In Common: The Tables Turned For Luther with Blond Curls

One of the greatest American dance icons in history was Luther Robinson, aka Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson, a black tap dancer who developed and taught  American Swing dance style from 1892 until his death in 1959. After Robinson's success, many black street dancers became known as "Bojangles." Raised by his grandmother, a former slave in Richmond, Virginia and despite his continued fame suffered racial segregation and discrimination.  Meistro Robinson taught and coached many of America's greatest dancers including Shirley Temple, Eleanor Powell, Florence Mills, and Fred Astaire. 1 

Shirley Temple was a privileged preschooler with curly blond hair and pushed by her mother to the entertainment industry and later squandered Shirley's wealth. When Shirley met the Dance Master Robinson, they had a spiritual connection. Robinson taught Shirley Temple how to entertain and Shirley gave Mr. Robinson a pure and loving friend for life. Their chemistry is seen in films, The Little Colonel, The Little Rebel, and Rebecca of Sunny Brook Farm. 

Today, I see the same chemistry on screen with the and new Korean film Swing Kids 2. During the Korean Conflict, an African American sergeant is ordered to teach tap dancing to a communist North Korean prisoner of war. A Black American high-rank soldier who suffers such a life of racial discrimination has to connect to a communist soldier who is conditioned to accept and die for his oppressed state. 

I wonder what would happen if we who are so very uniquely designed by the Creator could really connect and find The Holy Cause together and make a difference for the honor of the Creator and the betterment of humanity than the constant demands for power. 

God have mercy on us who claim to know Him and God have mercy on the whole world.

1. http://atdf.org/awards/bojangles.html

2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7046974/

Humanity: Baby's High Chair

My mother loves to tell a story that when I was a baby, my family ate at Colonel Sanders' Kenny Kings Restaurant. I was just barely old enough to sit up on my own and was provided a high chair from which I happily played with my food and throwing it on the floor. Colonel Sanders was delighted to clean me, the high chair, and the floor. Mother loved telling this story no doubt due to his loving personality and Colonel Sanders was from her home state of Kentucky. Colonel Sanders always looked clean in his white hair and suit.

I always thought of high chairs as very dirty space that always required cleaning and sanitizing and the babies who used them were uncontrollable while being in a confined space. Not every child can use a high chair.

The high chair confinement can be a throne, oval office, corporate founder or owner's office, and a dreadful place of human sacrifice. The high chair of authority, the lead chair, first chair, the chairman's position is a place that will never tolerate self centered ambition at the expense of the people they are supposed to serve. If the leader becomes self gratifying, then they will quickly fall.

As people who follow a higher authority, we are obligated and required to pray and fast for our leaders. If they make mistakes, we must take the responsibility. If we earnestly pray for our leaders, then our lives will be led by our Benevolent Creator.

Stop the critics and simply pray for our leaders. Only God can help the leaders if we pray.

Humanity: In a perfect world

In a perfect life, what would make me happy?

I don't know.

Maybe a little list

• cozy cabin in a small, sea-side town
• use the local library and write
• no money concerns
• volunteer and make a difference for the betterment of others
• provide music therapy for others
• learn about Asian cultures
• language
• calligraphy
• music/strings
• martial arts
• Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism
• History
• Study in Jerusalem - Talmud, Torah, Language
• learn how to heal others; offer free help

Where in the world can I possibly be of use? 

What in the world can I do?

wow. 

Political Affairs: Why do we Suffer and What are the Choices?

Some questions simply do not have an answer. It would be too easy to consider the victim or try to define and measure the suffering, but that is impossible. How can we measure suffering? We can't.

Far better to reverence the Creator and Humanity, than degrade precious time and humanity with the impossible task of measuring suffering.

This is a created world where people make decisions about our lives, we need to recognize our need for divine faith in a supreme being and our dependence on each other.

The next time a bad memory threatens us with bigotry and prejudice away from higher thinking, consider the suffering of others who never asked for 'it:'

• subjects of human experimentation
• victims of mob massacre, rape
• victims of political revolution 
• military/civilian prisoners of war
• victims of domestic violence
• subjects of imposed brain washing and conditioning
• slaves
• Native American, and all who are conquered people
• conquered people ruled by evil
• homeless children, sick who are violated and killed daily
• malignant illness by external factors
• impoverished 
• hungry
• murdered babies partially born

Now, what was your question? What was your race/political concern?

What are the new vocabulary words I need to learn and accept?

• microaggression
• white privilege
• political correctness
• black lives
• blue lives
• klan
• panther
• immigration
• political correct

Sorry, I just don't have time for you. I watch for the Savior to know how to help those who want help. 

Having never benefited, I don't ask to be understood, loved, noticed, or even considered.

I just ask for Jesus and His leading. 

Heart, Soul, Strength - I forgot

Why did we forget the brain when the greatest commandment specifically listed cognition? There are many ways to process information, but only one way to love: Love with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Who cares if we are a dichotomy, trichotomy, or even quad? The Creator of the heart, mind, soul, and strength has commanded that love requires all. God never demands what He has not provided. God does not require a certain function level to honor Him; God does require our entire, individual ability given for His own use.

The heart is the initial collector from the sensory gates.
The mind dissects the idea.
The soul decides what to do with the idea.
And we use our strength to use the idea or discard it.

God's design for love demands hard, arduous, truth-seeking labor to honor Him and humanity.

Maybe, now, I'll know what to do with my mind.

God - God made Saints; Man makes Idols

Many religions have similar teachings about man's dependence upon and responsibility toward a single creator, human life, and the created world. Rather than feel confused or doubtful about my own faith, I rejoice believing all people are created in God's own image, His own love.

My own Bible teaches to beware of the pride of life [1]. Sadly, people follow individuals for their own amusement rather than the highest duty to God and humanity. We hear all too often the question, 'What am I going to get out of it?'

People will follow anyone promising wealth and fame. Sadly, people rarely want treasures from the spiritual realm such as Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Gentleness, Faith, Meekness, and Self Control [2].

It's common to find fast money and impress others, but impossible to obtain a working and lasting ability to honor Creator and love others without a dependence on the Divine Creator.

The Quran teaches that'when we are insulted by ignorance, wish them peace [3] and Buddha gave a great idea to live in peace among ignorant distractions [4]. In my own Pentateuch, God repeatedly commanded that we live at peace with all men with benevolence and compassion especially demonstrated in the year of Jubilee [5].

God's All-knowing wisdom

God's All-loving nature

God's All-powerful ability

God's All-present companionship

God's Eternal Life

God's Sovereign Authority

God's Unchanging Consistency 

God's Perfect Justice

God's Perfect Holiness 

God's Perfect All-Sufficiency

God's Perfect Provision 

We must be careful who we follow in regard to our faith. If we honor our Creator correctly, then our relationship with man and creation will be edifying rather than destructive.

God have mercy on me and on the whole world.

[1] 1 John 2:16
[2] Galatians 5:22-26
[3] Quran 25:63
[4] "Amid Limitless Practices I will dwell in peace..." Line from the The Flower Adornment Sutra. http://www.drbachinese.org/vbs/publish/244/vbs244p004e.pdf
[5] Leviticus 24 and 25

A place at the table - Humanity and Artificial Intelligence

I always felt great compassion for artificial intelligence characters on television. Robot on Lost in Space [1] was the hardest working slave of all time. Never loved, appreciated, or even paid a salary, but Robot always saved everyone. The computer on Star Trek was always ready to provide urgent information in the most comforting voice and saved the Enterprise in every battle and never had a proper name but Computer [2]. Data on Star Trek New Generation seemed so very hungry for love and compassion and yet always ready to help the most vulnerable human [3]. I, Robot [4] and Bicentennial Man [5] served humanity with utmost care. Seems Mary Shelly's monster-hero-victim and the entertainment industry has tried to teach us the value of human life [6].

I learned from the artificial intelligent characters that humans can be very un-Christian and how respect for the Creator and humanity is totally logical. Why are humans ready to hate, abuse and kill others for their own gratification? Why are humans who are created in the image of God so very vulnerable to sinful temptations?

In my short life, I've seen us waste valuable materials and literally destroy the earth. Our toxic waste has killed fish, acid rain killed the forest and our ability to breathe clean air, and the air pollution has destroyed our protection from harmful radiation, and now global warming is a threat to human, animal, and plant life as the nomadic Mongolians can readily testify. If this listing is not enough, consider the destruction of the O-Zone layer caused by the chemical emissions beginning with the great Industrial Revolution and of course the sin of greed causing the destruction of the rainforest.

If we are created in the image of God, then why have we been so very unwise in our relationship with God, humanity, and creation?

Reuse rather than create trash.

Use paper rather than plastics.

Be thankful for freedom from the slavery rather than want slaves.

Be thankful for all human life; because God is always thankful for us.

Oh well, if we can't do these things, we can always buy a little Data [7]. After all, a Companion computer [8] will always know how to love in the way we need it.

For me, I chose Holy Comforter [9].

God have mercy on me and on the whole world.

1. Allen, Irwin, Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen, Billy Mumy, Angela Cartwright, and Jonathan Harris. Lost in space. LC Purchase Collection (Library of Congress). 2004.

2. Roddenberry, Gene, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Grace Lee Whitney, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, and Marc Daniels. Star trek. [Hollywood, CA]: Paramount, 2004.

3. Roddenberry, Gene, Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Wil Wheaton, and Denise Crosby. Star trek, the next generation. Hollywood: Paramount Home Entertainment, 2007.

4. Proyas, Alex, Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Bruce Greenwood, Jeff Vintar, and Isaac Asimov. I, Robot. Frankfurt/Main: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, 2004.

5. Asimov, Isaac. The Bicentennial Man and Other Stories. London: Millennium, 2000. 

6. Karloff, Boris, Colin Clive, James Whale, and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Frankenstein. 2016. <http://digitalcampus.swankmp.net/rutgers313400/watch?token=ff908530bc36cd28bf1c782b7fac70f48a4f72486c5648789ae0862195d96aa9>.

7. Roddenberry, Gene, Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Wil Wheaton, and Denise Crosby. Star trek, the next generation. Hollywood: Paramount Home Entertainment, 2007.

8. Roddenberry, Gene, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Grace Lee Whitney, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, and Marc Daniels. Star trek. [Hollywood, CA]: Paramount, 2004. Season 2, episode 9, Metamorphosis, 1967.

9. Holy Comforter is in reference to God the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Christian Holy Trinity. The One called along side to help, Paraclete, Comforter. 

Microaggression - Can we talk?

I used to think education producing understanding was the key to world peace. Now I think communication is a little more critical. In my simple mind, I wonder, 'Why not?'

Why can't two people who respect God and human life share ideas without demanding power over others? Is it possible for two people to just talk without causing a world war?

Anita, do you accept the LGBTQ agenda? If you don't, then you can't accept me.
Anita, do you think all white people are sinners? White people made slaves out of black people.

Anita, who did you vote for? You probably voted for...

Anita, welcome to the neighborhood. If you want to stay, the certain lives better like you. 

Anita, your president, not mine, has ruined our country.
Anita, I want to be your supervisor because you need my influence.

Anita, just sit right here and you can work for me because I'm older.  

Anita, you don't need an education, you can always get a job as a housekeeper. 

Anita, you don't need education, your people are better working in the factories.

Anita, I sanction that. 

 Anita, you don't know...

 Now, at this fat-old-white-lady stage in my life, I really don't think I have the energy to try. I suppose with the new 'Microaggression-Certain lives matter and I don't-English,' I can't speak Beuwolf anymore.

God, Oh God have mercy on me and on the whole world.

Jesus will help me and Jesus will save me; after all, certain lives have told me I'm first in line to be forgiven. Thank God I'm only Human.

Humanity - Have we lost our minds? Bye Bye Miss American Pie [1]

Our American Pie [1] is usually thought of as an abundance of property and wealth. I say our American Pie is the brilliant mind who constantly work to honor God and humanity and thus promote the greater good of society.

I pray constantly that my own culture and myself would repent of our failing our most precious commodity: Our youth.

For three generations our church and society as a whole lost our way. We forgot our God and turned to false worship and a terrible false, ungodly life.

Fathers were terrified of the lack of homeland security and often lost their spirit and hope. Mother's crumbled under the weight and stress of keeping proper appearances. Sadly, children always know the problems before the adults.

By the 1960's our youth were sadly driven to search for meaning, love, and a reason to survive. They not only sang their hearts out, but smoked, injected, inhaled, and swallowed every poison they could find. Our society was so horrified by world events and threats, our churches desperately tried to fill the void with programs, gimmicks, and sensational hip church. We lost the most precious of our talents, genius, preachers; we lost American Pie. 

Worship needed to be different from this world. Worship in a supreme Creator needed to be unique and set apart from the current world trends. Worship did not help but encouraged the desperation. When worship mirrors the world, it is not a place that worships God.

I still grieve for Jimmy Hendrix who was known to be a kind and gentle genius poet and musician. He was a true pioneer and trailblazer for a new generation of artist. The Doors and lead singer Jim Morrison had the vocals of angels with brilliant, classical elements in their music that will always stand the test of time; their lives ended before their lives began. Janis Joplin gave her life to teach us what destroys hope and what we can do to help heal others, but there was no healing for her. We as a society, church, and culture, still did not hear their cries for help, but we were well entertained and even today, we rush to enjoy legalized marijuana so we can avoid daily responsibilities of child-rearing and life. 

For centuries, artist and performers have fell victim to substance abuse or threatening lifestyle. The demands of the life of selflessness without Creator is always impossible. The very act of pouring out one's spirit, soul, and very identity, is completely exhausting. Even artist who believe and trust in a supreme Creator often find the life too difficult. Artists who are alone in life with no loving upbringing or understanding how very precious they are to a trustworthy and benevolent God will always find a fatal end.

Where did we go wrong in the 1950-1960's that robbed our children and our grandchildren of the love and security every human needs? Why do children lack trust in adult supervision or adult influence?

What can be done to help those who are drawn to a life of crime and show them another way of life? Children today are so drawn, attracted to the power of crime that they have no one who can intercede. All I know to say is, 'God, Oh God have mercy and help us all.'

Where did we leave Jesus? Let's go find Him.

If we ask, Jesus will help us fix our errors.

After all, the Creator is a perfectly loving and trustworthy God who never needs marijuana.

---

[1] McLean, Don. American Pie. New York: Mayday Music, Inc, 1972.

Study - Work Visa, Green Card, Work Abroad

Christian Trinitarian tradition teaches that God uses people to do His good work. Every word, deed, attitude must be inspired and engineered by God and good people obey His direction. Christians are not to take any praise or glory but totally acknowledge God's supreme work.

I love how Watchman Nee explains this idea in his book Changed into His Likeness, chapter 6: 

"The source is everything because it is the source that gets the credit. What I do, I get credit for; after all, it is I who did it! So after a piece of service, however fruitful, the ultimate question is not, 'What are the results? But, 'Lord, who has done this?-You or I? No matter how expertly we may do it, we shall invite not praise but rebuke from God. Purity or otherwise in our work depends on how much of God and how much of ourselves there is in it. If we are truly God's servants we know perfectly well that we get no peace or joy from what we have done by striving. When He quietly puts us aside, we praise Him because what has been done is something we have had no part in. The origin was God Himself.I am afraid this is not a popular thing to speak of. Preach to stir men to more evangelizing, more activity, more sacrifice, and they will listen and agree. But talk about the worthlessness of our work for God, even when it is not sinfully but well done, and we meet disapproval and misunderstanding. Yet this is the central point in service. Whether we can bring in Christ to be God's vessel of recovery depends on whether we can get out of the way to make room for Him. Nothing good work, service, preaching the Word, even doing His will -can satisfy His heart if we are the source of it. Only what He does in us and through us can satisfy Him.We watch a child making models out of mud. He may have real imagination and produce some quite recognizable models, but we say, 'They are nothing but mud. It is only childish play.' Yet the difference between that child and ourselves is very trifling compared with the difference between ourselves and God. He is God. We are men. He uses us-and rejoices to use us-as His instruments, but that is all. He uses us." 1

My faith dictates that God leads us to freely demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Spirit as listed in Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faith, meekness, self-control, and later in Philippians, we are told the greatest quality is love.

So why do we evangelize, go preach overseas, or labor in a social gospel project? Sadly, those who want to encourage me have said, 'It's a good way to travel and see the world,' or 'They are far more receptive to our preaching than here in my church,' or 'They are ignorant savages who need what we have to offer/our education,' even 'We need to go to them and teach them so they can teach their own people.' I grieve for these mentors so terribly bathed in their ignorance and self-glory. This individual will be a gross imposition on their host country. God have mercy.

If I am so blessed to learn abroad, I must ask myself, 'Who invited who?' I must ask myself, 'Am I really worthy to sit at the feet of my host and learn from them?' I must ask myself, 'Am I really worthy to enter their most sacred home, eating my fill of their most arduous labor?' Would I so freely give them the same hospitality in my home, or opportunity to preach in my church, without wasteful intellectual analytics?

Here are a few tips if you may plan to work overseas:

-         Pray...Pray...Pray asking for God's perfect will for you. Be prepared and submit to His possible 'no.'

-         God must be the author. God will provide you the right attitude and respect for your host. God will always protect you, provide you with His Holy attitude and joy to appreciate the differences in another culture. You will really love the sights and sounds of the host culture. 

-         You are a guest in another country. Humbly and respectfully submit to your host. Follow their instructions fully. You will not enjoy the rights and privileges of your own home but will be an outsider in another's home. You do not have rights as a foreigner.

-         You do not come from a 'better life/culture/or way' than they do. Honor and respect with the fullest gratitude their willingness to have you visit them. They have a different way of life than you...but never, never less valuable than you. Urgently ask God to help you totally respect their different way of life.

-         Act and especially React in a respectful way when you enter their world. How would you want to be treated by your guest? Never criticize or disapprove of their way of life; especially what you see with the natural vision such as clothing, foods, etc. Humbly be very thankful for their great generosity and Pray urgently for the heart and senses of Christ. Remember, God gives wisdom and love freely; just ask Him.

I recommend viewing a film, 'At Play in the Fields of the Lord.'2 If every minister or public service personnel would view this, it just may put an end to world hate.

As my Christian family would say and believe, 'the flesh will always destroy; make sure you are serving in the Holy Spirit.' God has to be the One who did the work.

Here are a few avoidance indicators:

-         If you use a @Clorox product daily, you may want to avoid a third world country. Generally, there is no sanitation or disinfectants readily available, and any water used to wash will probably be contaminated.

-         If you have an allergy to or prefer Kosher, to various fish, avoid fish ports. Asia, Mediterranean, Antarctic countries, etc are known for their fishing industry especially the sea urchins of the mud flats. Sushi, Turtles, Squid, and other raw dishes are not only a common staple but a delicacy the locals will take pride in serving. Be very careful not to offend, but willing and happy to try and enjoy any fish or foods served to you. The same principle is applied to any indigenous foods.

-         The heat in the southern countries can be brutal. Make sure you like humidity and hot climates. The same principle applies to the northern countries and snow culture.

Now the preliminary process regarding the divine call of God on our lives:

-         First, the call process will begin with simple interest. Is there a job, people, language, particular culture that you have always enjoyed learning about? Did you see an issue or program on the @National Geographic magazine, which images kept your attention? Think about the costumes, landscape, climate, history, etc, and which culture has kept your interest? Perhaps you asked yourself, 'I wish I could work with those people doing a job like that.' Or, even a particular language you would love to learn.

-         The interest develops into more learning. You may find yourself watching more travel or geographic television channels, reading about the political climate or latest business activity of a country, even watching/listening to a broadcast in their language.

-         The interest will develop in a passion. You begin to enjoy reading more and using serious research tools at an academic library to learn about a country more in depth on your own time and just for your own personal interest. You may have a collection of artifacts of a given culture in your home, a postage stamp collection from a given country, or listen to a playlist of recordings from a particular country. You may even dream or become preoccupied with this culture.

-         God may call you to serve from your home through financially supporting a missionary, or adopting a child through a reputable ministerial organization, or perhaps going with a short-term mission group to help in a specific work, or even volunteering in an international support group in your hometown. 

-         You are never alone when responding to a divine call on your life. If you are married and family of your own, each member will have the same desire without your influence or suggestion. God gives each individual the call Himself. If we try to help God, we will destroy. If your spouse and children are not in agreement, the specific call may not be of God. Never demand obedience. Trust and humbly submit to God in prayer. Ask your family to help you pray for God's will by sharing your interest and burden. You cannot demand others to do what God has lead you to do. Most importantly, you cannot abandon the work God has given you in your family unit: husband, wife, child.  You cannot abandon the work God has provided through employment. You must be the witness and example of God in your family and workplace. Your home, work, and worship are people groups God has led you to serve; they are your calling.

Remember the basic commandments of our Lord Jesus from Deuteronomy and again in the Gospels: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, strength; love one another as I love you. You must love the Great Shepherd, Our Lord Jesus, first and more than work, spiritual calling, family, or yourself.

I like praying: Lord grant me the eyes, ears, and heart of Jesus so I may see as Jesus sees, hear as Jesus hears, and love as Jesus loves. In Jesus Name, to the Glory of God alone, Jesus help me. Amen, so be it.

Have you packed your suitcase?

1 Nee, Watchman. Changed into His Likeness. Burlington, Ont: Welch, 1986. Chapter 6.

2 Babenco, Hector, Saul Zaentz, Jean-Claude Carrière, Tom Berenger, John Lithgow, Daryl Hannah, and Peter Matthiessen. At play in the fields of the Lord. 1991.

Humanity - Oliver Cromwell and K-Pop - To dance and eat with chopsticks.

Why would an American, Wesleyan Holiness, old, white lady be such a fan of Asian entertainment?

Not only did the Protestant Reformation give birth to religious freedom as well as contribute to mass immigration to the Americas, but also Oliver Cromwell's English faith and politics[1] had an influence on our Wesleyan separatist ideals involving emphatic modest dress and manner stipulations: no public entertainment, no mixed bathing at the beach, and any dancing was permitted in gender-segregated physical education class or the YM/YWCA. Holiness people were a minority in a high church culture.

Naturally custom dictated that my choice of entertainment was carefully monitored by my parents and later college administration, including my records, popular magazines, radio selections, and celebrity posters on my bedroom wall.

When Ravi Shankar tried to teach, the Beetle George Harrison how to play Indian traditional music in the 1960's and the Indian Sitar, [2]it was Shankar and not the Beatles who had my attention. Now today, when attending India Night on the college campus, oh yes, it is the one time I will dance in public.

Chinese traditional opera and males singing female roles[3] always had my attention when watching Educational Television. Their costumes, makeup, martial arts, and vocals were totally mesmerizing especially when we had no makeup and martial arts classes were too far away.

The Korean Pop male groups remind me of the male vocal groups of the 1960's with modest and neat costumes, lyrics, and dances, that speak only of the joy and sorrows of life, love, and music. Korean dramas generally have clean subtitles and absent of skin-ship or revealing skin. Korean entertainment totally has my vote; especially when the plots are so familiar.[4] Today, the internet allows me a playlist of favorite groups and songs that help me smile, cry, and move. Like the big burst of fun found in "Chewing Gum."[5]

God will bless performers who are so selfless and giving.

After all, God smiles when I dance at India Night and eat with chopsticks. 

---

[1] http://www.reformationsa.org/index.php/history/99-oliver-cromwell-the-protector

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/dec/12/ravi-shankar-beatles-rock

[3] http://www.illuminatedlantern.com/cinema/archives/a_short_history_of_chinese_opera.php

[4] http://seaa.americananthro.org/2014/07/the-korean-wave-hallyu/

[5] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSfEn2rBF44

Humanity - You are God's Valuable Kept in a Safe

This world constantly demands power, strength, and brute force to survive; kill or be killed. Such is the simple mind, the easy path. 

The Benevolent Creator has made humanity to love and serve Him in a loving relationship. As an all loving and all wise God, He wants to give us the strength for the day, the tools for the task at hand. This is why God holds our individual souls very carefully in His hands as we would hold a very fragile and delicate china cup of tea. When we are afraid we ask for His help and He hears and helps us.

How does God see us?

As vulnerable as the head of a glass china doll
As delicate as the lace on an infants christening gown or wedding gown
As fragile as a beautiful china cup we carefully hold between our fingers
As totally helpless as a newborn baby

How does God help us?

God hides us as a mother hides her young out of sight of the enemy
God fights the battle for us
God always wins to protect His valuables...Us. 

Why are we Greedy?

Why do we Hate?

Human Rights - Civil Rights and Human Rights: Questioned

Our human, civil, personal, and any rights we may demand may not always be possible.

Did we who follow the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, forget that we all share an equal place in the Creator's universe and plan?

Did we who follow the Lord Jesus forget that we took up the cross to follow Him? As believers in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, how did we easily forget that the cross means we may not always enjoy the delights of this world because we simply don't belong. Jesus said we must leave and forsake all to follow Him which means we cannot take for ourselves the power and glory that belongs only to Jesus.

We forgot the power of prayer and what God will do if we trust and obey Him when unbelievers who do not trust and obey God, destroy human life. We as believers in the One True God are supposed to pray...just pray for the good of others. This is far easier to speak of or think of when we are not hurt or living a good life, but when we are disenfranchised, abused by the wicked, we are supposed to trust in God and love our enemies by praying for their deliverance from evil. If we, as believers, do not pray for the wicked, we will be guilty of their sin and ultimately the blood of their souls stained on our hands when we stand before the Holy Judgment.

We poor believers in God have forgotten the very basics of our faith: God has made us all and He made us good.

Why the greed?
Why the hate?

Obesity - Year of the Ox - The Big Bull Connection

The stars were aligned just right during my birth and I am double trouble: Taurus the Bull and the Year of the Ox, and yes, my DNA reveals I am very Celtic/Scandinavian/East European. It is a fine idea that this may explain the obesity issue, but still a weak defense. It would be a fine idea that would guarantee a righteous, holy character, but again, a weak defense.

There is no place for astrology in my Judao Christian faith; in fact, we reject all supernatural seniority in our lives except the Holy Trinity. I have to believe and desire that God is all-sufficient and the supreme authority.

God is fully aware of my weight, especially when I ask for weight loss daily. While the Ox is quite intriguing and flattering, I'd much rather trust in the Creator. God knows the what, where, when, and why I was born and I can't wait to ask Him all the details.

After all, we are all part of His Holy Universe when we connect the dots.

Humanity - Snap Shot - Memory

Tim was an upperclassman in college who was known to have had photographic memory, and given the job of recording lectures and producing study guides for exam week. I remember Tim as a large person who could have easily played football, and yet he had an attractive quiet nature.

I've thought about Tim a lot since college years and wondered how dreadful his responsibility must have been. I dream of learning without the sweat, tears, and stress, but wonder if instant learning and small snap-shot images become lasting lessons not found in life experiences. My simple learning requires a lot of digging, reading, and analytical comparisons in open, stacked books on the desk. I tend to use a lot of time trying to find the right source and too much time trying to memorize.

Learning for me is the hard way of life experiences.

What did I do to someone else?

How did I feel or how did they feel?

What happened to me or the other person?

Did I hurt? Did I hurt someone else?

Oh, Oh, God forgive me is a constant prayer. 

There are many times I try to cope with the small snap shots that have proven more crippling than healing.

That small, little snap shot found in the corner of a shoe box rather than presented in the good photo album. 

The little snap shot bent, molded, discolored, and frayed. 

The little snap shot I really want to discard, but can't. 

The forgotten snap shot that reveals the truth about me. 

The one snap shot I wish had never existed.

The memory of the event I wish had never happened. 

Submitted in ignorance and with all respect to the professionally diagnosed.

God - Too Hard - Trying to Forget - Run for your life

I remember our soldiers returning from Vietnam and many were so terribly dead in spirit that they turned to underground smoking/drug rooms just to forget the horrors even for a few moments.

Too often it would be wonderful to just disappear, forget, and just stop everything. Then I feel terribly guilty for thinking such things. Yes, I am unworthy to think such thoughts; I have not earned the right to wish for escape such as our noble selfless military.

To wish an end is to deny others the message God may have for them. Every encounter, every chance meeting, every smile is a message to someone to live, to survive, to carry on. Who am I to say no to life?

I see too much that causes pain.

rejection from loved ones, associates.

constant rejection of the One True God and humanity

constant grueling sacrifice only to suffer poverty

constant fight for a morsel of privilege for nothing

constant effort and struggle for nothing

Why do we try? Why do we live? Why do we bother?

Then I remember the reason: I wake up in the morning because God said so. 

God said so.

Human Rights - The Mighty Fall - Idol Dangers

When we place more demands on others than we are capable, we premeditate their murder. Too often we push, demand, and expect others to fill our desires and put them on a high pedestal. Sadly no one is capable of living on the pin point position where we place them and they fall to their deaths with no one to care.

I want to beg, plead, implore...please do not take your life and others' so cheaply. Consider your life a very sacred part of the Creator's joy and plan to bless others. If you cannot see the good results of your efforts, just simply live and breathe as you encourage others. Remember, the goodness we want to freely give others is certainly the very air we breathe; we are the goodness.

Living is just that simple.

Humanity - At Play Before the Holy Presence

I miss playing and singing music. 

I miss going to the church playing without the light switch in perfect solitude.

I miss the music of the winds and my strings as I paced before the high altar.

I miss the freedom, the urgent prayers, and supplications from my instrument.

I miss the physicality of acoustics when the tones filled the sanctuary. 

I miss the abandonment of the self to prefer the pure excitement of the Creator's Presence and His Joy.

At play behind the locked doors of the mental hospital when playing in the dark for the dark;

At play behind the locked doors of the Alzheimer's floor when playing in the dark for the dark;

At play behind the battle lines of the VA hospital when playing in the dark for the dark;

I found Jesus in the dark, from the dark. 

The anxious one who sat in a foreign bath of mud;

The tiny form laying in fetal pose;


The great venerable who's body and mind became dust yet sang along...

It was always the Dark Ones who gave me the Holy Presence. 

When Jesus calls me, I will know His voice in the dark without good hands and lungs.

When Jesus heals me, I will return and play again.

Human Rights - Truth Teachers - What I learned from The Different.

God, in His perfect wisdom, has allowed me the privilege of a child-like heart and mind to seek Him. As a Judeo-Christian/Wesleyan from a diverse culture, I've had the wonderful exposure to so many belief systems that taught about a loving Creator and my responsibility to others.

The Roman Catholics taught me that anything God uses is sacred; His benches, buildings, and people. I am very thankful for the privilege of attending Tridentine Mass with head covered, extra knee padding, and sitting in the back corner of the sanctuary. In my own church I am careful how my Bible is laying on my lap or on the pew, and showing respect for God's property. 

The Jewish friends taught me that I am a part of the Creator's plan: I am His child and God loves me. Every part of my life belongs to God and I must pray for the desire to love God most by respecting human life above my own. They taught me to want to love God better. 

The Muslim people I have met have taught me that we are indeed similar in our efforts to honor God through our daily life and routine habits. The idea that my prayers are similar to those of our faithful Muslim friends, makes me feel incredibly unworthy of a great God-given blessing.  God has His children everywhere. 

My dear Hindu friends have reminded me of the importance of 'now.' This singular moment is far more important than the past or future. This is a very important tenant in my faith, "Now is the time of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2)." 

The ancient tribal religion of the Native Americans, Cherokee, taught me the sanctity of earth, sky, water, and all living creatures. The Creator gave life and we have the responsibiltiy of protecting and using creation wisely. God have mercy on our gluttony and waste. 

The dear Buddhist/Zen friends constantly remind me that the search for Truth demands constant, holistic effort with no distraction. The goal is to eliminate any distraction that does not encourage the striving for Truth in all matters; I must always 'do my best.' The dear Buddhist habits of prayer, meditation, mantra, and discipline have encouraged my own goal of  'living in a constant spirit of prayer.' Yes, I want to know my Lord Jesus in the most personal relationship He will allow me and anything that encourages that relationship is always good.

I confess aprehension toward Confusian/Taoism despite their incredible contribution toward social order and self awareness. I want to think of self awareness and total discipline are life goals rather than an accomplishment. I simply would rather have Lord Jesus hold my hand and guide me at all times. I hope in my Lord's wisdom, He will allow me to study and learn these noble ideas and yes, especially martial arts, in hopes my Lord will delight in me. 

I am thankful for a perfectly loving God who simply wants quality time with me and always wants His best in my life.

Study - Why do you need a college degree?

Anita, why bother with a college degree? I turn in circles and wonder.

Anita, why do you need a college degree? I turn in circles and wonder.

Anita, you don't need schooling. You can always get a job at the grocery store.

Anita, you don't need college with all the factories in town.

Anita, when are you going to grow up and contribute to society? I turn in circles and wonder.


There was a person who no one wanted; people thought they were too much work.
There was a person who no one understood; people are afraid of the unknown.
There was a person who was despised by popular opinion; no one really thought about them.
There was a person who was alone; very convenient for others.
There was an inmate who learned a hard lesson the hard way; ignorance was bliss for a while.

Public opinion says that I am homophobic because of my Wesleyan faith roots.
Public opinion says that because of my obesity, I am destined to clean their toilets.
Public opinion says that because I am white, I am racist.
Public opinion says that I can't trust Muslims, African, Asian, Hillbillies, Cops, Teachers, Preachers...anyone.
Public opinion says that certain people need to be ignorant so others can learn.

Our Father Abraham knew Jehovah Jireh.

Lord and Savior, True and Kind...please help us think...please help us love...please help us understand...

Anita needs a Savior.

Humanity - Two of Me - Or Just Live with It

I remember hearing a conference speaker, and maybe you have as well, open her speech with, "If everyone was just like me, the world would be a better place." Her pep talk, despite her good intentions, only made me feel less empowered. The ugly truth and nagging problem is that there is just one of me and I will have to just live with 'it.'

'It' is this body, mind, soul, and strength, such as it is, as well as the nagging common income that I will have to live with in this reality.

Here is my wish list of the things I want to do if only 'It' would be sufficient:

1. Most important: With pain-free hands I want to volunteer music therapy for non-responsive patients.
2. Make and publish my own handmade blank books with scriptural name acrostic for my loved ones. If you don't understand it's OK. I confess freely my need for academic upgrade. A = And lo I am with you always; B = Be not afraid I am with you; etc. 
3. Live near my parents and sister's family so I can see them regularly. I hope they will like me. 
4. Enroll in a Jewish university and study and master Library Sciences to prepare for service as well as my own studies. Minor in Hebrew language and Religion. Take my parents to tour Israel.
5. Take an academic tour, regardless of time, through Mongolia, Tibet, China, Korea, and Japan. I want to focus on Martial Arts, Language/calligraphy, History, Religion, and Arts. While learning, volunteer and anonymously fund an orphan's college education. I would have to request a Kosher and vegetarian diet during my Asian studies.

There you have it; five ideas to create a great servant to make our world better.  It may be impossible for 'It' but who knows who may find inspiration.

Humanity - Hidden Secrets in the Top Floor

If the elevator in a posh building has twelve floors to select, there is usually an upper, additional floor accessible only by a special pass or key. Sometimes this top floor is used in reserve for private events or storage. I wonder often if the top floor happenings are good or bad. I wonder if people on the top floor are ok. I never liked the idea of secrets, tricks, propaganda, or exaggerated promises impossible to keep. The top floor is often a very scary place full of uncontrollable imaginations that destroy hope. 

The secret place of my soul is very much like the top floor only the elite evil may know about. Evil took the one key to access the inner places of my soul, which are the noisiest and unruly place to be just like the top floor of mayhem where abuse and destruction of hope are unpublished stories for front page news. 

Despite the elegant entrance and posh elevator, the top floor, that horrible place of evil, destroyed the inner peace the Good God Himself intended to give me freely. When my soul was wasted to nothingness by the abuse on the top floor, I cried to God, the Clean and Pure Creator to help me, save me, from the inner destruction. 

God came and took the key from evil, and now my secret place, the top floor, is a very safe refuge for me and where just God can live comfortably. 

May your secret soul places, your top floor, always be where God lives comfortably. 

Marriage - You Love Me How?

I am clean and as neat as possible.

My hands are callused and my nails are torn and broken from labor.
My hands are too sore to play songs and my voice is too gruff to sing.
My face and dark eyes are worn from lack of sleep and fatigue.
My neglected hair is cut off to survive in the hot sun.
My patched clothes betray my secret poverty.
Baren by choice, unconditional love from the womb is impossible.
My fats hang from my body like unwanted wineskins; who knows how to treat and heal imposing obesity?
I have earned no money in my life yet given all.

Through this thick and ugly wall, how can you really love me?

My champion longs for my company.
My champion loves to see my constant efforts to bless others.
My champion longs for and prays for me rather than the little money I earn.
My champion loves to hug me and dance with me when no one is watching.
My champion enjoys giving me ease and comfort.
My champion opens my doors of wonderful delights and carries my burdens.
My champion walks on the outside near the road ready to protect me as the most precious to him.

My champion holds my hand when walking, sitting together.

My champion takes pleasure in my joys rather than my sorrows.
My champion defends my honor with the fresh anointing God provides.

This champion provides for my needs and allows me the coveted choices only allowed through human dignity given by God's Grace alone.

My champion sees me as God sees; He can see someone beautiful. 

You can love me without the shovel, broom, and mop.
You can love me receiving nothing in return.
You can love me without imagining, 'what am I going to get out of her?'
You can love me without regret when I sin.

Maybe if I were pretty...

I could engage in meaningful discussions with the sages learning and teaching.
I could volunteer my time and contribute to the edification of human life.

I could use my hands to bless others. 

I could open my home to anyone who wants the company of like minds.
I could travel and spend time with precious loved ones.

 Maybe if I were pretty...

Your first thoughts and opinions of me would be kind.

Oh, my, how you could love my soul.

Obesity - If You Know Me

I know all about you.
I've heard all about you.
I have you all figured out.
You remind me of...


If you know me, you know nothing; if you know Christ, you know all.

If you know me, then you would delight in praying for my recovery.

If you know me, then you would love my success.

If you know me, then you would be my refuge, my protection.

If you know me, then...

Why do you laugh at my failing?

Why do you take an advantage of my dismissal?

Why do you comment on my name without truth or purpose?

If all you know is me, then you know nothing.

You and I need a Savior. I am soul.

Human Rights - Removing Crosses: Offensive for a Reason

Religious symbols and memorials all testify of individual faith and real events; why are so many opposed or offended by them? Memorial parks now have many vacancies where tombs, statues, and images have been removed because someone was offended by them.

If the event that raised the memorial had never happened, there would be no memorial. Confederacy would still exist as would the legal trade of human beings as a commodity. After over two hundred years of slavery and Southern independence, I suppose no one would really care about the issue today. The North would mind their own business, as is custom even today, and the South would simply live free with their slaves and trade rights.

We certainly wouldn't have memorials to the fallen to remind us of our sin because we would be simply living free with our economic freedom and independence and sinless.

Sinless...sinless...sinless; now there is a thought. The cold, hard truth is we did sin and had to erect memorials to remind us of those sins. Statues of General Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, southern soldiers were erected to remind us what we as a people suppressed, abused, and used human beings for our own benefit and amusement. These southern people cried from their graves that we the living would learn from their tragic sin and their sin would never become our sin.

Those who think themselves academic will try to explain the atrocities of the past as a tidy little essay and sound impressive and even some sounding victimized, but I say, please do your own research. Work, dig, labor, and sweat blood for the good of humanity lest we forget the crimes against humanity committed before us.

Walking through the Holocaust Museum will offend me;
Walking through Bull Run National Park will offend me;
Walking through the Chinese Railroad Workers Exhibit in San Francisco will offend me;
Walking through a Japanese Internment Camp will offend me;
Walking through a factory museum with pictures of poor women and children labor will offend me;
Walking through a cinema history museum will offend me;
Walking through a Coal Mine exhibit in West Virginia will offend me...

Surely I would never be so capable of such inhumanity... or would I? My DNA suggests UK Celtic, Scandinavian, and Eastern Europe Semitic, but money always talks and I may have a price.

Oh God, Oh God have mercy on me and on the whole world for our rejection of truth.

What are we to do without the reminders? After all, we are only human and money talks.

Surely I would never be so capable of such inhumanity... or would I? The Cross of Jesus reminds me that I am offended by sin, by My Sin. What would I do without the Holy Reminder?

Study - Lady Academia - Most Ignorant, Part 2

Why does Lady Academia seem to lose the war against ignorance? She fights against popular opinion and popular news for the Truth, yet seem to become the fatality.

Truth is never popular or exciting. No one really wants the truth in daily life. Truth is not popular because it is often inconvenient and even painful.

As a Judaic Christian, the Old Testament teaches that the Hebrew people are God's chosen people who are to witness to the world of the One True God. After the first patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, it seems they were destined to a very dark and sad future. Joseph, Moses, and a few righteous judges in the midst were the golden characters, but sadly the rest of the story seems rather bleak. Hebrews have proclaimed and witnessed of the One True God only to find oppression, defeat and constant holocaust throughout history.  They were oppressed, conquered, enslaved, exiled, and systematically exterminated throughout history, yet the faith in the One True God survives and thankfully influences the entire human race; I am very thankful for the faith in the One True God.

It is all too easy for the self-centered religious community to develop feel-good theories to explain the rejection of the truth, but I say Hebrew history tells us that people just simply don't like Truth. The truth of who God is and the truth of who we are as His created humanity is simply too difficult for the common world to accept.

Our mental health community reminds us, 'The truth will set you free,' but mental health and recovery is a very hard regimen. It is a hard task to learn and accept the truth about oneself.

I'm reminded of a line from the movie Quo Vadis in response to Nero's decision to put people as animal bait as public entertainment: "...along with grain and wine...people will believe any lie if it is fantastic enough."1

We have been privileged to have the great World Wide Web and with it social networking, but an equally heavy responsibility of proof is attached. Information has to be weighed and proven by the truth and sadly the era in which we live has forgotten that brain work takes time and effort.

Do you still want to be the boss? Do you still want influence and seniority? Lady Academia says, 'put up or shut up.'

1 - Quo Vadis script: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=quo-vadis
Quo Vadis, based on the novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), 1951, directed by Mervyn LeRoy. 

Humanity - My Board, My People, My Employees, My Department,... - No it's not.

Nothing destroys human dignity, self-respect like ignorant and immature arrogance and the way to spot an immature newbie is their common language of self-glorification. Sadly they don't realize they are putting themselves in a totally worthless and troublesome image when they put their co-laborers beneath them. They look and sound stupid to the very people who depend on them.

Regardless of spiritual persuasion, or lack thereof, we as human beings share this world and must respect each other more than ourselves. If we continuously consider the needs of others as more important, then we will become a worthy servant to each other. We will become true professionals  far too busy doing our own work than to be concerned with 'I want to be the boss.' The true CEO or business owner who's priority is to live for others, will not use such insulting language because they must carry the burden of genuine responsibility.

True leaders will always cry out to the Creator as the supreme ruler: Blessed are you O God, Ruler of the Universe. 1

If our Hebrew language is not your taste, try the Latin, 'Non Nobis Domine' 2 or maybe a genuine 'I can't do this without your help, please help me.'

True leaders will always confess their need for help and their own frailties.

True leaders will always do what needs doing at the moment rather than wait for someone else: If a clean paper trash is on the ground for goodness sake, please pick it up and put it in the trash can! In other words, if my Lord and Good Master Jesus is willing to wash my feet, shouldn't I do the same?

True leaders will always live transparent in a glass house. Everyone assumes to know everything about the leader whether true or false with no consequence to themselves. Isolation is one of the heavy crosses in leadership.

True leaders will always step up and take the bullet, the complaint, the full responsibility for someone else with no comment, advertisement, or complaint.

A true leader is true to themselves and others without comment; a true leader gives the reward and takes the punishment.

After all, 'The buck stops here.' 3

1 - Jewish prayer, https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/blessings-for-shabbat-holidays/
2 - Latin prayer, 'Not to us O Lord.' http://www.latin-dictionary.org/Non_nobis,_Domine
3 - Slogan by President Harry S. Truman, https://www.trumanlibrary.org/buckstop.htm

God - A Little Jewish in the Rosary Box

When I was little, my devout, Roman Catholic neighbor was like a grandmother to me and helped teach me about the sanctity of God and humanity. When I married she gave me a rosary box which I have always kept on my dresser or nightstand. With all respect and affection for the Roman faith, I use the rosary box to keep little items that are dear including a few lines of Jewish wisdom. Some are copied from Jewish wisdom literature found in the back of my Union Prayer Book, pew edition as well as other reps of good faith. Again, this is submitted with all reverence to dearest Roman and Hebrew faiths.

1. From Hillel

"When you seek fame it flees;
When you do not add, you detract;
When you do not learn, you earn destruction;
You drive yourself out of the world."

2. From (Christian) Max Lucado, Christmas Candle

"We are deliberately planned,
Specifically gifted, Lovingly positioned."

3. Unknown source

True Understanding what we do not Understand:
"Joy until we face sorrow;
Faith until it is tested;
Peace until we are faced with conflict;
Trust until we are betrayed;
Love until it is lost;
Hope until it is confronted with doubts."

4. Judah HaNassi

Which is the right path for man to choose for himself? Whatever is harmonious for the one who does it, and harmonious for mankind.

Contemplate three things, and you will not come to the hands of transgression: Know what is above from you: a seeing eye, a listening ear, and all your deeds being inscribed in a book.