Honoring Army Pvt. Jonathan R. Pfender

Honoring Army Pvt. Jonathan R. Pfender who selflessly sacrificed his life fifteen years ago in Iraq for our great Country. Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten.

 

Honoring US Navy SEAL Jeremy Wise & US Army Green Beret Ben Wise

Eleven years ago, U.S. Navy SEAL combat veteran Jeremy Wise was among seven Americans killed in an al-Qaeda sneak attack on the CIA in Afghanistan. Jeremy's brother, U.S. Army Green Beret Ben Wise, would also make the ultimate sacrifice two years later. We will never forget.

 

Honoring Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Spino

Honoring Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Spino who selflessly sacrificed his life eleven years ago in Afghanistan for our great Country. Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten.

 

Imagine No Liberals

Imagine a world without:

• Diversity Training
• Gay Marriage
• Abortion on Demand
• Gun Control
• Environmental Wackos
• Anti-American War Protestors
• The United Nations
• France
• Illegal Aliens
• NEA
• Multiculturalism
• NOW
• New Age Movement
• Hippies
• Tax Increases
• Body Piercing
• Hollywood Celebs
• Michael Moore
• Rosie O'Donnell
• Barbra Streisand
• Greenpeace
• The Sierra Club
• AARP
• Amnesty International
• San Francisco
• Hybrid Automobiles
• Move On.Org
• Earth First
• Howard Dean
• Hillary Clinton
• Democratic National Committee
• Planned Parenthood
• Rock the Vote
• MTV
• Ted Kennedy

Trump Campaign Wants Supreme Court to Consider Wisconsin Election Case

 The Trump campaign is seeking to bring an election-related issue regarding the state of Wisconsin to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

“Mayor Rudolph J. Giuliani, the Trump campaign’s lead attorney, today announced that the campaign filed a petition for a Writ of Certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision that allowed over 50,000 illegal absentee ballots in violation of Article II of the U.S. Constitution and Wisconsin law,” a press release from the Trump campaign noted. “The filing seeks expedited consideration before the January 6 Congressional review of the Electoral College votes.”

According to the Associated Press, Biden beat Trump in the state by about 21,000 votes. 

“Regrettably, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, in their 4-3 decision, refused to address the merits of our claim,” attorney Jim Troupis said in a statement. “This ‘Cert Petition’ asks them to address our claims, which, if allowed, would change the outcome of the election in Wisconsin.” he said. “Three members of the Wisconsin State Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice, agreed with many of the President’s claims in written dissents from that court’s December 14 order.” 

President Trump has not conceded to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential contest.

Please go back and revisit my blog of November 13, 2020. It is a repost of blog from Daniel O'Donnell. It was titled Wisconsin Clerks May Have Unlawfully Altered Thousands of Absentee Ballots.

Honoring Army Cpl. Tony J. Gonzales

Honoring Army Cpl. Tony J. Gonzales who selflessly sacrificed his life twelve years ago in Iraq for our great Country. Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten.

 

Honoring Army Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Altmann

Honoring Army Staff Sgt. Joseph J. Altmann who selflessly sacrificed his life nine years ago in Afghanistan for our great Country. Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten.

 

Yes, She Really Said This

 

WIthout Jesus

 Two donkeys were walking in Jerusalem, one donkey said to the other, "Just yesterday I was carrying Jesus and the people were singing and shouting and throwing down their clothes for me to walk on, and today they don't even recognize me." The other donkey replied, "That's the way it is my friend..............Without JESUS you are nothing." 

Its Ridiculous

Its ridiculous we're shutting everything down for a virus that has a lower kill rate than testifying against Hillary Clinton.

 

How To Legally Decline A Vaccine

 Step 1)

DO NOT REFUSE A VACCINE. Otherwise you can be considered belligerent. Instead you can politely decline the service by doing the following:

Step 2)

Ask the doctor, "DOES THE VACCINE HAVE MRC-5 IN IT?" (THEY ALL DO). These are aborted fetal cells and other DNA. If the vaccine contains MRC-5 you have the RIGHT to decline.

Step 3)

Also ask, "IS THERE A POSSIBILITY OF A 'LATROGENIC REACTION?'" (an adverse reaction caused by multiple compounds or drugs interacting with each other) from the vaccine (THEY ALL DO). When the doctor says, "Yes it does." That is your "Get Out Of Vaccine Free Card." Thank the doctor for their offer and walk away.

Remember doctors have sworn on the Hippocratic Oath (which is to do no harm). They must honor it. This is how we can legally and respectfully decline their mandated services and there is absolutely nothing they can do about it. Now you know!

I am not advising you to take or not take a vaccine, but am just letting you know your legal right when it come to a vaccine.

Evil Is Powerless If The Good Are Unafraid

It is time for Christians to stand up and be heard.

 

Let Me Get This Straight...

Just ONE anonymous whistle-blower was OK to impeach a US President, but thousands of sworn affidavits, video evidence, many fraudulent ballots and unexplainable numbers of voters above those registered is NOT worth investigating because the media declared Biden the winner????

 

Merry Christmas Fellow Americans

Merry Christmas patriots and fellow Americans. May God bless you, your loved ones and The United States of America.

Politically Incorrect

NOTICE

MY HOME IS POLITICALLY INCORRECT

WE SAY

MERRY CHRISTMAS

GOD BLESS THE USA

WE SALUTE OUR FLAG

WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

IF THIS OFFENDS YOU

PLEASE LEAVE

**********************************

IN GOD WE TRUST

New Rapid Test Kits

New rapid test kits have arrived from China.

 

Covid Christmas

 

There is no doubt its tough. 

My family is distant from me, California, Hawaii, and Alabama.

Close friends distanced by Covid 19.

The restaurant distanced by Covid guidelines.

I need the interaction of my family; I want the interaction of my family.

I need the interaction of friends; I want the interaction of my friends.

The new strain just blows the wind in the wrong direction; my candle is spluttering…

That’s what it feels like. And because it’s a feeling thing I am affected day by day by those things I want to do, need to do and desire to do; my family is growing and so is the distance between us. Life for the family is tough and I am having to tough it out. This stranglehold of Covid19 to me is personal, but it is also bigger than that, it has created distance between me and others; this includes my role in church and the demands that are placed on me by church folks. 

I heard someone say the other day an expression that I do not like, ‘You have to man up’. When asked what he meant by this, his reply was, ‘Its tough love isn’t it?’ Tough love: I’ve heard that somewhere before… but in this case it wasn’t said as a statement of genuine caring, loving, joyous upholding love, no it was the rough masculine, ‘get on with it, stop whimpering, get over it.’ Lots of replies filtered through my mind but I didn’t pursue it because our understanding of ‘Tough Love, is completely different to one another. There will be another time for me to catch up and share some of God’s love with the tough love guy. 

What it did do was to remind me that sometimes God uses external devices to shape and change those who seek to live under their own rules and ignore the purpose of a Kingdom God sending his son Jesus to die on a cross in our stead. That is tough Love. I’m not a bible historian but I believe that on more than one occasion God used invading armies to take Israel into captivity because of their disobedience. It was his love for the people that made him exercise Tough Love. You can read a bit about it in the Old Testament, Jeremiah Chapter 29, verse 10. His people were under Babylonian rule. It’s a bit like living under Covid19, we are not free to be the people God intended us to be. But look further into what Jeremiah said from verse 10 to 14.

“I will come to you and fulfil my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord.”

And Father God has exercised Tough Love by allowing Jesus to come and show me and you how love works. So much pointed to Jesus coming, the purpose of his coming was to bridge the gap between God and us, yes it was tough. As I long to bridge the gap between myself and my family, at the moment its tough. But it will not stay that way. 

Last thoughts 

Joseph, Jesus earthly dad, had an angel of the Lord spoke to him in a dream and Joseph owned what it meant to be the human, earthly dad for Jesus. Tough Love. He took responsibility and got on with it.

But:

When an angel visited Zechariah (to tell of the birth of John), the angel terrified him,

Mary was greatly troubled by an angel visiting her

The shepherd were terrified… each had to reflect and come to terms what it meant and thankfully gave Glory to Father God.

This Doesn't Seem To Add Up For Me

This Doesn't Seem To Add Up To Me

 

I Grew Up With......

I grew up with Bob Hope, Steve Jobs, and Johnny Cash.

Now there's no Jobs, no Cash, and no Hope!

Please don't let anything happen to Kevin Bacon!

 

Stimulus Checks

So If I run my Stimulus Check through a Dominion Voting Machine at 4 AM.... Will my $600.00 turn into $100,000.00? 

 

Christmas Isn't About The Presents

It's About HIS Presence

 

You Matter

You may think that you are completely insignificant in this world.

But someone drinks coffee from a favorite mug you gave them.

Someone heard a song on the radio that reminded them of you.

Someone read a book that you recommended,  and plunged headfirst into it.

Someone smiled after a hard day of work, beaus of a joke you told them today.

Someone loves themselves a little bit more, because you gave them a compliment.

Never think that you have no influence whatsoever.

Your touch, word and good deed which you leave behind cannot be erased.

 

Honoring Navy SEAL Job Price

Honoring Navy SEAL Job Price who selflessly served our great Country. Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten

 

Honoring Marine Staff Sgt. Kenneth B. Pospisil

Honoring Marine Staff Sgt. Kenneth B. Pospisil who selflessly sacrificed his life fifteen years ago in Iraq for our great Country. Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten.

 

Honoring Army Sgt. Peter Bohler

Honoring Army Sgt. Peter Bohler who selflessly sacrificed his life seven years ago in Afghanistan for our great Country. Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten.

 

Give Me a Break

Give me a break! Have you ever said that?

Of course you have. If not aloud, then certainly in your head.

Honestly, don’t you feel that sometimes people are taking advantage of you? They don’t “get” you? They are only thinking about themselves?

Give me a break, indeed. We could use that occasionally. If it’s not someone we need a break from, it’s a situation we need a break from.

Here’s a personal case in point, and I just bet you can relate.

I’ll say it out loud: Social Media can be toxic. Sure, you can decide what you read and what you scroll past, but you’ll see a post, see who wrote it, and – even if you know better – you read it. Then your blood pressure pegs out.

I just unfriended someone I’ve known since kindergarten. I haven’t seen this individual in years, but we’d reconnected on Facebook. It was obvious early on that they were in a different place than me. And that’s perfectly okay, right?

Even though I was never scorned by them personally, the tone of their posts was just downright ugly. Mean. Hateful.

I tried to keep scrolling when I saw their posts. But inevitably I’d read what they had to say. I’d regret it.

So, without fanfare, without dramatics, I simply unfriended them. Maybe I’ll reach out later. Or not. I’ll just have to see.

I’d never done that before. I’ve snoozed people because – you guessed it – I needed a break. With this person, however, my sentiment was: “We're done. It doesn’t mean I love them any less, but we are done.”

Part of guarding your heart involves who you let into your life.

But the thought occurred to me – is there someone who needs a break from me? Are they saying, “Give me a break … from Dan?”

If I think about that for too long, I’ll get weird. My temperament is such that I want to please people. That’s not always healthy.

Before I say that I need a break from someone, I need to realize this truth: I can’t be everything for everyone all the time. And, as equally as important, everyone can’t be everything I need all the time, either.

I’m discerning enough (and this can be a genuine burden) to know how people around me feel. Not only that, because I’m an empath, I also feel how they’re feeling. I used to think that was freaky, until I learned that it’s a genuine.  It’s not common, but more people have those abilities than you’d think. I don’t count it as a superpower. It’s just there.

Anyway. Think about those close to you. A friend, a family member, a coworker, whoever. As much as they love you and care for you, there are going to be times when they’re all used up. They got nuthin’. They have that off-day – they’re tired, frustrated, scared, melancholy, all that.

It is possible, too to have an off-week. And I’m old enough to realize that it is entirely possible to have an off-month or even year (I’m looking at you, 2020.)

It might be that, because we all have “those days,” someone close to you can’t give you what you need. It may be that they are subconsciously taking a break from you.

That may seem unfair. But it’s unfair to expect those in your life to run at full capacity all the time.

Know what? People will let you down.

You’ve let down other people.

It balances out.

I’m attracted to those who are struggling, for whatever reason. I want to fix them. One thing I have learned, though, is that you can’t want something for someone more than they want it for themselves. You can wear yourself out trying to be all things for all people.

Self-preservation, and guarding your heart, sometimes means putting some distance between you and that other person. But if you only want to be around someone when they’re upbeat and chipper and at their best, you aren’t much of a friend.

It’s all about seasons, right? We just can’t be disappointed with someone who, for a time, doesn’t meet up to our expectations. Chances are you’ve been distant and disconnected with other folks yourself.

But, if you find yourself in a constant state of disappointment with those you care about, it may just be that you’re putting demands on them that they can’t fulfill.

They are looking at you with all your impossible requests of them and they’re saying, “Give me a break.”

Perhaps it’s time we all developed enough sensitivity to give people the break they need. Maybe they’ll offer the same grace back to you.

Be well.

A Salute to Staff Sergeant Joseph "Sonny" Arnaldo

The 76th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge: A Salute to the Veterans of the 83rd Infantry Division

Staff Sergeant Joseph "Sonny" Arnaldo of New Bedford, Massachusetts, from Company A, 331st Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division is photographed after he had just come off the line after 10 successive days of fighting. His hood and face covered with snow, Arnaldo had recovered from temporary blindness when an 88 mounted on a German tank was fired a few yards from him.

Joseph J. "Sonny" Arnaldo passed away on April 28, 1977, he is buried at the Rural Cemetery, New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was 59 years old. Lest We Forget.

 

Honoring Army Staff Sgt. Nicholas J. Reid

Honoring Army Staff Sgt. Nicholas J. Reid who selflessly sacrificed his life eight years ago in Afghanistan for our great Country. Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten.

 

Honoring Marine Maj. Megan M. McClung

Honoring Marine Maj. Megan M. McClung who selflessly sacrificed her life ten years ago in Iraq for our great Country. Please help me honor her so that she is not forgotten.

 

For the Children

As parents, we do our best not to allow the things that trouble us to affect our children. We pick up and carry on, even when we don’t feel like it. Because no matter how difficult things are for us, we want our children to have the very best. As much as we try to shield our children from our struggles, they are very perceptive. They pick up on our moods and our vibes. Even though we don’t want them to notice our stress, anxiety, anger, etc., they do. They see how we react to certain difficult situations, and they adopt those same attitudes and behaviors. This is why it’s so important to model what we want to see in our children. If we want our children to be patient and kind, we have to model patience and kindness. If we want our children to speak with soft tones, we must model this behavior. Easier said than done when you’ve been at work all day, you were stuck in traffic for an hour, you are exhausted and the kids are whining.

Some of us have been able to break free from the negative patterns we saw as children. If you are one of those warrior parents, you know that it wasn’t easy. You wanted better for your children and you fought to break those patterns. If that’s you, you rock! You are a warrior and I commend you. If you are still in the thick of it, keep going. Your struggles will be rewarded. If you haven’t been able to begin the process… every journey begins with the first step. Wherever you are in your journey… just keep going.

For those who are still trying and find that they would like to make this change easier, God's Word can help. It doesn’t matter what you’re dealing with (anxiety, anger, frustration) Scripture can help you to achieve the transformation you are working towards. When a parent is free from stress, anxiety, frustration, the whole house relaxes. The tension dissipates. The atmosphere changes and things become lighter. Children have the freedom to relax. If this is something you would like to see happen in your household, please reach for your Bible and look to the Scripture for guidance.

Scripture Concerning Anxiety

Isaiah 35:4

Isaiah 40:31

Isaiah 41:10

Matthew 6:25-34

Philippians 4:6-7

Scripture Concerning Anger

Ephesians 4:26-31

James 1:19-20

James 4:1-2

Psalm 37:8-9

Scripture Concerning Frustration

Matthew 11:28-29

Psalm 33:10

John 16:33

Faith Without Deeds is Dead

Time to talk about something that everyone knows is true. The media is lying to us.

We've known that politicians have been lying to us for years. It has reached the point that we don't even act surprised when they don't live up to their campaign promises. At least we didn't used to but then along came Covid-19. It should have been a wake-up call when they decided that certain business couldn't be open. Certain jobs weren't "essential". Work from home if you can. That was easy for them to say. Two weeks they said. Nine months later - people are starting to have actual peaceful protests . Because what happened in places such as Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Kenosha and many other were referred to as peaceful protests, should have been another red flag. Basically, we just kept hoping that our government would intervene and fix the problems. But that is not what happened.

It should have been a wake-up call when they started telling churches how they can or where they can worship. How many of us went to church in a tent for most of the summer? Or listened huddled in our homes away from the "world" going to church on the internet, how many are still doing just that? How many are still listening to the media? How many are believing the fear mongering? When I realized that listening to the news was making me feel afraid; I started reading my Bible and I stopped believing the news. That doesn't mean I stopped doing the Lord's work. Throughout this, I have felt led to call Christians to action. We forget how good we have it in America. Before the "planned-demic", most churches were open 6 to 7 days a week. Most churches were actively trying to be a presence in their neighborhoods, trying to serve the community. But with this pandemic many churches went into hiding thinking that having zoom meetings and church on the internet is enough. James tells us this about deed and faith.

James 2: 14-24

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.'

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.

You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone."

Honoring Army Sgt. 1st Class Ramon S. Morris

Honoring Army Sgt. 1st Class Ramon S. Morris who selflessly sacrificed his life six years ago in Afghanistan for our great Country. Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten.

 

Honoring Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew R. Rodriguez

Honoring Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew R. Rodriguez who selflessly sacrificed his life seven years ago in Afghanistan for our great Country. Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten.

 

A Salute to the Heroes of the Tuskegee Airmen

Tuskegee airmen being briefed at Ramitelli, Italy, March, 1945. They formed the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces.

Front row, left to right: unidentified airman; Jimmie D. Wheeler (with goggles); Emile G. Clifton (cloth cap) San Francisco, CA, Class 44-B. Standing left to right: Ronald W. Reeves (cloth cap) Washington, DC, Class 44-G; Hiram Mann (leather cap); Joseph L. "Joe" Chineworth (wheel cap) Memphis, TN, Class 44-E; Elwood T. Driver, Los Angeles, CA, Class 44-A; Edward "Ed" Thomas (partial view); Woodrow W. Crockett (wheel cap); at Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945.

 

Honoring Navy SEAL Mark Carter

Honoring Navy SEAL Mark Carter who selflessly sacrificed his life thirteen years ago in Iraq for our great Country. Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten.

Honoring Marine 1st Lt. Nathan M. Krissoff

Honoring Marine 1st Lt. Nathan M. Krissoff who selflessly sacrificed his life fourteen years ago in Iraq for our great Country.  Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten.

 

Honoring Army Staff Sgt. Wesley R. Williams

Honoring Army Staff Sgt. Wesley R. Williams who selflessly sacrificed his life eight years ago in Afghanistan for our great Country. Please help me honor him so that he is not forgotten.

 

The Message Does Not Change

Reposted from Christian Vision for Men

We all know that Christmas is going to be different for 2020, this has been a massive challenge for everyone this year.

But the Christmas message will not change, and those of us who follow Jesus, will still celebrate and remember that the greatest gift to mankind will be glorified this Christmas.

As I’ve gotten older, I feel like some of the wonder has been sapped from Christmas - much the same as I felt back then.

I’m wiser, more jaded, I guess, and honestly, I’ve seen a lot of Christmases come and go that never quite reached my heart.

As an adult, Christmas isn’t filled with magic anymore. It’s full of busyness, of things I should be doing, traditions I want to start but haven’t found time to work on. There are disappointments, expectations, sometimes even family conflict.

I’ve lived enough of them to know what Christmas has in store for me. I know what I’ll be unwrapping under that tree, and it’s not always all that merry or bright.

So this year I am more determined than ever to bring back the Christmas spirit to our household and to those around us too.

In fact our house already as the outside lights up, something I would never have entertained before, but seeing the house light up the cold, dark winter nights reminds me of the night Jesus came into this world to be our eternal light that no darkness can put out.

Perhaps the original Christmas was marked more with agony and grief than with the glitz and glamour of the shopping malls and parades. From His birth in the manger as a homeless baby, until his brutal execution on the Roman cross, Jesus reminds us that God is with us.

That’s what Emmanuel means, “God with us.”

God is with us in the struggle to survive, amid the throes of poverty, in the fight for freedom, in a world full of violence. Jesus’ coming to earth is all about a God who leaves the comfort of heaven, to join the struggle here on earth. God is with us.

Jesus is the “true light” (Jn 1:9), the “Light of the World” (Jn 8:12; 9:5; 12:46), and he was born during the night watch (Lk 2:8), at midnight, when it was pitch black outside, the time when the darkness was the deepest and most intense.

On that first Christmas night, the light shined in the darkness (Jn 1:5a), the glory of the Lord shone (Lk 2:9), the darkness has not overcome it (Jn 1:5b), and it enlightens everyone (Jn 1:9).

So for us as believers in Christ, this Christmas will be the perfect opportunity to bring some light and joy into our families, friends, neighborhoods.

Yes, these are dark times, so let your light shine so that others will see that you have a different Spirit, a Holy one that will attract the many who are stuck without hope.

Time to Self-Assess?

 When thinking about others, the best place to always begin is with a “gospel exam.” You can do this by answering a few self-assessment questions? Carefully think through these questions to see if any apply. It may benefit you to discuss them with a friend or a small group of like-minded disciplers.

• Are you frustrated with anyone?
• Are you impatient someone?
• Do you look down on others?
• Are you unsympathetic toward the struggler?
• Are you critical of people who can’t kick their habit?
• Do you feel superior toward certain ethnic groups?
• Are you condescending toward gay people?
• What about those on the other side of the political aisle?

I’m asking if there are sinners in your sphere of influence with whom you struggle in your heart? Perhaps I did not ask the right question. What if you supplied one that is more accurate? If you answered yes to any of these heart queries, you not only need a gospel checkup, but you need a gospel fix.

Looking at the Bright Side

 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let everyone come to know your gentleness. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things. Do those things which you have both learned and received, and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

It is hard to keep a positive attitude in these stressful times. With all that we have had to give up, reschedule and do without, the negative looms large.

The Apostle Paul has a word for us. His letter to the church at Philippi is a letter filled with joy, even though the fledgling church is experiencing uncertain and anxious times. Paul begins this passage by exhorting the people to rejoice, reminding them who they are and whose they are.  Then he says, “Let everyone come to know your gentleness.” 

How often I need reminded these days to be gentle with those who are sharing bad news, negative attitudes, those who are experiencing fear and anxiety! While some folks’ concerns seem irrational and unrealistic, it is more helpful to listen to them than to challenge them.

Then comes the showstopper: “Be anxious for nothing,” says Paul.  Are you kidding me? These are unprecedented times! What is ahead for our community, our nation, our world?  Yet, someone has said, and I firmly believe it: worrying is simply unchristian! Worrying implies that God may not be able to handle the situation. We need to remember God has never left us nor forsaken us, and God has promised to be with us throughout our lives, in life after death, and forever. That is not only a cause for hope, but for great joy!

A  woman I once knew told me this passage, Philippians 4:4-9, was her favorite Scripture. I could see why. When she and her husband were in their late 80s,  I saw them on New Year’s Eve dancing well after midnight, while I was tired and ready to go home. What gave this woman her zest for living? She followed the Apostle Paul’s instructions. She not only read his words, she lived them. She disciplined her mind to focus on whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report.

Recently my friend bought a new stove. It quit working after less than one day! When the repairman came, days later, he discovered that the stove had been wired incorrectly. It  was fried and could have caused a major fire. Because of the Coronavirus delays, it will be weeks until the company can replace their stove. But he is resourceful. He remembered that he has a camping stove, a hot plate that he could put on top of his stove to use in the meantime, while restaurants are not open, and he was sheltered at home.

He was thankful he did not have a fire, and that he was safe. Paul would say, “if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things.” 

My friends, regardless of our circumstances, we always have reason to rejoice and give thanks, for as Paul reminds us, “the God of peace will be with you.” 

Dear God, we are tempted every day to dwell on the negative aspects of our lives. In challenging circumstances, help us to resist anxiety and worry, and place our faith and trust in you. Help us to dwell on our blessings, on the good things, and most of all, help us to focus on your love and presence with us. Calm us and fill us with joy and peace. Amen.

Two Choices

What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection.

Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.

Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning..'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt.. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. Athe pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.

By time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOT NOTE TO THIS STORY:

We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate.

The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.

If you're thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference.

We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.' So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:

Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

You now have two choices:

1. Delete

2. Forward

May your day, be a Shay Day.

MAY GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO

DECIDES TO PASS THIS ON.