WATCH OUT!!!

Thanks to Doug for the smile.

"THE STORY OF THE KING JAMES BIBLE"

The King James, or Authorised, Version of the Bible remains the most widely published text in the English language. It has been called the "noblest monument of English prose" and has been recognised for centuries as both a religious and literary classic.

In the first of three programmes marking the 400th anniversary of its publication, James Naughtie tells the story of how and why King James VI of Scotland and I of England decided on a new translation of the Bible.

The programme is recorded at Hampton Court Palace.

In the beginning of the program, Naughtie says that the ideal way to approach Hampton Court Palace is from the Thames River, and that's exactly what Grandpère and I did during our romantic first visit to England in 1982.

The first episode of the program is excellent. For the next 6 days, you can listen to the program at BBC Radio 4. Don't miss it.

H/T to Suem at Significant Truths via Lapin.

Image from Wikipedia.

UPDATE: Here's the link to access all three parts of the BBC 4 series on the King James Bible.

DEAD BIRDS IN LOUISIANA

From the Baton Rouge Advocate:

LABARRE — Hundreds of dead and dying birds littered a quarter-mile stretch of highway in Pointe Coupee Parish on Monday as motorists drove over and around them.

State biologists are trying to determine what led to the deaths of the estimated 500 red-winged blackbirds and starlings on La. 1 just down the road from Pointe Coupee Central High School.

The discovery of the dead birds — some of which were lying face down, clumped in groups, while others were face up with their wings outstretched and rigid legs pointing upward — comes just three days after more than 3,000 blackbirds rained down from the sky in Beebe, Ark.

Necropsies performed Monday on the birds in Arkansas showed the birds suffered internal injuries that formed blood clots leading to their deaths, The Associated Press reported.

Poor birdies. Tom and I thought it might have been due to the extended cold weather or not enough food, although the deaths were sudden and in large numbers, so we are probably wrong.

The area where the dead birds were found is not far from our little farm, where Tom grew up.

More thoughts and theories on why the birds died at:

The Baton Rouge Advocate

The Huffington Post

Thanks to Ann V. for the link to HP.

UPDATE ON PAUL THE BB

From Paul:

Thanks again for all the prayers. Surgery is completed and I am home. About to take another analgesic. Bill is looking after me. I look awful, with a nosebag that holds the gauze for normal bleeding, but glad to be home. The doctor will remove the packing tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks be to God, the medical staff, and all who cared for Paul, and special thanks and prayers for Bill, his chief care-giver now.

Thanks for letting us know, Paul. Hugs, kisses, and more prayers for a speedy recovery.

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING FOR RICH

From Wade:

Thank you so much for the prayers, Rich's bypass was a success and he's home and reasonably comfortable. He was greeted very enthusiastically by his 85 pound Golden Lab Emmett, who really missed his Daddy, even though I give better treats!

{HUG}

--Wade

BISHOPS-ELECT IN DIOCESES OF WESTERN KANSAS AND SPRINGFIELD GET CONSENTS

From John Chilton at TheLead:

The Office of Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has notified the Diocese of Western Kansas that Bishop-Elect Michael Pierce Milliken has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process. Her office also has notified the Diocese of Springfield that Bishop-Elect Daniel Hayden Martins has received the required majority of consents in the canonical consent process.

Let us pray for Bishops-elect Milliken and Martins and for the Dioceses.

PLEASE PRAY...

From Ann Fontaine:

My friend Tracy died on New Year's Day -- sometime in her sleep between the years. Her services will be Friday in Vernal, UT at the Episcopal Church. She was about 20 years younger than my age. No word on why.

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Tracy. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Let us also pray for all who mourn, that they may cast their care on God, and know the consolation of his love.

(Book of Common Prayer)

JESUS AND MO - DOGMA

Happy New Year, everyone!

Peace and blessings,

J&M

From Jesus and Mo.

OPINION FROM A LURKER

From the comments to my post on Anglicans in England being received into the Roman Catholic Ordinariates:

Dear Grandmere Mimi

I'm usually a lurker, but I think I'll comment on this one.

I was at university in the UK, studying theology, when the whole issue of ordaining women started to become "hot". The truth of the matter is that, historically, the priesthood in the Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox Church has been nothing more than men's club designed to attract and retain an above average percentage of lazy males unwilling to work in the harsh, secular world.

In my time both at university and, much later, when I worked with a man who had left the Anglican Church over the issue and gone on to become ordained in the Orthodox Church, I have heard and read a number of theological arguments for an all-male priesthood, all of which hinge on the essential God-given nature of men and women.

What undermines all of these arguments, as far as I'm concerned, is the one thing that is hardly ever mentioned: the fact that in these churches priests are paid. And, in two of these churches, the Anglican and EO, the priest is also allowed to marry.

The effect of all of this is that a Christian man, but not a Christian woman, can choose to be a paid professional in an institution that is daubed as "Christ's Church".

In any argument and issue, it is always worth asking: who gains, in material terms, from this arrangement? (My emphasis)

As far as going over to Rome is concerned, by no means all stay - even David Virtue has had to admit this.

Jane Smith (Pretoria, South Africa)

Jane's commentary intrigued me so, that I decided to bump up her words to an opinion post.

The men's club label is difficult to dispute. In fact, I won't even try.

While the priesthood (along with the groves of academe) may tend to attract a fair number of lazy men who would have a difficult time making their way in the secular world, I'd estimate a higher percentage than Jane of men who enter the priesthood as idealists who wish to serve God and God's people.

I can't speak with authority about the Church of England or the Orthodox Church, but I've known a good many Roman Catholic priests and Episcopal priests, and I'd say the majority enter as idealists. Sadly, in far too many cases, (but not all!) the institution of the RCC drives good men to ruin or entirely out of the church. Less so in the Episcopal Church, in my experience, but the institution still takes its toll.

I have heard and read a number of theological arguments for an all-male priesthood, all of which hinge on the essential God-given nature of men and women.

Like Jane, I'm not impressed by the theological arguments about the God-given nature of men and women, which conclude that women are, by nature, unsuited to serve as clergy. The essential God-given nature of men and women is to be human. While I do not deny differences between men and women, the differences don't disqualify women to serve as clergy.

In any argument and issue, it is always worth asking: who gains, in material terms, from this arrangement?

The money quote (no pun intended), most certainly! Who benefits from the arrangements? And isn't it the status quo that is most often seen to be in need of protection? Whoever is in power, wants to retain power.

With regard to those who go over to Rome and then decide that they made a mistake, I suggest we leave the door open.

Jane, thanks for your commentary.

UPDATE: From IT in the comments:

I would certainly like to live in the the tidy sinecure of academe that is invoked here. That certainly isn't MY experience, where my research and grant-writing are more than a full time job, which I still have to combine with the other full time job of teaching and institutional administration that pays 9 months of my salary, and of course my national service responsibilities (reviewing, etc) to professional societies, journals, and funding organizations, including grant and paper review, committee service, and far too many plane trips.

I'm sure there are some living cushy lives of privilege, but they aren't in my building.

STRANGE YOUNG COUPLE

Untoward Incident in Lovers' Lane

A Texas DPS Trooper was patrolling late at night off the main highway. He sees a couple in a parked car, with the interior light brightly glowing.

He carefully approaches the car to get a closer look. Then he sees a young man behind the wheel, reading a computer magazine.

He also immediately notices a young woman in the rear seat, filing her fingernails.

Puzzled by this surprising situation, he walks to the car and gently raps on the driver's side window.

The young man lowers his window and mutters, "Uh, yes, Officer?"

The trooper asks: "What are you doing, son?" The young man says, "Well, sir, I'm reading a magazine."

Pointing towards the young woman in the back seat, the trooper says: "And her in the back, what is she doing?"

The young man shrugs. "Sir, I believe she's filing her fingernails."

Now the trooper is totally confused. A young couple, alone in a car at night, in a lover's lane, . . . and nothing improper is happening!

The trooper asks: "What's your age, young man?"

The young man says, "I'm 22, sir."

The trooper continues: "And her . . . what's her age?"

The young man looks at his watch and replies, "She'll be 18 in 11 minutes . . . ."

I know we've encouraged Paul (A.) far too much. Tone your comments down, please.