Its Easter Sunday, finally!

Good Morning. It is Sunday, April 12, 2020.

Christians celebrate our Sabbath day on Sunday, not Saturday, because we believe in The Resurrection of Jesus Christ on that first Easter Sunday. There were no eggs or chocolate bunnies that year. There were no yard decorations or fancy dresses. Because no one knew. Except God.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, there they will see me.” 
Matthew 28:2, 10

We have been through a trying and upsetting Lent. Nothing like it. Ever. But Jesus went through a week of torture, (undeserved) judgment, and death 2000 years ago. His week was worse. But He did it anyway, because that was the plan. To save us from sin and bring us to a permanent, divinely inspired relationship with God. HE did. The Resurrection. There is no WE. Except to accept that and believe.

God has a plan for us too. For each of us. I hope you celebrate it or accept it this Sunday. The Church is celebrating Easter 2020 as never before. To think that every church building is locked and quiet this day is unthinkable. But thinking doesn’t matter in this. Believing does.

One of my favorite songs, this is the opening.

Our Father everlasting
The all creating One
God Almighty
Through Your Holy Spirit
Conceiving Christ the Son
Jesus our Savior
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in one
I believe in the resurrection
That we will rise again
For I believe in the name of Jesus
- Hillsong Worship.

Blessings on this Easter Day!

Supper Time

It is Thursday afternoon. My daughter Kassie and I are making dinner tonight. Since I’m not the cook in the family, we will be sticking with what we know. Burgers, fries and salad. A simple, traditional American meal that I probably can’t screw up.

Today is Holy Thursday. Maundy Thursday. The beginning of the end for Jesus. There is another supper for this time. I’m not sure what was on the menu that night, but it was another traditional fare I expect. Jesus and His twelve disciples sat and ate. Jesus washed their feet. The symbolism of that is of service to others, the washing away of sins by Jesus upcoming death and burial. John 13:1-9. A “transaction” occurred later. We know now that Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen.
Maundy Thursday. Maundy comes from the Latin for commandment. The command to love one another as He has loved us. By this you will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.  John 13:34-35

We will not be having our traditional Maundy Thursday service this year due to the corona virus. But we will probably have a dinner on Thursday night. And the Church is not a building, it is the people. We don’t need a building to worship our God. How many times did Jesus and the disciples have church in a building? And you don’t need a pastor or other minister to have a remembrance of this night. As a believer you have enough of an understanding, no matter what that is, to be able to foster that yourself.

I gotta say, folks, I don’t know God’s plan or intent for this virus. President Trump was hoping a few weeks ago we would be done with this threat in time to gather back in our church buildings for Easter. That’s not gonna happen. We are being forced out of the building, out of our normal routine of Holy Week.  And Easter week. My sister told me that her parish priest took the Monstrance out the church doors and walked it down the main street in a small procession last weekend, to another nearby church that he also ministers at. Everyone there on that street saw it. It wasn’t cooped up in a building. It was on display for the world to see. Many Christians, especially Catholics, know what that is about. They might have been surprised to see it on the sidewalk in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, but I’m sure it registered quickly. Lots of people in our neighborhood down here in Sugar Land, Texas are decorating their yards with reminders of the upcoming Easter holy day. Some I saw had chalk pictures and sayings on the driveway or on their vehicles. There will be some who see these signs and do not understand. But they will see something that has been cooped up inside four walls for thousands of years. (Yes, I know, there are outdoor Easter Sunday services and such, but nothing like this.) They might be confused, but the Holy Spirit will take care of that. We might be called on to assist or support.

It is our duty and responsibility to take the situation and turn these circumstances into a new way of worshipping our Lord. Or, actually, to do it like they did back in Biblical times. The Church has crashed the doors of the building, and the Church is on every street in America, and the world. Has been for several weeks actually. Any type of denominational worship is available to you. There is literally no barrier to the world being able to see what Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday are like. I encourage you to use your spiritual gifts, personality, creativity and love for the Lord to show those around you how this works, what you believe, and why.
This looks to be an exciting Easter, not because of what we think it should be, but because of what God can use it to be. Despite the tragedy and despair and uncertainty. God has a way of cleaning all that up. And then it will be supper time again on Sunday, when we can rejoice and celebrate with another meal. God Bless Us All.

Parts from the Baptist News, catholic.org and Scripture as referenced.

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.

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.

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.

Light = Hope = Joy

Christmas Eve is my fav time of the Christmas Season. The hustle and bustle is over, its quiet (relatively anyway) and we go to church for a solemn but joyful time of worship to our God, remembering Jesus’ birth. And then home for some traditional tamales and family fun.

 

It’s the end of the Advent season, when we light the Christ Candle. We have been through 4 parts of Advent. Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the Christ Child. It is a time of learning, experiencing, reflecting and expressing.

The time between the Old and New Testaments was a very dark time. My pastor says God decided that since His people the Jews were not listening, He would just stop talking. There was 450 years of silence. God was there, but He was quiet. There was a kindling of hope. They probably didn’t know it then, but the Jews were being prepared for the birth of Christ, which would be the fulfillment of all the promises of the Old Testament. There was probably a lot of confusion and fear. But God knew what he was doing. Like the red-hot tiny embers in a campfire, the truth was still there. He was waiting for the right time. And so the Jews had hope. The Jews represent all of us. We had and have hope. No matter how dark it seems. No matter what we have that defines our darkness.

Philippians 2 talks about the light in the world. Back then, it was Jesus, being born into the world. Identified and located by a single unique star in the heavens that attracted men to Him. Advancing 2018 years, that light is us, His believers. We are able to work out our own faith because we have God who has worked IN us. Light is hope.

For those who don’t believe or aren’t paying attention, there is still hope. Your circumstances are not too big for God. God isn’t caught off guard with what you are. Just as two thousand years ago, there is a Light of hope for us who will believe and obey.

That kind of hope is absurd, because it defies all human logic. But not God’s. The light that appears out of the darkness of silence brings Peace, expresses Joy, and shares Love is finalized at the end of the preparation period by the Christ Candle, the Bright Star standing over the manger. Not the way the King was expected to arrive, but that’s the point. God did it his way, ours.

Know that if you are a believer, you are a Light in the world. That’s straight out of the Bible. And if you’re not, know that there is already an ember of Hope, that can be found by following or pursuing the Light. That’s also straight out of the Bible.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased! Luke 2:14.

Merry Christmas!

Point of Light

Best 3 hours I've spent in awhile.

I was in early adulthood when HW was in office. It kind of seemed like a continuation of the Reagan years. I was not paying a great deal of attention to the things going on, but having reviewed them recently, Bush 41 is responsible for quite a few things that now seem commonplace to us. Americans with Disabilities Act, Immigration Act, Points of Light program, the aftermath of the Cold War, and the Gulf War among others. It would seem to provide a good backdrop to some of the issues and problems we face today. As I remember it, he went about his business very methodically, strategically, and without alot of fanfare for the most part. Reagan did some of the high profile work, and Bush continued that in a way we can all enjoy.

There are various reactions to what he did, but no doubt that he made a mark on US history. In later years, we found his personality and presence to be more casual and personable. It seems he always had that, we just didn't see it in his public presence. His local influence and presence here in Houston was very evident. He and Barbara sitting behind home plate at Minute Maid Park was a fond image here, but his efforts in support of citizens, philanthropic activities, and active faith activities speak much more. 

It can be dangerous to connect so well to a public figure who not all accept, but I think its worth the risk. History has proven him out. Hopefully his passing will bring out a light in all of us to share with others in our own way. I was privileged to walk by his casket this evening along with thousands of others. It was very moving to see a state funeral for a man whose legacy will definitely influence others long past his time on Earth. If you have the chance, read more about him, or better yet, go to Aggieland and visit his museum. It will be worth the time spent. 

God bless the Bush family. Rest in Peace, Mr President.

pictured below is the remembrance card we received upon departing the viewing.

 

Barbara Bush, 1925-2018

As you probably know, First Lady Barbara Bush is lying in repose in her home church here in Houston. What you might not know, is that her Secret Service detail will not leave her side until she is buried. And that her husband of 73 years is sitting in front of her casket right now, greeting mourners as they pass by. 


What a fine legacy this Godly and personable woman has left. She didn't run for anything, she went where her husband did, and found her own calling, which she was still energizing up until recently. She was as comfortable with JJ Watt or the other former presidents as she was with regular folks, some of whom she knew were disadvantaged. She worked for decades to give them something that could not be taken away from them. Literacy and confidence.

Security is tight, traffic is a mess, and lines are long, but people are coming by to pay their last respects to someone they maybe never knew personally, but whom she touched or influenced. We should all be so generous and witty and others oriented. God Bless the Bushes, and all of us as we try to learn from Barbara how to treat each other.


Rest in Peace, Barbara Bush.