5/29/12

Memorial Day and the Empty Tomb

Memorial Day in the United States is a holiday that pays tribute to those who have passed on. Originally, it was a day to honor those “who died to preserve liberty” - according to one newspaper. In other words, the men and women who died while serving in the US Armed Forces.

Today Memorial Day has been extended by most Americans to remember their own deceased family members and loved ones. Therefore the holiday (last Monday in May) is the day when fresh flowers and other decorative items are piled and draped on grave sites and tombstones. It’s a conspicuously colorful day at the graveyards. Family members go to the grave sites to pay their tributes by delivering flowers and spending some moments “with their dead”. The government and the military also hold commemorative services in honor of deceased veterans and victims of wars.

Though this is a belated post, I believe that in the contemplative and pensive moments of this past Memorial Day, it would have been fitting and also more meaningful to remember one particular grave - an empty one. It is of One who also died to grant and preserve liberty, not just for a certain group country or people, but for the entire human race.

May we always remember and "visit" the empty tomb. In fact, through and by Him - who had lain in it - all other tombs will eventually be empty too.

5/16/12

Parker on SI Cover

"Basketball is what I do, it's not who I am." ~ Jabari Parker



"The 6-foot-9, 220-pound Parker is a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and along with leading Simeon High to three consecutive state championships and carrying an impressive 3.7 grade point average, he wakes up early three days a week for LDS seminary, carries a copy of The Book of Mormon in his backpack, and is considering serving a two-year LDS mission after his freshman year of college." Read More

Jabari’s parents are Sonny and Lola.  Sonny is from Chicago and Lola is Tongan.

5/15/12

Decision 2012

Notable quotes and other highlights

"President Obama hasn't run anything before he was elected President of the United States. Never ran a state, never ran a business, never ran a lemonade stand. This job's too important for on the job training,"

"In contrast, Mitt Romney's been a successful governor, a successful businessman. He's got the executive experience."
Bobby Jindal - Governor of Louisiana.
"What I would like to know is why is it OK for Barack Obama to publicly invoke the name of Jesus to justify high taxes or same-sex marriage, but when I mention that my faith leads me to accept what Jesus said regarding marriage as 'a man shall leave his mother and father, and a woman shall leave her home and the two will become one flesh,' I get whacked by the press and the pundits? I've been called a narrow-minded bigot, a homophobic hate monger, a Neanderthal, right-wing religious kook, and other things not mentionable on family television,"
Mike Huckabee - Former Arkansas Governor and host of Fox’s ‘Huckabee”


And now my TOP TEN contrasts between Romney and Obama

#10. Romney is Mexican (?); Obama is Indonesian (?)

#9. From Harvard, Romney has two degrees (Law and MBA); Obama has one (Law)

#8. Romney is considered rich; Obama is almost rich

#7. Romney was a bully, or so they say (at a private school); Obama is presently a bully, or so they say (in Washington)

#6. Romney mistreated the family dog; Obama ate someone’s dog (as a child in Indonesia).

#5. Romney’s great grandfather was a polygamist; Obama’s father, grandfather and great grandfather were all  polygamists.

#4. Romney smoked [a] cigarette as a youngster; Obama smoked dope in college

#3. Romney is not a Christian (or so they say); Obama is a Muslim (or so they say).

#2. Romney is for traditional marriage; Obama is for gay marriage

...and Number 1.....[drum roll]

#1. Romney is robotic, stiff and ... straight ; Obama is loose, flex and....gay (?)
 

5/8/12

Caption Time



MICHELLE: Oh stop it Barack ... and you, here, on my left.

OBAMA: : Easy for you to say Mich, but this Romney guy is keeping me up all night

MICHELLE:  Oh yeah? I thought you’re doing a more serious Al Green impression

OBAMA:  Do you think I look like Michael Jackson?

MICHELLE: You need makeup ...you can use mine .....

SECOND GUY:  Sorry “Lady” but I haven’t flossed in days.