For Whom The Bell Tolls

For Whom the Bell Tolls………

So its like this….. I used to start many of my sermons this way…

We seem to be narrowing down the ‘great again’ reference point. I am confused by it.

When were we free from illegal immigration?

1491 (not counting the Vikings from Norway.) That was quite some time ago.

Which group has brought the most productive people (not necessarily citizens, few blacks were legal citizens, all of the English were not initially, and the Carolina’s were reserved for the criminally inclined illegal immigrants.

Perhaps it was the Irish.

The Germans (We fought two world wars against the Germans).

The French? They sold us much of the west way over priced.

The Spanish. We took a big part of the Southwest from them and now whine about the people that came with it.

The Italians. Criminally inclined? Mafioso? Fought them in World War II also.

The Middle Easterns? They are comprised of some of our most astute money lenders and investment contributors, as well as oil suppliers. They also didn’t contribute much more than that plus a native Jewish carpenter that has become the centerpiece of our primary religion that we so staunchly protect that we have forgotten His ascribed teaching of Love One Another. (Leading by the example of dying on a cross from a middle Eastern native, doesn’t hold much weight in the new “Great Again” forum of one of our more prominent “Christians” and associated political factions.) I must be missing something.

The Nationwide railroad system was built by orientals, legal and illegal. And we fought wars against them also..

Whose children stayed or were deported with their parents? None that I have read much about until we have since decided to be “Great”.

Who was Tom Sawyer?

Doesn’t “Trump” mean to Succeed AT ANother’s expense?

Things that make you say hmmmmmmm.”

Happy Mother’s Day

It’s been over 20 years now since I have been able to say Happy Mother’s Day to my MOM. Since I have been fortunate to have other MOMS in my circle of friends and relatives there has been no lack of people to say it to. Yet, your MOM is a special commodity.

Mom was not perfect. Unfortunately (or very fortunately) she was born human. GOD (LOVE) knows she tried. I remember MOM teaching me to iron because she got exhausted with all my changes of clothes. She taught me how to make sandwiches, because she knew (and probably hoped) that the days would come when self sufficient would be important. She was passionate about politics and she taught me about people and the structure of the true politics in her view of the world. She could not offer wealth, but she offered something much more important, encouragement. There is a saying I always attribute to my mother, “Dennis, no matter whether you like it or not, always eat the free food.” Truly she meant more than food placed before me at the homes of friends, relatives, even guests.

She meant the foods of relationship, caring, friendship and love. She meant “Never be discouraged by the gifts of life that are not always perfect. Enjoy each gift and be grateful for the opportunity to share of your own. Do not let unrealistic expectations tarnish your gifts. Appreciate the opportunity to treat others as mentors and learn from them, the rights, the wrongs, the passions, the fun, and be grateful for the opportunities when your perspective has confronted loss.

I am grateful every day knowing that the spirit of my MOM is available and around whenever I need it, whether requested or simply appearing in a remembrance. Be sure to acknowledge those about you today that give, share, and partake of a Mother’s Love on this special day of the calendar year.

Enjoy the day….. dennis