Cata And Bags

 In my capacity as a student minister, I was in some unique situations.

Then again, I've had some singular opportunities most of my life.

I was in a position to listen to confessions.  Not like our friends in RCC etc, but nonetheless I counseled and above all listened.  

This included several pastors and church workers.

I was trustworthy and some of them needed to go 'outside' official function.  Not sure what that says about the organization.  At any rate, I listened and counseled including up into my clinical psych education.

Of course, I'm not revealing anything.  I will take what I heard when I cross over.

I don't dwell on all that.  It just crosses my mind now and then.  And it gives me a chance to reflect on that period.

I listened and we prayed for healing and well being.  It was rather like a point of contact and we knew God ultimately listened.  But as we are in this world together, it is well for us to share.  

It was initially startling that established folks poured out their souls to me.  Then I realized it was simply part of my calling/service.

Lending an ear, no excuses and a chance to think were shared.

I hope all are well who are still here.  Several have gone to spirit.

I never let a cat out of a bag.  Confession, even this type, is/was sacrosanct. 

We worked through several issues and there were of course referrals.

We are all in this together.  All our yesterdays coalesce.  

Sometimes working/thinking outside the box has its value

I thank God I was there for them.   

Oldsters

 I've covered this several times before.

Life is always valuable.  It merely shifts.

My Grandpa, my Mom's Dad, lived with us.  He was a good guy and had done his share.  

We helped the elderly at the church I served as a student.  Many wonderful memories of folks and their stories.  That was the main thing.  Listening.  Taking/spending time.

We help when needed but we celebrate independence.  Always there is care and dignity.  You never know when and who.

We must respect far beyond age.  We must hold close the person.

No matter how long nor what comes, we all need content of character.

Remember the past.  Don't live in it.

You might be surprised by the present.

Future?  

Pass it on.

Mister P

 When teachers were teachers.

Male teachers were rare in my student days, except for gym teachers.

Mister P was jr high social studies.  Then he was promoted to principal.  This was not the end of his teaching.

He often filled in for teachers who had emergency days off.  It was always a treat for us to have him inspire us.

Mister P was the kind of teacher who indeed inspired students to learn, to inquire and thing for themselves.

One could say he was suave.  Well dressed and groomed, he had a modulated voice and one could sense his love for education.  He created curiosity and kids reached out on their own past school time to learn for the sake of learning.

A consummate storyteller, I think my favorite recitation was Ozymandias.

I still hear his dramatic voice sculpting a tale of disintegrated vanity.

It still teaches me of fleeting fame and power.  and the Biblical admonition of what happens when one gains the world and loses one's soul.

He left our school and resumed teaching jr high social studies.

One other memory was his resolute strength the day JFK was murdered.

Shared strength.

I pray and encourage others to be like him and many teachers of yesteryear.

How about you? 

Darkest

 before the Dawn.

This Easter vigil I learned my best friend from high school has crossed over.

Not much of a surprise, for he had lung cancer.

Where is our faith?  Why wasn't he healed?

Well, his spirit was.  Not baloney.  Sometimes the body gives out.  The flesh was weak.

But he left that temp house and is now in spirit.

Believe or not.  Up to you.

We had ups and downs, but his family helped me while my Dad crossed over.

Those are gifts, memories that renew us while here.

Now he will be busy with whatever the Father has in mind for him

The Path is clear and is celebrated so tomorrow.  

All our yesterdays coalesce and we pause til we go on.

Sail on!

Crowds...

 Crowds can be fickle.  But don't paint with a broad brush.

First welcomed as king.  Then just days later, reviled and beaten.  Quite a topsy turvy climate.

Jerusalem and its suburbs had a population akin to a small city.  So, JMHO there were some who welcomed and some who reviled.  And a large section who went about their business.

What happened does show how crowds can be swayed.  And of course, now they tend to be either radical leftist violance or actual peaceful demonstrations.

Personally, I avoid crowds just because it can be like an undertow.  There is more to be done individually or in small groups that spreads a message.  

Quiet word of mouth usually goes better, though rallies and meetings can have positive impact.

Strange day as the crowd dispersed and many shuttered their homes.

After the earthquake and storm, things got quiet.  Deathly quiet and behind the scenes, in spirit other things were very active.

The best was yet to come.

Berthas And Misters

 Bertha Better 'an Yous and Mister Know It Alls. Amazing some actually follow them.

Say a leader, church or state, who 'guides' people 'for their own good'.  They are benevolent until one questions.  Then the full force of their false authority descends.  

KIAs might be 'escapees from cults or darkside religions such as S or L who again guide the people.  They are gatekeepers who actually proclaim a 'my way or highway' doctrine.  All else is questionable, even denominations or just deviation/questioning the KIAs.

Of course, there are those in orgs who do this.  They hide in establishment just as some hide in breaking away.  

Stand for truth.  Don't be bullied.

We celebrate Someone this week who perfectly defied darkness and proclaimed Freedom.

Don't let anyone hijack that.

We are warned it will be bumpy.  It'll keep us awake lol.

Light from Light.

Minus

 So much negativity.  The goal is to get everybody at each other.  It is to depress. It's the old thousand cut tactic, which btw can be used for weal or woe.

We are barraged by negative messages.  There are abundant examples such as social media, where a title/headline states a supposed truism.  It may or may not be.  But it implants that thought in mind.  I find countering a good idea.  It's a soft form of hypnosis/mesmerism.   

The object is to tear down foundation.  It casts aspersions planting doubt and of course, to pit people against one another.

Be a rock.  Do not shift.  Be resolute.

Detractions and distractions are many.  Concentrate on truth.  Discern.  

Learn to examine.  

Mind you, history is rife with reality -s-.  One of my teachers said that the older one gets, the less black and white things are.  Greyer lol.  

But, there is good and evil.  There is your discernment.  

Add.