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!

Death of Billie

 Burton's sister, Billie Crowder, died quietly at her home in LaHabra, California (L.A. area) Tuesday surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Burton will he attending her memorial service which will be on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, on what would have been Billie's 96th birthday. We give thanks to God for this sweet, kind woman. 

25th anniversary of JDDJ

October 31 is Reformation Day. This year we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ). The JDDJ is a historic agreement between the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation that was signed in 1999 on Reformation Day. The declaration is considered a significant achievement in the ecumenical movement.

it was later affirmed by the World Methodist Council (2006), the Anglican Consultative Council (2016) and the World Communion of Reformed Churches (2017), making it a multilateral agreement between five equal partners.

Thanks for voting

 One week until Nov. 5. Thank you to all who have already voted. This is to encourage all others to go to the polls.  Michelle Obama reminded us that no one, even your family members, need know how you voted. No one will see how you vote. In addition, voting for the one you think the best candidate does not change your party. You can remain a Republican and vote for Harris/Walz. Or you can remain a Democrat and vote for Trump/Vance. We know this is a close election. Yes, every vote matters.  It is our responsibility and our privilege to vote.

Biden Apologizes

 "I formally apologize" said President Joe Biden today. Speaking at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, Biden apologized for the 150 years (early 1800's to 1970) the U.S. government mandated the removal of native children from their homes to be put in Federal Indian Boarding Schools. Many were abused; many died; all suffered. This part of the U.S. history has been ignored. Biden was the first president to appoint a Native American to his cabinet, Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland.

During the Biden administration he and Haaland guided the White House Council of Native American Affairs. Biden worked to give tribes more autonomy, to reduce child poverty, to provide 200,000 jobs for Native Americans and increase funding for healthcare and education. November in Native American Heritage month.