Catholic Contrast and Perception

Three out of four Irish who identified themselves as Catholics find the church's teaching on sexuality "irrelevant" Probably not as high among self identified Catholics in the USA but I'd still bet it's a majority.

Now contrast that with this:

"The ad hoc committee opened its statement with several 'concrete examples' of recent threats to religious liberty, saying that 'this is not a theological or legal dispute without real-world consequences.'"

Consequences indeed. I think this sort of disconnect between leadership and flock is why both continue to shrink.

Sizing things up, relatively.

Use your mouse wheel after opening this window.

Seeing something like this that shows how much we, humanity, have come to know makes me think of all that remains to be discovered. What's lies beyond, what is further within, and what have we missed along the way?

Financial Peace

From a family relationship and mental health perspective, a debt free life is a whole lot less stress. Money isn't happiness but it is freedom and choices.

Throw on top of that the Christian perspective that God wants you to be a good steward of the resources with which He has blessed you.

A local church is offering Financial Peace Univerity.

I'm glad to see Our Saviour offering it. I have been a fan of Dave Ramsey's books and radio show forever. Definitely mix in a little Jesus in but-- at least in the books and show-- it isn't in your face. If you are having money problems FPU may be worth your while.

Somali Rescue

Outstanding work. There will be no controversy about the military going in to a Somali pirate stronghold to liberate hostages. There's even an upside to the fact that the soldiers apparently killed their way out. The next Somali guy who gets hired for guard duty will be wondering when the Americans are coming. Maybe he'll take up farming instead. For his sake, I hope so.

Congratulations and thanks to everyone from President Obama to everyone down to the folks who really matter, the soldiers who executed this mission.

Happiness Behaviors

Pretty tough to argue with this list of behaviors that happy people share. Especially that last one. OTOH, forgiveness is difficult for me in two cases.

Chicken or egg? Are folks happy because they practice these behaviors or do they practice these behaviors because they are happy? I think it's both but leans heavily to the behavior begetting happiness.

Class Act

You may have caught the article in the GB or Milwaukee papers about the add Mark Tauscher took out in the Journal Sentinel. What a classy thing to do.

“To me, I don’t see a state divided, politically… . In Madison it’s overwhelmingly that way, but around the state I don’t see that.”

You know why that is Governor? I think it's because your staff rents public spaces making them non-public and sends out invitations to only your supporters. To those of us who didn't write you a check, volunteer on your campaign, work to recall a Democrat and don't belong to the Republican party-- you know, the majority of Wisconsinites-- you are totally inaccessible.

Bubble anyone?