WARNING: Religious content

There used to be a time when right was right and wrong was wrong. To steal was wrong. To fight for your country was right. To kill a child was wrong. To save a mother was right. Premarital sex was wrong. To come to the country illegally was wrong. Smoking and Coca Cola was right. The cops were good and the criminals were bad. Trust the priests and the teachers because they will protect your child. To be a lawyer and a politician you had to lie … well I guess not all things have changed.

Tom of Pasadena sent me this meme. I didn’t know if it was supposed to be funny but I realized how, just seeing this, would stir up strong emotions from anyone familiar with the Rittenhouse trial.

There are many reasons for this great divide in opinions. There are too many voices in mainstream and social media. We have become the angry voices that we listen to. And I think the 4 questions that run in many minds are these:

1) Who is talking?
2) Is he/she on my side?
3) What’s in it for me?
4) If I admit I was wrong will they call me stupid?

It’s a stark contrast from the Rotarian Four Way Test which is recited in the beginning of every meeting:

Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

It is no longer TRUTH that we are seeking but fulfilling our self-interest and protecting our rights under the guise of the “greater good.”

But I guess I’m stating the obvious. You already knew this was happening. Is there any hope for us? Or are we doomed to destruction?

We are doomed!

Nah, just kidding. Of course there is hope. There is always hope. When the big scary balloon comes for us, we have a pin of truth to burst that over-rated bubble of hot air. Just make sure you have the truth. To be mature is to admit our mistakes and to be humble in triumph.

There is an important declaration in the 1st Chapter of the book of James. He said:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Did you get that? James says we are going through an elaborate Boot Camp that will prepare us for battle. (And you thought THIS was the battle … the real battle is coming, kiddo!).

The 1st century church was in deep doo doo; we are in 21st century doo doo. And James’ advice is just as timely. I encourage you to read the 1st Chapter of James. It has words of wisdom that are way too much to fit in this email. James tells us to pray for wisdom, listen more, not lose our cool, check our mirror for hypocrisy, etc. because if we do all that, we will be blessed no matter the circumstance.

Let’s have compassion for one another, seek the truth in humility (no matter where it may lead) and, by golly, the truth shall set us free.

But this is just me.

TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

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

Parting Shots

Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA. for these sad/humorous commentaries about the rising price of gas.
(If you will notice these toons were done back in 2004. They had no idea about gas prices now).

Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA. for this family photo.

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena