Archive for the ‘Religion’ Category
Sunday, March 23rd, 2008
We have been talking to Beetle about Easter. We explained that Jesus died on Good Friday and rose on Easter. She asked how he died. “Mean people,” Gert explained. “Oh, no!” was my daughter’s response. “That is not good.”
But whenever we speak about Easter, she raises her hands above her head and exclaims, “He’s alive!”
It reminds me of the commercial years ago for the movie of the same name. Ominous music played as a voiceover explained:
Some people are just a little bit frightened when they have their first baby. The Davis’s are terrified. You see there’s only one thing wrong with the Davis baby. It’s Alive!
All the while a baby carriage spun around. At the end of the commercial, someone came on with a high-pitched voice to announce the rating of PG. I used to chuckle aloud whenever it came on the television.
Fortunately, Easter has a much happier ending.
Happy Easter. Christ is risen. Alleluia!
Posted in Entertainment, Movies, Religion | No Comments »
Monday, March 17th, 2008
It apparently was not enough that James McGreevey was a crooked governor. We here in New Jersey keep reading about each detail of his divorce proceedings. This isn’t news. We already know he is morally bankrupt.
Today’s “news” was all about his former limo driver and the claim that he was involved in threesomes with the McGreeveys for two years while James McGreevey was mayor of Woodbridge.
Immediately his wife denied the reports. Then the “Gay American” confirmed it.
Two thoughts come to mind:
- Who cares? Stop reporting this garbage. The McGreeveys are unworthy of notice.
- The man who cheated on his wife, had a gay lover on the taxpayer payroll, lives with a man (who traveled with the limo driver to China), and confirmed threesomes today is still in seminary to be an Episcopal priest. There is something seriously wrong with that!
Posted in New Jersey, Politics, Religion | No Comments »
Thursday, March 6th, 2008
It dawned on me today that I am not very good at extending Christian charity . . . at least not online.
The other day I fisked a fellow geocacher pretty well. I have no issue with the post I made. What has been on my mind, however, is that I did not let this guy up off the mat. Why was I so harsh?
I do not have an adequate answer to that and that is troublesome for me.
Frodo extended his apology. While I recognized he apologized, I did not accept it. It seems that despite whether I believed him, the proper response would have been to accept it and move on.
Nothing good becomes of dragging this out.
It’s kind of odd how I came around to thinking about this. It dawned on me that here during Lent, one should, if anything, extend his Christianity. I certainly did not practice that in dealing with Frodo.
So, what to do? Well, the action took place publicly, so it seems only fitting to deal with this publicly, hence, this post. I ask for Frodo’s forgiveness. I hope to be a better man than to take someone down just because I object to an Internet message.
I’m sorry.
Posted in Bob, GPS Games, Geocaching, Religion | 2 Comments »
Sunday, February 10th, 2008
Today was Sharon’s memorial service. It didn’t help to understand. Perhaps others felt better because of it; I am not certain we can sign on to that.
The church was packed. There was at least one other geocacher in attendance. Lots of friends. Lots of sadness.
Too bad an event like this could not keep the press or the politicians away.
We miss Sharon. May your great smile light up heaven.
Posted in Religion | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
It has always seemed particularly odd to me that folks declare that they are giving up chocolate, or some other such vice, for Lent, as though that equates with Christ’s sacrifice for us.
Yet, as flawed humans, what are we to do? The sacrifice that we take on at this time of the year is our way of consciously doing without while concentrating on Christ’s works.
If I declare here that I am forgoing carbonated beverages for 40 days, what does that really represent? It is a personal sacrifice on my part. But is it anything beyond for my own personal gain? Does this emulate Christ? How does giving up soda benefit others?
Lenten sacrifices appear to be like New Year’s resolutions the way people use them today. Abstaining from chocolate, caffeine, or fast food is uniquely selfish, which of course, is not Christ-like at all.
Last year Dr. Chris Anthony of Butterworth, Malaysia wrote for Catholic.org:
The real meaning of Lent is sacrifice, not for our well-being but that of others. Fasting, abstinence and prayer are just a means to achieve that goal.
We are asked to become holy and like Mother Teresa, our holiness in God, must be for the benefit of others.
What can I abstain from that will be for the benefit of others? What can you abstain from for the benefit of others?
Posted in Religion | 6 Comments »
