Onward to Glory We Go!

The notorious Covid year has come to a close. With the vaccine finally out, fear and apprehensions are easing up. Kudos to the people who made this miracle drug available in record time. Unless some new evil genius out there tries to pull another fast one, we will be safe(r) for now.

Pondering on what’s ahead this year, my mind raced back to the last chapter of the book of John. Jesus had already been crucified, buried for 3 days and had risen from the dead. The disciples knew he was alive because they had seen him walking and talking with them. But Jesus was no longer like them because He would bodily come and go as He pleased. They would never see Jesus go to sleep, wash his face, groom his hair… things were definitely different. After 3 1/2 years of incredible made-in-heaven escapades, their leader was gone and life was back to a boringly normal existence. How do you top those miraculous years? What were they to do now?

Then Peter, the leader of the pack said “let’s go fishing!” No one had any better idea so they picked up their nets and jumped on their boat. But the fishes weren’t biting. All they were getting was an early morning tan. And then a stranger on the beach cried out to them to throw their nets towards the right side of the boat. Weird! But following the unorthodox advice, suddenly there was so much fish their nets were about to tear. John was the first to realize that was no stranger — that man was their Master!

I imagine the victory song of Don Quixote from the Broadway musical of “Man of La Mancha” playing in the background as Peter, exuberant with rekindled joy, jumped out of the boat to greet Jesus — ever ready for the next chapter of their great adventure. “Here we go! The team is back!”

After their hearty breakfast, Jesus pulls Peter (originally named Simon) to the side for some heart to heart talk:
“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Master, you know I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

It took a few more hints from Jesus until finally Peter realized, there was indeed another adventure in store. But this time, Jesus wasn’t going to be with them physically but spiritually. Their training was over and they were to make their own decisions now. They were to feed their own sheep/disciples. Like any adventure there was going to be struggle mixed with hope and joy … BUT definitely NOT boring. They were to be ambassadors (representatives) of their Master. Their mission was to teach the world the wonderful truth of God’s love and the blessings (oh the many blessings!) for those who carry the torch.

This New Year, we have a choice: Life as it was in 2020 or life as it could be … filled with REAL joy. If you’re a believer and have no joy, you probably missed the secret spice of the adventure because there SHOULD be joy no matter the circumstance.

Be safe, be healthy, and remember: Don’t die without embracing the daring adventure your life was meant to be. TGIF people!

Raoul

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”
— Henry David Thoreau Walden

Joke of the Week

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

Video: Chest Hair Removal

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Video: One English Word Puzzle

Thanks to Debbie of Moreno Valley, CA

Video: Do You Love Me?

Thanks to Mike of New York

Don’s Puns

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, BC who sent this pun

Parting Shots

Thanks to Naomi of N Hollywood, CA

Thanks to Tony of Los Angeles, CA

Thanks to Mel of Washington, D.C.

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines

The post Happy New 2021 appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Sunshine

How has the week been treating you? Sunny? Cloudy?

For me, everything seems to be bright and sunny this summer week.  Work’s been busy but manageable and I still have evenings to enjoy with my wife. My kids are all good and busy doing their thing. Listening to my collection from a free online music website boosted my mood even more. My back still hurts but  getting better ever since I started stretching. My gout’s still there but has diminished considerably. It’s been really nice.

It’s days like this that make me raise my voice and thank the Lord for all His blessings. So I read a favorite happy passage written by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippian church:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
— Philippians 4:4-7

If you’ve seen a lot of sunshine this week, I’m sure you can relate to Paul. Let’s thank God for his blessings.

If you’ve seen nothing but clouds. Did you know that Paul wrote this when he was suffering in the stinky dungeons of Rome awaiting his execution? So if you only saw clouds this week, what’s your excuse?

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Chuck of Dallas, Texas for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Jeff Allen: Understanding the Wife Code
Sent by Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shot

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

The post Expensive Parrot appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Wedding Day

Someone’s getting married this weekend. You can bet preparations were made months in advance: reservations, RSVPs, plane fares, hotel reservations, food, etc. — all of these are culminating tomorrow.

I didn’t want to buy a suit but my wife said it was important. I didn’t want to buy new shoes but she said I needed to have a new shoes to go along with the new suit. Then she said I needed a new tie …

Oh, the things you need to wear when you go to a wedding. The practical man in me questions why a ton of time and money go to that one day event instead of saving for the future of the marriage. Women say they want a simple wedding. Guys, if your fiancee says she’s going for “simple” you ought to start saving like crazy because then you know she’s really going for the jugular! She’ll say she’s doing it for her Mom but you know that’s what Moms are for — they’re the designated scapegoat.

And what about the Dad? He’s the one you should really fear. He’s the designated Hit Man who makes sure there’s no room for the  groomto change his mind. Notice that Dads always sit between the groom and the exit door? You gotta study the logistics, man. No wonder grooms always get nervous — they see their lives (and their life savings) flash before them.

I’ve been practicing a song to sing for the reception for several months now and I still haven’t perfected the chords and the words. I’m gonna mess up for sure. See? Even I am getting nervous.

Good thoughts. I need to think good thoughts. I need to go to my “happy place.” Then I think of grand kids — those little adorable creatures that think the world of you just because you’re part of the family. And then I think of new relatives and I remember the sweet and caring whole kaboodle. I like them. Life’s gonna be different but “good” different. Everything will be fine. What a blessing.

Marriage was established by God in Genesis 3:23. Of course, there was no expensive fanfare. More like a “come-as-you-are” event. After being alone … busy naming the animals, Adam meets Eve for the first time and he is officially “twitterpated” — Wow! Hubba! hubba!  “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man.”  

I don’t know about you but I believe most kids marry fixated that their spouse will be their ticket to a fairy tale life. But that kind of thinking only sets them up with  unrealistic expectations. Study the verse and it actually refers to a perfect partnership for an upcoming task. There is no guarantee that life will be problem-free from that point. Indeed, the opposite is more true. The exchange of vows is a statement that out of all the people in the world, they choose each other to face the challenges leading to a godly goal. You who have been married for a while, did you know about this? Would your marriage have been better if someone explained this to you? You who are in a serious relationship, is the person you’re in love with THE person (out of all the people in the world) who you want to face the battle of life with? Are you willing to serve? Is he/she willing to serve you? … to carry you during the tough times that are sure to come?

Of course, this is just me. TGIF people!

“Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.”
— Nicole Krauss

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Ray of Burbank, CA for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Stand Up Comedy: Silly Arguments
Sent by Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Jeff Allen shares his early months of being married.

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Heavy Thought of the Week

Sent by Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Parting Shot

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

The post Secret to a Happy Marriage appeared first on Traveling Archive.