Huskers beat Jayhawks in license plate wars

Kansas limits vanity tag to one owner Wichita and Kansas news Crime, courts, weather, education, politics, events Wichita Eagle: "Kansas limits vanity tag to one owner"

This was a curious little article. Evidently, in Kansas, a vanity tag can be duplicated as long as there is not a duplicate in the county for which it is registered, until now. According to the article, of 88,000 vanity tags in Kansas, 33,000 are duplicates. And in the land of the Jayhawks, guess what the favorite vanity tag is? HUSKERS. That's right, an homage to the newly minted 2009 Holiday Bowl champions who were only four points away from a 10-1 season this year.

Anyway, here are the rest of the top 10 duplicate vanity plates in Kansas which will have to come up with other clever ways to get their message across once the new law is put in place:

PLATE--(# of dups.)
HUSKERS--53
JAYHAWKS--43
GITRDON--38
CHIEFS--37
2FAST4U--36
SPOILED--35
SOONERS--34
BLESSED--34
MYTOY--33
REDNECK--32

Tough times for large, local employer, parent of Yellow Freight

YRC continues debt swap one more day Dollars & Sense: from the Kansas City Star

We've all read these articles(see link above)--many of them in the last year or so. Articles which tell of the troubles and trials of big industry and the layoffs, bankruptcies and liquidations which follow. And while it may have been popular to bash the corporations as we vented our frustration with overt greed and corruption, I think we also had a tendency to forget all those who worked at those places who were not in the upper echelon, who are really hurt when the corporate giants fall.

Another thought occurred to me. In a way, our large, public companies of the day are not all that different from the Princes, Electors, Bishops and Lords of feudal Europe whom Luther called upon to look after the welfare of those who served them. At the same time, he encouraged the peasants to serve their masters faithfully, trusting in them to protect and provide for them. Through this whole saga, it seems mutual respect has been thrown out the window in favor of shocking headlines and sensational soundbites in our 24 hour news-cycle.

I've been in both worlds. I know the tremendous pressures put upon managers and officers of companies to do things which raise the stock price of a company so that the investors make money. I've been invited to dine and vacation with those who have resources I will probably never experience. But I also know what it is like to live a life with little means, relying upon the generosity of others to provide food, clothing and shelter for my family. I know what it feels like to be dependant upon public assistance and hand-outs.

Perhaps God has given me both experiences so that I can understand both and help our future generations come to terms with this growing chasm between the 'haves' and 'have-mores' (Even the poorest Americans have more than a large part of the equatorial regions of the world) Perhaps there is a lesson for me yet to learn--a message God is revealing to me through his still, small, voice which I am not quite able to hear yet.

As we look at the 2nd part of the 9th Psalm on pg. 31 of "Reading the Psalms with Luther" we notice that while the first 10 verses gave encouragement to the faithful, the second 10 verses speak of retribution to the world who ignores God.
Life in American society is very worldly and I-centric, that is, centered on the self; what I want. Rev. Jerry Todd, A pastor friend of mine, once told me that when he speaks with children and confirmation students about sin he defines it this way: "Sin is this--I want what I want when I want it! NOW!"

Now, as with any good analogy or maxim which tries to capture a theological point or doctrine the analogy will always break down and never be a perfect substitute for God's word itself. And so if we look at the above quotation we might be tempted to go to the extreme and say we must slosh our way through life never making decisions and never setting goals and living a minimalist life because to have goals and preferences is sinful--WRONG! Quite the contrary. Revelation 3:15-16 says this: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-- neither hot nor cold-- I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

No, I think one of the warnings for us today from this passage of scripture is to not get caught up in what the world thinks is good, right, and profitable but, rather, in all the plans we make, temper them against God's word and his will so that when we do make up our mind to do something we may have the hardened tools necessary to do what is right in a manner which will make a difference in the world and proclaim Christ as its king.

So, the homework part of our discussion: Think of one thing that our society has embraced, which you know is contrary to God's will, and give us an idea of how we might positively be counter-cultural to that one thing in a way which is winsome and effective in reflecting our faith in Christ.

I would love it if you would post comments, but if you would rather e-mail me privately that's ok too.

Have a great day in the Lord,

Christmas Blizzard

Yes, That's snow on the INSIDE of our house.  No, we didn't leave the window open.  It was shut and latched, but very drafty.

Reading the Psalms with Luther

Our "Fresh Start" bible study for young couples is collectively reading through Reading the Psalms with Luther,  Each week I'll start a discussion on a particular Psalm and pose a question or comment to which I invite others to share their thoughts and ideas as well.  It is my hope that, as we read through the Psalms together, we will grow together in truth and love.

Today:  Psalm 9 speaks of the faithful who suffer for Christ and the support which he always provides, no matter how bad things get.

Question:  In what ways have/are you suffered/suffering for Christ?  How has God delivered you and what has he done to make known his power and control over the situation?

Don't Critique the BCS--or Texas

Evidently its costs you a few bucks to complain about bad calls or apparent favoritism in the Big 12 Conference.  Read the Weird Harold article (linked) for the details of the pattern of fines following Texas losses.

Now, I'm not saying that Nebraska is a better team than Texas, but I do beleive they beat Texas until the last minute of the game.  The bad kick-off combined with Asante's blunder (4-cheap shots in 4 games--not too classy Larry), gave Texas valuable yardage they needed to kick the game-winning field goal in, litterally, the last second after Mack Brown brow beat the officials into adding a second to the clock after time expired.  This would not have happened "back in the day."  Is it just me, or has all the new technology really ruined the spontinaity and excitement of the game?

Buffalo’s Turner Gill will be Kansas’ next football coach - KansasCity.com

Former Husker star and 'triplet'* takes the reigns at KU. Part of the great 1980's I-Option teams lead by Dr. Tom Osborne, Gill consistently lead his team to nationally ranked finishes each year and nearly winning the National title in each of his three years. Gill's record as a quarterback was 28-2, winning all 20 conference games in which he started. Gill's entry in wikipedia already reflects his new possition, just 2 days after it was announced.

Buffalo’s Turner Gill will be Kansas’ next football coach - KansasCity.com: "Buffalo’s Turner Gill will be Kansas’ next football coach"

*Former Sooner Coach, Barry Switzer referred to teammates Turner Gill, Mike Rozier and Irving Friar as the 'triplets' because of their equal level of lethality against opposing teams.

The Barna Group - Report Examines the State of Mainline Protestant Churches

Another interesting article out today. Although Barna generally lumps the LC-MS in with evangelicals, there is much anicdotal evidence that our denomination's experience parallels that of the "mainline" denominations.
The Barna Group - Report Examines the State of Mainline Protestant Churches: "Report Examines the State of Mainline Protestant Churches"

The Alban Institute - 2009-12-07 Is E-mail the New Parking Lot?

An interesting article which encourages churches (and members) to be more discerning when it comes to what will and won't be discussed/decided via e-mail.
The Alban Institute - 2009-12-07 Is E-mail the New Parking Lot?

"The Awful German Language" by Mark Twain

"The Awful German Language" by Mark Twain: "The Awful German Language
by Mark Twain"

Also, A little long, but a hillarious Observation of the German Language by one of the most brilliant, and humorous Writers in American History. Zug, Schlag. (click the linkabovewhichtakesyoutothearticle link to makeyourgutbustinglaugh)

The things you find on Wikipedia--Quote from Daddy Buffett

Howard Buffett - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Even if it were desirable, America is not strong enough to police the world by military force. If that attempt is made, the blessings of liberty will be replaced by coercion and tyranny at home. Our christian ideals cannot be exported to other lands by dollars and guns"

This quotation was spoken by Warren Buffett's Father on the floor of Congress when he served as representative from the district in which Omaha resides. He served two terms in the forties and one in the fifties.