I hate to just steal posts, but Susan was pointing people to this Walther quote posted by Elephant's Child. It is a great simple explanation of why purity of doctrine should be foremost concern.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
"It is true, brethren, as you well know, that in our day it is common for people to say, 'Emphasizing doctrine so much only harms and hinders the kingdom of God, yes, even destroys it.' Many say, 'Instead of disputing over doctrine so much, we should much rather be concerned with souls and with leading them to Christ.' But all who speak in this way do not really know what they are saying or what they are doing. As foolish as it would be to scold a farmer for being concerned about sowing good seed and to demand of him simply to be concerned about a good harvest, so foolish it is to scold those who are concerned first and foremost with the doctrine, and to demand of them that they should rather seek to rescue souls. For just as the farmer who wants a good crop must first of all be concerned about good seed, so the church must above all be concerned about right doctrine if it would save souls."
(C. F. W. Walther, “Our Common Task: The Saving of Souls” [1872], Essays for the Church [Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1992], Vol. I)
Friday, June 27, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Disciplining Kids Is Just Too Mean!
This story might not be very good news:
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
OTTAWA (AFP) - A Canadian court has lifted a 12-year-old girl's grounding, overturning her father's punishment for disobeying his orders to stay off the Internet, his lawyer said Wednesday.
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The girl had taken her father to Quebec Superior Court after he refused to allow her to go on a school trip for chatting on websites he tried to block, and then posting "inappropriate" pictures of herself online using a friend's computer.
The father's lawyer Kim Beaudoin said the disciplinary measures were for the girl's "own protection" and is appealing the ruling.
"She's a child," Beaudoin told AFP. "At her age, children test their limits and it's up to their parents to set boundaries."
"I started an appeal of the decision today to reestablish parental authority, and to ensure that this case doesn't set a precedent," she said. Otherwise, said Beaudoin, "parents are going to be walking on egg shells from now on."
"I think most children respect their parents and would never go so far as to take them to court, but it's clear that some would and we have to ask ourselves how far this will go."
According to court documents, the girl's Internet transgression was just the latest in a string of broken house rules. Even so, Justice Suzanne Tessier found her punishment too severe.
Beaudoin noted the girl used a court-appointed lawyer in her parents' 10-year custody dispute to launch her landmark case against dear old dad.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
OTTAWA (AFP) - A Canadian court has lifted a 12-year-old girl's grounding, overturning her father's punishment for disobeying his orders to stay off the Internet, his lawyer said Wednesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
The girl had taken her father to Quebec Superior Court after he refused to allow her to go on a school trip for chatting on websites he tried to block, and then posting "inappropriate" pictures of herself online using a friend's computer.
The father's lawyer Kim Beaudoin said the disciplinary measures were for the girl's "own protection" and is appealing the ruling.
"She's a child," Beaudoin told AFP. "At her age, children test their limits and it's up to their parents to set boundaries."
"I started an appeal of the decision today to reestablish parental authority, and to ensure that this case doesn't set a precedent," she said. Otherwise, said Beaudoin, "parents are going to be walking on egg shells from now on."
"I think most children respect their parents and would never go so far as to take them to court, but it's clear that some would and we have to ask ourselves how far this will go."
According to court documents, the girl's Internet transgression was just the latest in a string of broken house rules. Even so, Justice Suzanne Tessier found her punishment too severe.
Beaudoin noted the girl used a court-appointed lawyer in her parents' 10-year custody dispute to launch her landmark case against dear old dad.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Time Changes Everything
RULES
1. Put your music player (iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc.) on SHUFFLE.
2. For each question, press the NEXT button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.
5. Post it.
6. Tag people as many people as you wish. It's a rule; you have to.
1. If someone says, "Is this okay?", you say?
Quando, Quando, Quando -- Michael Buble
["When, When, When"? Curses, Sarah! I don't even know how this song got in my library, but I blame you since it's Michael Buble! I've never seen or heard it before as far as I'm aware!]
2. How would you describe yourself?
A Beautiful Life -- Chuck Wagon Gang
[Haha. That works. I try to be that optimistic about it. :D But given my own choice, I probably would have picked something like Gary Allen's "Life Ain't Always Beautiful".]
3. What do you like in a member of the opposite sex?
Wishmaster -- Nightwish
[O_o Okay, that is really dark and creepy and not at all what I would have picked..]
4. How do you feel today?
A Foggy Day (In London Town) -- Michael Buble
[I don't think I've ever had Michael Buble show up when I did shuffle before. Usually my complete Johnny Cash collection dominates. This is a song I know and like, though, and it is oddly fitting for how I've been. How have I been feeling? A bit foggy and down, but Heidi keeps things brightened up for me. :D]
5. What is your life's purpose?
You Can't Beat Jesus Christ -- Johnny Cash
[And here's Johnny! You Can't Beat This Answer.]
6. What is your motto?
Old Time Feeling -- Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash
[That works.]
7. What do your friends think of you?
Another One Rides The Bus -- Weird Al Yankovic
[Weird Al's parody of "Another On Bites The Dust"... That probably fits my a lot of friends' impression of me fantastically.]
8. What do you think of your parents?
Busted -- Johnny Cash
[Haha. "Busted". Sure, that works.]
9. What do you think about very often?
Solitary Man -- Johnny Cash
[Heh. This could apply. I do worry some about doing something stupid and Heidi breaking up with me.]
10. What is 2 + 2?
One And One Makes Two -- Johnny Cash
[I swear I didn't rig that! I'm pretty close, but it looks like I didn't quite get the question. ;-) 2+2=5, btw.]
11. What do you think of your best friend?
Me And You -- Kenny Chesney
[It's perfect. :-) My Heidi Mae is definitely my best friend too... "Ordinary? No, I really don't think so, / Not a love this true. / Common destiny, we were meant to be, me and you. / Like a perfect scene from a movie screen, / We're a dream come true. / Suited perfectly, for eternity, me and you. / Everyday, well, I need you even more, / And the nighttime too. / There's no way, I could ever let you go, / Even if I wanted to. / Everyday I live, / I try my best to give / All I have to you. / Thank the stars above, that we share this love, me and you."]
12. What do you think of the person you like?
Mahna, Mahna
[Umm.. What does this mean? :P]
13. What is your life story?
The Night Santa Went Crazy -- Weird Al Yankovic
[Definitely. So maybe I would have picked something more serious, but I love this. "Well, the workshop is gone now. He decided to bomb it."]
14. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Processional And Maria (THe Wedding) -- The Sound of Music Soundtrack
[I want to grow up to be, among other things, a husband and father. It's true. :D]
15. What will you dance at your wedding?
Beautiful Again -- Martina McBride
[The lyrics aren't great, but the song title would work.]
16. What will they play at your funeral?
You're Gonna Miss This -- Trace Adkins
[I won't be the one missing this, but I have some great friends that would miss me, I know. :-)]
17. What is your hobby/interest?
Make 'Em Laugh -- Singing' In The Rain
[Making my friends smile and laugh. My favourite pastime. Perfect.]
18. What is your biggest fear?
How Far -- Martina McBride
["I wanna make this work so much it hurts, but I just can't keep on giving, go on living, with the way things are. So, I'm gonna walk away, and it's up to you how far." My greatest fear.]
19. What is your biggest secret?
The Wall -- Johnny Cash
[Apparently my biggest secret is that I've already died trying to escape from prison.]
20. What do you think of your friends?
The Walking Dead -- Dropkick Murphys
["The greats come alive. The water's on fire. Have I been to this place before? Yeah, we danced through the night as the flames burned bright, and the patrons passed out on the floor. ... Yeah, the story you're telling is from the book I wrote. I've forgotten more then you'll ever know! 'Cause at the end of the day when the hope fades away, it was an outlook you could never afford. You're on one last stand, with the boys and the band, before the demon strikes the final chord. ... You've got tons of fans in hell. Boy, that much I know. ... What's so new about what you're saying? It's a new generation with the same sad song." Yep, this song is Ethan's fault, so you'll have to ask him to explain what any of it means. It'll have to do, though.
21. What will you post this as?
Time Changes Everything -- Johnny Cash
22. What's your favorite song?
The Crane Wife 1 & 2 -- The Decemberists
[No, not my favourite song, but it is pretty cool.]
I tag... Heidi, Ethan, Nat, Zach, Rachels, and Jacob.
1. Put your music player (iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc.) on SHUFFLE.
2. For each question, press the NEXT button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.
5. Post it.
6. Tag people as many people as you wish. It's a rule; you have to.
1. If someone says, "Is this okay?", you say?
Quando, Quando, Quando -- Michael Buble
["When, When, When"? Curses, Sarah! I don't even know how this song got in my library, but I blame you since it's Michael Buble! I've never seen or heard it before as far as I'm aware!]
2. How would you describe yourself?
A Beautiful Life -- Chuck Wagon Gang
[Haha. That works. I try to be that optimistic about it. :D But given my own choice, I probably would have picked something like Gary Allen's "Life Ain't Always Beautiful".]
3. What do you like in a member of the opposite sex?
Wishmaster -- Nightwish
[O_o Okay, that is really dark and creepy and not at all what I would have picked..]
4. How do you feel today?
A Foggy Day (In London Town) -- Michael Buble
[I don't think I've ever had Michael Buble show up when I did shuffle before. Usually my complete Johnny Cash collection dominates. This is a song I know and like, though, and it is oddly fitting for how I've been. How have I been feeling? A bit foggy and down, but Heidi keeps things brightened up for me. :D]
5. What is your life's purpose?
You Can't Beat Jesus Christ -- Johnny Cash
[And here's Johnny! You Can't Beat This Answer.]
6. What is your motto?
Old Time Feeling -- Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash
[That works.]
7. What do your friends think of you?
Another One Rides The Bus -- Weird Al Yankovic
[Weird Al's parody of "Another On Bites The Dust"... That probably fits my a lot of friends' impression of me fantastically.]
8. What do you think of your parents?
Busted -- Johnny Cash
[Haha. "Busted". Sure, that works.]
9. What do you think about very often?
Solitary Man -- Johnny Cash
[Heh. This could apply. I do worry some about doing something stupid and Heidi breaking up with me.]
10. What is 2 + 2?
One And One Makes Two -- Johnny Cash
[I swear I didn't rig that! I'm pretty close, but it looks like I didn't quite get the question. ;-) 2+2=5, btw.]
11. What do you think of your best friend?
Me And You -- Kenny Chesney
[It's perfect. :-) My Heidi Mae is definitely my best friend too... "Ordinary? No, I really don't think so, / Not a love this true. / Common destiny, we were meant to be, me and you. / Like a perfect scene from a movie screen, / We're a dream come true. / Suited perfectly, for eternity, me and you. / Everyday, well, I need you even more, / And the nighttime too. / There's no way, I could ever let you go, / Even if I wanted to. / Everyday I live, / I try my best to give / All I have to you. / Thank the stars above, that we share this love, me and you."]
12. What do you think of the person you like?
Mahna, Mahna
[Umm.. What does this mean? :P]
13. What is your life story?
The Night Santa Went Crazy -- Weird Al Yankovic
[Definitely. So maybe I would have picked something more serious, but I love this.
14. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Processional And Maria (THe Wedding) -- The Sound of Music Soundtrack
[I want to grow up to be, among other things, a husband and father. It's true. :D]
15. What will you dance at your wedding?
Beautiful Again -- Martina McBride
[The lyrics aren't great, but the song title would work.]
16. What will they play at your funeral?
You're Gonna Miss This -- Trace Adkins
[I won't be the one missing this, but I have some great friends that would miss me, I know. :-)]
17. What is your hobby/interest?
Make 'Em Laugh -- Singing' In The Rain
[Making my friends smile and laugh. My favourite pastime. Perfect.]
18. What is your biggest fear?
How Far -- Martina McBride
["I wanna make this work so much it hurts, but I just can't keep on giving, go on living, with the way things are. So, I'm gonna walk away, and it's up to you how far." My greatest fear.]
19. What is your biggest secret?
The Wall -- Johnny Cash
[Apparently my biggest secret is that I've already died trying to escape from prison.]
20. What do you think of your friends?
The Walking Dead -- Dropkick Murphys
["The greats come alive. The water's on fire. Have I been to this place before? Yeah, we danced through the night as the flames burned bright, and the patrons passed out on the floor. ... Yeah, the story you're telling is from the book I wrote. I've forgotten more then you'll ever know! 'Cause at the end of the day when the hope fades away, it was an outlook you could never afford. You're on one last stand, with the boys and the band, before the demon strikes the final chord. ... You've got tons of fans in hell. Boy, that much I know. ... What's so new about what you're saying? It's a new generation with the same sad song." Yep, this song is Ethan's fault, so you'll have to ask him to explain what any of it means. It'll have to do, though.
21. What will you post this as?
Time Changes Everything -- Johnny Cash
22. What's your favorite song?
The Crane Wife 1 & 2 -- The Decemberists
[No, not my favourite song, but it is pretty cool.]
I tag... Heidi, Ethan, Nat, Zach, Rachels, and Jacob.
vale!
Friday, June 20, 2008
It would have suited better ten months ago.
I am reading Anne of Avonlea, and this passage struck me. I think it left a bit of a welt right on top of my head, too.
-~- ~-~ -~- ~-~ -~- ~-~ -~- ~-~
"I feel . . . as if . . . somebody . . . had handed me . . . the moon . . . and I didn't know . . . exactly . . . what to do . . . with it," Anne said dazedly...
Anne had a long meditation at her window that night. Joy and regret struggled together in her heart. She had come at last . . . suddenly and unexpectedly . . . to the bend in the road, and college was around it, with a hundred rainbow hopes and visions. But Anne realized as well that when she rounded that curve she must leave many sweet things behind . . . all the little simple duties and interests, which had grown so dear to her in the last two years and which she had glorified into beauty and delight by the enthusiam she had put into them. ... The mere thought...made her wonder if Redmond were such a name to conjure with after all.
"I've put out a lot of little roots there two years," Anne told the moon, "and when I'm pulled up they're going to hurt a great deal. But it's best to go, I think, and, as Marilla says, there's no good reason why I shouldn't. I must get out all my ambitions and dust them."
-~- ~-~ -~- ~-~ -~- ~-~ -~- ~-~
"I feel . . . as if . . . somebody . . . had handed me . . . the moon . . . and I didn't know . . . exactly . . . what to do . . . with it," Anne said dazedly...
Anne had a long meditation at her window that night. Joy and regret struggled together in her heart. She had come at last . . . suddenly and unexpectedly . . . to the bend in the road, and college was around it, with a hundred rainbow hopes and visions. But Anne realized as well that when she rounded that curve she must leave many sweet things behind . . . all the little simple duties and interests, which had grown so dear to her in the last two years and which she had glorified into beauty and delight by the enthusiam she had put into them. ... The mere thought...made her wonder if Redmond were such a name to conjure with after all.
"I've put out a lot of little roots there two years," Anne told the moon, "and when I'm pulled up they're going to hurt a great deal. But it's best to go, I think, and, as Marilla says, there's no good reason why I shouldn't. I must get out all my ambitions and dust them."
Saturday, June 14, 2008
The Flyer Song
Well, thanks to Kennedy, I came across a new song this evening. It is The Flyer Song, by little known Nashville artist Leslie Ellis. It is an excellent song in honour of US servicemen, especially pilots, from the perspective of a girl back home worry about her man every time he gets in his jet and takes to the skies.
This song moved me particularly, for a few reasons. First thing and primarily, I loved it because I know a fair number of people serving in the armed forces and families of servicemen. Second, I have been missing Heidi and felt it there. And finally, I have always been fond of the air and of flight. I used to have dreams of being a jet pilot and might have followed that if I were physically more up to it.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THE FLYER SONG -- Leslie Ellis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHs1K79ZF20
I don't like it when my baby flies at night.
And in the day, I close my eyes.
I count the seconds 'til he's safe home from that flight,
But I won't ask my baby not to fly.
He loves to shoot that airplane straight up in the air,
Circle 'round and 'round the sky.
Isn't like he's even going anywhere,
But I won't ask my baby not to fly.
I could make demands and try to clip his wings.
I could forbid him from his sky.
And he might let me,
'Cause he loves me and he'd give me anything,
But I know he'd surely die.
Yeah,
I could make demands and try to clip his wings.
I could forbid him from his sky.
And he might let me,
'Cause he loves me and he'd give me anything,
But I know he'd surely die.
So, every weekend, for about a half a day,
I get low, and he gets high.
I pray to God that He won't take my man away,
But that's not up to me, no matter what or how many tear I cry.
I'll never ask him not to fly.
I won't ask my baby,
I won't ask my baby,
No, I won't ask my baby not to fly,
Fly,
Fly.
This song moved me particularly, for a few reasons. First thing and primarily, I loved it because I know a fair number of people serving in the armed forces and families of servicemen. Second, I have been missing Heidi and felt it there. And finally, I have always been fond of the air and of flight. I used to have dreams of being a jet pilot and might have followed that if I were physically more up to it.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THE FLYER SONG -- Leslie Ellis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHs1K79ZF20
I don't like it when my baby flies at night.
And in the day, I close my eyes.
I count the seconds 'til he's safe home from that flight,
But I won't ask my baby not to fly.
He loves to shoot that airplane straight up in the air,
Circle 'round and 'round the sky.
Isn't like he's even going anywhere,
But I won't ask my baby not to fly.
I could make demands and try to clip his wings.
I could forbid him from his sky.
And he might let me,
'Cause he loves me and he'd give me anything,
But I know he'd surely die.
Yeah,
I could make demands and try to clip his wings.
I could forbid him from his sky.
And he might let me,
'Cause he loves me and he'd give me anything,
But I know he'd surely die.
So, every weekend, for about a half a day,
I get low, and he gets high.
I pray to God that He won't take my man away,
But that's not up to me, no matter what or how many tear I cry.
I'll never ask him not to fly.
I won't ask my baby,
I won't ask my baby,
No, I won't ask my baby not to fly,
Fly,
Fly.
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