Knock! Knock!

WARNING: Slightly religious and slightly political topic. Move on to the jokes if you’re not into this.

Would you recognize a miracle when it comes knocking at your door?

Last Tuesday morning a deafening boom! rattled the morning skies above New York and New Jersey. It turned out to be a fireball hurling 38,000 mph above the Statue of Liberty. A local news channel said there was nothing to worry about because the meteor disintegrated 30 miles above the city. Silly people. At that speed, 30 miles is nothing. This could have been a major disaster. Millions of lives were actually spared — including the hopes and dreams of my precious friends and families.

I Googled the definition of a miracle: “A surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.”

(Interesting that they called God an “agency” — always the avoidance of appearing religious. Is it so hard to admit that God exists?)

Another website says: “Jesus’ miracles were like object lessons demonstrating the vast scope of his power. They showed his authority over nature, demons, disease and death.”

So now I’m thinking in the ancient times (the Old Testament), before Jesus came, did they even use the term “miracle”? When Daniel was spared in the Lion’s den (Daniel chapter 6), they didn’t use the word “miracle” — yet miracles have always existed. They just didn’t know what to call it. And (if I’m not mistaken) only the Judeo-Christian faiths embrace this concept of undeserved miracles authored by an all loving and powerful God.

Here is my simple definition of a miracle: “A wonderful event that builds faith and brings glory to God.”

When you pray for a parking space in the middle of the Christmas rush, and then you find one — Is that a miracle? Would it bring glory to God? When you toss your dice to a winning gambling combination, is that a miracle? When your baby is born with all ten fingers and toes, is that a miracle? When you pass an exam with flying colors … when you work hard at anything and get your reward, is that a miracle?

Last Saturday, on a Palm Desert highway, Warren, a dear friend of mine was traveling at great speed. His tire blew out. He crashed into a wall, crawled out of his car that had engulfed in flames and passed out. He didn’t remember anything else when he woke up 6 hours later at the ICU. Was that a miracle?

Also last Saturday, a would-be-assassin missed killing a political candidate. Despite the crafty plans of shady conspirators, the kiss of death whizzed past. Monday, entering into a political convention, there were tears in the candidate’s eyes when he realized a few millimeters spelled the difference of his even being there. Did he deserve to cheat death? No. Even the best of us deserve death. Many others will never admit his good fortune but whether you like him or not, the fact remains.

For me this election has lifted the veil of the spiritual battle that lies underneath. Unless you can see it, things will not make sense.

In order to believe, atheists have often demanded evidence of godly intervention … they’ve been wanting undeniable proof. Would it be presumptuous of me to declare this as proof viewable by billions of people all over the world? Pretty wild, huh?

It’s true what Jesus said (Matthew, Chapter 8) when he refused to present evidence of a miracle to the proud religious elite. Jesus said they were already given proof with the story of Jonah who survived being lunch for a whale. Presenting any more examples would not change their stubborn unbelief. How sad for them.

Surviving an accident, a natural disaster, a near miss, and appreciating a simple blessing … are these miracles?

Again I ask: would you recognize a miracle when it comes knocking at your door? Oh no my friend. A miracle doesn’t ask permission to enter your home … it just enters.

But this is just me. TGIF people!

“Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.” — Mark Twain

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein

“Miracles happen everyday, change your perception of what a miracle is and you’ll see them all around you.” — Jon Bon Jovi

“Explaining a miracle doesn’t make it any less of a miracle.” — Athan Fletcher

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Maria of Norwalk, CA

Original art by Raoul Pascual.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Benny of Chicago

Thanks to Sarah of Michigan

Thanks to Sharon of Connecticut

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Thanks to Larry of La Habra, CA

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines
Apparently, the whole world knows about the assassination attempt.

According to Joey of Los Angeles, CA, Director of Security Service, Kimberley Cheatle, said the sloped roof was the safety reason no security agents were assigned up on the roofs. This ridiculous excuse inspired several memes.

Thanks to Drew of Anaheim, CA

Thanks to Bob of La Placentia, CA

I found these:

My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with this.

SUBSCRIBE

The post The Red Dot appeared first on Traveling Archive.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Doctor

Over two years ago I had pain coming from my lower abdomen. I started to wear a stomach belt hoping it would eventually go away. Wrong! On my next checkup, my doctor felt the bulge and told me I had a hernia — a hole in my stomach. If you have been reading my TGIF joke email for a while, you might recall I shared my appointment with Doc Hollywood who put a mesh on that sucker. This is a follow up story.

The operation went well. Unfortunately, the pain returned after the anesthesia wore off. My doctor said my discomfort was normal and that the pain would go away after a few weeks. Months rolled by but the pain got worse and I went back to wearing that stomach brace.

I went back to my regular doctor who felt the same hernia plus another one on the other side of my stomach — “you have a double hernia!” he declared. He said I should get an ultrasound before the surgery.

Because of the Covid situation, I never had the appointment made until a few weeks ago. All the while, the pain was on my side and I was wearing this band around my mid section for fear that hole would tear all the way open.

At the ultra sound room, the two attendants jabbed their probe up, down and side to side around my belly It took almost an hour. All the while I’m pointing where the pain was but all the while also wondering why it didn’t hurt anymore.

Back at home, I’m telling my wife I didn’t feel any pain anymore … maybe I should cancel the surgery. She looked at me strangely. The next day I get a confirmation from the doctor who analyzed the ultra sound images.

“I don’t know what to tell you Mr. Pascual … I do not see any hernia.”

“Doc, you may be right because I don’t feel any pain anymore.”

He couldn’t explain it. I couldn’t explain it. Dare I say I experienced a miracle?

The Pharisees (the religious leaders) asked the the blind man:  “how can this Jesus, a sinner who did not follow our religious laws, perform a miracle that made you see?” It was illogical, unbelievable, impossible. All the blind man could say was “I was blind but now I see.” (John 9)

I have no explanation. “I had a hernia … but now it’s gone.”

Miracles still exist. There is no formula. It is nothing we can boast of. God just gifts it to us. Please don’t minimize the miracles in your life. When we recognize these heavenly presents, we gain a greater understanding of how amazing HE is and how undeserving WE are. Count your blessings (your family, your work, your health … I’m sure there are a lot of them), bask in his warm embrace and share your joy and give hope to those who need it. We have an awesome God.

TGIF people!

Raoul

“Jesus said ‘For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.’ ”  — John 9:39

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for sharing this joke.

Video: It’s Friday Mufasa

Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines
I never saw someone so happy that it’s Friday.

Video: Getting a Room

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, BC for this very quick video

Parting Shots

Thanks to Mel of Washington, DC

Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA

Another one from Peter Paul

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

The post It Snowed this Morning appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Miracle Amnesia

I think my hernia is growing. It seems to hurt every time I try to get up now. Last week I asked people to pray for a miracle of healing. That got me thinking.

Do we really believe in miracles? Or are we just parroting someone else’s belief? Do YOU believe in miracles?

I was going through the story of Moses in the book of Exodus — you know —- that episode of the movie, The Ten Commandments, where Moses raises his cane and the red sea parts and allows the Israelites to walk on dry land to safety? Now that’s what you call a MIRACLE — an MGM type of miracle … complete with orchestral music and CG effects.

If you were one of those Israelites walking between two raging masses of water, you’d think that vision … that memory would be forever etched in your mind, right? Sadly (except for Moses, Caleb and Joshua) millions of Israelites had a case of Miracle Amnesia.They couldn’t trust God to help them conquer the promised land. They blew it! Instead of faith in God (who already proved Himself) their logical mind took over. They only saw how big and fortified the enemy was and chickened out of the miracle. Because of their unbelief they wandered in the desert for 40 years until they all died off. It was their children led by Caleb and Joshua who entered and took over the land of Canaan.

Again I ask, do you believe in miracles? Some say the parting of the Red Sea never really happened. Some say the Bible isn’t really an accurate historical book. Some say God was different then. So many excuses. So little faith.

I believe the parting of the Red Sea did happen. I believe there are  chariots and armor still buried underneath the Red Sea. I believe that the same God responsible for that miracle then is the same God that will allow a miracle today. So God will heal my hernia? Don’t be silly! I’m not saying He definitely WILL. I’m saying, it’s up to Him. I can only request. He’s not a genie in a bottle who grants my every wish.

You got major problems? Pray! He’s got a lot of  miracles up His sleeve.

But this is just me. TGIF people!

“The smaller your God, the bigger your problem. The bigger your God, the smaller your problem.”
— Anonymous

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Dennis of Riverside, CA for sending this joke.

Video of the Week

Musical Colonoscopy
Sent by Tom of Pasadena,CA

I think I shared this a long time ago. Because of my upcoming surgery this song is closer to my heart … I mean my stomach.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Heavy Thought of the Week

Sent by Ernie of New Jersey

Parting Shot

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

The post 40 Year Difference appeared first on Traveling Archive.