Thursday, September 12, 2019

Thursday September 12, the day after


Today is Thursday September 12, 2019. The day after 9/11. On this day in 2001, we woke up. Maybe didn’t get much sleep, but the new day arrived. The sun rose, as previously scheduled. In some parts of our town today, it rained. Rain is a sign of provision from our Father above. Don’t know about you, but I was relieved to have a new day. It was different because there were no planes in the sky, we knew many people had died, or were suffering, some of our loved ones, friends, co-workers were stuck somewhere, possibly in a foreign country. Many of the problems, disputes, issues of that time were not so important. We were more concerned about people and community. Not politics, race, etc.

September 12

There were lots of flags out flying that day. Mine are out in the lawn this morning. We got along, looked out for each other, checked on our family, neighbors and friends. The busy-ness of life slowed down a bit. There was a different feel in the air, and it wasn’t the weather. It was the pulse of us. US, as in USA. Those of us that lived that day remember it well, won’t likely forget it. It’s our job to pass that on to anyone who is here now but wasn’t then. Anyone who is less than 18 years old today wasn’t alive then. And those under 4 or 5 or 6 don’t remember much. We have to preserve that, best we can.

We remember 9/11 every year because it was so tragic and hurt so bad. Let’s remember and even celebrate 9/12 because something good always comes out of the bad. Treat each other the way we treated them on that day, the way we would like to be treated. Think of others first, not ourselves.

America is an idea, not a place. We are here, and it is in US. NEVER FORGET. Always remember.

Friday, April 19, 2019

How to spend this Friday

Today is Good Friday 2019. Here in Southeast Texas, its a beautiful, sunny, breezy cool day. We have a pretty good idea what we will remember/solemnify and then celebrate in the coming days. Not so for the first Good Friday. It was bleak and stormy, and there was alot of uncertainty amongst the people.


Way back in Isaiah’s time, 750 years before this day, the Lord prophesied through his servant of the coming of the Christ child, and then, the piercing of that same Person God. Lots of time, history, and conflict filled those years.


Another prophet, Zechariah, foretold of that same person, described as the coming King of Zion, who rode into town on a donkey, also foretold. Jesus wasn’t planning on presenting himself the way they expected, but they insisted on a parade anyway. The crowds thought they were getting a king, as in a military or government official. Jesus’ foretelling was as a sacrificial lamb. Remember, this was Passover back then. Jesus became the sacrifice, even following the preparation aspects of the occasion. Being examined for 3 days, prepared for sacrifice, and then killed on the cross, on the day we as Christians remember today.


There’s more, but that’s in 3 more days. But the crowd back then didn’t know that. They thought they lost their King/Leader/God. We have the advantage of knowing “the rest of the story.”


Lots of people have today off, including me. I could tell by the traffic this morning. But today isn’t a holiday. Its a holy day. For Christians to remember and respect. Even non-Christians know what today is. I have talked to a couple of people of other faiths today, and they know what’s going on. Sort of. Zechariah talks about how God will save His people - the Jews. But, Matthew makes it the point that anyone who asks or seeks or knocks can know the Lord. No matter the circumstances.


That’s the thing that we will celebrate on Sunday, that the mourners of that first Good Friday didn’t know about. Yet.


Peace be with you.