Years ago a brother-in-law recommended I read "Passages: Predictable Crises of Adult Life"" by Gail Sheehy. I read it. I have gone through the whole book, literally, and find myself in Part Seven: Renewal, or at least a No-Panic Approach to Physical Aging, and a Redefined Attitude Toward Money, Religion and Death.
It is strange how a person can progress from "Setting Off on the Midlife Passage" to decline and decay so fast you don't know what happened. I have gotten to the point that I can even talk about the worst time in my life and not get a knot in my stomach and a clutch in my throat over it. At one time I was quite desperate over it. I hied myself off to a psychiatrist who asked me why I was sitting across the desk from him. "I am here for suicide prevention." I can recall how calmly I told him that, and how quickly he found me a counselor who helped me climb that mountain. Prevention is good in any one of life's critical passages. I know that some are not preventable. Some are, thank God.
I wonder why it is that when a person finds life so delicious, so comforting, so blessed with relationships, time, and home; why, I wonder doesn't that come sooner in life. Perhaps it does with some people. I am thankful for it right now. Instead of being fleeting, here today, gone tomorrow; it goes on for me daily...weekly...monthly. I certainly enjoy being seventy.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Friday, January 21, 2005
Washington National Cathedral
The Prayer Service at the Washington National Cathedral this morning was meaningful and beautiful. C-SPAN does us a service by broadcasting what it does. I am grateful that I was able to experience it.
Ronan Tynan, the soloist, could bring one to tears with "How Great Thou Art" and "Ave Maria." Whoever was responsible for arranging this service is to be commended. It was everything this Liturgical Lutheran could ever wish for to enhance worship.
Rev. Mark Graig from Dallas was chosen to deliver the sermon. It is nice to know that we each have 86,400 seconds each day to use as we wish. Internalizing that I am humbled to think how I have squandered this gift, day after day.
The offering could have been used in any number of ways. It was proper that it be used for our service people and their families.
If I am not mistaken, the circular stained glass window is the same as that in Nedros Cathedral in Norway. Perhaps it is only similar. Our National Cathedral is the 6th largest in the world.
The inauguration ceremonies were inspiring in spite of what the British press says. So they mock and make fun of Bush's speech. Personally I thought it was filled with hope. What, I say, is wrong with hope?
Ronan Tynan, the soloist, could bring one to tears with "How Great Thou Art" and "Ave Maria." Whoever was responsible for arranging this service is to be commended. It was everything this Liturgical Lutheran could ever wish for to enhance worship.
Rev. Mark Graig from Dallas was chosen to deliver the sermon. It is nice to know that we each have 86,400 seconds each day to use as we wish. Internalizing that I am humbled to think how I have squandered this gift, day after day.
The offering could have been used in any number of ways. It was proper that it be used for our service people and their families.
If I am not mistaken, the circular stained glass window is the same as that in Nedros Cathedral in Norway. Perhaps it is only similar. Our National Cathedral is the 6th largest in the world.
The inauguration ceremonies were inspiring in spite of what the British press says. So they mock and make fun of Bush's speech. Personally I thought it was filled with hope. What, I say, is wrong with hope?
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Talk Radio
Upon reading newspapers from 'home,' the one thing that always amazes me is just how today's technology equalizes knowledge. The Black Hills Pioneer had an article about Sam Kephart broadcasting the World Talk Radio from Spearfish. He has a Wednesday segment on "Science and Society." Science is as difficult to listen to as it is to read. But good for us, right?
My other talk radio events are not so noteworthy. Art Bell started it for me when I couldn't sleep a few years ago. I think I have lost some hearing in one ear because I plug myself into my night stand radio and fell asleep with all the paranormal blab going on for hours and hours. Now Art Bell has been replaced on weeknights with George Noory. Both are a little spacey.
You know Sturgis, of the Motorcyle Rally; one of my girlfriend's nephews, Jim Thompson has a radio program I sometimes listen to when I get terribly lonesome for home. He gets on a political rant sometimes; and you know those South Dakotans are! Western music, feedstore advertisements, gentle banter with cowboy callers-in. It is very folksy.
My other talk radio events are not so noteworthy. Art Bell started it for me when I couldn't sleep a few years ago. I think I have lost some hearing in one ear because I plug myself into my night stand radio and fell asleep with all the paranormal blab going on for hours and hours. Now Art Bell has been replaced on weeknights with George Noory. Both are a little spacey.
You know Sturgis, of the Motorcyle Rally; one of my girlfriend's nephews, Jim Thompson has a radio program I sometimes listen to when I get terribly lonesome for home. He gets on a political rant sometimes; and you know those South Dakotans are! Western music, feedstore advertisements, gentle banter with cowboy callers-in. It is very folksy.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Lutheran Gay Policy: Same But Different?
In the Omaha World Herald this morning, the staffwriter, Angie Brunkow, quotes our Nebraska ELCA Bishop, David deFreese, "What we need to say as clearly and strongly as we can is that we have a wonderful tradition of putting issues up on the door, nailing issues up on the door and inviting discussion."
As it was in Germany for Martin Luther, this IS an explosive matter. In our own little St. Timothy's Lutheran church, the discussion across the table last summer was sometimes heated and people differed. It was no different in my own kitchen across that table over ice-cream.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America task force on policies of homosexual clergy and same-sex unions is essentially requiring clergy to remain celibate outside marriage. It also recommends that the church maintain its stance against same-sex blessings. At the same time it gives local church leaders more flexibility in deciding whether to discipline congregations that ordain gays and lesbians in committed relationships.
The 'plink' (pink link) above takes you right to the horses mouth, so to speak. When I googled ELCA this came up in an article in The Christian Post: " Reformed leaders within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) called the denomination’s January 13 report on homosexuality “duplicitous” and “disingenuous,” and criticized it as nothing more than an “attempt to avoid an outright schism” in a theologically split denomination."
A theologically split denomination! Is it really that bad? Maybe I just choose not to notice.
The Sioux City Journal quotes the Iowa Bishop, the South Dakota Bishop and also deFreese from Nebraska. Quoting The Rev. Delwyn L. Oliver, chaplain of the Western Iowa Synod's Sioux City Conference: "I know there are those who are upset that the recommendations did not go far enough, either to the right or to the left," Oliver continued. "Some people will find my opinion to be blasphemous. Is it not time that we recognize that we are all sinners in need of God's grace and that by casting stones at others for their 'sins,' we foolishly attempt to divert God's attention away from our own sins."
I am realizing that with each article I read, I read it through my own myopic lens. I focus on those statements that I agree with and am horrified by the ones I don't. Is this how churches blow up?
I found a great deal of comfort in the Salty Vicar's list of "What I love about the Episcopal Church." We Lutherans would do well to think about what it is we love about our heritage, while growing into a communion that lovingly accepts those different from us. Yes, even those that love the contemporary service.
As it was in Germany for Martin Luther, this IS an explosive matter. In our own little St. Timothy's Lutheran church, the discussion across the table last summer was sometimes heated and people differed. It was no different in my own kitchen across that table over ice-cream.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America task force on policies of homosexual clergy and same-sex unions is essentially requiring clergy to remain celibate outside marriage. It also recommends that the church maintain its stance against same-sex blessings. At the same time it gives local church leaders more flexibility in deciding whether to discipline congregations that ordain gays and lesbians in committed relationships.
The 'plink' (pink link) above takes you right to the horses mouth, so to speak. When I googled ELCA this came up in an article in The Christian Post: " Reformed leaders within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) called the denomination’s January 13 report on homosexuality “duplicitous” and “disingenuous,” and criticized it as nothing more than an “attempt to avoid an outright schism” in a theologically split denomination."
A theologically split denomination! Is it really that bad? Maybe I just choose not to notice.
The Sioux City Journal quotes the Iowa Bishop, the South Dakota Bishop and also deFreese from Nebraska. Quoting The Rev. Delwyn L. Oliver, chaplain of the Western Iowa Synod's Sioux City Conference: "I know there are those who are upset that the recommendations did not go far enough, either to the right or to the left," Oliver continued. "Some people will find my opinion to be blasphemous. Is it not time that we recognize that we are all sinners in need of God's grace and that by casting stones at others for their 'sins,' we foolishly attempt to divert God's attention away from our own sins."
I am realizing that with each article I read, I read it through my own myopic lens. I focus on those statements that I agree with and am horrified by the ones I don't. Is this how churches blow up?
I found a great deal of comfort in the Salty Vicar's list of "What I love about the Episcopal Church." We Lutherans would do well to think about what it is we love about our heritage, while growing into a communion that lovingly accepts those different from us. Yes, even those that love the contemporary service.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
The impact of the horror that started 6.2 miles below the surface of the Indian Ocean just off the coast of Sumatra, displaced a section of the ocean floor over 700 miles long and 10 miles wide, nearly 100 feet upward. An equal amount of ocean water on the order of 135 cubic miles was moved violently upward and outward. The huge tsunami waves brought devastation to coastlines 4,000 miles away.
Night radio talkers ponder Armageddon. Cal Thomas ponders "God and Suffering" on op-ed pages around the world. He says, "Human tragedy is bad enough, but listening to some theologians trying to explain it is doubly irritating. He goes on to relate that the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, wrote a Jan. 2 column for the Sunday Telegraph in which the front-page headline about the column proclaimed, "Archbishop of Canterbury admits: "This makes me doubt the existance of God." Thomas goes on to say that "the headline writer misrepresented the archbishop's view, but so convoluted was Mr. Williams' statement about the disaster ...it is understandable how the writer of the headline reached his conclusion. Theologians should offer hope and truth. The pagans serve up enough doubt."
Cal Thomas sends his readers to Job, Chapter one, in the Old Testament. Job responds to his skeptical and nagging wife, "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble."
Still quoting Thomas, "...consider Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address. Seeking to understand the Civil War catastrophe, Lincoln concluded, 'The Almighty has His own purposes."
This conflicted Lutheran does not believe God did it to those people. Unfortunately it is the result of plate tectonics. I think He is there to help the victims get through it, with the help of the rest of the world; people, one on one, doing the work of God in this horrendous time.
Night radio talkers ponder Armageddon. Cal Thomas ponders "God and Suffering" on op-ed pages around the world. He says, "Human tragedy is bad enough, but listening to some theologians trying to explain it is doubly irritating. He goes on to relate that the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, wrote a Jan. 2 column for the Sunday Telegraph in which the front-page headline about the column proclaimed, "Archbishop of Canterbury admits: "This makes me doubt the existance of God." Thomas goes on to say that "the headline writer misrepresented the archbishop's view, but so convoluted was Mr. Williams' statement about the disaster ...it is understandable how the writer of the headline reached his conclusion. Theologians should offer hope and truth. The pagans serve up enough doubt."
Cal Thomas sends his readers to Job, Chapter one, in the Old Testament. Job responds to his skeptical and nagging wife, "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble."
Still quoting Thomas, "...consider Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address. Seeking to understand the Civil War catastrophe, Lincoln concluded, 'The Almighty has His own purposes."
This conflicted Lutheran does not believe God did it to those people. Unfortunately it is the result of plate tectonics. I think He is there to help the victims get through it, with the help of the rest of the world; people, one on one, doing the work of God in this horrendous time.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Deaf With Bad Knees
Heidi might come for a trial visit, a long stay, or live with us until she dies. She is totally deaf and has had a knee surgery. Needless to say she might fit in, or might have, or maybe will. Perhaps we will give it a try. He Who Must Be Obeyed is strongly against it. What do they think we are, a nursing home? Do we know sign language? No. What if she or pees in her bed? What then?
Yesterday I contacted the poodle rescue folks in Omaha and a nice volunteer came out this afternoon, in spite of the ice on the roads and the predicted 15 inch snowfall. She seemed a little anxious to get Heidi placed in the "Seniors for Seniors" program. We would have plenty of support, get boarding if we went on a vacation, and receive all sorts of advice on the care and feeding of this old deaf dog with a bad knee. It sounds like a great way to get a dog well out of the puppy stage. But there are a lot of "buts."
How does one communicate with a deaf dog? I had kind of hoped for one I could boss around. That would be out, forget the baby talk. That would fall on deaf ears, so to speak. How does a mini poodle get about in 15 inches of snow with a bad knee? The hearing problem is one thing, but I am not much for a snapper who gets alarmed when approached from the back. That must happen quite a lot unless she stands around with her back to the wall. Even I am a bit skeptical.
Shoot.
Yesterday I contacted the poodle rescue folks in Omaha and a nice volunteer came out this afternoon, in spite of the ice on the roads and the predicted 15 inch snowfall. She seemed a little anxious to get Heidi placed in the "Seniors for Seniors" program. We would have plenty of support, get boarding if we went on a vacation, and receive all sorts of advice on the care and feeding of this old deaf dog with a bad knee. It sounds like a great way to get a dog well out of the puppy stage. But there are a lot of "buts."
How does one communicate with a deaf dog? I had kind of hoped for one I could boss around. That would be out, forget the baby talk. That would fall on deaf ears, so to speak. How does a mini poodle get about in 15 inches of snow with a bad knee? The hearing problem is one thing, but I am not much for a snapper who gets alarmed when approached from the back. That must happen quite a lot unless she stands around with her back to the wall. Even I am a bit skeptical.
Shoot.
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