Happy Easter

In the year of our Lord 2011, if you look around at the events of the world you might be inclined to believe we are entering into the rapture. Now, for those that do not believe that comment may seem silly but to those that have read God's word it has merit.

Throughout the world there is universal unrest, religious wars, nature as we have never seen her before, and our own government has slowly but surely turned from being Representatives to being Rulers. With the advent of a world based economy businesses no longer have a vested interest in community. They are only concerned in the "bottom line" regardless of the cost and with little regard to human suffering. Our Religious leaders preach how theirs is the only "true" way, when in reality the only true way is in the hearts of mankind. War in the name of religion, hate in the name of religion, all of these actions have become way too common place, and are indeed an abomination to the Lord.

Throughout the history of mankind, the common person has chosen to believe while the leaders have attempted to manipulate. And this action is not exclusive to one religion or sect, it is almost universal. Now, some would say it is basic human nature while others would say it's the work of Satan, but in reality aren't they one in the same? Today the catch phrases most associated with religions are extremists, radicals, or something similar in nature, and while at first glance you think of Islam, if you take an honest look you will admit those terms can be associated with every organized religion. We have all seen the "preachers" that espouse hate at funerals, on religious holidays, and in the mass media. Just as we have seen Rabbi's and Imam do the exact same thing. In then end, it's not often we associate the words peace or love anymore is it?

So, as you are reading this you are thinking; what is his point? Is this an Easter message or an indictment on organized religion? Well, the simple answer is it is both, yet it is neither.

What this is about is that as Christians, which should never be confused with Roman Catholics or Protestants for they are organizations with specific agendas, we realize that regardless of how chaotic the state of the world around us appears, the Lord Jesus Christ gave his life so that we are safe. With all of the fire and brimstone, doom and gloom, and guilt evangelized by organized religions, those that truly believe understand in our hearts that God is a loving God, he is a forgiving God, and while we should all strive to live a better life he does not expect perfection from us. See, we don't need to be perfect because God loved us so that he gave his son Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, to cleanse us of our sins.

This allows us to make mistakes, this allows us to break a commandment, this allows us to make poor choices, as long as in our hearts we keep the Lord. Believers know that being a Christian is about ones action, not one's words. We understand that we are entitled to opinions but in the end only one has the power to judge or criticize, and he gave his life so that we may be free.

I am a sinner and I know that you are too, therefore who am I to sit in judgement of how you live your life? Yet there are those that do, and they call themselves Christians, or Jews, or Muslims, or Hindu's, and regardless of what names they adorn themselves with, true believers know the only one that has the power to judge is the Almighty.

And that is the reason we give thanks today. That is the reason that families will gather in groups both small and large, with festive clothes, chocolate bunny rabbits, and delicious dinners, to acknowledge the fact that we are free to make mistakes. Now some would say we commercialize our religious holidays because they are meaningless, whereas I choose to think we do it to make believing more comfortable, more personal. Because despite of all of the tangible things we have at Easter, at some point everyone will say a prayer, either aloud or to themselves, thanking the Lord Jesus for his sacrifice.

You see, the point is our beliefs are about people, ourselves, what we carry in our hearts, and how we chose to share them. I believe that while the world around us is a mess, it is not beyond redemption or repair. I know this because can I walk without fear of failure, I can walk without fear of dying, for the Lord Jesus Christ gave his life so that you and I are insured peace ever after. So, may your hearts be filled with peace and love on this and every other day, and Happy Easter to you all, my friends.

Catching Up With Life

We all get absorbed with things at different stages of our lives. Sometimes it's family, sometimes friends, sometimes politics, sometimes religion, sometimes sickness and sometimes death. We tend to dwell in that snapshot in time that we are currently standing and, too often, we shut all else out.

For me, I have been standing in to political arena, assessing my country, its political system and the people it affects. I have to say there have been times in my life where I was prouder to call myself an American, and the system seemed just a little more "pure". After all of the debates, the editorials, the pontifications and protests not much has changed and it saddens me to realize that people would rather complain than make the effort to take an action.

Now, I'm not the brightest guy in town but my momma didn't raise any stupid children either, and since I do understand the definition of insanity, I've decided to make the transition to other frames in the movie of life. It's time to let someone else pick up the fight for a while.

FRIENDS AND LOVERS
As I transcend from veteran young guy to rookie older guy I have been fortunate to reestablish many old friendships from my youth. In the list of regrets in my life I will add losing contact with the people high upon my list. In making up for time lost I am finding that the "Reader's Digest" versions we have exchanged about our lives only stimulates the need to want to know more. To know the details of that marriage, the kids, careers, divorces, medical issues, and I think it's just human nature to be curious this way. I'm fortunate to be living in an era with social networks like Facebook because they make it so much easier to reach out to people.

Now on my Facebook page I have a little over 700 friends. About 60% of those are because I play the games associated with the network and they are also players who have, by the shear nature of interacting, become new friends. The remaining 40% are a mixture of friends of my youth and a handful of former lovers. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly I was able to find a lot of my old friends and certainly the power of two had a lot to do with that. Now they have become a short daily visit to share so many different things about life or just a laugh. It was also surprising to learn how different we all grew up to be, yet, we all still have a common denominator based in the community and values we were all raised with. 

As for the former girlfriends and lovers that has actually worked out quite well. The tend to want to protect me or mother me in a humorous was to let me know when I may be getting into potential trouble. All and all it's a pretty good fail safe and there is only one or two missing from the group that I am not connected too. Not that I didn't try they just rejected my request which should tell me they probably aren't mature enough to handle friendship without baggage, so that works for me.

JOY AND SADNESS
One of the hardest things to face when you're trying to make up for 40 years lost is that along with the joy of renewing friendships you have to face the cold realities of life. In 40 years people get sick, have accidents, or just give up and die. Friends that were as solid as a rock have pass on years ago and you shake your head and say "wow". Then there is the reality that as we age there are friends here currently that are fighting for their existence and their lives. 

It is at that point that you understand that a true friend isn't the one that stands by you when things are good, he is the one remaining when things are bad. And here we are 40 years later being a support system for each others. Being the sounding boards that never pass judgement, that try to be objective, and offer solutions as well as pep talks. We are there to talk about retirement, to brag and complain about our children, to visit those that are slipping through our fingers and into the hands of God. It's what friends do.

Sometimes, support can take the form of helping a person forget about the past, or about the moment. Give them a diversion that allows them to relax and rest their weary mind. Me, I post jokes, I play the frustrated DJ, I flirt, I post useless facts, I post (what my friend Tracey calls Barryisms) which are nothing more than sayings collected over the years and I do my best to help people find that safe place we all need in our lives. 

Do I sometimes I talk politics. Sometimes I talk about God. I try never to play the evangelist because I've always found those that do are phony, real Christians walk the talk. And for all of the things I post or say, I listen and read twice as much. Life is put before us to live and to learn, to absorb every moment, every nuance, every fleeting glance, every smile, and every laugh. You learn about life from both the positive side and the negative, then it's your obligation to share that knowledge and pass it along to the next generation.

Looking
When it's all said and done we are all looking for that comfort zone, that safe place. If your uncertain of where to begin I've found returning to my roots, finding lifelong friends, and knowing that the Lord is usually two steps to my left is a good place to start.

Be back with more soon, take care!