For Such Times as These - 27 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 352

Micah 6:8
Esther 4:13-14
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

In keeping with the Purim theme we've had a couple days this week, I thought I'd share my poem based on the book of Esther.

For Such Times as These

We're in God's hands -
He puts us where we are,
 puts us where He will,
For such times as these.

Banquet or Debauch?
No mindful celebration,
 but thoughtless revelry
The Queen: insulted, then removed.

Ahaserus – Ruler or Ruled?
the king's decrees cannot be changed!
 he issues them on any advice.
He rules as others advise, not as God would have it.

The king will have his choice:
A contest! A pageant of beauties!
 a harem, truth be told.
Queen Esther now, thanks to Mordecai.

Ahaserus – again misled
A people among his people would not worship?!
 (keeping their own God alone)
Once more decrees, not thought taken, destruction is their lot.

The queen is in God’s hands –
Providence placed her where she is –
 now to fast and pray,
to die or not in such a time as this.

Esther prepares a feast, Haman a gallows.
Ahaserus lies awake “Read to me!,”
 hears of Mordecai’s service
“Mordecai saved my life; I shall honor him.”

The queen hosts two feasts for the king and Haman.
Ahaserus – impetuous – offers half the world:
 “Just don’t kill me, my king.”
Haman rides his own gallows; the Jews are saved.

We are in God's hands -
He puts us where we are,
 puts us where He wills,
For such times as these.

Charlie van Becelaere
copyright 2020

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Tell Me a Story - 26 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 351

Micah 6:8
Esther
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is Tell A Fairy Tale Day. Fairy tales are often cautionary tales (much like the old mountain and bluegrass murder ballads - Girls, beware of guys named Willy who want to marry you and take you down to the river!) meant to encourage caution in the hearers/readers. There are so many great fairy tales that I don't want to even consider choosing one to recommend to you.
The presence of supernatural or paranormal elements serves to heighten the dread factor.

Appropriately, today is also Purim - the feast of lots - which centers around telling a story. The difference here is that not only is the story true, but it also doesn't (explicitly) include any supernatural elements. (I'm pretty sure that the book of Esther is the only book of the Bible where God is not mentioned by name.)
The story is a really good one, and it's definitely short enough to go ahead and read at one sitting - I encourage you to do that.

Of course, if you'd rather have the story told to you (and why wouldn't you?), here is a link to a brilliantly funny telling of the whole megillah. I watched it a couple days ago, and it really took me back to when we (the youth group at church) presented a nearly-as-funny version of the story to a UMW dinner theatre group. I encourage you to watch the Purim funny story, and even consider donating to the charity it's supporting.

I didn't want to miss the fact that on 26 February 1932 Johnny Cash was born. What a great singer, songwriter, and man. He is missed.


Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Whoa! Savory! - 25 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 350

Micah 6:8
Genesis 27:1-4
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Apparently Marmite is simply British miso. A recent article in the NY Times indicates that Marmite can be used to bring umami to vegan dishes - in particular a vegan Bolognese sauce - much the way miso is used to add that savory note in Asian cooking. Who knew? What's next? Vegemite vermicelli? The world waits and shudders.

 

Before you fill my comment space with corrections and complaints, I know that Marmite and Vegemite are yeast extracts while miso is fermented bean paste. Just because they're totally different things doesn't mean that they're not exactly the same, if you see what I mean. Just sit back and enjoy.
(As if that were possible.)

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

You Used to Be a Friend of Mine - 24 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 349

Micah 6:8
Exodus 8:1-15
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

NBC's streaming service, Peacock, is adapting the classic arcade game “Frogger” into a physical competition series! Frogger was introduced in 1981, and was one of the first video games that Heidi actually liked. Now we can but hope that they use the original Frogger music!

By the way, today is also Twin Peaks Day, so why not have a nice slice of cherry pie?

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Hard! Hard! Hard! - 23 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 348

Micah 6:8
Esther 9:20-32
Job 37:9-11
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

I'm sorry to say that I missed this when it was live, but if you want a new take on Purim, check this out - https://purimfunnystory.com/ I think Esther and Mordecai would be proud. It takes me back to an MYF performance of the Esther story for the UMW. Those ladies had no idea what they were getting into when they asked our youth to present the play for them!

Oddly, today doesn't seem to be Read The Bible Day or anything like that, despite its being the anniversary of the publication of the Gutenberg Bible in 1455. Johannes Gutenberg's Bible edition was the first book ever printed in movable type, ushering in the age of the printed book in the West, and beginning the availability of the Word of God to the common man (once he could read).

What it is - and this is worth celebrating! - is Curling Is Cool Day. Frankly, curling is cool, so it's nice to have a day to affirm that. You should check out the classic film, Men With Brooms (featuring yet another fabulous performance by everyone's favourite leading man, Leslie Nielsen). Here's a clip of the final shot. (Don't you love the Norwegian Olympic team's uniforms?)

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Believing In Miracles - 22 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 347

Micah 6:8
Acts 8:9-13
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?


Americans of a certain age will no doubt remember 22 February 1980. Many of us were watching the Winter Olympics unfold, and witnessed the “Miracle on Ice,” as Team USA beat the Soviet Union, 4-3 in ice hockey. While not the gold medal game, it put the USA into the final match, and was all the more satisfying as the USA team was made up of actual amateur players - college players and coaches - rather than the fully professional Soviet team. Yes, I actually remember when our Olympic teams were made of amateurs, and I wish it were still so.

 

In a totally unrelated (or at least nearly so) historical coincidence, 22 February is also the anniversary (albeit the 391st) of Native Americans' introduction to the still-settling pilgrims of the miracle food, popcorn. (I say at least nearly unrelated as there may well have been Americans eating popcorn while watching the hockey match.)

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Worship - 21 February 2021 - Plague Journal Day 346

Micah 6:8

Genesis 12:1-20
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

 

 

This Sunday is the First Sunday in Lent.

With the COVID case levels settling down in Grosse Pointe, we've resumed our in-person worship!
Yes, we're going to be back in-person in the Sanctuary today. You'll need to register ahead of time to attend, and an email went out from the church with all the details!

In addition to a duet at the offertory time, Doug will be back at the organ and piano for opening and closing voluntaries based on familiar hymns. Remember, we'll be streaming for all those who can't join us in person.

As usual, today's stream should just appear as the latest entry on our YouTube channel, here.
You'll find all our previous worship videos right there at that same place, and today's stream will stay there as a recording as well.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.