Concerning Opinions

My eldest darling daughter wrote a note expressing her opinion in response to one of my puns and then added “In point of fact, the combination of my mother and father could only lead to children not afraid to voice any opinion, on anything.”   

I am very pleased that both of my darling daughters have excellent logical minds that are able to form opinions and then defend their positions. They are both loquacious and competent communicators. Their father is very proud of their abilities.

As one who loves a good turn of words, including puns, I am not surprised that they also enjoy reading and exploring ideas. I firmly believe that learning is a life long occupation in an effort to expand our minds.

Our own opinions are important but we need to be able to examine new information and if it warrants a change of opinion be willing to make the change. It has been said that where three are gathered there are four opinions. There is the opinion of each person and the group opinion. I always believe that my opinion is correct or I would not hold it. I have always been willing to reflect on new information and reconsider my position.

War on Drugs

The “War on Drugs” like the War on Alcohol in the 1920’s was lost at inception. In both cases the over zealous government created a monster that caused more crime and filled the jails. Thanks to the three strikes laws there are thousands of people serving life sentences for possessing small amounts of marijuana. We have created a drug culture much like the bootleg culture of the 1920’s and Mexico, Central and South America are paying the price.

As with controls on alcohol and tobacco, including sin tax, a realistic set of controls and tax on legal drugs needs to be enacted.   It is a matter of making sense concerning people’s rights to personal choices for their lives. The use of heroin and marijuana for medical purposes could be place under the same controls as present prescription narcotics. Currently doctors can not prescribe heroin for sever pain hospice care.

I do not promote the use of alcohol, tobacco or drugs and would advise against all of them. I have made the choice not to use them. I do not need to limit other people their right to choose for them selves.

Generations of Generosity

I love the idea of  “Generations of Generosity” because it reminds us that generation after generation followers of Christ have faithfully preserved and proclaimed the Gospel for almost two thousand years. It has been an awesome task and often dangerous. For most of the first three hundred years of the Christian Church it was a crime to be a Christian. The penalty for being a Christian was death in the Roman Empire until 324 AD. For us to remember that those early Christians kept the faith under those conditions makes being Christian in America today seem very easy.

Allow me to give you encouragement and a prayer that you will faithfully respond with the same faith as past generations of Christians to pass along the Gospel message to the next generation. Now it is up to each one of us to take the time to personally examine our faith in God, our commitment to Christ and His church, and live our lives proclaiming the Good News that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and our Savior.

This can be a time of decisions and grace for you to stand with those early Christians. Think of it they put their lives on the line every day to tell others about Jesus. What does it cost you to tell others about your faith in Jesus? Open your heart and mind to be generous with your faith.

Changing Crowds

I heard a preacher say that the fickle crowds that praised Jesus as the Messiah on Sunday shouted for his death on Friday. Actually I have heard that sermon many times in my life. I do not think that it is a true statement even though it may make for a good sermon about back sliding Christians.

The people who lined the street as Jesus entered Jerusalem were likely the common people who were anxiously looking for the Messiah. They praised God and shouted hosanna blessed is he that comes in the name of the lord. Those people were out in the light of day for all to see.

The people at the trial were out while it was still night. The Jewish leaders who wanted Jesus out of the way very likely routed friends and family out of bed to show up at the early morning trial to support their case. They were prompted to urge Pilot to kill Jesus or he would not be Caesar’s friend. It was a conniving and political crowd that shouted for his death.

It was not the people in the Sunday crowd who changed it was the crowd itself that was different.

From Saints to Deamons

From 371 AD the Church has celebrated an ALL SAINTS DAY it was sometimes referred to as All Hallows Day. By 741 AD November first became the regular day for that great feast and celebration. It was and is a time to remember all the saints of the church who have gone before us. It has been a good celebration.

Sometime during the dark ages when superstition was at its height, people began to fret about demons being on the loose on All Hallows Eve. Naturally that became an excuse for pranksters to play tricks on people. By the time this tradition transferred to the shores of America, Halloween as All Hallows Eve was being called had grown to the status of a national holiday. Commercial interest keeps the tradition alive and well. Kids will be out in numbers with calls of "Trick or Treat" and the rest of us will fill their sacks with candy.

It may seem strange that a holy day could be so turned that the day before becomes a time to celebrate things we normally consider evil. Everyone knows about Halloween, but many people have forgotten All Saints Day. This November First take some time to think about the saints of your church or your family who have died in the past year.

What Owns Us?

In the Gospel according to Mark chapter ten Jesus tells a rich young man that if he wants to enter the Kingdom of Heaven he must sell everything and give the money to the poor and then follow Jesus. The young man could not do it and his money owned him.

The question for us is “What owns us?”  What keeps us from following Jesus completely? There are many things that view for our attention such as money, wealth, power, houses, cars, pets, success in business and other people. The list of possibilities is quite long. What are the things that come between us and God?

To put all that in perspective we can ask what can we take with us when we die. We will not take things or fame. What we take to heaven with us will be our personal spiritual development based on our relationship with God.

So what are you planning to take with you?

A Christian Wedding and Marriage

Last night I officiated at a wedding for a dear friend who could not be there to do the honors for her nephew. The young couple is delightful and everything went well. I was very happy to do this wedding.

The introduction of the wedding ceremony that I use states that, “Marriage is a relationship of mutual trust and esteem, blessed by God for the security, enjoyment, and growth of a man and a woman.” When any couple chooses to be married in a church or by a Christian Minister their vows are made not only to each other but also to God. A vow made to God is a sacred promise to be taken carefully and fulfilled with all devotion.

May Mr. and Mrs. Alex Heim have a long and blissful marriage.