Author: chris

Winter is Coming

Ok, so this evening is a very, very significant evening as GoT begins their seventh season. Yeah, I am still on season one. So, I guess I don’t need to worry about getting HBO!

Today I printed out the NJ Devils schedule. It is beautiful (unlike the RAGS) and am so excited for hockey to start. I even printed the Bruins so I can watch even MORE hockey.

I haven’t been on the computer a lot this week. We had a bit of OT available at work and then Thursday my family had a family emergency – so I didn’t sleep well. So, yesterday I ran errands and today I did a bit of cleaning. It is a never ending journey, unfortunately, as I have not yet trained Jake to clean. Heck, I clean off the table and go to dust and guess what – JAKE has his fat butt there. Oh well.

I did watch the Mets. Yes, winter is coming just not soon enough.  NJ reminded me today that soon it will be hockey time.

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Coming to Lutheranism from Evangelicalism

I have always admired Pastor Wolfmueller. He shares a story of his coming to the Lutheran Church. I firmly believe that American Evangelicalism has been a scourge to real Christianity and has promulgated the belief that Christians are about hate. Anyone who knows me should know that I am not a huge fan of organized religion and I don’t always agree with the way Christian beliefs are shared with others.

 

Disclaimer: This video is from a Steadfast Lutherans conference. This is a part of Brothers of St. John the Steadfast. I do not agree with or endorse the views, actions, and teachings of Brothers of St. John the Steadfast. 

What makes a hate group?

I can remember hearing Judy Shepherd speak when I was a student at North Central College. And I can remember my friend Brandon talking about how he was a student out in Cheyenne at the time and how his reaction is. How we have decided to call everyone who doesn’t agree with us as hateful is beyond me.

My church body, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has a show that I feel speaks well on the issue.   It is sad how we are moving toward a greater divide…here’s the link…https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/kfuo-audio-what-makes-a-hate-group

What do Alliance Defending Freedom, The American College of Pediatricians, and the Family Research Council all have in common?

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), they’re all hate groups.

Jim Campbell, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, joined Worldwide KFUO host Kip Allen during June’s “Free to be Faithful” radio program to discuss how respectable groups have been labeled hate groups by the SPLC.

Campbell explains how the charge of “hate” is increasingly being used as a tool to delegitimize points of view and opinions that differ from the progressive narrative.

Listen to the broadcast at the LCMS.

Do You Really Have Religious Freedom If You Can’t Act on or Even Express Your Beliefs?

I ran into an article on line the other day, Do You Really Have Religious Freedom If You Can’t Act on or Even Express Your Beliefs? and thought about a conversation I had with a liberal who was an athiest. I had commented about how much of a bigot Bernie Sanders was. Don’t remember the Bernie?

Bernie is pretty ignorant to think that the Muslims don’t believe the same thing. Bernie is also pretty ignorant of what it means to be Christian. But was he out of line? Now, this brought about a great conversation and allowed me to explore the double standard that often is faced.

First and foremost, what Bernie did was wrong. Whether it was his intent or not, Bernie was attacking this man for his faith – not for his ability to do the job. I felt these questions are difficult to answer. I also feel that maybe Mr. Voight could have given a better answer. Now, what Russell Voight believes has absolutely no bearing on his ability to do the job – to an extent – and is clearly a violation of the Constitution:

…no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.  – Article VI

The question, which Bernie did not ask was how his faith would work out in the office he was to hold. I am Christian, I believe that Christianity is the only way to salvation– specifically the belief that Christ died and rose again.

Here is where the two kingdoms theology comes in and was something that my friend couldn’t comprehend. Apparently Christians are so wrapped up in faith that they simply cannot do anything but enforce their beliefs on those who do not believe (and I blame American Evangelicalism for their proclaiming that God has ordained America to be a Christian country). The question is, will Mr. Voight only provide services and only work for the benefit of Christians or will he set his beliefs aside for the benefit of all Americans. I’m not really sure how much a budget office guy can do to force his beliefs on others in their role…but I could be wrong. It really sounds like a boring job. What is ironic, however, is that Islam historically is for the eradication of those who don’t believe in others. Yet, Christians have historically lived in co-existence with others and been the Samaritans to others.

I am not sure how religious Bernie Sanders is. I think he is just a cultural jew. Maybe he has some faith, but tolerance is not about attacking someone for their beliefs but seeking first to understand. Maybe if Bernie came right out and asked Mr. Voight how his beliefs would influence his job I’d have been happy.

Tolerance begins with understanding each other. Tolerance is a two way street. It is amazing the reaction I get when I get to talk with people who I don’t agree with and they find out that I don’t agree with yet am still their friend. I may not agree with you, I may not like what you do, but I will still love you. And I think of David Puddy….

In Shero We Trust

You probably figured out that I am a huge hockey fan. I enjoy it so very much that I even watch the draft on TV…

This year New Jersey Devils were #1 in the draft order. Quite the experience. We had two possible players that we could pick and our illustrious GM, Ray Shero, played his cards close to the chest.

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You may have heard of Nolan Patrick. He seemed to be the premier first pick, but we passed on him. Nolan had abdominal surgery last year to repair a hernia and then again 10 days before the draft apparently due to complications from the first surgery. He went to the Flyers.

http://media.nj.com/devils_main/photo/nico-hischier-5f565c1af8126142.jpgSo we took Nico Hischier. He is Swiss. And he is very happy to be a Devil. I like Nico and think that Ray did a good job getting us a top pick. Nico, however, has his challenges. Unlike Patrick, who either plays in the Juniors or for the Flyers, Nico has no such restrictions. You see, Nico is owned by the SC Bern of the Swiss hockey league. But wait? He plays for the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads. But he is only on loan. So that means Nico can play for New Jersey, for Albany Binghamton, or for a ECHL team (I’d be THRILLED if he was for the Adirondack Thunder so I could watch him). That gives Ray quite a bit of flexibility. So I think we definitely got the better pick!

Now…the NJ Devils will look quite a bit different next year. Honestly, I am not sure that John Hynes, the head coach, has the experience needed to guide our team. However, he has the backing of Ray Shero and Ray has established himself as a long range planner – so maybe we are seeing the beginnings of the next dynasty…One can hope.

Last year I went to my first New Jersey Devils game with my friend Jason. It was a great experience and I enjoyed it a lot. I thought for sure it was going to be our year. We did manage to get into the 5th overtime and had quite a few OT’s to start the year. All we needed to do was find the chemistry in our lines. And, as the season progressed, it quickly became apparent it would not happen this year. So, this year, I am excited to see some changes…

We have picked up Brian Boyle and Marcus Johansson, and extended Kinkaid’s contract.  And, apparently, Kovalfuk is not coming back. While I think this is great, we still need to work on our defence. What possibly does Shero have in our future I do not know…but what I do know, on this 4th of July, is that In Shero I Trust.

InSheroWeTrust