Politics and Religion

Global Cooling?

2009-10-28T12:41:00.002-05:00

It seems that the scientific community is not in complete accord on the subject of global climate change. Russian researchers are saying that the warming experienced in the past century was driven by solar activity, not the human race. If you are interested, the complete article is here.

A teaser from the article:
"The concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere has risen more than 4% in the past decade, but global warming has practically stopped. It confirms the theory of "solar" impact on changes in the Earth's climate, because the amount of solar energy reaching the planet has drastically decreased during the same period."

There is much more, and the bottom line is that if these folks are correct, we are in for some really cold times, beginning within the next 10-20 years.

2009-10-13T06:14:00.000-05:00

Read this."Tea Partiers" are serious, and are willing to put their money where their mouth is.

Rule of thumb

2009-09-23T17:29:00.003-05:00

Fidel Castro praised President Obama today. Get the details here.

Basic Rule of thumb, if Castro approves of Barack Obama, then Barack Obama is probably bad for the USA.

More Media Hypocrisy

2009-09-11T18:16:00.000-05:00

I find it fascinating that the Obama administration can publicly "chastise" the media, and no one says anything. Had Bush, Bush or Reagan tried it, they would have been excoriated.

Seminary Orientation

2009-09-06T16:21:00.002-05:00

Well, I spent most of the past week at Concordia Seminary, St Louis. It was orientation week, and I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of nice folks. I am now officially a seminary student, and am slightly less ignorant of what is going to happen over the next four years.

In my SMP "cohort" there are twenty five men, each with a pastor mentor. The mentor is an experienced pastor who has agreed to work with me throughout the four years of the program. One of the mentors is a returned missionary who spent several years in Sierra Leone on a Bible translation project. This man was a part of Lutheran Bible Translators, and he operated on the same model as the Wycliffe Bible Translators. His task was to learn the local language, design a written form, and then translate the Bible into this language. it seems that he was a good influence on his kids because one of his sons is a pilot for the Jungle Aviation and Radio Service(JAARS).

My room mate was one of the pastors. He is from a community near Rolla, Mo. His name is also David, and he got my attention right off the bat when he told me that he has all his sermons through the end of October already written. Talk about planning! He told me that working so far ahead takes a lot of the stress out of sermon preparation, and if something happens during the week, he is not struggling to get a sermon written.

My first homework assignment is due to the professor by email a week from today, no later than 1900. On Monday evening, we will get togther online and discuss the week's work.

That's all for now.

Have a great week!

Accepted!

2009-08-14T07:46:00.002-05:00

Folks,

I have been accepted to a distance education program of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This program is known as the Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP) program. I will remain with my church in Greenville, and study online for about four years. After completing half of the course, I will be ordained as an SMP pastor.

Life is about to get interesting.

Life in a Blue County

2009-07-27T21:14:00.003-05:00

Several days ago, I sent an email, and called the offices of my local congress critter, to voice my opinion that the government should keep their noses out of the health care industry. As soon as the lady on the phone discovered that I oppose her boss, she couldn't get me off the phone quickly enough. In response to my email, I received the usual "nothing" response.

This man will not receive my vote in 2010, but in my new community, conservatives, are badly outnumbered.

"Tea Party" schedule

2009-06-30T16:05:00.000-05:00

For those who may be interested, you can find the location, date and time for one of the may "Tea Parties" here.

The Shifting Center of World Christianity

2009-06-23T06:24:00.002-05:00

This was posted to Facebook by the Admissions director of Concordia Theological Seminary, it is worth watching. Click here. This video is well worth the few minutes it will take to watch.

So Sad

2009-06-14T18:34:00.002-05:00

That a church born to correct heresy could come to this, is indeed sad.

Ministry update

2009-06-12T20:04:00.003-05:00

Folks, I took the time this evening to scroll through this blog and remember the past. I noticed that I sort of left things up n the air concerning my seminary plans.

For a married man, with no kids, it was going to cost me about $50,000 per year, to attend the Seminary as a resident student. There was no way I was gong to be able to finance that without borrowing money. At my age, incurring about $50,000 in debt to attend seminary simply did not seem wise. As a result, I have remained in Greenville, and will get my seminary training through a distance education program which only costs about 5,ooo a year.

About three months ago, my wife and I moved to Greenville, and life has been "interesting".

Recent shootings

2009-06-10T16:08:00.003-05:00

Apologies for not posting more frequently, life has become very interesting.

The recent shooting of George Tiller, and the attack at the Holocaust museum have me very concerned.

No matter what one may think of Tiller's legal murder business, his own murder is a crime. In the case of the Shooter at the museum, he is a rabid, racist nut case. Both murderers should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. In both cases, the murderers took the lives of their victims in a cold blooded, deliberate manner. Justice dictates that they pay for these murders with their lives.

Christmas Post

2008-12-23T23:05:00.002-06:00

As the "General" seems to be on Christmas Leave, the duty falls to me to post this:

General Claus' Visit

To: All Personnel

_1._ An official visit by MG Santa (NMI) Claus is expected at this headquarters 25 December 1998. The following instructions will be in effect and govern the activities of all personnel during the visit:

_a._ Not a creature will stir without official permission. This will include indigenous mice. Special stirring permits for necessary administrative actions will be obtained through normal command channels. Mice stirring permits will be obtained through the office of OSURG, Veterinary Services.

_b._ Personnel will settle their brains for a long winter nap prior to 2200 hours, 24 December 1996. Uniform for the nap will be: Pajamas, cotton, light, drowsing, with kerchief, general purpose, camouflage; and Cap, camouflage w/ear flaps. Equipment will be drawn from CIF prior to 1900 hours, 24 December 1996.

_c._ Personnel will utilize standard ration sugar plums for visions to dance through their heads. This item will be drawn from the servicing dining facility.

_d._ Stockings, wool, cushion sole, will be hung by the chimney with care. Necessary safety precautions will be taken to avoid fire hazards caused by carelessly hung stockings. Unit Safety Officers will submit stocking hanging plans to this headquarters prior to 0800 hours, 24 December 1996, ATTN: AEAGA-S, for approval.

_e._ At the first sign of clatter from the lawn, all troops will spring from their beds to evaluate noise and cause. Immediate action will be taken to tear open the shutters and throw open the window sashes. ODCSOPS Plan (Saint Nick), Reference LO No. 3, paragraph 6c, this headquarters, 2 February 1995, will be in effect to facilitate shutter tearing and sash throwing. Division chiefs will familiarize all personnel with procedures and are responsible for ensuring that no shutters are torn open nor window sashes thrown prior to start of official clatter.

_f._ Prior to 2400, 24 December 1996, all personnel will be assigned "Wondering Eye" stations. After shutters are thrown and sashes are torn, these stations will be manned.

_g. _ODCSLOG will assign one each Sleigh, miniature, M-66, and eight (8) deer, rein, tiny, for use of MG Claus' driver who, in accordance with current directives and other applicable regulations, must have a valid SF 56 properly annotated by Driver Testing; be authorized rooftop parking and be able to shout "On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer and Vixen, up Comet, up Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen."

_2._ MG Claus will enter quarters through standard chimneys. All units without chimneys will draw Chimney Simulator, M-6, for use during ceremonies. Chimney simulator units will be requested on Engineer Job Order Request Form submitted to the Furniture Warehouse prior to 19 December 1996, and issued on DA Form 3161, Request for Issue or Turn-In.

_3._ Personnel will be rehearsed on shouting "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night." This shout will be given on termination of General Claus' visit. Uniformity of shouting is the responsibility of division chiefs.

__CHRISTOPHER K. RINGLE__

Colonel, US

OIC, Special Services

It Has Begun

2008-11-08T05:50:00.003-06:00

For those of you who believe that our elected leaders truly have our freedom and liberty at heart, read this.

There is no reason to believe that the New President and the new congress want anything less than to take as much control over our lives as they can get away with. Those who value the freedom to run their own lives, will have to fight for everything.

This is just the beginning.

Last evening's debate

2008-09-27T07:52:00.003-05:00

Generally speaking, I believe that McCain came out looking better than did Obama.

This is all well and good, except that McCain still did not show anything which would make me comfortable voting for him. Despite his claim of being a proponent of limited Government, he still has a record of supporting some dastardly intrusions of the Government into private life.

On the other hand, Nothing Obama said indicated to me that he is fit for our nation's highest office.

As it looks right now, I still plan on either not voting, or voting third party in the Presidential election.

Debate

2008-09-25T21:19:00.001-05:00

As many of you know, I am so disgusted with the choices being offered this year, that I do not intend to cast a vote for President. The obvious caveat being that if Miss Sarah were on the top of the ticket, I just might consider voting for her.

Having said this, I must congratulate my friend Dan who's band played this evening for one of Senator McCain's events in Oxford.

Congratulations Dan! I hope all went well, and I hope the Senator makes the Debate.

A Political Commentary

2008-07-14T07:22:00.002-05:00

Folks, I don't know where this originated, but I thought it was not only funny, but there is a kernal of truth in it:

An E-Mail From Ireland

An email from Ireland to our brethren in the States...a point to

ponder despite your political affiliation:

'We, in Ireland, can't figure out why people are even bothering

to hold an election in the United States .

On one side, you have a pants wearing lawyer, married to a

lawyer who can't keep his pants on, who just lost a long and

heated primary against a lawyer who goes to the wrong church

who is married to yet another lawyer who doesn't even like the

country her husband wants to run.

Now...On the other side, you have a nice old war hero whose

name starts with the appropriate Mc terminology married to a

good looking younger woman who owns a beer distributorship.

What in Lords name are you lads thinking over there in the colonies??

July Fourth 2008

2008-07-04T21:57:00.004-05:00

Update:

It seems that the original link was incorrect, the link below is the correct one.

Folks, there will be some more posts coming soon, but I wanted to get this out for Independence day:

http://www.alighthouse.com/flag.htm

Most of us have seen it before.

David

Looks like I am Seminary Bound!

2008-06-06T07:04:00.002-05:00

About two weeks ago, I received word that the Seminary has accepted me.

looks as if I will be moving to Fort Wayne in September

Interesting turn of events

2008-05-15T20:23:00.003-05:00

Folks,

As most of you know, I have been taking a series of lay ministry training course through my church. I will finish that series of course this coming Saturday. The next step was supposed to be entry into one of our Church's seminaries for a two year certificate program which would hopefully lead to my ordination into the Office of Holy Ministry.

Right now, my application is at the seminary waiting on me to finish up some things. Since I was not going to make the deadline to begin studies in June (Greek). I was looking forward to a summer in which I wasn't going to take any classes.

A couple of weeks ago, one of our lay ministers was suddenly called from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant. In other words, he passed away unexpectedly.

What this means is that I am now serving a small church in Greenville, Mississippi. At least twice a month I go down there, lead the service, preach and celebrate Holy Communion. As I am not ordained, I do all this under the supervision of my pastor. I will probably do this for the summer, and Lord willing, I will enter seminary in the fall.

Please keep me in your prayers.

Application sent

2008-03-15T04:51:00.002-05:00

Folks, I ask your prayers. My application to the Fort Wayne seminary went out yesterday.

New Career

2008-02-21T15:54:00.002-06:00

As some of you may know, for the past several years, I have been taking a series of classes to equip me to serve as a lay minister in my church. This spring I will take the last two classes. This will qualify me to become licensed as a "Deacon". As this course of study has come to an end, I have begun exploring options for further education. At the age of 53, I did not feel it reasonable to return to college to get an undergraduate degree, and then go on for a Master of Divinity. Our church has some other routes for those whom God is calling to the "Office of the Holy Ministry". Mostly this involves a combination of "on the job training" and distance education.

This past Thursday, I called one of our seminaries to get some information on this program and discovered that there is another program which would have me studying on campus for two years, and serving what amounts to an internship(we call it a vicarage). The result of all this would result in my placement in my first call, and my ordination as a minister in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

It looks as if I may well be packing up and moving as soon as May.

Please keep me in your prayers.

Presidential Politics

2008-02-08T07:47:00.000-06:00

Folks,

There is no way that I will, with a clear conscience be able to vote for John McCain, and the Democrat options are even worse. Right now I believe that thes e folks are definitely worthy of a closer look. Some years ago, an on line friend, who has since been called to the Church Triumphant, Was a strong supporter of these folks. I believe that Bob Plett may have had a point.

I urge all to check these folks out.

Quick thought

2008-01-29T22:12:00.000-06:00

I already have some serious issues with the Presidential candidates bing offered by the two dominant political parties. None of the Democrats are, in any way, acceptable. and two of the three main Republicans are very questionable, but if John McCain gets the Republican nomination, I will either not vote, or vote third party in the Presidential election.

In Country Humor

2008-01-17T06:22:00.000-06:00

I actually found this at another Blog, the Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler. Thanks Guys.

Check this out:

Live Leak

Spew warnings in effect.