You Know You are Canadian When...

You are in the middle of a cold snap in December and you and your wife decide it is a good time to BBQ burgers for supper.

You are standing on the deck with boots and parka on while flipping burgers in -29 degree weather and you think to yourself -- Hmmmmm, it really is not that bad when you are out of the wind.

More Snow

More snow, more snow, more snow. A white Christmas indeed around here. I took these pics out the front door of the church on my phone this morning.

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool."

This gives us a good picture of what the prophet was talking about. The white snow covers all it falls upon. This particular snow today is very fine because of the cold weather we have been having. It covers everything. Our Lord's life, death, and resurrection covers over all our sin. A day like today is a good reminder of this wonderful passage from Scripture and a good reminder of our Lord's grace and mercy.

Even New Orleans got snow this year! Check Father Hollywood's blog out to see!

A Brief Thought on an Advent Hymn

LSB #347 Comfort, Comfort Ye My People

Verse 3
Hark, the herald’s voice is crying
In the desert far and near,
Calling sinners to repentance,
Since the Kingdom now is here.
O that warning cry obey!
Now prepare for God a way;
Let the valleys rise to meet Him
And the hills bow down to greet Him.


I just love the poetry in this hymn and especially in this verse.

Let the valleys rise to meet Him
And the hills bow down to greet Him

What a beautiful picture in words! Nothing impeding our Lord's coming. When our Lord returns all impediments will be removed.

What about now? The impediment we all have is a sinful heart - which leads to lack of faith and trust. However, our Lord comes - He comes to us through His Word and Sacraments. Even now, the Holy Spirit works to raise the valleys and bow the hills of your heart. Even now the Lord comes to you. He speaks, "Comfort, Comfort!"

Bailouts

I am Canadian. However, I cannot help comment on the "Big 3" automaker bailout. It does effect us Canadians as well.

So, if I understand correctly, if the US government gives any money to the "Big 3" automakers they will also set up an advisor board and a so called "Czar." So, let me get this straight. The US government wants to set up an oversight board to help guide and instruct the automakers how to make vehicles? The US government wants to set up some bureaucracy to help the automakers make better cars? Can they be serious? Setting up another level of bureaucracy - and a governmental one at that - will help the automakers become more efficient? Want to bet? The "Big 3" automakers need oversight? They need Mom and Dad watching over them to make sure they make good vehicles? Then they should not be in business. If they can't figure out how to make decent vehicles on their own - since that is their business - should the US government be holding their hand? And, really, is adding the government into the mix really going to help? Refer to the poster...

On Tasers

So, here is something I have been thinking about for a while. It is not theological. I claim no expertise in the area. But, here are my thoughts on tasers.

There has been much concern lately in press reports regarding the use of taser guns by police (and in particular among the Royal Canadian Mounted Police). The claim is that taser guns are dangerous and potentially harmful and in a few cases even lethal. All of those concerns are valid I am sure. I have no doubt that a taser gun can be dangerous, harmful, and even lethal.

But here is the thing: If you don't want to be hit with a taser gun - follow the police officer's orders! The RCMP don't wander around town randomly firing their taser gun at people going about their shopping or picking up their mail. A taser gun is employed to bring a non-compliant person into compliance. A taser gun is employed if a person is not obeying the police officer's commands and is potentially seen as a threat to himself or others.

Police officers want to get home to their families safely. If they are dealing with a person who chooses not to obey their orders they are a threat. There are various ways in which that threat may be reduced or eliminated. You could physically restrain them using various methods of force (punch, club, etc) which puts the officer directly in harms way. You could shoot them - which increases the potential of fatality or serious injury to the person. Or you could use a taser gun. Yes, the potential for injury and harm is there - but less so than being shot. Also, the taser gun significantly reduces the risk for the police officer as he does not need to go into physical combat. The taser gun protects the police officer - and let's not forget why we have to discuss this to begin with - the person is not obeying the police officer's commands!

Everyone is concerned about the risk that the taser gun represents to the person being hit with it. I have not heard many people comment on the risk a non-compliant person poses to the police officer. So from what I can see a taser gun is a reasonable weapon for a police officer. If you choose to disobey a police officer's commands you will suffer the consequences - and you ought to! When you disobey the officer's commands you put him at risk. The taser gun reduces that risk. Seems fair to me.

Atheism

I saw this somewhere....

What I Love About Advent

I love the Season of Advent because of the Scripture readings and themes and hymns heard in Divine Service. Those elements heard on Sundays and during midweek Services provide the theme for each day leading up to Christmas. As a preacher I love the texts for Advent and the hymns that accompany them.

I think it is important to observe Advent and not Christmas until it is Christmas. I think it is healthy so that Christians would celebrate Christmas during the twelve Days of Christmas and focus on that period of time rather than the period of time October - December 25. Though, I am not quite as concerned about it as I once was. During Divine Service I observe it rather strictly but outside of the Divine Service I am not too worried.

The Season of Advent has a penitential aspect. Quite different than the festive atmosphere that often accompanies much of December with office parties, school parties, etc. the Church observes a period of repentance and reflection. Preparing for our Lord's return is a theme that runs throughout all of Advent. How does one prepare for His return? Our Lord prepares us through bringing us to repentance. What a contrast to much of what happens in December.

Advent is a season of anticipation. It is a longing for our Lord Jesus. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.