The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist – 8/29/10
From Pastor Todd Peperkorn…
The head of John the Baptist on a platter. That’s what Salome, the daughter of Herodias, asked for when her sick step-father offered to give her anything, up to half of his kingdom. I can think of a lot better ways to use that kind of genie-like wish. What good was the dead head of John going to do her? She was probably about twelve years old, a child by most people standards, except for twelve year olds. Certainly she was a pawn in the very adult games that adulterous Herod and his new wife were playing. I’m sure their behavior made sense to them. All of our sins make sense to us at some level. We call it rationalizing. We might also call it willful ignorance or even rebellion. But every one of us here has done things we aren’t proud of. Things that make us fit right in with the crazy games of Herod, his wife and stepdaughter. While we may step back at their actions, it’s not that far off from many of the things that we do every day. That’s what got John the Baptist in trouble. God’s Word isn’t a game, and John was in no humor to set aside or ignore their sinful behavior. And for John’s fearless and faithful preaching, he lost his head…
Click here to read all of Pastor Peperkorn’s blog post.
Alex Starts Eighth Grade!
Tomorrow, Alex starts 8th grade. In fact, it will be his last year at Our Shepherd Lutheran School. Time is flying by too fast. Alex is pictured below at the Welcome Back to School Picnic. On the right is the school mascot, the Trojan.
Commemoration of St. Augustine – 8/28/10
From Pastor Paul McCain…
…Today we remember, honor and commemorate St. Augustine, a giant among all our church fathers, noted preacher, catechist, theologian and leader of the Church. When one reads Augustine’s many writings, one knows that here is a deep and vastly reflective intellect at work. His work was formative particularly for the Western Church, and very influential on Lutheranism, via Martin Luther who was in the order of Augustinian monks. I particularly love reading Augustine’s sermons in a fresh new translation that came out in the 1990 in the series Augustine for the 21st Century. His writings and thought is so complex and rich, he simply defies classification. Roman Catholics, Lutherans and Calvinists all try to claim him as one of their own…
Click here to read the rest of Pastor McCain’s blog post.
Praying Moms of Our Shepherd Lutheran School
I have been part of a group of moms who have been praying for our school for the last 3 years –we are like Moms in Touch, but since we are a Lutheran school we’re changed it slightly to reflect Lutheran doctrine and thus we don’t use Moms in Touch materials. We call ourselves The Praying Moms of Our Shepherd Lutheran School.
I blogged faithfully for several years, but somehow last year was a lost year as far as blogging was concerned. Regardless, my friend Teresa and I met faithfully every week to pray for our students, staff, school, church and nation. We will begin again in September to pray as a group. I hope other moms will join us! And I plan to blog regularly. It’s my last chance at Our Shepherd since Alex is an 8th grader.
The blog is called Ephesians 6:18.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18
Updates From the 8/28/10 Michigan GOP Convention
Assuming that there’s a decent cell signal inside the Breslin Center in East Lansing, I’ll be posting updates on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LambertsOnline. You don’t even have to be signed in to follow. Just “refresh” the page every 15 minutes or so.
Michigan GOP 8/28/10 Convention on the Web
Coverage starts at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 28. Click here to watch the convention live on the web.
Commemoration of St. Monica – 8/27/10
From Pastor William Weedon…
Yes, my dear friend and crusty old curmudgeon Dr.Terry Maher will give the whole story of how this is NOT the day to commemorate St. Monica historically. Nevertheless, in the current service books of the Lutheran, Anglican and Roman communions, well, today is the day. It was moved in the 20th century to place her observance next door to that of her son, which follows tomorrow. So with that caveat, from our Synod’s website and the Treasury:
A native of North Africa, Monica (A.D. 333–387) was the devoted mother of Saint Augustine. Throughout her life she sought the spiritual welfare of her children, especially that of her brilliant son, Augustine. Widowed at a young age, she devoted herself to her family, praying many years for Augustine’s conversion. When Augustine left North Africa to go to Italy, she followed him to Rome and then to Milan. There she had the joy of witnessing her son’s conversion to the Christian faith. Weakened by her travels, Monica died at Ostia, Italy on the journey she had hoped would take her back to her native Africa. On some church year calendars, Monica is remembered on May 4.
Click here to read all of Pastor Weedon’s blog post on St. Monica.
As I initially reported on this blog on 8/23/10, tonight was the special Oakland County Republican sub-caucus meeting at the Troy Community Center. The purpose was to re-select the delegates/alternates to this coming Saturday’s Michigan GOP State Convention in East Lansing. The subcaucus was for the communities of Rochester Hills/Rochester, Troy and Waterford Township.
I would guess that most of the delegates and alternates who were selected tonight were the same ones elected earlier this month. However, there was one advantage tonight. The list of candidates for delegate and alternate were displayed on a screen so that everyone could see their names to cast an intelligent vote.
Here are a couple of photos from tonight’s subcaucuses at the Troy Community Center.
8/27/10 UPDATE: Detroit Free Press Reporter Kathleen Gray has an article covering the “do-over.” She writes that “a fissure erupted Thursday night in Oakland County.” Was she at the same meeting I was at? The fissure actually “erupted” at the previous County Convention on 8/12/10. My observation was that last night’s “do-over” resolved most of the complaints about the 8/12/10 County Convention. Of course, a calm Convention is not news.
From the Oakland County Health Division…
Oakland County residents are urged to take precautions and protect themselves from mosquito bites during outdoor events such as picnics, concerts, fairs and sporting activities. The threat of West Nile Virus (WNV) and other mosquito-borne diseases will continue to be a risk until late fall when nighttime temperatures fall below freezing.
“Prevention is the key to reducing mosquito bites and lowering the risk of WNV and other mosquito-borne illnesses,” stated Kathy Forzley, Manager/Health Officer of Oakland County Health Division.
“Remember to be Mosquito Smart by following the three R’s – Reduce, Repel, Report, when enjoying outdoor activities during the summer and into the fall,” continued Forzley.
- Reduce: Check for standing water in your yard every three to four days. Some mosquito eggs can develop into adult mosquitoes in less than ten days. Empty water from mosquito breeding sites, such as flower pots, pet bowls, clogged rain gutters, swimming pool covers, discarded tires, buckets, barrels, cans, and similar items where mosquitoes can lay eggs.
- Repel: Spray clothing and exposed skin with insect repellent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends use of insect repellents containing active ingredients registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Two products registered with the EPA that have shown a high degree of effectiveness are DEET and Picaridin. Always follow manufacturer’s directions carefully, especially when using on children.
- - Minimize activities where mosquitoes are present, such as shaded areas.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants outdoors.
- Maintain window and door screening to keep mosquitoes out of buildings. - Report: To report a sick or dead bird or mammal, visit the State of Michigan Emerging Disease Issues webpage at: www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases. Select West Nile Virus, then How to Report a Dead Bird or Mammal.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause inflammation and swelling of the brain. Mosquitoes are infected by biting a bird that carries the virus. WNV is then spread to humans through the bite of the infected mosquito. Most people who are infected with the virus have either no symptoms or experience a mild illness such as fever, headache and body aches. However, in some individuals, particularly the elderly, a more serious disease can develop.
For more information about West Nile Virus, visit Oakland County Health Division’s website at www.oakgov.com
Real or Fake Government Spending Projects?
Can you tell which of these government spending projects are real or fake? Watch the video below.
