Easter Sunday, the easy part.

We've got the easy part of Easter don't we?! We don't have to hide our affiliation with this Jesus guy for fear of persecution or death. At least in this country for the most part anyway. We don't have to stand in a crowd of otherwise, good people, incited by a bunch of powerful religious leaders, yelling at the top of their lungs to hang him. "Free the murderer instead!" they said. Leaving the authorities no other choice than to humiliate and torture this innocent man and then hang him on a cross to die, slowly and painfully. What would it have been like to experience all that? Can we even imagine such horror? We'll never really know. It's done! We can meditate, we can pray, we can fast, we can give up things, but none of it compares with those three days over 2000 years ago. It had to be done to give us sinners a way back. There was nothing we could do to make up for our disappointing ways of life. It had to be someone who could handle it with faith, love and kindness. Of course that doesn't mean we will all follow that path but it is there for any of us that does.

During Lent we prepare, on Holy Thursday we remember the last supper and the washing of his feet. On Good Friday we read again of the last hours, the cruelty, the pain, and finally, death. On Holy Saturday we go about our mourning in every possible way. On Easter Sunday we bring ourselves together to celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. No matter how hard we try, I don't think it's possible to imagine how it all went down, hard as we try, we simply can't.

So, for our part, what is left is the acceptance and celebration of the door that was opened to us. That's the easy part. Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Rapture/end of the world/May 21st

The rapture is upon us!

Does that mean that if we aren't scooped up and swept to our heavenly reward today at 6:00pm we are not saved and destined to go to hell? I guess that's a personal opinion and one way or another we're going to find out eventually.

I have thoughts about all this hullabaloo about the rapture happening today. I'm not saying I'm right, I'm simply saying I have a different perspective based on my personal faith and knowledge.

Number one: The good book says that the end will come like a thief in the night, no one will know the time. OK, I believe that.

Number two: The Lord said He will always be with us, do not be afraid.

Number three: From everything I have read it is my understanding that it is God's job to save us. I do not believe that I should be over confident in that department.

Number four: Many of those believers I have spoken to have made some pretty intense preparations for after they are taken up, I wonder why. It's almost like if they make more preparations then the Lord will not want to disappoint them. I really don't think preparations are important right now. It's heaven for heaven's sake!

Number five: Why should I or anyone else worry about such matters in the first place? Whatever happens to us individually is a result of how we conducted our lives. It was all explained to us and we had the opportunity to do the right thing. Regardless of how you believe that's the way it is. I know a guy that has done everything to cater to his own needs. He believed that all of us are responsible for our own needs and it was not his responsibility to help anyone else. He has made preparations for the rapture today. He has gone to his cottage with lots of food , money and other staples to wait. Alone! And by the way, what's he going to do with all that money?

I'm not saying yes or no. I'm just asking. Several years ago hundreds of people got into their camping trailers, AKA "escape pods", went to a mountain top and awaited their turn to be taken into heaven behind Haley's comet as it went by. The professed prophet charged money for their camping spots. There were a whole lot of disappointed people but one prophet with bulging pockets. The good book also says t beware of false prophets. I'm just asking?............Have a wonderful day either way..................Joe

Jobs and snow storms

We're finally getting snow around here. Hurrah! I know I am treading on thin ice here regarding the old axiom: "Be careful what you pray for." But at the same time, I continue to live in Michigan because I like the seasons, including but not limited to the snowy winter. Back when I was a kid it felt as though we received way more snow than the past few years. Streets were bordered by huge mounds of plowed snow covering even the sidewalks. It was a natural playground for us little guys. You could dig straight into the piles and they'd become a fort or an igloo in no time at all. The snow plows chugged up and down the side streets by attaching chains to their tires that dug deeply into the ice and snow. To my recollection there really wasn't much salt used to clear the roads as they do today. The trucks were filled with sand which they spread behind into the chain grooves as they plowed. It was cold, the snow was deep and cars got stuck regularly. That was solved when the neighbors would come out of their toasty homes with their coats, gloves and goulashes to push the unlucky soul out and on their way again. There was a lot of that. The tow trucks did a landmine business too I am sure but all in all w survived until spring came and it was time to go spearing for fish in the local creek. The change of seasons and the accompanying weather differences were a cause of celebration. When the weather stays the same for a long time most Michiganders like myself get bored. That's why I like the snow when it arrives and let there be no doubt that I also like it when it leaves.

The reason I mention this is that our economy is also seasonal and right now it is very much like the dead of winter. It is a difficult time for many of us and its hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But I've been here before too. As sure as Spring follows winter, the economy will rebound and there will be much cause to celebrate. The thing is, we have to make the best of where we are right now. The trials and tribulations of recession can make us stronger and wiser. Just like winter helps us become more aware of the opportunities that come with Spring. Relief will come quicker for some of us than it will for others. recently I spoke with a friend who hadn't had a permanent job for over two years. He has now been working for a company for three months and they just told him they want him to stick round for many years to come and gave him a raise and a promotion. He handled the snow, now his Springtime has arrived. There are a lot of stories like that and more are popping up every day. I think we need to remember that and keep the faith. But we really have to work at it sometimes..I wish you a good day................Joe

Westboro Baptist Fred Phelps

Hey Fred! I humbly suggest you re-read that bible of yours. Rumor has it that you or some of your followers are about to bring a protest to the funeral of Elizabeth Edwards. According to the bible I read you are dead wrong in doing that. For decades you have made some pretty strong comments about certain lifestyles and the war in Iraq. Fine! You have the right to say that. Just not where you have in some instances, more specifically, at funerals. In doing that you are dead wrong. "You are speaking the word of God." you say? I ask, "Who said so?" God spoke to you? Did you get it on tape? He may possibly have spoken to you. It is totally possible. But I'd like to see the stone tablets he carved out with His commandments for you to protest in this way. That's all I ask. Show me the proof. I don't read anywhere in my bible or any other one that Fred Phelps is the spokesperson for God.

Our religious beliefs often carry us into the face of adversity. Faith brings with it a difficult road that we must travel. We have to be strong and steadfast maintain what we are asked to do. In your case I think you should step back and ask yourself just what your agenda is. It has been my experience that when someone brings so much pain to others during their most difficult times the point is not so much what God wants but what you want. Personal power over others is a driving force that has condemned many so called spiritual leaders and their followers. Going so far as to asking them all to commit suicide and other atrocities. Think about that Fred. Our soldiers families didn't deserve for you to be there, you just made things worse. Did you feel good about that?

It seems that somewhere in the bible it states that we should beware of false Prophets. Are you a false prophet Fred? Are you in this just for the glory of bringing pain to people you do not agree with? Do you really think this is what Jesus would do? Even John the Baptist, as radical as he was with his repent command, did not go to others. He only spoke to those who came to him. Preach what you want. But, keep it where you are. If someone has a funeral at your church you can berate and belittle them til your heart is content and their hearts are broken. If you have a truly good message they will come. Personally I doubt they will. Leave this funeral and all that follow alone. I think God will be plenty OK with that.

More about the mean old guy

As we meandered out the door chatting about how we were today, baseball season coming on and my grand kids he listened intently with a bright smile on his face. It was difficult to remember how he was feared by almost every kid in the neighborhood. He didn't smile back then. He worked almost constantly at two jobs and when he was home he busied himself in his garden or with the chickens or rabbits. The only time I saw him doing anything else was on Sunday morning when the whole family went to church. They arrived early at the first service of the day, which at the time was 6:30am. They also sat in the very last pew way in the back all by themselves. He didn't look mean to me sitting in church like that with his wife and kids around him. They stayed sitting after the service until most everyone else was gone and then they walked back home after usually saying something to the pastor. Then they spent most of the day in the house and garden.

His three kids went to middle school about four blocks away. Somehow the mean old guy managed to walk with them every day. Those kids seemed just like every other kid except they didn't go out for lunch or recess. They also took off a lot of sick days. And, although they were not rude and did talk a little with other kids they didn't mix with them at all after school. That added to the rumors. Some kids said they heard from another kid that the mean old guy kept those kids as slaves in the basement and only let them out to go to school and they were probably fed some kind of mind control drug to keep them from talking about being slaves. They certainly didn't act like slaves when I stopped by to collect for the paper or bring my seed catalog.

Today is a garden day for me. Replacing some plants that were frozen out and putting in some new. Fresh food from the garden is a real treat. The old mean guy seemed to know that too
..........................Joe

Palm Sunday, The Catholic Church, eliminating abuse.

There is a lot of media coverage again concerning the Catholic Church, cover ups and abusive priests. I have strong feelings about it. I am Catholic. Anything that hurts the Catholic church, hurts me right along with millions of fellow Christians world wide. Some Catholics are leaving the church because of their personal strong feelings. I'm not going to do that. Some Catholics are angry and condemn the church for all of this. I'm not doing that either. Today is Palm Sunday, known also as Passion Sunday. Today is marked in part by Judas' betrayal of Jesus. It must have hurt Jesus deeply to be betrayed by one of his closest friends. I feel hurt too. The rest of the apostles didn't stop believing just because of Judas. I'm not either.

A week from now Catholics and other Christians celebrate the Jesus' resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday. There were bad things happening in the world. God sent his son to show us a way to stop those bad things. Jesus left us a church to guide us in how to stop bad things until he returns. He also left human beings in charge of that church. Interesting because although the church teaches God's truth, some of the imperfect human beings in charge of it lie and do evil things.

I know that some people will profess the truth and distort it in order to fulfill their own, evil desires. They will deny any wrongdoing and make false promises so as not to pay the consequence, sometimes garnering the help of ignorant, well meaning compatriots. Showing no sorrow or regret until they are standing at the gallows of public scrutiny. Even Judas found his traitorous behavior so abhorrent he killed himself, he knew what his reward would be.

I will not allow these traitors to the Catholic church drive me away from it. As painful as it is to me and all Christians I will continue to be true to the church of faith that was left to me and support it in it's purge of those evil offenders until only the good remain. I will also remind those that brought such shame, to remember that the reward for the evil they have wrought will be worms. And, in many cases it is promised that they would be better to have never been born. I suggest they fess up and get the hell out while they can...........................Joe

Sharing hope Two

What does Hope mean to you?
A word often used to describe hope is, "Trust." That's pretty close to my intended meaning at this time. In the midst of life's turmoil it's important to have trust don't you think? For most of us it comes naturally, we were raised in an atmosphere of trust and learned from it. For those of us who lived in constant fear, trust made you vulnerable, trust was a weakness. There is an old phrase that goes something like: "It's your friends and family that can really hurt you because they are the ones you trust."

Hope in this case comes from a faith in that which is greater than us. Hope brings confidence. By overcoming our weakness and fear through hope we gain the strength to persist in something, "against all odds!" It is powerful indeed.

Hope!

If you possess hope, it needs little explanation. Kind of like being the only one having a flashlight in a darkened room full of people. Unlike a flashlight, you can share your hope. Not by force but by attraction. Now is as good a time as any to think about that and get about the business of sharing hope. Help me do that would you please? We don't want that light to go out..................Joe