We Lutherans, are big on congregational dinners. It is sort of customary that the ladies of the church put together a "lunch" for the family and friends of the deceased who gather after the funeral service. This provides a means of celebrating the departed’s life on earth and the sharing of cherished memories with one another. While funerals are a time of sadness, they also are a time of joy for those who know their loved one has entered an Everlasting Life which is far better than the one they left. This is a thought provoking message with a point....or you might say, FOOD FOR THOUGHT..

There is a growing trend in this country for members of congregations who, for one reason or another, have a disagreement on a spiritual or secular matter with their Pastor, to organize a mean spirited, gossip laden, outright brutal campaign to dump him. Most usually there is no Christian basis for these acts and actions. Such was the case recently at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Emma, Missouri and such is the case now in progress at Saint Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hampton, Nebraska. The Rev. Clint Poppe, who until recently served as First Vice President of the Nebraska District of the LCMS in addition to being Pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, wrote a paper entitled "Not a Good Fit" which originally appeared in Logia, A Journal of Lutheran Theology. Since that periodical is read for the most part by professional church workers and since it deals with the subject at hand, with Poppe’s permission, the paper is reprinted here verbatim for wider attention. Lutheran laymen, Called and Ordained Servants of the Word, take due notice of the contents thereof and govern yourselves accordingly

This will be the first in a short series concerning the growing trend for the leadership of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LC-MS) to abandon pastors when being abused by congregational trouble makers. While this may cross synodical lines, as a confirmed Lutheran and member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, I have learned of the lackluster leadership in the Nebraska District and failures of the District President to fully exercise the power of his office when circumstances clearly warrant a bit of "tough love."

Like most of you, I get dozens of stories, some religious, some patriotic, some funny, many political and some of those are downright disgusting. We are often asked to forward such to all of the folks on our mailing lists. That is something I just do not do! But on occasion, I receive something which I think is particularly worth sharing with the good folks who read this "blog." This is one of those. Being a retired military guy myself and having a son in the U.S. Army made me shed a tear or two preparing the following for publication. Whether or not it is a true story, the fact is.....it very well could be. If indeed the following are the words of the "Captain" of one of our airlines, I would have attributed the story to him.  Since I had no name of the author, I couldn't . Be sure, on your next flight to thank any man or woman flying with you who is wearing a military uniform for their service to our country. Now read the moving story of a soldier’s final flight home. [ I strongly suggest you have a handkerchief handy}

Lest we forget, it was Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States of America, and the first Republican holding that office who set aside a day for our nation and it’s people to give thanks to God. During his presidency the Civil War began and ended after his re-election to that office. Lincoln was called an ape, a baboon, a buffoon, a clown, a usurper, a traitor, a tyrant, a monster, an idiot, a eunuch, a bigot, a demagogue, a lunatic, a despot, a blunderer, a charlatan and a bully, It is said that from the day of his inauguration to the day of his assassination the invective was unrelenting, but he never abandoned his sense of humor, his dedication to purpose and his reverence for God. The same might be said of the forty-third president, also a Republican - George W. Bush whose tour of duty involved an unpopular war. Both served with dignity, both loved their country, both put patriotism before politics! Both "Stayed the course." The United States of America is a better place because of each of them

Harvey Perlman, Chancellor of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln held a news conference making excuses and cover-ups for the invitation extended by Marjorie Kostelnik, Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences to William Ayers the founder of the Weather Underground to be keynote speaker at 100th anniversary event. You will recall the group Ayres founded claimed responsibility for bombing several government buildings, including the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol decades ago. Ayres currently is a "distinguished education professor" at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He was invited to share his "expertise" on topics such as "social justice and urban education reform" The invitation was canceled. MUCH MORE ON THIS MATTER IN SUBSEQUENT ARTICLES

The following article by Gerard Baker appeared in the Times of London on 25 July 2008. It was entitled, "He ventured forth to bring light to the world." This is such a masterpiece, it will be shared with my readers verbatim. As we enter the hard core political season, the following shall serve as a worthy appetizer. The anointed one's pilgrimage to the Holy Land is a miracle in action - and a blessing to all his faithful followers

As you might suspect, from the hundreds of thousands who have read the articles on this "blog", I get sent more than plenty of cute, patriotic, religious and though provoking articles. Usually, I read them, laugh a bit or even occasionally tear-up a bit then press the "delete" button and send most of them into cyber-space. The following article is one of those rare exceptions. It touched my heart as I know it will yours. The author had pondered, as all of us have whose Mothers are now in Heaven, all of the things we wish we had told that special lady who, in the fullness of time, took God’s hand in hers and together, they gave us life. In honor of my own Mother, my wife, my daughters and my sisters, all of whom are Mothers, I am sharing this gem with you on "MOTHERS’ DAY, 2008.". .

I receive a number of very good writings every week from people who seem to think like I think and share the same beliefs and opinions on many subjects with me. The folks who shout "Separation of Church and State" usually know so little of what is contained in the Constitution of the United States of America their rattling brings to mind the words of William Shakespeare in one of his writings - "A poor player struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. ‘Tis the tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing." This story makes a couple of very important points which I hope every adult and every child in school learns. I chose not to "send it to everyone on my mailing list", but rather, to print it here. Take the time to discuss the contents with your children, you Pastor or Priest and with those we send to Washington, D.C. to represent us. The strength of our country stems from the fact, we are indeed, "One Nation Under God." LAUS DEO!

As each year draws to a close, those of us who have been allowed to live during the decades in question sometimes take time to reflect upon the past. Memories of events from years gone by and faces of friends, many of whom have passed on seem to surface for a moment or two than fade back into our mental "hard drives." Most of us look back at our childhood, those simpler times, and wish the "kids" of today could have as much fun with so little. As parents and grandparents, we wonder how we got along raising our little ones without having all of the "safety" gadgets which our current over-protective government demands. A good friend furnished me with the following article which caused me to take a few moments from the present to ponder the past. Since I enjoyed it and I’d like to share it with my readers. Enjoy..