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Californians and the Military
Major-General Frederick Funston, U.S.V.
Medal of Honor Recipient
By Mark J. Denger
California Center for Military History
Today, there are but a few outside the National Guard community who are familiar with the feats of Major-General Frederick Funston. California recognizes this former member of the Kansas National Guard who made a significant contribution to the history, tradition and achievements of the National Guard. There was a time when hardly a Californian didn't know the name. Many a military historian has viewed this Medal of Honor recipient from Kansas as simply the hero of the Philippine insurrection. But to the citizens of San Francisco, during the 1906 earthquake and fire, he was more than just a military hero, but a savor of a city left in utter destruction.
Born on November 9, 1865 in New Carlisle, Ohio, some seven months after the assassination of President Lincoln, Frederick Funston grew up in a time of rapid expansion and exploration in the United States. Frederick Funston's life was filled with adventure. The Civil War was now over and he grew up with his father's stories of the war. During his boyhood Alaska was purchased, the Wyoming Territory was organized, Nebraska and Colorado were admitted to the union, and railroads were expanding into these areas rapidly.
In 1868, at the age of four, the Funston family moved to Allen County, Kansas, where young Frederick would attend high school. After high school, Frederick, the son of Edward H. Funston, tried to get into West Point and start a military career. His grades and admission test score, much to his disappointment, were not good enough to be admitted. Even his father, who was a United States Congressman, could not get him accepted into West Point. So he entered the state university at Lawrence, Kansas, in 1886, where he joined Phi Delta Theta. It was here that he met William Allen White and Vernon L. Kellogg who he would become lifelong friends with. However, after two semesters Funston ran out of money and was forced to drop out. For a brief period, he became a reporter for a newspaper in Fort Smith, Arkansas. After a number of odd jobs he would again return to college in 1889 but would never graduate.
In 1890, he joined the Department of Agriculture in 1890 where he was part of an expedition to the Dakota badlands and in the following year served as a botanist on a similar expedition to Death Valley, California, where he worked for eight months collecting different flora and fauna and helping the expedition discover 150 new species of plant life. Funston's love of California was proven next as he spent time opening up a new trail in the Yosemite Valley, living with the Panamint Indians in California. After returning home in the fall of 1891 Funston again found work on a newspaper in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1892 he was off to Alaska to study the flora of Alaska, and in 1893-1894 he wintered alone on the banks of the Klondike. In the spring he built a boat and paddled some 1,500 miles down the Yukon river into the open sea, where he boarded a ship and was transported to California. Two years later, in 1894, Funston tried to establish a coffee plantation in Central America, but when it failed he moved to New York where he became a deputy comptroller for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.
It was purely by chance that he was in New York City in 1896 during a month long political rally and exhibition presented by the Cuban Revolutionists in Madison Square Garden. The Cuban were then fighting for their independence from Spain. Upon hearing a speech by Civil War General Daniel E. Sickles, Funston was stirred to enlist in the Cuban Army, and like his father had been in the Civil War, became captain of artillery, even though he had never fired a cannon. He was able to get his hands on a 12-pound Hotchkiss Cannon and an instruction manual and spent several weeks training himself.
During his time in Cuba, Funston had fought in 22 individual battles, had 17 horses shot out from under him. He rose in rank to lieutenant-colonel and was shot through both lungs and an arm, and finally, in a cavalry charge, had large shards of wood thrust into his hip from the roots of an upturned tree when his horse rolled over. Twenty-three months later, he weighed only 80 pounds and was coughing up blood. Extremely ill, he was forced home in 1898 with a near fatal case of malaria.
Hardly had Funston recovered when the Spanish-American war broke out. Kansas Governor John W. Leedy, after hearing one of Funston's speeches, appointed him colonel of the 20th Kansas Regiment, a Kansas National Guard unit, on May 13, 1898. The 20th was one of four Kansas regiments which enlisted for the war.
While the 20th was waiting to get into the war, Spain had signed a peace treaty with the United States giving it possession of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. However, many Filipinos followed Aquinaldo in the insurrection against the United States. President William McKinley followed by sending U.S. forces to put down the rebellion.
While the 20th was being formed in Topeka, Funston had been called to Washington and then to Florida to help plan for the war.
One story tells how Funston had bought a book on military tactics which he read as he traveled west to join his command at San Francisco. When his father asked: "What do you know about military tactics Fred?" the son answered: "Not much, but I am halfway through this book and by the time I reach San Francisco, I will have mastered it."
When Funston arrived in San Francisco he found his men in poor condition. He immediately started drilling them in maneuvers and shooting practice. He also did his best to improve their living conditions. Due to his leadership and his presence, the soldiers' morale skyrocketed. After five months of intensive training in San Francisco, the 20th Kansas Regiment was sent to the Philippines.
The 20th Kansas had drilled at Presidio in San Francisco until October 27, 1898, when they left for the Philippines, two days after Colonel Funston had married the former Miss Eda Blankart. "It was the smartest thing I ever did in my life." remarked Funston.
At that time, Funston didn't think that he would see any fighting in the Philippines, however, on February 4, 1899 the Philippine Insurrection began when the Filipinos, whose declaration of independence was not recognized by the United States, attacked the American outposts around Manilla.
The Twentieth Kansas was one of the first units committed to battle. In their first attack the Kansas carried far beyond their assigned objective, an occurrence which was to be repeated several times before the war was over. For several weeks Colonel Funston and his Twentieth Kansas were engaged in the drive to take Caloocan and the rebel capital at Malolos. While fighting in the Philippines, Frederick Funston was shot in his left hand. After Malolos fell the Associated Press reported that: "Colonel Funston, always at the front, was the first man in Malolos, followed by a group of dashing Kansans." On his way to Manila to recuperate, he received a telegram informing him of his promotion to brigadier general of volunteers.
Late in April, 1899, the American advance was brought to a standstill by the partial destruction of the bridge spanning the Rio Grande de la Pampanga at Calumpit. According to Funston, the "position was by all means the strongest that we had yet been brought against, the river being about four hundred feet wide, deep, and swift, while to opposite bank was defended by fully four thousand men occupying elaborate trenches." After several attempts of crossing the river had failed a small raft was discovered which Funston undertook to use as a ferry. Two Kansas privates, William B. Trembley and Edward White, volunteered to swim the river and attach a tow rope on the opposite shore. Under the protective fire of their own comrades they accomplished their mission and the raft made its first trip carrying Funston and seven others. When enough men had been ferried to the little beachhead on the other side of the River the Filipinos were driven from their trenches. The damaged portion of the bridge was then repaired and infantry troops began making the crossing.
For their heroism in action, Funston, along with White and Trembley, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The President of the United States
in the name of
The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
Rank and Organization: Colonel, 20th Kansas Volunteer Infantry.
Place and Date: At Rio Grande de la Pampanga, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 27 April 1899.
Entered Service At: Iola, Kans. Birth: Springfield, Ohio. Date of Issue: 14 February 1900.
Crossed the river on a raft and by his skill and daring enabled the general commanding to carry the enemy's entrenched position on the north bank of the river and to drive him with great loss from the important strategic position of Calumpit.
A week later, at the age of 35, Funston was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general of volunteers and given command of a brigade composed of the First Montana and the Twentieth Kansas. These troops were soon replaced by fresh units and the veterans were ordered home for discharge. General Funston was instructed to report to San Francisco for mustering out and so, though no longer officially connected with his Kansas regiment, he accompanied them back to San Francisco.
Funston was recommended by Major-General Arthur MacArthur for brevet of Major-General of Volunteers for gallant and meritorious services throughout the campaign against Filipino insurgents from February 4 to July 1, 1899.
Upon arriving at San Francisco, on October 10, 1899 his orders were changed and he was sent back to service in the islands. By this time the fighting had changed to guerilla warfare which continued for the next year and a half.
In February, 1901, Funston learned that the elusive rebel leader's official courier had been captured. He immediately ordered the courier brought to him. The courier's name was Cecilio Segismundo and he had documents from Aguinaldo himself. He revealed Aguinaldo's location to the Funston. After decoding the documents that Segismundo was carrying, and being convinced that he was telling the truth, Funston came up with a brilliant plan to capture Aguinaldo.
For years, the Americans had tried to capture the leader of Filipino resistance, Emilio Aguinaldo. All of these attempts had failed, and had resulted only in Aguinaldo fleeing farther north. By March 1901, Aguinaldo had established his headquarters in remote northern Luzon, in the village of Palanan. The isolation and mountainous terrain of this new headquarters destroyed any hopes the Americans had of taking the Filipino leader, until Colonel Funston hit upon a brilliant plan.
The captured messages revealed that Aguinaldo had requested reinforcements. Funston's plan called for several loyal Macabebes to be sent along with five American "prisoners" acting as these reinforcements. It was a dangerous plan but it was the only way to get past the Filipino scouts in the area. After clearing his plan with General Arthur MacArthur, who was skeptical but desperately wanted to put an end the war, Funston assembled 81 Macabebe scouts to pretend to be the men Aguinaldo had requested. Funston and four other Americans then posed as prisoners held by the Macabebes.
On March 6, 1901 the group sailed to Casiguran Bay, where they were dropped off 50 miles from Aguinaldo's camp by the U.S.S. VICKSBURG. During their trek to Aguinaldo's headquarters, the Macabebes told the villagers they ran across that they were taking the five Americans, who they had captured making maps, to Aguinaldo. The villagers were fooled by the story, and treated the Filipinos and Americans with hospitality, even giving them directions to Aguinaldo's camp. Five miles from the headquarters, the party stopped and sent a message ahead. They received a message back from Aguinaldo telling the Filipinos to come ahead, but to leave the Americans behind in care of Aguinaldo's troops. This represented a setback to Funston's plan, but was solved when Hilario Placido, the leader of the Macabebes, forged a note saying the Americans could come to the camp after all.
The march up the coast took ten days. The insurgents led the supposed Tagalos directly to Aguinaldo's house. Funston and the other Americans were not with them, for Aguinaldo, to keep his whereabouts secret, had forbidden prisoners to be brought into the town. The Americans, however, were able to elude the small guard placed over them and were only minutes behind the main column when it entered Palanan. So suddenly was the capture accomplished that Aguinaldo was already a prisoner when Funston arrived.
Aguinaldo was held for three weeks in Manila. During this time, he capitulated to the Americans and a proclamation was issued declaring his allegiance to the United States and asking other generals to surrender. As a result, generals Alejandrino, Tinio, Mescardo, Lucon, and Cailles, as well as Sandiko, Father Aglipay, and Aguinaldo's brother Baldermo soon surrendered. However, resistance survived in isolated pockets such as Batangas and Samar.
Even though Aguinaldo's seizure failed to crush the rebellion, it did shorten the insurrection materially. The administration at Washington called it "the most important single military event of the year in the Philippines." for his part in the capture Funston was commissioned a brigadier-general in the regular army.
Returning to San Francisco, Brigadier-General Funston was hailed as a national hero.
General MacArthur on March 28, 1901 cabled Washington describing the capture of Aguinaldo on March 23, 1901.
"The transaction was brilliant in conception and faultless in execution, all credit must go to Funston who, under supervision of General Wheaton, organized and conducted expedition from start to finish. His reward should be signal and immediate."
But Funston became ill and was hospitalized and placed on sick leave until April 10, 1902. But not everyone thought of Funston as a hero. Funston soon fell under criticism for his methods used to capture Aguinaldo. A editorial in the Boston Post made the following comments:
"When the capture of Aguinaldo by Funston was announced by cable, it was hailed as a great exploit. President McKinley lost no time in making him a brigadier-general. But, as the details have come to light, contempt and disgust have taken the place of admiration. The American people accepted, though not without some qualms of conscience, the forgery, treachery and disguise with which Funston prepared his expedition. But until recently the full infamy of his conduct has not been understood. The historian of his expedition, Edwin Wildman, thus describes the last stage of Funston's march: Over the stony declivities and through the thick jungle, across bridgeless streams and up narrow passes, the footsore and bone-racked adventurers tramped, until their food was exhausted and they were too weak to move, though but eight miles from Aguinaldo's rendezvous. A messenger was sent forward to inform Aguinaldo of their position and to beg for food. The rebel chieftain promptly replied by dispatching rice and a letter to the officer in command, instructing him to treat the American prisoners well.'
"This incident was passed over lightly in the earlier reports. Its full significance has just begun to dawn upon the American people."
In April 1902, Brigadier-General Funston was placed in command of the Department of the Colorado until March 1903, when he was placed in command of the Department of the Columbia. He was then placed in command of the Department of California.
Brigadier General Funston was the ranking officer at the Presidio in 1906 when one of the greatest natural disasters in California history, the San Francisco Earthquake, occurred on April 18, 1906. The shift in the San Andreas fault wrought havoc to the city, but the fires, fueled by debris and gas escaping from broken lines, sprang up in various sections of the city. Unfortunately, the quake also damaged water mains and to halt the spreading fires city officials decided to dynamite buildings to create fire lanes. The city fire chief sent an urgent request to the Presidio, an Army post on the edge of the stricken city, for dynamite.
At the time, Brigadier-General Funston, now commanding the Department of California and a resident of San Francisco had already decided the situation required the use of troops. He sent word to the Mayor offering assistance to civilian authorities.
During the first few days approximately 1,400 Army soldiers were ordered to the streets where they were joined by Navy sailors from nearby Mare Island Naval Shipyard,
California Naval Militia
and National Guardsmen in providing valuable services patrolling streets to discourage looting and guarding buildings such as the U.S. Mint, post office, and county jail. They aided the fire department in dynamiting to demolish buildings in the path of the fires.
The Army also became responsible for feeding, sheltering, and clothing the tens of thousands of displaced residents of the city. This support prompted many citizens to exclaim, "Thank God for the soldiers!"
Brigadier-General Frederick Funston, as the ranking officer at the Presidio, Funston assumed command of the city's military forces following the quake. Under the command of Major-General Adolphus Greely, Commanding Officer, Pacific Division, Funston's superior, who was in Washington, over 4,000 U.S. Army troops saw service during the emergency. There are conflicting reports as to whether he actually declared marshal law in order to contain looting and lawlessness. However, he offered troops and supplies to the city authorities and through this assistance much damage from fire and looting was prevented in the devastated area. On 1 July 1906 civil authorities assumed responsibility for relief efforts and the U.S. Army withdrew from the city. General Funston's actions were praised 11 years later by President Woodrow Wilson when he wrote: "His genius and manhood brought order out of confusion, confidence out of fear and much comfort in distress."
The general's next moment in the spotlight happened during the Mexican Border Conflict of 1914. The 49-year-old combat veteran had been sent to the area to take command of U.S. forces massing on the Texas border. This action was in response to the instability caused by the presidency of newly elected Mexican President Victoriano Huerta and the capture of several U.S. Marines. The city of Vera Cruz was ordered taken by President Wilson after a German merchant ship carrying munitions for Huerta was reported heading for the port. After a brief fight in which 17 Americans and 200 Mexicans were killed, Brigadier-General Funston was ordered to take 5,000 troops to the city to relieve the Navy and Marine personnel who had secured the city. He was then appointed military governor of the city.
Frederick Funston eventually earned the rank of major-general in 1916, making him the highest-ranking US Army officer.
The General was found again on the border of Mexico in 1916 following the slaying of unarmed Americans in Mexico and the raids of Francisco "Pancho" Villa north of the border had increased the tensions between the United States and Mexico. On March 9, 1916, Pancho Villa and 1,500 guerrillas attacked the New Mexico town of Columbus, killing 17 Americans. Funston recommended a pursuit of the outlaw, which was approved, however, his orders instructed him to send his subordinate, Brigadier-General John J. Pershing instead of going himself.
Instead Funston, supervised Pershing's "Punitive Expedition" from his headquarters in Texas, maintained security along the entire length of the Mexican border from the Gulf of Mexico to the California line. Although Pershing gained the headlines, Funston pioneered what was to become a future pattern of high level military command [and oversaw the federalization of 150,000 National Guardsmen]. In addition to General Pershing, Funston's subordinates during this time included future generals, then Captain Douglas MacArthur, Lieutenant George S. Patton, Jr., and Lieuteant Dwight D. Eisenhower.
On February 19, 1917, Major-General Funston was having dinner with friends at the St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, close to his headquarters at Fort Sam Houston. He had just finished dinner and was listening to the hotel orchestra play when a moment later he was dead. A heart attack took the life of the 51 year old major-general. The people of Texas showed their sincere respect by opening their most sacred shrine, the Alamo, so that he could lie in state there. He was the first person ever so honored. Ten thousand people paid their last respects to him during the three hours of public visitation. His body was then taken to the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda, where he laid in state for two days.
The nation had lost one of its greatest soldiers and California had lost one of its most celebrated heros. "Fearless Freddie," as the 5 foot 4 inch, 120-pound redhead was called after leading a charge through rifle fire during the Spanish-American War, who had endeared himself to the citizens of San Francisco by his policing of the city at the time of the 1906 earthquake and fire, was laid to rest at the Presidio (San Francisco National Cemetery) in full dress uniform on a hill overlooking the city he had saved.
Had he not died in early 1917 at the age of 52, evidence shows that President Woodrow Wilson would have picked him, not General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, to command the American forces in World War I. But Funston died just months before the United States declared war, paving the way for General Pershing's ascension to high command.
Major-General Frederick Funston was a controversial figure, even in death. The Coast Artillery post on Rockaway Beach, New York, was originally named "Fort Funston" after General Frederick Funston. However, at the time of Funston's death in 1917, the name "Fort Funston" was already planned for the military reservation at Lake Merced, California. On June 26, 1917, the Lake Merced Military Reservation was named
Fort Funston
and on August 1, 1917, by order of General Order No.100 of the War Department, the name of the post in New York was officially changed to Fort Tilden in honor of Samuel Jones Tilden, a former Governor of New York, and the 1876 Democratic nominee for the Presidency of the United States.
Fort Funston, part of the U.S. coastal defense system for over 50 years, is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, named for General Frederick Funston, along with a street "Funston Street" at Fort Bragg.
Even after his death, the name Funston surfaced in another war World War II. As a final tribute, the USS FREDERICK FUNSTON (APA-89) was launched on September 27, 1941, and was sponsored by Miss Barbara E. Funston. After serving with the Army Transportation Corps Fleet out of Seattle, the FREDERICK FUNSTON received six battle stars for her World War II service. She was turned to naval custody when the Military Sea Transportation Service was formed in 1950.
Additional Reading
Bain, David H.,
Sitting in Darkness: Americans in the Philippines
, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, Mass., 1984.
Crouch, Thomas W.,
A Yankee Guerrillero: Frederick Funston and the Cuban insurrection, 1896-1897
, Memphis State University Press, 1975.
Crouch, Thomas W., A Leader of Volunteers :
Frederick Funston and the 20th Kansas in the Philippines, 1898-1899
, Coronado Press, Lawrence, Kansas, 1984.
Faust, Karl Irving,
Campaigning in the Philippines
, Hicks-Judd Company, San Francisco, 1899.
Funston, Frederick. "
How the Army Worked to Save San Francisco
." Cosmopolitian Magazine, July 1906.
Funston, Frederick,
Memories of Two Wars; Cuban and Philippine Experiences, 1865-1917
, C. Scribner's Sons, New York, 1911.
Halstead, Murat,
Aguinaldo and his Captor
, Halstead Publishing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1901.
Tomlinson, Everett T.,
Scouting with General Funston, 1859-
, Doubleday, Page & Company, New York, 1917.
To learn more about Major-General Frederick Funston visit the following web sites:
California Military History Online - Fort Funston
Museum of the City of San Francisco
Museum of the Kansas National Guard
Search our Site!
Search the Web
Search California Military History Online
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Updated 8 February 2016


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Between San Gimignano and Siena
Chianti Classico, San Gimignano and some Super Tuscans
By Michèle Shah
This Guide was last updated on 30 March 2010
To explore this Wine Travel Guide, select from the menu on the left
The wine territory of Chianti Classico lies at the heart of the Chianti region, in the historic area between Florence and Siena where the original Chianti League was formed in the 13th century. It was here that Barone Bettino Ricasoli devised the formula for Chianti production in the mid-1800s and where today the vineyards of the golden triangle formed by Castellina, Radda and Gaiole are considered the true centre of Chianti.
The predominant red variety for Chianti Classico is Sangiovese, though in this micro-region, you will also find many Super-Tuscan reds both single varietal wines and blends with international varieties. Tuscanys most famous white wine from the ancient Vernaccia vine is found here too, grown around the medieval town and World Heritage site San Gimignano. The first documents which praise the vines of San Gimignano date back to around 1200 describing the flourishing wine trade where Vernaccia played a predominant role and one of prestige at the table of the local gentry and nobility.
High on the list of the many sensual joys of visiting Tuscany are the pleasures of wining and dining. Art and literature have emphasized the extravagant banquets of Tuscanys Renaissance courts, the revelry of Medieval hunting and harvest feasts, which are still very much akin to the culture of Tuscany and its people. As you visit the picturesque Siena and the surrounding little towns and villages you will find trattorias and restaurants that will tantalise you with alluring aromas and flavours. Food is hearty with plenty of thick bean soups and Tuscany is also a meat-lovers paradise, ideal for the local reds.
The Chianti Classico area is one of rolling hills stretching south from Florence to the northern outskirts of Siena. In a landscape mixing vines with olive trees and cypress trees there is great variation in microclimates and soil types. Most vineyards are planted between 250m and 600m above sea level on mainly calcium carbonate (limestone) soils with clay and some sandstone. Around the production area of San Gimignano soils date back to the Pliocene era and are mainly composed of sand with some limestone and clay, the percentages of which change from terrain to terrain.
The Mediterranean climate can yield harsh winters with snow-clad hilltops, and hot, quite arid, but breezy summers, with cool temperatures reaching both areas from the Tuscan coast. Temperatures in winter can drop to 6ºC and in summer gravitate to a high of 38ºC. The altitude and the diurnal temperature change in summer give the wine its elegant character.
The best way to get to the Chianti Classico area is by car. I would not recommend the local bus service or the train service, which is neither direct to either. Ideally, rent a car direct on arrival at Florence or Pisa airports. To drive direct from Florence to Siena take the motorway to the exit Firenze Certosa (Autostrada del Sole) which will take you right into Siena city centre (centro). If from Florence you wish to take the route which takes you through the heart of the Chianti Classico, then from the Firenze Sud Exit (Autostrada del Sole) take the Via Chiantigiana road which will take you to Greve in Chianti and then you can either continue more or less straight to Panzano in Chianti and Castellina in Chianti and on to Siena, or branch to the left to Radda in Chianti and Gaiole in Chianti and continue to Siena.
Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico
Via Scopeti 155, Sant'Andrea in Percussina, 50026 San Casciano in Val di Pesa (FI)
Tel: 055 82285
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Website: www.chianticlassico.com
Consorzio della Denominazione San Gimignano
Villa della Rocca, 53037 San Gimignano (SI)
Tel: 0577 940108
Email: email@example.com
Website: www.vernaccia.it
Siena Tourist Information Office
Piazza del Campo 56, 53100 Siena
Tel: 0577 280551
Email: email@example.com
Website: www.terresiena.it
Associazione Pro Loco San Gimignano (Tourist Information Centre)
Piazza del Duomo 1, 53037 S. Gimignano (SI)
Tel: 0577 940008
Email: email@example.com
Website: www.sangimignano.com
This information is provided free of charge, however it is strictly the copyright of Wine Travel Guides and its contributors. We try to do our best in keeping our guides and information up-to-date and accurate, but if you notice any mistakes, please contact us. Note that we take no responsibility for any inaccuracies. Thanks for your respect and understanding. For full details see our Terms and Conditions.

subset: commoncrawl


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"The tree is made manifest by its fruit; so those that profess themselves to be Christians shall be recognized by their conduct. For there is not now a demand for mere profession, but that a man be found continuing in the power of faith to the end." Ignatius, Ephesians, XIV, ANF 1:55
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Baier's Axioms
Dic, ubi tunc esset, cum praeter eum nihil esset:
Tunc, ubi nunc, in se, quoniam sibi sufficit ipse.
Say, then where He might be, when beside Him nothing may exist:
Then, where [He is] now, in Himself, since He is sufficient in Himself.
Posted by Ted at 8:51 AM No comments:
Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred
Gregory of Nazianzus, 329(?)-389(?)
- the last of the Cappadocians and a friend to the other two - was a better preacher than the others and a good writer - served in a number of different places, including being the bishop of Constantinople for a while (but was not enough of a politician to stay there long)
Friday, December 30, 2011
Luther quotes
"Finally, we have before us one big, strong objection to answer. Yes, they say, it would be a fine thing to be married, but how will I support myself? …. What shall I say to this objection? It shows a lack of faith and out of God's goodness and truth. …. They trust in God as long as they know they do not need him, and that they are well supplied." Martin Luther, Estate of Marriage, LW, AE, 45:47
Posted by Ted at 9:04 AM No comments:
Latin proverbs
Qui pro innocente dicit, satis est eloquens. (Pub. Syrus)
He who speaks for the innocent is eloquent enough.
Posted by Ted at 9:03 AM No comments:
Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred
Gregory of Nyssa, 335-394
- Basil's younger brother, regarded as a better preacher and theologian, but not as good an administrator - is renowned as the most profound of the three Cappadocians - was bishop of the little town of Nyssa from 371-394
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Imitation of Christ
Habet magnum et salubre purgatorium homo patiens, qui suscipiens injurias, plus dolet de alterius malitia, quam de sua injuria, qui pro contrariantibus sibi libenter orat, et ex corde culpas indulget; qui veniam ab aliis petere non retardat, qui facilius miseretur quam irascitur, qui sibi ipsi violentiam frequenter facit, et carnem suam omnino spiritui subjugare conatur. Melius est modo purgare peccata, et vitia resecare, quam in futuro purganda reservare. Vere nos ipsos decipimus per inordinatum amorem, quem ad carnem habemus.
The patient man has a great opportunity of purifying his soul. When suffering injuries he grieves more for the other's malice than for his own wrong; when he prays heartily for those who work against him, and forgives them from his heart; when he is not slow to ask pardon from others; when he is swifter to pity than to anger; when he frequently denies himself and strives altogether to subdue the flesh to the spirit. Better is it now to purify the soul from sin, than to cling to sins from which we must be purged hereafter. Truly we deceive ourselves by the inordinate love which we bear towards the flesh.
The Imitation of Christ, I, 24:2
"Pride was not created for men, nor fierce anger for those born of women." Ecclesiasticus 10:18
Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred
Basil of Caesarea (Basil the Great), 330-379
- one of the "Cappadocians" who became leading theologians along with Athanasius - born in Cappadocia (western Turkey), he became a proponent of monasticism (for people "serious" about Christianity) and Nicea
- in 370 he became the bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia and so was able to strengthen the Nicene cause significantly
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
"And let those who are not found living as He taught, be understood to be no Christian, even though they profess with the lips the precepts of Christ; for not those who make profession, but those who do the works, shall be saved, …." Justin Martyr, First Apology, XVI, ANF 1:168
Baier's Axioms
Enter, praesenter Deus hic et ubique potenter.
In essence, God is presently powerful here and everywhere.
Posted by Ted at 7:31 AM No comments:
Murphysboro Centuries, 4th sacred
Athanasius of Alexandria, 295-373
- considered one of the great teachers or "doctors" of the church - at the synod of Nicea, he wasthe chief spokesman for the church of Alexandria, and for the view that Christ is 'homoousios,' that is, "of one substance" with the Father (whatever it was that made God god, the Son is "made" of the same stuff)
- becoming bishop of Alexandria, Athanasius was soon seen as the chief opponent of the Arians and since the Arians were influencing the emperor, Athanasius was exiled under Constantine (335-337 [Athanasius was accused of murdering a man and cutting off the man's hand to use in magic - Athanasius was able to produce the man, alive and unharmed, but he was exiled anyway]), Constantius (339-347 and 356-362), Julian (362-363), and Valens (365)
- when he died, Athanasius was greatly respected for having stood firmly for the faith regardless of all the pressure the emperor could bring to bear
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Luther quotes
"Know therefore that marriage is an outward, bodily thing, like any other worldly undertaking. Just as I may eat, drink, sleep, walk, ride with, buy from, speak to, and deal with a heathen Jew, Turk, or heretic, so I may also marry and continue in wedlock with him." Martin Luther, Estate of Marriage, LW, AE, 45:25
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Latin proverbs
Semper inops quicumque cupit. (Claudian)
Whoever desires is always poor.
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Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Magnus Maximus, 383-388
- took the throne because soldiers in Britain didn't like Gratian - was temporarily accepted as an emperor by Valentinian II and Theodosius - Theodosius eventually moved against him and he was defeated and executed
- was a devout Christian and began the practice of executing people for heresy and witchcraft (even though Martin of Tours and Ambrose of Milan protested, and Pope Siricus excommunicated those who had made accusations)
Monday, December 26, 2011
Imitation of Christ
In omnibus rebus respice finem, et qualiter ante districtum judicem stabis, cui nihil est occultum, qui muneribus non placatur, nec escusationes recipit, sed quod justum est, judicabit. O miserrime et insipiens, quid respondebis Deo, omniamala tua scienti, qui interdum times vultum hominis irati? Ut quid non prævides tibi in judicii die? Quando nemo poterit per alium excusari vel defendi, sed unusquisque sufficiens onus suum portabit sisi ipsi. Nunc labor tuus est fructuosus, fletus acceptabilies, gemitus exaudibilis, dolor satisfactorius et purgativus.
In all that you do, remember the end, and how you will stand before a strict judge, from whom nothing is hid, who is not bribed with gifts, nor accepts excuses, but will judge righteous judgment. O most miserable and foolish sinner, who are sometimes in fear of the countenance of an angry man, what will you answer to God, who knows all your misdeeds? Why do you not provide for yourself against the day of judgment, when no man shall be able to be excused or defended by means of another, but each one shall bear his burden himself alone? Now does your labour bring forth fruit, now is your weeping acceptable, your groaning heard, your sorrow well pleasing to God, and cleansing to your soul.
Imitation of Christ, I, 24:1
"The beginning of man's pride is to depart from the Lord; his heart has forsaken his Maker. For the beginning of pride is sin, and the man who clings to it pours out abominations." Ecclesiasticus 10:12-13
Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Theodosius I, the Great, 379-395
- appointed emperor in the east after Adrianopole - tried to expel the Goths, but couldn't, so they were accepted as "federates," allied nations living within the borders of the empire, living under their own laws and rulers
- in order to rebuild the army, it took money - Theodosius proclaimed in one law that "No man shall possess any property that is exempt from taxation." - tenants could not leave their land; if they did they were "stealing" their own person from their landlord
- when Gratian was killed by Magnus Maximus, Theodosius gathered troops, and defeated him, and also defeated Arbogast, Valentinian II's killer - Theodosius only lived 5 more months
- was a devout Christian, perhaps too much so, for he felt it was his duty to persecute the pagans as they had earlier persecuted Christians - paganism was forbidden under threat of heavy penalties
- at Thessalonica in 390, a mob lynched a government official - Theodosius ordered that the army was to massacre several thousand citizens as a punishment - though Theodosius had countermanded the order (and so fewer people had died), Bishop Ambrose refused to give communion to the emperor until he had publicly done penance for the massacre (this, i.e., someone telling the emperor what he had to do, was literally unheard of)
Sunday, December 25, 2011
"For the coming into being at first was not in our own power; and in order that we may follow those things which please Him, choosing them by means of the rational faculties He has Himself endorsed us with, He both persuades us and leads to faith." Justin Martyr, First Apology, X, ANF 1:165
Baier's Axioms
Unum nomen, una deitas.
One name, one deity.
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Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Valentinian II, 375-392
- made co-emperor at his father's death, for years was under the influence and orders of others - after the defeat of Magnus Maximus, the real power in the West was the German Master of Soldiers, Arbogast - Valentinian tried to dismiss him and claim the power for his own, Arbogast refused to read the letter that fired him, and Valentinian was soon after found dead in his palace (it was believed that Arbogast had him killed)
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Luther quotes
"What else is it but to sacrifice one's own child to an idol and burn it when parents train their children more in the love of the world then in love of God, and let their children go their own way and get burned up in worldly pleasure, love, enjoyment, lust, good, and honor, but let God's love and honor and love of eternal blessings be extinguished in them." Martin Luther, Treatise on Good Works, LW, AE, 44:83
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Latin proverbs
Cito fit, quod di volunt. (Petronius)
What the gods want happens quickly.
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Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Gratian, 367-383
- son of Valentinian I, became co-Augustus at age 8, along with his 4 year old brother Valentinian II - most of his reign was political infighting to see who would control him -
appointed Theodosius to rule the East when Valens died
- was a pious Christian, greatly influenced by Ambrose of Milan - first emperor to refuse
the role of pontifex maximus (pagan 'high priest') - withdrew public funds from the support of paganism, and removed the pagan altar of Victory from the Senate house
- when Magnus Maximus revolted, his troops deserted him, jealous because of special
privileges given to German mercenaries, and he was later assassinated
Friday, December 23, 2011
Imitation of Christ
Serva te tanquam peregrinum et hospitem super terram, ad quem nihil spectat de mundi negociis. Serva cor liberum, et ad Deum sursum erectum, quia non habes hic manentem civitatem. Illuc gemitus et preces quotidianas cum lacrymis dirige, ut spiritus tuus mereatur post mortem ad Dominum feliciter transire.
Keep yourself as a stranger and a pilgrim upon the earth, to whom the things of the world don't apply. Keep your heart free, and lifted up towards God, for here we have no continuing city. To Him direct your daily prayers with crying and tears, that your spirit may be found worthy to pass happily after death unto its Lord.
Imitation of Christ, I, 23:9
"Arrogance is hateful before the Lord and before men, and injustice is outrageous to both." Ecclesiasticus 10:7
Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Valens, 364-378
- his brother made him emperor in the east, fought against the Goths and Persians
- in 376, Goths began moving - up till then, there had been two Gothic kingdoms, the Ostrogoths ('bright'/east Goths) centered in the Ukraine, and the Visigoths ('wise'/west
Goths) centered in Romania, but about that time the Huns came out of the east and
destroyed both kingdoms - 200,000+ Goths sought refuge in the empire
- when they were mistreated by corrupt officials, Goths began plundering the are (and killing Romans) - Valens hurried to fight them, fought a battle at Adrianopole, but the entire Roman army (and Valens) were destroyed
- had been a determined Arian, persecuting the Nicene faith
Thursday, December 22, 2011
"But we have received by tradition that God does not need the material offerings which man can give, seeing, indeed, that He Himself is the provider of all things. And we have been taught, and are convinced, and do believe, that He accepts those only who imitate the excellencies which reside in Him, temperance, and justice, and philanthropy, and as many virtues as are peculiar to a God who is called by no proper name." Justin Martyr, First Apology, X, ANF 1:165
Baier's Axioms
Deus, si unus non est, non est. – `H poluqeÒthj ™stˆn ¢qeÒthj.
God, if He is not one, is not. – Polytheism is atheism.
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Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Valentinian I, 364-375
- had been banished by Julian because he was a Christian - took over the west and made his brother Valens the emperor in the east (the empire remained divided from this time on) - took the west because of the dangers there - fought against the Alamanni on the Rhine, tried to get the Picts (Scotland) out of Britain
- in 375, a representative of a German tribe was so insolent to the emperor that, enraged, he burst a blood vessel and died
- strengthened the army and increased the status of soldiers - taxes were raised higher than ever, but appointed "Defenders of the People" to make sure the poor weren't oppressed
- in 367 raised his oldest son Gratian to be co-emperor - was Christian but fostered toleration for all religions
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Luther quotes
"There is still another kind of dishonoring parents, much more dangerous and subtle than this first, a [dishonoring] which decks itself out and lets itself be regarded as a true honoring of parents. That is when a child has its own way and the parents allow it to do so out of natural love. In this case they honor one another and love one another. On all sides it is a precious thing; the mother and father are pleased and the child is pleased.
This plague is so common....." ML, Treatise on Good Works, LW, AE, 44:82
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Latin proverbs
Nobilitate caret si quis virtute caret. (Werner, adapt.)
If anyone lacks virtue, he lacks nobility.
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Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Jovian, 363-364
- brought the army back from Mesopotamia after Julian died - repudiated Julian's paganism and restored the church to its favored position - was found dead in his bedroom (surprisingly, there were no rumors of foul play)
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Imitation of Christ
Ha stulte, quid cogitas te diu victurum, cum nullum diem habeas securum? Quam multi decepti sunt et insperati de corpore extracti! Quoties audisti a dicentibus, quia ille gladio cecidit, ille submersus est, ille ab alto ruens cervicem fregit, ille manducando obriguit, ille ludendo finem fecit, alius igne, alius ferro, alius peste, alius latrocinio interiit: et sic omnium finis mors est, et vita hominum tanquam umbra cito pertransit.
Ah, foolish one! Why think that you will live long, when you are not sure of a single day? How many have been deceived, and suddenly have been snatched away from the body! How many times have you heard how one was slain by the sword, another was drowned, another falling from on high broke his neck, another died at the table, another whilst at play! One died by fire, another by the sword, another by the pestilence, another by the robber. Thus death comes to all, and the life of men swiftly passes away like a shadow.
Imitation of Christ, I, 23:7
"The government of the earth is in the hands of the Lord, and over it he will raise up the right man for the time." Ecclesiasticus 10:4
Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Julian, the Apostate, 361-363
- his tutor gave him a love for the classics, the murder of his family made him unhappy with Christianity - was made Caesar in 355, defeated the Franks and Alamanni in Gaul, wasvery popular, a good administrator
- openly declared himself to be a pagan - deprived the church of its privileges, and Christians were excluded from teaching (which was based on the pagan Greek classics) - he encouraged disunity in the church
- attempted to reorganize paganism along the lines of Christianity, but was resisted by the pagans - attempted to rebuild the Temple but "miraculously" was stopped - wounded in a skirmish against the Persians and never recovered
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Labels: ce
Monday, December 19, 2011
"We must beware, however, lest anyone should suppose that gross sins, such as are committed by those who shall not inherit the kingdom of God, maybe daily perpetuated, and daily atoned for by almsgiving. So life must be changed for the better; and almsgiving must be used to propitiate God for past sins, not to purchase impunity for the commission of such sins in the future. For He has given no man license to sin,...." Augustine ,Enchiridion, LXX, NPNF1, 3:260
Baier's Axioms
Quaecunque de Deo dicimus, oÙ t¾n fÚsin, ¢ll¦ t¦ perˆ t¾n fÚsin insinuant.
Whatever we say about God, makes known, not His nature, but the things concerning His nature.
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Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Constantius II, 337-361
- was rumored that he was behind the murder of his relatives - after fighting against Magnentius, made another cousin, Julian, the Caesar in the west
- did support Arians, made the church a part of government - was believed to be jealous of Julian, who declared himself Augustus - on the way to fight Julian, Constantius caught a fever and died
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Luther quotes
"By the same token, hell is no more easily earned than with respect to one's children. You could do no more disastrous work then to spoil the children, let them curse and swear, let them learn profane words and vulgar songs and just let them do as they please. …. There is no greater tragedy in Christendom than spoiling children. If we want to help Christendom, we most certainly have to start with children, as happened in earlier times." Martin Luther, A Sermon on the Estate of Marriage, LW, AE, 44:12-13
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Latin proverbs
Ut ver dat florem, studium sic reddit honorem. (Med.)
As spring brings flowers, so study brings honors.
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Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Magnentius, 350-353
- claimed to be restoring liberty to the western part of the empire - eventually fought against Constantius II at Mursa and was defeated (the first battle in which legions were routed by heavy cavalry) - 54,000 men were reported to have died on that day, crippling the army for a long while
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Imitation of Christ
Noli confidere super amicos et proximos, nec in futuris salutem tuam differas, quia citius obliviscentur tui homines, quam existimas. Melius est nunc tempestive providere et aliquid boni præmittere, quam super aliorum auxilio sperare. Si non es pro te ipso sollicitus modo, quis erit sollicitus pro te in futuro. Nunc tempus est valde prætiosum, sed proh dolor, quod hoc inutilius expendis, in quo promereri vales, unde æternaliter vivas. Veniet quando unam diem seu horam pro emendatione desiderabis, et nescio, an impetrabis.
Trust not your friends and kinsfolk, nor put off the work of your salvation to the future, for men will forget you sooner than you think. It is better for you now to provide in time, and to send some good before you, than to trust to the help of others. If you are not anxious for yourself now, who do you think will be anxious for you later? Now the time is most precious. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. But, alas, that you do not spend well this time, wherein you might lay up treasure which could profit you everlastingly. The hour will come when you will desire one day, yea, one hour, for amendment of life, and I know not whether you will obtain it.
Imitation of Christ, I, 23:5
"A wise magistrate will educate his people, and the rule of an understanding man will be well ordered." Ecclesiasticus 10:1
Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Constans, 337-350
- the big difference between Constans and Constantius was that Constans was a Nicene, Constantius an Arian - endowed the churchs and monasteries liberally, gave favors to the clergy
- took action against the Donatists, defeated the Franks and the tribes on the Danube - visited Britain (343), the last emperor to do so - wasn't popular witih the troops, so a former slave of Constantine, Magnentius, led a rebellion and Constans was killed
Friday, December 16, 2011
"But He who said, 'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,' loved Jacob of His undeserved grace, and hated Esau of His deserved judgment." Augustine, Enchiridion, XCVIII, NPNF1, 3:268
Baier's Axioms
Facilius, quid non sit, quam quid sit Deus, explicatur.
It is easier to explain what God is not than to explain what He is.
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Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Constantine II, 337-340
- declared Caesar in 317 while still an infant - one of the three sons of Constantine who inherited the empire (after killing their cousins) - one of the first acts was to have Constantine declared a god by the Roman senate - tried to take over Italy (where his brother Constans ruled), was ambushed and killed
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Luther quotes
"But this at least all married people should know, they can do no better work and do nothing more valuable either for God, for Christendom, for all the world, for themselves, and for their children then to bring up their children well." Martin Luther, A Sermon on the Estate of Marriage, LW, AE, 44:12
Posted by Ted at 6:35 AM No comments:
Latin proverbs
Ibi semper est victoria ubi concordia est. (Pub. Syrus)
Where there is co-operation there is always victory.
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Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Maximinus Daia, 310-313
- was Diocletian's choice for Augustus in the east - continued Diocletian's persecution with greater severity - everyone, including infants, had to attend public sacrifice, eat some of the sacrificial animal, and be sprinkled with the blood - tried to turn paganism into something like the church
- fought against Licinus, outnumbered him 2-1 yet still lost - escaped and "punished" the pagan priest who had predicted his victory by rescinding the laws against the church and restoring the church's property
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Imitation of Christ
Cum mane fuerit, puta te ad vesperum non perventurum. Vespere autem facto, mane non audeas tibi polliceri. Semper ergo paratus esto, et taliter vive, ut nunquam imparatum te mors inveniant. Multi subito improvisi moriuntur. Nam hora, qua non putatur, Filius hominis veniet. Quando hora illa extrema venerit, multum aliter sentire incipies de tota vita tua præterita et valde dolebis, quia tam negligens, et remissus fuisti.
When it is morning reflect that it may be that you will not see the evening, and at eventide dare not to boast of the morrow. Always be prepared, and so live that death may never find you unprepared. Many die suddenly and unexpectedly. For at such an hour as you do not plan, the Son of Man comes. When that last hour shall come, you wilt begin to think very differently of your whole life past, and will mourn bitterly that you hast been so negligent and slothful.
Imitation of Christ, I, 23:3
"A work will be praised for the skill of the craftsman; so a people's leader is proved wise by his words. A babbler is feared in his city, and the man who is reckless in speech will be hated." Ecclesiasticus 9:17-18
Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Licinus, 308-324
- Augustus in 308, allied with Constantine in 313 - when he fought against Constantine, he had more troops, but was defeated - captured and imprisoned, later executed for continuing to plot against Constantine
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
"For it seems unjust that, in the absence of any merit or demerit, from good over evil works, God should love the one and hate the other. Now, if the apostle had wished us to understand that there were future good works of the one, and evil works of the other, which of course God foreknew, he would never have said, 'not of works,' but, 'of future works,' and in this way would have solved the difficulty, or rather there would then have been no difficulty to solve." Augustine, Enchiridion, XCVIII, NPNF1, 3:268
Baier's Axioms
Attributa divina de se mutuo possunt praedicari in abstracto, quatenus sunt in Deo, non autem quatenus sunt in nostris conceptibus.
Divine attributes are not able to be predicated reciprocally in abstraction, insofar as they are in God, however not insofar as they are in our conception.
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Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Constantine the Great, 306-337
- son of Constantius Chlorus and Helena (an innkeeper's daughter) - acclaimed as Augutus by his troops - when Galerius died, it was open war between him and Maxentius- Battle of Milvian Bridge, 312 - outnumbered 4-1, Constantine defeated Maxentius and his troops and Maxentius died in the retreat - Constantine claimed to have seen a vision from the Christian God, a cross and In hoc signo vinces ("In this sign you will conquer")
- this victory made Constantine the sole Augustus in the west - in 323 there was war between him and Licinus to see who would be sole ruler (Constantine won in 324)
- continued the reorganization of the army with more German troops in the army, higher taxes, more bureaucracy and more strict laws to pay for the army - set up a new capital city, Constantinople (Constantine's city - closer to the Danube and the Persian frontier)
- 311, Edict of Serdica, freedom of religion granted to Christians - Constantine began moving the state toward being a "Christian" empire - "chaired" the council of Arelate (314) and Niceae (325) - apparently saw Christianity as a unifying force in the empire
- 326, suspicious of treason, ordered the death of his wife and oldest son - baptized on his death
Monday, December 12, 2011
Luther quotes
"Those who want to enter the estate of marriage should learn from this that they should earnestly pray to God for a spouse." Martin Luther, A Sermon on the Estate of Marriage, LW, AE, 44:8
Posted by Ted at 6:44 AM No comments:
Latin proverbs
Litterae non dant panem. (Medieval)
Litterature earns no bread.
Posted by Ted at 6:42 AM No comments:
Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Maxentius, 306-312
- son of Maximinus, Diocletian's partner - supported by the old praetorian guard - Galerius tried to remove him, but the soldiers wouldn't fight - was declared a "public enemy" in 308, but was able to sustain himself in power until he died in battle against Constantine in 312
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Imitation of Christ
Quid prodest diu vivere, quando parum emendamur? Ha, longa vita non semper emendat, sed sæpe culpam magis auget. Utinam per unam diem bene essemus conversati in hoc mundo. Multi annos computant conversionis, sed sæpe parvus est fructus emendationis. Si formidolosum est mori, forsitan periculosius erit vivere diu. Beatus qui horam mortis suæ semper ante oculos habet, et ad moriendum quotidie se disponit. Si vidisti aliquem mori, cogita quia tu per eandem viam transibis.
What does it profit to live long, when we amend so little? Ah! long life does not always amend, but often the more increases guilt. Oh that we might spend a single day in this world as it ought to be spent! Many there are who reckon the years since they were converted, and yet oftentimes how little is the fruit thereof. If it is a fearful thing to die, it may be perchance a yet more fearful thing to live long. Happy is the man who has the hour of his death always before his eyes, and daily prepares himself to die. If you have ever seen one die, consider that you also will pass away by the same road.
Imitation of Christ, I, 23:2
"Let righteous men be your dinner companions, and let your glorying be in the fear of the Lord." Ecclesiasticus 9:16
Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Galerius, 305-311
- was "junior" Caesar, then junior Augustus, but more powerful (the east was wealthier) - fought on the Danube and Persian frontier - he strongly influenced Diocletiain, especially in terms of persecution of the church (Diocletian had been tolerant, but Galerius' mother was a fanatical pagan)
- his fourth edict against the church insisted that every Christian had to offer pagan sacrifice
- in 311 became sick and on his death bed revoked the persecution and asked the church to pray for him
Saturday, December 10, 2011
"Then let us also love the prophets, because they too have proclaim the gospel, and place their hope in Him, and waited for Him; in whom also be leaving, they were saved, through union to Jesus Christ, being holy man, worthy of love and administration, having had witness borne to them by Jesus Christ, and being reckoned along with [us] in the Gospel of the common hope." Ignatius, Philadelphians, V, ANF 1:82
Baier's Axioms
Condescendit nobis Deus, ut nos consurgamus.
God descends to us, so that we might rise.
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Murphysboro Centuries, 4th secular
Constantius I Chlorus, 305-306
- had been the "senior" Caesar in Diocletian's setup, in charge of Gaul(France) and Britain - when Diocletian abdicated he became the senior Augustus, but died soon after that
Friday, December 9, 2011
Luther quotes
"As to divorce, it is still a question for debate whether it is allowable. For my part I so greatly detest divorce that I should prefer bigamy to it; but whether it is allowable, I do not venture to decide." Martin Luther, Babylonian Captivity, LW, AE, 40:105
Posted by Ted at 8:15 AM No comments:
Latin proverbs
Homines, dum docent, discunt. (Seneca)
While men teach they learn.
Posted by Ted at 8:14 AM No comments:
Murphysboro Centuries, 3rd sacred
Gregory the Wonder-worker, d. c. 275
- first bishop of Pontus (northern Turkey) and was responsible for converting most of the province - many stories are told about the miracles he supposedly performed
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Imitation of Christ
Valde cito erit tecum hoc factum: vide aliter quomodo te habeas. Hodie homo est, et cras non comparet. Cum autem sublatus fuerit ab oculis, etiam cito transit a mente. O hebetudo, et duritia cordis humani, quod solum præsentia meditatur, et futura non magis prævidet. Sic te in omni facto et cogitatu deberes tenere, quasi statim esses moriturus. Si bonam conscientiam haberes, non multum mortem timeres. Melius esset peccata cavere quam mortem fugure. Si hodie non es paratus, quomodo cras eris? Cras est dies incerta, et quid scis si crastinum habebis?
Very quickly will there be an end of you here; take heed therefore how it will be with you in another world. Today man is, and tomorrow he will be seen no more. And being removed out of sight, quickly also he is out of mind. O the dulness and hardness of man's heart, which thinks only of the present, and looks not forward to the future. You ought in every deed and thought so to order yourself, as if you were to die this day. If you had a good conscience you would not greatly fear death. It were better for you to watch against sin, than to fly from death. If today you are not ready, how will you be ready tomorrow? Tomorrow is an uncertain day; and how do you know that you will have a tomorrow?
Imitation of Christ, I, 23:1
"As much as you can, aim to know your neighbors, and consult with the wise. Let your conversation be with men of understanding, and let all your discussion be about the law of the Most High." Ecclesiasticus 9:14-15
Murphysboro Centuries, 3rd sacred
Dionysius the Great, bishop from 248-265
- one of the first "great" bishops of Alexandria, very powerful over a large area - wrote a tremendous amount, but not much survived the persecutions
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
"All these, therefore, were highly honored, and made great, not for their own sake, or for their own works, or for the righteousness which they wrought, but through the operation of His will. And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but I have faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever." 1 Clement, XXXII, ANF 1:13
Baier's Axioms
Nihil est in Deo, quod non sit ipse Deus.
Nothing is in God, which is not God Himself.
Posted by Ted at 8:25 AM No comments:
Murphysboro Centuries, 3rd sacred
Cyprian, c. 200-258
- bishop of Carthage, Africa - best known for insisting on the baptism of infants at an early time ( 'eight days too long to wait'), and for insisting on the unity of the church
- there was only one church and there was no salvation outside the church - if you were not part of the church, you were not a Christian - the unity of the church was based on the unity of the bishops
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Luther quotes
"Nor would I agree to that impediment which they call 'disparity of religion,' which forbid someone to marry an unbaptized person, either simply, or on condition that she be converted to the faith. Who made this prohibition? God or man? Who gave to man the power to prohibit such a marriage." Martin Luther, Babylonian Captivity, LW, AE, 40:100
Posted by Ted at 9:46 AM No comments:
Latin proverbs
Mulier, cum sola cogitat, male cogitat. (Pub. Syrus)
When a woman plans by herself, she does a poor job of it.
Posted by Ted at 9:44 AM No comments:
Murphysboro Centuries, 3rd sacred
Hippolytus of Rome, d. 235
- claimed to be a student of Irenaeus, was first "anti-pope" - wrote a lot, but best known for his work about what worship was like at that time in Rome - died in the mines
Monday, December 5, 2011
Imitation of Christ
Dicunt multi imbecilles et infirmi, Ecce quam bonam vitam ille homo habet, quam dives et quam magnus, quam potens et excelsus. Sed attende ad cælestia bona, et videbis quod omnia ista temporalia nulla sunt, sed magis incerta, et valde gravantia, quia nunquam sine solicitudine, et timore possidentur. Non est hominis felicitas habere temporalia ad abundantiam, et sufficit ei mediocritas. Vere miseria est vivere super terram. Quanto homo voluerit esse spiritualior, tanto præfens vita sit ei amarior, quia sentit melius, videt clarius humanæ corruptionis affectus. Nam comedere, bibere, vigilare, dormire, quiescere laborare et cæteris necessitatibus naturæ subjacere vere magna miseria est, et afflictio homini devoto, qui libenter esset absolutus et liber ab omni peccato.
There are many foolish and unstable men who say, "See what a prosperous life that man has, how rich and how great he is, how powerful, how exalted." But lift up your eyes to the good things of heaven, and you will see that all these worldly things are nothing, they are utterly uncertain, yes, they are wearisome, because they are never possessed without care and fear. The happiness of man lies not in the abundance of temporal things but a moderate portion suffices him. Our life upon the earth is verily wretchedness. The more a man desires to be spiritual, the more bitter does the present life become to him; because he understands and sees better the defects of human corruption. For to eat, to drink, to watch, to sleep, to rest, to labor, and to be subject to the other necessities of nature, is truly a great wretchedness and affliction to a devout man, who would rather be released and free from all sin.
Imitation of Christ, I, 22:2
"Do not envy the honors of a sinner, for you do not know what his end will be. Do not delight in what pleases the ungodly; remember that they will not be held guiltless as long as they live." Ecclesiasticus 9:11-12
Murphysboro Centuries, 3rd sacred
Origen, c. 185-254
- philosopher and educator in Alexandria, Egypt - regarded by some as the first great systematic theologian - best known for his enthusiasm for allegory which held that every part of Scripture has at least three meanings (flesh, soul, spirit meanings) - spiritual meanings may have absolutely nothing to do with the 'flesh' or literal meaning - was seen as a "great writer" because a wealthy patron paid to have his works copied and distributed
Sunday, December 4, 2011
"Let us then, men and brethren, with all energy act the part of soldiers, in accordance with His holy commandments. Let us consider those who serve under our generals, with what order, obedience, and submissiveness they perform the things which are commanded them." 1 Clement, XXXVII, ANF 1:15
Baier's Axioms
In Deum non cadit accidens. – In Deo nihil est mutabile vel amissibile.
In God accidents don't happen. – In God nothing is changeable or lose-able.
Posted by Ted at 8:00 AM No comments:
Murphysboro Centuries, 3rd sacred
Tertullian, c. 155-212
- writer in Rome and Africa - had been a lawyer and became a Christian c. 190-195 - began writing in 197 - was the first to write using Latin - in Africa, persecution under Septimus Severus led him to sympathize with Montanists - finally started his own little church
- saw Christianity through the eyes of Greek philosophy (Stoicism) - saw Christianity as knowledge about God, a new law - taught original sin, but not clearly - sin is forgiven by God's grace and baptism wipes out sin, but if one sins after baptism, you have to pay for that sin - punishing yourself will pay for that sin and God will punish you less
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Luther quotes
"The papists and Anabaptists teach: If you wish to know Christ, try to be alone, don't associate with men, become a separatist. This is plainly diabolical advice which is in conflict with the first and second table [of the Decalogue]. The first table requires faith and fear [of God]. According to the second commandment, this is to be preached and publicly praised before men and is to be discussed among men. One must not flee into a corner. So the {141} second table teaches that one must do good to one's neighbor. We ought not to isolate ourselves but enter into companionship with our neighbor." ML, Tabletalk, Schlaginhaufen #1329, between 1/8 and 3/23, 1532, LW, AE, 54:140
Posted by Ted at 11:36 AM No comments:
Latin proverbs
Homo semper aliud, Fortuna aliud cogitat. (Pub. Syrus)
Man always plans one thing and Fortune another.
Posted by Ted at 11:35 AM No comments:
Murphysboro Centuries, 3rd secular
Maximian, 268-305, 307-308 AD
- co-Augustus with Diocletian with his main responsibility in the West - forced to retire by Diocletian, but didn't like it and tried to come back, but Diocletian came out of retirement long enough to force Maximian to retire again
Friday, December 2, 2011
Watching all the news about the debt crises in the US and Europe, it struck me (with my very basic understanding of economics), that there was a simple answer to it all - simple, but unlikely to ever be adopted.
The problem seems to be one of unsecured debt - all these nations spending more than they take in, and no "collateral" that could be seized in case of default.
But isn't there a possible source of "collateral" in state museums? How much collateral for otherwise unsecured debts and bonds could be provided by the Mona Lisa (Louvre), the bust of Nefertiti (Egyptian Museum of Berlin), or the Mask of Agamemnon (National Archaeology Museum of Athens)?
It would seem to me that using such items as "collateral" would remove a lot of uncertainty from world markets, but I can't see national governments agreeing to such a thing.
The problem seems to be one of unsecured debt - all these nations spending more than they take in, and no "collateral" that could be seized in case of default.
But isn't there a possible source of "collateral" in state museums? How much collateral for otherwise unsecured debts and bonds could be provided by the Mona Lisa (Louvre), the bust of Nefertiti (Egyptian Museum of Berlin), or the Mask of Agamemnon (National Archaeology Museum of Athens)?
It would seem to me that using such items as "collateral" would remove a lot of uncertainty from world markets, but I can't see national governments agreeing to such a thing.
Posted by Ted at 9:57 AM No comments:
Labels: Stromata
Imitation of Christ
O quanta fragilitas humana, quæ semper prona est ad vitia. Hodie confiteris peccata tua, et cras iterum perpetras confessa. Nunc proponis cavere, et post horam ita agis, quasi nihil proposuisses. Merito ergo nosmetipsos humiliare possumus, nec unquam aliquid magni de nobis sentire, quia tam fragiles et instabiles sumus. Cito etiam potest perdi per negligentiam, quod multo labore vix tandem acquisitum est per gratiam.
O how great is the frailty of man, which is ever prone to evil! Today you confess your sins, and tomorrow you again commit the sins you confessed. Now you resolve to avoid a fault, and within an hour you behave yourself as if you had never resolved at all. Good cause have we therefore to humble ourselves, and never to think highly of ourselves, seeing that we are so frail and unstable. And quickly may that be lost by our negligence, which by much labour was hardly attained through grace.
Imitation of Christ, I, 22:6
"Forsake not an old friend, for a new one does not compare with him. A new friend is like new wine; when it has aged you will drink it with pleasure." Ecclesiastes 9:10
Murphysboro Centuries, 3rd secular
Diocletian, 284-305 AD
- set up the "Tetrarchy", 2 Augusti, 2 Caesars, with responsibilities evenly spread out to all four - they would rise to power by ability - he was the most impressive organizer since Augustus
- doubled the number of provinces (so they would be too small for the governors to make a successful revolt), grouped them in larger "dioceses" - vastly increased the army and made big changes with static forces on the borders and a mobile reserve
- because of this, there was a huge rise in taxes and inflation went wild - he issued a degree trying to regulate prices and wages but it was a spectacular failure
- in 303, even though his wife was a Christian, tried to stamp out Christianity - (1) no assemblies of Christians, (2) churches and Bibles were to be burned, and (3) clergy (later also laypeople) were arrested, imprisoned and tortured/executed if they wouldn't make a pagan sacrifice
- abdicated peacefully in 305, died in 316 (the only emperor to "retire" from that job)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
"For though I am alive while I write to you, yet I am eager to die. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in me desiring to be fed; but there is within me a water that liveth and speaketh, saying to me inwardly, Come to the Father." Ignatius, Romans, VII, ANF 1:76-77
Baier's Axioms
Est essentia Dei tÕ p©n kaˆ oÙdšn.
The essence of God is the everything and the nothing.
Posted by Ted at 8:40 AM No comments:
Murphysboro Centuries, 3rd secular
Carinus, 283-285 AD
- son of Carus, co-emperor with his brother Numerian - claimed victories over the Germans and Britons
Numerian, 283-284 AD
- in charge in the East, but not much of a general and didn't want to fight - he started for home and was killed by his second-in-command
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It's currently unclear if cinnamon is a beneficial diabetes treatment. The American Diabetes Association does not advocate cinnamon as a valid treatment, but research findings have been mixed, according to WebMD.
A handful of small studies have shown that cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels by lowering insulin resistance. Subjects in one study had 18 percent lower cholesterol and 24 percent lower blood sugar levels after using 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon daily for 40 days, while other studies did not report any changes, according to WebMD. A 2012 review on several studies linked cinnamon use with improved levels of glycemic control, according to Mayo Clinic.


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Australian Story - Tough Love
Screens Monday 3rd October at 8pm
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 — Taylor and Michael want to get married and have children and that makes me feel very worried, apprehensive and concerned. It's not going to happen, it can't happen.
Catherine Musk, Taylor's mother
I know that their heart's in the right place but being overprotective is strictly not on with your child, even if they have Down Syndrome. I know that me and Taylor have the skills to be married and start our own family. Michael Cox
People with disability, like Michael and Taylor, are certainly entitled to bodily integrity and the freedom to do with their bodies as they wish.
Michelle O'Flynn, disability advocate
It's the reality behind a love story that went viral.
Earlier this year, Australia was swept up in the fairy-tale romance of Michael Cox and Taylor Anderton, two young Queenslanders with Down Syndrome who had found true love. An ABC video about the couple was viewed more than 13 million times.
The impressive pair have always exceeded expectations, including conquering the world in competitive swimming. Now they have their sights set on getting married and having children.
"We want to have four kids, we're going to have three daughters and one son," says 25-year-old Michael Cox. "It's not that hard to have a kid. I know that some people say it's all about hard work, but it's not, it's all about love and compassion that you have for your child."
But it's a goal their parents don't support.
"I don't see parenthood being something that they're going to achieve or really they probably should achieve," says Michael's father, Simon Cox. "It would be very difficult being a child whose parents both had Down Syndrome and couldn't have a job and couldn't drive a car and couldn't understand maths homework."
Both families say they raised their children to believe in their dreams and to reach for the stars. But now they're questioning whether they've set them up to fail.
"I think of it as a double-edged sword," says Michael's mother, Nikki Cox. "For all his life we've imposed no limits but then it reaches a point where there are some things that he desperately wants to do and believes that he can do that are probably not going to happen."
After struggling to find adequate professional support, the families say they are keen to share the real story publicly to help others in similar situations.
"If one other family can benefit from this experience it's going to be fabulous because we have nowhere to turn," Simon Cox says. "We just hope that through this experience we'll learn, and if we learn, another family can learn as well, and that will be great."
"When my mum keeps talking about the rules and me and Michael's relationship, it does treat me like a child a little bit," says Taylor Anderton. "I didn't understand love when I was little, but I do now, because I am [an] adult."
Story Introduced by Caroline Jones.
Producer Kirstin Murray, 0407 030 200
Chris Chamberlin
News Publicist


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That helps keep outsiders off the water.
When Oregon gained statehood in 1859, the state assumed ownership of all land underlying navigable waterways, setting up a conflict with property owners who surround Oswego Lake and continue to claim it as their own. Landowners have since enlarged the lake and strengthened their legal position. In 1976, then-U.S. Sen. Mark Hatfield won approval of federal legislation declaring the lake nonnavigable.
"Every 10 years or so, someone makes a challenge as to why everyone and anyone can't come into the lake," said Doug Thomas, board of directors president of the Lake Oswego Corporation. The entity manages Oswego Lake through easement agreements involving 694 lakefront and about 4,500 nearby homes, representing 12,000 to 13,000 residents.
"But the shareholders built this lake and have maintained it for over a hundred years. Why would we let everyone have access to our backyards?" Thomas asks.
The issue arose again last fall when Todd Prager, a Lake Oswego resident and member of the city's planning commission, suggested exploring a lake access policy as part of an update to the city's comprehensive plan. Prager said that because the current plan is based on the premise the lake is private, he asked for clarification from the Department of State Lands. He learned that the state claims ownership of the lake's original footprint and maintains there is sufficient evidence the lake is navigable.
Furthermore, the state contends everyone has a right to use the lake as long as they get to the water through public land or right of way.
"I just think the lake is such an important defining feature of the community and Lake Oswego," said Prager, who works as an associate planner for the city of Tigard. "I think the city should have a really clear policy on access, one way or another."
In Lake Oswego, those are fighting words.
In December, the comprehensive plan's Citizen Advisory Committee approved forming a subcommittee to examine whether the city should even consider addressing lake access. The work group's answer was no. The Lake Oswego Planning Commission is scheduled to review the committee's recommendation on Monday, but it's clear there is little appetite among city officials for exploring the issue.
"I think the status quo is preferable," said Lake Oswego Mayor Jack Hoffman. "At this point, it hasn't risen as a community issue to warrant a change."
"The state law reads that public access is available for bodies of water that are floatable by watercraft," Blumm said. "It's really more of a duty than an option that the city fight for its citizens and make the entire lake public."
The Northwest Environmental Defense Center, a nonprofit legal-support organization, also contended in a Jan. 17 letter to the city that Lake Oswego is violating state law by failing to seek public recreational access to the entire lake.
Lake Oswego residents have limited access to the lake through the Lake Oswego Swim Park at Ridgeway Road and the Lake Grove Swim Park along Lakeview Boulevard. The Lake Oswego Swim Park is run by the city. The Lake Grove Swim Park is run by the Lake Oswego School District and limited to residents who live within the boundary of the former Lake Grove School District and pay an additional property tax.
The Lake Oswego School District issued a letter to the city Jan. 31 saying opening the entire lake to the public would diminish property values and swim park conditions.
The Lake Corp., a private nonprofit organization owned by shareholders, was formed in 1942 by the Paul F. Murphy Co. to govern the lake. Murphy took over property owned by Oregon Iron & Steel, including the lake, to develop residential homes when Oregon Iron & Steel defaulted on loans in the early 1920s.
The real estate company transferred the deed for ownership of the lakebed, lake rim and property owned around the lake to Lake Corp.
All 694 lakefront property owners own shares in the corporation, which also controls 21 lake easements — residential areas where property owners have recreational and boating access to the entire lake. In addition to a board of directors, the corporation has at least six full-time employees and budgets about $2 million a year on services including lake maintenance and patrols.
Lakefront property owners pay annual dues of $2,000 to $3,500 and thousands more pay lesser amounts for recreational access. Each easement has its own governing body and can levy additional dues, such as an initiation fee ranging from $100 to $1,000. The city also has shares in the organization through property and rights-of-way it owns around the lake. Millennium Plaza Park, for example, has steps that lead right into the water.
The city does not permit boating access, however.
Thomas cited the Lake Oswego Swim Park as evidence that some public access already exists.
"We're not exclusive," he said. "There are homes for sale on and around the lake right now for under $150,000 that anyone is welcome to buy."
Opening the lake more broadly would decrease property values, increase crowding and safety concerns and the likelihood of water contamination, Lake Corp. officials said.
"We'd be hard-pressed to continue all of that if the lake wasn't under Lake Corp.'s auspices," said Ward.
But Lewis & Clark's Blumm, who recently co-wrote a study on Oregon's public trust doctrine, said all those things could be done by the city.
"You can't deny the public from a state-owned resource," Blumm said. "If you get this before a judge, I don't think Lake Corp. has a leg to stand on."
Thomas said he believes property owners would dig in their heels for a legal battle if it comes to that.
"We don't want to sue anybody," Thomas said. "We would much rather spend money on improving the lake, not defending it from people who want to tear it down."


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(AUGUSTA, Ga.) — Members of a Florida church are asking prosecutors to spare the life a man who is accused of killing their beloved priest.
Members of the Diocese of St. Augustine say the victim, Father Rene Robert, signed a "Declaration of Life," a personal statement of opposition to the death penalty before he was fatally shot last Spring, according to ABC News affiliate WTLV.
Steven Murray, the 28-year-old murder suspect, allegedly shot Robert to death in April and then lead police to his body in a wooded area in Georgia, according to WTLV.
Augusta-Richmond County District Attorney Ashley Wright has filed notice that she plans to seek the death penalty, but members of the diocese are traveling to Georgia Tuesday with the hopes of changing her mind.
The church members said the declaration, which they say was written and signed by Robert himself, should be honored.
"There is no need to kill the person even if he deserved that, there is no need," Bishop Felipe Estevez told WTLV.
Several Bishops and Clergy members are planning to hold a news conference outside of the Augusta county courthouse Tuesday at 11 a.m. local time.
Copyright © 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
Church Members Say Priest's Alleged Murderer Should Be Spared Death Penalty
(AUGUSTA, Ga.) — Members of a Florida church are asking prosecutors to spare the life a man who is accused of killing their beloved priest.


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Working at Herrenknecht
Success begins with the right attitude
________________ At Herrenknecht we know, our employees are our most important asset. We offer a high degree of job security, fast decision-making and a working environment in which both, individuality and teamwork, across national borders are appreciated.
Our continuing education program and additional benefits contribute to motivation. Because only satisfied colleagues perform best. We thus grow with our employees and can continue to meet our high quality standards as a leader in mechanized tunnelling in the future as well.
Learn more on these pages about the company, our employees and the benefits we provide as an employer.


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I am puzzled. A check of the sound devices by viewing the properties for each one results in reading that the status of each is working properly. The mute in the volume control is not selected and the volume is set to about 75 % full volume. When the troubleshooting procedure is followed, not even the system sounds will play through the laptops speakers.
Any ideas?
Have a good day,


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Barnes TSX 30 Cal. 168 Grain .308 BT Rifle Bullet (50)
Product Info Item# 97662
The TSX offers the deadly effectiveness of the time-proven X Bullet and features the Accu-Groove system - grooved rings cut into the bullet shank. These rings act as relief valves as the bullet travels down the bore. Instead of metal flowing from the front of the base of the bullet, the copper material flows into the grooves. This results in less barrel fouling. The rings also alter barrel harmonics, greatly improving accuracy.
- Box of 50
- TSX - Triple Shock X
- All-copper construction
- No fragmentation
- Rapid expansion
- 28% deeper penetration than lead-core bullets
- Maximum weight retention
- Lead-free
- Caliber: 30 cal.
- Length: 1.318"
- Sectional density: .253
- Ballistic coefficient: .404
- Bullet weight: 168 grains
More About Barnes Bullets, LLC
In their continuing search for optimum bullet design and performance, Randy and Coni have hunted both large and small game throughout the world. The all-copper X-Bullet®, and the recently introduced Triple-Shock™ X-Bullet Randy developed, have set performance standards conventional lead-core bullets simply can't match.
Barnes - Optimized for Your Target™
|Actual diameter
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30351More Info
ATTENTION: The online sale of this item is prohibited to MA, DC, Alaska, Hawaii and Canada.
Product Details
Barnes TSX 30 Cal. 168 Grain .308 BT Rifle Bullet (50)
|Boat Tail


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Ocala continued its unwelcome distinction during November as having one of the highest foreclosure rates among U.S. metropolitan areas.
Ocala continued its unwelcome distinction during November as having one of the highest foreclosure rates among U.S. metropolitan areas.
Despite the ranking, however, the Ocala area is far better off than it was just a few years ago, as the area unemployment rate has since improved and the housing market has gradually recovered.
Eight Florida metropolitan areas made it into the country's highest foreclosure areas among populations of more than 200,000 people. Ocala ranked 10th, with one in every 454 properties in the foreclosure process, according to RealtyTrac, an online industry website that analyzes foreclosure trends.
Despite the ranking, the number of properties in foreclosure this November is far below what it was in the same month last year, when one out of every 199 properties was in foreclosure. In July 2012, the foreclosure rate was as bad as one in every 71 properties in foreclosure.
In November 2013, there were 360 new properties in the foreclosure process. In November 2012, there were 782.
The Marion County foreclosure trend is also being seen on a state level.
Florida's November foreclosure rate fell 15 percent from October and was down 23 percent from a year ago — the fourth consecutive month with a year-over-year decrease.
Despite the improvements, Florida still had the highest state foreclosure rate, with one in every 392 housing units with a foreclosure filing.
The overall decrease in Florida foreclosure activity was driven by a 46 percent November year-over-year annual decrease in foreclosure starts, or pre-foreclosures, and a 16 percent annual decrease in bank repossessions.
Marion County saw a nearly 77 percent annual decrease in foreclosure starts and a 76 percent annual decrease in bank repossessions.
The foreclosure rate is also reflected in Marion County's housing market.
In November 2013, the sale of foreclosed homes made up 20 percent of home sales. That was down from the year before when foreclosed sales made up 23 percent, according to the Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors.
Much of the market is tied to the area's unemployment rate, said Duke Rountree, president of the Ocala/Marion County Association of Realtors and owner of Rountree Realty Corp. in Fort McCoy.
When unemployment improves, so does the market and foreclosures ease, he said.
Other Florida areas with high, but improving, foreclosure rates included Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach with one in every 307 properties in some stage of foreclosure (ranked No. 2 in the U.S.), a 15.5 percent improvement from November, 2012. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area saw one in every 410 properties in foreclosure (No. 8), a nearly 29 percent improvement.
States with the highest foreclosure rates were Florida, Delaware, Maryland, South Carolina and Illinois.
Marion County's foreclosure rate of 0.23 percent was slightly lower than Florida's overall rate of 0.26 percent but still significantly higher than the national average of 0.09 percent.
It is still unclear what is causing the decrease in foreclosures.
Some think it could be due to a new, strict Florida foreclosure law requiring banks to better prove they own the mortgage when they want to foreclose in return for a quicker case.
But that can be difficult when many of the mortgages were repackaged and sold many times during the market heyday.
Others argue that the foreclosure decline is due to banks having now shed many properties taken back from borrowers unable to make their mortgage payments.
That group includes Jorge Salazar-Carrillo, an economics professor who directs the Center of Economic Research at Florida International University, who said Florida was working its way out of the housing crisis.
He cited an improving economy as helping people avoid foreclosure.
Marion County's November jobless rate was 7.1 percent, an improvement of two percentage points over the same month last year, according to state data.
The number released by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity this month was also a slight improvement over the 7.3 percent rate in October.
Contact Fred Hiers at 867-4157 or email@example.com.


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513 entries.
I am a fan of you from the 70's and my kids are a fan from your Wham Bam in the Guardians movie. We will be seeing you in Dallas and hope to hear that song if you would grace us with it.
Caught your concert at The Loft in Camarillo a few nights ago, and it was really stellar! Great playing, singing, and writing, with some funny between-songs stories... Would love to buy you a beverage of your choice when we're up in the Bend area this Christmas!
B&R = Underrated Rock Stars. After being Drafted and overseas for 730 straight days, I came back to Detroit to hear B&R in Concert in my first month back. The Bar/Goal was set and I was converted to Acoustic. Over the Top Duo with great song, guitar, singing and Jamming.
John, love the new website look!! And looking forward to your upcoming Spring CD!! Happy new year and best wishes for a great and prosperous 2017!
Saw your name on Dave Mason's Misty Morning track. Knew I had heard it from 70's. Like the bio. Best of life to you
Hey John, I enjoyed Beep-Beep when I first heard it on The Loft, Sirius XM, so glad you're making music to this day. If you ever want to play a house concert in Denver, please let me know. More info on our venue/series @ www. fivepointslive. com - Doug @ 303-886-4114
omg - when i heard the name batdorf and rodney this month - talk about dr demento's way-back machine!! and b. mitchell reid - brings back so many great memories of los angeles am/fm stations and the great voices coming over the radio in ventura county. wow - you guys ruled for a number of years in the la la scene! happy to hear you are still playing john! kmet tweedle dee
I am SO happy!!! Today I learned the name of a wonderful song from my youth--actually I was a Senior in high school - 1975. The song - Life Is You was played that year on a radio station in an adjoining town from where I lived. I always remembered the words but didn't know the name of the song. Today I heard the song - seemed to be a different version but same words. I grabbed the phone and called the radio station to find out the name of the song - Life Is You. I Googled the song and learned it was the original musicians singing - just 41yers later. I got to hear the 1975 version on You Tube today and brought back a lot of fun memories!! I'm gonna check these guys out!!! Wonderful sound!! Thanks!!!
a young friend of mine back in 74 after back from vietnam turned me on to b&r i fell for you guys but never could get your music in the east. found you again on the net. great sounds still haunt me from ny late night radio alicesed steel late night
hey john just love your stuff loved reading your history it gave me a boost
hey john just love your stuff loved reading your history it gave me a boost as my band continues to move on all the best peace Rob Carlton rc.budaka
Hey John - I know this is a BIG shot in the dark - but I came across your vinyl recently - and am wondering if we're related....my mom's maiden name was Batdorf! lol But we're from Central Pa - so I thought it'd be a long shot......just so weird too see such an unusual name as our family name--in a place that sells records! Good for you two - you got three albums out! Nice stuff - you should be proud! Hope all's well - take care! Gina in Pa.
I had forgotten your music. In the early and mid-'70's I turned many of my college on to your music. This past weekend I connected with a friend I had not heard from since '78. B&R was one of the 1st things he brought up. He said he still has your music on his playlist. that brought me here today. Thanks.
John - I'm an old friend of Randy & Vicki Sweeney - and Steve Bazzano's. I saw the videos of your show last night at The Farm! I could have sworn I saw a tour schedule with you stopping here in Portland - OR. Any chance that will happen? I've been so envious and happy for my buds from CT!
Hi John - I bought your first album but somehow lost track of you. That first album did influence both my playing and song writing. For that I am thankful. Great to hear what you're doing today.
Dear John - hope this finds you well. Love your music and projects you've worked on. I was trying to find lyrics to "Life Is You." If possible could you send me to me? Much appreciated. My cousin Paul and I grew up on much of Batdorf and Rodney music. Thanks again. May God Bless you in all you put your hands to. And wherever your feet may tread. Kindly - Ralph
Loved the show last night in University Place!
Hi John..it's Cally Cantrell I live in LAS VEGAS BUT STILL GOT MY NASHVILLE FRIENDS. HIT ME UP
Hey John Finally found a CD copy of Silver. Saw you several times during the 70s in Santa Monica and Hermosa Beach. While listening to the Silver CD it struck me what is missing from today's music....harmony. You guys sounded great.
Mr. Batdorf - I will be attending your upcoming concert at The Oasis in San Diego. This will be my first time having the pleasure of seeing you live. I've been listening to your music for a while.I know you'll be making set lists and I have a few requests. Ain't No Way Ain't Dead Yet What d'ya got Don't seem right to me I rather you played everything you'd ever written but there won't be time for that. Thanks and I look forward to the show.


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Alan Dresner
On Sunday, July 8, 2007, in Minneapolis, MN. He is survived by wife Deya; son, Alexander; mother, Marita Dresner; sister, Denise Dresner; cousins Fay Neufeld, Matthew Morse and Jesse Morse; and a wide circle of friends. He worked in the visual communications industry for 26 years and was recognized as a leading authority in the field. Most recently he worked for Electrosonic Ltd in Minneapolis as general manager for North American Video Display Solutions. A longtime resident of Washington DC, he was born in New York and grew up in Rome, Italy. A memorial service will be held in September in Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Cancer Institute.


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Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana, Cuba's first five-star luxury hotel, officially opens its doors to guests on June 7, 2017. Centrally located in the heart of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hotel brings a new level of guest experience to a city that has become a leading urban tourism destination.
Features include 246 rooms and suites, six restaurants and bars, a world-class spa and wellness facility, as well as panoramic views of the historic city center. Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana marks a re-entry into the Americas for Kempinski Hotels and will elevate expectations of what it means to experience luxurious, European-style hospitality in Havana. Neighboring many of the area's historical sites, adorned with green spaces and rich with culture, the new hotel is set to return Manzana de Gómez to its former glory as the spot to be in Cuba's capital.
Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana is a revival of the former Manzana de Gómez site, rich with history dating back more than 100 years. Construction on the original building began in 1890, but it took 28 years to reach its current six floors. Manzana de Gómez became the first European-style shopping arcade in Cuba and later housed government offices and even schools on the upper floors. Today, Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana opens in Old Havana, reclaiming its position as a social hub in the center of the city.
The rooms and suites start at 38 square meters for the Patio Rooms and go up to 150 square meters for the Presidential Suite. Rooms feature high ceilings of up to 6.5 meters, contemporary furnishings and large French doors/windows in many rooms, perfect for admiring the patio and city views.
Guests can enjoy their breakfast at Confluencias in the morning and traditional afternoon tea with freshly baked pastries at El Arsenal's intimate lounge. Evocación Tobacco Lounge offers an authentic Cuban experience with its selection of the finest rums, cigars and spirits, while Constante Bar is an ideal spot for sipping daiquiris and overlooking the famous El Floridita bar. For fresh seafood with a Latin touch, the San Cristóbal Panoramic Restaurant, with its beautiful embroidery chairs and floor-to-ceiling windows, is the best place to be. Guests may end the evening soaking up one of the best views of Old Havana at El Surtidor Pool Terrace and Bar with Hispanic-inspired tapas and locally-sourced cocktails.
Spa Albear by Resense offers its guests 1000 square meters dedicated to well-being with 8 treatment rooms, a thermal bathing area inspired by European bathing culture, a state-of-the-art Gym and a spectacular rooftop infinity pool overlooking Old Havana. Inspired by Europe, every element of the SPA has been designed to provide guests with classical service, a luxurious experience and an element of surprise.