The rumor has been going around that this new liturgy will be replacing Divine Service One in the Lutheran Service Book. It dates, though, from April 1. That is to say, April Fool’s Day. (HT: Todd Wilken.) Still, I suspect this order of service will inspire both outrage and the desire to adopt it: OUR SERVICE Setting One GREETING AND AFFIRMATION A MEDLEY OF MOOD-SETTING SONGS is sung. Stand spontaneously during the final Guitar Solo The sign of applause may… Read more
Obama’s plan to bring down gas prices
April 18, 2012 By Gene Veith
110 Comments
Does our president understand economics? Facing heat for high gasoline prices, President Obama tried to shift the focus to Congress, Republicans and energy traders, calling for legislation that he said would “put more cops on the beat” to crack down on potential manipulation of the oil market. Obama called on Congress to provide more money for regulators and increase penalties for market manipulators. The president, flanked by Treasury SecretaryTimothy F. Geithnerand Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr., suggested that traders… Read more
He murdered 77 “out of good, not evil”
April 18, 2012 By Gene Veith
62 Comments
Few people do bad things out of a desire to do something evil. Rather, they convince themselves that what they are doing is “good.” And the spirit of self-righteousness, ironically, can lead to the most horrible of sins. An example is the testimony of the Norwegian mass-murderer, of whose 77 victims, 69 were young people at a youth camp: The Norwegian far-right activist who killed 77 people last year has told a court that he was fighting a battle against… Read more
In the beginning was the Voice
April 17, 2012 By Gene Veith
68 Comments
There is yet another Bible translation. It’s called The Voice. The publisher is Thomas Nelson, who also publishes its polar opposite, the King James version. Here is a story about The Voice from USA Today The name Jesus Christ doesn’t appear in The Voice, a new translation of the Bible. The Voice translation is aimed at people who haven’t read the Bible much before and aren’t familiar with church jargon. Nor do words such as angel or apostle. Instead, angel… Read more
The third party candidates
April 17, 2012 By Gene Veith
46 Comments
Here is a site that lists everyone who is running for president. In addition to the Republican and Democratic candidates and a long list of independent candidates, here are the various people running in other parties that have ballot representation in at least one state. (Are any of you supporting any of these folks and can say why they should be president?): AMERICANS ELECT: Rocky Anderson (Justice-Utah) – Ex-Salt Lake City Mayor, attorney & international human rights activist. Mike Ballantine… Read more
Squirrel and deer potty training
April 17, 2012 By Gene Veith
52 Comments
I don’t know whether this is gross or sublime. Actually, I think it is both gross and sublime. Mostly sublime: Baby squirrels must be taught to defecate. This fascinating bit of information came from Don Moore , associate director of animal care sciences at the National Zoo. Earlier in his career, Don worked in Syracuse, N.Y., rehabilitating baby squirrels. Squirrels are among species — deer are another — where the mother uses her mouth to carry her offspring’s poo and… Read more
“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven”
April 16, 2012 By Gene Veith
62 Comments
Our Scripture reading in church yesterday included this passage from John 20: 19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews,[c] Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to… Read more
The founders’ individual mandates
April 16, 2012 By Gene Veith
30 Comments
It is unconstitutional to force individuals to buy health insurance, according to critics of Obamacare. Not so, says Einer Elhauge of The New Republic, who points out that the founders who wrote the Constitution were not above passing individual mandates forcing citizens to buy things: The founding fathers, it turns out, passed several mandates of their own. In 1790, the very first Congress—which incidentally included 20 framers—passed a law that included a mandate: namely, a requirement that ship owners buy… Read more
Tornado hits my old stomping ground
April 16, 2012 By Gene Veith
12 Comments
I was born in Alva, Oklahoma. I have memories of going to Woodward, the biggest town within an hour’s drive, to go to the movies. I had to have been younger than five. Anyway, Woodward was hit by a tornado early yesterday morning, killing five people. This video is especially eerie. It’s dark, but when the lightning flashes you get just a glimpse of this massively wide funnel. Read more
We’re on Issues, Etc. today
April 16, 2012 By Gene Veith
4 Comments
My daughter and I will be on Issues, Etc. radio and web-radio program today to talk about our book Family Vocation: God’s Calling in Marriage, Parenting, and Childhood. We’ll be taking the book section by section today and for the next fourMondays. The show runs from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Central Time, but it will also be archived. Go here to listen live (though our part will be taped). Coming Up on Issues, Etc. Monday, April 16, 2012 Family Vocation, Part… Read more
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