Easter came and went, once again, yesterday.
It came despite the fact that it was a colder than usual day. It came despite the fact that country is undergoing some financial upheaval. It came despite the fact that family members of mine have suffered, and are suffering. It came despite the fact that the world perhaps wasn’t all that ready for it.
It came, and it comes every single year, whether we want it to or not. Let me assure you that the first Easter came to a world that was also in a terrible state of darkness and despair. It’s coming, through the resurrected form of God on Earth, turned the world on its ear.
Whether or not you subscribe to the Christian point of view or not, it is hard to debate the fact that this singular event really did alter history. It can be debated as to whether or not it really happened or it was/is allegory, and that comes down to a matter of one’s own faith. What is not debatable, however, is the sweeping of Christianity throughout the world, ultimately changing history.
And yes, there has been both good and bad throughout that history. Ultimately, however, Christianity has come with a message of hope.
As I’ve said many times, I’m not here to try and preach to you gentle reader, or to try and persuade you to my point of view. I’m merely an observer of the mundane, trying to find God in the details, with apologies to the devil.
But, I can’t help but notice each and every year what a message of hope Easter brings to a sometimes bleak and weary world. The message of Easter is “Be Not Afraid, for I AM with you always”, or at least it seems that way to me. It’s message sometimes gets lost in the commercialism of the day, but usually, I manage to hear it in my heart at some point in the day.
Even if you do not subscribe to the Christian point of view, its my sincerest hope that you too manage to glean this message that we are most definitely not alone, and that we are all loved.
So, with that said…
Happy Easter my friends.
-The Minister
Monday, March 24, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Oak Tree
There’s this magnificent old oak tree that can be seen right outside of our church’s windows. It is one big tree, taking up a lot of the window space, and almost resting perfectly in the middle of one’s view out the window.
Oftentimes, I sit directly across from the windows looking out at this tree. It’s almost comforting to see that tree now, strong and unbending despite nature’s strong breezes and winds that have blown against it for years.
When I really look at this tree, I notice that on second glance, its not that unbending at all. In fact, it bends rather a lot, swaying too and fro with the winds.
It’s this bending that has helped that wonderful old oak tree grow so tall over the decades. Bending with the wind, instead of railing against it, resisting it. Accepting the wind, accepting what life has brought to it, instead of constantly fighting against it, not accepting reality.
Pretty good way to live a life, isn’t it?
Yet, we human creatures spend a lot of time railing against life for giving us events that we don’t want to happen. We become rigid, unwilling to bend like that old oak tree in the breeze, and we find ourselves in rotten moods, complaining that life once again has conspired against us.
Acceptance is a wonderful concept, but oh so difficult to make come to life within us. Yet, acceptance of what is, rather than wishing it was something different, is the key to harmony, the key to peace within us.
Turns out that old oak tree knows a thing or two.
-The Minister.
Oftentimes, I sit directly across from the windows looking out at this tree. It’s almost comforting to see that tree now, strong and unbending despite nature’s strong breezes and winds that have blown against it for years.
When I really look at this tree, I notice that on second glance, its not that unbending at all. In fact, it bends rather a lot, swaying too and fro with the winds.
It’s this bending that has helped that wonderful old oak tree grow so tall over the decades. Bending with the wind, instead of railing against it, resisting it. Accepting the wind, accepting what life has brought to it, instead of constantly fighting against it, not accepting reality.
Pretty good way to live a life, isn’t it?
Yet, we human creatures spend a lot of time railing against life for giving us events that we don’t want to happen. We become rigid, unwilling to bend like that old oak tree in the breeze, and we find ourselves in rotten moods, complaining that life once again has conspired against us.
Acceptance is a wonderful concept, but oh so difficult to make come to life within us. Yet, acceptance of what is, rather than wishing it was something different, is the key to harmony, the key to peace within us.
Turns out that old oak tree knows a thing or two.
-The Minister.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Ladybugs
Every Fall, as soon as it starts to get cold outside, we receive some new tenants in our house.
Only these tenants have orange backs with black dots, have multiple legs, and love to fly around and check things out.
Yes, it’s the good old ladybug which comes to dwell with us when it starts to get too darn cold for them outside. During the winter, a lot of them unfortunately will go on to ladybug heaven, but there are always a few survivors who stick around and become our friends.
I’ve come to admire the pluck and spirit of these little creatures. They’re actually quite playful. Just the other evening, I was eating dinner in front of the television (I know, bad habit) when a ladybug descended from the ceiling to land and rest right on my shoulder. The ladybug didn’t move once it landed, it just wanted to hang out and enjoy the television I guess. So, I didn’t begrudge her that, and together, we hung out and watched the evening news.
As a younger man, I probably would’ve been annoyed at having these harmless little creatures as house guests. Now, they entertain me and provide me with laughter each day. You never know where one is going to turn up. The other day, I was brushing my teeth, and when I went to rinse my mouth, one descended right down in the sink! Luckily, I saw her, so I rinsed my mouth very slowly and carefully, lest I drown my new friend in toothpaste!
God provides us with lots of friends, you know, and not all of them are of the human variety. These ladybugs, while obviously not on the same developmental plane as my bipedal friends, are no less entertaining and cheerful. It’s almost as if they sense we are a welcome spot for them, and they come and take up residence with us much the same as family would.
I’ve come to be thankful to God for providing us friends like the garden variety ladybug. I’ve learned that there really is no creature too small or simple to play a role in the grand wheel of life. Even the ladybug can bring us pleasure.
And, quite honestly, they’re really good company to boot!
-The Minister
Only these tenants have orange backs with black dots, have multiple legs, and love to fly around and check things out.
Yes, it’s the good old ladybug which comes to dwell with us when it starts to get too darn cold for them outside. During the winter, a lot of them unfortunately will go on to ladybug heaven, but there are always a few survivors who stick around and become our friends.
I’ve come to admire the pluck and spirit of these little creatures. They’re actually quite playful. Just the other evening, I was eating dinner in front of the television (I know, bad habit) when a ladybug descended from the ceiling to land and rest right on my shoulder. The ladybug didn’t move once it landed, it just wanted to hang out and enjoy the television I guess. So, I didn’t begrudge her that, and together, we hung out and watched the evening news.
As a younger man, I probably would’ve been annoyed at having these harmless little creatures as house guests. Now, they entertain me and provide me with laughter each day. You never know where one is going to turn up. The other day, I was brushing my teeth, and when I went to rinse my mouth, one descended right down in the sink! Luckily, I saw her, so I rinsed my mouth very slowly and carefully, lest I drown my new friend in toothpaste!
God provides us with lots of friends, you know, and not all of them are of the human variety. These ladybugs, while obviously not on the same developmental plane as my bipedal friends, are no less entertaining and cheerful. It’s almost as if they sense we are a welcome spot for them, and they come and take up residence with us much the same as family would.
I’ve come to be thankful to God for providing us friends like the garden variety ladybug. I’ve learned that there really is no creature too small or simple to play a role in the grand wheel of life. Even the ladybug can bring us pleasure.
And, quite honestly, they’re really good company to boot!
-The Minister
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