Samuel Lover The Dream Valley of the Shadow of Death Jesus Waiting

Samuel Lover

A Selection from Samuel Lover's Last Composition

The Dream.

Samuel Lover’s Last Composition

It has been my habit for a long time, that, amongst the private prayers I address to God before going to rest, this passage has always been present: “Whenever it shall be Thy pleasure to call away Thy unworthy servant, may Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me through the Valley of the Shadow of Death!”  Never had that prayer been more fervently made than on the evening of the 21st of May, 1868, in Jersey, when I knelt down by the bedside.

In the middle of the night, or rather Friday morning, the 22d, I had a dream. 

I thought I had entered the Valley of the Shadow.

It was a deep gorge and narrow, and high cliffs, on either hand, rendered it also dark and shadowy, and as the valley lay before me, further in advance, still deeper and darker it grew, till, in the extreme distance, all form was lost, and nothing but intense darkness prevailed.

Just then, relieved upon that background of gloom, suddenly I saw Jesus Christ, in wondrous radiance, surrounded by sheep.

I woke the moment my senses were impressed with this lovely, glorious, faith-inspiring vision; and oh! what a comfort it was to me thus to wake!  My bodily suffering, even, was relieved, when my poor soul was thus strengthened.

It seemed to me as if my prayer, made that night, had been heard and granted by my merciful and gracious God, and that I need not fear the Valley of the Shadow of Death, where Christ Himself was waiting to care for the sheep.

Source: Samuel Lover: A Biographical Sketch and Selections from His Writings and Correspondence by Andrew James Symington. London: Blackie and Son, 1880.

This blog post created by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.

A Word Picture of Salvation and Forgiveness from St Macarius the Egyptian

image source: Wikipedia

A Word Picture of Salvation and Forgiveness 
from St. Macarius the Egyptian
Fifty Spiritual Homilies: Homily 27
A.J. Mason, D.D.
London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1921

St. Abba Macarius the Great (295-392 A.D.), also known as Macarius the Egyptian, was among the most influential Desert Fathers of Egypt, and a disciple of St. Anthony the Great.

From Homily 27 as Told by A.J. Mason

Suppose a king were to find a poor maiden, clothed in rags, and were not ashamed, but took away her soiled clothes, and washed off her blackness, and adorned her with splendid clothes, and made her a partner of the king, and gave her a share of his table and the banquet ; so did the Lord find the soul wounded and stricken, and gave her medicine, and took off her the black garments and the disgrace of sin, and clothed her with royal, heavenly garments, the garments of the Godhead, all shining and glorious, and put a crown upon her, and made her a partaker of the royal table for joy and gladness. And as when there is a pleasure garden, and it has there fruit trees, and all sweet-smelling ones, and there are there many charming spots, all lovely and filled with fragrance and refreshment, and whoever goes there is delighted and refreshed ; so are the souls in the kingdom, all in joy, delight, and peace.

Homily 27 Told in Today's English by Mary Katherine May 

with Related Bible Verses

Isaiah:  61:10 NKVJ

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,

My soul shall be joyful in my God;

For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,

He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,

And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Suppose a king were to find a poor girl wearing only dirty rags. He didn’t think it was beneath his dignity to help her but instead took away her soiled clothes, washed off the dirt and grime, and dressed her in splendid garments.  In his court he made her equal to himself, and seated her at his table at the banquet. 

Revelation 3:5 NKJV  He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.   Psalm 23:5 NKJV  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

Just so did the Lord find the soul wounded and stricken, and gave her medicine, and took off her the black garments and the disgrace of sin, and clothed her with royal, heavenly garments, the garments of the Godhead, all shining and glorious, and put a crown upon her, and made her a partaker of the royal table for joy and gladness.

Psalm 23: 2, 3a NKJV  He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.

And as when there is a beautiful garden with sweet smelling fruit trees with many places filled with fragrant scents and views that revive soul and body, and whoever goes there is delighted and refreshed.  So are the souls in the kingdom, all in joy, delight, and peace.

Sources

The Homilies of St. Macarius the Great are available as an online public domain work through archive.org and other online sites free audio reading on librivox.org, as well as books in print both old and new, and many public libraries.

Read about The Monastery of St. Macarius the Great founded in the fourth century by the saint himself and still in use today. Here during restoration of the monastery begun in 1969 the crypts of St. John the Baptist and Elisha the Prophet were discovered.

Read about the life of St. Macarius by clicking the link that goes to the Orthodox Church of America website.

Read by clicking here about how Egyptian government officials invaded the monastery in 2010 injuring several monks over a land dispute.

This blog post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.  The content of this blog post by St. Macarius and Mary Katherine May is available free for nonprofit use. Scripture verses from the New King James Version of the Holy Bible are subject to copyright restrictions of the copyright holder.

13 Relevant Quotes from Francis Bacon in Bacon's Essays

Bacon's Essays

Thirteen Relevant Quotes from Bacon's Essays
Francis Bacon, First Viscount St. Alban (1561-1626)
Pitt Press Series, Alfred S. West [editor], 1897

This blog post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.

Of Truth

1. But I cannot tell: Truth is a naked and open day light that does not show the masks and mummeries, and triumphs of the world, half so stately and daintily as candlelight.

2. For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man.

3. Surely the wickedness of falsehood and breach of faith cannot possibly be so highly expressed, as in that it shall be the last summons to call the judgments of God upon the generations of men; It being foretold that, when Christ comes, He shall not find faith upon the earth.

Of Death

4. Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark.

Of Revenge

5. Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior.  (Proverbs 19:11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression. NKJV)

6. This is certain: That a man that studies revenge keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal and do well.

7. The virtue of adversity is fortitude; which in morals is the more heroic virtue.

8. We see in needlework and embroidery it is more pleasing to have lively work upon a dark and solemn background than to have a dark and melancholy work upon a light background. Judge, therefore, of the pleasure of the heart by the pleasure of the eye.

9. For prosperity does best bring to light vice, but adversity does best bring to light virtue.

Of Envy

10. A man that has no virtue in himself always envies virtue in others. For men’s minds will either feed upon their own good or upon the evil in others. And who wants the one will prey upon the other; and who is out of hope to attain to another’s virtue will seek to be even with him by trying to ruin him.

Of Great Place (High Office)

11. Men in high office are three times servants: servants of the sovereign or state; servants of reputation; and servants of business: so that they have no freedom, neither in their persons, nor in their actions, nor in their times.  It is a strange desire, to seek power and to lose liberty; or to seek power over others and to lose power over a man’s self.  The rising unto high office is laborious, and by pains men come to greater pains; and it is sometimes base, and by the indignities that men come to dignities.

Of Atheism

12. It is true that a little philosophy inclines man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy brings men’s minds round to religion.

13. For none deny there is a God but those for whose advantage it would be that there were no God.

Hymn I Am Coming to the Cross

Today's offering is the hymn I Am Coming to the Cross recorded by Donald Nelson with harmony and piano by me-Mary Katherine May.  As a Christian I am reminded that coming to the cross is not a one-time event, but a daily necessity. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!

Jesus Christ Icon of God

Sixth Century Icon of
Christ Pantocrator

Jesus Christ the Icon of God
This blog post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

An ICON is a representation of something or someone.  In today's world people who use computers and the internet will understand icons as symbols that when clicked bring up a site, program or file that the button or icon represents. For example, here on Google Blogger, the white B inside an orange square is its icon.  Facebook uses only the letter F.  

LINK to ICON definition on TheFreeDictionary.com.

Another type of ICON is an object or person that has come to represent something very important in life or history.  A good example is the Statue of Liberty which represents American freedom and hope.  What sums up this iconic landmark the best are the lines from The New Colossus, a poem written by Emma Lazarus in 1883.  

Emma Lazarus
Author of The New Colossus

Irving Berlin set the words to music for the 1949 musical, Miss Liberty.  Since that time these passionate words set in a sentimental fashion have been been sung and recorded countless times.  Click the LINK to hear the song sung by Sandi Patty with the Cincinnati Pops.

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

εἰκών prounced ICON

Saint Paul in his letter to the Colossians, chapter 1, verses 15 through 20, wrote an inspirational, beautiful description of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that beings thus:

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the first-born over all creation. 

Image is translated from the Greek word icon.  Strong's Lexicon defines icon as follows: 

1.2. the image of the Son of God, into which true Christians are transformed, is likeness not only to the heavenly body, but also to the most holy and blessed state of mind, which Christ possesses.

Jesus Christ testified himself to himself as the image or icon of God in the Gospel of John 14: 6, 7:  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you know me, you will know my Father also.  From now on you do know him and have seen him.

Jesus Christ is not a prophet nor is He only a wise man. I do not write was, I write the verb is in the present tense.  Jesus Christ who came to us in human form is the way, truth, and life meaning He is one with God and is God because to be the icon of God, the image of God he must be one with God.  

How then can we understand Scripture saying that Jesus as the image of God is the Icon of God in relation to the belief that icons are no different than graven images which God doesn't allow? One answer is that graven images have to do with idols that remove God from his place and first and only to be worshiped.  

St. Michael's and St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Minneapolis, Minnesota

The use of icons dates back to the first centuries of Christianity.  I provide links for readers interested in learning more about the use of icons in the Christian Church.  

LINK to article by Dr. Zakaria Wahba titled Icons: Their History and Spiritual Signficance

LINK to article on the veneration of icons on the Korennaya Hermitage site.

Albert Schweitzer: 1875-1965

140 years ago, on January 15, 1875, Albert Schweitzer was born.  Today's quote from Schweitzer echoes the words of Jesus Christ on helping others.

"I have always held firmly 

to the thought that each one 

of us can do a little to bring 

some portion of misery to an end."

We all need help at some time or another, and most likely it will be many times.  Every act of kindness increases love in the world.  People who are kind and helpful are respected and admired. 

Kindness is also its own reward.  Whether or not we are acknowledged for what we have done or thanked, it feels good to do something that helps or betters someone else.

The Golden Rule says it right: Do for others what you would want done for you. (Matthew 7:12)

Kindness is noticed by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Matthew 25):

"Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, you didn't know me but still you took care of me.  I didn't have anything to wear and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you visted me, I was in prison and you came. "

The blessed, righteous people asked, "When did we do these things for you?" 

And He replied, "When you did these things for others, my brothers and sisters, you also did them for me."

Given the current situation in our world where violence is to prevalent due to Radical Islamic Terrorists, we can do our small part to counteract the Satanic evil acts by doing acts of kindness.  Us regular, common folk can't do great things to end suffering wherever it exists.  

What we can do instead of feeling helpless and standing on shaky ground is to be kinder, more thoughtful and helpful.  Ultimately evil never triumphs over good.  God will see to that. 

We are either part of the problem or part of the solution.  Here is what terrorists hate: Love, kindness, compassion, helpfulness, being kind to all who need help.  Why not start ASAP combating evil in the space you occupy?  You will win and so will those you help.

LINK to Wikipedia article about Albert Schweitzer.
LINK to documentary on the life of Albert Schweitzer on YouTube.com 

This blog post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.

Timely Peace Quote President John F Kennedy

Pray for peace.

A timely quote for our current world situation from President John F. Kennedy:

If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.  For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet.  We all breathe the same air.  We all cherish our children's future.  And we are all mortal.

What do you think?

Is this a statement that compromises halfway or is it reality?
If this is our goal does it mean that we are willing to fight for diversity?

What does diversity mean?  It diversity of opinions as in free speech?  Is diversity the right for all to live with the parameters of culture of their choice?  Is the right for peaceful co-existence among peoples who are unique in community or unique individually?  Does diversity mean that we must accept those who believe that violence is the only way to get what they want or does it include only those who will respectfully accept those who differ from themselves?

I am not so sure that a blanket statement like this, make the world safe for diversity, is specific enough in 2015.

LINK to speech delivered by John F. Kennedy from which this quote comes.

This blog post by Mary Katherine May of QualtiyMusicandBooks.com.

An Eye for an Eye Will Make the Whole World Blind Timely Quote

An aphorism is a statement using few words to express a truth or opinion.  Aphorisms are often so obvious that when heard the listener will wonder why he or she never thought of it before.  

Mahatma Gandhi

Today I post a timely aphorism that has been attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, who was a great champion of peace. There is an interesting article on this quote that can be read by clicking this LINK.  The site is QuoteInvestigator.com.  According to this site whether or not Ghandi used these specific works, the quote does reflect his philosphy.  

An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.

One of the hardest events in life is having to not get justice for a wrong done, to not retaliate when hurt in any way.  I am in the group along with most other people who feels deep hurt and betrayal when someone attacks me in any way.  

The truth, however is that the person done wrong should not feel this way.  It is the person doing the wrong that will have to face the consequences of their actions whether it be now or when before Jesus Christ at the Judgment Seat.

If you have been betrayed, what wrong have you done?  The answer is none.  If you have been lied about, slandered, or physically injured what have you done?  The answer is none.  Justice should follow, but justice meted out in anger is not justice at all but instead is doing the same wrong that has been done to you.  It lowers the one abused to the level of the abuser thus making both one in the same.

Betrayal by those close to you is painful and so is slander.  At the same time, I wonder if we are better off without close relationships with people who behave in this manner.  Slander is terrible especially when those you thought were your friends believe the lies. Here again, however, I wonder if we are not better off distancing ourselves from those who were supposed to know us that didn't even bother to find out first hand what the truth was.

When we can, the wrongs of the world should be addressed with logical, calm minds.  Justice will never change what already has happened.  Taking satisfaction that somebody got what was coming to them is pleasure not becoming of Godly character.  

Lastly, I think of communities and countries that practice the eye for an eye kind of justice, where if you steal they chop off your hand and that kind of thing.  This is not the kind of world in which I would want to live.  

An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.  It is a good truth worth remembering, and I am glad to have come across it today.

This blog post by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.

January 20 1918 President Admonishes Army and Navy to Observe Sabbath

This blog post offered by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com

Here is a small article that appeared in the Christian Herald Magazine, February 6, 1918 issue.  Please download and share with others if you wish for nonprofit use.

Published in The Christian Herald, February 6, 1918, page 153.

President Admonishes Army and Navy to Observe Sabbath
The White House
Washington, 20 Jan., 1918

The President, commander in chief of the Army and Navy, following the reverent example of his predecessors, desires and enjoins the orderly observance of the Sabbath by the officers and men in the military and naval service of the United States.  The importance for man and beast of the prescribed weekly rest, the sacred rights of Christian soldiers and sailors, a becoming deference to the best sentiment of a Christian people, and a due regard for the Divine Will demand that Sunday labor in the Army and Navy be reduced to the measure of strict necessity.  Such an observance of Sunday is dictated by the best traditions of our people and by the convictions of all who look to Divine Providence for guidance and protection, and, in repeating in this order the language of President Lincoln, the President is confident that he is speaking alike to the hearts and to the consciences of those under his authority.  WOODROW WILSON.

GOD Love You Just as You Are Quote for Today from Father Peter van Breemen SJ

This blog post offered by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.

A Quote for Today: Looking through a vintage copy of Father van Breemen's book, Called by Name, I was inspired by the peace and deep spiritually from which he wrote.  

Called by Name
Fr. Peter G. van Breemen, S.J.

Believe it! Have faith that it is true!

When I read this sentence: Faith is the conviction that God loves us as we are, I was moved by how much God loves me, just as I am.  Every person on this earth including those who say they don't need it want first and foremost to be accepted and loved.  People who are not nurtured in love often have deep emotional scars, some to the point where healing is nearly impossible.  Jails are filled with people who have been mistreated and not cared for properly.

There is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God* where all who will come experience the warmth and peace of being loved without reservation for who they are.  God will not like what you do that is against his will and Godly morality, and there may be consequences, but He loves you, always.  

This is why Jesus told of searching for the one out of one hundred who is lost until found and brought back into the fold.  Luke 15:1-7

This is why Jesus told the story of the prodigal son who was greedy, arrogant and disobedient when he left home but when he came back was welcomed with open arms by his father. Luke 15:11-32

This is why Christians can go through anything and everything, even die instead of denying their belief in the Savior Jesus Christ because they have confidence that the promises God who loves them are true without fail.  

Today you will never walk alone.
God is here. God is with you.
Created by Mary Katherine May

God, the One True God is Love, and Love is God.  Jesus taught about his love in the New Testament Gospel of John:  For God so loved the world that who ever believe in Him shall not perish but will have life forever.  God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save it. --John 3:16, 17

What God wants in return is what He gives us:

The First Great Commandment: Matthew 22:27

Love the Lord your God with all your heart 

and with all your soul and with all your mind. 

The Second Great Commandment: Matthew 22:39

You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.  

Believe it! Have faith in it!  
If you are like me then there is or was a time when you didn't love yourself.  It happens.  I would ask myself, How can I love as God tells me to when I don't even like me?  GOD is the answer. GOD, who is love, heals your troubled and broken heart over time when you read the Bible, pray, and take time to stop and listen to what He is saying, and when you find Christian friends who are growing in God's love as you are.

A Jealous God
In the Old Testament book of Exodus, chapter 34, God tells us to love Him only and love Him most because he is a jealous God.  Some people don't like the idea of God being jealous, as in possessive, but it isn't that way. Think about this: God loves each of his children totally with full commitment, something like when a couple marries.  If a man or woman cheats and gives love to someone else the one was cheated on is really hurt and angry, even jealous of what was taken.  It is no different with God who gives complete love.  We not only belong to Him, God also belongs to us.  I like that God loves me to the point that if I give my devotion to someone or something else He will be jealous.

Here is what GOD is: God is loving, forgiving and accepting. 

Here is what GOD is not: God is not overbearing, bossy, or threatening, and God never tells you to hurt or torture or terrorize or kill anyone who doesn't follow what He says.  

Here is what Christians mean when they say to step into the Light or that God is light shining in the darkness.  When you have experienced God's love you will know light that is filled with holiness, love and peace shining on you all the time, even when things seem so dark you can't see the way.

Faith is the conviction that God loves us as we are. 

Father Peter G. van Breemen, S.J.

*There is a place of quiet rest near to the heart of God is the first line of the hymn Near to the Heart of God by Cleland Boyd McAfee.

The Importance of Joy in Hard Times and Everyday Life

Image created from a photograph
taken by Mary Katherine May

JOY! PEACE!  No one should ever underestimate the importance of joy in whatever is happening in yourself in life.  You may be having a real hard time right now and having joy may seem impossible.

Intentionally pursuing moments of joy, however, can help you through the hard times.

In the most dire, awful times when drained and exhausted from grief, even then find joy--a few moments or a time when peace and contentment, warmth and love is greater than the circumstances in which you find yourself.

When it's really hard the joy may not be filled with vivacious laughter that bounces to the ceiling and back. The moment, though, may be an oasis of quiet peace and harmony in the middle of chaotic times.

Joy is relative because, for example, joy out of context with circumstances would be unhealthy. Experiencing joy will actually ease some of the tension when grieving over a loss, a tragic moment, a confrontation, a loss, a catastrophe, bad news, bad health.

Joy can, and should be sought out.  Joy doesn't automatically come to you and land in your lap, nor is it necessarily someone else's responsibility to give you joy.

Here are a few examples of what I do when my heart is grieved.

• When I would have something challenging to do my mom would tell me, "I know you can do it." I think about her telling me this and it makes me stronger.
• In the summer I would take our old rowboat a little ways from shore, set the anchor, and let the gentle rocking of the boat and the warm sun soothe my spirit.
• I read or recall Psalm 23, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want... and imagine myself in green pastures, by call waters, before a beautiful table set just for me, being anointed with healing oil, and walking hand and hand with my Lord, Jesus Christ.
• When nothing is right I imagine a place where everything is right and what it would look like.
• I listen silently in my head to a favorite piece of music.
• I open my Bible and read, read, read.
• I take care to make sure I look my best.
• I do something for somebody else.

Quotes that Encourage Joy
LINK to JOY quotes
In her diary, Anne Frank wrote, I don't think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains. Her life hidden away was the same day after day with a rigid routine, yet she looked for and found joy.

Corrie Ten Boom who suffered and endured, and overcame said, when we are powerless do to a thing, it is a great joy that we can come and step inside the ability of Jesus.

Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.  A quote from Henri Nouwen.

10 Scripture Passages from the Holy Bible That Encourage Joy, Peace and Happiness
These verses have helped me through hard times, and they may do the same for you. ...Mary

1. Crying may last for a night, but joy comes with the new day. (Psalm 30:5b NLT)
2. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:3,4 NKJV)
3. Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28 NLT)
4. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. (Psalm 40:2 NLT)
5. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world give. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27 NIV)
6. Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22 RSVCE)
7. He takes care of his people like a shepherd. He gathers them like lambs in his arms and carries them close to him. (Isaiah 40:11a NCV)
8. I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well. (Psalm 139:14 NCV)
9. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul... (Psalm 23:1-3a KJV)
10. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. (Psalm 3:5 NIV)

This blog post article by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.

I Would Rather Die Standing Than Live on My Knees

I Would Rather Die Standing Than Live on My Knees

Free Download to Post and Share

created by Mary Katherine May

Stand for freedom and against terrorists.

Pray for peace.

I would rather die standing than live on my knees. Quote from Stephane Charbonnier.

I would rather die standing than live on my knees. Quote from Stephane Charbonnier.

Philips Brooks Quote The Christian Finds the Hand of Christ

A quote from Philips Brooks, author of the Christmas hymn, O Little Town of Bethlehem, taken from the book, Jewels from Philips Brooks.

LINK to my article about Philips Brooks on HymnCommentary.blogspot.com.

The Christian finds the hand of Christ in everything, and by the faithful use of everything for Christ's sake he takes firm hold of that hand, and is drawn nearer and nearer to Himself.

This blog post offering by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.

The Danger of Excess Anything Mary Katherine May

There is danger in excess of anything. 

In plain English: Too much of a good thing breeds trouble, discontent, and hardship.

The Danger of Excess in Anything

Excess speed on the road puts others in danger.

Excess food leads to obesity, trouble getting around and health issues.

Excess ownership of what belongs to everyone, as in roads leads to exploding anger, aka road rage.

Excess need for power and wealth leads to abuse of the masses.

Excess single-mindedness in politics leads to harm for the populace because we are not a single-minded nation. We see it today in Mr. Obama's lack of ability to work with anyone who won't give him his way as well as in politicians at both the far left and right.

Excess in wanting rights to live without any rules leads to chaos and disruption of those who want only to live in peace.

Excess government control leads to diminished rights and freedoms. Our leaders often forget that government is not only for the people but also government is to be by the people--the right to make choices by the individual, the community, and the state.

Excess in differentiation of peoples at many levels leads to confrontation, discord, and lack of harmonious living among all.  

That old saying is true, You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.  I see today an excess of too much forced control put into place by people who although well-meaning do not take the time to foresee the consequences of their actions.  What is better for some while hurting others is not a successful solution.

So here it is: STOP!

No one has it right. No one is being abused. Everyone is playing unfair.

No has their listening ears on.  

No one is earning their keep.

As my Mom (blessed memory) would say: "Get off your high horse!"

Our national government from the White House to the Congress to the Senate is the biggest, most gigantic dysfunctional family in this country.  They are no different than a house full of immature, spoiled children who all want their way while trying to cover up their selfishness by claiming good intentions.  If our leaders in Washington D.C. were a real family there would already have been a bitter divorce with restraining orders on both sides.

It takes two to tango, both mutually dancing their designated part.  Will there be real compromise and action in 2015?  The answer is only if the most hardened offenders, from Ted Cruz to Barrack Obama grow up and start acting like the mature adults that they are supposed to be.

Will our representatives, leaders, political activists, and president grow up?  If they actually listened to us plain-old regular Americans they might, but thus far there is little indication that they are.  I hope, because as a Christian that is what I do.  And I pray. I hope you will too.

This blog post article by Mary Katherine May of Quality Music and Books.

Jesus Birth Nativity Gregorian Julian Calendars What Is the Real Date

LINK to Wikimedia: Icon image source.
Iconographer: Andrei Rublev (1405)

There is much discussion and controversy about the exact date that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was born.  I suppose speculation and attempts to document the moment are good intellectual pursuits since keeping the mind occupied keeps it sharp.  Also among us are those who create a stir over how Christmas takes place in December as a replacement of winter solstice activities, and maybe it is true, maybe not.

Today, January 1, 2015, as I am in the final preparations for our Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper according to the Julian Calendar, I am thinking that not knowing the precise date, that is getting it right, matters little in comparison to the intent and content of how the gift given to us at the Nativity of our Lord is received.

Do I come with a grateful heart to my Lord?  Do I grasp the powerful moment of what happened in Bethlehem? If not, than I am sore of heart and hope can only go as far as what I am able see and understand right before me at any moment in time.

That the Christian world prepares and celebrates on a particular date each year means that we return to the beginning at least once each year. Christ came as a child and so must each one of us begin at the beginning before we can grow.  Remembrance of the Nativity of our Lord prepares us to go with Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the resurrection after which our Messiah, the First Born of the Dead ascended to Heaven where He prepares a place for us.

Receive the gift given at the Nativity. Refresh your faith journey: come and see the wonder of Christ's birth as often as you need, bow down before the Lord's presence and the Paraclete--the Comforter--will refresh you and fill you with  joy, hope, and peace.

This blogpost article offered by Mary Katherine May of QualityMusicandBooks.com.