Jude the Angry Dude

The most artistic skyscraper lines ever in NYC.

First time in my teaching career dealing for a month on the evils in our modern world I dealt with the raw poetic anger of Jude against the false teachers in the early church.

His big weapon seems to be final judgment and a hope that they will not lure too many Christians into their traps. I have to admit his teaching is so out of character with Paul that it jars me. I wonder if the problems with identifying the issues involved, the nature of the intrusions into the church, and the vagueness of just exactly how the church was to deal with the false teachers all left me a bit confused. How do you snatch someone from the fire? How do you hate the garment defiled by the flesh?

I rest in the comfort of the protection promised by God the overcomer to believers.

Another beautiful week ahead. A lovely day with the Mother of my children and the mother of my grandchildren.

Tribute to Mothers

Grateful for my Mom who tried her best to raise four kids in a middle class home and in many places. She and Dad hung in there and always made the best of things and stayed together till death parted them.

And to a wonderful Mother in Law who loved me and adored her grand children and made their growing up years very special.

Friday relaxation

I love following my wife with my camera.

Teed off at 7:15 and at the turn had to buy a windbreaker at the pro shop, windy and bone chilling late spring day. The warm pull over was very much on sale, and the pro thought he should have taken them off the rack long ago.

Of course the rest of the day has been delightful, as will a long Mother's Day weekend with our grandkids and kids.

Super Hero Faith

Made reservations for a June getaway to San Clemente CA, a favorite place. Been two years since we have visited.

Here he comes to save the day. Touching story of the movie maker Joss Whedon placing so much Christian symbolism and faith and hope in his latest Avengers Blockbuster in spite of the fact that he is an atheist. In the story his non belief stems to a harrowing time when he was beaten as a teen on the streets of NY and no one helped. This traumatic incident led to his eventual lack of belief in a deity....and in the kindness of strangers, I would think.

So in our age of disbelief we are falling in love with super heroes again, and it makes sense to me. We need to be saved, and want someone strong to do it. We want strength to do justice and to avenge wrongs, but we want integrity and altruism in our saviors.

All makes sense to me, and I will enjoy the movie, and my faith in an avenger who is also merciful.

The Edition

Last summer we spent an amazing week touring Manhattan New York. When you finally see what has been part of your life in magazines and movies, and you are actually in Times Square, or on Liberty Island or in Ceinntral Park. It was a very special week.

We stayed at the NoMad, which is short for North of Madison, which is a lovely area on Broadway south of times square. Madison Square Park was just two blocks south and we enjoyed late evenings people watching in that tree covered area. It was delightful. We notice a large building all covered in scaffolding on the westside of the park and now know it is about to become a Marriot Hotel called the Edition. An old insurance company building with a famous clock tower will be the home of a new cosmopolita an hotel, and Brian our son is in training to manage the front desk. We are told the relatives of Marriott employees get some good travel stay discounts and that is good.

Google The Edition Manhattan and see it. We are now excited about a return trip some day soon

Do False Prophecies hurt people?

Found out last week my selfie selection on my phone will not focus. So much for selfies.

Ten million copies of the Late Great Planet Earth were read and passed on in the 70s, prophesying that the world would end in the 80s. I was young and naive and bought into it. It bothered me, and filled my life with some questions that would take a lifetime to answer.

Today the same popular interpretive scheme has predicted something apocalyptic will happen between now and October and every earthquake and volcanic spew are messages from an Angry God.

I am not suffering silently and alone this time. I am sharing it with my church...both the predictions and my doubts about the way they theologize them.

Busy Week, Fun Wedding

Have not had time to slow down and post an update, out on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday to late. Performed an Autumn wedding for two fine folks who have been widowed and desire to be together in a new relationship. I am happy for them and enjoyed bringing two families together.

A great evening with a friend enjoying Ruth Criss Steak House, great service, great food, my second visit in our lifetime.