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As I pen these words, today is Oct. 31, snow is gently falling and Halloween preparations are in place. Today is also Reformation Day. The day when Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk and professor at Wittenberg University posted his 95 theses on the Castle Church door. This posting of theses on the day before All Saint’s Day (Nov. 1) when all the university would be in the church for worship was typical of Medieval academics as an invitation for debate. It changed the world. In addition, as you read these words, the election is over. We m...
Well, we had an interesting few weeks in our politics. All the rules seem to be changing. Donald Trump didn’t really have much competition in his primary run, no doubt due to being a former president. As expected, former President Trump was acclaimed the Republican nominee at their recent convention. The Democrats had a proforma primary run with President Biden the presumptive nominee at their National Convention but then the debate happened. For the past two years, at least, we the people could not help notice that age was catching up with P...
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25 As ancient Israel settled into the promised land their social and governmental organization was quite loose. The main feature at this time was the emergence of individuals who delivered their fellow countrymen from various oppressors, e.g. the Philistines. But it really didn’t work too well. The more serious problem was the independence of the tribes from each other, thus exposing the ancient Israelites to all sorts of social and polit...
Today, March 7, is the commemoration of two early Christian martyrs: Perpetua and Felicity. They were residents of Carthage in North Africa and died in 202 A.D. In that same year, the emperor Septimius Severus forbade conversions to Christianity. Perpetua, a noblewoman, Felicity an enslaved woman, and other companions were all catechumens (preparing for baptism in the Christian faith). They were imprisoned and sentenced to death. In prison they were baptized. Perpetua’s father, who was not a Christian, visited her in prison and begged her to l...
Luke 2:17 And when they (the Shepherds) saw it (Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger), they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child (from the heavenly host). 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Mary and Joseph now have a three-day old baby boy. He came into the world in quite a fuss. The Birth announcements was not cute cards with the picture of the newborn and the new family with length and weight duly...
One does not need to live in a bustling urban area like Los Angeles to experience disruptive traffic these days. The work on Highway 83 at Salmon Lake, while anticipated, is changing the way we drive. Having lived in Los Angeles for 43 years, I had forgotten what normal traffic was like when I left the Treasure State at 23. My return “home” and negotiating Reserve Street in Missoula made me experience “déjà vu” all over again. My lifeline was not living in Missoula but returning to the “traffic free” confines of Seeley Lake. But I must admit...
3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 3:2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 3:3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up; The Book of Ecclesiastes (ESV) No doubt you can sing the rest of the verses. Well, if you are a child of the 60’s like I was. The Byrds popularized the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 with their hit Turn, Turn, Turn. The theme of the Book is “The Meaningless of Life.” 1:2 Vanity of va...
“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” John 20:19 My father entered into eternal life on April 4, 2010. My wife and I cared for him for two years in California because my family in Montana were not able to do so. He suffered dementia and neurological deterioration. We had a wonderful pattern for those two years. He didn’t know where he was or who I was but the three of...
On Monday, Oct. 31, we will again celebrate Halloween. A western tradition that goes back to pre-Christian times. The pre-Christian celebration was celebrated Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. As was the Church’s tradition, when a previously pagan people became Christian, a Christian holiday was placed on a sacred date. Hence, Pope Gregory II designed Nov. 1 as a time to honor the Saints of the Church, particularly the martyrs and the faithfully departed. The evening before All Saints Day was know as All Hallows Eve (Oct. 31). Because the pagan celebration w...
