Press in Peeps - Press in to God

Life is confusing.  I don't know how atheists get through the day. Without God, I know I couldn't do it. In a strange way, they have more faith in nothingness sometimes than I do in God.  Just thinking about life without God makes me feel as though I'm free falling off a cliff.

Work has been frustrating and hurtful.  I've struggled with terrible back and neck pain. (Praise God it is getting so much better.) My mother's funds have been frozen by the Bank of America in a bizarre situation. The resulting chaos has impacted the entire family.  Differing political opinions have strained friendships.

Like many of us, I hate to turn on the news. Children in cages, abused animals, murders, maiming - I turn it off. I worry about the division n this country,  Is this era worse than the unrest in the 1960's?  Thinking about the student deaths at Kent State and the assassinations of JFK, Bobby Kennedy, and Dr. King - I have to say no.  However, the divisiveness feels terrible just the same.

As Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under the sun. These present worries and unrest are nothing new. Ancient Israel experience what we do and much more.  When Moses was blessing the 12 tribes before his death, he related a Godly truth and blessing.

The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.  Deuteronomy 33:27

That's my reminder for today...for myself and anyone reading this.  God IS our refuge and we can fall back on the everlasting arms.

The key to peace is time spent with God in his Word, in prayer, and in contemplation.  I guarantee that we will never find it in squabbling, smarty pants FaceBook posts from either side, on CNN, MSNBC, or on Fox.

Press in peeps.  Press in to God.

Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain

So tragic about the suicides Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, isn't it? I pray for their loved ones and work associates. Both were at the top of their games professionally, but apparently at their lowest ebb spiritually and emotionally. Anthony and Kate had the money and resources to find help, yet were seemingly unable to ask for assistance.

The Centers for Disease Control and Atlanta report that suicides are up in almost every state. Suicide among first responders (particularly in EMS) continues to increase and the same among military service members. Chances are statistically that you know someone who is having suicidal thoughts.

My friends Trish Buchanan and Sean Riley are both working to improve awareness of suicide prevention and resources to assist first responders in need of help. 

Trish created a CT charity, Believe 308, which provides funding and advocacy  for mental health issues after the suicide of her husband, East Hartford CT Police Officer Paul Buchanan.

After his addiction, Sean Riley created Safe Call Now, an advocacy and referral network for first responders who suffer from a variety of mental health issues or addictions and need a confidential place to find healing.

What can we ordinary folks do?  In an increasingly polarized America where we are connected yet separated by social media, we can reach out to others personally with a smile, some kind words, a hug or an invitation for coffee. 

I do believe that the isolation we create while furiously texting or emailing and not even looking at the person right next to us, is a contributor to an increasingly soul-less society.  We can invite others to our church or a club or just chat with a neighbor. Isolation can be a killer.

We can advocate with legislators for mental health care resources to be improved. We can also educate ourselves about local resources which already exist.  

Here are two excellent national resources:

For First Responders:  
Safe Call Now 
206 459 3020

For Everyone:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
800 273 8255

Perhaps the very best thing we can do is pray without ceasing.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11NIV

Crypto Jews, Conversos, and a Prophecy at Magnolia Bakery

It was the last day on our New York City adventure.  The weather had been frigid the entire time we were there. After a couple of days, you adjust, make sure that your head and face are warmly wrapped and proceed forth.  We were out in the dry cold and we were out in the snow.

Sadly, I have passed on my addiction to Magnolia cupcakes to Piper, my niece.  We came upon the West Side location here:

In a typically New York slice-of-life, we ran into a wonderful Australian tourist who explained why the electoral college system ended up producing many US Presidents from Virginia.  He modestly claimed he was a student of the US Presidency.  Mr Land-Down-Under also shared that his week in New York was the very first time he'd seen snow in his life.

Then things come into perspective.  I am never one to complain about snow.  I love snow.  How nice, though, for this man to experience it.  While New Yorkers grumble...a visitor has the happy experience of his life.  Isn't life like that?  It is all in how you frame it.

A slender fifty-ish woman named Kim was appalled at all the empty plates and cups left behind by customers. She started picking them up.  To be clear, Kim was a customer, not a waitress. You could almost see her immaculate apartment down the block.

We had a shared interest in genealogy.  Kim explained the issues associated with researching a Jewish background.  I learned about "conversos," that is, Jews who converted due to societal pressures. Crypto-Jews are those who may have outwardly converted but continue as Jews in secret.  I'd never heard that phrase.

Anyone who professes Christianity as I do, yet does not understand the Jewishness of Jesus Christ is missing a great deal of his message.  Due to a friend who is an Orthodox Jew, I've picked up a lot of info about Jewish thought. If you don't get Jesus as a rabbi, you aren't really understanding him at all.

We continued on in our discussion as Piper came back to the table with her cupcakes. Piper's father is Jewish and a Cohen (priestly caste) on his maternal side.  Turns out Kim is also mixed, although she worships at a nearby synagogue.

Looking intently at Piper, she said, "You and I, we are the same.  By cultural law, by the law of Judaism, we should not exist. (She was referring to the fact that Orthodox Judaism teaches that Jews should only marry other Jews.) This means that our souls have struggled for existence.

That means that you and I, Piper, have a destiny, a high calling on our lives.  You should understand this."

This is what happens in New York City, these small hours, these little wonders, these twists and turns of fate (to quote Rob Thomas), random conversations and commiserations which leave you with something you remember for the rest of your life.  And that's why I love New York.  These small hours still remain.

Small Wonders - Rob Thomas