Sand Kingdoms

The day after the Presidential election, Nov. 7, 2012. A great time to write another post.

Some years back, actually around 1998/1999 there was this thing called Y2K. Y2K was a byword for a believed-in future phenomenon that the world would be going hay wire via computer mayhem when we rolled over to 2000 from 1999. My husband and I did not buy into it at the time - our reasoning seemed to be different from others in a particular belief group. It's not important what our reasoning was then or what seemed to be the reasoning of others regarding this post, but I mention this to be able to make the following statement: that people hold beliefs dear on this earth that may or may not be true. Such a news flash! :)  Regarding Y2K, it did not happen. Prior to it not happening, my husband and I experienced some disassociation from these people who believed differently. I remember telling two women in my kitchen that believed differently than I that historically, at the turn of the century, human beings (which I believe we are all) are historically superstitious and could it be that it was a great part of what was happening then. I received very skeptical looks. You know the kind of look - one that makes you feel as if there is something very strange sitting on your head. It was a time of division for us that was somewhat difficult to go through. During this time I contemplated on what was happening quite a bit. One thing I kept thinking about was the fact that why did people think they were so important that they could not be wrong? What made human beings so subject to delusion? Did you know that if you took 450 cups of sands at a certain millimeter in size (I figured this out once and can't remember the size) and put them in a container, that would be the amount of people on this planet at any given time, approximately. That is a lot of people. It should be a humbling concept.

Regarding the election, my guy did not win - but - I don't really have a guy on this earth. My #1 guy wasn't running - Jesus. In fact this morning when I got up I went to my concordance and looked up verses that have the word "kingdom" in them in the New Testament. It's quite a list. You see, I woke up thinking about the kingdom of God and what really matters and what is really true. As people wake up today either happy or sad, or maybe indifferent, which of us human beings are right? Who chose correctly? How can you know with so many "grains of sand"?

THE KINGDOM OF GOD:  number one theme in the mission of Jesus.  As the story of Jesus played out on this earth, His meaning of kingdom was far different than what the Jews of that time had in mind, politically. Even before His crucifixion, the Roman custom was to release a Jewish prisoner at Passover. Pilot was sure hoping that they would ask for Jesus is my belief but instead they asked for Barabas, a zealot who had taken part of a revolt against the Roman government. I think that the release of a person fighting for an earthly kingdom instead of the one who sets up an eternal kingdom is at least a powerful irony. I am not saying that it's not important how and what we choose here on this earth - obviously choices, elections and government decisions are the building blocks of society and history. Some decisions are certainly better than others with varying results and consequences, but as a Christian, I really want to have a healthy perspective on such a thing as fallible human beings  running for office in the light of eternity and the shifting sands of history as well as how I should conduct myself when what I want or voted for does not happen.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD - In response to the people of Capernaum trying to keep Jesus in the area, Jesus said, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent." In Luke 12 while Jesus was among a crowd, a man came to Jesus asking Jesus to tell his brother to divide the inheritance with him. Interesting request. I would assume that the man asking was referring to his older brother who perhaps had received the entire inheritance according to the custom at the time and we all know that's not fair, at least by the standards of our culture. Spread the wealth, everyone gets a fair share is the way it should be, right? Jesus responds, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Then Jesus goes on to say, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed: a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." I just love this about Jesus. Everyone is on a level playing field with Him when it comes to a person's heart and motivation.  Even if the guy who asked was wronged, Jesus speaks to a greater truth. Then Jesus goes on to teach on not worrying about your life, what you wear and what you shall eat - "And do not set your heart on what you shall eat or drink, do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  My treasure is not on this earth nor is it with a particular political party nor is it with the United States of America. It is with another place I have not seen yet, but know is there. I hope I conduct myself as a valuable citizen of the USA while I am here, and I believe that is how we should be. But whether it is a good or bad thing that Barack Obama will be President four more years is not ultimately all that important, not in light of eternity. It certainly isn't something I care to allow to divide me from others I love.

And finally, I think this scripture speaks to the changing sands of time, it is all a passing circumstance  -Daniel 2:21 "And He is changing times and seasons, He is causing kings to pass away, and He is raising up kings; He is giving wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those possessing understanding.

Be Heard

I don't know really how to say what it is I am going to try to say here in this entry. It's regarding an extremely touchy subject but somehow I feel compelled to write this. It is in regard to the election and the way I believe that causes me to vote one way or the other. So here goes, and I hope I make some sense.

I believe very strongly the following - that life is precious and should not be discarded lightly, and that God made men and women in His image, and intended for them to marry each other. These two beliefs I hold dear and believe that they are keys to a strong and healthy society for a lot of reasons that I won't go into here. I also believe that Jesus came to show the way to God. And Jesus was the ultimate example in sacrificial love and was full of compassion. Therefore to attempt to follow Jesus we must strive to be as He was, loving and compassionate. Very difficult task.

During this election period I have read posts on Facebook by people who are going to vote for Romney and people who are going to vote for Obama. I have heard convictions and beliefs on both sides and what a wonderful country we have that we have freedom of speech - but then again, do we really? It seems that there is an underlining current of discrimination and hateful remarks against people who hold the same beliefs that I do; abortion is fundamentally wrong and that marriage should be between a man and a woman. To hold these convictions these days puts you at risk to be called homophobic, ignorant, hateful - and all other assorted titles to demean your beliefs. I frankly am getting tired of it and I want to speak up. I have just as much right in this country to say no to something as others have to say yes. And in those issues, we must have healthy debate and opportunity to speak and elect others that share your beliefs. That is what our country is founded on - a form of government that has elected officials to govern for the people who elected them. Our country has many people of ethnic, religious and sexual persuasions, all of which have a voice and the power to vote. So let's stop calling names to people we don't agree with - and realize that it is arrogance that causes dismissal of others as if their strongly held convictions have less place or merit than your own, or are somehow ignorant and hateful. I do not feel hateful towards anyone. I desire that all would prosper and live in peace. I have an idea of how that could be done, and therefore I vote.

And so - we are on the last lap of this election. I pray that all would vote their conviction, and give respect to those who don't agree with you. For the people, by the people...

Words That Persuade

This morning while watching CBS Sunday Morning, an image of Hitler was shown for just a few seconds as a part of the current report. The report was about the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park on Roosevelt Island in New York City. It was such an interesting report regarding the park and the length of time it took to complete it. The son of the architect who designed it actually brought it to reality. But because Franklin D Roosevelt was the President of the United States of America throughout World War II, a photo of Adolph Hilter was included in the report. When that photo flashed on screen, the evil in his eyes gave me a bit of a start - almost overwhelming the story for me. I began to think about how evil he was and how much power he had to do the things he did, but he did not do it alone, he had help. He was able to persuade others, many others, to join his cause. This line of thought started me thinking today about words and their power.

I love to write. I enjoy putting a thought together by writing. I have written in journals my whole life practically, starting at about 14 years old. I have volumes of journals still, even though Hurricane Ivan took quite a few away. I am sure the reasons I write are varied, but one motivation behind this activity of mine is to obtain some clarity regarding how I feel or what I see going on around me. I don't think I necessarily write to have others agree with me, I think it's more of a need to express. Regardless of motive, writing can be very cleansing, for myself.

But there are other human beings that walk this earth with an ability to destroy and create havoc, by their words. Hilter was obviously one of those humans, a person motivated by self-interest and vain power seeking. That really hit home with me today looking at that photo of him. The other day I saw a Haitian Creole proverb that means God and the devil exist together on this earth. For sure that is true with the selfless acts of many during that war but that the awful war had to happen in the first place. I don't even pretend to understand why evil seems to sometimes prevail - although I know there will be a time of accountability for all. What I guess I'm trying to say here is that sticks and stones can break your bones, but so can words also. It made me think about motives to speak and the effort we put into what it is we do say. I hope that I can give some careful thought to my motives before I speak, or write, to persuade anyone. In this election year, and especially because we are so close to the time to vote, I guess I'm thinking about what we say to each other and why we say it more than usual.

Below are a few scripture passages from Proverbs, a great book for getting some wisdom. There are many many verses in Proverbs regarding speech - check it out! I think I need a refresher.

Proverbs 11: 9 - With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.
Proverbs 11: 12 - A man who lacks judgement derides his neighbor, but a man of understanding holds his tongue.

An 85 Year Perspective

This photo is of my father, many years ago. I went looking for it this morning after reading an email he sent out to the entire family last night - and the family is large. I was very moved to read it and thought about posting it - but went off to bed. This morning I see that my oldest son has posted it on Facebook, as he was proud of his Pepere - and so am I so I thought it would be worthy of a spot in this blog. He is much smarter than I anyway....:)

Here it is, below:
My dear extended family,
I have not done this before. The fact that I am doing it by itself attests to my concerns (and Jean's too) mostly for you, our children, grandchildren and great-granchildren.
The Lord blessed me with a long life. Every day now is a bonus. My childhood was lived during the great depression. My high school years coincided with World War II. I am at the trailing edge of the "great generation," having joined the Navy before the big war ended. Despite the great problems it faced, the 20th century was good in many ways for the USA.
I took a course in College, a very liberal University, essentially in comparative governments. I taught Social Justice as a semester course at Pensacola Catholic High School. My concern for the poor I believe is well attested to by my volunteer work. I am registered Republican; I was registered Democrat when I came to Florida. Then, in 1969, if you wanted action in the primary elections you needed to be registered Democrat. Today the situation is exactly reversed. Why is that? Think about it. Is it because everyone down here in the south belongs to the filthy rich 1% presently being maligned? The answer in my book has to do mostly with shifts in values. But it is not that easy to catalog my political proclivities. I can see checks in both the "conservative" and "liberal" columns and maybe even other columns. Anyway, where am I going with this?
The Church has survived much longer than any political entity or mode of government. I believe that is because it has both human and divine dimensions. Purely human institutions have come and gone. The Holy Spirit strives hard to keep the Church on track, but the essential human element keeps trying to mess it up and even eliminate it. The Church does survive because of divine guidance. Many forms of government have been tried. In recent centuries socialistic systems established were defined in utopian terms but were never successful because of the greed, thirst for power and the evil of individuals and a governing class. These systems under a strong central government have all ended up hurting the masses. The problem has not been so much a systemic one as a humanistic one.
In my opinion, our Constitution guided and our republic governed our country well when done honestly and with great deference to the separation of powers between the three branches of our government, with checks and balances where an individual can not dominate. Our capitalistic system encourages people to strive to get ahead. Unfortunately many persons are greedy and not altruistic and generous. What is it that enabled us to achieve what we did in the 20th century, to defeat Germany and Japan, for example, and make such great strides? It was the freedom to be able to prosper relatively unfettered. Unfortunately, on one hand, more and more persons do not contribute to the best of their ability and milk the system for all they can get out of it. On another hand, successful people do need to be more concerned about the condition of the unsuccessful and the incapable persons and assist them without a suffocating central government strangle hold..
My income is almost entirely from Government sources: Navy retirement, Social Security and State pension. But I did what was expected to qualify for these benefits. Despite the failure of humans in our capitalistic system, our great Constitution still proffers the best hope to prolong the life of this once great country. If the current administration continues on its present course, trying to remodel our form of government, often ignoring the Constitution and disregarding the separation of powers, with more central control and reduced individual freedom, the country is doomed and it will go the way of myriads of other societies and countries which have failed and disappeared over the ages. The USA will no longer be a shining light to the world.
I have had a truly good life under a mostly commendable system now badly threatened. Even though we were poor during the great depression, my family survived. Facing slightly different circumstances, I could have been killed in one of the wars. But I am especially concerned about the present situation and even more about the welfare of every one of our offspring in the near future. I believe this election in November gives us an opportunity to change course. If the government continues on its present course, I am certain that the quality of life we have known or at least was achievable will no longer be possible. My life may end early when the federal healthcare system refuses treatment to old codgers who have become a drain on a desperate economy.

Of course, follow your conscience, think hard about your choice, most of all pray for our children and our country and please vote.

I wish I could express myself more clearly about this, but I promised myself to keep this one page and not write a book.

Our love and prayers,
Dad/Pépère (and Mom/Jean)

Chicken and Dumplings, in a grouchy hurry.

Yesterday I came home from work and needed some mothering, and comfort food. Being that I am the only mother around and I was a grouchy tired one, this is what I did and I am amazed at how good this tasted, and still does tonight as left overs.

2 Cans of Swanson Chicken Broth 14.5 oz.  - or your own broth if you have it on hand.
Chicken Thighs - boneless - 2 lbs
Parsley - dried - 2 tablespoons
6 carrots, peeled and diced
Mary B's Frozen Dumplings

I poured chicken broth in pot, added diced carrots and boneless chicken thighs, uncooked, with dried parsley.
Brought to boil. Added dumplings per instructions on package, covered and cooked 45 minutes.

While that was cooking I made a peach pie with Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust - but fresh peaches - and corn bread. I know, the dumplings and corn bread are double bread but yesterday called for that drastic of action - :) - anyway, the Chicken and Dumplings were great and easy, and comforting.

I needed it.

Parents: Good, Bad and - who knew?

Thinking today about parenthood. I'm making dinner for my first born and much loved son, Chris. His birthday is actually 9/8 but he lives in Atlanta and is here for Labor Day weekend so today is the day. I have the benefit of having my mother's carrot cake recipe, thank God we all have copies of it. I have made this cake for years and all my boys love it - I get the praise but it is not my doing at all. The only credit I should get is that I followed her directions as they were written, finally! It is ironic to me that I get praises from my children every time I make this cake because it is good only when I follow the instructions. I find that sort of funny since I was such a pain for my Mom, and I would never describe my relationship with her as compliant - at least not in my 12 years old and on going age. But you know you grow up and you learn. Unfortunately, my mother died of ovarian cancer at age 49 and I was 25. I was still pretty obnoxious but she loved me and I knew it.
So on to this thought - Parents: Good, Bad, and - who knew? I think about my boys and what I loved doing with them as they grew up: reading at night. I will forever be awed by the Chronicles of Narnia and the wonderful stimulation I think they generate for imagination as I read the books to them - Doctor Seuss, I think I can still repeat most of One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish from memory. It makes me smile to remember my verbal interpretation of the wild rumpus for Where the Wild Things Are. All of this brings a smile to my face and it is so precious - yet - I did some things wrong. And I thought about that today, how that with all your best intentions as a parent, there are some things that you just get wrong.

And so I am glad for this truth - that God gives grace to the humble, that He requires that we do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Him. And I think that there is a beautiful over riding of grace from God in our lives, if we allow it. I sure need it and am grateful for it!

Strength Comes in Layers

Many years ago when I was just getting involved in a church as a young mother and wife, with a particular spiritual gift I was just learning, I was hurt deeply by some folks in the process of the learning, people I looked to for mentoring and guidance.  I have looked back over the years a few times regarding this and wondered why those things hurt me so bad then when now I think I would just brush it off.

This morning driving back from getting coffee, alone in my car, I thought about things I have been through in my life and what I'm going through now, how I should react to current issues I am facing and how I have reacted in the past, and a phrase went through my mind -  strength comes in layers. I thought about the challenges of my life and the common theme that has run through my life since childhood in regards to how I choose to behave or react to adversity, and I wondered why I am doing a bit better today - (at 55 you would think so!) - and I thought about the toughness of layers, the experiences of time - the composite of that to make a strength borne of layers of experience.

It is unavoidable to experience adversity in your life and the longer you live, along with the joys of living, you will run into challenges, heartbreak and disillusionment. My particular method in a very simplified explanation, was escape, in sundry ways and means, from those challenges.

I googled "strength in layers" to help me with inspiration to write this - came across flooring diagrams and geological information - can't really say it helped my thought process but the concept was either the passage of time or the construction of something for strength, which was confirmation to me of a theme. I also came across some self-help mumbo jumbo about being the strongest of the strong - I doubt seriously that to seek this type strength I'm talking about is possible - I think it just comes by living. And in my case, by ultimately trusting God with my life, in my failures and in my adversity. Because today I feel stronger, I am grateful - and I did not layer it myself. 

Psalm 84

   ⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 

⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

⁷ They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Larger Thumbs, Smaller Lives?

Katherine Jackson is missing, or I think she is. I saw that just a little while ago clicking through web sites. It appears to be true because Paris Jackson tweeted that it had been a week since she had seen her grandmother and she wanted her home now. Of course if Katherine Jackson is missing I hope she is found (if she wants to be) and missing grannies are usual not a good thing. But what struck me in reading this is the method of communication used for a personal issue.

Human beings were created to connect with each other. We were designed to need each other and to interact together. That is why Facebook is so popular, in my opinion. We have created a fast-paced society and in the western world it takes a lot of resources to pay for the society we created so we are working, working working and scurrying around accomplishing tasks and we use social media as a means of connecting. I wonder what this is doing to us as a society?

When I was in Japan some years ago I watched people on the streets of Tokyo walking and texting - there were enough of them that it caught my attention and I joked to my husband that in 100 years peoples thumbs would be much larger. But seriously, we are being short changed with a web based social interaction as our primary method of communication. When you meet with someone face to face it is much harder to conceal. Your entire self usually has to show up but on the web you can pick and choose - as really you should anyway because who really wants to know that you are mad at hubby for this and that - but you get the point. Personal connections involve body language and eye contact and the power of touch. Obviously we can't wait to communicate every time until we see someone and the Internet is a powerful and useful tool for communication. I guess what I'm getting at is the question of what are we doing to our society when we don't make time for human interaction and abuse the power of the Internet by neglecting the other? As I joked about larger thumbs in 100 years, I wonder what will be smaller in our society in 100 years by our inability to personally connect?
Just a thought of mine.

Views from the Deck

Heron and wildflowers

Storm rolling in over Portofino Towers, Pensacola Beach

Lightening strike early morning storm

Low tide, seagulls, Portofino and Hurricane Ivan victim

Blue Angels over Pensacola Beach

Some of the Blue Angels 7/13/2012

Sunset

Silent Moss

A large, 

gnarled, 

growing presence as I sat ,

in the southern swamps.

Gray dripping sameness

of

my soul

sinking in muck.

Why cry to me, you hurricane...

or tropical storm of thoughts.

It’s not ok,

.. the oaks cried -  hush!

...but I couldn’t stop screaming
that I was sinking.

The Spanish moss

swayed ever so slightly

in the wind,

and never said a word.