Norwegian practicality

I receive a weekly Norwegian-American newspaper. In a recent issue, there was an article on Norway's pension fund. In brief, Norway invests the money made on their gas and natural gas drilling into a pension fund. Norway has funded a full pension for every single Norwegian with these investments.

It makes me wonder. America has many resources, but we squander them too often. I don't know if we could set up some sort of investment system like Norway has, as they have only a few million citizens compared to America's 300+ million. But it makes me wonder why we refuse to safely utilize and extract our natural resources of coal, natural gas, and oil, among many others.

It just seems to me that Norway has embarked on a practical course of social security, while we have constantly raided our social security savings to pay for other projects in the budget so that their is practically nothing left for those who will retire in the next couple of decades. I wish our leaders could put forward some sort of practical plan to prepare for the future.

Go Pack Go!!!

Tomorrow is the Superbowl. I have been a Green Bay Packer fan for many years. I am hoping that Rogers and company can bring the Vince Lombardi trophy home to Green Bay once again. I dreamed that the Packers won by 10 points, but I hope it will be by a much larger number. Go Pack Go!!!

Translations in LOGIA

I received today the newest volume of LOGIA. (LOGIA is a confessional journal of Lutheran theology). I have been a subscriber to the journal since it debuted in the early 1990s. The Epiphany 2011 volume is entitled "Lutheranism in Europe". A while ago (six months to a year ... has it been that long?) I submitted two translations to the journal for this issue. I was happy to see both of them printed in the LOGIA Forum section. The translations are "The Hour of the SELK" and "A Sermon on the Holy Trinity". These translations were a work of joy as I wanted to expose a wider audience to the richness and theology of the SELK (Independent Evangelical-Lutheran Church) in Germany.

"The Hour of the SELK" is a brief article about the future blessing the SELK can have in Germany and the Church global. "A Sermon on the Holy Trinity" is a sermon preached by my friend Armin Wenz who is a pastor in Oberursel, Germany. He is an excellent preacher.

If you like, you can read the translations (and the entire volume) by visiting LOGIA. You will have to download the electronic version of the volume for $6. This is a great price for a great journal, and the Epiphany 2011 volume is an exceptionally good volume.

It looks like Christmas

Our blizzard in 2006

Last night we had our first snowfall since last February. It was nothing much, just a dusting, really, and thankfully not like the pounding we got in 2006, and as the snow drifted down against the bright lights of Main St. and the generic Christmas decorations adorning the lamp posts,it began to look and feel like Christmas.

It would be nice if the borough would fix some of the ornaments, though. Several of them have burned out lights. But all in all, our little town does a fine job decorating for Christmas. Our boro hall has a nice Christmas tree and some decorations that are the highlight of Main St.

Even though it is drawing closer to Christmas, I have yet to put up any decorations. I usually wait until Dec. 21st. Something in me appreciates Christmas once it turns officially to winter. I shall have to post some pics of the boros lights.

Caprica Cancelled

Really SyFy? Really? You cancelled one of the few programs on your network that is truly science-fiction. Caprica was one of your best written shows. Sure, it was not fast-paced or totally action-oriented, but it was great television. Now I get to wait until 2012 for your next BSG spin-off Blood and Chrome. Please don't make us wait a whole year between seasons like you did with Caprica. I hope that you tie in with the plot line of Caprica.

Luther statue presented

Here's a link from the Bundestag

Luther

Unfortunately, most German politicians view Luther as merely a cultural icon rather than the preeminent Reformation theologian.

Regarding the statue, this is the most famous pose of Luther, and it is found around the world.

God in America

It has been a week since PBS aired its six-hour documentary "God in America". I thought it was a balanced and academic look at religion in America. Others have noted tahat it was really about religious freedom in America rather than God. I agree with that assessment, too.

I wish the show had done two things:

1. Devoted a whole two hours to the topic specifically from 2000-2010;
2. Devoted 1-2 hours on Islam in America.

I think having a total of 10 hours would have provided a solid beginning in understanding religious freedom in the States.

Also, the program mentioned many examples of "separation of church and state" issues but spent liitle time discussing whether the First Ammendment and the separation of church and state are the same or different perspectives. It was just assumed that the two refer to the same principle. This is a discussion that runs through our contemporary society and will continue as long as we have our Constitution.

I also liked that PBS did not drag out the old theological warhorses, but had younger (and in my experience unheard of) theologians. It was refreshing to hear their perspectives and expertise and added to the quality of the show.