Interruption

As I shared last week, I was on an extended travel to a beach house in a little village named Dalipuga in Southern Philippines. While I was there, so many things happened back in the States (both in business and personal matters) that needed my attention so by the first week I was already pinning to go back home. It was an excruciating countdown to return to the USA.

Despite the short “prison term” I made good use of my time. Almost every morning I had a goal to accomplish for that day. And so for the next couple of weeks, I intend to share some lessons from my stay over there. I hope that’s okay.

My brother Paco
That isn’t his real name but that’s what his friends called him. To me he was always Gary, my little brother who thought a lot, laughed a lot and dreamed a lot. His philosophy in life was greatly influenced by Atticus in the movie “To Kill a Mockingbird.” In fact, that was one of his names. He became a lawyer and a scientist … a Director for the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in Washington DC for about 30 years. A series of events (like his dissatisfaction with the previous administration who “didn’t believe in science”) made him quit his job and he found himself alone in a village called Mindo in the jungles of Ecuador which is the northernmost tip of the great Amazon Rain Forest. All throughout his career, he saw the importance of preservation. He made feasibility studies of Ecuador, and then plans which he presented to scientific bodies and received a huge grant from MIT. Two of his articles are published in Travelingboy.com. He was building his dream of a sanctuary for birds and lost souls (people with broken hearts). He invited all of us siblings to retire there. He would shoulder all expenses –“come … just come … all I want is your presence here” he said with excitement. One of my sisters and Paco’s daughters planned a trip this September. I too was seriously considering a trip early next year.

In the morning of June 9, I got a call from my sister. She was sobbing uncontrollably. “Raoul, I need you to sit down. I have some very bad news … Gary is dead. He’s dead!”

“What?!? We were just talking to him a few days ago. Dead?!? How?! Why?!?” My questions rattled out in rapid succession.

The hotel maid found Paco dead in his room just a few hours ago:  his face peaceful; his body wrapped inside his blanket; his right hand clenched. Apparently, it was his first and last heart attack. Paco had no enemies. In fact, the whole village knew him and loved him. He was last seen alive playing with the children of the village. Later, we learned from his wife that Paco had a history of unchecked high blood pressure and cholesterol. We assumed he was healthy because he would hike 45 minutes up and down the hill that he purchased almost everyday. We were wrong. And he was gone. My dear sweet genius of a brother had gone on to be with the Lord.

Night fell and I could not sleep. I crept out of the house around 2 in the morning and walked to the beach and looked at the dark horizon. The stars were hidden by the clouds. I asked God so many questions. I started to write a song with the thought that “it should have been me.” Gary had so many wonderful plans for mankind. My dreams were nothing compared to his. It should have been me. I’ve lived a long enough life. No more mountains to climb. I’m near retirement. My kids are grown and independent. My wife could survive without me … in fact, I always joke around that she could benefit from my insurance. My different circle of friends (including YOU) would miss me for a time and then life would go on. Life is short.

In the gospel of Luke chapter 20, Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool who had plans to increase his storage for more profit:
v.20
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Paco had done his research. Out of all the spots in this great big planet, Ecuador was where he could make the biggest impact for society. But beautiful and noble though his plans were, they were not God’s plan.

What, may I ask, are your plans? What are you to do today? Tomorrow? What does your big picture look like? Is it centered around you?

Luke 20
³³ “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. ³⁴ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

I’m thinking about this myself. Perhaps our plans may not be as grandiose as saving the planet but take heart —we are not all called to save the planet. God called some of us to be Kings and some to be pawns.  Both are important. Some of our plans are never meant to come to fruition but the process is meant for us to grow closer to the Lord. Let’s not miss the sign posts in our life journey. Think about it: Why have you survived Covid? Why do you still occupy space among the living?  Whatever our purpose, let’s do it well.  Let’s ponder it together.

TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of South Pasadena, CA for these riddles.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA

Thanks to Maling of Manila, Philippines

Thanks to Efren of Manila

The post 2 British Riddles appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Today is Good Friday

As is our tradition, no jokes today. I’m sorry. And I also apologize if I will be speaking about my faith. Good Friday is the most solemn day in Christiandom; for today, Jesus, the Christ, was wrongfully accused and crucified. They decorated his head with a crown of thorns and nailed his hands and feet on a wooden cross. He paid for a debt he never owed and for a price we (all of us) could not pay.

Of course, the story didn’t end there — because in three days, on Easter Sunday, they found His tomb empty. A resurrection had taken place.

I trust you and your family are safe and keeping your social distance. I have been praying for all of you who are subscribed to this email. I hope you don’t think I am disrespectful of your beliefs but I’ve been praying that you would join me to the Easter celebration in my church this coming Sunday. Like most churches, Grace EV Free church will be broadcasting its service online on Youtube Live so you can watch in the comfort of your home. Yes, you can even wear your pajamas. 😉

During these times of Covid 19, the future of our family, our finances, our careers and even our mortality are uncertain. No other time in history have we all been so unstable. It is my prayer that you and I might find comfort and answers to many questions this Easter Sunday. Have a Good Friday! TGIF!

Grace EV Free Livestream
April 12, 9:30 am PST
CLICK HERE

Raoul

“ Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
These were the words of Jesus on the night he was betrayed. Rather than seeking comfort for the trial ahead, he was comforting others. — John 16:31 -33

Video: It Is Well With My Soul

Thanks to Don of Kelowna. B.C.

This song was written by Horatio Spafford who had lost everything yet found peace in his savior and managed to thank God for it.

Video: The Window Washer

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for this heart warming video of a window washer touching the lives of strangers. Don sent me this video just over a year ago.

Video: German Kindness

Thanks to Michael of Whittier, CA for sharing an uplifting video of German citizens leaving food out for those in need rather than hoarding like some in America are doing.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Peter Paul of S. Pasadena, CA who sent these quotations

The post Good Friday appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Ark

“Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence” … so it reads in Genesis 6 … everyone partied as they pleased… doing their own “thing.” In the midst of the debauchery a “crazy” boat builder and his family hammer away. Noah probably didn’t really understand why he had to build a humongous boat in the middle of dry land. He didn’t understand why Mommy and Daddy animals followed him inside the ark. Imagine the jeers thrown Noah’s family. Quitting must have been tempting but he remained obedient. And then the rain poured.

Honestly, is the earth corrupt in God’s sight? Call me a crazy boat builder but I personally believe the current pandemic has God’s fingerprints written all over. God doesn’t play by our narratives. He is beyond the confines of natural and human laws.

The invisible dragon infects rich and poor alike. Heroes emerge amidst the cries drowning in anguish. Unbelievably, nefarious telemarketers, spammers and clueless criminals only see opportunities. Politicians still play their pretentious games. Are we surprised that the people who died in the flood were clueless till the very end?

Then I look at myself and I’m no different. I see a self-righteous, imperfect creature. There’s much to change. It’s difficult and I need help from a power beyond me. I’m searching for what I can and should do now. How about you? Let’s pray for each other. If there’s an ark to build let’s build it together.

But this is just me.

Let’s keep our distance and keep our sanity and hold on to our faith. TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA  for sharing this joke.

Video: Coughing in Bed

Thanks to Arnel of Houston, Texas for this short video.

Video: What the World Needs Now

Thanks to Ray of Burbank, CA.for this wonderful modern version of that classical Burt Bacharach hit. Indeed, the world could use a little of this now.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Cheryl of Arcadia, CA who sent this image

Thanks to Mike of New York who sent this snapshot of his neighborhood

Thanks to Michael of Whittier, CA who sent these last jokes

The post Going to Heaven appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Giving Thanks

We just went through 2 years of studying Genesis in my church. If you are not familiar with this Biblical book, Genesis covers the creation of the world and ends with the death of Joseph. It’s a fascinating historical account of Adam and Eve, and their disappointing decision to take that fateful bite of the forbidden fruit that started the suffering of the generations that followed. It’s about Noah and the flood; and about the promises between God and the patriarchs of our faith that are still being played out today.

According to Timothy Mahoney’s documentary, Patterns of Evidence: Exodus,  the Bible was accepted as factual until modern-day archeologists started confusing the timeline and started the doubts. If you watch the video, you will see evidence that demands a verdict.

For me, the Bible and the archeological facts only prove that despite our human frailty, God always … always …keeps His promises. We may be going through troubling times but the good news is there’s a promise of a happy ending. And that is a lot to be thankful for.

I hope your Thanksgiving weekend continues to bless you and your family.

TGIF people!

Joke of the Week

Why the Fight Started

Shared by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Videos of the Week

Buster the Boxer
Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

This is a well-loved video of Buster the Boxer and his dream of “flying away.” Actually when Don sent this, it had a second video which was a parody of this one. It was a bit political so I did not include it here. But if you are curious, do a search in Youtube and you will probably find it.

WATCH VIDEO

Genesis Flood
Sent by Art of Sierra Madre, CA

Interesting research of the Biblical evidence that the flood in Noah’s time was global. What do you think? Was it just in the Middle East or did the flood cover the entire world?

BTW, if you are interested, go to Google Earth and search for “Mt. Ararat” and you will see an ice capped mountain. There will be a flat snow-covered area that is big enough to be covering the ark. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

WATCH VIDEO

Tom’s Puns

From Tom’s collection of puns

Good Thoughts

Sent by Rodney of Manitoba, B.C.

Parting Shot

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

The post Clothing Donation appeared first on Traveling Archive.

If your smart phone is set to post US holidays, look at June 15, 2018. Recognize that holiday? The reason it sounds foreign is because it’s an official US  holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan. Further research shows this  started being celebrated in the White House in 1996 by then First Lady, Hillary Clinton. But Donald Trump refused to celebrate it last year.

Whatever your politics, it does make you wonder who decides these things. In all fairness, I wondered why there are several Christian or Military US Holidays but we don’t celebrate Chinese New Year, or Native American Day. We celebrate Black History month but why don’t we celebrate White or Brown History month? What’s even stranger is you hear these weird announcements about “Secretary Appreciation Day” or “Be nice to your Dog Day.” Who decides what to celebrate on those days?

According to NPR and some other news organizations, anyone can initiate declaring a specific Day as a holiday. The trick is making it stick — if enough people agree (by sheer numbers) popularity can make it official. And, like Trump, if you’re in power, you can “UNofficialI-ZE” an established holiday,

This explains how Google declares a day honoring some obscure individual — they’re the ones promoting those days. I’m sure there will be a Steve Jobs holiday or a Michael Jackson Day or a Billy Graham day — surely these guys deserve some honor, right?

Something to consider: If everyone is made special, then no one really is. We have to remember there will always be people and events worthy of recognition. Only time will determine whether that day will still be relevant years later.

Just hours before Jesus was to be crucified, apostles James and John obstinately demanded their seat of honor in heaven. And Jesus put them at their place — “Whoever seeks to be first, will become last. And whoever is last will become first.”

How do you fare in our world? Are you in front or at the back? Is that really what’s important?

Just between us, I would like to declare that every Friday is TGIF Day! The day in the week when we honor all of you hard working individuals because you have reached the final day of the work week and survived! It is the day when we look forward to a weekend with friends and families. So here’s to YOU dear readers! Today is YOUR holiday!

TGIF people!

Bible Problem

Shared by Peter Paul of South Pasadena

Johnny Cash Impersonator
Sent by Mel of Washington, D.C.

Brendan Grace sings his version of “Ring of Fire.” Maybe a little risque for some of you.

WATCH VIDEO

Crazy Traffic
Sent by Tom of Pasadena

If you think traffic is crazy, look at how they do they do it in Meskel Square, Ethiopia. I think the key is eye contact: If they see you, they have their foot ready on the brake pedal.

WATCH VIDEO

New York City 1911
Sent by Mike of New York

Here’s another traffic video. This time it’s a century old. It’s hard to imagine that society has changed so much. The video is clear and sound was added to it. It’s just 7 minutes long.

WATCH VIDEO

Don’s Puns

From Don’s collection of puns

Parting Shots

Thanks to Debbie of Moreno Valley who shared this photo

The post Can’t Believe the Bible appeared first on Traveling Archive.