Who Cares?

   Today, I am reminded of an old joke that I enjoyed telling over the years.  The scene is a high school classroom.  In the back of the room sat one of those students who obviously hated school and was slouched in his desk.  The teacher wanted to know the definitions for ignorance and apathy and called on this student, who did not appreciate being chosen to answer.  His mumbled response was, "I don't know, and I don't care."  To which the teacher said, "That's right!"
   It appears to me that ignorance and apathy are rampant in Christian churches.  I just do not think many people are either knowledgeable or care about the doctrines of their church bodies.  I think there is a third choice.  There are churches that do not WANT to broadcast what their doctrinal beliefs are.  You probably have noticed what I have.  More and more churches do not include their denominational name in their church signage and literature.  You see more churches that label themselves with names like Peace Church.  I think the folks running these churches are making a marketing decision, fearful that a denominational label may keep people from coming through their doors.
   As I see it, this is only one problem.  Once inside the doors of the church, not much is done to make sure the members learn the doctrines of that church.  The ministers preach sermons which are very shallow, mainly focusing on how Christians should live their lives.  Social issues take precedence over theology. I was in a church recently that labeled its sermon as the Life Lesson.  In many cases, masses of new members are welcomed into those churches without any training in the tenets of the church.
   Apathy is another issue.  Members of churches do not seem interested in finding out what their church's doctrines are.  Parents do not seem to be taking on the role of teaching their children what their church believes.  Bible studies that teach doctrine are either not offered or poorly attended.  Apathy about doctrine is rampant.
   I am a member of a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod church.  I also am privileged to have the opportunity to share the story of the German immigration to Perry County, Missouri in the 1830's with visitors to the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum.  That story is a story about a group of people who considered the doctrine of their Lutheran church to be so important that they made the choice to leave their homes and come to this country where they would be allowed to preach and teach their doctrines correctly.  We need to remember that story and pass on that kind of determination on to the next generations.  Our church body's efforts at maintaining a school system is an indication of how important we think this is.  I hope and pray that the LCMS continues to care about making their members knowledgeable about their doctrine and not ashamed to boldly proclaim it to the world.

Who Hurts the Most?

High gas prices are leading also to higher food prices. Both of these realities are especially hurtful to people in the lower income brackets. I think it is time for the GOP to point out that the Obama administration is not just fighting the rich, but instead that the administration is already fighting against the not-rich. This is the REAL class warfare that is going on.

Random Comments and Questions

Just some random thoughts:

• Ann Romney is criticized for being a stay-at-home Mom who shouldn't get involved in the political conversation.  Sarah Palin was criticized for NOT remaining a stay-at-home Mom and working outside the home.  Bottom line:  If you are a conservative woman, you are going to get criticized regardless of what you are doing with your life.
• Jay Carney says he knows three Hilary Rosens in order to handle the kerfuffle she caused.  Give me a break!
• The Democrats work hard at making our kids ignorant enough to vote for them.  I'm guessing this explains why Jay Carney must think most Americans are going to buy what he said.
• How is it possible that so many Jews intend to vote for Pres. Obama's re-election when the President does so many things which are anti-Israel?
• We're spending $500 million to hire new IRS workers who are going to handle issues regarding Obamacare.  If the law is found unconstitutional or repealed, will those workers remain on the job?
• Hilary Rosen's apology wasn't much of an apology.  By the end of it, she was saying people should stop this "phony war", implying that conservatives were to blame for the problem.
• Since moms are so much in the conversation the last two days, let me say that it is Trayvon's mom who seems to be the most reasonable person amongst all the people from either side of the issue.
• Have you ever wondered how the media determines which stories are going to become part of the national conversation when they have so many similar stories happening all the time?  What makes certain ones more scandalous than the other ones?

And some tongue-in-cheek questions:

• Did the USA shoot down a missile over N. Korea last night?
• Is George Zimmerman being targeted because he has a German name?  Should I be worried?
• Will President Obama call Ann Romney after she was insulted by a public figure like he did with Sandra Fluke?

Constitutional Victims?

The prosecuted in the Trayvon Miller said yesterday that she did not want Trayvon's family to be "constitutional victims". What does that mean? Just what is a constitutional victim? It gives me the impression that the Constitution is some sort of enemy that inflicts harm upon people, and then those people get classified as victims of it. Maybe that is not what she meant, but that is how it struck me. I also think that there are way too many folks in our country, including our President, who do feel that the Constitution is some sort of burden on our society and it ought to be ignored.
There is so much at stake in the next election. The Constitution is at risk. Can we let our basic framework of government be marginalized? Should we allow people that do not cherish the Constitution to be in the control of our country? I pray that we don't.

Blog Boost

   This blog is good therapy for me.  If I did not have an outlet for the steam that builds up in me about what is going on in our country, I think I would go nuts.  Maybe you should try it too.
   If any of you have a blog of your own, or if you know of one that you think I would enjoy, please let me know by leaving a comment.  I would consider listing it as one of the blogs that I recommend.  I would also be honored if you would link to my blog from yours. 
   I have also given some consideration to having other people with like-minded ideas contribute articles to my blog.  Maybe I could call this "The World According to Grumps....and His Friends".
   Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog. 

Victim Inflation

   The Democrat Party is the party of victim-hood.  This is nothing new.  However, I don't think there has ever been a time when more efforts have been made to get people to perceive themselves as victims.  Here is a list of some of the groups which are being touted as being victims these days:

• Those who are NOT rich.  The Democrats are demonizing the rich and thereby trying to get the 99% to view the Democrat Party as the party which will redistribute the wealth to them.
• The Hispanics.  The Democrats are painting the picture that the GOP is the party that is anti-immigration.  
• African-Americans.  The Democrats paint conservatives, especially the Tea Party, as being racist.
• People who have lost their homes.  The Democrats blame the Bush administration for causing the recession.
• Women.  The Democrats have created an imaginary War on Women being fought by the GOP.
• The elderly.  The Democrats say the GOP wants to take away their Social Security and Medicare.
• College students.  The GOP is portrayed as the party which causes rising tuition.

  I think the Democrat Party wants us all to have a Pity Party.
  The GOP is the party of personal responsibility and freedom.  The question is this:  Will more Americans agree to be victims who look to an ever-growing government as the solution to their condition, or will more Americans see that it is important for our country to be made up of freedom-loving, responsible people who believe as the Founders did....in a limited Federal government?  I guess we will find the answer to this question in November.  I know which side I am on.  I hope you join me there.
   (By the way, the real victims will be our descendents who will have to deal with the incredible debt that is being accumulated right now.)

He Did It the Hard Way

   I would like to share a story.  I know some of you may have heard me tell it before. 
   There was once a Son who was told by His Father that He was sending Him on a mission.  This Son could have chosen the EASIER way and instead refuse His Father's request.  But He didn't.  You see, the Father's plan involved rescuing people that He loved.  And His Son loved them too.  So the Son did not take the EASIER choice.  He chose the hard way.
   It was hard to leave His heavenly palace.  It was hard to enter an evil world full of sin.  It was hard to be born in a barn.  It was hard to end up homeless.  It was hard to be rejected by the people He was coming to rescue.  When He was nearing the time for the rescue, He was again tempted to take the EASIER way.  Maybe someone else could rescue these people.  Maybe they weren't worth rescuing.  He could have simply said, "I don't want to rescue these people."  He prayed about it, and despite the temptation, He once again chose to do His Father's will.  The plan was completed as He was willing to die in the place of the people He was rescuing.  The same people who did not deserve His help.  But he loved them, so He did things the hard way.
   By now, I think that you know that this Son was Jesus.  And you know that Jesus went to the cross on that original Good Friday, and that was the hard thing He had to do.  In other words, Jesus chose not to consider His own wants, but He stretched His arms out on the cross for us.  He took the "I" out of EASIER and replaced it with a cross.  Because He did, we now have the joy of EAStER.  
   Easter is not about a cute bunny.  It is about a Savior who chose to do the ugly work of salvation.  He also proclaimed His victory as the grave was not able to hold Him.  He rose in victory and continues to reign in majesty at the right hand of God.  Mission Accomplished.  The hard work is done.  Thankfully, He didn't choose the EASIER way. Without the cross, EASTER is meaningless.   It is the cross that gives EASTER its true meaning.  A Joyful Easter to you..