Thoughts of Ryan

I don't know why we compare one child to the other expecting them to be the same, cause it's rare that you find children even in the same house being raised under similar circumstances, to be alike. This is the case with my grandsons. Nathan and Ryan are simply not from the same mold, with a few exceptions. I can remember what an experience it was to toilet train Nathan. I think little Ryan must wonder why he is the only one that doesn't use the bathroom. Didn't know it was on his mind until this week when he was visiting grandma. Ryan doesn't talk very much, but he makes himself understood. I got the message when he carried the three pieces of his portable potty into the bathroom, and was trying to assemble them for use. His parents may find him trained before you know it. Ryan seem to catch on quickly. He makes all the sounds that his big brother makes when operating cars and airplanes. I think he has observed that good behavior gets rewarded at our house. On many occassion, he watched his brother insert a coin or two as a reward into his bank. One evening my husband observed Ryan wiping a coffee table that I had just washed. We were both so surprised that grampy reached into his pocket and, after praising his effort, helped him insert the reward into his blue, crayon bank. It must have pleased Ryan, as last week, after he pickup something off of the floor to "help" grandma, I responded with a thank you. Moments later, he came into the kitchen, holding onto his crayon bank, happily waiting to be compensated. It's still a fact that the second born doesn't have as many pictures, and, mostly and especially to his big brother, he'll always be a tag along. Many of the things that he does, we've seen that done before by Nate. But he sure knows how to be cute, and smart and truely unique. And, on quiet nights, such as this one, you find yourself chuckling at something that he did and you think about how special he is. I find myself saying that grampy and grandma are very lucky indeed to have two wonderful grandsons. Today, Nathan played T-ball with his mommy and daddy watching, along with Ryan. Daddy said he could hear Ryan cheering Nathan on from the carriage. Without a doubt, Ryan will be a ball player. They are both growing up so fast. Nate has lost his first tooth, while Ryan continues to cut-in new ones. This summer will hold many new adventures for both of them, and we'll all be a little richer for it.

Two Angels in White Raiment Appear

Angels are our helpers. They do the bidding of God. They are known messengers. So why did two Angels appear in white raiment? And what news did they have for those who stood around them? This extraordinary occurrence is something that we must pay attention to. The message is clear, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand Ye gazing up into heaven?" The men were looking up as witnesses, an end of what was a victorious mission. Jesus, on Mt. Olives, Ascended into heaven, to sit at the right Hand of God, leaving a very important revelation to His followers. He promised to send the Holy Spirit, along with His commandment to "Go forth and proclaim His name to all nations." They were instructed to stay in Jerusalem, the place where the Holy Spirit came upon them. The two angels revealed that Jesus will come again "in like manner as you have seen Him go into Heaven." Today, we are like the disciples, given power by the Holy Spirit, and on a mission. A mission to the world telling them that Jesus did indeed die and has indeed risen from the dead. He also ascended into heaven, and is coming back, in the flesh, to judge the living and the dead. What this says about our humanness is important, as we are created in His image and Likeness. Do we appreciate our gift of life? How do we treat others? Do you stand up for life, the right of life from conception to natural death? It is time for all to understand that there is a greater accountability, and He is watching. Today, we celebrate the Ascension and the good news at the departure of Jesus, who in giving instructions said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen (Matthew 28:19-20). (taken from St. Michael Orthodox Daily Readings --The Ascension of the Lord, May 23, 2012)

The Presence of You

Through the years I have noticed that you look for someone that you love to be with and near you. It is like that each and every generation. It is the face that you need to see, it is the person that gives to you something very special, even without a word. It is that person, who without the knowledge of their closeness, provides for you a certain strength. In that one person, you have all you'll ever want and need. Nothing can go wrong when that person is near. And one wink or smile can set you to soar. You are that presence. It is the presence of love. Love that never fails and is eternal. What a strange and great mystery this is.....

Pansy-Assed

I have been reading about Christian Bashing, and an event that took place recently in a high school located in California. The story is told by a journalism adviser, Rick Tuttle, for Union High School, who told FOX that Savage's speech was a "pointed attack" on Christian beliefs" that made many students uncomfortable enough to leave." I recall at seventeen, I was easily embarrassed and shy, but trusted in the leadership of our teacher's and principal's, and their integrity and somehow knew that we were protected from the likes of this kind of savageness. Certainly, our beliefs were private, and just as respected as we were. What has happened to our rights that allows bullying and bashing to occur in a high school setting? As thousands of students were present, shouldn't this adjenda have merited careful preview and planning? Finally, those responsible for all programs and lectures, upon hearing, should have put a quick end to this verbal abuse. As well, where is the response from our Christian Communities? I applaude the one hundred students who showed the courage to walk out. Rick in his article said,

"It became hostile.""It felt hostile as we were sitting in the audience--especially towards Christians who espoused beliefs that he was literally taking on." The courageous, who left, "were heckled and called pansy-assed." And, "while he was heckling them, other students cheered him on." That says to me, that the other's who participated were either, afraid to put an end to the offensive behaviour, or simply agreed with it. Freedom means choice. As Christians know fully well, that judgement is not ours, and you may also have the right to speak as you will, but it is also a Christian's right to hear only to the extent that they allow it. Calling people names will not get them on board with you, it is a waste of your precious time, which goes faster than you know. Instead Christians have more serious things to concern themselves with, like feeding the hungry and attending to the poor, and yes, even praying for those who persecute them.