It’s Good Friday. I did look up what other things use this special day, but personally, just Good Friday is more than enough for me. Being a very devout Christian, I suppose that makes perfect sense.
Perhaps not much longer with all the government and UN blather about demanding Israel to have a cease-fire (they seem to have forgotten the atrocities Hamas committed on October 7), and mobs of college kids demonstrating in support of the Hamas terror organization. In just three years, our government has turned against Christians, Jews, and other non-Muslim religions. Of course, totalitarianism is in style again. This is not the country I was raised and where my Dad and millions of others fought wars to protect this land and our religious freedom (along with the other freedoms detailed in the Bill of Rights).
I am not here to complain about the government either. There are plenty of journalists who do that. So let’s move on.
Oddly, the current situation reminds me of Judea and Samaria in the First Century. The local power, meaning the kings and Jewish leaders, coerced the Romans into killing Jesus. Of course, the Romans were more than happy to crucify anyone who was out of line. Most of you already know the story by heart. It is just an example of the powerful people going after the rest in order to maintain their grip on power.
During Holy Week, it is very difficult not to remember all the details. On Easter Sunday, we remember that Jesus rose from the grave, which helps us understand the power of Heaven. Plus, we were given the Holy Spirit to help us every day.
Now, this is the personal part.
After my divorce, I was fine for some time. At some point, I was overwhelmed with the feeling that I would be alone forever. I felt truly alone for the first time in decades, and I felt isolated from the world. My son-in-law suggested that I sign up for a dating app to meet someone new. Now I was born in the mid-50s, so that was not going to happen. That is when I turned to the Lord. I prayed for Him to save me from my fears. In that moment, my feelings of loneliness disappeared, and have not returned. I was overwhelmed with a sense of peace.
So, regardless of what anyone else thinks, I know the Holy Spirit saved me. That led me to reading my Bible again. I did consider joining a church, but I knew I was already saved. Plus, I have been to a few large churches and they seem very commercial. I went to the Capitol Christian Center in Sacramento more than thirty years ago. It was massive. Toward the end of the service, the head pastor asked for donations so a junior pastor could get a new car. In a few minutes, $25,000 was raised. That turned me off the mega-churches, although I did watch Joel Osteen on TV for a time, but did not send any money.
Today, all is well. I am content in all aspects of my life. I look forward to writing and reading many more stories. Having Akiva in my life also helps keep me sane, which is not easy in California. I wish you all the best.
Today is also the penultimate day of the 30-Day Blogging Challenge. I heartily recommend you check out the posts by the other authors in the challenge. At this point, it looks like all of us will reach the finish line. Follow the link below to check out their posts.
I am also a Christian, Karl, and I know the peace that comes with understanding you never walk alone.
Karen, isn’t the love of the Lord and Our Father in Heaven amazing? No matter what else is going on, I feel content.
Have a blessed Easter.
Hi, Karl! After leaving Pat Garcia’s post today, my comment said that after writing my post and reading her post, I almost felt like we were having church in the challenge. I ALMOST wrote, “Now let me hop on over to Karl’s blog because I know he’s going to have a piece along the same lines,” and lo and behold, Karl, you did!
I, like you, have been turned off to the commercialism of the church, even with my husband as a pastor. One pastor said something so ugly one day that every Sunday thereafter, I went to that church just to goad him into saying something to me so that I could embarrass him in front of ALL his people who had been OK with the horrible, un-Christian-like thing he had said (and done).
My grandmother said to me that day, “Do not go back into that church, because now you’re going for the wrong reasons.” She was right. I wanted him to be so bold as to take me on the way he had that elderly woman.
Anyway, that story is much too long, so I will end with this… if I know nothing else about you, Karl J. Morgan, I know that you are a Christian, and I also know that everything you have shown me in all the years I have known you, has been above and beyond decent and in order. I thank you for being you. And even if you didn’t have Akiva, you know that you’ll never be alone.
Thank you, Nonnie. I have always tried to be the best I can be. Like all of us, sometimes I fail. Age has provided a different set of perspectives. I no longer worry about what anyone else said. We all have opinions. That does not make them facts. Now I choose to focus on the people who are close to me. I keep moving forward. That’s about all any of us can do. Have a blessed Easter.
By the way, we are all going to make it to the end of the challenge this time. I am so happy for all of us.
Hi, Karl,
I didn’t know that things had turned the way they have over here toward the Jewish people. I agree, a lot of people have forgotten who started this war. On October 7th no one was inspecting an invaision. I feel sorry for those American who do not know the history. It is not just a war going on in Israel, it is a special kind of war. The Hamas want to wipe out the Jewish culture.
Yes, these times remind me too of what happen over two thousand years ago.
Thank you for your insights about what is going on in the USA.
Take care and have a lovely Easter.
Be blessed.
Shalom shalom
Thanks, Pat. The parallel to ancient times is clear, however, I am more worried about the parallel to Nazi Germany. Just like then, the Hamas charter calls for the elimination of all Jews. We can be assured that Christians, Hindus, and others will be next on the list. We know that the UN is a waste of time, money, and real estate. I had hoped our government would stand up for what is right. I don’t think that anymore.
I will keep my faith.
Hi, Karl,
I agree with everything you’ve said. God has warned us that those who bless Israel will be blessed, but the converse happens to those who turn against Israel. I read a book once that showed that pattern happening in our country.
When Bill and I moved to south Florida, we attended a mega church a couple of Sundays, but then found a small, powerful, church we’ve been attending ever since. We love it. Sermons can be found all over the TV and internet, but nothing compares to the fellowship and closeness we share with the believers in church. We are seeing the signs and wonders Jesus spoke of before he ascended to Heaven. We live in tumultuous times, but we have an Anchor. God answers prayer.
Blessings, and Happy Easter!
Patty
Karl, I almost forgot who started that war and glad to be reminded that it was Hama. I do think Israel is overeacting just like America did after the hijackers took down the World Trade Center. We didn’t acomplish anything by starting a war in a land we know nothing about. We didn’t gain anything either. Israel will do well to cool itself off and rethink this whole debacle. Killing women and children is not a good look.
And Karl, you are a good a christian as any of them. You practice your christianity in everyday life. And you are very kind. The devil is in the church. That’s where he plucks more souls. And going to church all the time does not make you a good christian either. Either you are genuine or you are not. I go to church all the time; but I think it has become a habit with me and I have obligations that folks will not let me forget.
Thanks for letting us in on your thoughts Karl.
Hi Karl–We all need to be reminded about historical events as well as the analogy to current events. My issues with some organized religions is that the people who run them do not follow what I think Jesus would want them to do. The way those so-called Christians treat women bothers me. I’m not talking about anything to do with reproduction or anything like that. I just remember incidents when my husband was talking to a priest and I walked up to him to join the conversation, and the priest turned his shoulder to make sure he shut me out of the conversation.
I believe that God (Jesus) loves all of us and respects all of us when we love and respect our fellow human beings. It reminds me of what I told everyone about what my mother taught me when I was in grade school: If you go to school and one of your classmates has no lunch, share it with him or her, because that kid may be going to a home where there is no food. That bit of kindness means, in my mind, that Jesus has his hand on yours when you pass that half a sandwich to your classmate.
I remember a line from an old rock song (yes, rock n’ roll) from the 1960s that said: “Oh, children, don’t you weep if the road is long. We are all prayers of action on our way to God.” That about sums it up for me.”
Happy Easter, everyone.
Wanda, you are exactly right. Carlos Santayana told us that “Those who do not recall the past are condemned to repeat it.” I have stayed away from churches but for different reasons, all related to the constant demand for more donations. There are too many super-rich pastors out there. All the best.
Hi, Karl! for any one who is lonely at whatever age I would not dismiss dating sites. My own step daughter met and later married a guy she met on a dating site when she was 54 yrs old. I am also glad that you found what you needed in the Lord.
Joy, after my divorce, I decided that was enough. I loved every minute of my marriage and was heartbroken when it ended. Life goes on. My feelings and worldview have not changed in the least. Once I make up my mind, that’s it. That is the lesson life has taught me. Take care.