Is Easter of Pagan Origin?

First off, let's understand that Easter is the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church.  According to Christian Scripture, Jesus was raised from the dead three days after His death on the cross.  We celebrate this "resurrection" as a Holy day, in the Western Church, on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox.  It is the most well attended Sunday service for Christian churches.  Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for all our sins, "thus purchasing for all who believe in Him, eternal life in Jesus Christ."

Now, there are those who would venture that Easter has its roots in Paganism.  There are those who try to call it "using a false custom to honor the true God."  They would say this is set forth in Deuteronomy 12:28-32: 

"Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God. When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it."

You have to accept the pagan argument before this verse has any validity.  Personally, I don't see it.  The pagan argument falls apart when you understand that the Christian Church set the standardized date, for Easter to be celebrated, in 325 AD with the First Council of Nicea.  Pagan?  Really?  If so, then the total of Christianity as we know it comes into question since this council set down Canon Law and created the basis for modern Christianity.

Granted, paganism celebrated many spring festivals concerning fertility and the re-birth of nature.  For Christians, however, spring was associated with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, a "re-birth" as well.  Pagans were not celebrating Easter, they were celebrating springtime just as Christians were not so much celebrating springtime as they were the resurrection of Jesus.  Both celebrated spring festivals, but let's not read too much into it.  If a paganism were to start gift giving in December would that make their new custom of Christian origin?  I think not.

Another issue I see is how their argument  relates to the last sentence of this verse, "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.  The argument used is, "God always commanded that people worship Him exactly as He instructed."  My answer to these folks is that we are not using Easter for worship.  Easter is a time of remembrance and festival to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.  The fact that it was scheduled to fall on a Sunday would in itself prove the desire to continue with Sunday worship, not replace it with a festival.  It makes perfect sense to utilize the one time in the week when everyone is brought together in worship as a venue to remind all of the sacrifice and rebirth of Christ.   When read, the entire verse deals with those acts that are obviously not intended to praise God.  It is not meant to address those acts specifically set forth to more fully show our faith in God and celebrate those events that make our faith strong.

We observe Passover per God's instruction, but Christ had not been crucified yet.  We are not adding or subtracting from the importance of Passover, we are simply remembering an important moment in God's timeline when he gave up His only begotten son for the sake of all mankind. 

Christians will continue to reinterpret the Bible as it suits their purpose, just as Islam reinterprets the Qur'an to suit theirs.  In the end, and for all, God will determine whose faith comes up short.  Once you begin calling into question the actions of Christian councils, councils that put together the Bible, you run the risk of invalidating the very Scripture you so fervently base your arguments on.

Easter Eggs

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, informs us that eggs were a traditional symbol of fertility, and rebirth.  In Christianity, for the celebration of Eastertide, eggs symbolize the empty tomb of Jesus as an egg appears to be like the stone of a tomb from which a bird hatches with life.  An "Easter Egg" is a reminder that Jesus rose from the grave, and that those who believe will also experience eternal life.

Like Christmas, this is a Christian holiday.  During the Christmas season we decorate a Christ-mas tree, not a holiday tree, even though the word is holiday actually means Holy Day.  During Easter we decorate Easter eggs, not Spring eggs.  If they were Spring eggs we'd decorate them on the Spring Solstice which would be March 20 - we don't.  And just to make certain we cover all bases, for you Christians that seem to be confused, Halloween is for ghosties and goulies, and things that go bump in the night, so get over it.

Note: I hesitate reminding my atheist readers of Easter lest they violate their belief system by enjoying Easter candy as its kind of like giving gifts under a "holiday" tree.  Holiday means Holy day, as though you didn't know.  Don't accidentally violate your beliefs and find yourselves needing some lame explanation so it is acceptable for you to suck down Easter candy.  Not that the immorality of this bullshit will mean anything since, for you, there is no judgment in an afterlife.  I think being an atheist is like having a "Get Out of Jail Free" card.  It provides the required excuse to insult all those of faith.  Taken to the not too extreme, it makes any immorality seem acceptable since it only violates social law and not those of any god (again, I hesitate to mention I think social laws are based on religious precepts).  I think any "excuse" is still bullshit and the rest of us see through it.  As a Christian, however, I invite you to enjoy the season and the treats as our guest.  In this way I can hopefully allow you a real "pass" if you will.  Otherwise, I invite you to enjoy any of the other seasonal treats that do not say "Easter" on them.  In this way you may avoid any hypocrisy.

Sermon for Sunday - March 16, 2014: St. Patrick

Monday, March 17 is St. Patrick's Day.  So, who is he?

"I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most contemptible to many, had for father the deacon Calpurnius, son of the late Pontitus, a priest, of the settlement of Bannavem Taburniae; he had a small villa nearby where I was taken captive.  I was at that time about sixteen years of age."

Saint Patrick was born of Roman parents late in the fourth century and lived late into the fifth.  Around the age of fifteen he was captured by a raiding party and taken from his home in Scotland, along with thousands of others, back to Ireland as a slave to tend sheep.  He found God during his captivity and escaped back to Scotland at the age of twenty by following a dream from God in which he was instructed to leave Ireland.  He was soon reunited with his family.

"In a vision in the night, I saw a man whose name was Victorious coming as if from Ireland with innumerable letters, and he gave me one of them, and I read the beginning of the letter: "The Voice of the Irish"....and they were crying as if with one voice: "We beg you, holy youth, that you shall come and shall walk again among us."

After this next dream he studied for and was ordained a priest.  Later, after his ordination as a bishop, he was assigned to take the Gospel to the Irish.  He converted thousands of people and entire kingdoms to the faith.  The tale is told that he used a shamrock as a visual aid to explain the Holy Trinity as one.  It is hard to see the shamrock and not think of Saint Patrick. 

"I am Patrick, yes a sinner and indeed untaught; yet I am established here in Ireland where I profess myself bishop. I am certain in my heart that "all that I am," I have received from God. So I live among barbarous tribes, a stranger and exile for the love of God. He himself testifies that this is so. I never would have wanted these harsh words to spill from my mouth; I am not in the habit of speaking so sharply. Yet now I am driven by the zeal of God, Christ's truth has aroused me. I speak out too for love of my neighbors who are my only sons; for them I gave up my home country, my parents and even pushing my own life to the brink of death. If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on me."

He died after forty years of preaching Christianity in Ireland.  And here's the rub:  The Irish remember a Scot as a saint!  As well they should.  He endured hardship and poverty throughout his travels, and his life, in order to bring the Gospel to Ireland.

"Behold over and over again I would briefly set out the words of my confession. I testify in truthfulness and gladness of heart before God and his holy angels that I never had any reason, except the Gospel and his promises, ever to have returned to that nation from which I had previously escaped with difficulty.  But I entreat those who believe in and fear God, whoever deigns to examine or receive this document composed by the obviously unlearned sinner Patrick in Ireland, that nobody shall ever ascribe to my ignorance any trivial thing that I achieved or may have expounded that was pleasing to God, but accept and truly believe that it would have been the gift of God. And this is my confession before I die."

Tabbing the Bible?

So, I'm on the jet from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Seattle.  There is a vacant seat between my aisle seat and the woman sitting by the window.  She has utilized the seat as space to spread out her project.  I glanced over (the curse of curiosity I picked up while with Intelligence).  I notice a page of labels - MAR, LUK, PSA, GEN, etc.  What the hell?  I look to her lap and she is diligently tabbing her bible to make it easier to reference.  I always thought the bible was pretty easy to navigate.

I smiled to myself as I considered my issue with Christians that hold their bibles out in front of themselves like a weapon, pointing it at me as though a book of parables would protect them more than their lack of faith against my supposed words of heresy (How many heretics were murdered by the church for their beliefs and later proclaimed saints?  Hmmm...).  I wondered if this woman was tabbing hers for the purpose of study, or as preparation for a rapid fire assault on her definition of the godless heathen.  I likened the tabs to filing down the trigger action on a handgun or flipping the switch from semi-auto to full-auto fire mode.

When we landed she was still busy at the task, even as we taxied to the gate and everyone began retrieving their bags she was still busy tabbing away.  I wanted to tell her, oh so gently, that she really needed to get a life - but this probably was her life.  I wanted to tell her that what was in the book was phenomenal guidance, but she really needed to put the book down and live her faith in Christ.  I was reminded of the TV show Kung Fu.  I look at the bible as a gun in the lawless west; every cowboy carrying one, ready in an instant to pull it out for protection.  And there was our hero, armed only with his beliefs, his faith.  Ok, so he could kick everyone's collective butts with one arm behind his back while hopping on one foot singing Camptown Races (doo dah, doo dah).  I guess my point is he didn't need a weapon or a shield.  He lived his life and his beliefs.

I could have pointed out the obvious to this woman.  I could have pointed out the Table of Contents in the front of her bible, or that nothing is easy, but in today's "everything now" society it probably would have fallen on deaf ears.  We all need to learn to take some time to breathe.  I suppose it was a good thing that she didn't turn on her Kindle to access scripture, at least she was still utilizing a book.  I do not look forward to the future of compu-vangelists and compu-confessionals, compu-priests and ministers.  Heaven help us when we decline to the point of the compu-pope.  Of course, by then we will probably have a popette.  Technology presents a slippery slope for the faithful.  Is the internet a tool of evil, or is it the person using the tool?  Guns don't kill people...

The woman, this fellow traveler, was probably as sweet a person as she seemed with the few words we exchanged on the plane.  I was probably being overly sensitive and subtly unloading unfounded paranoia in my usual humorous, albeit knee-jerk reactive, way.  What?  Me?  Say it ain't so!

I write it all up to sitting in a sardine can while American Airlines dragged me all over the greater mid-west for eleven hours to get me home to Seattle.  It would make the best of us a bit cranky which probably explains the two Jack Daniels I had on that leg of the trip which also probably explains why she didn't speak much.

As I finish this post I remember I have to purchase some Big Tab dividers for the office.

God bless us all, and try not to take life to seriously.

Sermon for Sunday - March 8, 2014: Ground Zero Cross

The atheist group American Atheists is so distressed over the steel girders shaped like a cross that was found amid the rubble of 9/11 that the only atheist a periodical could get to respond for comment was Bill Maher.  Really?  He was it?  Does the American Atheists group really only have a membership of one?  And it had to be Bill Maher?  

At this point, after this one paragraph, I should let this post speak for itself, but many of you may not be familiar with Mr. Maher.  The fact that he is an atheist is about as surprising as the fact that he has an intelligent comment, and he is the best that atheists around the world can rustle up to get a comment from?  He helps the cause of atheism about as much as Penn Jillette (of Penn & Teller fame).  I find this lack of competent representation hard to believe.  More surprising is the fact that Maher's comment was cogent, and I agree with it, to a point.

For those that haven't read his comment, I would ask that you Google it.

I have no issue with the fact that Maher is an atheist, I have no issue with atheists having the right to their own beliefs.  I do have issue with those that prevent others from enjoying the same freedom of belief, and freedom of religion is one of my top three freedoms seeing as how it is why this country exists.

Bill, I agree that we needn't fan the flames of hatred against all of Islam when it is just a few heretics that are trying to force us all to their will, heretics that act against Mohammed's teachings and their own Qu'ran by reinterpreting it to their own purposes.  I find it humorous that this is almost what's happening here; a handful of atheists, that can only rally one questionable voice for a comment, as they try  to make the rest of the world turn away from their religious beliefs for their own self-serving reasons.  I find it all very sad.  I'm sure a few atheists probably died there as well.  Instead of bitching about the cross, how about asking if you can place a memorial for those poor souls at the site as well?  Instead of always being confrontational, how about helping everyone heal?

There is argument that this isn't really a religious symbol.  Bullshit.  It is there because it is a symbol, a very powerful symbol of hope, rebirth, fellowship, and remembrance.  It is not the fact that it is shaped like a cross that atheists find unappealing, it is the thought that those of us with faith have something they lack - hope.

I have hope that one day people of little tolerance will find faith that we can all live in peace and celebrate our great diversity of belief.  I have hope that the Legion of the Perpetually Disenchanted with find peace instead of looking for self-serving minutia to quibble over when there are so many more important problems in the world.

Leave the cross alone, Bill, it is hurting no one.  With Easter almost upon us, I would think atheists would have more to contemplate bitching about than this symbol of hope.  After all, I would think if the birthday of a Prophet makes you itch, the Prophet rising from the dead should make you breakout all over.

Of course, as always, this is just my opinion and we all have a constructive one.  What's yours?

Peace, love, and kindness to everyone, and may God's blessings be upon us - all! 

The Honesty of Francis

"And immediately there came to mind the thief we all have inside ourselves and while I arranged the flowers I took the cross and with just a bit of force I removed it.  And in that moment I looked at him and I said 'Give me half your mercy.'  And whenever a bad thought comes to mind about someone, my hand goes here, always.  And I feel the grace, and that makes me feel better."

Thus stands the confession of Pope Francis of how he "stole" the cross from the casket of the "Great Confessor" of Buenos Aires.  You are entitled to your own opinion but please review the complete story for yourself first.  Try not to judge.

"He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw at her."  -- John 8:7

So, where does this Francis with the faithful?  Francis has always admitted that, like all of us, he is a sinner.  This was admitted as part of an anecdote while addressing clergy.  No one found this out.  This is not slander to be used to discredit him.  This isn't like President Clinton not inhaling marijuana (yeah, right).  This is the leader of the Christian Church admitting to frailty.  Even the most holy can fall prey to sin.

Disappointing?  Not really.  It was a keepsake of someone he respected and loved; a person that no other priest in the city bothered to bring flowers for, except Francis.  I honestly think this bothers the Pope more than it bothers anyone else.  

How small it would be of someone to think it doesn't.

Hypocrisy

"One should examine oneself for a very long time before thinking of condemning others."

-- Moliere (1622-1673), Poet, playwright, actor

I have been accused of many things in my life, a hypocrite not being the least, nor the worst.  This is something I can admit without hesitation.  I have to because I put it out there; I wear it in plain view.  It isn't that I'm proud of it, but to deny it would evidence the very truth of it, if only to me.  To be angry about this truth is counterproductive.  I am a sinner.  I have never denied the fact, unlike some people that appear in my many posts.  We tend to pass judgment on others for that which we, ourselves, are just as guilty if not more so.  Where is our honest judgment for our own less than laudable actions or thoughts?  Our judgments of others often reflect our own faults which are, all too often, many.   

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (aka, Moliere) once wrote, "One should examine oneself for a very long time before thinking of condemning others."  An alcoholic can condemn another alcoholic because he's stumbled along the same mile, crawled through the same gutters, and fought off the same chorus line of colorful elephants in tutus.  If you haven't been there, or aren't currently there, you have no frame of reference to pass a judgment of condemnation.  But, if you're going to pass judgment, just be sure you admit to your own weaknesses first; people in glass houses and all that.  One must also remember that just because you've been through it doesn't mean others are as strong.  Any judgment must be tempered by much understanding, sympathy, and humility.

"The most melancholy thing about human nature, is, that a man may guide others into the path of salvation, without walking in it himself; that he may be a pilot, and yet a castaway."

-- Augustus & Julius Hare, "Tuth by Two Brothers," (1827)

It is man's nature to condemn that which he himself would do or has done.  "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."  Sometimes, perhaps, those that cry foul the loudest, are the guiltiest of the foul.  I like to laugh at my own weaknesses.  I find anecdotal lessons to mean more when I talk to others.  It admits I've been there, done that, and have a common frame of reference, of understanding, with which to build a foundation of trust.  We travel our path and hope for some sense of righteousness.  The closest any of us may get is to try to help others not to make our mistakes.  When even the Pope admits to being a sinner, it is hard to imagine any truly righteous person without assuming a hypocrite.

"Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all."

-- William Shakespeare (1564-1616), playwright, "Henry VI"

I have been labeled a hypocrite?  Aye!  That be the truth of it, then.  But, as much as I admit to the truth of it is as much as another would be bothered there was no denial.  As Socrates has written, "The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be."  I have been "pretending to be" for most of my life.  I can state, with no hesitation, that honor is an elusive bedfellow.  The first thing we need do is forgive ourselves for things we did or were ordered to do.  The second is to forgive everyone else.  Honor can be found in many places, not the least of which is in the heart.  

A hypocrite?  I'll take that sin, and die for your right to call me such.  What will you die for?  My hypocrisy is nothing compared to some folks in this world that condemn others to hell simply for differences in faith, sexuality, or whom they love.  How dare they presume to judge?  We all have to answer, ultimately, for what we do in this life and the next.  I continue to walk a path.  At times I stumble, at times I fall, but I get back up and continue to walk the path as best I can.  More than this, I try to assist others along their own path.  Am I wrong at times?  Of course, I am.  But what is more important than trying to help others sidestep some crap of life which I already tripped into? 

"Be what you would seem to be - or, if you'd like it put more simply - never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise."

-- Lewis Carroll (1832-1898), author, "Alice in Wonderland"

This is just my opinion and, as always, I could be wrong.  Considering I have written this post with my own shortcomings in mind, I sincerely doubt if I'm wrong.  For those who would dare label me, I cannot say if they're wrong.  I would have to know their frame of reference or their own hypocrisy.  It is enough, for me, to allow that their opinions are always welcomed, however good, bad, or indifferent, as long as the opinion is constructive.  I bear them no ill feelings.  Any judgment of them is not for me to make unless they belong to the League of the Perpetually Offended and, if they do, then any judgment will simply add to the perpetual offense they will feel for eternity; there is nothing to be done to change them.  They hold a place in the greater scheme as a balance to things that are so much happier.  We cannot know one thing without knowing its opposite.

I leave my readers with a new favorite verse.  I think it pertains.

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

-- Romans 14:1-23

Don't be a hypocrite but, rather, you "should be fully convinced" in your own mind that what you do, your belief, and your faith, is right.

I wish for everyone the full blessings of life, love, family, friendship, and a safe journey.

“I won't insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.”

-- William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008), public intellectual, author, commentator

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 an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those 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 learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.  

Sermon for Sunday - March 2, 2014 and So Little Time

Photo by Crystal D'Zamba

It kind of says it all, yes?  And no matter how much you think you feel young, you are old.  The older you get, the faster time seems to move.  Those things you were putting off till later aren't going to get done.  For most of us a "bucket list" is something we talk about but never actually put down on paper.  And, when you look in that ever present mirror to make sure you like what you see, there's this old person staring back at you with a frightened look on their face.  You are old.

For me, I think this hit home last week when I almost lost my dad for the second time.  I did the math.  I figure if I live to be his age right now, I have at least 23 years left.  I think about how long ago 23 years was.  I was 37 years old in Sicily, working the Intelligence side of Desert Shield, the forward staging of men, supplies and equipment in preparation for Desert Storm.  A year later I was back in the U.S. briefing B-52 bomber crews headed for Desert Storm.  My son was 15, my daughter was 5, and it was yesterday.  The day after that my marriage ended, and the next day the twin towers of the World Trade Center were destroyed.  Somewhere in yesterday are 17 years of working in the civilian sector.  It was yesterday, damn it!  It doesn't seem fair.  And, I am old.

Dad and I went into town to have a beer today.  We had that beer, walked across the parking lot to a sushi place, made the sushi chef laugh when we reminisced about Japanese brews, had another beer while eating a couple of sushi  dishes, and laughed some more.  Yesterday we had stopped so he could buy mom some chocolate for their 61st anniversary.  She almost lost him a week ago on the evening of her birthday.  Another wake-up call, this time for all of us.

There is so little time on this earth, for us to grow, learn, find a path, love and live.  There is so little time for us to tell those around us how much we love and cherish them. "Turn around and they're gone and we've no one to hold."

Where have you gone my little boy little boy where have you gone my sonny my own
Turn around you're two turn around then you're four
Turn around you're a young man going out the door

Where have you gone my little girl little girl
Pigtails and petticoats where have you gone
Turn around you're tiny turn around then you're grown
Turn around you're a young wife with babes of your own

Where have they gone our little ones little ones
Where have they gone our children our own
Turn around and they're young turn around and they're old
Turn around and they've gone and we've no one to hold

"Turn Around" lyrics by Donnarumma, Paolo/Munter Damiani, Giovanni  

One day I will turn around and dad won't be there.  One day I will turn around and mom will follow.  One day my children will turn around and I will have gone.  I am glad they both have someone to hold.

Love everyone, and tell them you do, often.  Tell them when you are alone with them, not just in passing, and make them listen to you, not just hear you.  Make them remember how much they mean to you.  It will be a memory for a lifetime, and there may be no tomorrow.

Those around me know how very much I love them.  I still find the need to repeat it more often.  As I get older I feel this need increasing exponentially.

So little time.

God bless you all on this fine Sunday.  Call your family and bless them with your love.

Putin's Invasion of Ukraine

Knowing the lack of basic education offered to our children today, I thought it might be prudent to show where Ukrayina, Ukraine, is located in our world.  What is its importance to the rest of the world and how does Ukraine play into the stability of world security?  Basically it is a buffer between Putin's play to reinstate the Soviet political structure in Russia, and the rest of Europe.  Ukraine borders, from south to north, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and Belarus.  The mere fact that Russian troops have rolled into this country probably has these neighbors shaking in their boots.  Putin is an old Soviet hard-liner and KGB lapdog that still enjoys the fruits of his criminal contacts and activities at the expense of the Russian people.  

As much as I would like to see the Soviet back in place to stabilize the region, Putin is not the leader to do it.  He is the Mafia godfather that will support any insane leader willing to take on the west so he can sweep in and reap the fruits of their sacrifice.  He is intelligent enough to realize the U.S. will do nothing to stop him.  Let's face it, Obama is great at drawing "lines in the sand" but thin on action.  He's a pussy and Putin knows it.  Drawing down our military is the only action Putin wants to see from this administration.  When Obama's stripping of our military might is complete, there will be nothing standing in the way of the new Soviet when they roll back into Eastern Europe to reclaim that which was given up.  Putin needs to take action prior to our next Presidential election as he knows that a strong U.S. president will curtail any plans he has in the region.  Putin will play the other nations to his advantage by playing this up as a security move to "assist" Ukraine in maintaining security in the region.  Bullshit, when Putin talks, think the opposite.  He will do nothing that isn't in his best interests.

I have tremendous readership in Ukrayina, and my thoughts and prayers go out to them and the rest of the Ukrainian people.  Now is their time to stand and be counted.  Unfortunately they are about to become another Syria as the inept United Nations will do nothing to prevent this invasion or the slaughter that might ensue as long as Russia sits on the Security Council (yeah, the fox is watching the hen house).

It will be interesting to see which European country jumps in to do what a strong American leader would have done.

This is just my opinion and, I could be wrong.

Jan Brewer and the Gay Issue

“Our society is undergoing many dramatic changes. However, I sincerely believe that Senate Bill 1062 has the potential to create more problems than it purports to solve.  It could divide Arizona in ways we cannot even imagine and no one would ever want.  Religious liberty is a core American and Arizona value, so is non-discrimination.”  -- Arizona Governor Jan Brewer

So the veto went for the bill that would have allowed one group to discriminate against another group on the basis of their beliefs.  And yet, the supporters of Senate Bill 1062 are crying foul for the very same reason.  They feel that being forced to earn a living by providing services to people of gay persuasion violates their religious liberty to live and work by their religious beliefs.   As Arizona Senator Steve Yarbrough stated: 

 “This bill is not about allowing discrimination.  This bill is about preventing discrimination against people who are clearly living out their faith.”

Gee, I can see the sign above the drinking fountains showing the gays which one they can use.  It won’t be long before the bus driver directs them to the back of the bus where “their kind” rides.  Goodness knows, no self-respecting hetero wants to share a restaurant with them.  Hell, better we just pin a rainbow patch on their sleeve, herd them onto trains and build some special showers, right?

Is the gay culture really the problem here, or is ignorance and fear rearing their ugly head once again?  Or, is it the heretical Christian’s that believes this is the love, forgiveness, and sweet understanding that Jesus would visit upon the gay community?  Perhaps wishing, as all good Christians do, better they should die and decrease the surplus population.

There is a growing abhorrence of heretics and hypocrites in this country.  It usually comes to light when history begins to repeat itself, as it always seems to do.  For the past several years it has been evident in discussions concerning our politics and spiritual beliefs.  Maybe we are reaching that point where history needs to come full circle.  Maybe we need another dose of book burning, lynching, and men wearing white hoods and robes that hide in the shadows like the cowards they are, using God as their justification for protecting the rights of the few.  Do we?  Or can we find tolerance in the seething sewer of this hatred?

But, then, does Senate Bill 1062 really make any business sense?  In the Germany prior to Hitler, shopkeepers would welcome the Jewish clients and their money.  Did they like the Jews?  Who knows what they felt before the Nazi Party made Jews a scapegoat for all the ills of the world.  Since the Jews were probably the only ones with money, I’m sure they welcomed them with opened arms regardless of their personal feelings; it would just be good business.  Gail Collins of the New York Times wrote in her column, after the veto: 

“Maybe we have reached a critical historical juncture. Struggles for human rights always begin with brave men and women who stand up, isolated, against the forces of oppression. But, in the United States, victory really arrives on the glorious day when the people with money decide discrimination is bad for business.”

This will all boil down to who you want to support - gays that just want the same rights as all of us, or Christian storm troopers that would see us go down that oft traveled road of spiritual hypocrisy in the name of Christ.  For me the choice is a simple one:  Find another restaurant.  The model is a simple one, as well.  If you separate the healthy demand from the unhealthy supply, the supply will have to change to survive and grow.  Gays are not going away, those that choose not to service this group of movers and shakers will find themselves with a finite clientele, or out of business.

All the gay community wants is the freedom to love whom they choose.  The fact that they find love in this day and age should be applauded.  I wish to remind the Christians, and others of my Congregation, of a verse I quoted in a recent post concerning my own faith: 

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.  One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.  Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.  Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another?  It is before his own master that he stands or falls.  And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.  One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike.  Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”  -- Romans 14:1-23

Sermon for Sunday - February 23, 2014: Homeless in Olympia (Part Whatever)

I keep posting on the homeless.  But, are they really homeless, or are some just down on their luck.  I've come to realize, albeit late for an egotistical shit that thinks he's quicker than this, that some of these people are just down on their luck and need a meal.  This is not a problem, we all have issues.  It is interesting when a man comes to get a cup of coffee, tries to pay, and is confronted with what we're doing.  More times than not, they reach down deep and bring out some cash for a donation.  What breaks my heart is the kids;  I ask myself, why should it?

There was a belief among military families that a military brat that was moved all over the world with the parent, had a better chance of making something of themselves than a child that didn't have the opportunity.  I think this might just hold true for the needy kids as well.  I have seen kids that have had to come get a plate of food, and the parent has reminded them to say thank you.  If you remember previous posts, I have always been humbled by the courtesy shown to us by our clientele.  This courtesy is taught to their pets, and their children.  It is a courtesy forgotten by the "haves" but not by the "have nots."  Once again, today, I had the opportunity to hand out fruit gummies to the kids.  To a child, they were reminded by the parent to say thank you, which they did without argument or hesitation.  Parenting rears it's head in the strangest of places.  We could all learn from this. I had one of our clients thank me today for teaching the young person helping with drinks the value of volunteerism.  I corrected him immediately and redirected his appreciation to Dee, who trains us all.

We had a Christian youth group helping today, and that was a rare treat.  We hope to see more of them.  There was also a Mennonite from south of Olympia that was interested in what we were doing.  He has been looking for an outlet to share his hope.  I could only smile as Dee welcomed whatever he could bring to the table.  We welcome all faiths to the cause.  This isn't about us, and it never should be.  This is about the needy and what we do to make a few minutes of their lives a bit better.  If we could have an interfaith effort, Jews, Muslims, Christians, Atheists, and others give of themselves for just a couple of hours a week, oh what a difference it would make in a life.

Mary didn't show today.  For those not following, Mary was a terrific guitar player and singer that I had offered a folding chair to, if she would come play each Saturday.  I found out from one of our older friends that Mary is in hospital. We all hope Mary recovers and is back with us soon.  Our prayers and love go out to her.  God bless you, Mary.

As for those of you still wondering if our efforts are worthwhile,  I leave you with this:

And, this should be enough.  (I had a photo of one of the children that show up, weekly, to the street feed.  I have opted not to show her darling face for obvious reasons.  The mere fact that I have to concern myself with this sickens me, but that is the world we live in.).  Children are our only hope for a future being torn apart by political one upsmanship and partisan politics.  I see the faces of these children each and every Saturday and have to wonder what our leaders are thinking.

This Sunday, look at you own child and consider what they have to be thankful for.  Does it make you proud?  Does this?  I wonder.

Maybe we should take a moment, this Sunday, and reflect on the children.  For all intents and purposes,  they are us.  If you had to spend a morning with your child in a food line, how would that make you feel?

What’s Right, or Moral Decency?

"If a man has an apartment stacked to the ceiling with newspapers, we call him crazy. If a woman has a trailer house full of cats, we call her nuts. But when people pathologically hoard so much cash that they impoverish the entire nation, we put them on the cover of Fortune magazine and pretend that they are role models." 

-- B. Lester, rapper 

I see the quote (above) from the rapper, B. Lester, as no so much what he intended to say as it is what was unintended.  A friend of mine commented on this quote after it was posted on social media.  I don't feel there is any discussion here.  What Lester says is, unfortunately, true.  But, what about labels?

Societies throughout the world are guilty of labeling people.  Is it proper that we label people in any fashion?  Absolutely not, as it is no more proper to label the people in the quote than it is to say people that pathologically hoard their own money don't have the right to do it.  Pathos is a quality that evokes pity or sadness.  Personally, I don't think the rich care, nor do I think to enjoy the fruits of your labor should be looked upon as pathological.   Labels like this come from someone who is jealous of success, or unwilling to give such effort for success.  The person who applies labels evokes pity and sadness.  These people seem perpetually offended and there is really nothing to do for them but give them all of the other person's wealth and let them become what they are offended by, except they didn't exercise their God-given freedom to earn it said wealth.  And, this is what the conversation was all about - the difference between doing what is decent or moral and doing what is your right under the Constitution.  Earning your way in a society, or stealing what others have worked hard for.

"Anarchy means "without leaders", not "without order". With anarchy comes an age or ordnung, of true order, which is to say voluntary order... this age of ordung will begin when the mad and incoherent cycle of verwirrung that these bulletins reveal has run its course... This is not anarchy, Eve. This is chaos.”

-- Alan Moore, graphic novel writer, "V for Vendetta"

My friend was quick to point out, and rightly so, that I made this "political" during our discussion.  But, wasn't this political the moment the quote was posted on social media?  "When people hoard so much cash that they impoverish the entire nation," crosses a line into the political arena.  It leads us from American idealism into socialist philosophy.  Looking back at the transcript of our conversation, it clearly continued to make this transition until my friend's socialist leanings approached making an argument for anarchy and, by extension, communism followed by chaos.

My view of Lester's quote concerns what is morally decent as opposed to what is right.  Well, the decent and moral thing for the filthy rich to do is to assist those less fortunate.  I think we can all agree on this.  The right thing to do is to let the filthy rich decide what they can do with the money they have earned through the companies the struggled to build.  We have no more right to tell them what to do with their money than we do to tell a mother with multiple children she has to give up one or two so those without can have one, or telling our next door neighbor to give his BMW to us because we drive a Ford P.O.S. and we'd rather have his car than a Ford.  At this, my friend would probably say she doesn't see the comparison.  I would answer, of course, she doesn't, because it isn't her wealth being redistributed.

It is easy for those that don't have, or haven't earned, to criticize and levy additional taxes on those that have worked hard to get where they are.  That isn't to say that most of us are dirt poor, we just aren't filthy rich.  I would offer that most young people pissing and moaning about Wall Street today will be gritting teeth when they grow up, get a job, and their own whiny little bastard children start screaming foul and preaching redistribution of wealth.  I'd be interested to see how today's whiners justify their own vast stock portfolio to their own socialist crotch fruit.  This is life.  Is this a healthy, moral attitude for a parent?  No, it isn't.  Is it right?  You bet it is!  And here is where my conversation took a turn.  I said, it is right because the Constitution guarantees it:

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

 -- U.S. Constitution, Amendment XIV, Section 1

Basically, what you honestly earn, you have the right to honestly keep.  This is a morally correct judgment.  The fact that a wealthy person chooses not to share their wealth is a right guaranteed by the Constitution of the country in which we live.  If you don't like it, you have the God-given right to move to Canada.  It is not sharing your wealth a sign of moral corruption?  Probably, and I'm certain the Almighty will take issue with them later on down their path.  

It becomes easier to make this political when our own leadership would ignore Constitutional rights and endeavor to forcibly redistribute wealth to those that haven't earned it.  It violates the very principles of freedom our country was founded on.  Forcing redistribution of wealth teaches those that have not, what?  Lesson number one is to not to earn or work for anything you don't want to be taken away from you at a moment's notice and without your permission.  Basically, don't bother ever working again or ever trying to better your lot.  It is so much easier to remain one of the "have nots" so you can bitch and complain about the "haves" while you bleed the country dry of funds you are not helping to replenish. 

“The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.”

-- Margaret Thatcher, UK Prime Minister (1979-1990)

When socialism collapses from its own inability to sustain itself, the cycle begins again.  This would be considered good common sense except there is nothing common about good sense anymore.  We don't teach it in school, and parents are pretty much worthless at parenting anymore, so kids can't expect anything more than "garbage in, garbage out" from them.

If socialism teaches intelligent people anything, it teaches that socialism feeds on itself until the carcass is gone.  When there are no fish in the basket, the basket remains empty - because everyone has forgotten how to fish!  Fidel Castro recently admitted that socialism in Cuba was a "grand experiment" but, "the Cuban model doesn't even work for us anymore."  His brother, Raul, is loosening the government's iron grip on their economy.  Communist China did this as well, several years back, by allowing more private income and savings among the people.  Are they grudgingly admitting that a little capitalism is necessary?

All of this is about growth or collapse, and here is where we trip into anarchy or chaos.  The idea is that, and I try to say this with a deep "barrio" accent, we don't need no stinking Constitution!  My friend and I ended our conversation with her last sentence which, for me, said it all:

"A person who is guided by conscience and a moral compass does not need a constitution to tell them right from wrong."

In a perfect world, she would find no argument from me, but ours is anything but a perfect world.  Ours is a world peopled by the League of the Perpetually Offended.  A world without guiding principles is a world doomed to chaos.  Mankind's history is colored with tales of "leaders" operating "for the good of the people" under their own definitions of morality and righteousness.  Historical evidence might cite Cambodia, Burma, China, Germany, Russia, and let's not forget every little piss ant country in Africa that wants a taste of genocide and ethnic cleansing.  Now we have Venezuela to contend with.  The one thing they all have in common is a belief that they are right and that they, hopefully, have a population ignorant enough to follow them off the cliff.  Here are a few thoughts to get the blood of revolution flowing:

"Success is the sole earthly judge of right and wrong."

"As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have a duty to be a fighter for truth and justice."

"We are socialists, we are enemies of today's capitalistic economic system for the exploitation of the economically weak, with its unfair salaries, with its unseemly evaluation of a human being according to wealth and property instead of responsibility and performance, and we are all determined to destroy this system under all conditions." 

"Today I must humbly thank Providence, whose grace has enabled me, who was once an unknown soldier in the War, to bring to a successful issue the struggle for restoration of our honor and rights as a nation."

"I can thank God at this moment that He has so wonderfully blessed us in our hard struggle for what is our right, and beg Him that we and all other nations may find the right way, so that not only the German people but all Europe may once more be granted the blessing of peace."

Adolf Hitler spouted all of these "morally correct" quotes prior to 1940. How can any question of decent or right not be discussed without some discussion of politics? Ask any elderly Jew with a "stock number" tattooed on their wrist. But then, even the Nazi party had voluminous rules and regulations, as did all those other countries, except for the little African ones that kind of made stuff up as they went along. For better or worse, these new regimes had laws for the same reasons the old ones did - social order and control. Were those laws and "constitutions" enough to give them the right? Absolutely. Did it make them morally decent? Obviously not.

"Our government...teaches the whole people by its example. If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy."

-- Louis D. Brandeis, Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court

"It is the beginning of wisdom when you recognize that the best you can do is choose which rules you want to live by, and it's persistent and aggravated imbecility to pretend you can live without any."

-- Wallace Stegner, author, environmentalist, historian

So, I suppose it leaves the question for all of us:  Is it decent, or is it right?  There is another question which also holds for everything in our lives.  It is the question which screams to asked: "Why?"  As with this conversation of decency or righteousness, right or wrong, or when we think of labeling other people, like the perpetually offended.  Why?

In the case of my friend and our conversation, was either of us right?  Perhaps, both?  As with everyone that has an opinion, we both believe we are right.  If we didn't, it wouldn't have been much of a conversation.  Differing opinions, expressed peacefully, is what makes the world interesting. Its what make society free.  What is certain is that, in our hearts, and right or wrong, we believe each other to be morally decent people.  I'm certain most communists and socialists are also morally decent people, they just don't enjoy the same freedoms as other forms of government.

"We have met the enemy, and he is us."

-- Walt Kelly (1913-1973), cartoonist, "Pogo"

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 an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those 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 learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.

Surprisingly Homeless: Mary in Olympia

Joyful Hands Ministries did their usual feed this Saturday morning, in the rain and the cold.  About one hundred showed up to get the usual breakfast burrito of casserole top with sausage gravy, and a cup of coffee, fruit drink, hot chocolate or mocha to drink. In line was a face I had seen once before; a short, full figured, young black woman.  As before, she had a guitar in a case slung over her shoulder.  After getting a bite and a drink she approached me to ask who we were affiliated with.  I noticed shy was soft spoken to the point of seeming shy.

I explained the story behind Mama Dee, the ministry, and why she provided the breakfast.  She nodded understanding and I asked about her guitar, if she played.  She answered yes, and I asked if she played well enough to get through a song.  She nodded again and I explained we had just been commenting that there had been a lack of music this morning.  I asked if she would play a tune.  She took the guitar from her shoulder and I assisted her in getting it out so the case didn't get wet on the ground.  She took a knee and began to strum a folk rhythm.  At first, I thought she was a bit off key, and then she began to sing.

I felt my mouth drop open.  Conversation around us came to a stop.  A young boy that had been assisting with serving drinks started sway side to side in a private dance.  I began to smile as I noticed all the other amazed faces around us.  When she finished she looked up to me and all I could say was, "Where the heck did that come from?"

Her name is Mary.  I believe she said hailed from Philadelphia.  She is recent to living on the streets in Olympia.  If the interest she generated with that one song is any indication, she won't be on the streets for too long.  The webmaster for Joyful Hands Ministries was already getting her approval to record several of her songs for the website, and other people were coaching her on the ins and outs, or was it dos and don'ts, of the street music scene.

I hoped to see her tonight at the evening meal put on by Crazy Faith Ministries just down the block from the city bus barn.  I was not disappointed as evidenced by the photo up top.  I have invited her to continue coming to the Saturday breakfast and I will hunt up a folding chair for her to sit as she serenades us.  She seemed pleasantly agreeable to the task.

God brings strangers in to our midst for reasons unbeknownst to us.  Ours is not to question why.  Her music may be a message for someone.  It might be a message for us all.  It might just be music to bring a bit of brightness to the hearts of these people.  As with many folk artists of the past, trials and tribulations only add to the message behind their art.  It could be, this is her school of hard knocks; the life to give meaning to her music.  I only hope she finds a path, an outlet, allowing her to share her talent.

God blessed you, Mary.  Now bless us with your music.

Sermon for Sunday - February 16, 2014: A Bit More on Patience

How to be Patient 

Have patience be your goal for the entire day. Take a day and make a serious effort to take your time and think about everything you do. Live in the moment and be mindful of yourself and your surroundings. Think of your day as a movie where you can hit “pause” at any time. Take regular pauses and at the end of the day think over all the decisions you made and seek to understand exactly what took place. Eventually, learn to do this on a daily basis.

Slow down. Sometimes we must rush, but we think we need to rush more than we actually do. If you are hitting pause a few times each day, you will likely notice when you are rushing for no reason. When this happens, just stop for a minute and take a few deep breaths. Turn you mind to peaceful things and center yourself, then return to your task with a slower, more deliberate pace.

Delay gratification. By putting off reward and rest, we are training our patience “muscles.” The longer we put off gratification, the more we will be able to enjoy it when the right time comes. We should live each day for the evening and each week for the end. If we work hard and accomplish all the day’s tasks, the evening can be our own. Sometimes this is difficult, but we must be steadfast and deliberate. This takes practice, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

Think before you speak. This quite literally means that you pause and consider what you’re going to say before you say it. If we blurt out the first thought that comes to mind without considering the consequences, we will often find ourselves saying stupid or offensive things. Practice this for one whole day and think about instances where it was good or right for you to consider your words before speaking. Often we will realize that the extra time allowed us to formulate better, more articulate responses.

-- ULC Monastery: Sermons - The Seven Virtues 

Let's take these from the top.  I almost have the first goal down.  I try not to stress over much.  If something starts to needle me, I give it one good "Arrrgggg!" and simply take a break or go do something else to distract me from the issue for a few until I can look at it with fresh senses and understand it.

I got a speeding ticket yesterday morning as I was going to work.  I wasn't in a hurry; I just had a lead foot.  I seem to press the accelerator on that portion of my drive.  The bottom of the hill is a major intersection that I know I'll have to wait at regardless, so it makes little sense to rush.  Just to prove the point, I found myself doing the same speed today, right passed where the cop was yesterday.  I did a rapid deceleration and chewed myself a new one.  The thing was that I found my insurance card that I didn't have yesterday.

This next one is the most difficult for me.  I work hard for my gratification.  I see no purpose to delaying said gratification for any reason, least of all to teach myself patience.  But, I am making the attempt as it also helps me to maintain my weight.  Yes, bourbon, peanut butter and honey, pizza, sushi, bourbon, ice cream, bourbon, all gratify me and all pack on the pounds, but doesn't that just figure?  Most things I find gratifying are usually fattening except for, well, women.  Not fattening.  Although, even though I love all women, I find few of them truly gratifying.  I guess their kind of like ice cream.

This last one, really?  Mom always told me my mouth would be the death of me.  She hasn't been far from wrong.  I find it exceedingly hard not to say what's on my mind, and care little about who I am saying it to.  One plus in this has been the plethora of military commanders, and one particular civilian senior vice-president of operations, that relied on me to be the one person not blowing smoke up their collective butts when they asked my opinion.  Good or bad I told them the way it was.  This was a far cry from learning how to run from the bullies I would goad on in high school until they came after me to deliver a deserved, or not, butt whippin.  I am getting better at picking my battles.  I try to temper honesty with a proper time and place, and I re-write memos until they are a bit less pointed (read: antagonistic) while still getting my message across.

Take a moment this Sunday and consider how patient you are.  Think about ways in which you can work on where you come up short on patience.  Right now, for me, I still seem to lose my mind when I'm behind some idiot that is so patient he has lapsed into a coma while merging onto a 60 mph highway doing 15 mph while an 18-wheeler hauling a load of logs is growing significantly larger in my driver's side mirror.  I have learned to take a deep breath, relax, floor the accelerator, cut across two lanes of traffic, test the patience of several other drivers, and exhale.  

Life is good!

"Patience is not sitting and waiting, it is foreseeing.  It is looking at the thorn and seeing the rose, looking at the night and seeing the day."

 -- Rumi (1207-1273), Persian poet, Islamic jurist, and theologian