Another Travel Trauma

 And so this time it was one named Ida.

And that ever lively, incredibly unique place known as New Orleans has been battered yet again.

Before Ida there was Katrina. And a year before Katrina there was little known, less remembered Ivan.

But there really was Ivan!

And I can testify to that confidently because I knew Ivan up close and personal.

Ivan was another of those Travel with me but first sign this "Hazzard-waver-declaration" stories.

Fortunately, the Ivan saga does not involve any sort of group travel, at least not on my part.

The year was 2004 and New Orleans was the venue for the annual International Catholic Stewardship Conference, an event that started on Sunday evening, rather informally with a "Taste of New Orleans" event and an opportunity to view and simply the wares of  numerous vendors.

The choice of New Orleans was most welcome for me as at that time I had a time share in that great city. That would mean no additional cost for accommodations and, the time share being used for the conference, the maintenance fees could qualify as a professional expense tax deduction.

I and our parish business manager signed on for the conference. It officially began on Monday morning and would end around noon on Thursday. The timing was perfect since I was scheduled to lead a retreat back in Michigan beginning on Friday evening.

To get cheap rates, we flew into New Orleans on Saturday and would return home Thursday afternoon.

That was the plan.

One small adjustment - the time share was undergoing some renovations and so we would be housed, not in the Garden District but rather almost downtown. We would still have a suite but now we would be within walking distance of the conference activities.

We were also directly across the street from the casino!

Now that did not draw my interest but it certainly caught the attention of the business manager. (Should I have had suspicions because of his job and this "attraction"?) Well, let's just say that we went to dinner Saturday after arriving and then I headed back to our suite while he headed , well, across the street.

Sunday morning we were at the cathedral for Mass and afterward, he announced that breakfast, or still better, jazz brunch was on him. His visit the previous evening had been rather profitable.

Sunday evening after the Taste of New Orleans, the previous evening's story unfolded yet again. I headed to the room and he to the - across th street. And frankly, I did not mind the time alone as it provided me an opportunity to review some of the content for the coming weekend's retreat.

Monday arrived and the working session got underway. However, a new item was beginning to capture attention and conversation - Ivan.

It was out there and it was intensifying and it could even be headed right in our direction.

Should we worry?

Seemed not - at least not yet then.

Monday's dinner was another treat since, once again, fortune had been good the evening before across the street!

And Tuesday arrived and with its arrival a new mood was in the air.

This Ivan thing was getting serious. A direct hit was looking more possible. Sesoned dwellers in the city were clearly making their moves and those moves were headed in one general direction.

OUT!

They were clearly running for safety, taking no chances.

Windows were being boarded and shops were being emptied.

When we got to the conference center, we could not help but notice that the scheduled speakers were arriving for their sessions with travel bags and luggage in tow. They were making their presentations and then heading out.

Not looking good at all.

Time to make a move.

Between conference sessions we headed to the phones. Call the airlines. Book a flight out - any flight and as it became clear that we were truly begging, any flight anywhere. Begger's can't be choosy and we could get somewhere and then worry about a connecting flight to Detroit.

But flights were being cancelled as soon as we connected with an agent. Houston? Sure? Two tickets? No problem.

Oops! That flight just got cancelled!

And so the story went.

Train?

Nothing available.

Rent a car?

None available anymore.

Just plan on bunkering down and riding things out and hope for the best.

Oh - and now Ivan is ranking as a category five!

Worst possible scenario!

End of the day Tuesday the announcement was made. The remainder of the Stewardship Conference was officially cancelled.

Go home!

Yea! Right! Good luck with that now.

We headed back to our hotel which, by time of our arrival, was something of a madhouse. All sorts for folk, mostly families with small children, were trying to get in, get rooms. Being suites, that meant every accommodation had at least a small refrigerator and stove and, thus, meal preparations would be possible. The hotel also had begun providing late afternoon finger foods and early morning light breakfasts. And the first four floors were now off lints. No rooms would be offered under the fifth floor just in case the water level . . .  well, you can imagine!

We were offered the possibility of moving down to the fifth floor. (We were on eleven.) We took the offer as we both thought of what life might be like if power was lost and elevators were not working and the only way down was the stairway - eleven floors! Not a chance!

Settled in our new accommodations, it was now time for some dinner. And that became a new discovery. In New Orleans - known for its cuisine - restaurants were closed and boarded up. However, some distance away we managed to find a TGIF still open and serving food.

Menu?

No!

We are cooking whatever is left so that it doesn't spoil in the storm. We will serve you dinner - certainly. You will get whatever the chef is able to put together for you.

Dinner had, we headed back to our hotel. No stopover that evening at the casino. It was closed and shuttered.

Ivan was bearing down on New Orleans.

Wednesday arrived and this great, never sleeping city was a ghost town- no traffic anywhere, winds intensifying, silence deafening.

We needed something to eat. The breakfast lite was sufficient but not totally filling. Only where might we find anyone still serving food?

I had an idea. A couple of blocks away was one of those super-fine, super-expensive hotels. They would certain feel obliged to provide food for their clientele. And I was right! Good food! White glove service and folks all round dressed to the nines!

It felt like we were on the Titanic - dining while the waters poured in.

And in a sense that was a correct assessment since, by the time we finished our dinners, the main entrances were now boarded up and impassable. We would have to leave through the service entrance.

The walk back was marked by blistery winds bringing stinging sand and dirt into our faces. Police cars were circling all around, loudspeakers announcing a total, stay in place, curfew. When we got to our hotel, we were immediately informed that, once in our room, we could not leave until an all clear was sounded.

And we were instructed to fill our bathtub!

Just in case the water was shut off!

And so we waited.

And watched the Weather Channel!

Who ever thought of spending an evening in New Orleans watching the Weather Channel?

But we learned something. 

A pivotal moment was coming soon - long around 10:45 PM.

At that time, with prevailing weather patterns and water temperatures and who knows what all else, it was possible that Ivan could ever so slightly change course. If that happened, New Orleans would be spared and the storm would move eastward.

And so we waited and watched and maybe even prayed.

And the patterns did their trick! And the storm ever so slightly changed course, slightly but still enough.

We would be spared!

The next day the city was still mostly a ghost town. We were finally able to book flights back home - not until Friday and not both of us on the same flight.I would take the earlier flight, early enough for me to get into a car and head on off to begin that weekend retreat.

We had experienced a city under seige.

The storm had been avoided.

But the next year New Orleans was not so fortunate.

And this year again - not so fortunate

For our sisters and brothers, suffering in whatever way from this vicious act of nature:

let us pray to the Lord!

Meantime, 

Keep Praying

 . . . and Stay Safe!

Oh! And please  get your shot! It's the charitable thing to do.

That Day in July . . .

 It was a Sunday . . .  the 24th of July, 1967.

And almost as usual, life began to unfold in the parish early on that Sunday morning.

Our schedules in hand, we, the clergy began to enter into our last minute preparations for the Masses over which we would preside on that Sunday morning.

The early Mass folk were already beginning to arrive at that modest sized, Westside, mostly Polish parish.

It was beginning as just another Sunday.

Or so most of us thought.

But that morning there was one difference.

There was a police car outside, directly front of the front entrance to the church. And a couple of the occupants were asking to speak to the clergy.

Alone . . .  apart from the gathering crowd . . .  somewhere somewhat isolated so that what was about to be said would be spoken in a degree of secrecy.

At least for the moment.

Clergy gathered (and remember, this was 1967 and many parishes back then had more than a single priest!) and the officers spoke to us.

No need for alarm and certainly there is no need to alarm the congregation. However, there is some "trouble" in the streets somewhat nearby. Because of that, keep things as brief as possible and simply, calmly at the end of the Mass encourage everyone to go directly home. Tell them not to linger, socialize or head out anywhere for breakfast. 

Straight home . . .  and immediately.

Some "trouble" in the streets somewhat nearby!

July 24 is the anniversary day of the founding, the establishment of Detroit. 1701 was the day. And here it was - another July 24 only this year, 1967, Detroit was taking a different turn in its identity.

Late night or early morning, depending on your sense of time, something had happened that set tempers flaring and unleashed long pent up frustrations.

And there was violence in the streets.

Some 'trouble" somewhat nearby!

Masses went on as usual and as scheduled. Folks were encouraged to not linger but rather head straight home. As the morning progressed, folks arriving were hearing something of the news of that "trouble" somewhat nearby.

And a bit later that Sunday, I had the opportunity of hosting a gathering of a handful of faculty and students from the University of Detroit. At that time I was a student in the graduate program there, taking courses in education and counseling. Our gathering consisted of some like minds, folks who could name trends and issues impacting society and analyze and speculate possible results.

One of the items that came up was the current condition of Detroit's black population. Several of the faculty spoke about how surprised they were that something had not yet erupted, given the prevalence of racism and its effects.

The discussion continued along those lines on into the evening.

The time came for my guests to depart. The sky was darkening. Night was descending.

And as we emerged from our gathering in that rectory, we could see something more.

Flames were tearing through that darkness.

Somewhere not too distant from where we were, neighborhoods were ablaze.

It was then that I remembered that early morning visit from those law officers. It was then that I realized that the time had, indeed, come.

A people had been dehumanized for far too long.

Now much pent up anger was emerging, erupting, tearing through the streets.

Langston Hughes captured it so very, very well. "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun?... Or does it explode?"

Every human being has a dream, a God-given dream and that is to be treated as, respected as a human being, made in the image and likeness of God.

And when that dream is deferred . . . it does not dry up like some raisin in the sun.

July 24, 1967 - the results of a dream  deferred!

Meantime, 

Keep Praying

 . . . and Stay Safe!

Oh! And please  get your shot! It's the charitable thing to do.

And Yet Another . . .

I know! 

I know!

It has been a while but, well, sometimes that inspirational muse just takes a little time off and in such times it is better to be silent than to just dish out verbiage.

Or whatever!

Anyhow, while it has been a while, I think I have some words to put together for you now.

So let's get right to it!

And as I get right to it, notice again how I have titled this musing. I am calling this "And Yet Another . . . "

And that "Other" would be SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary on the beautiful grounds of Orchard Lake here in Michigan.

This seminary is a part of my story, my history.

In 1956 I was sent, as was the policy back then, for my college studies to St. Mary's College on the Orchard Lake Campus. After two yers of liberal arts college, in Junior Year, I entered the study of philosophy, the first two years of actual seminary study. Those two years of philosophy would be followed by four years of theology studies but, for me, those four would happen in Plymouth, Michigan in what was back then our major seminary, St. John's.

However, I would live and study for my four college years at Orchard Lake and the seminary program there became a part of my history.

Some years later, ordained, working in a parish, I was also chosen to work on a new degree, this time in Liturgical Theology. Something known as Vatican II had happened and changes were in the wind and it was evident that there was a need for those who could provide resources and insights and education to help parishes, priests, laity and candidates for various ministries to adjust in a hopefully healthy manner to the changes.

I earned my degree from the prestigious University of Notre Dame and almost immediately I was recruited to be an adjunct faculty member in that seminary at Orchard Lake.

Once again SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary became a part of my personal history and it remained so for a number of years. I continued as adjunct faculty into the 1980's and was called back into service several times after that.

And now this piece of my personal story is about to go away.

The announcement has been made and the decision is rather final - SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan will be closing its doors - permanently.

And that means that yet another part of my history disappears.

I say "Another" because it has been a number of years now since St. John's Seminary closed its doors. That was my home for my original theology studies. From its halls I emerged to be ordained for my years of ministry.

Closed . . . gone.

And I look at the parishes in which I ministered . . . 

St. Cunegunda - still around but a shadow, a mere skeleton of its former self.

St. Bartholomew - gone . . . another piece of that history no longer to be found.

And there was that gem of a parish right in the City of Detroit - Precious Blood, certainly one of the most beautiful of buildings housing some of the most beautiful People of God . . . it evolved into St. Peter Claver nd then . . . well, another void, yet another.

And my roots  . . . that part of my history that set the very foundation of my growth? Well, that would be SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish and School.

Also now gone . . .

Oh, true, there continues to be a SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish, now located in Sterling Heights, Michigan. And this new entity houses some artifacts from the original church, my home parish. Yet, truth be told, this is not the Home I knew growing up. St. Cyril was more than the place we worshipped and went to school. It was our community, our very identity.

And that St. Cyril is now but a memory.

And the Sisters who ministered in that original St. Cyril? Dominicans, originally the Dominican Sisters of St. Rose of Lime, also known as the Oxford Dominicans.

I led a number of retreats on the Oxford Dominican Campus and as a youngster, took part in any number of visits, pilgrimages and festivals there. In retirement I was driving out to Oxford to serve as part--time chaplain for the good Sisters weekly for some time.

I was there when they became the Dominican Sisters of Pece and I was there when . . . they became yet another!

Gone!

And now I am looking back at all so many parts of my life, my formation, my story and realizing that they live now, not as they once did, but they live only within me.

I am SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish and School and I am the Oxford Dominicans and I am SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary and I am St. John's Seminary and I am St.. Bartholomew Parish and the Church of the Precious Blood.

The institutions are no more but their work, their beauty, their worth continues . . . in me and in folks like me.

Isn't that true of any of our stories, especially as the years roll on by?

The forces that formed us fade away but the work they have done lives on . . .

in us!

Meantime, 

Keep Praying

 . . . and Stay Safe!

Oh! And get your shot! 

The One "They" Didn't Get (Yet!)

Time to celebrate that One - The One "They" didn't get (yet.)

I am talking, here, to Catholics in particular, but also to Christians in general.

We are about to celebrate one of our Big Ones.

Pentecost is with us, one of our most major feasts and celebrations.

Actually, it is one of our Big Three in terms of historical and theological importance.

And it still stands as the One They" didn't get (yet.)

Among those top three stands Christmas, of course. Historically and theologically this is the least of the Big Three. Nevertheless, "They" got it.  Christmas  is rooted in religious meaning and significance but, let's face it, today one really has to dig deep to find that. Planning, shopping, preparing for Christmas begins, these days, when? Around Memorial Day? So much to do! So much to plan! Cards and presents and parties and gatherings and decorations, and . . . and  . .  and . . .

Oh, yes, and find the time to get to church! Squeeze that it, don't forget.

Yep! "They" got it.

OK, someone just might set forth the argument that Christmas really started out as a pagan feast  and then we, Christians, took it over and now, with the passage of time, the original owners are reclaiming it.

And an argument could be made for that sort of thinking but fact is, yes, there was originally a pagan feast centered around the darkest of days and the return of the great Sun God, but when Rome finally saw the Light and grew more and more Christian, that celebration no longer made sense but its meaning really did speak to one of our very basic tenets - that the True Light of the World has come to dwell among us.

And that deserves to be celebrated.

And for centuries, we did - at least until "They" got it and filled it with commercialism.

And  when "They" got Christmas, then there was Easter.

That one is the most important day in the Christian year, no question about it.

And it is so filled with theological significance that it presents a real challenge to those commercializers.

After all, how do you cutesy up something like death/resurrection, suffering to glory, redeeming love?

Well, it may have been a challenge and it may have taken it bit, but "They" did get it.

And now we have bunnies and chicks and all those cute little signs of springtime, because, after all, this really is all about springtime, isn't it?

And now those tasty Peeps are even appearing as soon as the Valentine chocolates disappear. (And, true, Valentine's Day is also one more of ours but Valentine's is only a rather minor player, actually not even on our official calendar of saints anymore.)

But as to Easter - now our young are being taught to assume that, just like Santa at Christmas, that Easter Bunny will be bringing not just candy treats but also more and more expensive, new toys and gadgets to celebrate springtime.That is what Easter is all about - springtime!

And so it is that "They" got Easter.

But "They" still have not found a way to get the one we are about to unfold again.

"They" have still not figured out how to get Pentecost.

And what do you do, what can you do with Tongues of Fire and that mighty whirlwind and those bold, very vocal proclaimers of the Good News of God's redeeming love, those folk who just days, even hours ago were shivering in their boots, locked behind shutters and doors. Something happened, seriously happened to cause them to break forth and speak out.

How do you cutesy that?

Well, maybe you do not even try.

After all, Pentecost is all about Church and Message and in today's world, who really wants the nuisance of Church and Message Especially that Message!

Church - you can whisper some prayers and mouth some hymns and spend your hour or so in your gathering.

But please, please - do not come bursting through those doors, shouting out your Message of that God and the power of that redeeming Love!

Just keep quiet, please. 

Pentecost will be ignored.

"They" won't try to get it. "They" do not want it.

And we can keep it just as long as we also keep our light under that bushel basket!

And leave "Them" alone!

But hopefully "We" know what to do with Pentecost!

Meantime, 

Keep Praying

 . . . and Stay Safe!

Oh! And get your shot! 

Saying It Out Loud!

Believe me.

I have thought long and hard about this writing. And, yes, I have even prayed over its possibility.

And I have gone back and forth. Should I write this? Or should I just let it go?

And, obviously, I have decided to write and not just let go. However, even as I write this, I want you to know that I am doing so not to garner some sort of "Poor you" responses or anything of the sort.

I have decided to write this because I hope that I am a person of faith and that faith colors my whole being. It tells me who I am and how I am and most importantly, how I should be.

And as a person of faith, I also hunger to see that gift and blessing in the lives of others, in your life. And I hunger to see the impact of faith in shaping the way you view your days and live your life.

And I also know that sometimes that can be difficult, sometimes even very, very difficult.

And I am thinking that maybe, just as in those days of old, when the likes of those first evangelists sought to spread the Good News, and when those words, mostly of personal testimony, enabled people of faith to live boldly even in the most trying of times, well, maybe, just maybe, words giving testimony of faith lived, can enable and embolden someone (you?) today in our times.

So it is that I have decided to share my today's story with you. And I hope and pray that, somehow, it may empower your faith as you seek to embrace what life is setting before you today.

The story I share really unfolded big time on March 30, 2021, although parts of it were already in play some time before.

March 30 - I had an appointment with my urologist. This was primarily a consult.

Some time before he was expressing suspicions about numbers and findings and stuff that fascinates those medical types. According to the things I was consulting, my numbers were just fine, expected and normal for someone of my age.  But he was not buying it. Something was looking suspicious and so he kept pursuing. Test and then still another test and let's take still another look.

And at that meeting on the 30th day of March he shared with me his conclusion. 

"We need to do a biopsy."

The numbers were not right and the indications were not right and we needed to check and see if, perhaps, something was hiding there, something we needed to face and deal with.

And so it was that a biopsy was scheduled. And we all know who comes to mind when we hear that word - biopsy!

But that was, on that day, only part of the story unfolding.

It seems that the evening before, thanks to the technology with which I choose to surround myself, my watch, yes! watch! signaled to me that it was detecting some sort of irregular cardiac activity and that, if not previously identified by my primary care person or any other, I should consult.

Now that is not exactly the sort of signal one needs before heading off to slumber!

But following through the next day I did call and inform my primary care person of that signal. Whereupon I was told to get into the office ASAP!

So from the biopsy consult, I headed off for still another adventure.

And the result of that one sent me to a cardiologist and that launched me into all sorts of testings and even today wearing one of those monitors and another test tomorrow and findings and results to be revealed likely at the end of the month of May.

Heart issues?

Well, who knows. Later on that one. But the possibilities are there.

And then there was that biopsy.

Initial results?

Stage One prostate cancer.

Yep! That word. Cancer.

We meet soon to discuss options and possibilities and courses of action.

And that at present is me - heart issues and cancer.

And I say that and share that because, as I said at the very beginning of this writing, I am a person of faith.

I am at peace and I am calm and I firmly believe that this is because, as a person of faith, i know that I am in the hands of One who loves me intensely. He takes care of me. He will continue to take care of me. No matter what direction things may take for me, I need not worry and, surprisingly, I do not worry. I am not worried.

Life is not about clinging to what we have right now.

Life, true life, is about being so truly free as to place one's self into the hands of the One who loves us and letting Him call the shots.

And doing that - one can find true peace.

And He did say, "Peace be with you!"

That is what He wants for every one of us.

I truly am at peace.

And I pray that you may you have that too!

Meantime, 

Keep Praying

 . . . and Stay Safe!

Oh! And get your shot! 

That "New World" Dawning

As more and more vaccines roll out and get into human arms, we are clearly moving to a time when this pandemic will be behind us. By that I do not mean to imply that Covid is totally finished with us - not yet; not for a long time and perhaps not ever. Covid will still be around, sort of like measles and chicken pox and such. However, thanks to medical science, we will be gaining the upper hand and eventually be able to get back to some sort of normal living.

But what might that normal living look like in this New World, this post-pandemic world?

I am going to set out some of my thoughts but I also invite you to put forth some of yours. Down below in this blog you find a pace for your comments. The whole idea of a blog is to stimulate thought and even evoke those comments and some discussion. So, while I set out some of my thoughts, how about joining in with some of yours?

And to start, here is an easy one from me.

Many a workplace has already changed permanently. 

The idea of working from home has caught on and as a result, it will not be going away. Offices may very well change in nature and homes may be   designed or redesigned to accommodate workspace. But the idea of working from home also means that an employer's potential for qualified workers can expand geographically. An additional bonus may well be a better, healthier morale as employees can more readily bond with their families.

And masks!

Think that they will totally go away?

I wonder.

I have been hearing folks remarking about how flu season and cold season became milder, likely due to mask wearing. And allergies are also being tempered by those masks. Maybe they will not be as intensely worn as during the days of pandemic but my suspicion is that they will be more used and more visible in public in the days ahead.

And Zoom! or some form of Zoom is definitely here to stay.

A means for connecting across the miles, a means for inviting into meetings and lectures and various other activities has now been opened. It needs to be continued and even expanded. Homebound can now "get out." Got home late from work? No problem. Zoom in and have your say at that meeting of the church ushers.

And right alongside the Zoom stuff - let's take a glance at what has been happening with churches. And while I am sure there has been an impact across the board on all denominations and faith traditions, I can rather knowingly speak with the Catholic Church in mind.

Streaming Masses! Definitely these need to continue. And no! Emphatically, NO! They must not be allowed to take the place of our real presence. We need to renew ourselves as a faith community, to see each other, speak with each other, share the all so long absent greeting of peace and even get in one another's way. We need to physically affirm that we are not in some sort of solitary relationship with God but rather in that healthy relationship that includes all of God's children. 

However, having said that, I still strongly believe in the value of streaming parish Masses. Think about it. Parish members who for whatever reason cannot physically join the faith community, those who are limited by physical disabilities or medical situations could still be present with the faith community. Sure, there have been and still are those Masses for shut-ins but, let's face it. Is it not far better to be able to join in prayer and worship with people you know, seeing faces you recognize, maybe even exchanging those little sidebar messages.

And how about challenging parishes to really get creative with Sunday streaming? How about getting lists of those participating via the internet. And then commissioning Ministers of the Eucharist to go directly from the live Mass to the homes of those participating by streaming and actually join them to the live community by bringing them Communion!

Can't be done? Says who?

A New World demands some new thoughts and new ideas and new ways - and hopefully better ways.

I hav set out a couple of my ideas.

What about you.

See that word blow "Comment"? The number ahead of it indicates there is a coment or two. It is also a link inviting you to open, read and more.

That's for you to share an idea or two or offer a comment as well. Click and, behold, a chance to offer your own wisdom!

Come on! Join the conversation. Let's together imagine that New World as it is coming into being.

Meantime, 

Keep Praying

 . . . and Stay Safe! 

An Upside-down World

 Welcome to the upside-down world of God!

That is the thought before me as we enter again these days, the most sacred, most significant of all our days in the year.

It is Triduum - the span of time stretching from evening of Thursday on through that Friday and into Silent Saturday until finally culminating on Sunday Evening. Three Days that actually seem to merge into one. Three Days unlike any other in all of human history.

These  Three Days set before us the World of God, the Upside-down World of God.

As these Days begin Jesus, the One called Lord and Master washes feet, the feet of His followers.

Greatness is found in service and not in mastery.

Welcome to the Upside-down World of God!

Then at table the Almighty One chooses to come to us not with thunder and lightening and roaring, whirling winds but through the fragile Signs of Bread and Wine transformed.

Welcome to the Upside-down World of God!

And in that garden we hear a prayer. It is not - "Let me have it my way!" Nor do we hear - "I know what is good for me or right for me." It is "Not My will but Thine be done!"

Welcome to the Upside-down World of God!

Then comes Friday - that Friday and we are hearing other words, strange words, strange especially from Someone so abused, so broken, so beaten, so unfairly, unjustly treated.

"Father, forgive them. They know not what they are doing!"

Forgive!

Welcome to the Upside-down World of God!

And on that cross we see One stronger, nobler, more in control than those in power who have put Him there.

"This day you will be with Me in paradise!"

"Into Your hands I commend My spirit!"

Strength present in what looks like weakness.

Welcome to the Upside-down World of God!

And on Saturday we wait in the silence of what looks like a burial place, a cemetery but what is really a garden, a place where life is stirring.

Not a cemetery but a garden!

Welcome to the Upside-down World of God!

And then comes that Sunday, that day unlike any in all of human history.

He is dead!

Look again!

Where's the body?

Why are you looking for the living among the dead?

Welcome to the Upside-down World of God!

You think you know what is real?

You don't really know anything until you start getting to know the Kingdom of God, and then you begin to discover that God's ways are truly nowhere near our ways.

Welcome to the Upside-down World of God!

Meantime, 

Keep Praying

 . . . and Stay Safe!