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.

Rumors

Depending on who you talk to, you will be getting different perspectives about COVID 19 (ie. a strain of the Corona Virus [named after the pointed crown shapes of this particular virus seen under a microscope] CO for Corona, VI for Virus and D for disease … I like to think of it as the Virus ID number 19). News junkies seem to be more worried than the regular folk.

Last year, May 1, started a new era in Japan called Reiwa when Emperor Akihito abdicated his crown for his son. Reiwa means “auspicious, peace, harmony and fortunate.” The Japanese can call it anything they want but so far this 1st year of Reiwa is hardly fortunate because with the Corona virus, years of expensive preparation for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo may be all for nothing. Reiwa is no match for the Chinese zodiac.

Did you know that 2020 is the year of the RAT — the creature blamed for the Bubonic Plague which started in 1345 (also the year of the rat) and spread the next year to Europe?

Did you know that the first victim of the virus here in the US, an unidentified 30 year old, who had just visited Wuhan, China, comes from Snohomish County, Washington which is about an hour away from Redmond, WA and that he worked for Microsoft? That’s why they do not want to reveal his identity — Microsoft is afraid of legal liabilities.

Lastly, did you know that I just made up everything above?

Rumor mongering. Sprinkle a little fact and embellish them with a juicy narrative and boom! You’ve got a fresh rumor! It’s so easy to make one up … especially in this day and age of the internet and the world of fake news.

No wonder people are panicking. They believe everything they hear. The US has enough food (and toilet paper) to take care of everyone and yet the grocery shelves were empty when I went to buy bananas 3 days ago. (At least I was able to buy the most important thing — ice cream!)

Some 2 thousand years ago, Jesus had been performing miracles and been giving amazing teachings. Rumors started to spread. People made a lot of assumptions and they spread their rumors about him. At one point Jesus asked Peter who the people said he was. Peter answered: “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets” [Matthew 16:30]. In other words, people were saying Jesus was the reincarnation of their dead heroes.

Jesus then asked Peter a more direct question: “Who do you say that I am?” If you know the answer to that question, you’ll know that Peter gave the right answer. It wasn’t something he logically concluded but it was a profound answer from God above. Some questions (like who is God) can never be answered from human logic but from divine intervention.

I’m not worried. I keep away from crowds and wash my hands but I’m not worried. I may not have all the answers but I trust in a loving God who knows exactly what He is doing.

Jesus denounced the cities where most of his work had been done because the people did not repent of their sins. It was business as usual. But Jesus, still with outstretched hands, offered his peace — “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28-30

Is it business as usual for you? Or are you pondering your mortality? Who do you say Jesus is? Have you found rest?

But this is just me.

Help those who are in trouble but keep safe. TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

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

Video: Cheers Virus Episode

Warning: this may seem insensitive to some.

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. for sharing this video taken from the long-running TV sitcom Cheers.

Video: History of Toilet Paper

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA. for sharing this video about the odd history of the humble toilet paper. Isn’t rather odd that this is the one product that Americans are scrambling for during this pandemic? As some wise man said: “This confirms that there are more A*** than we thought we did.”

Did you know that the Romans shared a sponge at the end of stick for doing their business?

Of course in Asia, they don’t have this shortage because most of them wash instead of wipe. It’s actually more hygienic.

Parting Shots

Thanks to Naomi of N Hollywood, CA who sent this joke.

Thanks to Chuck of Whittier, CA who sent this joke.

Thanks to Mike of New York who sent this joke.

The post You’re Just Fine appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Bitten by the Virus

A teenager behind me was coughing in church last Sunday. Now I’ve got this very dry cough. I don’t think it’s the infamous Corona virus … it’s too mild and I don’t think it’ll get any worse but I’m keeping out of the public to protect the world from me.

I was lying in bed, pondering what to do with this illness and my over-active brain started lyrics to a popular music. So I jotted the words down and came up with this silly  song sang to the tune of “My Sharona“:

They tell me not to touch … not to touch!
The railings of a stair … or a bus!
They tell me not to shake … or to hug!
And it’s all because … just because … of
My Corona!

Wear a face mask, do not sneeze … do not cough
Do not breath the air of someone six feet from you … spray the air
… just because … of the bug … of
My! My! My Corona!!!
Whooo!

With all the negative news about the deadly virus, I just feel I needed to lighten the mood a little. I hope you don’t mind. Of course we should all take the necessary precaution and balance reality with panic. And of course, pray for those who are in dire straits. Hey, if you have to get sick, you might as well enjoy it … but this is just me. TGIF people!

Raoul

“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.”
— Psalm 112:7

Joke of the Week

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

Don’s Puns

Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Video: CDC Warning

Thanks to Tony of Carson City, CA for sharing this video. I thought this was a joke but it actually happened. Gives you a lot of confidence in the CDC, doesn’t it?

Video: Wear Your Mask

Warning: this may seem insensitive to some.

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

Parting Shot

Thanks to Arnel of Houston, Texas who sent this joke.

The post A Mexican Buys Socks appeared first on Traveling Archive.

Virus Talk

The big global topic today is the Coronavirus. With so many talking heads, I think you probably don’t need to read a long assessment of this. So I will be brief.

I think this is a reminder that despite the advancement of technology and mankind’s desire for independence from God, at the end of the day, epidemics like this force us to acknowledge that God will always have the last say.

If you are interested, Don of Kelowna, shared an article by John Stonestreet and David Carlson. CLICK HERE. There’s a tinge of politics here so skip this if you are easily offended.

I’m confident that scientists will eventually come up with a proper vaccine for the Coronavirus. But for the moment, the reality of technology’s limitation is hard to ignore.

But this is just me. TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

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

Don’s Puns

Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Video: Corona to the Extreme

Warning: this may seem insensitive to some.

Thanks to Maling of Caloocan City, Philippines for sharing this short dark humored video. You may disagree with me, but I just had enough of the gloom and doom and this video broke the seriousness of the situation.

Parting Shot

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C. who sent this joke.

The post Hot Dogs appeared first on Traveling Archive.