Phoning It In

Via Pastor Peperkorn (on Facebook,) an iPhone app for Confession. What do my Catholic friends think?

I enjoy using the internet for keeping in touch with people that live far away, and I obviously enjoy broadcasting my thoughts and ideas via blogging. But I hope we don't start using things like Skype or cell phones to replace the importance of the physical interaction between the pastor (representing God,) and the congregation. Not that I'm saying that this app does that.

Questioning

I am going to be posting on higher education, in regards to my family in particular, but as I was planning the post out in my mind, I took a side trip. I have always been disappointed in my college career. I wrote too much trying to explain, so let's just say I don't know why I went to the college I did, or took some of the courses that I did. However, when I get down to it, I always get back to the fact that I met my now-husband there, so I can't completely regret my college choice.

Which leads me to a point where I get theologically muddled: what was God's involvement in this? Dawn Eden, in her book, says that a man's wife is chosen for him by God. How does God plan things for us, however, which involve the actions of other people? How did my husband and I end up going to the same college, and both make friends with the same person who would eventually introduce us? I never felt a "call," or anything similar to go to the college I did. I went because they supposedly had a good program in a major my father pushed towards. I ended up not really being interested in that major, and not seeing the program as that good anyway. I completely fumbled my way through the whole higher education process. God knew all that would happen, since He is omniscient, but did he *direct* any of it? And if so, how?

Dressing Your Way to God

There was a large group of Amish actually eating at the restaurant we stopped at on Monday. That's unusual, to see Amish actually eating at an Amish restaurant. We had to explain to the Dancer the reason behind their manner of dress. The women were all in black, with full head caps. The men of course had the full beards. They were speaking Pennsylvania Dutch on the way out. The Dancer noticed every one of them was wearing glasses. I wonder if that is related to their small genetic base. Not that it would cause poor eyesight, but poor eyesight might tend to be spread through the group easier.

I used to admire the Amish more than I do now. Perhaps television or the internet distracts from praying, say, or maybe it's that our sinful nature is the why, and television is just the how. Certainly we should dress modestly, but I don't think certain colors, or a lack of zippers, will help or harm us in any way with God. Really, the only help we have is God's Word and Sacrament. As for the rest, it's easy to get very legalistic. Better, I think, to live and let live, and know that we all sin. If someone is willfully and repeatedly engaging in a harmful activity, then sure, take it to our brother. But earrings or shaving or a teal blue shirt or shoes with a heel, what do they mean in the long run?

Thoughts on a Church Sign

Today I saw a church sign that read "Wanting Nothing But Christ and Him Glorified in 2009". But that's not how the Bible verse reads, is it, kids? It's "Christ and Him crucified". A little theology of glory instead of theology of the cross? Let us not forget that we cannot have Easter without Good Friday, cannot have the crown of gold without the crown of thorns. Lord, keep us steadfast in Your Word.

Free Catechism

I'm trying to go through and find new homes for things for which we no longer have use. I actually haven't had a special use for this catechism since I was in grade school. It is not the catechism I studied from for my confirmation, but one I acquired in about fourth grade at my Lutheran dayschool. It is a little different from other Lutheran catechisms because the Bible verses come from William Beck's An American Translation of the Bible. The pastor at the church associated with my school was a friend of Beck's and revised some of his work, so we used this version of the catechism and also the Bible. This catechism is copyrighted 1971 and was published in 1976. The pages are yellowed, some of the corners are a bit bent, and the pages are a little bit loose. My name (maiden:)) is written in the top left corner of the inside cover.

If anyone wants this catechism I will send it out media mail.

Martin Luther Ist Zurück!

Imagine my pleasure at discovering, at Aardvark Alley, that Martin Luther has returned to the blogging world! It's great to have him back!

I Guess I'm Not a Christian

At least from the point of view of some as expressed by this blogger, who explains in greater detail James Dobson's statement that Fred Thompson is not a Christian, in that Thompson is not an evangelical Christian. Reading this blogger's explanations on how baptism can rate below asking Jesus into your heart, making a decision, etc., makes me sick to my stomach. It takes me back to one of the worst times in my life, when a teacher at my Lutheran high school was pulling the same song and dance, that being a Christian or not depended on what I did, not what God did for me. I was miserable, upset, confused almost to the point of insanity, wondering if I was pleasing God, if I meant my prayers, if I was really a Christian when I couldn't point to an experience in my life when I was "saved." I knew deep down I didn't need one experience to point back to in order to "prove" my Christianity, but I still felt like I must not measure up in God's eyes. Well, if my Christianity, my standing with God, my eternal future, depend on what I do; then I'm eternally doomed, because I can't do anything on my own. All my righteousness, all my "sinner's prayers," all my "decisions" are as filthy rags before the one true and righteous Judge. Instead, I am clothed with Christ through baptism, united with him in His death and His resurrection, and I daily put off the old man and put on the new. Simul iustus et peccator.

I Love Being Lutheran

I know not everyone who reads here is Lutheran, so those of you who aren't can just disregard this post, but Dan at Necessary Roughness has just posted a great essay on the good points of being Lutheran that I wanted to share with those of you readers who are also.

Romans 8

I'm continuing this from Innocent Bystanders, where a post on Daylight Savings Time quite naturally turned into a discussion of Romans chapter 8. (Yeah, they're weird over there. But then my husband and I value weirdness in friends. I should post about that...) Anyway, reading over this, I have a few points for discussion.

1. From Romans 8:1, what does it mean to be in Christ Jesus, and therefore not able to be condemned?

2. Does the concept of once saved/always saved go along with the concept of predestination?

Since I'm Lutheran, I'm linking to a Preface to Romans, by none other than Martin Luther, for further reading and though

The Thrill of the Chaste

Tonight I was privileged to meet Dawn Eden, author of The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On. I have been reading Dawn's blog off and on for several years, and her blog is where I first heard about her book. Although Dawn and I are the same age, we are in very different places in our lives, but reading descriptions and excerpts from her book struck a chord with me. Unlike Dawn, I was brought up in the Christian faith by my parents, specifically Lutheranism. However, I had my own struggles living the chaste life. My parents' marriage fell apart just as I started college, leaving my mother absorbed in her own problems and cynical about men. I have always had a messed-up relationship with my father; I don't know if it can ever be healed in this life. Everything I've learned about men, I've mostly had to learn through the patient tutelage of my husband. Despite troubled family relationships, I know I am responsible for everything I have done wrong; thanks be to God that Jesus took the punishment for all of my sins. This is just my long way of explaining my interest in her book despite thirteen and a half years as a happily married woman; due to my own past, I seek a deeper understanding of living a life of chastity when it is part of God's will for us. And as the mother of two young girls, I would like to be able to really be able to talk to my daughters as they go through adolescence and young adulthood, and say more than "Don't do it until marriage, because God says so."

Dawn spoke tonight at St. Therese Church in Garfield Heights, and was sponsored by Fr. John Valencheck and St. Rose Young Adult Group. I felt a little bit strange there, 'cause, well, I'm not Catholic. However, I know we share many common beliefs as Christians, including a belief that God's gift of sexual intimacy is only meant for marriage. And since I've read Dawn's blog for so long and had an interest in her book, I wanted to take this opportunity to meet her IRL. :)

I also got to meet local blogger Saint Kansas; both he and Dawn were very nice and welcoming. He worked with Dawn on the YouTube video you can watch here. I'm hoping I'll get to meet Saint Kansas (and his wife?) sometime again in this great city.

And let me give a shout-out to Lilac Rose, aka Susan B. I know I found St. Kansas' blog via hers, and I'm pretty sure her blog is how I found Dawn's. Someday I hope to meet her in person as well.

And for Dawn, Saint Kansas, and anyone else who stops in, here once again is the origin of my blog name! It's based on an online quiz which sadly is no longer available. However, you can read about it in this post and following comments at baldilock's place. Here's a summary of me: You are an SEDF--Sober Emotional Destructive Follower. This makes you an evil genius. You are extremely focused and difficult to distract from your tasks. With luck, you have learned to channel your energies into improving your intellect, rather than destroying the weak and unsuspecting.

Your friends may find you remote and a hard nut to crack. Few of your peers know you very well--even those you have known a long time--because you have expert control of the face you put forth to the world. You prefer to observe, calculate, discern and decide. Your decisions are final, and your desire to be right is impenetrable.

You are not to be messed with. You may explode.
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Since the above is all too accurate, I started calling myself the Evil Genius, and thus this blog! Don't you feel better now that you know?

Money and Stuff

First, let's have a little fun and talk about stuff, in particular, this cool item, which will be on every geek's must-have list. Wasn't it cool not that long ago to have a phone the size of a credit card?? Retro is the new black, baby.

Now to more serious conversation. I've been thinking about money and what it means in this world, and to Christians. Yes, the love of money can lead to troubles and unhappiness. But not having money can lead to troubles also. Like not having a functioning automobile, although we have been blessed with a temporary automobile on loan from some kind church friends. I know very well that having a great deal of money is not a guarantee of happiness. In some cases it makes people unhappier. It's just a little difficult at the moment wishing we had the money to do things like maintain a car properly, but still keep money in its correct place.

Vote Early, Vote Often

Hey, Quipper, did ya see this swell story? At least I don't live in Cuyahoga County anymore, but if Cleveland really tanks, the whole area around will go down with it. :(

Since I mentioned here the story of a woman who, as a teen, gave birth in her bedroom, stabbed the baby to death and dumped the baby's body in a quarry with the help of her boyfriend, I'll update you that she lost her appeal, and her six-year prison sentence was upheld. Oh, if only abortion was legal then! Oh wait. It was.

Oh, and the Northeastern Ohio Synod of the ELCA has just elected the first woman bishop of the ELCA. So much to be proud of here in Cleveland! She wants to "focus on social justice issues and bring minority leaders into churches." I'm choking up just thinking about it.

Sorry to interrupt my fun Christmas stories with this unsavory but important stuff. I promise I'll be back to posting about Christmas in Germany next time.

What Price Living?

Sometimes it seems as though I see things in a pattern. Right now, so much that I see is telling me of the breakdown of respect and value for life. Our government wants to use our money to destroy human life, on the chance of possibly helping or saving human life sometime in the future. If this is acceptable, how long will it be before the premise of the sci-fi movie my husband was watching last night comes true - clones created to serve as "parts factories" for the "original" humans? The wealthy and unscrupulous making more money by creating and selling life, the unwitting clones living a life of lies and false memories, while the wealthy benefactors are assured that their "parts suppliers" are "not human."

We have already decided that embryos are not human, which has lead us onward to abort unborn babies and abandon newborns in dumpsters. Well, we've moved up to two-year-olds being left in dumpsters too. Human life seen as so much trash.

But even though the most vulnerable, children, see the repercussions first when we begin to see life as expendable, apparently to some on the left, even adults can be seen as "not human" if we have the wrong views.

I think "never again" needs to be replaced with "over and over again." Without the certainty that each of us has been fearfully and wonderfully brought into being, with an eternal future, without the knowledge that God cares for and has plans for all of us, what will humans not do to prolong and enrich their own desperate, grasping lives? If we do not want to become the same as any other animal fighting for supremacy and survival, we need to care for all lives.

Only a Man in a Funny Red Sheet

On a bulletin board I read, several members were discussing the new Superman movie, and it also became apparent to me that they idolized Christopher Reeve, and I mean that almost literally. For example, check out this cartoon published upon his death. Yes, I have seen editorial cartoons before that showed the deceased going to a "heaven," and sometimes showing a role that person played in a movie. But in this case, thoughts that people viewed Reeve as having some sorts of "powers" are reinforced by this editorial cartoon upon the death of his wife, Dana. One of the bulletin board readers has saved it on her website and commented on how touching it was. To me, it is a case of man once again looking to the created instead of the Creator. When I die, I know the only thing I can trust to save me is Jesus' death and resurrection, His redemption for me. No matter what a person achieves in this lifetime, we are all still only people. Only Jesus could tell a paralyzed man to get up and walk, and only Jesus can offer us life and salvation. And so unlike the man in this cartoon, I know where hope can be found, and it is not in a movie, or in an actor or any other human. Thanks be to God that He loves us, and is able to do everything for us.

Just Checking In

I've been wanting to post pictures from the Blogger's Ice Cream Ministry over the weekend, but the pictures aren't online yet, so I'll just give you a random thought or two to tide you over. :)

Okay, the Indians lost to the Cubs last night. I haven't heard anyone else's take on it, but for me? The season is Officially Over. It's hard to pin down what went wrong though. We have several quality players. Grady Sizemore rocks, Travis Hafner is an excellent DH and I don't think he was that horrible at his stint at first base. Victor went through a slump, but every player does. I'll agree Peralta hasn't been the best shortstop he could be, and Jason Johnson needs to get on the first bus for Triple A, period.

I'm not a pastor, so I can say that I am so tired of the antics of particular members of the Missouri Synod. The Synod has been compared to the Titanic, and from that point of view, I see myself sitting in a lifeboat, staring at how low the large vessel is in the water, and hoping and praying more people can get off before she cracks in half and goes down. I'm such a cynic, or as I prefer to call it, a realist, that I guess something like this was inevitable. Human institutions can never last. All the more reason to hold to what will, the Cross of Christ. Only the death and resurrection of my Lord and Savior will keep me safe.

I'm glad to see so many of the fathers out there had a good Father's Day. On the other hand, it's sad to discover more families have experienced brokenness over the years. But as a pastor put it to me, Christ can make all things new, and He keeps guiding my little family into loving fellowship. Thank God for all the understanding people He has brought into our lives. May He bring human fellowship and comfort to everyone who needs it.

Strong Fences Make Good Neighbors

Certainly not a popular quote today, judging by my quick research to double-check that I had it written correctly. We are to be tolerant, open to all viewpoints, multicultural, full of "positive emotional energy." Pfaugh! Complete and utter nonsense! As confessional Lutherans, for example, we know that God has given us His truth in His Word. As humans still in a sinful condition, we won't always follow this truth, but we always need to look to His Word for the truth, certainly not to other sinful humans. So we need to create a fence, to block out that which would come in to corrupt us, and cling only to God's Word and Sacrament.

On a worldly corollary, my church building also has fences, to help protect the property from being defaced and destroyed. I have gotten the impression over the years that many who claim to follow Christ look rather askance at property rights. Perhaps this comes from the early believers in Acts who chose to live together and share everything among each other. I think more often, we are told to be good stewards of what God has given us. Does this mean throwing our property to the four winds? No, we need fences, walls, locked doors and gates to protect and take care of that which God has given us.

This quote occurred to me originally in conjunction with the current problems on our southern border. I thought there would be more protests today, it being a Hispanic holiday. I should have known that the socialist and communist groups quietly organizing things behind the scenes would instead choose the communist holiday of the first of May. In any case, the fact that we are letting so many people come into this country illegally completely disgusts me. While some argue that building an actual, physical fence along our entire border is not logistically, practically possible, we must have some way to protect the citizens of this country. Letting landowners along the border protect their own property would be a start. If the rights and privileges of being a citizen of this country are not worth protecting, they will soon be not worth having. God help us all when that time comes.

This means something to me on a personal level right now as well, however. I have been battered emotionally for many years by outside family members. Now I am receiving protests and nasty words because I have chosen to retreat for a time. I have locked myself behind a fence to protect myself, my children, my husband, my marriage. My family, the four of us that share these walls, are most important to me. The family is our foundation here on earth. Without it, we have nothing, so I have to protect it first and foremost.

We cannot as Christians always hide behind walls and fences. Sometimes with God's help we must ride forth and do battle with the forces of evil and darkness. But I thank God that we have places of safety, that He protects and shields us through this life. I think fences and boundaries are essential to surviving with others in this world.

Given Unto Death

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Words: Isaac Watts, 1707. Music: Low­ell Ma­son, 1824.

I Hate Holidays

At least, I know I am not really thrilled about Easter coming, and I imagine that is partly the cause of my current low mood. I feel rather Charlie Brown-ish. Holidays should be special; that's why they're holidays, right? Because they're special? But they're really not anymore, for me.

Maybe I'm getting old. When I was a child, a big part of the holiday excitement was the preparation, the things you did only once a year, the special meals, the family gatherings. But a lot of the wonder of a decorated tree or colored egg is gone, to my everlasting sadness. I certainly never wanted to lose that thrill, that special magic. And holidays anymore are just getting to be my husband, my daughters and myself.

Am I thankful and grateful that Christ took the punishment for my sins and died on the cross, then rose again, showing His complete victory over sin, death and the power of the devil? Absolutely, as much as a frail, sinful human can be. At the same time, feelings are transient; that's part of their nature. So I hope no one mistakes my lack of enthusiasm for a day on the calendar for a lack of appreciation of the events we choose to celebrate on that certain day. It's just that I don't like losing the holiday feeling. It makes me wonder what we celebrate holidays for, and makes it harder for me to create the special holidays for my own children that I think they should have. I think we in our human-ness need holidays, need fasts and feasts. I just need to learn how to enjoy the feasts again.

Lord Have Mercy

Thank God, Abdul Rahman is safe in Italy. Michelle Malkin has been covering the story pretty thoroughly. I feel both relieved and guilty for living in a country where I don't have to worry about being beheaded because of my Christian faith. There but for the grace of God go I. I can only pray that God would give me the ability to stand strong in the faith if I was ever in that situation, and that He will protect all those who still risk losing their lives for Him.

On a somewhat related note, I was astounded this Lenten season to discover how many people, some of them presumably Christian, did not even know what Lent was. To paraphrase a friend from church, "Haven't they even noticed all those fish specials this time of year?" I found out some people do not even know what Mardi Gras is. Forget about the repentence part; they don't even know about the party part anymore.

I've been debating whether it is better to live in a country where most people are ostensibly Christian, like I've read and heard America used to be, or whether the current state of things is better, where even believing in God is not a given. Even today, Christian churches do not always have a Christian message. I'm thinking of a church near where I live, that currently displays the message, "When God Audits You, Will He Be Pleased With the Life You Are Living?" Of course God will not be pleased! We're still poor, miserable sinners in need of salvation! Only the gift of Jesus' shed blood makes us pleasing in God's sight. I knew a woman who used to attend that church. She struggled with feelings of guilt over the sins she kept committing, and a feeling of falling short of what she should be doing. But is it better that she at least knows she is sinful and under God's wrath, as opposed to not being aware that we even have this sin problem with its eternal consequences?

These thoughts did run their way through my mind, but I came to the thought that God is sovereign. His Holy Spirit can use any circumstances to convict a person of their guilt and need of God's forgiveness. I can only pray that God use me to do His will through my vocation, and that His Word "may not be bound, but have free course and be preached to the joy and edifying of Christ's holy people."

Do You Care About Me?

My husband today pointed out a great quote to me that comes from here. The quote is this: "Judge yourself (and your ideas) by the people that care about you. Don't give that power to people who are not invested in your well being." It struck me because I'm still trying to get rid of the negative influences in my life, and listen to the people who do care about me. I have made myself miserable for so many years because of others' negative words about me, making me feel that I was hopeless and worthless.

When people don't care about you, they judge you by their standards. Only, you'll never achieve what you're meant to do if you're doing what others expect of you instead of what you expect of yourself. Not only that, you'll never be good enough to live up to their standards! When others care about your well being, they look at what will work best for you, not what they would do. Since I'm a Christian, I also expect them to care about my spiritual well-being, since we can not have happiness or peace in this world or the next without it. But here we have to discern God's standards, again not those of others! For example, I was discussing crunchy-cons with Lilac Rose. Will it really improve my spirituality to drive 50 miles one way to buy organic food, raise my own chickens, quit shopping at retail stores? When did God create the 11th Commandment: Thou shalt eschew all plastic! Is this how God wants us to live, or what some human thinks is right for them and therefore everyone?

Of course it can be hard to follow the above advice. Everyone who relentlessly butts in to other people's lives thinks they're doing right, because they only care about us and it's their duty to tell us when we're doing it wrong! But are they doing it because they truly want what's best for us, or because they want everyone to Do It Their Way? God gives us rules because He knows what's best for us; He knows how humans function and how we can best avoid hurt and find happiness. What's more, He knows what's best for us as individuals. He calls us to different vocations in life; we're not just cookie-cutter people! The opinions we need to seek on earth are those who also want what's best for us, not for us to be just like them.