Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit.

• Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit.
  • Called or uncalled, God is present.
  • This is actually a statement that Jung discovered among the Latin writings of Desiderius Erasmus, who declared the statement had been an ancient Spartan proverb. Jung popularized it, having it inscribed over the doorway of his house, and upon his tomb.
  • Variant translations:
    Summoned or not summoned, God is present.
    Invoked or not invoked, God is present
    Called or not called, the god will be there.
    Bidden or unbidden, God is present.
    Bidden or not bidden, God is present.
    Bidden or not, God is present.
    Bidden or not bidden, God is there.
    Called or uncalled, God is there.
  • The axiom I share with people who claim to be atheists is this; you may not believe in God, but He still believes in you!
    

Pray for our troops and our vets

Those of us who haven't served in Iraq or Afghanistan have no idea what it's really like. Having your gun malfunction, the constant threat, the constant stench, placing bodies in plastic bags for removal...

I guess I've been thinking about this a lot lately, with a few current students enlisted already or considering signing with the National Guard, and scores of former students in the Guard or other branches of the military.

I was reminded of it again when President Obama gave a speech last month at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida.

"Your dedication to duty is humbling. Your love of country is inspiring. The American people thank you for your service. We honor you for your sacrifices. And just as you have fulfilled your responsibilities to your nation, your nation will fulfill its responsibilities to you.

That's the message that I offered to the inspiring Gold Star families I met with a few moments ago-families who have made the ultimate sacrifice and whom we honor. And that's the message I bring to you and all our forces, families and veterans-around Jacksonville and across America.

You've made the most profound commitment a person can make-to dedicate your life to your country. And perhaps give your life for it. So as your commander-in-chief, here's the commitment I make to you."

Many of us share his sentiments. No matter how divided we were on the Bush Administration's policies in Iraq, we are can remain united in our unwavering care and concern for our service men and women and their families.

I take Luke 14:25-33 very seriously. Remember the concerns about "mission drift" and "nation building" when the U.S. committed troops to the U.N. action in Kosovo to help end the Serbian genocide of Muslim Croats in the former Yugoslavia? I sure remember Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld deflecting questions about managing the aftermath and rebuilding of Iraq after combat would end, before the invasion in February and March of 2003.

That's why I so appreciated when the President said,

"...while I will never hesitate to use force to protect the American people or our vital interests, I also promise you this-and this is very important as we consider our next steps in Afghanistan:

I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you into harm's way. I won't risk your lives unless it is absolutely necessary. And if it is necessary, we will back you up. Because you deserve the strategy, the clear mission, the defined goals and the equipment and support you need to get the job done. That's the promise I make to you."

I don't care what you think of health care reform or stimulus packages, you can oppose the President with every breath you take- he shouldn't risk their lives unless it is necessary and they do deserve clear goals and adequate equipment. Even if you don't trust him to keep the promise, you can not disagree that it's a promise they deserve.

We've been in Afghanistan for eight years now and we still haven't caught Osama bin Laden. Some think he's dead. There are some who argue that we should get out of Afghanistan because most of the Al Queda forces we're pursuing are already in Pakistan instead. Some think we can't leave until we're absolutely certain that the Taliban can not return to power, others say that the Taliban was never our target, Al Queda was.

So we are at a decisive moment, some of us want a troop surge in Afghanistan, some of us want a long deserved standing-down of all U.S. troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Meanwhile the President seems to be weighing both options and some balance in between.

And then came the tragedy at Fort Hood. Like everyone else, I was shocked and sickened. And when I read about Major Nidal Malik Hasan, I was saddened. Maybe because he is my age, but mostly because as an Army psychiatrist it was his job to listen to the stories of and counsel dozens of veterans returning from service who experienced Hell on Earth, many of whom suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). And too because he felt harassed by his fellow soldiers because of his political opposition to the wars and because of his religion.

Don't think for a minute that I excuse what he did- it was heinous, cowardly, truly inexplicable and ultimately inexcusable. At best it was terribly misguided, selfish and counter-productive to the causes he claimed to stand for. At worst it was plainly evil. But it should bring our attention to the true spoils of war, the spiritual, social and emotional putrefaction that leads to such psychological break down.

It should make us pause and take to heart Luke 14:25-33 before we resort to military force, and do so only with the somber grief and caution of an Abraham Lincoln, and not the zeal and enthusiasm of a Kaiser Wilhelm II. What's more, I don't think that there is any shame or dishonor to re-evaluate and reconsider why we're in any war, or how we prosecute said war.

Unlike Iraq, we entered Afghanistan with no controversy or disagreement. Terrorists trained and harbored in Afghanistan attacked us on our own soil. Though not by Afghanistan herself or even my her own people (most members of Al Queda were Saudi). President Obama called it a "war of necessity."

Be that as it may, American men and women are dying there every month and enduring experiences which will haunt them their entire lives. They are being torn from their families and careers. We need to support them whether or not we support our government's sending them into harm's way. We need to support them whether we love or loath their Commander in Chief. And we need to support them and their families in thought, word, and deed, not just in word only.

Please pray for our troops and their families. 2010 will see the largest single call-up of Iowa National Guard units since World War II. Some will be 18 year -olds, others will be 40 year-olds. Many on their first tour of duty, and many on their fifth or sixth deployment. But don't just pray for our active-duty soldiers- remember to pray for our veterans too. WWII, Korea, Vietnam, First Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghan veterans (and their families) need to know that we value them, that we are grateful for their sacrificial service.

Here are some ways that you can make a difference:

• There are 27,600 living vets just in Iowa. Consider writing a thank you card to one of the veterans at the Iowa Veteran's Home, 1301 Summit St. Marshalltown, IA 50158.
• Remember to buy a poppy to support the VFW and American Legion
• Visit www.supportsiouxlandsoldiers.com and help them provide for troops and their families. Adopt a family this holiday season.
• Consider supporting the United Service Organizations (USO) at http://www.uso.org
• Most of all, pray for our troops and our vets. Challenge yourself to pray for them everyday between Veteran's Day (November 11) and Thanksgiving.
• Wear black to work or school on Thursday, November 12, in honor of the victims and families effected by the Fort Hood massacre.
• Observe a moment of silence and pray for peace at 11 AM on Veteran's Day (11-11-1911).
• And no matter how you voted, pray for President Obama, that God would help him keep the promises he made at Jacksonville last month and that God would guide all of his decision making, but especially as Commander in Chief.

Incredible Poem

I wish I could take credit for writing this. I also wish I knew who did, but alas, it is just one of those anonymous email forwards (Pretty sure that the car sitting in the garage part at the end is a quote attributed to Garrison Keillor. Who knows, maybe he wrote this whole thing).

Whoever is responsible for it, it is one of the most convicting , humbling, perspective giving, and funny bits of gospel that I've ever read. I hope it makes you think, pause, consider your feelings and words, but most of all thank the Lord for His incredible love, grace, and mercy.

BEST POEM IN THE WORLD

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT!! (Mat 7:1)

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!
Now it's your turn... Share this poem.

Their views aren't Gospel truth

For years fellow Christians have gone so far as to doubt my salvation because I choose to vote for Democrats.

Now they feel like affluent, conservative, White, Christians are persecuted in our society, especially by the "liberal" media. The poor things.

I'm sorry, but while I don't doubt their salvation or even the sincerity of their belief in Jesus as their savior- I have to say that I it troubles me when fellow believers so ardently defend the likes of Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Lou Dobbs, Ann Coulter and their ilk.

Even if you can't see that they are demagogues, surely you can see that they're not infallible, inerrant or omniscient? Right?

Who is our neighbor?

If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be ... Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, "Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land."

- Deuteronomy 15:7-11

No pain, no gain

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Giver of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we oursleves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.

- 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Sometimes from our greatest wounds, will come our greatest usefulness to God. Pain produce ministry? Sometimes. Why can we believe Romans 8:28? How can we consider it pure joy when we face trials? (James 1:2-3)

Because everyone goes through hard times, everyone faces trouble, but once you've gone through it, once you've survived with God's help, you can help other people get through it too. You can be there for them, you can love them through it and pray for them because you know what it's like. Not only can you offer sympathy, but you can offer genuine empathy too.

Yeah, God sure works in mysterious ways, but it's no mystery that we're all in this together, so why not lend a hand, or at least a shoulder to lean on?

October Surprise

I think I'm about finally to a point where I don't really miss writing a weekly column. But if YOU still miss reading my weekly column- HERE ARE SOME HALLOWEEN RE-RUNS from years gone by, Halloween, Reformation and Dia de Los Muertes columns, some spooky pictures, and even some surreal Lutheran images!

Have fun but 'don't eat so much candy that you go into a diabetic coma!

Aint in the truth

Only when enough adults practice and teach children love and respect at home, in schools, religious congregations, and in our political and civic life will racial, gender, and religious intolerance and hate crimes subside in America and the world.- Marian Wright Edelman

God tells us to...

"Be Joyful always;"
-1 Thessalonians 5:16

From Sojourner's daily verse & voice

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.

- Luke 6:32-35

To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love. Love is my true identity. Selflessness is my true self. Love is my true character. Love is my name.

- Thomas Merton,
from A Book of Hours

If you really trust God, do you have to advertise to everybody that you do?

Will NBC be surprised??

Here's your chance to let the media know where the people stand on our faith in God, as a nation..

NBC is presently taking a poll on "In God We Trust" to stay on our American currency.

Please send this to every Christian you know so they can vote on this important subject.

Please do it right away, before NBC takes this off their web page. Poll is still open so you can vote:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/

This is not sent for discussion. If you agree forward it, if you don't, delete it.

By my forwarding it, you know how I feel.
I'll bet this is going to be a surprise to NBC.

Sorry, I can't help it- discussion is going to happen, I'd like to help inform it. I am neither for or against removing this mottos- so don't get assume that I'm arguing one side or the other. I just want to offer food for thought. I'm not here for a fight or a debate, I just want people to know what they're arguing about when they argue with each other (not me) about it.

First of all, a check of Snopes.com says that this is not a hoax, there is such a poll.

Next, if you're interested in the history of the 'In God We Trust' motto and the controversy surrounding it, visit the Wikipedia page about it.

Republican President Teddy Roosevelt (member of the Dutch Reformed Church) opposed putting the motto on money because he thought it was blasphemous to put His name on "Mammon" (money).

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." Mark 12:13-17

The other question is, which god? The dollar bill has a Masonic symbol of an Egyptian pyramid with an all-seeing eye on it. Is that a pre-Judeao/Christian god? An ecumenical/universalist concept of a higher-power? A Mesopotamian or Mediterranean or Egyptian god? Many of the founding fathers were Deists, agnostics, Masons, and even athiests.

If you were really going to honor God, shouldn't it say "In Jesus Christ we trust?" Then what happens to the pluralism and religious tolerance which allowed Evangelical Christianity to flourish in the United States?

If we throw that out and throw out the establishment clause of the First Amendment with it, which Christian Denomination will get to set up the new Christian Theocracy? Catholics might not like it if a bunch of Lutherans or Presbyterians got to do it. As a Lutheran, I shutter to imagine a country where the Baptists or Fundamentalists got to dominate legislation. I'm sure many Methodists and Quakers would find it difficult too. What about groups like the Mormons, Adventists, and Jahovah's Witnesses who think of themselves as Christian but don't cut the doctrinal mustard with most other, more orthodox denominations? The reason the founders separated church and state is because European Christians had been killing EACH OTHER (not just Muslims, Pagans, Jews, Occultists and Atheists) for over a thousand years because Christians couldn't agree and kept trying to control each other.

While "In God we trust" has been on our money since the Civil War, was adopted by Congress as an "official" motto in the 1950's. Why? To truly and humbly honor the God of the Bible, or to puff ourselves up as better than the godless Communists during the height of the cold war? "Hey God! Look at ME! I'm not like THEM! I honor You, You should bless me and smite THEM!"

'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector! Luke 18:9-14

Riding the wave of the red-scare, politicians used God to get votes.

This is a red herring, a straw-man. Between war in Afghanistan, the worst unemployment in 26 years, the worst recession since the Great Depression, staggering health care costs, a continuing housing crisis and a likely H1N1 pandemic we have MUCH more important fish to fry that this highly emotionally charged, pseudo-pious, pseudo-patriotic non-issue.

Why does it matter? It's fine that it's on our money, but no one needs to get bent out of shape is a few people think it shouldn't.

NBC isn't some terrible liberal media force trying to debase our godly heritage, in spite of the fact that MSNBC seems to have become the anti-FOX NEWS in the last year or two. NBC is owned by General Electric- one of the largest military/defense contractors there is, they have every reason to promote right-wing politics. What NBC is is a big commercial interest, a corporation that makes money by selling ads by increasing ratings by drawing attention to or creating controversy. Controversy=Conflict=Drama, just like junior high, but it sells.

MSNBC has developed a left-wing line up in the last year and a half because there was a niche. Keith Oberman was drawing viewers from people who were sick of Bill O'Rielly. It's money, which direction the political wind is blowing, not actual idealogical principles. Back in 2003 MSNBC fired their lone liberal, Phil Donahue, even though he had good ratings, because he was opposed to the invasion of Iraq.

And by the way, if this viral email forward alarmed you- this poll was started back in 2005!

Praying with a full deck

♥♣♦♠

Playing cards may not seem too spiritual. Generally they're associated at best with killing time and at worst with gambling and even fortune telling or divination. But I have a simple way to use cards to help you pray or have an impromptu worship service.

You can play this in a group or as solitaire. Deal just enough cards until you have at least one of each suit. Then begin with the Hearts...

♥ The heart stands for God's heart, aspects of His character that you admire. How do you love Him, why not count the ways? However many points you have in the heart suit, that's how many things you need to try to think of about God that you want to praise him for.

Let's say you have an ace and a duce, that's just 3 things. But if you have an eight, a six and a Queen, that's 24 things you need to think of. Here's a help; Love is patient, kind, does not boast(1 Cor 13) ... Whatever is good, whatever is right, whatever is praiseworthy (Philippians 4:4-8)... Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness (Galatians 5)... omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient- although it will mean more if you come up with your own or look through the Bible trying to come up with your own, instead of me giving you answers.

Don't be embarrassed to sing a hymn or contemporary praise song.

♣ The clubs represent our failings and shortcomings, our sins and our mistakes. However many points you have in this suit, that's how many things you should think of to admit to God (and/or your fellow group members- and/or your self). They may be mundane or profound, bog or small. Things your embarrassed by or things you're ashamed of and feel guilty about. If you'd prefer, you can do this silently, privately or on paper that you burn.

The point is not to see who's the worst person or who's got the most shady past. The point is to recognize that we all do/say/or think things that get in the way of our relationships with God and with others (or fail to do/say/or think things that would help those relationships). It doesn't matter who you are, none of us is perfect. Ask God to forgive you and help heal the damages and help all involved to move forward. (Psalm 51, Alcoholics Anonymous' 12 Steps)

Some psalms and a few worship songs work for this too. Don't be afraid to let yourself complain to God about whatever is bothering you or whatever hurts or fears you're going through, but do be careful not to let this degenerate into either a bitch & whine session or (as I eluded to before) a brag session either. Seek God's forgiveness and move on quickly, don't wallow in the negative for too long.

♦ For the diamonds, however many points you have, think of that many things that you have to be thankful for. The diamonds are God's blessings. If you're really scared, sad, hurting, or anxious, maybe you should double that number. The more you remind yourself of all that God has done for you, the more your faith will be strengthened (Phil 4:4-8, if you come to Him with praise and thanksgiving, the peace which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds).

Remember what Bing Crosby said in the movie White Christmas, "when I'm tired but I can't sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep..." What a great way to fall asleep, counting your blessings.

♠ The Spade is a shovel, a tool. I think this is appropriate for this last part NOT because it's like digging for treasure- that's the wrong attitude. I think it's appropriate because intercessory prayer, prophecy and helping and healing are all jobs God wants us to take on for Him, ways He invites us to partner with Him in His ministry. You might say that they're shovel-ready-jobs.

However many points you have in the suit of spades, that's how many supplications you should bring to Him. Supplication is a fancy word for requests, but before you start praying for things you want on your Christmas list- try praying for other people first.

You could try using your hand as a reminder;

• pinky=those who are weak or meek,
• ring finger=those you love, spouse/family/friends,
• middle finger=those with importance, prominence or power,
• index finger=those who lead/teach/preach or mentor
• and at the thumb, finally you get to pray for yourself.

Another way you could go is that if you have the king of spades, you pray for leaders and government officials, if you have the queen you pray for women in your life, if you have the jack then you pray for young people you know.

This can be tough. It might mean that if you only have 4 points, you never get to pray for yourself, or if you have thirty points you may have to think of a lot of other people to pray for.

Once you've played this card game, whether it takes you just a few minutes or hours, you will have essentially completed a simple worship service. You will have also prayed through the age-old prayer outline; ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication).

Hopefully just doing it once will be enough to stick with you, so that you'll remember the ACTS prayer formula every time you see a deck of playing cards. It may just deepen your prayer life and your relationship with God, if you let it.

♥♣♦♠

---

Here's a more complicated, but meaningful way to use a deck of cards as a devotional aid. This is dedicated to all the service men and women, especially those either in or headed for Iraq and Afghanistan.

During the North African Campaign (part of WWII), a bunch of soldier boys had been on a long hike.

They arrived in a little town called Casino.
The next morning being Sunday, several of the boys went to church.
A sergeant commanded the boys in church.

After the Chaplain read the prayer, the text was taken up next.
Those of the boys that had a prayer book took them out.
One boy had only a deck of cards, and he spread them out.
The sergeant saw the cards and said, "Soldier, put away those cards."
After the service was over, the soldier was taken prisoner and brought before the Provost Marshall.

The Marshall said, "Sergeant, why have you brought this man here?"
"For playing cards in church, Sir," was the response.
The Marshall asked the soldier, "And what have you to say for yourself, son?"
"Much, Sir," replied the soldier.
The Marshall stated, "I hope so, for if not I will punish you more than any man was ever punished."
The soldier said, "Sir, I have been on the march for about six months.
I have neither bible nor a prayer book, but I hope to satisfy you, sir, with the purity of my intentions."
And with that, the boy started his story ...

"You see, sir, when I look at the Ace, it reminds me that there is but one God.
And the deuce reminds me that the bible is divided into two parts: the Old and the New Testaments.
When I see the trey, I think of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
And when I see the four, I think of the four evangelists who preached the Gospel: there was Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
And when I see the five, it reminds me of the five wise virgins who trimmed their lamps;
there were ten of them: five were wise and were saved, five were foolish and were shut out.
When I see the six, it reminds me that in six days God made this heaven and earth.
And when I see the seven, it reminds me that on the seventh day, God rested from his great work.
And when I see the eight, I think of the eight righteous persons that
God saved when he destroyed the earth: there was Noah, his wife, their sons and their wives.
And when I see the nine, I think of the lepers our saviour cleansed, and that nine of the ten didn't even thank him.
When I see the ten, I think of the ten commandments that God handed down to Moses on a tablet of stone.
When I see the King, it reminds me that there is but one King of Heaven, God Almighty.
And when I see the Queen, I think of the blessed Virgin Mary who is the Queen of Heaven.
And the Jack or Knave is the Devil.

When I count the number of spots in a deck of cards, I find 365, the number of days in a year.
There are 52 cards, the number of weeks in a year.
There are four suits, the number of weeks in a month.
There are twelve picture cards, the number of months in a year.
There are thirteen tricks, the number of weeks in a quarter.

So you see, Sir, my deck of cards serves me as a bible, an almanac and a prayer book."

- This version was written in 1948 by Country-Western singer, T. Texas Tyler.
It's origins can be traced back to 1865 in America, and back as far as the late 18th Century in Belgium (1778) and France (1809). It has also been known as "Cards Spiritualised" and "The Soldier's Almanac, Bible And Prayer Book"