Back From My Mission

Did you miss me? My apologies for not sending my TGIF joke to you these past 2 weeks. I was in a far flung area in Southern Philippines caring for my Dad. As you probably know, I requested prayers for his faith in Jesus. To my delight, my wife led him to receive Christ in his heart a few minutes before we started our trip to the airport. In fact, it was my Dad who started the conversation. My wife merely went along with his flow of ideas. So, even before my great Father-Son adventure, God had already answered my request. Words cannot express my gratitude.

Dad almost died on the plane. The air was too thin for him and he ran out of his meds. He was already hallucinating. The only reason he fought so hard to survive was because he didn’t want to die in the “friendly skies.” When we got back he didn’t want to go to the hospital but I’m glad that we did because he had pneumonia. The lines were so long because there was a diarrhea and dengue fever epidemic. He’s settled now and he is back to normal. I miss him.

Some people wonder what this strange Christian ritual about “accepting Jesus” is all about. First of all, nobody earns “brownie points” for leading someone to Christ. There is no quota that needs to be filled. Genuine Christians share their faith because their own lives have been changed for the better and they want others to experience the same truth of the kindness, the love, the grace (a gift they do not deserve)  that they enjoy. If you were a slave and were set free, wouldn’t you want to set others free as well?

Some may question whether conversions are real. Only God can answer that. No one can truly say if anyone truly accepted Christ. The Bible says “by their fruit, you shall know them.” — ie. by their changed lives, you will know if the transformation is real. Ours is not to question but to share the good news. Our words may fall on deaf ears but that does not matter. We still share — just as the good news was shared to us.

My Dad, in his 90s, is a baby in Christ. How I wish I could be with him and help him to walk in his new faith. He has so many questions. But I have to trust that God will fill in the gaps where I cannot. In all this I am thankful that even if something were to happen to him now, I know he prayed to receive Christ. The world has this concept that one has to work for salvation … that one has to do good works, go to church, give to the poor, sacrifice, pay for indulgences … but that isn’t true. These are man-made rules. Perfection and “brownie points” are not necessary to enter heaven — for it is by grace alone (paid for by Christ by his suffering, death and resurrection) that we are saved.

But of course, this is just me.

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”  — Ephesians 2:8

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Funny Boxing Stare Downs
Sent by Naomi of Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who shared this.

The post War Strategy appeared first on Traveling Archive.

The Final Conversation

I’m heading for the land of my youth. My Dad came to visit and since he cannot travel alone, I am doing the honors of accompanying him back home. I have to admit, I have some apprehensions.

Dad says this will be his last plane ride. What do you say to someone who will be moving on to the after-life? All of my Dad’s accomplishments and years on this earth will be a miniscule nano second compared to an eternity that awaits him. He says he is ready to “go.” Really? Many say things they do not fully understand just because they’ve heard other people say it before. And often the conversation about death is shelved for another time. But what if there is no other time?

Recently a friend of mine who has a different faith said that “we all really pray to the same god anyway.” I’d like to believe that but I know in my heart that isn’t so. Do you? The Bible is replete with God’s  hatred towards those who prayed to fake gods. Yes, who you worship is important. Sometimes we parrot these PC lines to avoid deep conversations and getting into a debate about religion … and this is acceptable in most social gatherings; but in my Dad’s case, is this where our final discussion should go? Not if I can help it. Not when eternity is at stake. I want to thresh out his thought process and come to a conclusion.

I admit I don’t have all the answers and I need your prayers for humility and wisdom as I engage in the last meaningful conversation I will have with him.

The song of Sara Groves come to mind:

CONVERSATIONS

… And I would like to share with you
What makes me complete.
I don’t claim to have found the truth,
But I know it has found me.

The only thing that isn’t meaningless to me,
Is Jesus Christ and the way he set me free.
And this is all that I have, this is all that I am,
It’s all that I have … and it’s all …

I don’t know how to say this
I don’t know where to start
I just know that I care for you
And I’m speaking from my heart.

CLICK FOR COMPLETE LYRICS

How about you? Do you know in your heart what awaits you in the after life? Do the people you love know?  When eternity is at stake, don’t you think a deep conversation is in order? Wanna talk? I’m open.

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Ernie of Fresno, CA for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Jealous Pets
Sent by Naomi of N. Hollywood, CA

Thought Provoking: “Hampster” or “Hamster”?

I don’t watch this show (I only found this by accident). It’s funny but also very sad. Hard to believe there are Millennials who think this way. This seems to be an accurate account of the July 12, 2019 event described by Professor Carol Blymire of Georgetown University.

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who shared this.

The post Leadership Options appeared first on Traveling Archive.

I’m observing a changing social landscape. See if you agree with me.  They say we live in a patriarchal society where men are the bread winners and women take care of the children. Even though popular media decries the imbalance of men vs women’s salaries (which is still predominantly true) the same sources do not acknowledge that there have been  major strides towards the bridging of this gap.

Raise your hands if you know of a married couple where the wife earns more than her husband. Raise your hands if you know of a “house-band” who is taking care of the children while the wife goes to work. Raise your hands if you know of a hen-pecked husband.

Like the mystery of disappearing bees, there is a disappearing man who “wears the pants” in the house — the stereotype of the man of the 70’s — the chauvinistic strong silent James Bond types who rescue damsels and save the world. The liberated “secretaries” who sing “I am woman hear me roar” and who smoke Virginia Slims (wow! remember that?) have blossomed into independent Wonder Women. Still do not believe me? Compared to yesteryear, how many more women heroes are celebrated in TV and movies? Even Netflix has a category where females have a strong lead role.

When I attended my son’s graduation, I think the women grads far outnumbered the men by 75% … maybe more. Why? I have my theories but that is not really why I am bringing this up. I’m thinking of Sunday — Father’s Day. If you are wondering what a good gift will be for the Dad in your life, I am suggesting something other than the standard shirt or tie.

Because of the changing gender roles I believe Dads want appreciation more than anything money can buy. With the depiction of buffoons like Homer Simpson and other dorky TV Dads, you wonder if there are any hero Dads left. It’s true the “Me Too” movement has exposed some dastardly Dads but what about the faithful Dads? Can’t we cheer them on? Don’t get me wrong. We’re all imperfect and we all have our internal demons but Super Dad is not given much recognition.

Why is it easy for many of us to appreciate our Moms during Mother’s Day but Dads …? Why is it so much easier to focus on the negatives? Indeed there are some awful selfish Dads out there who deserve to be hung by their fingernails. Who am I to justify their misdeeds? My own Dad isn’t perfect. But neither am I. Let’s not talk about other Dads. Let’s talk about YOUR Dad. How is/was your relationship with your Dad? Does he, did he, fall short of your expectations? I ask because I wonder how I’m doing as a Dad. Did I do enough?

This Father’s Day, may I suggest you don’t buy him something he will never use. Instead, talk to him and have a meaningful conversation. Ask his advice. Make him feel important in your life. Initiate a bridge towards any needed reconciliation. If you are fortunate to have a super Dad, it will mean a lot for him to hear you say it.

For some, I totally understand if my suggestion is too hard to do … well, you can always get him a tie.

I know my Dad reads my TGIF joke email so, in front of everyone,  “thank you Dad! I appreciate all you did for me and helped shape me into the man I am today.  Love you a lot. I’ll try to call you on Sunday.”

Of course, this is just me.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
—   1 Corinthians 13:4-7

TGIF people!

Be Careful of Your Words

Shared by Eric of La Mirada, CA
According to Eric this was the funniest joke in a recent Scottish poll.

NBA Bad Lip Reading
Sent by Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA

It’s trash talking time with the NBA players. Silly and funny.

WATCH VIDEO

The Animation Winner: Piper
Sent by Naomi of North Hollywood, CA

This  movie “Piper” won the Oscar for the best animated  movie. It’s  duration is only 3 min but  the director took 3  years to create it. See how life can change when our perception changes.  An outstanding movie!

WATCH VIDEO

When Kids Grow Up With Dogs
Sent by Debbie of Moreno Valley, CA

Makes me want to have a dog again. I grew up with dogs but now it seems like the maintenance is too much for me right now. No pets for now. Less stress.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

Thanks to Rodney of Manitoba, B.C. who shared this photo

The post Ugly Baby appeared first on Traveling Archive.