morning we communicated this million dollar offer in writing to Mr. Schiavo's attorney.

This offer will remain open until Monday, March 14, 2005 at 5:00 p.m.

Mr. Herring thinks there might be hope for Terri Schiavo and wonders why there is a rush to death, especially in view of the advances being made in medical research. He feels that he couldn't live with himself if he didn't make this offer and he sincerely hopes that it will be accepted.

We commend Mr. Herring on his creative and decisive attempt to peacefully resolve this legal dispute over Terri.

We look forward to Mr. Schiavo's response.

Click here to see the letter of confirmation of the $1M deposit from the National Bank of California

.

--------------------------
Statement from Robert Herring, Sr.:

I became interested in the Terri Schiavo story some two years ago, and have followed the ups and downs in this tragic situation closely. After viewing video of Terri on television, I came to the belief that there was hope for her. As events have proceeded in the legal battle, it became clear to me that if something was not done for Terri, that all hope for her would be lost.

It was at this point that I decided to take action to try and bring a positive resolution to a very distressing situation. I therefore have made an offer to Terri's husband in the amount of $1,000,000 to relinquish his custodial rights to Terri's parents in an effort to keep the hope for Terri alive.

I believe very strongly that there are medical advances happening around the globe that very shortly could have a positive impact on Terri's condition. I have seen miraculous recoveries occur through the use of stem cells in patients suffering a variety of conditions.

I decided to contact Gloria Allred to assist me in keeping this hope for Terri alive due to her long history of protecting and being an advocate for those in need of help. I believe that by making this public offer it will encourage people around Mr. Michael Schiavo to help him with a decision that will be most beneficial to Terri. This is a decision that must be made immediately to keep Terri alive.

I have had no contact or association with either Mr. Michael Schiavo or Terri's parents or family.
I am a neutral party as it relates to any dispute between them. I am not a medical expert, and do not have opinions on her specific condition. I am however aware that her condition, and potential for recovery is in dispute amongst learned medical professionals.

I am not affiliated or associated with any cause or organization. I am a private individual who is looking to bring hope to Terri's family.

It appears that the court battles may be coming to an end. With a date of March 18th quickly approaching, and no other viable hope for Terri to be able to keep her feeding tube, I felt compelled to act.

Robert Herring
March 10, 2005

# # #

Third Annual International Eat an Animal for Peta Day!

You'll notice this is not posted by by the owner of this site. Some time ago, in a moment of of uncharacteristic muddle-headedness, I'm sure, this blog's namesake gave me posting rights so I could guest-blog during his absence. Then, in another unaccountable lapse of judgement, he said I could pretty much pop in any time. Since I'm sure he would reconsider this if I gave him the option I haven't taken advantage of this privilege very often but I'm breaking my silence and claiming my right for what could be one of the most important announcements of the year:

Next Tuesday, March 15 is the

Third Annual International Eat an Animal for Peta Day!



The links above go to Meryl Yourish who founded the holiday and has some more information on the history. Since the 15th is a Tuesday [UPDATE: Earlier I had it on Wednesday. Anyone who looks at a calendar can see that the 15th is on Tuesday, not Wednesday. Sorry about that.], she's also urging people to consider dinner on Saturday the 19th as IEAPD dinner. The image comes from Michele at A Small Victory who is collecting recipes for the IEAPD Meat Lovers Recipe Roundup.

Join in the fun and don't miss this important holiday!

Isn't that special?

China once again threatens to blow Taiwan out of the water if they assert their independence. Taiwan winces, but grimly withstands the warning. So describes the London Times, as protestors are seen holding signs that refer to Austria's annexation by Germany: "No Anschluss." And so it continues.

I feel a kinship

Someone's making a film that's going to be released to theaters this spring:

The Year of the Yao.

Separate but equal?

Milwaukee is experimenting with a special government-run school for the bullied and harassed. On one hand, it seems like it'd provide protection and solace from the hateful scorn and withering attacks by some truly mean classmates. On the other, it has the appearance of giving into the vicious ways of some students by removing the cause of their taunting rather than addressing it.

Get the article here.

Oh, what a night

Snapped at the post-"Creation" reception on Saturday evening. It's an appreciative audience member (also a singer!) with a certain tenor. ;-)



Thanks to all of you who joined us for a fantastic night of powerful and vivid music! We'll see you in April for the much-awaited delivery of "Carmina Burana."

Couple of songs...

... sung at yesterday's Divine Service. They are good examples of how a hymn can be used to teach, and of course, express and apply truths. And, the language is fairly unambiguous, too. Anyway, these are the ones I liked the best from yesterday's worship. They speak pretty loudly.


"Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain"
By: James Montgomery

1. Come to Calvary’s holy mountain,
Sinners, ruined by the fall;
Here a pure and healing fountain
Flows for you, for me, for all,
In a full perpetual tide,
Opened when our Savior died.

2. Come in sorrow and contrition,
Wounded, impotent, and blind;
Here the guilty, free remission,
Here the troubled, peace many find.
Your true health it will restore,
So that you need thirst no more.

3. Come with hurts and guilty and meanness,
Come, however soiled within;
From the most ingrained uncleanness,
From pollution by your sin,
Wash your robes and make them white;
You shall walk with God in light.

4. Take the life that lasts forever;
Trust this soul renewing flood.
God is faithful; God will never
Break his covenant of blood,
Signed when our Redeemer died,
Sealed when he was glorified.

--
Notes:
Hymn # 96 from Lutheran Worship
Author: Ludvig M. Lindeman
Tune: Maar Mit Oie



"I Come, O Savior, to Your Table"
By: Friedrich C. Heyder

1. I come, O Savior, to your table,
For weak and weary is my soul;
You, Bread of Life, alone are able
To satisfy and make me whole.
Lord, may your body and your blood
Be for my soul the highest good!

2. Restless am I and heavy laden,
With sin my soul is sore oppressed;
Receive me graciously, and gladden
My heart that here is now your guest.
Lord, may your body and your blood
Be for my soul the highest good!

3. Your heart is filled with fervent yearning
That I, a sinner, come to you;
I, Lord, to your sure mercy turning,
My ancient bond of faith renew.
Lord, may your body and your blood
Be for my soul the highest good!

4. In hope I come to your high table,
Your testament of deepest love;
For by its grace I now am able
To know the heart of God above.
Lord, may your body and your blood
Be for my soul the highest good!

5. What greater gift can I inherit?
It is faith’s bonded solid base;
It is the strength of heart and spirit,
The covenant of hope and grace.
Lord, may your body and your blood
Be for my soul the highest good!

6. Your body crucified, O Savior,
Your blood which once for me was shed,
These are my life and strength forever,
By them my hungry soul is fed.
Lord, may your body and your blood
Be for my soul the highest good!

--
Hymn # 242 from Lutheran Worship
Author: Ms., Municipal Library
Tune: Ich Sterbe Taglich
1st Published in: 1756

It may not have been appropriate, they say

Ya think?

More adolescence from the UN

The US Representative, who works for the country that keeps the globalist organization alive and able to pay the rent, is met with jeers and catcalls from the classy chaps at the UN. Read the news story here.

Major package deal

From Capitol Public Radio's "Morning Edition":

On Saturday, the Sacramento Choral Society will perform "The Creation," a Biblical oratorio by Haydn that might remind you of Handel’s “Messiah.” Jeff Hudson visited a rehearsal Monday, and prepared this preview.

Check it out. Schnell!

And, don't miss the concert experience. Saturday night- a remarkable night of music that will leave you refreshed, uplifted, and searching me out to pump my hand and thank me for letting you know about this opportunity. Tickets are still available, but at this point, it's probably best to get them at the door. Go here for information. You'll be happy you did. And by supporting this quality of life, you'll ensure Sacramento has it in the future.

Quote of the Day

Rusty: You scared?
Linus: You suicidal?
Rusty: Only in the morning.

--the film, "Ocean's 11"

Charismania

Ran across this announcement on Modern Reformation magazine's website, and wanted to spread the word about what looks to be a good treatment of a fella who, in my view, is a charlatan, and one of the standard-bearers for the Charismatic-Pentecostal movement. And if you don't catch the clip, at least check out the links below to find out more about this prominent cultural leader, Mr. Hinn.

Michael Horton to Appear on Dateline NBC, Sunday, March 6

Michael was recently interviewed recently for Dateline NBC, and this interview will appear on a two hour special this Sunday (Mar. 6th). The subject of the special is the controversial televangelist, Benny Hinn. Look for Mike's interview to appear toward the end of the broadcast. For information about Benny Hinn's theology, check out our televangelism resources page.

MoveOn.org

Rolling Stone magazine has an interesting piece about the success-failure rate of MoveOn.org, and takes a look at their impact on the Democratic Party, and also their weird (and largely left-of-center) message-targeting.

Where I differ with the author is my notion that MoveOn.org DOES need to speak to the Hard Left, because if they don't precious few on the Democratic side will, and that could be trouble for the party down the road. In that same sense, Howard Dean was/is good for the Dems because tells the far lefties that they still have a home- and that's important, because if a party loses it's base, it can't begin to think of reaching out.

Check the article here.

The Great Communicator

Thanks to my Uncle Gene for passing along these good ones, laid down for history!


Here's my strategy on the Cold War: We win, they lose."
- Ronald Reagan

"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help."
- Ronald Reagan

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so."
- Ronald Reagan

"Of the four wars in my lifetime none came about because the U.S. was too strong."
- Ronald Reagan

"I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandment's would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."
- Ronald Reagan

"The taxpayer: That's someone who works for the federal government but doesn't have to take the civil service examination."
- Ronald Reagan

"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other."
- Ronald Reagan

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."
- Ronald Reagan

"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program."
- Ronald Reagan

"I've laid down the law, though, to everyone from now on about anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of a Cabinet meeting."
- Ronald Reagan

"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first."
- Ronald Reagan

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."
- Ronald Reagan

"Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book."
- Ronald Reagan

"No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.
- Ronald Reagan