ROAD TO DAMASCUS

WARNING: Serious stuff. Move on to the jokes for the smiles.

A GOOD BOOK

I have been reading a book – “Gentle and Lowly” by Dane Ortlund. This book has been creating quite a stir among the Christian community because of its in-depth analysis of Christ’s character. It’s a great help for those who are seeking for meaning and understanding in this confusing world. This is the key verse:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yolk and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” — Matt. 11:28-30

Maybe you’re familiar with this verse but this book goes deeper than the way most people understand it. It shows how the great and powerful creator of the universe understands every single aspect of life including our personal concerns. Unlike the distant, angry, mythological Greek gods, Christ is right there with us; waiting to help us through our trials. The book is available in several online bookstores. (How’s that for a shameless plug?)

A BIG SHOT PRIEST NAMED SAUL

Anyhoo, Gentle and Lowly mentioned an innocuous passage in the book of Acts that resonated with me. It was about Saul, a religious Pharisee who falls off his horse on his mission to destroy the newly formed group of Jesus believers called “The Way.” You know his type — a die-hard religious/political fanatic who listens, watches, reads and breaths one-sided social media and is steadfastly loyal to his political and religious affiliations. Can’t argue with this guy. He knows everything.

On a road to Damascus, a blinding light forces Saul down on the ground. He is unable to see yet he hears Christ’s voice: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4) The voice explains that Saul was actually fighting for the wrong side. Instead of doing good, he was actually an enemy of God. What a shocker! Saul was actually the bully. Saul, the Harvard grad, was the ignorant one.

Taking neither food nor water, it took Saul 3 days of lonely introspection to accept he had it all wrong. Ironically, it was his enemies (the people he swore to execute) who helped Saul through his crisis. In time, Saul became a believer and changed his name to Paul. This former Pharisee became a major influencer of the New Testament. This is a fascinating history of the early Christian church. Go read it yourself.

OPEN EYES

Lately, I have been more and more disillusioned by political and spiritual organizations that did not live up to their noble mission. It doesn’t matter if these organizations lean left or right. All are suspicious! Most of them are driven by their profit margins. Wisdom begins with the fear of God. Sadly, there is no wisdom among the truly powerful … just greed and a thirst for even more power. I see the evil moneyed-puppet-manipulators in the background. Idiots who recite senseless rhetoric make the best puppets. No wonder so many are in power.

Can we look at current events with an objective eye? Are we open or afraid of intelligent opposing viewpoints? Do we need to be incapacitated like Saul/Paul? Do we wait for our world to collapse before we can admit the truth?

Take comfort in knowing there is hope. There is God.

Thanks to my friend Larry who shared this timely verse with me this morning:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”— Colossians 2:8

TGIF people!

Raoul

JOKE OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Ben of Alhambra, CA

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Thanks to Garie of Kainta, Philippines

PARTING SHOTS

Thanks to Maling of New Manila

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA

I found these

THE TRAVELING BOY

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

The post Go Forth! appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Many of you know that my Mom passed away 2 years ago. I want to share a song I wrote about my Mom. It’s crude and recorded with basic equipment (I cried) but before that, I’d like to introduce her to you.

Mom’s name was Henrietta and by her name alone, you know she came from a different era. She called herself a “Polyanna” (ie. innocent girl) from a far away village in Ganazi, Southern Philippines. Despite her very humble beginnings, she was extremely cultured. She loved to play the piano, and appreciate art in all its forms. Her favorites were the Impressionists. She wrote Haikus and articles about government corruption. She was a key political resource and she testified in front of the US Senate at the Capitol building (personally encouraged by big shot Senators Kerry and Lugar in the 80s). She influenced the eventual fall of the Marcos dictatorship.

Mom loved Broadway and one of her favorite songs was “The Best of Times is Now” from La Cage Aux Follies. She would always want me to sing it with her and I always resisted although now I wish I gave in more. Her interests and compassion trickled down to all her 7 children. But the one trait that I will remember and admire her for the most is her ability to give “GRACE” (ie. give charity where it isn’t deserved).  Even when she was correct, she would give up that right and ask forgiveness. That ability to forgive would almost always put her detractors to shame.

Don’t forget this Sunday is Mother’s Day. To all you Moms out there: Thank you! You guys don’t get enough recognition for all the amazing things you do. Those of you fortunate to have mothers still around, don’t be a shmuck! Go and show Mom how much she means to you while you still can. (I know some of you are estranged … sorry, I hope things get better). For others like me, remember that we are an extension of their lives. As the refrain of my song goes:

And though today no longer with us,
You planted well enough your seeds.
You will always come and visit
In our thoughts and in our deeds.

CLICK HERE to listen to my song. The lyrics of the song are also there.

I would also like to whisper a prayer of encouragement to some of my friends who are going through very difficult times. You know who you are.

Of course, this is just me.

TGIF people!

The Baby Specialist

Shared by Ernie of New York

I wondered if I should include this here because the subject matter is questionable and it is quite lengthy. I hope I made the right decision.

NFL Chip Commercial
Sent by Mike of New York

This commercial needs no introduction. Silly. Funny. Clean.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shots

Thanks to Jennifer of Southern California who shared this photo

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

The post Baby Specialist: A Mom Day Special appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Our kitchen was about twenty-five foot square and our large table was right in the middle, and my parents, Sister’s Petty and Mary and my Brother Bobby, met together every night for dinner at six o’clock sharp.

Coming through the kitchen door, saying “Hi Mom,” and throwing your shoes and jacket on the hall tree was the order of the day.  Most days there was the smell of freshly baked cookies in the air and that smell was like getting a great big hug.  There was always milk to drink and if I didn’t know better, I’d say we had our very own cow in the backyard, because of the amount of milk we all drank which only sold in pints or quarts at that point in time.  I still remember the sound of the milk man’s truck early in the morning with his clinking bottles in his wire rack.

After school my mother would ask about school or sports which is one of my fondest memories.  I loved talking to my mom because she was so smart and kind.  My mother’s friends called me, “Little Miss United Nations” because I had friends from all over the world come home with me to do homework or play.  I did not know what that title meant until years later.

No matter what you were doing or where you were, you always came home by 5:45 in time for dinner.  There was no such thing as a television, no frozen T.V. dinner’s, no aluminum foil, no laundromat, no air-conditioners, and I think I remember when the “Jolly Green Giant” was born!  When a local bowling alley added air-conditioning, us kids watched a lot of bowling to cool down at night.  That plus sitting on the stoop at night talking was a treat.

Sometimes at dinner, my mom would hum, “Mable, Mable, sweet and able, get your elbows off the table” if any of us put our elbows on the table.  We lived in a beautiful basement apartment of a three story brown stone in Chicago and the students who’d come from all over the country to go to various colleges lived upstairs.

All of those young students adored my parents because they were home sick and, we subscribed to the “There’s always room for one more” rule.  They’d stop by in the mornings for a cup of cocoa or coffee my mom made every day of the week.  My mother would listen to every one’s troubles or the hopes and dreams they had.  She’d always give out hugs or advice, gave aid and comfort or punch their sympathy card if that was what they needed.

My mom and all the women in my family are good listeners who always seem to find the time to just listen.  It must be an innate trait because we all have that ability. Throughout my life, and no matter how young I was, total strangers would tell me their most private stories and memories.

My mom worked nonstop every day of the week.  She never complained and loved every minute of her day, and I do that to this day.  She would invite her many friends stop in for lunch and she out lived all of her friends.  She told me it was the worst thing that ever happened to her.

My dad would relieve mom on Saturdays and we’d spend the whole day going all over Chicago.  My mother didn’t cook on Saturdays because around four o’clock she’d take our orders and write a note and I’d walk down to the local Hot Dog stand and place the order.  We’d all eat hot dogs and fries Saturday evenings which was followed by Root Beer floats made by my dad.  He called them Black Cows.  Life was good.

Sundays my dad would come around to all of our bedrooms and give us options for breakfast and we’d generally pick his famous French toast with crisp bacon and I was called “the bacon snitcher!”  He cooked breakfast to relieve my mother from her busy schedule.  She’d relax and drink her coffee and read the Sunday papers.  All of us kids would walk to church and the rest of the day was reserved for laziness and reading the funnies when we came back from church.  We all loved being together.

The radio played a big part of our lives back then.  After school there was The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Flash Gordon and the Creaking Door to listen to.  At night there was Abbott & Costello, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, The Marx Brothers and Amos and Andy who rounded out the group.  In 1947, my aunt Ollie bought us a television set.  Oh boy, did that open up a can of worms.  Our whole family looked forward to many interesting shows and I will never forget Kukla, Fran & Ollie or Captain Kangaroo, two of the first shows directed at kids.

My mother lost her mom when she was only nine years old.  Her father was a Scottish sea captain but a tyrannical parent.  She vowed to never treat her children the way she was if she ever became a parent.  Both her and my aunt Ollie left Canada two years apart and came to Chicago to get away from their father and they lived happily ever after.

My mother met my dad a few months after she arrived and the rest is history.  There’s was truly a love story and both of them took advantage of the opportunities that came their way.

My childhood home was filled with wisdom, understanding, compassion, empathy, affection and love.  I have been one of the most fortunate people in the world.  I married my best friend, raised my children, who actually like me, and been surrounded by wonderful friends throughout my life.  I am truly blessed and very grateful.

The post I Remember Mama appeared first on Traveling Archive.