In Memory Of

Dear Friends,

Today (officially) we remember the men and women
of our armed forces. Today we contemplate on the sa-
crefice, the blood, sweat, and tears of the soldiers who
have given much and received so little. These brave
souls walk into the unknown to fight for their country,
even though they may or may not agree with congress
and the president, they still serve.

In my travels I have worked with many veterans, I
have seen some of our nations hero's left alone and
almost abandoned. Many of us never know the
horror our soldiers must endure, the atrocities that
no human should see, they must deal with on a daily
basis. Most come home forever changed, forever
fighting in their minds and souls to make sense of
it all. Soldier families take heavy hits from financial
crisis, to emotional roller coasters, to simply Daddy
or Mommy is not there. What do the brave get in
return not much, not enough.

I want to say to the living soldiers of our fighting
forces I (officially) remember you and thank-you
this day and (unofficially) remember you every-
day I get up and am able to have religious free-
dom and a country where anyone can get a chance
to live. To the great soldiers who have gone on to
glory, WE WILL NEVER FORGET.


Keep Joy And Hope Alive

REV. E

May Peace be with you 

Hate And Anger -Enemies Of Humanity

Friends,

Today was a very hard day, because I'm ashamed to say,
I became angry. Some people I work with where talking to
me about a singing contest, then without notice the people
I thought I knew dramatically changed. During the
conversation they spoke of how the two remaining
contestants where very close in votes but one was
chosen over another.
This is not what fired me up, what did it was when they
suggested that the winner won because of the their
racial affiliation. Never mind the sheer talents of the
contestants, nor the preference of the voters,
race in their mind had to be the culprit. What started
out as innocent conversation became suddenly a hate feast
for these human beings who would profess equality.

I became silent and distant, then I left them to the
conversation without a word, to belay the anger that
suddenly gripped me. Then I realized that by getting
angry I had allowed their anger and justification of
their insecurities, infect me. To let something like
that affect me is to give it power, you see it really
has no power or merit, only what we give it.

Their view leads to inhumanity, inhumanity is when we
let love go and replace it with hate. Every evil that
ever was and will be comes down to one thing...
The lack of love.
If we take a moment to look at any person who have done
vile acts against humanity
you will find a deficiency of love.

Without LOVE we lose our humanity, we who would normally
die to stop injustice slowly give in to evil or doing evil,
giving way to inhumane treatment of others.

Let us stop the hate and see others as the Lord view's
them with loving eyes and willing hearts. Only through love
can we abolish racism, intolerance, injustice and inhumanity.
I leave this with you in Jesus Christ amen.

Keep Joy and Love Alive

Rev. E

A Day Of Reflection

I remember when I was child our family one summer went to Wildwood NJ. We had the greatest time, sandy beaches, salt water taffy, and REAL fresh fish, mmmmmmmm (with a hint of lemon). Our family walked on the the boardwalk smelling the hot cotton candy with the cool salty air blowing off the water. This was a far cry from the violent cold streets of Philadelphia where I was raised. I never knew what joy was until then, playing frizbe (trying to catch it without burning your feet on the hot sand), laughing just for the joy of laughing... the little things.

I'm an adult now and as many adults we get so caught up in trying to pay past due bills,
dealing with the "ON Demand", "MUST! get it done this instant" world,we forget the little things. We should take time out to remember the small moments of joy that we have had and shared. We should stop!, take a breath, and reflect if only to remember what that moment of joy was and laugh, not at anyone or anything but just for the sake of a laughing.

Keep Joy and Love Alive

Rev. E