The Burr in the Burgh

Disability activists have called for a national moratorium on death by starvation and dehydration for those diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state. This is a condition that is frequently misdiagnosed.

I think this interview about Terri Schiavo with former Green Party presidential candidate, Ralph Nader, is helpful. Speaking against the euthanasia of Terri should not be seen as a right-wing issue. Jesse Jackson, Ralph Nader, Joe Lieberman, Lanny Davis and Alan Dershowitz are hardly right wing or conservative and all of them have voiced opposition to what has happened, in addition to the expected conservative leaders.

Since the news media continues to lie and mislead the public about Terri Schiavo, it is necessary to balance the record. I was sitting in the barber shop watching the news this afternoon when they continued to say that Terri, now deceased, was in a persistent vegetative state. A neurological expert from the Mayo clinic who examined Terri for an hour last week disagreed. Saying something over and over again doesn't make it true.

A closer view

In between services.

In light of the current national discussion of euthanasia, you may wish to take a look at these helpful resources from Lutherans For Life. I particularly recommend "The Basics on Advance Directives: Thy Will Be Done," and "Before I Die: A Practical Guide for End-of-Life Issues." Every Christian should become familiar with these matters.

I am often amazed and delighted by the way the Pro-Life cause brings together people from widely different backgrounds. Bible thumping protestants and papists. Orthodox Jews and Evangelical Christians.

Nat Hentoff, a left-wing Jewish atheist who writes for "The Village Voice" is one of the more articulate voices in the pro-life struggle. I certainly don't agree with everything he writes, but his defense of Terri Schiavo is welcome.

I think of that famous photograph from the Yalta Conference in 1945 with Winston Churchill, FDR, and Joe Stalin sitting next to each other after discussing their post-war plans. Don't read any obnoxious subtexts in that statement. I'm not comparing anyone to Stalin, only pointing out that facing a great evil can bring together the most unlikely allies.

I keep telling people that I am 6 foot 2, and 230 lbs of pure muscle with a 175 IQ. But apparently saying something repeatedly does not make it so. The media STILL reports that Terri was on life support, which simply was not true. If food and water are "life support" then I'm on it and so are you. They continue to say that she is in a persistent vegetative state, which is, at least, controverted. Terri Schiavo has never had an MRI, a PET scan, or a thorough neurological exam. Doctors' reports are not unanimous.

Haven't you ever wondered why every major disability rights organization has filed a legal brief to save Terri's life? Perhaps it's because they know that once we classify severely disabled people as being better off dead, then we become no different than the Nazis who believed they could determine which lives have value and which ones do not.

When Ralph Nader, Jesse Jackson, George W. Bush, Pat Robertson and the Pope agree on an issue, maybe it's time to take a closer look. Could it be because this one is such a no-brainer that even people with wildly different political viewpoints and agendas cannot avoid being on the same side? Christians believe in something called natural law which is that God has written His Divine Law on the hearts of all people. I think everyone KNOWS this is evil. Everyone familiar with the facts, that is. But if one's conscience is seared in this area, then one will be calloused to Terri's plight.

People with disabilities have reason to be worried in America. If this does not make you nervous, it should.

The President of the LC-MS posted a statement recently on the Schiavo case. Check it out. But for more comprehensive Biblical information pertaining to Terri Schiavo, I direct your attention to the Lutherans for Life website. It warrants you attention. As those whom Christ has made salt and light to preserve and enlighten the world, it is necessary for us to be able to speak intelligently toward the issues which dominate in our culture.

With the slow and brutal murder of Terri Schiavo taking place before our very eyes, I find it sadly ironic that part of our Lord's torment included thirst. Because the media is lying to us, telling us that it is a painless way to die, the level of public outrage is shockingly low. The facts differ. I thank the editors of Touchstone magazine for pointing this out. Instead we are treated to the photos of small children being put in handcuffs and escorted into police cruisers for the apparantly abominable crime of offering Terry a glass of water. It is against the law in Florida to starve a dog to death because that is considered inhumane. But when a person becomes an inconvenience, we will stop at no lengths to eliminate them and call it mercy.

Take a minute and read these words.

Oh Dearest Jesus, What Law Have Your Broken
By: Johann Heerman

O dearest Jesus, what law have you broken
That such sharp sentence should on you be spoken?
Of what great crime have you to make confession,
What dark transgression?

They crown your head with thorns, they smite, they scourge you;
With cruel mockings to the cross they urge you;
The give you gall to drink, they still decry you;
They crucify you.

What is the source of all your mortal anguish?
It is my sins for which you, Lord, must languish;
Yes, all the wrath, the woe that you inherit,
This I do merit.

How strange is this great paradox to ponder:
The shepherd dies for sheep who love to wander;
The master pays the debt his servants owe him,
Who would not know him.

The sinless Son of God must die in sadness;
The sinful child of man may live in gladness;
We forfeited our lives yet are acquitted;
God is committed!

O wondrous love, whose depth no heart has sounded,
That brought you here, by foes and thieves surrounded,
Conquer my heart, make love its sole endeavor
Henceforth forever!

When, dearest Jesus, at your throne in heaven
To me the crown of joy at last is given,
Where sweetest hymns your saints fore ver raise you,
I too shall praise you!

Notes:
Hymn #119 from Lutheran Worship
Author: Johann Cruger
Tune: Herzliebster Jesu
1st Published in: 1630

Tenebrae service on Good Friday, 2005

As you may know, today is not only Good Friday, but March 25 is the day of the Annunciation. Pastor Paul McCain has made some excellent observations along this line on his blog. I think it is intriguing to consider the meaning of this. The angel told the Virgin that she would be with child and she conceived by the power of God. On the very day when we recall that our God was made flesh for us, we also ponder that He offered that very flesh and blood as the perfect atoning sacrifice to reconcile God and man. We worship a man, a real flesh and bone male human being, with a mom, and He bled and suffered and even died. As I think C.S. Lewis noted, it is no big surprise that Christ rose on Easter morn. What else would the Lord of Life do? The true mind-boggler is that He died.

Sophie, my fave (and Julie is the person on the left).

Here is Penny. Not the best picture. I'll get you a better one.

And this handsome devil is King. We adopted him two days ago from the local SPCA. Strangely, Lucy the Golden Retriever is missing. Hey, where is everybod...

Last evening I rewatched "The Patriot." What an awesome movie! I'd forgotten how much I liked it. Of course, the R rating is for the violence. Frankly I'm more grossed out by that Fear Factor rubbish and those CSI shows. (Now tell us what you really think). I watched the character of Mel Gibson talking about sin and forgiveness and praying in a church with different eyes after seeing last year's "The Passion of the Christ."

I have often noted that while 3rd world churches are on the ascendancy, many European and North American churches are drifting into irrelevance. Philip Jenkins wrote a very informative book on the subject: The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity.

Today I noticed that Charles Colson reflected on how the Anglican churches in Africa are finding their voice. Numerically they far outnumber the Anglicans in the Northern Hemisphere. And they are typically more biblically sound. The whole brouhaha over the U.S. Episcopal Church consecrating an openly homosexual man as a bishop has given the third world Christians an opportunity to make a true confession of faith.

I thought the Nigerian Anglican bishop's comment was interesting: "Unity of doctrine must precede unity of worship (communion)."

Every once in a while, someone will express to me the concern that maybe people can catch colds or other infections from drinking out of the common communion cup at church. And every time I tell them, "sure it's possible, but very unlikely." Since today is Maundy Thursday, the day on which our Lord instituted the Sacrament of the Altar, I figured this was a good time to address the matter. So let's say it again. You are much more likely to get sick touching the pews, the hymnals, or the altar railing where the kids were clamoring just before you. You are much much more likely to catch a cold from shaking my hand after the service when you are number 42 in line. But don't take my word for it. In 1998, the American Journal for Infection Control reported that the consensus of the Center for Disease Control is that the risk exists but is so small that it is undetectable. Furthermore, a study has shown that people who receive the chalice every day are at no greater risk of sickness than people who never go to church.

I'm not exactly opposed to individual glasses, but I do think of them, in most cases, as an unnecessary bother (in terms of distribution and cleanup). Of course, the vessels used to hold the body and blood of Christ are not the point. I guess I just see it as an unnecessary break in tradition that eliminates the symbolism of unity the common cup illustrates.

If you are looking for a resource to assist you in your personal prayers and devotion, I heartily recommend you get Meditations on Divine Mercy by Johann Gerhard. This has been a real blessing for me as I have used it throughout this lent. It is available from Concordia Publishing House. Though Gerhard wrote approximately 400 years ago, the translation is fresh.

I have to recommend one of my newer favorite bands, Good Brother Earl. They are a local (Pittsburgh) group certainly headed for great success. Look at their website. Buy their music. Be happy.

About twenty years ago, the Journal for the American Medical Association published this very informative article. Those who wonder if Mel Gibson's movie was historically accurate, in addition to reading the Gospels, should take a look at this article. It's a pdf. file.

A fiery sermon with truth and light, a cloud of dust and a hearty "Through Faith Alone!" The Lone Burr. "Hi Yo Lucy, away!" With his faithful companion Lucy, the daring and resourceful masked rider of the circuit, led the fight for law and gospel in these troubling times. Go with us now in these thrilling days to come. The Lone Burr rides again!

On this Tuesday of Holy Week, we continue our pilgrimage with Jesus toward the cross. To help you on your journey, here is an excellent devotion written by Martin Luther called "How to Meditate on the Passion of Christ." It's a pdf file.

Pastor Andrew Elisa, President of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Sudan and a dear friend, came to speak to our congregation in January.

According to dictionary.com, a "burr" can be defined as below:

• A rough prickly husk or covering surrounding the seeds or fruits of plants such as the chestnut or the burdock.

• A persistently clinging or nettlesome person or thing.

I chose this as the title for my new blog because the Katherine Luther quote at the top of the page has long meant a lot to me. But even more important than my clinging to Him is the fact that He holds on to me.