Category Archives: Charecteristics

My Easter Sunday Thoughts

Bible Study, Charecteristics, Thought, ,

I have been pondering for a few days what it is that I need to share. I made notes a few times with some thoughts. As I start typing, I am still pondering how to bring these thoughts together into this post.

I will start with feet. Yes, with feet.

A couple decades ago, I was part of an Easter program at our church which was a basic reenactment of the Last Supper. Our pastor played the role of Jesus. I played the part of Simon the Zealot. (Check Out This Post Later: “A Zealot Was“) Part of preparation for this event, we, those of us playing the parts of the Disciples and our pastor (who played the role of Jesus), discussed the lives of each of the Disciples. We talked about social norms and practices of the period. We dove into the backgrounds of each of the disciples to better understand the parts we were playing. During the performance, each of us “disciples” would “break out” in a spot lighted monologue … glimpsing into the possible thoughts of each particular disciple.

The Passover meal was (and still is) a major Jewish culture. Each part of the meal involves major symbolisms. The particular part of the meal that the rest of us are loosely “familiar” with, Jesus “replaced” an old with a new. The “New Covenant”. Further detail is … at this time, when a cup of wine was sipped and passed … it was, in essence, a “marriage” proposal. The term “Bride of Christ” comes from this symbolism.

Also, at this time in history, culturally, it was custom for the host of a gathering to wash the feet of the guests. (Keep in mind, dusty (no asphalt) roads, and sandals for shoes.) Jusus was the one to “organize” this particular event. After all his displaces had arrived, Jesus began washing their feet … one foot at a time … He washed all of their feet.

You have heard this told many times I am sure. However, have you had it done to you? As I sat there, in the midst of this set, I knew we were only “reenacting” the event .. however … we were, in fact, reenacting an actual event that really took place. The magnitude of what was happening … and WHOM actually did this was … this was and still is very overwhelming for me. I get emotional when I hear the story told. I am now, as I am remembering … typing it.

I will not expound on the views that the various disciples might have pondered and delt with at this time.

This point in this post, I am tying in something else that is heavy on my mind and heart.

I am not going to make this a political post. I am simply stating that current political leaders and their “supporters” have been making statements about Christ’s example was weak.

God, the eternal power that has created all things … this being without bounds … God not only created us, but … because he loves us so much, came to this world in human form. God, in flesh, lived on earth, and dwelt amongst us. He did not come in on a war horse, dressed in armor, leading an army to take over the world. First of all, he created the world, it is already HIS. Most importantly, GOD, should us the ULTIMATE example of humility. THE CREATOR, humbled Himself to live amongst us.

While on this earth, HE showed LOVE and COMPASSION. He showed Faithfulness and Humility. HE, CHRIST, God In Flesh, allowed mere mortal men to mutilate his body and kill him. HE died. His flesh was destroyed. AND .. AND .. HE Rose From Death. Jesus Christ Over Came Death. He defeated the Devil.

Jesus Christ, God In Flesh, Lived and Died and DEFEATED DEATH!

The way of Christ is FAR from “weak”. Cowards mock what Jesus did.

..end transmission..

Stack of Books

Charecteristics, Thought
www.wallingfordlibrary.org

I found this image today. The intent was humor. I saw something more, much more.

Quality versus Quantity comes to mind.

Johnny boasted of reading 6 books this week. Timmy only read one. Johnny was praised by his peers. Timmy was quietly disregarded.

From this picture, we see that Johnny read 6 small books while Timmy read a Novel. What we don’t see is that Paul read several magazine articles about taking care of cats.

The class was told to read every day. They were not given a quantity.

Timmy picked a book that his father used to love. Timmy’s father had died last year. Timmy picked a book that was important to him in a special way.

Paul, is wants to help his neighbor, Ms. Macy, with her cats. Ms. Macy was his grandmother’s best friend. He thinks a lot of Ms. Macy.

Johnny did not read every day. He ran to the library the night before and picked several small books to read.

Now, reread the first part. Go on, I’ll wait.

Did you read it differently the second time … knowing what you learned?

Quality versus Quantity … adding in Perspective

..end transmission..

My Words For Today

Charecteristics, Life Notes, My Life, Thought, ,

While I lived in Jackson, TN, tornados cut throw the region many times over the years. I personally witnessed horrific scenes of destruction. My college Alma Matta (just 2 miles from my home) was almost whipped out in one of those times.

I have had friends lose all they had when wildfires swept through their town in a matter of minutes, in Texas.

I have seen the devastation of flooding and had friends lose what they had to the floods, in Tennessee.

I know of people who have lost their homes because of earthquakes, in Missouri

I know of people who have lost their homes because of Hurricanes, in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

I have a friend who, now retired, spent many years leading brave individuals into the whirlwind of wildfires all over the west side of our country. He was most often on my mind when he was working. I worried for him and all the countless men and women in the middle of those fires.

There are still thousands of people without homes because of this year’s hurricane season. There have been wildfires in various places this past year across our country.

Now, the “high profile” focus is on the lower California area wildfires. Thousands more are now without homes.

We take too much for granted. We are not promised tomorrow. We are to live for today. We are to savor the blessings we have RIGHT NOW. Far too many focus on “wanting more”, while thousands … millions have nothing.

Focus should be on helping, supporting, aiding those who have nothing.

A specific call out here … for those of you who claim to be “Christian” … this …

In John 13:12-17, Jesus had just washed the feet of His disciples. He asked them if they understood what he had just done. (v15-16) He said, “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.”
Then, (v34-35) “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

..end transmission..

A NEW Christmas

Charecteristics, My Life, Struggles, The Story, Thought, , , , , ,

For much of my life (decades), August through December had been a full, busy time for me.

From childhood into adulthood, I have been involved in some sort of “Christmas Event”. Be it, a Christmas play, a musical, or something of the sort, I was involved. I have been “main characters”. I have been “singing” (however, not much). Most of my teen and adult years, I have been part of the “technically” aspects of programs.

Having a child, added to the list. We when to Christmas events, parades, programs, etc .. geared toward children.

Then, there was the “FULL ON Busy Time”. August was getting ready for State Fair that was September. This went right into preparing for Christmas Cottage (craft selling event that took place just before Thanksgiving). There was still Church Christmas programs of some sort that added to the business. Decoration for Fall .. Halloween .. Thanksgiving … Christmas (this part was NO small thing for me).

October of 2014, in the middle of the “FULL ON Busy Time”, Lucenda passed away. I stumbled through the rest of the “Time” that year.

I tried to keep things “sort of” going the following year (2015). But, I realized that it was not going to continue. I had to let go of many of the “FULL ON Busy Time” things.

I moved 3 times in 5 years. Once, across country. MUCH has changed in the past 9 years.

This Christmas is … This Christmas is a New Christmas for me.

I taught the “Grief Process” to numerous “prospective resource parents” over the years. I “knew” the “logistics” of it. Now, I “know” much more about it. The “stages” are NOT clearly defined .. they are NOT clearly separated .. they are NOT done and gone once you go through them. Grief is ongoing. It is foolish to believe there is a “time limit”.

All this stated … All this laid out on the table …

Thanks to TRUE loving and caring people in my life, I have been able to move forward.

A New House to decorate very differently than I have for … decades. New environment. Different job situations for us all. My son is 20 (still mentally processing THAT!).

This year is A NEW Christmas.

.. end transmission ..