Outer Rim Territories

Chris Rosebrough has an excellent demonstration of the real error of the so-called “prosperity gospel” preachers. See how well their message coincides with the reality of the world.

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Back in 2004, Connie Rice of NPR discussed ten things you should all know about presidential “debates.” The recent fiasco on CNN/YouTube illustrates the truth of her commentary then and now. Candidates were given filler questions like asking about the brand of their gun or six-day creation. Even more notable was the exclusion of Dr. Alan Keyes, who is officially on the ballot in 8 states from the debate.
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Every once and a while I like to remind those of you who use Amazon to search for your purchases through the blog. I get 4% back from searches. Mom does this for her personal purchases and it does amount to a theological text here and there.

So as you are Christmas shopping consider using the link on the right of the page.

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Bay State’s going slap-happy - BostonHerald.com
Parents who spank their kids - even in their own homes - would be slapped by the long arm of the law under an Arlington nurse’s proposal to make Massachusetts the first state in the nation to outlaw corporal punishment.

Kathleen Wolf’s proposed legislation will be debated at a State House hearing tomorrow morning.

If signed into law, parents would be prohibited from forcefully laying a hand on any child under age 18 unless it was to wrest them from danger, lest they be charged with abuse or neglect.

Yet again the government want to be the parents of our children. I know you may argue that physical punishments are illegitimate. Regardless of your belief on the matter, you don’t want the state taking over parental authority. Consider that in mainland Europe, parents can’t determine their child’s medical coverage or their education method. If you want socialism, they’re the place.
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Vicar Christopher Gillespie
Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church of Frankentrost
Saginaw, Michigan
Last Sunday of the Church Year (November 25, 2007)
Text: Matthew 25:1-13
MP3 Audio

Our meditation for today is the Gospel text just read, the parable of the ten virgins.
Let us pray: Hasten as a bride to meet Him, And with loving rev’rence greet Him. For with words of life immortal He is knocking at your portal. Open wide the gates before Him, Saying, as you there adore Him: Grant, Lord, that I now receive You, That I nevermore will leave you. Amen. (LSB 636 v.2)

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Sorry, the link was bogus at first. It’s fixed now!
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I found this explanation of the difference between Puritans and Pilgrims particularly helpful. It sours my opinion of these Pilgrims. They fled martyrdom for an easier life. Even with its shaky foundation, Thanksgiving can be a useful, non-idolizing holiday. Here’s to Turkey and Football! (tongue-in-cheek.)

Reformation for the Glory of God
So, by 1570, there had developed in England two parties- 1) those who favored this more rationalistic understanding of church and state, and 2) those who continued to insist that further purification of those two entities was required by Scripture and that England must now seize the spiritual opportunity so brilliantly described by John Foxe. And it was in the midst of this controversy that the term “puritan” began to be regularly used by the first group as a derisive epithet of attack upon the second group.

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The following is witty and sound wisdom from Pr. Petersen:

HT: Thanksgiving Craft Idea: Make Some Idols
The easiest idols to make are made out of wood, stone, paint, or crayon. They are statues or pictures. But they are really for beginners. Not many modern pagans are interested in worshiping a construction paper turkey.

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I read this whole article and I can’t figure out what was so wrong with these old episodes of Sesame Street. Surely not older men befriending younger girls? Pipe-smoking? Depressed garbage monsters? Make believe creatures?

It sounds like current pop-psychology says kids can’t handle reality. They want candy-coated entertainment. Remind me again why our kids don’t watch the current garbage? Instead the little TV they watch is Alton Brown (cooking), Ninja Warrior (sport and japanese culture!), football, birthing videos, and National Geographic. This will surely cause severe trauma to their already traumatic childhood.

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YouTube - Mike Huckabee Ad: “Chuck Norris Approved”