In The Forgotten War

From the New York Times:

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 13 — Taliban insurgents mounted a large-scale attack on an American forward operating base in eastern Afghanistan in the early hours of Sunday, the senior NATO commander in the country said.

Fierce fighting in the area, which continued through the day, left nine American soldiers dead, making the Taliban assault the single deadliest attack on Americans in Afghanistan in several years, the Associated Press reported.

Remember the Taliban? Remember Osama bin Laden? The war we started and didn't finish against those in a country in which the terrorists were being trained, the war that we turned away from because we rushed to invade Iraq, which had not harmed us in any way, is now coming back to haunt us with rising numbers of dead and wounded troops.

The violence in 2008 was certainly greater than in the same period in 2007, and 2007 was worse than 2006, he said. NATO officials have said that attacks on its forces have increased by 40 percent from the same period last year.

So much for cheery words about things getting better all the time in Afghanistan.

General McKiernan said that militant insurgents are firing almost daily across the border from Pakistan at Afghan, American and NATO military border posts. Those attacks are a main factor in the sharp increase in combat violence in Afghanistan in the last few months, he said.

But...but...but Pakistan is our friend! And they have the bomb! And we're not threatening to attack them. I pray we don't, for with the rising bellicosity of the threats against Iran, we could be engaged in three wars, and we cannot manage wars in three countries at this time, much less four. Our troops can't do what we ask of them now. They are worn out and stressed out already, and it would be heaping abuse upon abuse to ask them to do more. I wonder if the war-mongering folks in the Bush maladministration understand that. I doubt it. And what about the top people in the Pentagon? Where are their voices?

God help us all!

Yes, He Would!

Dr. Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales, and Gene Robinson, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire

From the Telegraph:

The Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, told The Sunday Telegraph that practising homosexuals should not be barred from becoming bishops.

He accused conservative Anglicans of being “exclusive” and narrow-minded in their opposition to gay clerics.
....

Dr Morgan said that he was in agreement with the decision of the American church five years ago to consecrate the homosexual cleric Gene Robinson as a bishop - the move which has pushed the Anglican church to the brink of schism.

He said that if his fellow bishops in the church in Wales voted for a practising homosexual priest to be consecrated, he would back their decision and approve it.
....

The man at the centre of the controversy, Bishop Robinson, was set to preach in a London church. He told this paper he fears for his life and said he believes the Church of England will appoint its first openly homosexual bishop within a matter of years.

“There are a huge number of gay clergy and gay partnered clergy,” he said. “There’s no reason why they shouldn’t be bishops and they will be. We’re not arguing about if, we’re just arguing about when.”

Good news, indeed! I can't think of anything to add to the article, except that, as a member of the Episcopal Church, I'm offended that the duly elected and consecrated Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire is not permitted to attend the meetings at Lambeth, and I'm more than pleased with the supportive comments from the Archbishop of Wales. The Episcopalians in New Hampshire have no representative at Lambeth, and that's not right. Because of his physical absence from the meetings, his presence in spirit will be all the more powerful.

Please pray for the bishops at Lambeth. On the upper right sidebar, is the prayer for Lambeth.

Thanks to Doug for the link.

"On The Inspiration Of Scripture"

Scripture is the inspired Word of God, but it is always written in a human tongue. People do not speak God’s language, or have God’s knowledge, so God, when speaking to people through inspiration, must employ the human language of the culture and time of the one inspired, in order to impart any knowledge at all. God always “talks down” to us, and our finite human capacity always limits how well we understand the infinite God, and express that understanding. One cannot put the ocean in a bottle; and new wineskins must be used for new wine. As Jesus himself would later say, “I have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:12-13)

Please read the entire post. It's not long. The link is below. Tobias gives a simple and concise explanation of inspiration in Scripture.

From Tobias Haller at In A Godward Direction.

UPDATE: Tobias on the use of "Word" and "word" in the 1928 BCP:

Ultimately, I think the point is that we ought not think that the Bible is the same as the second person of the Trinity.

Let The Light Of Christ Shine

From Gene Robinson, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, at Canterbury Tales From The Fringe:

Just finishing a three day conference of the Modern Churchpersons Union, north of London. This is a 110-year-old, left of center Liberal group, and proud of it. They have been a most welcoming and warm group. A VERY nice way to begin my trek in England.
....

God seems very close. As I tried to point to God and not to myself in this presentation, I was once again reminded of the need we all have to remember that we can do none of this well without the Living God. I have gotten clearer and clearer about why I'm here: as Psalm 27 puts it, I seek one thing only -- to sing God's song in this place, and to let the light of Christ in me and through me shine for all the world to see.

Our Bishop Gene is off and running. Let's keep him in our prayers.

Why Are You Here?

This cartoon is by Dave Walker.

Tree Queen?

From the Telegraph:

A weather-damaged tree branch revealed an image with an uncanny resemblance to the Queen when it was felled.

Uncanny resemblance to the Queen? Dame Maggie Smith? I don't think so. It's very like the portrait of me by Picasso that I have hanging on my wall. It's amazing!

Prayer Request From Being Peace

From BEING PEACE:

I saw the nephrologist today.

The kidney transplant preparation has to start now. Both kidneys have to be removed. This came as a shock to me...PKD isn't just cysts on the kidneys (which never stop growing.) It causes cysts in the liver and colon. The biggest shocker is it can cause brain anuerysms too.

It has to be done w/in the next 24 months or, well, it is going to be really bad. The thought now is to get the transplant before dialysis is necessary. Transplants can also be done w/out the heavy steroids like prednasone. I'm really grateful for that.

I'm beyond emotional at this moment. I want to cry but I don't want to break down in front of Gary. He's got enough on his heart and mind without me being a big crybaby. He wants to be evaluated as a possible donor. I don't mean to be maudlin, I just believe deeply he'd be better off w/out me. I'm not suicidal and I plan to fight. I believe I've put him through more than he deserves though.

I'm on all kinds of new drugs now including Procrit at $700 a shot. That'll be $1400 a month just for Procrit. Hopefully insurance will cover it. We won't know until it is submitted.

Please keep us in your prayers.
Love, Roseann

Feast Day Of St. Benedict Of Nursia

Prayer ought to be short and pure, unless it be prolonged by the inspiration of Divine grace. St. Benedict

Readings:

Psalm 1 or 34:1-8
Proverbs 2:1-9
Luke 14:27-33

PRAYER

Almighty and everlasting God, whose precepts are the wisdom of a loving Father: Give us grace, following the teaching and example of your servant Benedict, to walk with loving and willing hearts in the school of the Lord's service; let your ears be open to our prayers; and prosper with your blessing the work of our hands; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

From "The Rule of Saint Benedict":

Girded with a faith, and the performance of good works, let us follow in Christ's path by the guidance of the Gospel; then we shall deserve to see him "who has called us into his kingdom." If we wish to attain a dwelling place in his kingdom, we shall not reach it unless we hasten there by our good deeds.

Just as there exists an evil fervor, a bitter spirit, which divides us from God and leads us to hell, so there is a good fervor which sets us apart from evil inclinations and leads us toward God and eternal life. No one should follow what he considers to be good for himself, but rather what seems good for another. Let them put Christ before all else; and may he lead us all to everlasting life.

Happy Feast of St. Benedict to Prior Aelred and his brother monks at St. Gregory's Abbey and to all those around the world who follow the "The Rule of St. Benedict". Padre Mickey says that the monks at St. Gregory were allowed to sleep until 5:30 AM in honor of the feast. I'm not asking what time they get up on a normal day.

Padre Mickey posted a wonderful biography of St. Benedict, along with two lovely icons.

Family Togetherness Day

Day before yesterday, we had a good family day with children. My daughter and five of my six grandchildren visited, four boys and one girl. The only one not present was my oldest grandson, who is 16, and has a job this summer. My daughter and her three boys live in Jefferson Parish just outside of New Orleans, and the other two live here in Thibodaux. I wish I could show pictures, but my policy is not to publish pictures of members of my family.

When my daughter wasn't here by 12:45, Grandpère became grumpy, because it was way past his deadline of 12:00 to eat lunch. What can I say? His deadline is not everyone's deadline. I'm more a go-along type. I had to persuade him not to go ahead with the two grandchildren who were here but to wait for the rest to arrive. He's like a child when his best-laid plans are frustrated, especially his meal plans. I'm sorry to say that, but it's the truth.

After my daughter arrived, we headed to a local pizza restaurant (not a chain) which serves good pizzas and other Italian food. We settled the children into a booth, and we three adults sat at a table nearby. The booth kept the children confined, except for the two on the ends and various goings and comings to the rest rooms. One of the little ones has a restaurant food anxiety, so he made three trips thinking he might have to throw up. Poor baby. I hope this anxiety phase passes.

Once we returned home, the kids had a spirited game of Twister, with made-up orders to touch certain colored circles with the eye, the ear, the nose, the little toe, etc. Then they went upstairs. Upstairs usually means trouble, because they are far out of sight and sound, and they're too often up to mischief. We gave them a while, and then I went up, and it was total chaos. Two jumping on the bed, two having a rough wrestling match on the floor, and my granddaughter taking in the violent scene. I calmed them down, and stayed a while with them, but it was no longer as much fun with me there.

We trooped downstairs, and they all went out into the yard. Thanks be to God. The sky was overcast, with the temperature not too high, a great day to be outdoors. We have a wonderful back yard, and our dog Diana was delighted to run with them. Two large oaks reign in majesty, one tree good for climbing, a challenge, but not too great a challenge. It has three four large branches with crooks for safe (more or less) sitting or standing. Prayers for no one to fall, and no one falls. We have a large hammock in the yard, too. They took turns nicely, until all five ended up in the hammock at the same time. We handed out Popsicles, with Diana getting her share of licks from those that fell off the sticks or dropped on the ground.

Then, back in the house with my daughter and her three sons preparing to leave. All five begged to spend the night, which would have had to be without their parents, since my son and daughter both had commitments the next day. The last time we had a slumber party, it was rough on Grandpère and me. We had a difficult time getting them settled, but finally got them down after running up and down the stairs several times to quiet them. The next morning, when we went upstairs, all five were sound asleep in one queen-size bed, some facing one way, and some the other. When they woke up, we asked them why, and they said they got scared in the middle of the night and decided they'd all sleep together.

By that evening, I was exhausted, and I said, "I'm sorry, kids, I love you, but not tonight". They begged, but I stood firm. I was not prepared for them and not up to having them that night. I truly love them all dearly, but I was ready for peace and quiet.

UPDATE: I added a picture of the climbing tree.

An Email From Chris Dodd

Yesterday was a sad day for the United States Senate.

It is my hope that the courts will undo the damage done to the Constitution.

But let us stand tall, knowing that by working together we were able to make wiretapping and retroactive immunity part of the national discourse these last number of months.

We came together – all of you, Senator Feingold, bloggers like Jane Hamsher and Glenn Greenwald, organizations like the EFF and ACLU, and untold hundreds of thousands of Americans who simply wanted to make sure that this one, last insult did not happen with ease.

I'm sorry we weren't successful.

I just hope I'm lucky enough to have you by my side in the next fight, whatever that may be.

Thanks for all you've done.

Chris Dodd

Thank you, Chris, and all the others who fought so hard. What a mensch!