Issues Etc. mess makes the Wall Street Journal

Far from an isolated event in an unknown small ecclesiastical body, the cancellation of Issues, etc. has now captured national attention. The Wall Street Journal has printed this article about the curious programming change:

Radio Silence - WSJ.com

So what happened? Initially, the bureaucrats in St. Louis kept a strict silence, claiming that the show had been canceled for "business and programmatic" reasons. Yesterday the synod cited low local ratings in the St. Louis area and the low number of listeners to the live audio stream on the Web site. But the last time the synod tracked the size of the audience was three years ago, and it did not take into account the show's syndicated or podcast following. The synod also claimed that the show lost $250,000 a year, an assertion that is at odds with those of others familiar with the operating budget of the station.

The Rev. Michael Kumm, who served on three management committees for the station, said that the explanation doesn't add up. " 'Issues, Etc.' is the most listened to, most popular and generates more income than any other program at the station and perhaps even the others combined. This decision is purely political," he said.

He may well be right. The program was in all likelihood a pawn in a larger battle for the soul of the Missouri Synod. The church is divided between, on the one hand, traditional Lutherans known for their emphasis on sacraments, liturgical worship and the church's historic confessions and, on the other, those who have embraced pop-culture Christianity and a market-driven approach to church growth. The divide is well known to all confessional Christian denominations struggling to retain their traditional identity.

The Rev. Gerald Kieschnick, the synod's current president, has pushed church marketing over the Lutherans' historic confession of faith by repeatedly telling the laity, "This is not your grandfather's church."

Since Mr. Kieschnick narrowly won election in 2001, the church has embarked on a program, called Ablaze!, that has the admirable goal of "reaching 100 million unreached and uncommitted people with the Gospel by 2017," the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Historically the church kept statistics on baptisms. Now, however, it keeps a tally of what it calls "critical events." On March 17 a man reported discussing Jesus with his waitress -- and the Ablaze! count went up by one.

One congregation near St. Louis took a $25,000 Ablaze! grant and used it to put up billboards with kitschy statements purporting to come from the devil (e.g., "JeffersonHills Church Sucks," signed "Satan"). A Michigan mission congregation replaced the historical message of Lent with a speaker series on sex. Following marketing principles, neither congregation uses the word "Lutheran" in its name or advertising campaign.

While "Issues, Etc." never criticized Mr. Kieschnick or his colleagues, its attacks against shallow church marketing included mention of some approaches embraced by the current leadership. It opposed, for instance, the emergent church -- an attempt to accommodate postmodern culture by blending philosophies and practices from throughout the church's history -- and the Purpose Driven Church movement, which reorients the church's message toward self-help and self-improvement.

The rest of the article is worth reading as well.

A well written analysis of the Issues, etc. debacle

Pastor Dave Peterson (with whom I attended seminary and current pastor of the church in Ft. Wayne where I did my fieldwork) wrote an insightful analysis of the Issues issue. I particularly appreciate how he gives us a peek into the future of the mission of the synod's members.

Thomas Friedman's book, The World is Flat, describes how the days of giant all-inclusive companies, countries and economies is spreading out worldwide because of better information sharing and transportation technologies. The same is happening to missions. Before, mission work was the field of large corporate church bodies. Now it is the lighter, faster, more efficient, independent mission organizations, like the Lutheran Heritage Foundation, are doing the best mission work out there.

There may come a day when the Synod simply spins down into a loose association of congregations that largely ignore the central governing body. A shame for such an end to a synod with a strong and glorious history, but if the case, so be it. The will of God will not be shackled by human organizations. The Holy Spirit moves freely through the world.

Now Pr. Peterson's remarks:

The LC-MS radio station, KFUO, in St. Louis canceled the popular and successful program Issues, Etc hosted by Rev. Todd Wilken and produced by Jeff Schwarz a week ago today. (You can read this all over the blogosphere, but http://weedon.blogspot.com/ seems to have the most comprehensive coverage.) No public explanation has been given and it has been reported that no explanation was given to those fired either. Issues, Etc. was a powerful force for good in our synod an did much to further the Gospel. Whatever the intentions of KFUO were in canceling the program they have effectually reduced the amount of Gospel preaching and outreach in the world. There is less Gospel preaching and outreach today then there was a week ago because of this decision and action. They have also caused a good deal of hardship on the families of Rev. Wilken and Mr. Schwarz.

President Kieschnick's administration will go down in history as the administration that also cut down on foreign missions while expanding the Synodical budget and personnel at the "International" Center. Regarding Issues, Etc President Kieschnick has released a statement claiming that while he was present for the canceling of the program and did nothing to save the program or find jobs and benefits for Wilken and Schwarz, it was not done at his prompting. That is probably equally true of the foreign mission work we no longer do. He didn't issue the orders. He just watched while it happened.

It would seem the President Kieschnick has found himself helpless in these situations, the poor pawn of economic and demographic forces beyond his reach, things with which his leadership simply cannot cope. I am sorry for that. But it would seem that expansion of other programs and budgets, of filling KFUO with new programming, has been most unwise in a day and age when we cannot sustain or do well what we already have. Alas, we do not know all the factors that lead to these decisions. The synod has a secrecy clause so we're not allowed to know. Thus are we required in all cases to attempt to put the best construction on these things. Knowing what we do, the best construction I can imagine is that President Kieschnick and his administration have had the purest of motives throughout but lacked the wisdom and leadership abilities to make the best decisions resulting in less Gospel preaching and outreach than would have been possible. It would seem then that President Kieschnick is simply not up to the job, despite his pure heart and perfect desires. This is not sinful on his part. It is simply the fact of being fallible. Not everyone has the skills and abilities to lead the LCMS in its current situation. I certainly don't. It would seem that he doesn't either.

Fortunately, as President Kieshnick has so frequently preached, we live in freedom in the LCMS. We do not have to rely solely upon the synod to do these things for us. We do not need his permission or budget to preach the Gospel or reach out to the lost. In fact, no one want us to reach out more than President Kieschnick does despite his many unhelpful decisions. Thus we see many excellent organizations that have arisen to avoid the bureaucratic inefficiency and financial woes of the synod. Off the top of my head I can think of Higher Things for youth work, the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for mission work and literature, Good News Magazine for outreach home and abroad, and Concordia Theological Seminary's work in Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Madagascar, Kenya, and South Africa. All those organizations are committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as contained and expressed in the Book of Concord. They are excellent organizations and will make good use of your funds. As the synod seems to be collapsing (how else can we put the best construction on the demise of Issues, Etc?) these organizations have been expanding, reaching and serving more and more people everyday. So if President Kieschnik has the sad duty of captaining the Titanic and sitting by helplessly, at least he can take comfort in the reality that the Holy Spirit is alive and well and the Gospel still works, whether it is officially sanctioned or not.

Read the rest of Pr. Peterson's article here.

Thoes that keep because they are keep

The security of the believer is completely based on the fact that “salvation of the righteous is of the Lord” (Psa 37:39 KJV) But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. Also that God Himself is our ‘keep’ (1 Pet 1:5 KJV) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
The word ‘keep’ has its origins in the design of the English and French castles. The ‘keep’ was the strongest fortification of the compound, and the final place of resort in case of siege or attack.

There are a number of words in the Greek N. T. translated ‘keep’ but the one used to convey the idea of the keeping power of God the Father and Christ, exercised over His people is ‘tereo’. The meaning of to ‘keep’ is to watch over, to guard, to garrison, to preserve, to protect, to tend, to take care of. This keeping power of God over believers is used in John 17:11,12,15; 1 Thess 5:23; 1 John 5:18; and Jude:1.

Keeping Power of God Over Believers

In John 17:11, Jesus ask the Father to keep the disciples when He comes to Him. (John 17:11 KJV) And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. In John 17:12 Jesus declares that He kept the disciples while He was with them. (John 17:12 KJV) While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. In John 17:15 Jesus prays to the Father to keep the disciples from the evil one. (John 17:15 KJV) I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Now, in this same chapter Jesus uses this same Greek word ‘tereo’ to declare that the disciples have kept God’s word (that is to observe or to take heed to God’s word). (John 17:6 KJV) I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.

Now, how did the disciples keep God’s word? Was it by their own power or was it by the keeping power of God?

In 1 Thess 5:23, Paul ask that God will sanctify the Thessalonians wholly. (1 Th 5:23 KJV) And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is their spirit, soul, and body be preserved (that is kept) sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And in 1 Thess 5:24,Paul assures them that He who calls them is faithful and that He will do it. (1 Th 5:24 KJV) Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Now, how are the Thessalonians going to be preserved for the coming of the Lord? Will it be by their own faithful power or will it be by God who is the only one that is truly forever and immutably faithful?

In 1 John 5:18, John tells us that no one born of God goes on sinning (that is continually and without ceasing), but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and the Evil One does not touch him. (1 John 5:18 KJV) We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

In this verse it seems that the believer is keeping himself but a closer look at the Greek reveals something else. It is the Begotten One, that is Jesus Christ, who is keeping the believer. Again who is it that keeps a close watch on those born of God? Is it our own great free will that we keep watch over ourselves or is it by the only one that truly has free will to do as he will in the army of heaven, and the inhabitants of earth and no one can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest thou? Daniel 4:35.

In Jude :1, Jude declares that we are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved by Jesus Christ ,and called. (Jude 1:1 KJV) Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

How are the called preserved (that is kept)? What does Jude say ? Is it not but by Jesus Christ Himself that we are preserved?

Keeping Power of God Over Believers Inheritance

This Greek word ‘tereo’ is also used to show the keeping power of God over the things He has in store for us in heaven. In 1 Peter 1:4 and 5, Peter tells us that we have an inheritance in heaven which is imperishable, undefiled and unfading and that God has reserved (that is keep) it for us. Also it is God’s power that is not only guarding this inheritance but also keeping us so that we may inherit this inheritance. (1 Pet 1:4 KJV) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Pet 1:5 KJV) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

If I were keeping this inheritance for you, would you feel secure in your inheritance? Before you answer, I must confess to you:

first I don’t have the same power as God and almost anyone could overcome me and steal what is yours.
second I get tired and sometimes I must sleep. What if somebody came to steal while I was sleeping?
third You know that you could offend me sometime and would I then even care if what was yours was stolen?

Now, if God does the keeping, what do we have? We have a God that is all powerful, that never sleeps, and even though we offended Him, He commendeth His love toward us in that Christ died for us, Rom 5:8. This God is our keep, our guard, our garrison, our security.

Keeping Power of God Over Nonbelievers

This Greek word ‘tereo’ is also used to show the keeping power of God over the nonbelievers. In 2 Peter 2:9, Peter says that our God not only delivers the godly out of temptations but also reserves (that is keeps) the unrighteous unto the day of judgment to be punished. (2 Pet 2:9 KJV) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

Now we find that there is another group of people that God will keep in a way that will not allow them to be mixed up with us. There is no way they can swim across and contaminate the chosen because this all powerful, all knowing, never sleeping God is keeping ‘guarding’ them against that possibility.

In 2 Peter 2:17, Peter stresses again that these unrighteous have a place reserved (that is keep) for them. (2 Pet 2:17 KJV) These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. This place for the unrighteous is kept by God Himself and no one , not even the devil, will be able to get out and cross over to tempt us.

In 2 Peter 3:7, Peter tells us that by God’s word, the heavens and earth are kept and reserved for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (2 Pet 3:7 KJV) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Yes Christians, you can go to sleep tonight and not have to worry about the earth being destroyed by an atomic bomb, or a meteorite strike, or a great volcanic eruption. Because our all powerful God is keeping this world and the heavens for the day of judgment and the destruction of ungodly men.

Issues, etc. is no more: Updated with addresses

In an inexplicable and unexplained move, the LCMS has canceled its daily talk radio program Issues, etc. Issues used to be broadcast on the LCMS's AM radio station 820 KFUO in St. Louis. It was a show that featured interviews/discussions about contemporary and theological issues with people both inside and outside Lutheranism. The show's host had a way of always steering the discussion to be -- as the show's slogan said -- "Christ centered and cross focused." I have shared a number of the shows with you, ranging from discussion of the theology of the end times to Islam to how to prepare for a Sunday School lesson. Even my 7-year-old enjoyed the shows.

On Tuesday the show was abruptly canceled and its host, Todd Wilken, and producer, Jeff Schwartz, "fired." The webmaster was apparently directed to remove all references to the program including the valuable archives. Later, these were restored, but the KFUO AM website is at a crawl -- no doubt with the traffic of Christians world-wide who are attempting to personally archive them before they are all gone. (The only reason that I am not doing this myself is that I am trying not to consume the bandwidth since obviously others are taking the opportunity to do it.)

The late, official statement "explained,"

“For programmatic and business reasons, the decision was made this week to discontinue the “Issues, Etc.” program on KFUO-AM.We look forward to bringing you new programming in this time slot in the near future. Also, we thank “Issues” host Rev. Todd Wilken and producer Mr. Jeff Schwarz for their years of service on behalf of the station. Those interested may still download past “Issues, Program Etc.” programs from the “Issues” archive on this website. Thank you sincerely for your continued support of KFUO’s radio ministry.”

The personal toll of this action is large as well. Firstly, the firing of Jeff Schwartz comes at a devastating time as his wife, Beth (Pictured with Jeff and their children) has just been diagnosed with small fiber neuropoathy and is scheduled for an appointment to begin a treatment plan at the Mayo Clinic on March 31st. The loss of employment for Jeff will also mean the cancellation of their health insurance.

Chaz Lehmann has more details on this situation, as well as these letters which show some of the impact that Issues, etc. has had.

Mr. Strand,

I hope you do not pass over this email quickly, as I am sure you have been swamped with responses to the recent cancellation of the wonderful radio program on KFUO – Issues, Etc.

I would not be writing you this email if it were not for the existence of Issues, Etc. Do you wonder or care why? The reason is I would not only NOT be a Lutheran, I would NOT be Christian.

I am a 30 year old woman, who only in 2006 began going to a LCMS church, my first time in church for over twenty years. I understand now, after becoming a confirmed adult member of the LCMS, that “demographics” are important to the top levels of the Synod. I am a typical college and graduate school educated professional, who learned neatly from the culture to shun anything church or Christ related. These are troubled times, and Issues, Etc had an excellent and engaging way of cutting through the mire of our world, and exposing our culture for what it is, while at the same time clearly proclaiming Christ crucified, in a way I had never heard before.

I listened to the radio a lot, everything from NPR to conservative talk, even Bott Radio Network. It was on Bott Radio Network, at 10pm on one Sunday evening that I heard Issues, Etc for the first time. I stood listening with my feet glued to the floor; I had never heard anything like this. I listened for over a year, slowly the Spirit working through the proclamation of Christ for me, bringing me to a church and the gifts Christ had to give me. I cannot tell you enough how impressed I was with this program; I am a convert due entirely to Issues, Etc.

I have brought members of my family and friends to attend church with the LCMS. I have shared the Gospel with many people because of Issues, Etc, and directed them to listen online and on the radio. Issues, Etc was your best outreach and evangelism tool, and now it’s gone. Future success and growth of the LCMS will only be healthy if decisions like canceling Issues, Etc not only do not continue, but money and effort are put into more outreach like Issues, Etc.

Sincerely,

Carrie Clow

and this:

I am very much disappointed by the decision to end issues etc. It has been a source of knowledge, comfort, encouragement and truely an effective and comprehensible tool for reaching out to the world that did not realise the works of the slanderer against the church.

I leave in Zimbabwe, Africa, where there are no Christian (Lutheran) literature and Issues etc was my fountain from which I tapped and drank.

Peace be with you servants of Christ who are troubled on everyside by the slanderer. Don't despair. Yes it's painfull. Imagine how it feels for a new born baby to find their mother dad the next morning. With Jesus in the vessel we shall indeed smile in the storm as we are sailing home.

why was such a powerful Lutheran voice taken off air. I shall fast and pray to the Lord to help me understand, and if not his will that the program was terminated, that the programme be returned to the air.

I can't find the right diction to express my pain and loss emanating from such a decision. My heart really bleeds and I am only holding my tears from flowing but I am weeping like canned 5 year old.

Thy will be done.

In christ,

Garikai Deredza
Martin Luther Deanery Youth Representaive
Harare North Luther League Fellowship
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe

Of course, also to be mentioned are the members of our Military, including Dean, that have used Issues, etc. to feed and inform them while away from their home and church.

Wittenburg Trail has set up a way to make financial support contributions for the Wilken and Schwartz families.

There is also a petition that can be signed here to protest the cancellation (currently at 1426 and literally growing by the minute.)

You can also contact the Synod offices as shown in this video:
(The video was produced before the archives were restored)

Mr. David L. Strand

Executive Director Board for Communication

(314) 996-1200
(314) 822-0000

david.strand@lcms.org

the lutheran church - missouri synod

1333 S. Kirkwood Road

St. Louis, MO 63122-7295

(888) 843-5267
(314) 965-9000

FAX: (314) 996-1016

infocenter@lcms.org

KFUO Radio Station
(314) 725-0099

(314) 725-3030

(314) 721-2969

The Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick

(314) 996-1402

(314) 842-7110

president@lcms.org

LC-MS Board of Directors

(314) 996-1350

Easter is EARLY this year!

Thanks to Trudy for sending me this:

When Easter comes in 2008 it will be very unique.....

Easter is coming early this year. Very early!!

Easter is always:
The 1st Sunday, after the 1st full moon, after the Spring Equinox.
(which is March 23).

This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar.
Based on the above information, Easter can actually be one day earlier March 22, that is rare.

Here's the interesting information:
This year is the earliest Easter that any of us will ever see; the rest of our lives!
And, only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it come, this early.
(95 years old or above).
And, none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier!

Here are the facts:

The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228.
(220 years from now).

The last time it was this early was 1913.
(So, if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around for that!).

The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285.
(277 years from now).

The last time it was on March 22 was 1818.

So......no one alive today, has or will, ever see it any earlier than this year!

Inspiring Verses of the Last Five OT Books

We have all heard of and studied the first five books of the OT, but what about the last five books of the OT? Until recently I had never studied any of these small minor prophets. I now see that these books are rich in meaning and have much to offer. Below is a list of a few verses from each book to show the rich diversity of these five minor prophets.

1. Habakkuk

(Hab 3:17 KJV) Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: (Hab 3:18 KJV) Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. These verses remind me that I can have joy in my life in the midst of all the tribulations of this world.

2. Zephaniah

(Zep 3:9 KJV) For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. The Hebrew word that is translated language in the verse above, as it is in Genesis, could also be translated lips. But if it is translated language, then this verse tells me that this poor language and limited vocabulary that I now have will be miraculously changed into the pure primeval language that Adam and Eve used to speak to God so I may more perfectly praise God.

3. Haggai

(Hag 2:7 KJV) And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. This verse comforts me in that Christ is the desire and redeemer of the world and not just of Israel.

4. Zechariah

(Zec 11:12 KJV) And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. This verse tore at my heart the most. For it showed the utter contempt of the leaders of Israel when they paid only the price for a slave killed by your animal, when Christ is worth more than all the treasures of the world.

5. Malachi

(Mal 2:15 KJV) And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.(Mal 2:16 KJV) For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. These verses sum up all the teachings of the entire Bible on the subject of divorce and that we should take them seriously.

Can't we at least keep the Sodomite agenda out of schools?

Two news items crossed my desk today which bring about an interesting question.

First, there is a student-protest day scheduled for April 25 this year, in which middle and high school students protest discrimination against GLBT's. Yes, Oak Harbor High School is likely to participate. This protest day is often supported and endorsed by teachers and administrators. The website has directions for soliciting such support.

At the same time a new Canadian study published for the Eastern Psychological Assn Convention indicated that there is deliberate distortion of the percentage of homosexuals as a proportion of the population by both activist groups and governments. While activists claim numbers as high as 10% -- such numbers are simply fabrications. Real controlled surveys report an actual proportion of the population of 1.4%. Even this is attempted to be distorted by excluding adults over 60 from the sampling. When this is done the percentage crawls up to 1.7%.

Why would excluding older adults report a higher percentage? Homosexual activity is more prevalent among younger adults. This may be because older adults leave the homosexual lifestyle, die younger, or both.

The study produces figures demonstrating that homosexuals live and average of 20 years less than heterosexuals. The conclusions of the report include these interesting items:

1) ‘Gay rights’ appears to have no effect on the size of the decrement in gay longevity. As such, our findings provide no empirical support for the argument that while ‘gay rights reduces the constitutional rights of assembly, free speech, and parental control of nonhomosexuals, it is worthwhile because it increases the longevity of homosexuals.’ ...

2) ‘Gay marriage,’ unlike conventional man-woman marriage, appears to have no effect on the longevity of those who engage in homosexuality. ...

3) ‘Gay adoption’ is ill-advised since, on average, a homosexual couple aged 35 yr. would be about as close to demise as a man-woman couple aged 55 yr.

4) ‘Favorable depiction of same-sex behavior and the homosexual lifestyle’ in schools would appear contraindicated. Smoking is condemned because it is associated with a reduction in longevity of 1 to 7 years. It is inconsistent to condemn smoking yet celebrate homosexuality when the decrement in life span for those practicing homosexuality approximates 20 or more years. [Emphasis added]...

If all this is so, why on earth should it be pushed in schools. The manipulation of numbers like this is simply to make the serve a particular agenda.

One point of light in this study is that one of the causes for a decline in the rate of homosexuality across age is a change within the person. It is possible to leave homosexuality and to be freed from its perverse grip. This is no news to Christians who understand what it is to be a new creature in Christ, but perhaps it can be a motivation to redouble our efforts to pray for, and witness to those who are trapped in homosexuality.

Planned Parenthood exposed

A ULCA student journalist writing for the paper, The Advocate.

First, posing as a 15 year old who was raped by her 23 year old boyfriend, she went into a Los Angeles Planned Parenthood Clinic where she was advised that they did not have to report the crime and could protect the identity of her boyfriend if she would lie about her age and say she is older. The story is told by her in an interview from a local Seattle talk show below.



Now, a new embarrassment comes for Planned Parenthood as The Advocate has recorded their executives excitedly accepting donations from an actor who wanted to make a substantial donation for aborting black babies, as reported by the Idaho Statesman:

The call to Idaho came in July to Autumn Kersey, vice president of development and marketing for Planned Parenthood of Idaho.

On the recording provided by The Advocate, an actor portraying a donor said he wanted his money used to eliminate black unborn children because "the less black kids out there the better."

Kersey laughed nervously and said: "Understandable, understandable. ... Excuse my hesitation, this is the first time I've had a donor call and make this kind of request, so I'm excited and want to make sure I don't leave anything out."

On Tuesday, The Advocate released transcripts and audio recordings of this phone call and another to fundraising representatives in Ohio.

Other similar stings were done in Virginia and other states. Audio of a couple of such calls can be heard here:

Relax, the Lord is still in control

Just when I was starting to cheer for global warming, we get this news:

Last month, Oleg Sorokhtin, a fellow of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, shrugged off manmade climate change as "a drop in the bucket." Showing that solar activity has entered an inactive phase, Prof. Sorokhtin advised people to "stock up on fur coats."

He is not alone. Kenneth Tapping of our own National Research Council, who oversees a giant radio telescope focused on the sun, is convinced we are in for a long period of severely cold weather if sunspot activity does not pick up soon.

The quote at the end of the article is just about right:

The last time the sun was this inactive, Earth suffered the Little Ice Age that lasted about five centuries and ended in 1850. Crops failed through killer frosts and drought. Famine, plague and war were widespread. Harbours froze, so did rivers, and trade ceased.

It's way too early to claim the same is about to happen again, but then it's way too early for the hysteria of the global warmers, too.

No need for hysteria. The beautiful hymn says it well:

Be still my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.