FBI Update

A follow up to this post of a couple days ago, when we saw the FBI making a raid in my neighborhood . . . I think I found the reason they were there. They made multiple arrests on an underage prostitution ring. Here's the link to the news report. The timing seems about right . . . Glad I usually walk my daughter to the bus stop each morning!

Good Quote

I've started reading Dr. Gene Veith and Mary Moerbe's new book entitled "Family Vocation: God's Calling in Marriage, Parenting, and Childhood," and came across this good quote:

"The doctrine of vocation falls under the theological category of "the priesthood of all believers." Contrary to the common perception, this does not mean that all believers get to be pastors or that we don't really need pastors. It means rather that we do not have to be pastors." (Emphasis mine)

Very, Very Cool!

A parishioner sent this to me . . . just too cool:

The Lord baptized me at 2 p.m., March 30, 1952. He baptized me at First Lutheran Church of Norfolk (VA). I want to say the Rev. Dr. Luther W. Strickler was the attending physician ;0)  ,that is he is the one who administered the antidote which saved me from certain death.

I went back recently to see the church, an enormous stone one. And there was the marble font which has never changed since the church was built. So I got to see where the Lord and I had the blessed moment together.

And I gave thanks.

Who Are Those Guys?

Usually, as I walk my daughter to the bus stop (each morning at 6 am) there are very few people out and about in our quiet neighborhood. But this morning, we passed a line of eight people, walking single file, to one of the houses on the street next to ours. Very strange . . . but, I thought, maybe they have a group of people taking a trip somewhere. Well, after we got past a few of them, I noticed the side arms, vests, and then the large white letters on the back of their vests: FBI. Okaaaaay. A few seconds later came the pounding on the door . . . We stopped to watch for a few seconds, but had to get to the bus stop. When I was walking back, the excitement seemed to be over, as the door of the house was open, the lights were on, and the agents were walking in and out. What could it be? Drugs? (But would that be the FBI?) Something to do with terrorism? Not sure, but an interesting way to start the day, no?  :-)

Thank you God, for those who protect us. Protect them in their vocations. Amen.

Update

Haven't blogged lately - too much going on. Church, school, home. Hard to find time to get it all done. Classes are interesting but demanding. Spring break should really be two weeks: one week to rest and one to catch up! But it'll all get done. It always does.

Not really happy with how I preached today. I think I was just out of sorts. As I've said before, preaching every Sunday means that no matter how well or how poorly I think I did preaching each week, I have to put it behind me and start preparing for next Sunday. (And these weeks, for Wednesday night.) That's good. Can't get too high or too low - just have to keep preaching the Word and trusting that the Lord will work through His Word. And He does. He always does.

Finally:  Lehigh 75  Duke 70! My alma mater did well! I did not fill out a bracket this year, but if I had, I was actually toying with picking Lehigh. I probably wouldn't have, but I knew they had a really good player, but didn't think he'd be enough. They play Xavier tonight. For some reason, I think it will be a tougher test. Maybe not. We'll see. I should be home in time to see the second half.

Time to get to work.

Welcome Lucy!

Welcome to the family of God, Lucy Hensley!

P.S. Like the banner in the background? It is a copy of the images embossed on the back cover of the Lutheran Service Book. We have one on the other side of the chancel too, with the images from the front cover of the hymnal. One of our ladies did this. Isn't it great!

Prayers, Please

Found out yesterday that one of the professors here (whom I do not have this semester, but have had for a couple of classes) just suddenly left campus on a leave of absence. No one is saying why or what is going on, but your prayers for him are requested. He is a good guy who I have learned a lot from. His name is Michael. Thanks.