Earth Shaking Easter - a wake up call

In 1981, I was living the California as the Easter season was approaching. Then, I was awaken early in the morning by a large BANG. It was an earthquake. And it was loud enough to wake the dead.

My thoughts took me to the first Easter. Back then, there were earthquakes that actually did wake the dead. The Gospel of Matthew - and only the Gospel of Matthew - records such an account when Jesus died on the cross:

Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

Matthew 27:50-54
(King James Version)

I always wanted to hear more about this earthquake that woke the dead. Please! Matthew, tell us more! But he doesn't. And neither do the other Gospel writers.

As it says in the Law of Moses:

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 29:28
(King James Version)

And this is one of those times.

Twenty-one centuries later, we still experience earthquakes. Yet, the hope of Easter is that it looks to the future, as we wait, too, for the dead to awake:

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.

John 5:28
(King James Version)

Death is only temporary. The New Testament calls it sleep. And we will all wake up.


photo from everystockphoto.com: It's Friday, But Sunday's Comin

Winds of Destiny - eBook review

Show, don’t tell. This is the pithy advice given to writers.

Many American history classes tell the story of the Puritans, their search for religious freedom, and their subsequent immigration to the New World. Jayne Bullock’s novel Winds of Destiny shows the story, which many history book writers only tell.

The times during England’s Civil War are seen through the eyes of a spirited and adventurous heroine, Catherine Grafton, the Catholic daughter of a landlord. A Puritan family, the Ringolds, rescues the heroine from a providential mishap. Her adventurous spirit beckons her on a journey with them, which takes her beyond the point of no return to her old life.

The author has thoroughly researched this tumultuous period, showing the details and the settings of the times. The writing brings to life the regional dialects of the characters.

The book is quite relevant for today, in many ways.

First, it can give us a better understanding of American history. What were the struggles of people of conscious in a land that did not tolerate religious freedom? What events in mother England drove the Puritans to such places like America?

Second, Jayne conveys the message of tolerance and understanding, much like the parable of the Good Samaritan. The heroine finds compassion from an unlikely source - those who are “the wrong religion.”

And last, in the uncertainty of the 1640s, Providence takes the heroine on a journey she could not have foreseen. Likewise, are not these uncertain times in twenty-first century America?

Since I have been researching life in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in Europe, I was most interested in Jayne’s historical novel during such times. I liked this story because she humanized this period as narrated in the first person of the heroine. I would recommend this book not only to those who love a good yarn of adventure and romance, but to Anglophiles as well. It covers the few decades in the seventeenth century when England actually became a republic, which is fascinating.

eBook can be purchased at: synergebooks.com/ebook_windsofdestiny.html

Pages: 175
Words: 106,473
Reading Time: 304-425 minutes


Lord, be my rock of safety, the stronghold that saves me. For the honor of your name, lead me and guide me.
Psalm 30:3-4

Spring Forward? Why?

This Sunday, March 14, 2010, we "spring" forward, set our clocks ahead one hour, and lose one hour of sleep.

Why?

Daylight Saving Time (DST) .

Whose bright idea was this?

The one who said:

"Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. "
Benjamin Franklin (1706- 1790)

As an American envoy to France, Ben Franklin anonymously published a letter suggesting that families in Paris could save 64 million pounds of candle wax in six months by rising earlier to use morning sunlight. (Reference Benjamin Franklin: America's Inventor)

It took well over a hundred years for this American inventor's idea to catch on .... at least, in America.

Daylight Saving Time was first officially observed in the United States in 1918, during World War I, to save energy for war production. And during World War II, FDR instituted year-round Daylight Saving Time, called "War Time," from February 9, 1942 to September 30, 1945.

Between the World Wars and post World War II, communities observed the time change as they pleased. In 1966, Congress passed the Uniform Time Act, which standardized the length of Daylight Saving Time. Today, Arizona and Hawaii are the only US states that do not observe it.

In 2007, DST was extended by four weeks as part of the 2005 the Energy Policy Act. Yet, I can recall the earliest DST time of all. (Other than World War II. I'm not that old.)

The United States was reeling from its first major energy crisis, post World War II. Since the US took sides with Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the Arab states aligned to punish Israel's allies with the Arab Oil Embargo. Hence, this embargo precipitated long gas lines, an energy crisis, a recession.

"On January 4, 1974, President Nixon signed into law the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act of 1973. Then, beginning on January 6, 1974, implementing the Daylight Saving Time Energy Act, clocks were set ahead." (Reference: Daylight Saving Time.)

Living in a northern state, I recall walking to school in the dark .... or in the moonlight ... when this law was enacted.

So March 14th? It could be worse. Could be all year round. Could be January 6th. And we could be in a war. Or another energy crisis. A recession. Wait. We are? Hmmm.

"Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
George Santayana
Picture from Wiki Commons: Ben Franklin

Who said George Washington will be the Greatest Man in the World?

Presidents Day was last Monday February 15, but George Washington was born, according to the Gregorian calendar, February 22, 1732. It's a shame we have dropped his name from the federal holiday, which was first established to honor him, and lumped him in with the other 43 presidents. And all this was done to get a long weekend. But as the Father of our Country, he has earned a unique and special place in American history.

Most of us are familiar with Gilbert Stuart's George Washington, which was painted late in our first president's life, 1796. Most images of our founding fathers portray them as much older than they were at the time of the American Revolution.

As author David McCullough has pointed out, the American Revolution was actually a young man's and young woman's cause. George Washington was one of the oldest, 43, when he took command of the Continental Army in 1775. John Adams was 40. Thomas Jefferson was 33 when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. None of them had any previous experience in revolutions.

At the end of the war in 1783, one prominent world figure (not American) commented that if Washington returned to private life on his farm, as rumor had it, "he will be the greatest man in the world."

Who said this?

The answer can be found in this YouTube video clip - "The Glorious Cause of America," an address by David McCullough, given at the a forum assembly at BYU on September 27, 2005.



George Washington did return to his private life at Mount Vernon after the war in 1783. Later, he presided over the Philadelphia Convention that drafted the United States Constitution in 1787 and became the first President of the United States under the Constitution in 1789.

Okay, now quiz time.

Who said George Washington will be the greatest man in the world?

Anyone? Does the answer surprise you?

Photo from Wikimedia Commons: Gilbert Stuart's George Washington

The US Presidents Remembered in February

February is short on month, but big on remembering our US presidents:

- February 12: Lincoln's Birthday

- February 15, 2010: Presidents Day

- February 22: Washington's Birthday.

Since 1789, we have had 44 presidents. Below is the YouTube video clip of the first 42 US Presidents Animaniacs - Presidents from George Washington to Bill Clinton. I find their presentation a humorous way to bone up on my American history.

A short biography of all 44 Presidents can be found on the White House Official Site link - Our Presidents

For wisdom and guidance to tackle the tough challenges that face our nation, our President and all our leaders need our prayers. Regardless of the person in office or political affiliation, St. Peter gives us some good advice. (Remember Nero was on the throne of the Roman Empire when he wrote this.)

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.

I Peter 2:13 & 14 (NIV)

Okay, now you are ready for that US history quiz or Jeopardy.

And God bless the USA.

February calendar image from: Smashing Magazine - Desktop Wallpaper Calendar: February 2010

Groundhog Day - Time for a do-over?

Every year on February 2, many Americans celebrate Groundhog Day. Why a holiday for a rodent, though they are kind of cute?

From Wikipedia: "According to folklore, if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day fails to see its shadow, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter will soon end. If on the other hand, the groundhog sees its shadow, the groundhog will supposedly retreat into its burrow, and winter will continue for six more weeks."

Associated with the holiday is the 1993 Bill Murray movie of the same name, Groundhog Day. Surly weatherman Phil Conners, who grudgingly covers the festivities in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, seems doomed to relive Groundhog Day over and over, again. As the film suggests, he may have been stuck in this time loop for many, many years. Only when Phil changes his self-centered ways and finally gets it "right," he is released from this cycle.

The desire for a do-over - to change and go back in time to do things right this time - is very appealing.

St. Paul had that yearning to change and do the right thing when he wrote:

"...I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."... When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ... What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"from Romans 7 (New International Version)

From his failures, Paul could not change and get it "right" on his own power, but he knew only the Spirit of God, living in him, working through him, would allow him to change and do the right thing.

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ...
"... You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you."from Romans 8 (New International Version)

As for the time loop and the do-overs, according to Scripture, there aren't any:

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment..."from Hebrews 9:27 (New International Version)

King David in the Old Testament may have had the desire to go back in time and correct some very bad choices, which had tragic consequences. He had no opportunity for a do-over, but he did know that the Lord would be there to catch him, even when he stumbled.

"If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand."from Psalm 37:23-24 (New International Version)

Whether or not that groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow this February 2nd, Spring is coming and we have this promise and a cause to rejoice:

"See! The winter is past;
the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves is heard in our land."from Song of Solomon 2:11-12 (New International Version)


For Groundhog Day 2010, be safe and may the Lord uphold you in His hand.

Photo from everystockphoto.com: Ground Hog II

MLK, Malcolm X & Epiphany

As some Protestant churches reckon, we have entered the season of Epiphany, which extends from January 6 to Ash Wednesday.

In addition to the traditional church holy day, merriam-webster defines epiphany as:
3 a (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something
(2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking
(3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure
b : a revealing scene or moment

So befitting, Martin Luther King Day falls within the season of Epiphany.

One fascinating book I have read on the civil rights struggle was The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley (author of Roots). What I found most intriguing about Malcolm X was the story of his epiphany.

Born in 1925, Malcolm Little grew up with personal tragedy. His father was brutally murdered. His widowed mother struggled to keep the family together, as social workers tore the family apart. His mother's emotional break down got her committed to a mental institution.

Spending his youth in criminal activities, Malcolm landed in prison. There, he educated himself and converted to the Muslim faith associated with the Nation of Islam. Malcolm dropped his "slave" surname "Little," and took "X" for his unknown tribal origin.

Smart, articulate, Malcolm X rose to power in the civil rights struggle of African Americans in the late 1950s and 1960s. Though the Nation of Islam preached personal responsibility and self-reliance, they also vilified the dominate white race, fueling deep racial hatred.

Later, Malcolm X saw the flaws of the leaders, who did not live up to their own strict moral code. When he questioned them, he was disciplined and ostracize. Eventually, Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam to become a Sunni Muslim.

While embarking on his Hajj, his lifetime trip to Mecca, Malcolm X opened his eyes to the multitude from diverse races and ethnic backgrounds, who had come together to worship in this faith. This event was his epiphany. He admitted near the end of his autobiography that he had been blinded by hate and disavowed his racism.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the very few Christian ministers and civil rights leaders of the 1960s that Muslim minister and activist Malcolm X had any respect for. Dr. King undoubtedly was most familiar with the New Testament teachings:

I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
Acts 10: 34-35 (NIV)

and

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28 (NIV)

These principles are behind Dr. King's famous words - men will not argue that the color of a man's skin determines the content of his character.

And Malcolm X was just beginning to learn this when he was unfortunately assassinated in 1965.

Photo from everystockphoto: Martin Luther King Jr.