He's coming when?

So I was reading a Detroit Free Press article about a Christian group announcing that Jesus will return in May, 2011(http://www.freep.com/article/20101204/NEWS05/12040397/1319). Well, as one who not only believes in but trusts in Jesus,I think it's great. However, I see a major flaw in this announcement.

See, Jesus Himself told His disciples that nobody knows the time of His coming except the Father. Jesus also spoke of the time when people would claim that Jesus is over there, or over here, or whatever. He said don't listen to them, because when He does come again, there would be no doubt as to His coming, it will be as visible as lightning is from east to west. There will be no mistaking His coming as swamp gas or a UFO or weather balloon. No doubt.

Jesus also told everyone not to worry so much about when He is coming but to worry about what they were doing in His Name for others. Basically He told everyone to stay busy and do the things Jesus would want them to do, including telling others about His love for them. He wanted them and wants us today to serve others and share the love of God with others.

If I tell you I know when Christ will return, you will know I'm full of...you know. If I tell you I don't know when, but it could be any day and it could be one hundred years, well, then I'm more in line with biblical truth.

All I know is, I won't try to scare anyone into heaven. But I will do my best to love them to Jesus, and let Him take over from there. And when He does come again in person, hopefully it will be to joyously join all those who trust in Him, serve others in His Name, and try their best to be more like Him.

I think Jesus will come when God says "it's time". I would like to be ready, by being obedient to Him. I would like everyone to be ready, trusting in Him, and letting Him show us the Way, the Truth and the Life that He announced Himself to be.

Now,Jesus could well come next May, don't get me wrong. But anyone who claims to know the exact time is fooling you and themselves. Trust in the Lord, not in men. Not even me.

I think some of the problems we have in the US is that many people decide if they're going to follow HLN or Fox and whatever is said on the broadcasts is the truth. Look for the truth, look at both sides, look at what is real versus what is proclaimed. Look to the bible, it will refute what the billboards proclaim. If they're talking about Jesus, they're not speaking for Him. Look to Jesus, He's the truth. See you soon.

Yes, Virginia, there is an Obama Gas

The new picture on the blog is a real gas station in Detroit, Mi. I have no idea if the President gets a piece of the action or if this is just Capitalism at it's best. This is a predominately African American neighborhood. I guess play to your audience, right? I thought it was great, no political comment here. With the movie industry in Michigan, at first I thought it was a movie set. But, no, real gas station. Cool. Insert your own joke, thought,comment, etc.

Speaking of gas; had the best Thanksgiving dinner ever this year. Really, best food I ever had. Cudos to two Brothers-in-Law, a Sister-in-Law and Mother-in-Law. Great work. I cleaned up, both figuratively with dinner and literally after dinner. Good times with my wife's family in Chicago.

Ahh,family. As the years go on, many of us only see family on certain holidays, weddings and funerals. My cousin Marilyn just emailed us because her daughter is getting married. Her surname is from a first marriage. So my cousin thought it important, and rightly so, to "warn" us about an invitation we might not recognize. Families shouldn't have to do that. We should know each other and try to keep our families in our circle of friends.

As the years go on, I find myself drawn more to family. All my aunts and uncles are deceased, save my mom's sisters husband, Uncle Joe. Some of my older cousins have passed away. The heritage, stories and traditions of my mom's and dad's families are fading away and most of us have done a lousy job of making sure our children,grandchildren, etc. get to know their own family history.

My Cousin Charlene has done a genealogy of my Father's side of the family and has contacted many of our relatives I didn't even know we had. My cousin Jari has been in touch with family in Finland, from my Mom's side. I give them great credit in their diligence to history and family. Thank you.

With the Christmas/Chanukkah/Holiday Seasons among us, we always hear how this time of year has more suicides than any other times of the year (with the exception, I believe of the Dancing with the Stars Finale). Many people suffer deep depression and suffer from stress and anxiety disorders either due to feeling of loneliness and loss or trying to be the "perfect holiday host", have the "perfect Christmas" and the like.

I guess there are two things I'd like to pass along. The first is that Christmas is a time to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. It's important to know, too, that even as the shepherds and Magi and others rushed to a "barn" to see the coming of the Christ, we now should be celebrating Christmas looking forward to His return. Enjoy the lights, the tree, yes even the gifts. But look to the One who makes this season truly a Holy time, Jesus Christ. If you get to know Him, He will fill that empty spot in your heart, He can heal your physical, mental and spiritual pain and lead you to true peace. (This isn't the hand-shaking "peace be with you" in church peace, this is realPeace of Christ type of stuff).

The second thing is to put less pressure on yourself to make the holidays anything more than a celebration of God and Family. The amount of stuff doesn't matter, the amount of love does. You do realize that Martha Stewart has all kinds of helpers, housekeepers, production assistants and the like to make her house look like a Christmas movie set. You can't do all that yourself. Make this season about love. Jesus loves you, heck, I love you. If you put yourself out there in love, you'll find love back. A phone call, a simple greeting card or your physical presence is better than any store-bought gift, rum cake or gift card.

Don't risk being alone. Keep in touch with family and celebrate your love for each other. At least two of the women in my family are having issues with their adult sons. Even if they don't return your love, let them know you love them by making the calls, sending the cards, being as much a part of their life as they allow. Keep in touch with Jesus, as His love is true and everlasting. If you have Jesus, He can fill your lonely heart or your worried mind, indeed. See, we can only love because God first loved us, that is clear from the bible. He created love, loves you like a favorite child and desires, with arms open,to have you come to Him. God is a gentleman; He won't force Himself on you. But for those who desire Him, "seek and you'll find". He's as close as you want Him to be. And His biggest desire for us is that we come to Him. He, too, is the One who can make what is impossible for man (people) very possible indeed.

Here is to a LOVE-ly Christmas season, a LOVE-ly Chanukkah and whatever else you celebrate. But take time to look for Jesus, His wonderful birth, His redeeming life and death, and His return one day. And, if you're traveling east of the Southfield Freeway on Joy Road in Detroit, check out Obama Gas. What if one day Presidential elections just came down to having all the candidates names on various gas stations. The candidate who's named stations pump the most gas wins. Might be fun....Romney Gas, Palin Gas, Clinton Gas, Paul Gas...

Keeping Busy

So, it's been a while. Every time I thought about writing something down I lost the muse, or something. So, the world has been spared another several blog postings. Probably a good thing.

Anyway, I'm reading my bible the other day, through the book of Exodus. Second book of the bible, old testament stuff; Moses, the 10 Commandments, all kinds of stuff. You know, the first time Moses went up on the mountain to meet with God, he was up there 40 days. God gave him the commandments at that time and some other important info.

Now, this is the same God who rescued the Jews from the Egyptian rule, poured out plagues on the land that did not affect the Hebrews, locust, frogs, gnats, darkness,etc. Then the final sign as Pharoah refused to let the Hebrews go; striking dead the firstborn in the nation of Egypt, man and animal.

This is the same God who directed the Egyptians to give their valuables to the Jews as they left Egypt. The same God who parted the Red Sea so the Jews could cross as if on dry land, then causing the water to wash over the Egyptian soldiers who tried to follow.

This is the God who blazed a trail for His people with a cloud during the day and a great pillar of fire at night, so the people led by Moses would follow. Then, Moses heads up the mountain for 40 days. While he speaks with God, the Hebrew people started partying, even making a gold calf idol to worship. They forgot about the God who led them to freedom and the man God sent to them in under 40 days.

So God dispenses judgement on the Hebrews, many people die. Moses smashes the tablets containing the commandments and basically talks God out of destroying the people. Another couple of tablets later, some repentence, and the Hebrews were saved by God's grace.

Now, God then gave very specific rules about building a tent of meeting that would be where God would hang out when the Hebrews would take a break from their travel to the promised land, Israel. He gave very specific orders on how to construct everything, how to make the robes for the priests, the rules for various ways how to minister in the temple. In the next book, Leviticus, God lays down some real specific rules, designed to keep people safe and healthy, both physically and spiritually.

We sometimes look at rules and regulations as hinderances to our freedoms, keeping us from fully enjoying our lives. I think God looks at them much differently. He gave specific instructions because He knows if left to our own desires, we're making idols out of gold, out of possessions, jobs, relationships, that end up separating us from Him.

God's rules weren't designed to hold us back. They were designed as ways to help us to remember to rely on Him. As we walk through life, we sometimes feel empty even in times of great wealth. We sometimes feel helpless, alone, or just simply "unfulfilled". Some of us deal with chronic health issues, poverty, addictions, and can't figure out why. "If God is love, why is there war, sickness and death?"

Well,let me give you my opinion. If we look at God as a quick fix, a Dr. Phil of the spiritual air waves, we're missing the boat. See, in the rules God desires us to try them out, to try Him out. As we are obedient to Him, He then knows we're serious about enjoying a relationship with Him, not just using Him as some kind of spiritual Santa Claus or other-wordly John Wayne bringing the cavalry to rescue you before it's too late.

Interestingly enough, God saw that for some reason most of us, if left to our own devices, will walk away from God. So He did send the cavalry, His son Jesus Christ. Jesus came to show us God's true nature, while as a man, he was prone to the same temptations and weaknesses of us all. Being obedient to God, He didn't follow the path of the calf-makers and self-worshipers. He stayed obedient,even taking God's punishment for sin upon Himself for all of us. He, as a sinless, blameless, spotless perfect one gave His life up so that we don't have to take God's punishment for everything we've done our way instead of His way.

It's not enough to say you believe in God, most people say that. The real way is to accept that there is one way to the Father, and that is by acccepting who Jesus is and really asking Him to lead you through this life to the next one. If the Isrealites had stayed obedient, many thousands would not have died, they would have taken a trip of about 11 days instead of 40 years in the wilderness.

What is your wilderness today? Is it lost in a mountain of debt, family troubles, or a situation that you can't seem to fix by yourself? It's time to look to the God who loves you so much He died for you. Father, Son and Holy Spirit our God is one. The one. If there are many Gods there are no Gods. If there are many ways to heaven, there is no real heaven. If the afterlife is something you have created in your mind, with your sense of "fairness" or "tolerance" you're missing out on a great opportunity to know the one who makes the rules, not to burden you with rules, but allow you to be free in this life and the next through His son Jesus Christ. He who the son sets free is free indeed.

God's Kingdom is kind of backwards compared to our thoughts sometimes. He says "obey" and you'll be free. He says "give" and it will be given to you. He has told us we only can love because he first loved us, even dying for us. Try this backwards kingdom for yourself; be obedient and be free; give to others, and see what you receive, love others, and feel His love. God Bless you all.

Venti or Grande?

So I sit here at a Starbucks in Plymouth, Mi between sales appointments. Mine is a Grande Decaf Americano, by the way, no room for cream. As I sit here sipping, I am also enjoying the parade of folks visiting the coffee shop on a 90-degree plus day with amazing humidity (the people do not have amazing humidity, the weather is humid).

Now, many of us are drinking hot beverages. There are the majority, though, with various varieties of iced tea, iced coffee, and of course the frozen concoction which has surpassed cocaine and even scotch, the famed Frappucino, (make mine a caramel mocha frappucino(sp?). Wow! These people who turn up their nose at a McDonald's milk shake or 7-11 Slurpee are lined up waiting for their frozen specialties like it's free government cheese or something. And they're laying out about $4.00 a pop! Ahhh, America.

Then I thought of last night's US Open Tennis ceremonies. Many tennis legends were marched out, fireworks were sent up into the night sky, and tennis luminaries from around the globe marveled at the site. It's tennis, folks. There's a continuing (worsening?) recession, two wars, a continuing housing meltdown, and we're in line for $4.00 coffees, tennis tickets costing hundreds, perhaps thousands, while we blog, Facebook, Twitter and the like.

We have the Tea Party, we have "psuedo tea-parties" here in Michigan set up by Democrats trying to confuse the voters, we have November elections coming up which will either bring the American Government either more toward the center or keep it careening down the path labeled either "enlightened" or "socialism" depending on your views. Although I must say, I heard a story about a free health clinic set up in New Orleans at the Convention Center. The organizer said the large turnout shows the need for health care in this area. Well, tell 'ya the truth, if I was there, I'd go for free and circumvent my deductible or office charge if I could.

I'd think there would be many hundreds of people here in the Starbucks if they were giving away frozen caramel whatzits, too. See, free is good. People like free. Except someone's gotta pay for the stuff that is given out for free. Starbucks is paying their employees and paying for all the stuff they would give out. It has a cost and someone's got to bear it. In this case, the business takes the cost. With free health care, free cell phones, free cable service, free food, the working taxpayers foot the bill. This money is not magically created, it comes from all the people working who can afford a $4.00 frozen luxury or a $500.00 tennis ticket and who have been paying for housing bailouts, bank bailouts, wars and the rest.

I fear our nation is leaning toward being taken care of by the government rather than work toward the "American Dream"...There are jobs out there, you just gotta be willing to make less than $80,000.00 a year. There was a time in my life I worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. Maybe more of us just have to consider it. I fear too many people want the $4.00 coffee while they're out of work and want me to pay for it. I'll go for the $1.00 Tim Horton's coffee, I'll even throw in the odd fruit explosion muffin, okay?

I would not want to be out of work. I would not want to face losing my home. I never leveraged my home far beyond what it would ever be worth, I did not buy a half-million dollar home with income more deserving of a mobile home. I did not think I "deserved" a house in the Dominican Republic, a time-share in Boca and a boat the size of the USS Enterprise in addition to my family home.

We as a nation must begin to support our businesses, yes even Starbucks. (How come 80% of every Honda, Subaru, Toyota, etc. have Obama stickers on them? Really. The party of the union worker buys imported, sometimes non-union, stuff. Who's shopping at Wal-Mart (China Mart)? Let's encourage business people to make stuff here, and support them with "right to work" legislation versus the very socialist "closed shops". Let's not think we're working for the "union", but appreciate the corporation that is writing the checks...

Last thing. I'm listening to the radio. Some guy is calling in and saying how Chrysler is forcing the union to take only $14.00 per hour instead of $30.00 for new hires or they would send the jobs to Mexico. He also stated how the UNION provided for his family, his dad and he worked for the UNION (at Chrysler) all their adult lives and how the UNION provided the money that allowed the family to buy a restaurant and employ people and make a better life for themselves. The radio show host had to remind the man that Chrysler provided the jobs and the money. If there was no Chrysler, there would be no union jobs. We also found out that their restaurant employees were non-union and the highest paid employee made less than $14.00 per hour, and had to pay for a large percentage of their healthcare. HMMMMMM....

Sorry for the rant, just went off in a few directions. A good rant can be fun...just a bit disjointed however.

I would encourage everyone to look at God as the Great Provider. His son Jesus gave everything for you and me. He tells us not to worry about what we will eat or wear, 'cause God even provides food for the animals of the earth and the glorious splendor of flowers. If he provides for them, will He not provide for us? God might not fulfill all your wants, but He loves you and wants to fulfill your NEEDS. Have faith, Love God, Love others, Pray to the One who is waiting for your words, in Jesus' Name, Amen. (And have the occasional frozen caramel whatzit).

No Nudes is Good Nudes?

If a blog is posted and nobody reads it, does it count? I suppose if posted via wireless the message travels out of Earth's atmosphere into space. There, I suppose it travels throughout the universe, reaching farther and farther into space, where finally it is collected by some giant radio telescope. There, I suppose even further, some race of people excitedly announce that they have received messages from far beyond their own universe. Then, a green-skinned, hairless being in a lab coat says, "Zalmanju waakuu mahpasi fuurtuu, lurtuu, grnsnazzle." This roughly translates to, "Nah, just another blog. No porn for once, though."

How much broadcast porn is being viewed by other-wordly beings? If they look like us, do they think it's art and not porn? You know, I visit the Detroit Institute of Art from time to time,www.dia.org, makes me feel "metropolitan", plus I like the pictures. (You must refrain, of course, while at the from even mouthing the word "picture" and voice only words such as "works", "masterpiece", "illuminating", "transformational" and stuff like that, less "they" think you're a boob).

So on any trip to the DIA, you end up in the sculptures area, where you stand in the middle of a bunch of naked people. This of course is art, unless you try to display it anywhere else but an art institute. Anywhere else and people would say, "What's with all the naked people?"

I look at these "works" (some even transformational works) and I think, "If the people then could see us now. These works were all probably rich guy's porn stash and a thousand years or so later, they're works of art". Seriously, there was no Playboy Rome or Penthouse Athens in those days, and we know perverts like Nero and Caligula were around. Roman orgies are the stuff of legend.

So, as I walk through the displays of naked women, naked men, naked cherubs, multiple naked people, etc., I'm thinking, "porn". You can tell me all you want about the artist's desire to capture the wonderful form of the human body, and I'll answer with, "What, they couldn't put a loincloth on this guy? You really gotta show it all? You can't modestly drape a sash or design clever use of hands, props, etc. to cover a bit of this lady?"

After many years of traveling through the DIA and other art collections, it finally hit me this past year. Most all this stuff was created for Hugh Hefner's early relatives. Let's face it; with no internet, cable or pay-per-view, where else would a pervert get a naked fix? I know many of you just think I'm Larry the Cable Guy's relative or something based on this, but next time you go, think of it. Most of these statues were not displayed publicly at the time of their creation. They were commissioned by someone for a private residence or estate, or happened to be the buxom girlfriend of the artist. "C'mon, baby, it's art, it's not like it's dirty or anything and only you and I will see it". Then the guy sells it to some Roman perv who shows it off like it's Paris Hilton's sex tape or something. Really!

Anyway, I hope I haven't ruined art for you. And I hope that any of my Christian friends don't excommunicate me because of this. But you gotta admit, the more you think about this stuff, the harder it is to think "art" and the easier it is to think "porn". Of course this has nothing to do with my collection of Roman Nudes dating back to the Sophia Loren era.

Here's to good-natured laughs, an attempt at some fun, and may even a new truth to consider. God did, after all, create humor, I suppose. And I will find out one day if He considered this in good humor, or good taste. See you next time.

EJ

Primary Concerns

So it's two days before Michigan Primary elections, and I'm sure other states around the country. We will be electing a new governor this year to replace Jennifer Granholm and dozens of people in our House of Representatives and Senate.

Republicans are drooling with the thought of dominating the State houses and the Governor's Mansion. I guess they're looking at about 14% unemployment, a state budget that is a mess, and Obama backlash as a path to victory (perhaps a freeway to victory). Methinks that they should not count any chickens yet.

Democrats are touting job creations (tough to sell here in the Wolverine State), and promising more new jobs. (Probably a chicken in every pot that the GOP can count, etc.). They are still blaming the GOP Governor from 8 years ago for this mess. Kinda like the way the White House is still blaming W for everything bad including Heidi and Spencer's upcoming divorce.

So the campaign calls have been coming to the house, and the mail has been non-stop. Sorta neat that our land-line phone is out of order due to squirrels or fallen limbs or something. Been nice and quiet for a couple of days.

Anyway, twice this past week my wife and I each received campaign literature from Planned Parenthood. The BIG headline was "Bernero the Only Candidate to Support a Woman's Right to Choose". The other Big headline was, "Dillon Says NO to All Abortions Even in Cases of Rape or Incest."

Two things about this. One, no matter your take on abortion, it is hardly the biggest challenge facing this state right now, even our nation. Second, there were no Republican candidates mentioned at all, just the Democratic candidates, Virg Bernero (PRO ABORTION) and Andy Dillon (ANTI-ABORTION). Never-you-mind the cloud of financial shenanigans surrounding Mr. Bernero, Mayor of Lansing, Mi and proud to be called a "career politician". Never-you-mind State Senator Dillon's ability to obtain bi-partisan support in a fractured state government, even willing to (shudder) compromise on a few points to pass a budget and try to have everyone act civil.

Don't even think about the high unemployment rate, the exodus of our young college graduates and young professionals to other "grass is greener" states. Don't worry that we're bleeding jobs, our homes are worth about half of what they were worth in 2007, don't let the near-collapse of our largest employer, the auto companies and supporting businesses, worry you. It's all about who will let you, ladies and gents, kill your babies.

It galls me that Planned Parenthood would tout one candidate over another based on one issue. There's not a look at a person's character, track record or apparent skills. It's not necessarily about fixing the problems of a woebegone state; no, it's about the ease of ending pregnancies.

What a sad state we're in when the tipping point of a person's vote for or against a person is because one candidate supports abortion and the other does not. Imagine campaign posters in Nazi Germany; "Hitler is the only Pro-killing Jews and Gypsies candidate, don't vote for the other guy who wants to let them live". It think that puts it in perspective for me. If you make it a one-plank campaign, I'll vote for the person who supports life. Sorry, Hitler, sorry Virg, sorry Planned Parenthood.

You know, Republicans and Christians have been reviled by the "Left" for making abortion the single most important issue in a campaign. Well, I believe Planned Parenthood has just shown that to be false. Planned Parenthood is such a misnomer. They don't want to help anyone PLAN anything. They are an abortion-for-profit company with as much desire to help couples plan as Keith Olberman desires to date Ann Coulter...

So, I'm thinking, well, I'm mad as heck and I'm not going to take it anymore. So I had to share this with you all...or anyone who is out there, I suppose. The law of the State of Michigan allows most abortions. The Governor by himself cannot change the law. Candidate Dillon said he will abide by the law of the State. Apparently, not good enough for Planned Parenthood even if he is the better Democratic candidate.

On the Republican side, they're mostly talking about jobs, schools, jobs, cutting taxes, and jobs. Sounds like a good platform for a party seeking election in this state. Now, Right to Life has backed our current Attorney General Mike Cox, who is one of about five Republican gubernatorial candidates, all of whom claim to be pro-life. I wonder if anyone at Planned Parenthood ever considered that a pro-life Republican would actually be a better governor that a pro-abortion Democrat, but I think not. And I think Right-to-Life would support a pro-life candidate from the Democratic Party if the person on the other side of the ballot was pro-abortion or lukewarm on the subject.

I am so sick of the "Pro-Choice" lobby. Who has the choice, here? Certainly not the father of the child, certainly not the child (over half of whom are female babies by the way, ladies). "Choice" is certainly an innocuous term for killing an unborn child. But when pro-life people talk about the killing of children, and the horrible thought of harvesting embryos for stem-cell research, the other side cries, "FOUL"! When pictures of aborted babies are shown, when people use the terms killing and murder, the other side shakes their fingers and says "shame on you for using such graphic pictures and terms". Well, if something you support sickens or shames you when shown in the light of day perhaps it's time for a second thought.

Shame on you, National Organization for Women, for backing Virg Bernero based simply on abortion. Shame on you, Planned Parenthood for not looking past one issue to support perhaps the better person. As a Christian, I do believe God does turn his back to people who go away from Him. He does not condone killing innocent people. He spoke out and acted out against peoples who "put their children through the fire" literally sacrificing their children in furnaces to a false god. Jesus told everyone that the Kingdom of Heaven is for those such as the children who surrounded Him.

When you look at hard-hit states, look at the moral base; see if some changes in moral attitudes might help. Our nation has left God behind for the most part. It seems we can't get God out of our way fast enough to avoid guilt, to allow any activity in which we might find pleasure, to allow the old adage "if it feels good, do it."

I can't believe that women (or anyone) can call abortion "choice". The real choice starts with a woman deciding that sex is not a recreational activity like working out in the gym, jogging, etc. I can't believe people have as little control as a couple of dogs in the street as far as sexual activity is concerned.

Our youth are experiencing sexual activity at younger and younger ages, sexually transmitted diseases are at ridiculous levels, and our response is to allow an HPV vaccine for our teen-aged girls "because they're just going to have all kinds of sex anyway". Really? You WANT your daughters to have dozens of sexual partners by the time they reach college? Is that your aspiration for your children? Because if you let your children think a promiscuous lifestyle is what you expect, they will strive to achieve it. If you take time to PARENT your children, you can make a difference. Remember the old "Baretta" television show with Robert Blake? "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime." Well, if you are not ready to care for the life you help create, you probably shouldn't be engaged in sexual activity. Check out some of the information at www.nichd.nih.gov/womenshealth/research/disorders/stdhiv.cfm

God created man and woman to be perfect for each other, including sexually. How do I know? Because HE said so; and so many times, it's as simple as checking out the plumbing. Sex was created to be a pleasant way to....HAVE KIDS! It's supposed to be fun so you will be encouraged to have more children. But He created this wonderful act so a man and a woman in a loving, committed, permanent relationship could enjoy each other completely and intimately. We, in this age, have really distorted God's great gift.

Finally, to women who have had an abortion due to one mistake in their lives. Please, God doesn't condemn you, I don't condemn you. I believe most women feel some remorse or emptiness for this child whose life was ended. Men, maybe you persuaded someone to have an abortion they really didn't want, or maybe a women you were with did it because YOU said it was the "right thing to do". Don't live in guilt. The Lord is waiting for you with open arms. Talk to Him like you'd talk to a friend. Just start "Dear God", and go for it. You will find Him waiting for your words, and you just might feel His presence in your heart, lifting a weight from you, allowing you to breath easier, to once again feel whole and "right". Here's to us all who have had the guilt of abortion; to feel "right", or righteous, through the Love of God and His son Jesus Christ. Amen.

It's the Berries!

So several of my cousins and I traveled from the Detroit Metro area to the aforementioned Upper Peninsula to visit more cousins. My cousin Lois was the head of the Copper Country Strawberry Festival in Chassell, MI. (http://www.einerlei.com/community/strawFest/home.html) This is a Lion's club thing for 62 years. Chassell grows small but yummy strawberries. And it's as good a reason as any to have a festival, I suppose.

Anyway, hundreds of people showed up. My cousins and I (along with sis) made shortcakes Friday night until we were ready to drop. They bailed while I helped clean up I might add. The new Strawberry Queen was crowned, there was a fish boil (yup) and a good time was had by all.

Saturday was the big PARADE. Apparently nobody wants to be parade judges so my cousin signed me up along with another cousin's friend. Oh, we judged an hour long parade with floats, cars, bands, clowns, fire trucks, (too many) Politicians and more. Real Americana. Good stuff.

My cousin the Strawberry Festival Head (therefore the "Queen Lion" by the way), then had us over to her house, which is about 12 feet from Portage lake, which is a body of water that is connected on both sides to Lake Superior. It separates the Keewenaw Peninsula from the rest of the U.P. I know you love the geography.

Always good time and fun with family, and we traveled over 500 miles to get together when the farthest of us here in Metro Detroit are about 25 miles away. Weird.

So I started to think about family, and how family is really God ordained. He created woman and man to be together and always talks about having many children, being fruitful and multiplying, etc. He even put the genealogy of Jesus in there, to connect the family of man to the family of God.

When we tear families apart through selfishness, (divorce, petty quarrels, etc.), we are tearing apart some of the basic framework of the Father's design for us. We are tearing ourselves apart. It's easy to look at family sometimes as a burden, whether it be aging issues, responsibility issues and the like. But, gee, when we look at family as not just a gift but an ordination from God to us, it sure looks more important.

Hey! Write, email or call someone in your family that you haven't really connected with in a long time. Do it today. Don't worry about being uncomfortable, these people have some of the same blood flowing in them you do. Family is always family. They might disappoint you, or run from you , or embarrass you. But I'll bet no one cares for you more, even when years and miles have separated you.

Here's to you, in the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit; Bless you all in Jesus' Name...You and your families, with a special shout out to mine.