Thanksgiving 2024

Most of the family together on Thanksgiving at Joel and Rachel's house here in Mason City

45 Years and 45 Datebooks

 I just received my 45th "Little Red Book." It's the small datebook provided by my publishing house, Augsburg Fortress. What a collection. I have them all in a small cardboard chest under my desk.  It's more than a collection.  I can and do refer to them frequently to see when I met someone, when I went on a speaking engagement, what day (what year) something significant happened.  It's memory records since I was ordained.  This is the final year they will be published, so I've started this one for 2025.  

RFK Jr.

 RFK Jr. appointed to head Health and Human Services? No! He would have power over the NIH, CDC and FDA. This is the man who believes vaccines are linked to autism. He would take fluoride out of the public water supplies, decide what medicines are available, have power over food safety and medical research. He would remove requirements for inoculations against measles and polio which prevent outbreaks among our children. God help us. 

Veterans' Day

 Veterans' Day: the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the armistice was signed between the Allied troops and Germany. We remember. My father served in WW 1, right after he graduated from high school. My uncle was gassed in WW 1. A few years later, suffering from the effects, he took his own life. Many of my cousins served in WW 11.  All came home safely. My brother-in-law, Carroll Everist was shot in the leg in the Korean War. His unit was captured and most were killed. The Chinese eventually pulled out and Carroll came home.  Our son, Mark, served in the Army National Guard. We give thanks for all.

Week of Nov 6 1938

 I was born Nov. 6, 1938, between Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" (Oct. 30) and Kristallnacht, (Nov 9-10) when Nazi leaders attacked Jewish persons, a violent act of state-sanctioned violence. In the week of my birth I came into a fearful world.  This year on Nov. 6, I live in a world of fear of what it to come. Thank you for the many birthday greetings that give me courage to discern, at age 86, what is my calling in the months and years ahead. 

Words from Kamala Harris

Words today from Kamala Harris: The outcome of this election is not what we wanted. But the light of America's promise will always burn bright as long as we don't give up. . . I will never give up the fight for a future where every American can pursue their dreams...the fight to protect our students and our streets from gun violence. The fight for our democracy. . . You can and will make a difference. 

We're not done yet

 We're not done yet. Many of you have already voted, but we're not done yet. Former President Barack Obama reminds us to bring others to the polls. Who do you think has not yet voted? Ask them. Help them find their polling place. Offer them a ride. Do they think their vote won't matter? It does. The news about Iowa means things can change even in the final two days. What will you do? Ours is a country of the people, by the people and for the people. That's all of us.  

A Secret about Time

 If you play your cards right--I mean play your clocks right--you can have an extra hour each day until election day and then have an extra hour to stay up on the night of Nov. 5.  (It's my secret.)

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All Saints Day

 For all the saints who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest, Alleluia! Alleluia!