Shade Tree Wisdom 5/31/10

Blessed, and most welcome, rain last night, so the air was a bit washed this morning, but getting humid too.

Have you noticed it too? The absence of pockets in short sleeved summer shirts for men? I regard that as a conspiracy, because that’s the pocket I carry my card in because it is easy to reach and check.

So many things in the news to comment on. Number one surely must be the most recent action of the ACLU. They want the cross shaped grave markers removed from the soldiers’ graves. I do not know what legal stuff they are using to make their case. It is mostly by shouting and hysteria, that they get done what they want done. St. Peter warned about it. “The devil, as a raging lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, who resist steadfast in the faith”.

It took five years, and $ 265 million to build, but on June 18th ,The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opens. The 20 acre attraction is just 13 miles from were Walt Disney opened 39 years ago. By the way, the turrets of Hogwart soar 15 stories into the air. In the park, you do not stand in line for a ride, instead, the line is a part of the experience. Author J.K.Rowling has not been there for a visit, but she has been very hands-on in making selections and choices, including approving the exact taste of Butterbeer. (Tastes like cream soda).

Mark Woodbury, president of Universal Creative in Orlando which planned and created the park, says, “the end object is to take people on a journey that will blow their minds”.

Then there are the storms, the floods, and losses in South America. Is this the beginning of the hurricane season that is to be very bad?

Then, we have the stand-off situation between North and South Korea, a tinder just waiting to be ignited, it sounds like.

Life goes on, doesn’t it?

What a mix to speak about. But life is like that, and we take the good and the bad together. St. Paul, many centuries ago, in writing to the Christians in Colossae, encourages them to be holding steady. I am quoting from The Message. “We keep hearing reports on your steady faith in Christ, our Jesus, and the love you continuously extend to all Christians. . .This is as true among you today as when you first heard it. It doesn’t diminish or weaken with time.” 1,4.5. “So, if you’re serious about living the new resurrection life, act like it. Pursue things over which Christ resides. Don’t shuffle long, eyes on the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. . .your old life is dead, your new life, which is your real life – is with Christ in God, even though it is invisible to spectators.” 3, 1-4.

That letter, written to Christians also living in this world, gave them the needed courage and strength to go on. So let it serve us as well in 2010.

GPD 5/31/10