My Sunday Thought for 04032016: Fool Fest 2016

Spring comes to the heart

And fools fall in love.

Sad is the man without spring

And sadder yet, without love.

It is not person, place, or thing,

These are but recipients.

Spring is the intangible feeling;

An April state of mind.

Spring is new life and color,

a rebirth of the old,

Ebbing rains and arching rainbows,

Heralding the returning warmth of sun.

It is sprouting crops planted in fall,

Training for America’s game,

Planning of vacations

And summer cookouts.

The feeling is not person, place, or thing.

These are but recipients.

Spring is the intangible feeling,

An April state of mind, and thus…

Love is in the air!

Yes, "love" is in the air, and then you find you've picked the wrong guy for the umpteenth time.  Well, that's because springtime was made for breeding, not for loving.  It isn't love that's in the air.  That musky smell of burning desire is... LUST!  Lust is in the air.  Lust isn't only in the air; it's dripping off of everything capable of reproducing.  Birds, bees, cats, dogs, squirrels, mice, rats, and cousin Bob are all oozing with lust.

Pretty much the only sure thing to come out of this drool fest will be the number of men and women that make seasonal fools of themselves.  Yes, unless they get a clue, this embarrassing smack down will be another seasonal tradition for most of these folks that tend to use the brains south of their tummy button more than the spongy mass between their ears.  What many of our young will discover, when all is said and done, is that, with someone or without, many of them will remain discontented with their lot in life.  They may also discover the burning sensation they're experiencing in their nether regions may not be a hunka, hunka, burnin' love.  I'd have it checked out by a urologist.

Real friends are those who, when you feel you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel you've done a permanent job.

-- Author Unknown

If yesterday was the winter of our discontent, it was made glorious only in that it followed summer and fall of the same.  Our ides of March have exploded into spring with all hormonal targeting systems focused on the returning summer.  Our discontent is so definitively human in its recurrence, for only a human could be so self-absorbed by any emotion especially when said emotions are driven by the genteel manipulations of women.  Why are we like this?  What in heaven's good name was God thinking creating two creatures, so vastly different, to complement each other as boon companions?  Sometimes I think God is really a woman.  I mean, really, look at the humor of it.  Man never stood a chance.  Go ahead; tell a woman she wouldn't even be here if it weren't for one of your ribs.  Go ahead, I'm pretty certain any woman can make her six inch stiletto fit where the sun don't shine, right next to where you keep your head.  

A sense of humor is the ability to understand a joke-and that the joke is oneself. -- Clifton Paul Fadiman

We will, in all probability, and against our best efforts to avoid it, join those of lesser abilities in the Fool Festival of 2016.  On April 1, we will fall prey to even more elaborate, well thought out pranks which will evidence how gullible we humans can be when faced with unexpectedly clever tricks developed by equally unexpectedly juvenile coworkers hiding in the cubicles around us.  There will be shoe polish on the binocular eyepieces or phone earpieces, wireless mouse and keyboard receivers swapped with next desk, staplers and coffee cups Superglued to the surface, clocks set ahead or behind, salt in sugar containers and sugar in salt containers, bourbon in beer bottles and water in vodka bottles.  We will sigh, and we will laugh.  We will laugh because life has become way too serious, and monotony is made to be broken.

It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor.

-- Max Eastman

So, we will fall in lust, and hope it develops into love, as we smile at the heartthrob across the room while wiping the shoe polish from around our eyes and trying to look suave.  Hopefully she'll see we have a sense of humor, and can take it all in stride... while we plot the required, and expected, revenge on the perpetrators of our embarrassment.  Of course this also means we must be prepared to give better than we got.  Payback is, after all, demanded by honor and the Code of Fools.  

Hopefully, we will discover, somewhere along our path, that even the best of us are fools or, more to the point, all of us are fools.  With this life epiphany will come the joy of being able to march proudly in the daily Fool Fest and enjoy the occasional joke at our expense.  It is called character building, and we are all characters in God's great comedy so, suck it up.

Suppose the world were only one of God's jokes, would you work any the less to make it a good joke instead of a bad one?

-- George Bernard Shaw

We will also discover the intangible reality of love.  It isn't something you can purchase, nor is it something you can touch.  Love is an emotion.  Love is an emotion that goes beyond sex and sexes.  It transcends beauty, intelligence, money and power.  Love is all around us.  It is a state of mind, a state of being.  You either are, or you aren't.

I think its better that you are.

Love is in the air everywhere I look aroundLove is in the air every sight and every soundAnd I don't know if I'm being foolishDon't know if I'm being wiseBut it's something that I must believe inAnd it's there when I look in your eyes.

-- "Love is in the Air," lyrics by George Young and Johannes Vandenberg

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination. 

My Sunday Thought for Easter 2016

Jesus said, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All."

-- The Gospel of Thomas

Ever wonder what the state of Christianity is in the world today?  Ever thought about why Christianity seems to be losing the battles and the war?  Take a minute and look up Easter Images on Google.  You'll find voluminous images of bunnies and eggs, but very few Christian images for a day so holy.  Now, look up Christian Easter Images.  Now ask yourself, why you have to add Christian to a search dealing with a Christian holy day.  Personally, I think this is God's way of ensuring there is a definitive line between those that keep these days holy, and the selfish masses that want all the benefit without any investment of faith.

I love it when people buy gifts for under the Christmas tree or candy for the Easter basket, while proudly declaring their atheism.  This is a flagrant declaration of stupidity, ignorance, or idiocy, and all of it selfish.  They want to partake of the Holy day without any consideration for the faith and meaning.

A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.

-- Mahatma Gandhi

It would seem big business has determined Christ is not required for Easter, either.  Everyone is quick to celebrate it, yet the reason is lost in all the candy and stuffed animals.  Easter, like Christmas, has become another victim of explicit and implicit atheism.  Christianity, and any symbols of it, is being rejected by the offended, and the faithful are buying into it.

While we're discussing blasphemy, here's a few paragraphs for the radical Islamic terrorist.  We Christians no longer go around executing heretics for any "blasphemy" that doesn't harm anyone but themselves, nor do we arbitrarily redefined acts as blasphemy simply because a pope, or other religious leader, says it is.  God blessed us with independent thought, and we like to exercise the gift.  We do, however, celebrate the artistic renderings of our prophet and our God; we don't kill people for exercising the artistic ability God blessed them with.  If the art is tasteless, we point it out and pray for the thoughtless moron that produced it.  I mean, really?  You expected more from French humor?  Killing them wasn't what Christ would do.  It might be what radical Islam would do, but this was never intended by the prophet Muhammad (pbuh), nor is it intended by the Qur'an.

There were many drawings and paintings of Muhammad (pbuh) prior to the edict handed down, at a later time, by some egotistical imam as a control of the faithful.  These paintings, drawings, and renderings, have been, supposedly, hidden from public view, if not destroyed.  We, as Christians, take our transgressions in stride, fully aware that our judgment will come from on high, and not from some religious zealot excusing their killing of innocence by calling it the "will of Allah."  Heresy, is heresy, and saying that you speak for God while demanding the killing of God's most loved creations, is heresy.

Interpreting any religious text to excuse an agenda that's contrary to the philosophy of one's deity, or prophet, would seem blasphemous.  Christian's of faith are well aware of this, as are Jews of faith, and most of the peaceful Islamic world.  All are Abrahamic religions, yet peace seems to be elusive.  We make it elusive by interpreting those same scriptures to read so we can condemn and hate the entire religion, instead of just the heretics misinterpreting them; two wrongs making an even greater wrong at the expense of our souls.  Just saying.  But, I digress.

As for Easter and Christmas, those without faith might argue Christ never lived, wasn't a virgin birth, wasn't crucified, and never rose from the dead.  Those without faith might say.

Is the Shroud of Turin the death shroud of Christ, showing the image of the dead Jesus?  Has his mother, Mary, appeared to the faithful in Lourdes, Fatima, and Guadalupe?  Have there been miracles which only faith can explain?  Did Christ endure the torture of the Passion, never denying his God, simply to die for the sins of mankind?  And, did he rise again?  When we die, will any of us rise again?  Will any of us realize the promise of an afterlife in God's kingdom?  For people without faith, the answers to these questions, and so many others, can only be answered with, "No."

Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.

-- Janine di Giovanni, journalist

For people of faith, however, the answers are different.  The answers are different because there must always be hope.  Life without hope is no life at all.  Life without conviction and faith is an empty shell between a gift of life and an eternity of death, that is, unless there is hope of forgiveness.  For people of faith life holds more hope, love, tolerance, understanding and forgiveness, than others might even consider.  One might say that faith means hope and hope, like love, is forever.

Are there miracles?  I want so much to believe there are.  I think, deep down inside, mankind would really like to believe there are.  We have, all of us, done a poor job of living our faith.  We say we are Christian, or Jew, or Muslim, or Buddhist, and yet, in each case, we cannot even agree enough among ourselves to have one sect in each religion, much less agree to have one religion.  Our ego gets in the way of any Word we may have received from on high.

“I AM THE LIVING GOD, The Resurrection and The Life; whoever trusts in me, even if he dies, he shall live."

-- John 11:25

Jesus stated there are only two great commandments of God:  “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  And, yet, we quarrel, argue, deny each other, and wage war in the name of our loving religion.

Are there miracles?  I want so much to believe there are.  It is all a matter of faith.  I think I'll start by believing that Christ endured the torture of the ages for mankind, that He forgave his tormentors from the very cross they nailed Him to, and that he died while crucified on that same cross to rise again just days later.

"Jesus Christ did not come into this world to make bad people good; He came into this world to make dead people live."

-- Lee Strobel, Christian apologetic author

Let these be the miracles that drive our faith this Easter Sunday.  Let these be the miracles that allow us, people of all faiths, to find common ground and understanding, to find peace and love, to "leap into a whole new way of thinking."

"The symbolic language of the crucifixion is the death of the old paradigm; resurrection is a leap into a whole new way of thinking."

-- Deepak Chopra

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.

Unsung Heroes of Faith

Define a coward.  For an most military personnel, this is easy.  When it comes to faith, however, the definition begins to blur.  A coward can become the instrument of evil.  Real men like to think of themselves as knights in shining armor, afraid of nothing, protectors of the innocent and everything good in the world.  For many of us, this is the way we were brought up, with moral values and manners, a life steeped in correctness.  And then we come face to face with evil.  We faced it with the Nazis and the Japanese in World War Two, and now we face it with the insane sociopathic religious heretics of the Islamic State, ISIS.  Actually, the initials for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria make much more sense if we remember them as the Insane Sociopathic Islamic State.  Just saying.

Real men don't kill for the sake of killing.  Real men don't intentionally kill the innocent, and we certainly don't kill women and children.  Who would do such a thing, cowards?  People that hide their faces because they know, deep down inside, the shame and evil they represent?  If they were proud  of what they do there would be no reason to hide who they are, but this isn't war, and they certainly aren't soldiers as much as they'd like to use "jihad" as their twisted excuse for rape, murder, and the killing of innocence.  No, these are psychopathic killers interested only in the power they can hold over others.  That they claim to be doing it in the name of Allah would seem an affront to the Islamic faith which proclaims belief in peace, tolerance, and love.

ISIS and radical Islamic terrorism is a philosophical hold over from the Nazi regime which nurtured its birth. This is surprising for many to learn.  I know that it took me aback when I heard about it.  Yes, Islamic terrorism is the ugly stepchild of another failed, insane, regime.  Hitler must be laughing in his eternal damnation.  If it weren't for the Nazi Third Reich this new insanity probably would not exist.

It would be nice if the world would confront this murderous organization of evil with real soldiers, if just to show them what real men are.  It would also be good if a coalition of Islamic countries would attack terrorism with real Islamic men of their own.  Islamic soldiers should be the ones to send Islamic heretics back to Allah for eternal punishment as atonement for their heresy, their evil, and their murdering of Allah's own innocents.

With all of the attacks against Christianity, from within and without our country, it seems peculiar for our country, our Supreme Court and elected leaders, to seemingly align themselves in supporting terrorism as it burns a path through Judaism and Christianity, the United States and the world.  I'm sure there are the Godless, like the League of the Perpetually Offended, simply beside themselves with delight as atrocities are perpetrated against those of peaceful faith, any peaceful faith.

Struggling with my own humility, I can only remind everyone of the quote from Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984), "First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Socialist.  Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Trade Unionist.  Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew.  Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me."

Those who would have icons, the religious carvings, statues, and art representing the Christian history of this nation, removed from government buildings because they view it as an offense, are also removing the very foundation of philosophy which has given many of these same detractors their freedom to practice being offended at every little thing.  This country was settled by people escaping religious oppression, by people of faith, and to say the fabric of our society isn't based on the moral laws of faith and God is to deny our history.  Is it not bad enough that ISIS has set about erasing religious history from the Middle East?  Several thousand year old irreplaceable art and architecture being destroyed in an attempt to control religious thought and foster an evil ideology of intolerance for love, beauty, and innocence.

Is this intelligent?  No, but it does represent everything this country of ours has come to represent as we slink slowly backward, with eyes closed, instead of moving boldly forward to create a world which celebrates the peace, tolerance, and diversity our forefathers came here to enjoy.  Instead, we have set ourselves back on the path of divisive intolerance and hate, a recent history and well worn path which we only just left.  It weakens us as a people, and as a nation.  It weakens all civilization as we know it.  Rome will fall again, and for all the same reasons.  Remember this quote from Emma Lazarus?

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

This is what I think happens when people take too much advantage of hospitality:

Give me your cowards, tired from running, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe freedom not earned,
And to change our country to mirror that which they left,
The wretched refuse with which our enemy hides.
Send these, homeless cowards, and tempest-tossed terrorists, to me,
For I've become apathetic:
I lift my cold, dark, lamp beside the gold plated door,
Which we used as collateral for loans from communist China,
To cover mass deficits we are drowning in.

Are these offended people, in our own country, cowards, traitors, or, in the case of refugees, simply offended because this country doesn't strip them of dignity like the piece of shit government they escaped from?  We try not to judge, but this becomes nigh impossible as factions in their ranks seem bent on exercising a lack of sense as they bite the hand that feeds them benefits even our own people don't enjoy, and then show gratitude by standing offended against the very philosophies which give them the rights to be offended.  God bless America, it isn't where you just ran away from.  As for our own offended citizens, these brethren must also be careful how loudly they silently cheer, lest the loudness of their silence gives away the position of the rocks they hide under.  When our enemies finally breach the gates of freedom, only then will the perpetually offended realize the cost of freedom, as judgment paints a bloody target on their backs as they try to run somewhere else.

With this said, I vote we remember those heroes who have recently died without denying their faith, the ones who didn't run away.  Let us remember the heroes of Christianity, Judaism, and of peaceful Islam, who stand and confront this newest of evils infecting our world, and let us give them our praise as "medals of honor" for all those who will receive little, if any, recognition for being an example to all of us on how to bravely die as people of faith.  I vote to deny all those that turn their backs on heroes.  To deny our heroes is to silently support the terrorism infecting our world, and we have enough elected officials, on both sides of the aisle, doing this as it is.

God bless the innocence of all people of peace, and peaceful faiths.  God bless those willing to die than deny peace, or their peaceful God.  And God bless all the children of Abraham, the unsung heroes of faith, as they continue to confront the evil in their own lands.

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.

The Price for a Day of My Life

This is the beginning of a new day.
I can waste it or use it for good.
What I do today is important 

because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever,
leaving in its place something I have traded for it.
I want it to be a gain, not a loss;
good, not evil;
success, not failure —
in order that I shall not regret the price I paid for it today.

-- author unknown

I heard from an old friend today, someone I thought lost to time.  Inasmuch as everyone, including myself, has issues with the evils of social media, today was a good day for Facebook.  Today was a good day for me, and a good day, I think, for my long lost friend.  

I tried to remember how long it had been.  40... 43 years?  The gray matter upstairs, starts to play tricks with your memory at 62, as do the eyes, and the heart.  You remember things best left forgotten, like failed marriages and misery, and forget those things you want to remember, like where you put your glasses.  Some of the good things thankfully, never fade; count the faces of good friends and the love of youth, among them.

I saw in her face the hard life she speaks of, and the teenage girl I once knew.  I read in her words about family and friends, and a loneliness only the mature of us can truly understand.  We had moments of happy memories, some smiles and laughter, and I actually found a tear, but just briefly.  This was another moment, a lost but not forgotten moment, of joy in my life.

She and I will continue to connect regularly, I hope.  We will speak more of loves lost and found, of friends here and gone, of time remembered and not.  There will be laughter and, I'm certain, more tears.  There are times as you get older when you find moments that mark the beginning of a new day.  Today was that kind of day.  It was important, and I didn't waste it.  When tomorrow comes, I will hold onto the memory of this day.  This day may pass, but the memory of it shall live on.  I have traded this day for a new memory of something lost, long ago... and an old friend.  This is a good thing, a success, and I will never regret the price I paid for it.  This was a good day.

We let friends slip away.  Sometimes it happens without us even realizing.  Sometimes we make an issue of it, causing a rift full of anger and hurt.  Too often we can find ourselves alone, with a good part of our lives missing, and apologies buried in a pride that hasn't served us well.  This is not a good thing.

Cherish your friends always.  Learn to be tolerant and forgiving.  Remember the good times and the bad, people still with us and those that have passed, the loves, loves lost, and loves unrequited, the laughter and tears.  These are the memories we may have to fight for as we age; cherish them while you still can and hold onto them for as long as you can.  Tomorrow is more assured, as we get older, to never come.

They say you can't go back home again, and this is true, for the most part.  When we leave we grow in ways those who stayed don't experience.  Some of us experience the world, others a small part of it.  At the end of our journey, when we try to go back, we see home in a different light.  We return to find the lights on and nobody home.  Compared to where we've been it is unfulfilling and dull.  Home becomes the memory you go back to in your mind, while you still can.

If you haven't said "I love you" to your friends, what will you do tomorrow when they've gone?  What price are you willing to pay for a day of your life?  How about a moment, or a few words?

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.

My Sunday Thought, 03202016: Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. The gospels record the arrival of Jesus riding into the city on a donkey, while the crowds spread their cloaks and palm branches on the street and shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David" and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" to honor him as their long-awaited Messiah and King.

-- sharefaith.com, "What Is Palm Sunday"

What is Palm Sunday?  I'm not going to bore my readers by restating what is stated so clearly by others.  I wrote a long post for this Sunday.  I had issues with it.  Actually, I had issues with myself over what I wrote.  What I wrote deserve to be said, but not for My Sunday Thought, and especially not for this Sunday.  The original text will be posted, but under a different title, one dealing with heroes.

With this said, I vote we remember those "heroes who have recently died without denying their faith.  Let us remember the heroes of Christianity, Judaism, and of peaceful Islam, who stand and confront this newest of evils infecting our world, and let us give them our praise as "medals of honor" to those who will receive no recognition for showing us how to bravely die as people of faith.  And let us vow, over the coming year, to deny all those that turn their backs on heroes.  To deny our heroes is to silently support the terrorism infecting our world, and we have enough elected officials, on both sides of the aisle, doing this as it is.

Let's not celebrate Christianity this Palm Sunday.  Let us, instead, celebrate Jesus Christ and His gift of the beginning which we seem to constantly forget, at great detriment to our souls, he died for.  Let us strive to remember his gift, and these heroes, each and every day throughout the year.

Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent, the beginning of Holy Week, and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified. 

Palm Sunday is known as such because the faithful will often receive palm fronds which they use to participate in the reenactment of Christ's arrival in Jerusalem. In the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a young donkey, and to the lavish praise of the townspeople who threw clothes, or possibly palms or small branches, in front of him as a sign of homage. This was a customary practice for people of great respect. 

Palm branches are widely recognized symbol of peace and victory, hence their preferred use on Palm Sunday. 

The use of a donkey instead of a horse is highly symbolic, it represents the humble arrival of someone in peace, as opposed to arriving on a steed in war. 

A week later, Christ would rise from the dead on the first Easter. 

During Palm Sunday Mass, palms are distributed to parishioners who carry them in a ritual procession into church. The palms are blessed and many people will fashion them into small crosses or other items of personal devotion. These may be returned to the church, or kept for the year. 

Because the palms are blessed, they may not be discarded as trash. Instead, they are appropriately gathered at the church and incinerated to create the ashes that will be used in the follow year's Ash Wednesday observance. 

The colors of the Mass on Palm Sunday are red and white, symbolizing the redemption in blood that Christ paid for the world.

-- Catholic Online, "Palm Sunday"

Editor's Note

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination. 

The Zika Spring Has Sprung!

WELCOME, sweet season of delight,

What beauties charm the wond'ring sight

In thy enchanting reign!

How fresh descends the morning dew,

Whilst op'ning flow'rs of various hue

Bedeck the sprightly plain.

-- "Ode To Spring" by Elizabeth Bentley (1767-1839)

Oh, such joy that spring has sprung and Zika has now joined the ranks of the sexually transmitted virus (STV)!  They seem pretty sure the "at risk" population (ARP) only exists below 6,500 feet altitude.  From what I understand, you can make mass love to anyone that hasn't traveled below 6,500 feet, so feel free to mate like bunnies and then pass out from lack of oxygen.  Traveling to these regions is said to be safe since the mosquitoes carrying the virus can't exist that high up, so if you plan a trip to the mountains it is good to remember a few other health concerns that come with high altitudes, like High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), and Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).  Oh, such joy.  For ARPs to escape the STV they have to risk HAPE, HACE, AMS, and sobriety (Sobriety?  Read further).

Of course, you'll also have to stay hydrated and avoid party staples like alcohol and cigarettes, and any drugs that might slow breathing thereby causing more hypoxia than the altitude already has.  Oh, and that morning breakfast in bed, or coffee for the significant other?  It will take longer at higher altitudes, so get an early start, which should be no problem considering neither of you drank any booze the night before.  The good news for Catholics is Pope Francis' approval for the use of birth control to stem the tide of birth defects caused by the virus. Woohoo!  Raincoats are approved!  I love the smell of latex in the morning.  It rivals napalm.

So, you can feel safe traveling to places above 6,500 feet but who in their right mind would want to, unless you bring an extra sensitive condom?  More importantly, who in their right mind would let you?  Low Landers will soon be labeled as possible carriers, and Highlanders will consider themselves "above" it all.  And, no, extra sensitive condoms aren't effeminate and don't cry a lot, however they may require the occasional tissue.  Personally, witnessing the effects of this new scourge on children, I think I'd double up the condoms or abstain. 

The Zika virus is no joking matter, and I use humor as a vehicle to focus your attention.  All joking aside, for those not familiar with the Zika virus, I recommend you become familiar with it, if not for your own sake then for the sake of any progeny you wish to bring forth.  Good information is presented at many sites online.  I would start with the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov/zika/ and expand your knowledge outward from that point.

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.

Children and "Participation" Awards

At that moment, it all came together for the LEGO team. Those theories about time compression and instant gratification? They seemed to be off base. Inspired by what an 11-year-old German boy had told them about an old pair of Adidas sneakers, the team realized that children attain social currency among their peers by playing and achieving a high level of mastery at their chosen skill, whatever that skill happens to be. If the skill is valuable, and worthwhile, they will stick with it until they get it right, never mind how long it takes. For kids, it was all about paying your dues and having something tangible to show for it in the end – in this case, a pair of tumbledown Adidas that most adults would never look at twice.

-- Martin Lindstrom, Branding Expert & Consultant

America is a kinder, gentler, place than it was when I grew up. We're now a nation of weak pussies and seemingly proud of it.  Our military might is evidenced by the growing suicide rate among our soldiers and veterans.  Our educational system is second to almost everyone.  Our economic woes have so many Band-Aids on them we can't even see what the issues are anymore.  Our children grow up thinking that just participating makes them a winner.  In war you don't look at the enemy and deter them from attacking by letting them know you're participating, unless your team happens to be number one in the world for kicking ass and taking names.  As it turns out, young people seem to be at odds with this idea of "participation awards."  It seems they have a desire to be the best at what they do, what position they're assigned, or what team they're on.

There's a lot to be said for growing up in the "school of hard knocks."  Difficulty and challenge separates the wheat from the chaff, the survivors from the victims.  Don't we all wish we lived in a world where there weren't victims?  Well, we don't.  Simply wishing we did, and liking like we do, isn't enough to make it so and it puts our children at risk physically, and mentally, to make them feel we live in this kind of fantasy world.

Making it in this country is hard enough while having to compete for fewer and fewer jobs as you struggle to fight off illnesses with a healthcare system challenged with treating as many patients as possible in the shortest amount of time, in the cheapest way possible, because nobody can afford to pay the disappearing medical students much less the secondary insurance premiums you find yourself saddled with because you make one dollar over the welfare limit in wages and, besides, your state opted out of the abortion of an "Affordable" Healthcare Act shoved down the throats of hard working Americans.

We teach our children to vote for the candidates that will give them everything.  We don't teach them that these same candidates will deliver them nothing while taking what little they have.  Why do we do this?  Maybe we want this world to be kinder and gentler through government oversight and a boot on our necks.  Don't waste time thinking for yourself; let the government do that for you.  A nice sentiment, the only problem is, it hasn't worked anywhere else except China, and even they've realized the necessity for capitalism if they wish to compete for "Top Dog" in the world. Maybe we should be requiring all children to read George Orwell's, 1984.  Hey, we don't learn from history, much less teach it anymore, so let's repeat history and prove that we can make those same failed ideas and philosophies not work in the present, as well.  Is this a concept, or what?

It almost seems like anybody over the age of sixty, believing this is an intelligent course of action, was a hippy growing up in the peace and freedom movement, had their brain fried on drugs at Woodstock, grew up in an "entitlement" family or had socialist teachers.  Whatever the reasons, whether they admit it or not, they are victims, and parents that grow up to be victims do their children a disservice by teaching those children to follow in their own weak footsteps of victimdom, especially when the children really desire to be so much more than weak minded victims waiting for the inevitable bully which they don't even realize is already upon them in the guise of their parents, teachers, and a government we have allowed to grow out of control.

Maybe we should take a page from the LEGO playbook. This chapter of the LEGO story is interesting to read, and should be changing the way we look at bringing up our children. I invite you to read the attached story by following this link:

LEGO engineered a remarkable turnaround of its business. How'd that happen?

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.

My Sunday Thought for 03132016: Chaplains

Hospital chaplaincy is an often misunderstood vocation. Many unfamiliar with the work of the hospital chaplain equate it with ministry, but that is not what it is at all. Ministers seek to bring a specific message to those with whom they work. Hospital chaplains lay aside their personal beliefs at the door to the patient’s room and seek instead to immerse themselves in the spiritual worldview of the patient or the patient’s family.

-- Carol Kirk, Pagan Pastoral Counselor, Chaplain

What should we look for in a chaplain? First and foremost, would logically be a dedication to interfaith ministry. In an institutional setting, one can expect a variety of faiths to pass through the door. How can a minister of God disavow someone in need due to a difference in belief? A hospital chaplain visitation request can list the person's faith, not so the chaplain can pick and choose their own faith to minister but, rather, to inform them of the patient's belief system so they are better informed during their visit; to let the chaplain know what faiths they can expect to be visiting during their rounds of all those requesting ministry.

Let's take a closer look at just what a chaplain was, is, and is becoming, by looking at one definition:

Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister, such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, imam or lay representative of a religious tradition, attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, school, police department, fire department, university, or private chapel. Though originally the word "chaplain" referred to representatives of the Christian faith, it is now also applied to people of other religions or philosophical traditions–such as the case of chaplains serving with military forces and an increasing number of chaplaincies at American universities. In recent times, many lay people have received professional training in chaplaincy and are now appointed as chaplains in schools, hospitals, universities, prisons and elsewhere to work alongside, or instead of, official members of the clergy. The concept of "generic", "multifaith", "secular" and/or "humanist" chaplaincy is also gaining increasing support, particularly within healthcare and educational settings.

-- Wikipedia, "Chaplain"

Even though I have taken on the title of "Pastor," I consider myself more of a lay representative of the hospital chaplaincy I'm affiliated with.  As a "lay" representative one would expect it would be a simple matter to put aside one's sectarian beliefs as compared to seminary trained ministers of faith.  I have unfortunately, found to the contrary.  I have found a good many lay leaders of a congregation to be somewhat egotistical and unforgiving; kind of a self-appointed first line of defense for the congregation, and a few that would be the first to damn me to hell for my own humble beliefs on faith and religion.  

In the hospital setting, sickness and death aren't on schedules. Having been raised a Catholic, I was taken aback to discover a priest would list his hours for ministering or Last Rites. Considering almost all churches lock their doors during non-operating hours, I suppose I was naive.  Consider this paragraph from my post, My Sunday Thought for 1/31/16: Middle Ground.  I compared this notation to Jesus Christ hanging a shingle, outside his abode, which lists His hours for ministering God's love, forgiveness, or healing. One can just imagine Him passing an active stoning of some poor soul and commenting, "I'd step in, but I'm on lunch break."

"Do not call Father 'X' during the night, and not at all unless it is one of his congregation!"  As a minister for religious tolerance I found this note troubling.  For "Father X" there is a schedule for his Christianity, and there is a limit to his tolerance for those of other congregations, much less of other faiths. It seems to me the priest is making it very clear, "There is only so much I can do, and you're not in my congregation, so you can just die without Last Rites. I cannot be bothered with you." Father 'X' chooses when it is appropriate to shirk his voluntarily dedicated responsibility to humanity and God.

-- Excerpt - My Sunday Thought for 1/31/16: Middle Ground

Recently, while updating the visitation requests sheets at the medical center, I noticed the name of an elderly woman, whom I visited several days prior, had been moved to a different room and floor, and into ICU.  I immediately beat feet to ICU where I found the woman's daughter who explained her mother was having issues with the recent hip surgery and the surgeon wanted her in ICU where she could be better monitored.  As a chaplain, even though I had only visited the patient once, this elderly patient was on my radar regardless of her faith.  The simple act of checking on her gave the woman and family added comfort.

I don't see how a chaplain, in an institutional setting, can possibly accomplish the goals of a chaplaincy without leaving their own sectarian beliefs at the door.  The very fact they volunteer to wear the mantle of "Chaplain" is a public admission of their desire to be of service to everyone in need, not just their own flock.  It is like accepting the responsibilities of the doctor and nurses they work hand in hand with; they don't pick and choose their patients, they also minister to their needs.  I think if a person of spiritual and religious faith does not have a ready ability to embrace the multitude of diverse spiritual and religious beliefs, perhaps they should look to a career choice where hypocrisy won't be an issue, like the foodservice industry.

I see the chaplaincy as a service where your personal beliefs come into play only as the impetus to be there, doing the work of a chaplain.  What faith you practice is not as important as being there for the patient, for the lost, the sick and the needy, and assisting in the support of their own faith, their own belief system, to heal them in ways even the chaplain may not totally grasp.  In this way the goal of our own God, and belief, is attained as we find common ground of tolerance, understanding, and love with all of God's children - without judgement.  I think Chaplain David King states this best:

Good advice for anyone interested in chaplaincy would be to suspend your sectarianism. Institutional settings that have chaplains need their chaplains dedicated to interfaith ministry. Chaplains need to be of service to all of those within their institutional setting. Suspending your sectarianism doesn’t mean sacrificing who you are as a minister, priest, or cleric. It means being open to diversity and being able to embrace that diversity to be of service to others where you find them. This means being strong in your own religious conviction. Your identity as a Chaplain should flow from your theology and that theology should be expansive enough to embrace the needs of others both within and outside of your tradition. Suspending your sectarianism means your agenda is one of service and compassion; and the person with whom the Chaplain serves sets the agenda.

-- David Oliver Kling, Chaplain

In my efforts to recruit clergy to be "on call," I have to be tolerant of poorly veiled attempts at converting me.  As a chaplain there is no room for discussion, critique, or conversion of faith.  A chaplain is not a door-to-door salesman of God.  Yours is an ear to listen, a mouth to answer, and eyes to see the great diversity of belief and faith which God, with all wisdom, has graced us with.

I have visited a few patients, not on my visitation list, which inform me they are not religious.  I smile at them and ask if they try to live moral, righteous, lives.  When they answer yes, I simply mention that they are living a spiritual life of good and, whether they admit it or not, they are doing the will of God.  If they have not discovered a faith in God in this life, perhaps they will in the next.  Meanwhile, it is all about them and getting better.

This philosophy of subconscious faith comes from my personal belief that the heaven or hell we make for ourselves in this lifetime is a test that determines how far we advance in the next.  Learn the lesson or retake the test, you will keep doing it until you get it right.  God is forever, and a very patient parent.  Hell is simply God's way of saying you failed.  It is a forced "summer school," a remedial class, an attitude adjustment to prepare us to take the test again, and again, until we finally see the light and get it right.

For those people of faith wishing to volunteer time with a chaplaincy, I recommend checking with your local institutions and seeing what they have available.  For those that wish to become a certified chaplain, check online for the resources available to attain this end.  There are paid positions at many institutions for trained, certified, chaplains.

But, whatever you decide, remember it is all about the ability to set sectarian beliefs aside for the greater good of those same sectarian beliefs.  It is not our place to judge another.  We are, all of us, children of the same God.  In our following of a righteous path there is no wrong or right, there is simply another opinion.  For the righteous, the destination we seek is the same; it's all in how we go about arriving.  You can be tolerant, understanding, and accepting of other beliefs without having to agree with them.  As with Jesus Christ, and most of the other true prophets and teachers, you can only show people the way as you see it.  It is up to them whether they choose to follow.  Their choice, right or wrong, believer or not, is ultimately between them and God, not you and them.

I leave you with food for thought from Kabir Helminski and his 1999 book, The Knowing Heart, A Sufi Path of Transformation:

There was once a time, perhaps, when people felt themselves to be part of a cosmic order which offered a straight path to salvation, truth, or enlightenment. In that time before spiritual truth was relativized, God’s love and mercy was extended to anyone, no matter what his or her circumstances, who fulfilled the necessary moral and religious duties. Almost every person could find in his or her own humanness the pre-condition of hope. 

Our situation in the post-modern era is that no religion seems absolute anymore. All religious truths seem to be relativized. In this situation, a life of faith and morality is no assurance of salvation. We lived with unnamed anxieties and guilt anyway. Although liberated from a Divine judgment, we are haunted by an existential guilt which refuses propitiation.

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.  This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot.  Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, and instructor. He is founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance and author/editor of the Congregation's official blog site, "The Path," which offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination.