Words from Former Presidents: 8 Gerald Ford (1974-1977)
"I was America's first instant VicePresident--and now, America's first instant President."
"To me the presidency and vice presidency were not prizes to be won but a duty to be done."
"Truth is the glue that holds governments together. Compromise is the oil that makes governments go."
Words from Former Presidents: 7. Richard Nixon (1969-1974)
"There can be no whitewash in the White House."
"History makes the man more than the man makes history."
"In dealing with the environment we must learn not how to master nature but how to master ourselves, our institution, and our technology."
"Those who hate you don't win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself."
Words from former presidents: 7. Lyndon Baines Johnson: 6. (1963-1969)
"Politics is the art of the possible"
"Unfortunately, many Americans live on the outskirts of hope--some because of their poverty, and some because of their color, and all too many because of both. Our task is to help replace their despair with opportunity."
"This administration, today, here and now, declares unconditional war on poverty."
"The women in America represent a reservoir of talent that is still under-used. It is too often underpaid, and almost always under-promoted."
Words from former presidents: 5. John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
"My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."
(on becoming a World War 11 hero) "It was involuntary. They sank my boat."
"Unconditional war can no longer lead to unconditional victory. Humankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to humankind."
"If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity."
The U.S. Supreme Court has taken up the issue of criminalizing homelessness. They are hearing the case brought by people living unhoused in Grants Pass, Oregon. But the ruling on this case may have further implications.
The issue focuses on the 8th Amendment, whether fining or jailing homeless people is "cruel and unusual punishment." Being becoming a criminal would make it even harder for homeless people to find a job or to rent a place to live. Putting up a tent in a park or living out of one's car my be seen as a nuisance to people living in homes, but it might be the only choice other people have.
Words from former presidents: 4. Dwight Eisenhower (1953-1961)
"The only way to win World War III is to prevent it."
"Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signified, in the final sense, is a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed."
Words from former presidents: 3. Harry Truman (1945-1953)
"It takes only one nation to make war. But it takes two or more to make peace."
"About the meanest thing you can say about a man is that he means well."
"Our allies are the millions who hunger and thirst after righteousness."
Words from former presidents: 2. Franklin Roosevelt (1933-1945)
"I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished."
The Four Freedoms: Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. Freedom from want. Freedom from fear everywhere in the world.
Words from former presidents: 1. Herbert Hoover (1920-1933)
"No public man can be just a little crooked."
"Being a politician is a poor profession." "Being a public servant is a noble one."
Today is the 75th anniversary of NATO. Harry Truman is often overlooked as an important president. But the Truman Doctrine meant American support for other nations threatened by Moscow. It led to the formation of NATO in 1949. NATO is needed as much now as then to fend off totalitarian movements.
At Good Friday service this evening, we heard the words:
"When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, 'Woman, here is your son.' Then he said to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.' And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
As I was leaving the church in silence, a young man whom I did not know and who did not know me, saw me walking with my came and quietly took my arm to help me down the steps. We give and receive one another in Christ's care.
The Agnus Dei
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. O Christ, Thou Lamb of God that takest away the sin of the world, grant us Thy peace. Amen
In a predictable attempt to take more money from his conservative base, Donald Trump is now selling copies of the "God Bless the USA" Bible, just in time for Easter. He was paid for his endorsement.
"God Bless the USA Bible" includes the King James Version of the text, along with the text of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance. It promotes Christian Nationalism and is anti-Muslim. Trump, when in 2015, was asked what his favorite Bible passage was, couldn't think of a single verse.
The sun set last night at 7:15. It is now 7:00 a.m and the sun is just about to rise--it will be 7:15.
A short FaceBook Post from Deaconess Connie Johnson in Eau Claire, Wisconsin: "I read some reporting today that some folks in Western Wisconsin were getting all worked up about whether Eau Claire County was “prepared” to handle 75 new Somali families being resettled there.
We live in a dangerous world. Amidst Russia's threat to use nuclear weapons, the war in the Middle East and the troubles in Haiti, I have great respect for Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
On this International Women's Day I give thanks for all the women in my life: deaconesses, pastors, bishops, friends, granddaughters, and all my sisters in Christ.
Keep on Walking
2024 is not a year to take time out from paying attention to politics or voting. Check to see if you are (still) on the voter registration roles. Be engaged. Listen. Watch. Read. Talk. Listen to the State of the Union Address this evening, March 7. Our democracy is on the ballot. Your voice and vote are necessary.
Busy beavers. We walked around a small late here in Mason City and saw their work. It was warm and seventy degrees. You can see the beavers' new work by the fresh chips at the base of the one tree. But perhaps they too do not know if is it Winter or Spring. This morning it is 6 degrees with snow on the ground.
Grandson Jackson's final Mason City High School "Follies." Proud of him. Joel directed for 30 years and is now director of choral activities for North Iowa Area Community College. Joel's wife Rachel played for many solos, ensembles and choir at this year's "Follies" as she has for decades. She also arranges much of the music. This year, while Jackson in high school, she plays at MCHS and at the Community College while also gives piano lessons there. We are thankful for all their gifts. Granddaughter Jennaya, now a second year student at Wartburg College in Waverly, as a music therapy major.
Day 5 Orchid! In the midst of winter I have flowers from all seasons blooming at the same time in our apartment. Day 5 is the final post. I purchased this orchid three years ago for my husband's early February birthday. After it bloomed, I simply kept it watered and surprisingly it blooms again each year.
Day 4 Rose! In the midst of winter I have flowers from all seasons blooming at the same time in our apartment. I am posting one each day this week.
Day 3 African Violet In the midst of winter I have flowers from all seasons blooming at the same time in our apartment. I am posting one each day this week.
In the midst of winter, I have plants from different seasons blooming at the same time in our apartment. I will post one on each of the following five days.
In the midst of winter, I have plants from different seasons blooming at the same time in our apartment. I will post one on each of the following five days.
Martin Luther King Day. We remember his words. We are called to join the challenge, now!
The end of nonviolent action, King said, is “reconciliation. . . the end is the creation of the Beloved Community." It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opponents into friends.
Epiphany Service this morning at our church, Trinity Lutheran, Mason City, with Pastor Dan Gerrietts preaching and presiding.
Epiphany and the 2021 Insurrection on the U.S. Capital will be historically intertwined. Strange coincidence? Perhaps. But for me, the insurrection is a terrible reminder of the capacity of human beings to hate and harm one another and to follow those who think think they are gods. The Light of the star which guided the wise men to see that baby Jesus and the warning that they should flee to Egypt reminds me that God is always with the refugee and Christ is indeed the Light of the World.
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