The Pledge of Allegiance

Court dismisses Pledge case: Atheist father cannot sue over use of ‘Under God’

Are we surprised? NO! The rationale of most of the judges (5 of them) had nothing to do with whether or not it violated the First Amendment — it had to do with the fact that the father has no legal right to speak for his daughter because he does not have custody of her. The others (3 of them) dealt with the First Amendment issue.

125th Church Anniversary

One of Jon’s churches is celebrating their 125th anniversary this weekend, so I’m posting this hymn in commemoration. It’s Danish in origin and has a really cool tune. 🙂 (The Cyberhymnal link is at the bottom.)

Built on the Rock the church doth stand,
Even when steeples are falling;
Crumbled have spires in every land,
Bells still are chiming and calling;
Calling the young and old to rest,
But above all the soul distressed,
Longing for rest everlasting.

Surely in temples made with hands,
God, the Most High, is not dwelling;
High above earth His temple stands,
All earthly temples excelling;
Yet He whom heavens cannot contain
Chose to abide on earth with men,
Built in our bodies His temple.

We are Godâ????s house of living stones,
Builded for His habitation;
He through baptismal grace us owns,
Heirs of His wondrous salvation;
Were we but two His Name to tell,
Yet He would deign with us to dwell,
With all His grace and His favor.

Now we may gather with our King;
Even in the lowliest dwelling:
Praises to Him we there may bring,
His wondrous mercy foretelling;
Jesus His grace to us accords,
Spirit and life are all His words,
His truth doth hallow the temple.

Still we our earthly temples rear,
That we may herald His praises;
They are the homes where He draws near
And little children embraces,
Beautiful things in them are said,
God there with us His covenant made,
Making us heirs of His Kingdom.

Here stands the font before our eyes
Telling how God did receive us;
The altar recalls Christâ????s sacrifice
And what His table doth give us;
Here sounds the Word that doth proclaim
Christ yesterday, today, the same,
Yea, and for aye our Redeemer.

Grant then, O God, wherever men roam,
That, when the church bells are ringing,
Many in saving faith may come
Where Christ His message is bringing:
â??œI know Mine own, Mine own know Me;
Ye, not the world, My face shall see.
My peace I leave with you.â???
Built on the Rock (LBW # 365)

Allergies and Diets

I went to see my allergist this morning and all my asthma tests were exceptionally good (at least those that they can effect a change in). My peak flow was at 113% — not bad at all.

We stopped at Evil Company Bent on Global Domination for catfood and litter as well as some cleaning supplies and then headed to Wendy’s to grab lunch. When I tried eating my hamburger, I found that I couldn’t eat the whole thing as well as the fries. Considering how hungry I was, this was kind of astonishing… except that I’d been cutting my food intake down for the last few weeks. It worked for my mother-in-law and I was amazed at how well it was working for me.

Right now, I’m rejoicing over having my blog back. (My MySQL server went down last night.)

How I’ve Been Feeling Lately Faithwise

When the dark wood fell before me
And all the paths were overgrown
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
I tilled the sorrows of stone

I did not believe because I could not see
Though you came to me in the night
When the dawn seemed forever lost
You showed me your love in the light of the stars

Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me

Then the mountain rose before me
By the deep well of desire
From the fountain of forgiveness
Beyond the ice and fire

Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me

Though we share this humble path, alone
How fragile is the heart
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly
To touch the face of the stars

Breathe life into this feeble heart
Lift this mortal veil of fear
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
We’ll rise above these earthly cares

Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Please remember me
Dante’s Prayer by Loreena McKennitt