Post some respect

We will return from our vacation Thursday. I am trying to think of how to describe our trip to those who might ask. "Tiring" seems too depressing. "Emotional" seems more hopeful. Emotions are not always bad and the tears eventually stop. July 5th one of my cousins apparently committed suicide leaving behind his female life partner(his term) and a 6-month old son then July 18th a friend from Florida was shot and killed while on duty as a police officer leaving behind his wife (my wife's childhood friend) and 3 children under 5.

I went to various local news website to get details and it was frustrating to see how the "Leave a comment" discussions digressed as people of the web gave their opinions and harped on their favorite topics. My cousin's death turned into a discussion of mental health, homelessness, Ronald Reagan/Bill Clinton, etc.. Junior reporters would also chime in with eye witness details. I was especially moved by the description of the fire engine washing my cousins remains off the train tracks. My friend's death has turned into a discussion of immigration, "the system," and gun control.

I'm all for free speech but I realize now that those news stories are real people. It amazing also how much communicating we do now, how many comments we are making. These two deaths have impressed on me the need to speak the words of appreciation, gratitude and encouragement to the people I actually know.

The Bible and fad diets

I am drawing to a close a short Sunday School series on food in the Bible. Due to my lack of “disposable” time between family, an unfinished house, an approaching winter, animals(chickens and bees) and the estate grounds/overgrown fields, I had to draw on things I have already pondered and researched.

Why this topic? It is a big issue in my world. There are those who extol the virtues of a vegan/raw diet and make gentle comments like “Sugar is poison.” A simplified Kosher diet (avoiding unclean animals) is being toted by some, such as What Would Jesus Eat. While being considerate to their beliefs, I have wanted to explain to my wife what WE believed and why. Wives need that, especially the why part.

My goal was not to discuss the science or nutrition behind them. I am trying to operate with the possibility that they may well be right. I wanted to look at what scripture commanded, if anything, concerning diet today. These diet advocates use the term "God intended us to be healthy, live long, etc." I am focusing on what the Lord of Host said and did. I believe the Holy One of Israel does what he intends (Ps 135:6)

My goals in doing this were the following:

• Preserving the simplicity of the gospel (Faith in Christ not Faith in Christ + Eating Right)

• Encouraging fellowship (A huge, huge issue)

• Protecting Freedom (I am tired of church being a collectively, total morality where we all must agree on everything.)

It has been interesting and today I was blessed by several people telling me how interesting the class has been.

I hope to write up what we covered, and perhaps flesh it out more in coming posts.