THE SAGA OF THE TEDDY BEAR

Did you ever contemplate that you might be executed because of the name of a teddy bear? The answer to that is “no” in most places of the world, but not in the Muslim world. In Sudan, a British teacher was arrested and jailed because her class named a teddy bear after the Muslim prophet. There were even calls for her execution. Hundreds of protesters, some waving swords, protested outside the presidential palace.

She was actually sentenced to 15 days in jail for her offense or, at least, the offense of the children under her care. To the credit of the government of Sudan, its president Omar al-Bashir pardoned her. She had, though, served 9 days in jail. 9 days is a long time in a Sudanese jail, especially if you are not too sure you will survive it. After the pardon was announced, the court went further and ordered the teacher deported. This is a blessing, but don’t tell the court. If she stayed, some fanatic would have murdered her.

It should be noted also that the teacher did not name the teddy bear “Mohammed”, but the children in her class did.

The president of Sudan apparently pardoned the teacher due to the efforts of Nazir Ahmed and Sayeeda Warsi, who, believe it or not, are Muslims, and are also members of Britain’s House of Lords. They told the Sudanese government it would create international goodwill toward their country. That may be an overstatement, but it will at least keep the international community from thinking everyone in Sudan is insane. They will still think many of the people in Sudan are insane.

The matter may not be over, either. No, President Bush has not threatened to invade Sudan. However, terrorist leaders are threatening to kill the teacher. Some want retaliatory attacks against U.S. and British targets. Now, you would think a retaliatory attack would mean they had been attacked by the U.S. and Britain. But, no, unless by retaliatory attacks they mean jihadists will be buying dozens of teddy bears and naming them Jesus or Budda or whatever else is worshipped in those two countries. I do like the fact that the U.S. was not involved in any way, yet the terrorists think it would be appropriate to attack the U.S. in retaliation. We could call it the Teddy War, I guess.

Muhammad Abdel-Al, a leader of the Gaza-based Popular Resistance Committee, a terrorist group, said "We call on our Sudanese brothers to prepare themselves with explosive belts and not allow this bitch to see the light of day." It is ok to use bad words when you are threatening to kill Crusader Women. Abdel-Al asked the Sudanese government "not to give into the international and Christian-Crusader pressure to set this bitch free."

"I pray to Allah that I could have the opportunity to go to Sudan with my brothers to slaughter this unbeliever Christian. We ask the Sudanese to execute her in [the] hardest way. Any execution must be public; she must be stoned or fired on and the punishment must be harsh," Abdel-Al said.

Note to non-historians and Muslims: the Crusades were over 1,000 years ago and this woman was not there then. Nor were any of the rest of us.

You’ll like this line: “With all the tolerance that Islam has, we must not bear any of this activity." Has anyone seen any of this tolerance? You are threatening to kill a little school teacher over a teddy bear’s name and you can even mention tolerance in the same speech. Now, that is insane.

Abdel-Al is pretty fired up about Americans, as well, even though America did not even exist during the Crusades. He called for "jihad to attack all these people wherever they are. Any attack must be loud. Any damage that can be caused to the Satanic empires of the U.S. and Britain is allowed."

“Crusaders have no religion, culture or human values ... all your values are corrupted, inhumane, based on sex and materialism." Well, then. Now we know why so many of you have immigrated over here.

Another guy that seems to have issues is Abu Ahmed, the northern Gaza Strip commander of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terror group. He wanted the Sudanese government to allow street mobs to deal with Gibbons.

"Our point of view is we say this woman must be given to the Sudanese people in the street. This is my proposal so the government will not be responsible for any damage or killing of this woman. Just give her to the Sudanese people and I'm sure the people there will send this woman back to her family and missionary bosses in the way that is the most suitable."

Now, we are used to hearing this type of thing. Really, any excuse to kill a European or American will do for these guys. Such as, today is Thursday. Interestingly, these same guys, so concerned that the name of a teddy bear profanes their prophet, bomb the mosques of other sects of their own religion, which, you would think, would sort of profane the prophet’s name, don’t you know.

Abu Ahmed, a participant in the religion of peace, said Judaism and Christianity were "falsified" and that "Islam came to correct all other fake religions." It sounds like he has been talking to Joseph Smith, doesn't it? Since Smith came to do that, and came after Mohammed, should the Muslims convert to Mormonism? And which is better, getting 70 virgins or your own planet?

There really are some similarities. Both religions have a prophet that said Christianity was all wrong, although they coopted the Jewish prophets for their own. That is a little confusing to me on behalf of Islam. They hate the Jews and want to kill them, but the use their prophets.

They both have their own holy book, although both books acknowledge Jews and Christians.

Both like to have a lot of wives, at least historically.

Both have substantially changed the Christian and Jewish view of heaven.

Mitt Romney is not going to like this post is he?

THANKSGIVING NOTES

Thanksgiving dinner is always an adventure at my house. We always have an eclectic collection of family and friends. One of the most interesting is my mother in law. She will almost always come out with a wild story or comment. I used to sort of "egg her on" as we say in Texas, but the Little Woman has taken to giving me "The Look" for that.

So, this time I just timed it. It took 12 minutes. We were talking about television shows we watch. She likes CSI. The comment? She told the Oldest Daughter (who lives in New York City and is a singer\actor) that, everytime she sees one of the corpses on the autopsy table, she thinks of her.

I laughed until I cried. I couldn't help it. Everyone else just looked at her horrified. Then, the Baby caught it from me and the two of us tried to hold it in. I had tears running down my face and nearly choked.

Life is good.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I hope you actually give thanks. It's God's will for your life, no matter what your circumstances.

I have much to be thankful for, so let me thank God for many blessings.

I am thankful, first and foremost, for the grace of God that brought me and all of my family into his kingdom and eternal life. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I am thankful for the blessing of a Godly wife. The list of her good qualities is inexhaustable, but to name a few, she if loving, faithful, generous, self-sacrificing and hard working.

I am thankful for my children, who have each been a great blessing to me. I am thankful that the oldest and youngest are here and sad that the Seminary Daughter cannot come. Each of the three is loving, smart, beautiful and caring.

I am thankful for my son-in-law and how well he takes care of the Seminary Daughter now that I can no longer do it.

I am thankful to have a job, after many months of contract problems.

What a good life we have, with a greater life to come.

God is good.

Thanks.

A NEW RELIGION

I reviewed a contract today that sounded as if it were for a new, New Age, religion. It dealt with a Cosmos application for Oracle software. It sounds like something Carl Sagan might have come up with.

If you liked the words to the Reformation Polka, you can see an animated version of it at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4TeJJmQJqU

YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?

REFORMATION DAY

(I sent out my annual Reformation Day letter, but forgot to post it. So, here is this year's version, a day late. Most of my readers don't celebrate All Saints Day anyway.

490 years ago Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Church. The Reformation began. We still need reformation today.
Thesis 95 said “and let them thus be more confident of entering heaven through many tribulations rather than through a false assurance of peace”. This is relevant today when many false prophets teach that peace, success, wealth and health are guaranteed for those who follow Christ and give money to his supposed ministers. Protestantism is overrun with the Prosperity Gospel. Faith healers fill stadiums and television air time. Everywhere we turn we hear the message that your best life is now, that you have a champion in you, and that Jesus came to bring you earthly happiness, riches and success.
Yet, Jesus told us we would not have our best life in this world, but in the world to come. In fact, he told us not to pursue riches and comforts in this world. Jesus said not to lay up treasures on earth. He spoke of the deceitfulness of riches.
Jesus also told us that his followers would not have peace on this earth. He knew the world hated him and would hate his followers. If anyone deserved the best life Jesus had to offer, would it not be his disciples? Yet, he told them “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.” (Matthew 24:9) He said we would have tribulation in this world.
Luther’s words ring true to those of Jesus. We will enter through many tribulations rather than peace. Yet, we are blessed for any suffering we have. Jesus said, in Luke 6:22, “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!”
The Prosperity Gospel in all of its manifestations and permutations is not the true gospel. It is a false gospel from false prophets. It must be opposed. Reformation must be ongoing.
As you know, this is but one of many false doctrines circulating through the church. The church, more than ever, needs those who know the Word and stand for it.
So, while others are celebrating Halloween, celebrate instead something that is crucial to us, the example of a humble man who studied the Word of God, understood its truth, and stood for it though king and pope tried to kill him for it, just as Jesus said they would. Semper Reformanda.


And now, on a lighter note, and thanks to the Seminary Daughter, I give you the Reformation Polka.

THE REFORMATION POLKA

by Robert Gebel

[Sung to the tune of "Supercalifragilistic-expialidocious"]

When I was just ein junger Mann I studied canon law
While Erfurt was a challenge, it was just to please my Pa.
Then came the storm, the lightning struck, I called upon Saint Anne, I shaved my head, I took my vows, an Augustinian!
Oh...

Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

When Tetzel came near Wittenberg, St. Peter's profits soared,
I wrote a little notice for the All Saints' Bull'tin board:
"You cannot purchase merits, for we're justified by grace!
Here's 95 more reasons, Brother Tetzel, in your face!"
Oh...

Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

They loved my tracts, adored my wit, all were exempleror;
The Pope, however, hauled me up before the Emperor.
"Are these your books? Do you recant?" King Charles did demand, "I will not change my Diet, Sir, God help me here I stand!"
Oh...

Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

Duke Frederick took the Wise approach, responding to my words,
By knighting "George" as hostage in the Kingdom of the Birds.
Use Brother Martin's model if the languages you seek, Stay locked inside a castle with your Hebrew and your Greek!
Oh...

Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!

Let's raise our steins and Concord Books while gathered in this place,
And spread the word that 'catholic' is spelled with lower case;
The Word remains unfettered when the Spirit gets his chance, So come on, Katy, drop your lute, and join us in our dance!
Oh...

Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation Speak your mind against them and face excommunication!
Nail your theses to the door, let's start a Reformation!
Papal bulls, indulgences, and transubstantiation!