Northwoods Seelsorger

Although the voters have spoken by a fair majority (see previous post on this vote), the gay community is still crying crying foul. They are now actively targeting the LDS church and the well-known Saddleback Church in Forest, California for their support of the passage of Proposition 8. More comments to follow the article below. Protests sweep across Calif. on post-Prop 8 Sunday By THOMAS WATKINS, Associated Press Writer Thomas Watkins, Associated Press Writer – Sun Nov 9, 6:55 pm ET LOS ANGELES – On the first Sunday after a gay marriage ban passed in California, activists rallied in defiance, including hundreds of protesters outside an Orange County megachurch whose pastor brought Barack Obama and John McCain together last summer for a "faith forum." About 300 gay-rights advocates fanned out along sidewalks leading to Saddleback Church in Lake Forest to voice their anger of the church's support of Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment approved by voters Tuesday t...

According to FOX news , President-elect Obama is expected, as many would have anticipated, to review and most likely reverse many of George Bush's executive orders. The most troubling, though, are those that once again place the unborn in needless peril. "Presidents long have used executive orders to impose policy and set priorities. One of Bush's first acts was to reinstate full abortion restrictions on U.S. overseas aid. The restrictions were first ordered by President Reagan and the first President Bush followed suit. President Clinton lifted them soon after he occupied the Oval Office and it wouldn't be surprising if Obama did the same. Executive orders "have the power of law and they can cover just about anything," Tobias said in a telephone interview. Bush used his executive power to limit federal spending on embryonic stem cell research, a position championed by opponents of abortion rights who argue that destroying embryos is akin to killing...

After hearing about the results of this important vote in Washington State on the radio this afternoon, I found the following from the Wall Street Journal : Washington Passes Initiative 1000, Legalizing Physician-Assisted Suicide Posted by Jacob Goldstein Voters in Washington State gave a clear answer yesterday to a thorny ethical question: Should a doctor be allowed to prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to a dying patient? A state measure known as Initiative 1000 passed by a margin of 59% to 41%, making it legal for doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of medication for patients with less than six months to live. As we reported last week, the law is packed with provisions intended to limit the practice. Patients must make two separate requests, orally and in writing, more than two weeks apart; must be of sound mind and not suffering from depression; and must have their request approved by two separate doctors. Doctors are not allowed to administer the lethal dose. Backers of the bill, inc...

While the mainstream media was consumed with the presidential election, equally important election results in California regarding significant proposition issues seemed completely ignored. Late into the night I switched channels looking for results on the fate of Proposition 8 which endeavored to secure the traditional institution of marriage. Nothing. Not a word. Was it just too close to call? Or would that even matter? Or was it not reported on because it was losing and such a loss was a disappointment to the mainstream media that normally throws it support toward same-sex rights? Evangelicals were greatly concerned about this proposition and the cultural domino effect that would ensue if it was defeated. For those not familiar with the issue, the Supreme Court of California back in May struck down a ban on same-sex unions. According to a CNN article at the time, The California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage Thursday, saying sexual orienta...

As has been my practice for 20+ years now I will not publicly announce who I am voting for today. However, I can tell you that my trip to the township hall where I will vote has a higher mission than just voting for a candidate. Of all the issues discussed this season there is always one that stands out as of primary concern for any voter. For me that issue is LIFE. Life for the unborn . The next four years will provide the next president the unique opportunity to influence the rights of this silent mass of humanity by his appointment of judges to the Supreme Court. Roe v. Wade has been a blight on this nation that has historically defended the rights of all. My vote may not change the this judicial atrocity. Judges may be appointed that guarantee the entrenchment of this decision for generations to come. However, it is my privilege to at least speak quietly for those who cannot speak for themselves by that single vote. Today I vote for life.

This past week when I was at our district's Professional Church Worker's Conference, I was once again blessed to find some worthwhile books to add to my library. The two highlighted here are 2008 publications of Concordia Publishing House. For those familiar with Bo Giertz (1905-1998), best known as author of The Hammer of God (1941) and one time bishop in the Lutheran Church of Sweden, the recent translation of his devotional To Live with Christ is a true gem to acquire. 830 pages, arranged according to the church calendar with short devotional readings and prayer, hardbound, and my copy was secured for only $16.00 ($19.99 list price at CPH.) Arthur A. Just Jr. is a name familiar to any who attended Concordia-Ft. Wayne in the last 20 years. He came to the seminary during my student days (1983-1987.) I was able to take some of his new liturgical courses before I graduated, and in a cursory look of his most recent work Heaven on Earth: The Gifts of Christ in the Divi...

All Saints’ Day November 2, 2008 Text: Rev. 7:9-17 Theme: A Vision of the Triumphant Church When my mother passed away I freely admitted that I would not want her to have to come back to this life - even though I missed her a lot. I’ve heard others say this as well. After watching someone suffer you’re relieved, in a sense, to know that the one we love doesn’t have to endure the pain anymore. Death is hard to face, but there’s the comfort knowing something better came out of it. No more struggle. No more agony. No more limitations. No more frustration. And for those who die believing in Jesus we have the added anticipation of all the good that awaits them beyond this “veil of tears.” We are allowed, for a moment, to start dreaming again. Dreaming about the heaven Jesus prepared for us. Dreaming about a place where there is no hunger, no thirst, no death, no sickness, no disease, no injury, no sadness. All Saints’ Day is the day for the Church itself to dream too - ...