NOT Jesus

This week, our seasonal Trivent magazine came in the mail.  I noticed an interesting article on the founder of my religion - Martin Luther. 

It's golly gee great - and probably would be the exact same thing I would have written as a fifteen year-old confirmation student.  As the article included, I would have included how Martin Luther was so brave with his 95 thesis.  Like the article, I would have included the facts that his wife acted as business manager for the family and made sure ends meet.  I also dig that fact that Martin Luther worked hard to translate the bible into German - so it would be accessible to "Common Folk."

Martin Luther also said that the only way for someone to get into heaven was "Fe Sola" Faith alone is the only way to salvation. There is no way to "buy" your way into heaven -  How liberating!  Just believing made me a member of the club.


I remember bragging him up to my German friend, Petra.  And she asked me if I had ever heard of his darker side.  She didn't elaborate much - maybe she didn't want to burst my bubble...  but I was just confused and didn't press her.

I suppose I didn't start thinking about Martin Luther's dark side until I started studying the Holocaust for my Anne Frank unit last year at school when I realized how Hilter idolized him so.  Oh my - Martin Luther DID have a dark side.  Martin Luther had a plan to rid German of Jews.  Hilter put the plan into action.

I wondered what modern Lutheran churches think about Martin Luther and his anti-Semitic views.  The Thrivent article doesn't even touch it - because well, that story would be a real downer - The Missouri Synod sect of the Lutheran church publicly deplores the statements made by Luther.   While searching through the ELCA's website, I found a letter dated January 2009, from the bishop questioning the Lutheran historic amnesia in regards to Luther's Anti-Semitic views.

So now, I know a little bit more of my " hero", Martin Luther.  Part of my knows that he lived in a different time, and can not speak for his words in today's world.  And the other part of me knows that I would never pick a modern day hero who would say such horrific things about a race or another religion.  My hero has become just a guy who had some really good ideas once in a while.  And other times, well., I guess I have to act on my own faith and believe in a kind-loving God who loves all of his children - and this is my "Fe Sola"

People I Don't Hang Out With

 These past few days people have been annoying me something frightful.  It's not kind I know.

1.  People who go to basketball games or any sporting event and come back to tell me that the "Cheerleaders were just awful." 

2.  People who complain about kids and their hair today.  I could careless if kids have mohawks and dye their hair pink.  Big deal.  If I don't like someone's hairstyle, it's MY problem not their's.

Ok - I guess that list isn't so big - but who are the people you don't want to hang out with?

Things Kids Tell Me

When I sub in some of the younger grades, the little kids are so quick to rat out their parents.  Let me tell you this, I know a lot of dirt!

Ok  - really I don't.

Kids just talk.  A lot.  And lie. A lot.

And sometimes - what they say are profoundly true.

"How many brothers do you have?"  I asked Kay.

"I don't"  she smiled smugly at me.  "I've got two little sisters."

"Ohhhhh..."  I say knowing she has two older brothers.

After a gentle reminder to the  class about consideration...

One girl called out -

"My dad thinks the world revolves him.  He's so selfish."

"Ohhhhhhhh..."  I say.

Two Kids

So, we're at the football game.  We're standing at the sidelines making small talk with some acquaintances.  Not our best friend  - Not a relative - Jussssssttt someone we know casually...

And he asks us - "Are you two stopping at two?"

"Two what?"

"Two kids..."

"Yep."

"Why?"

Well - I guess I didn't know that this was anyone's business. 

"Well... we have separate bedrooms.."

Naaaaa...   I didn't say that.

I just changed the subject.

Second Piece

Old lady: "Is that your second piece of cake?"

Me: "Yes."

Old lady: "I'd watch it if I were you."

Good at Something

I sat at the pool - you know - my usual summer time thing - and one of my brother-in-law's co-workers sat next to me.

For some reason, she thought it would be an OK thing to complain about my sister to me.  Now, for sure, I know my sister isn't a perfect being - why I sure know this - I've seen her at her worst - but - hmmm??  Really, someone thinks it's an ok thing to bad-mouth one's sibling?

She went on and on about how perfect my brother-in-law is - yes, he's pretty awesome!  And then, on and on how my sister doesn't appreciate him.  On and on how my sister couldn't keep a clean house or weed her gardens.

I didn't quite know how to handle this.  For one thing, I had started having a life of my own.  I mean, instead of criticizing everyone, I decided to try and give people a break.  You know, minding my own business instead of laughing at others' sad lives.

I really wondered how she had the nerve. 


I turned to her and said "Well, she must be good at something! Wink. Wink." 

She picked up her stuff and walked away from me and sat someplace else.

She hasn't talked much to me since then either.

Thankssssss

Yesterday my daughter announced that she was going to start washing her face with soap.  I said - "Naw.. soaps not good for your face."

"Yeah - but I use soap on my hands, and there's no pimples on my hands."


"Yeah - I don't use soap on my face."

She turned to me with a crooked smile raising her arms to me "Aaa yeah?"  And rolls her eyelids shaking her head.

Thanks for the info kid!