Blocks..

 I believe I've spoken of this before.

My first impression is always a well used block wagon.  Built a lot of things with those.

However, these days it draws attention to social media.

There is a tool on most sites which allow one to block fellow users.  It's a 2 way street.

I've blocked some officious people, vulgar, hateful even threatening.  It goes beyond political views, though that has merited blockage.  Beyond differences, it is that pernicious disease with nothing to replace, no solutions, just derision.

Likewise, I've been ejected because of my support for Freedom.  Like a cross to a vampire, they can't stand the truth.

I block lies.  They block truth.

I never push any views on anyone.  I will not allow anyone to force something on me.  Accept or not.

Blockage is not to mold some mutual admiration society.  It is to eschew irrationality, to replace that with healthy dialog toward solution.

It boils down to let your conscience be your guide.

Diary

 A lot of people keep diaries.  It's not just young girl's secrets.

There are everything from historic accounts to folks' daily routines and impressions.

I don't push my blog on anyone.  It's here for whomever wants to read and ruminate.

I suggest you each keep a record.  I carefully keep a certain anonymity.  That's for safety's sake and respect for privacy.

If you like, there is a plethora of ideas, thoughts, regards here.

Help yourselves.

3 Easters

 I've experienced many Easters.

But there have been over 2,000 of them.

I remember most of those apportioned to me.  Family, friends, lonely, old, new and now have been my lot.

Here are 3 which have different perspectives to offer.

The first was when I was a student minister in the early part of it.

I attended Mass with some Catholic friends.  Then I served at my church.

Next I just made a morning service at an apostolic church.  At the time, my brother from another mother was an assistant pastor there.

Each experience was spiritual as well as among friends and convivial.

My BFAM, his then wife and several members of the congregation segued to lunch at a family style restaurant near downtown on 16th Street.

The conversation was quiet but not stuffy.  And noone said a word about my color.  We were merely Christians having Easter lunch.  

After we returned for an afternoon worship.  It was quite unlike my usual experience.  It was much more musical and openly joyous.  We sang and listened to a short sermon.  This was a charismatic service and music followed with folks speaking in tongues and dancing in the Spirit.

Interestingly, I wasn't nervous nor did I feel out of place.  Though the style of worship was unusual to me, I was accepted just as I was.  Isn't that the whole way of faith?  Besides, my BFAM and and I knew each other well.

I was introduced by him as a student minister to his congregation.  They insisted on a short address.

I was demure, saying I was from a quieter type of faith and didn't want to intrude.

The folks encouraged me, saying it was alright.

So, I gave a brief homily/testimony.  With cries of 'amen' and 'that's alright brother', I cheerfully concluded.  Never received applause before lol.

Then, there was a brief praise and healing service.  I met a guy who was young but a retired actor.  We never talked about it, just accepted our presence.  Since, I still recall his soulful HalleLujah.

The second was shorter.  It was near the end of my assignment at a downtown church.

We had several elderly folks.  Many were without family.  So, I was invited to one of the lady's home.  It would in later years be even more meaningful, as it was near where I lived with my wife and kids, practically round the corner.

We had a traditional meal and spoke of Easters past.  It was just a gentle afternoon and we were both thankful for it.

The third was a trip to Chicago with my wife and son when he was a toddler.

It was a quiet family afternoon.  I had ventured downtown and got him a chocolate bunny and chocolate eggs for my wife and me.

Quiet, love filled and full of gratitude.  Simple.

So there are 3 Easters.  Each different, but complete.  

Moments in life.

Pharisaical

 He had served in various venues, degrees and times as a student minister.

Called to preach many times, he spoke of the Liberty of Christ,

We weren't bound to either ritual nor place.  Church wasn't once a week.  It was always.  We lived our faith every minute, everywhere.

This ran afoul of the then bishop and some of the pastors.  How odd the student thought.  The previous bishop had been just the opposite, a true follower of Jesus.  

There are those who outwardly profess Jesus but underneath they served themselves.  Control was their god.

Support for the student grew.  Many sought to help him.  This offended the bishop and his followers.

They simply pulled rank and forbade the student to preach.

Now one congregation in particular was contacted.  The student tried to explain he could no longer serve them.  He was even asked to become their pastor.  He told them he couldn't til he was ordained.  Some wanted him to lead anyway.  He declined, not wanting to cause any further fracturing.  The congregation was divided because of collectivist incursion.  

The student sent 3 letters.  One to the pastor's office, another to the Council and a third to the congregation.

He never received a response.

A pastor finally was chosen.  He contacted this person.  When the pastor was asked what happened to the letters, he told the student he disposed of them.

The following Easter the pastor specifically asked the student to assist him.

In the vestry he told the student that certain people in high places didn't want the student to succeed.

Instead of speaking of Jesus' triumph the pastor spoke of Sisyphus who in Hades rolled a huge rock up only to have it roll down repeatedly.

Obviously it was directed at the student who, though never expelled was cut off from any duties.  It was a warning not to defy the bishop.

The commie campus pastor at the student's school told him to not let the Church destroy his faith.  Such hypocrisy!

The student entered other work but always proclaimed the Liberty of Christ and has healed and led many to the Light.

Woe to those calling good evil and evil good.  Woe to those using Jesus as a front and professing communism.

Do not succumb.  Raise up and be free of the pettiness and hatred simmering in self righteousness.  

Happy Easter!

PS

Before he was censored, the student had an opportunity to preach before the former bishp.  This great servant of God was suffering from dementia, but still able to attend church.  As the student made to leave, the former Bishop sought him at the coat rack.  ''Very..good'' he managed to say.   The student said it was an honor to deliver God's word that he could hear.