Son-shine on Your Shoulders

 Good Son-Day - The Start of  Something New Ice Creameisters! Live Roses The day after Christmas, I got a call from a former co-worker I had connected with for about a year or so. I started the conversation by asking about her grandchild and two daughters. I proceeded to ask her how her husband was doing and got an unexpected quick but poignant answer: "Oh, he's doing fine; we're getting a divorce."  Wait, what! This couple was married for 30-plus years.  The husband is retired. Nice home in the burbs,  Both children are college grads.  Empty nesters. The American Dream. What happened? I did not pry.  The only thing she offered was, "One day, I was sitting at the dining room table.  He sat directly across from me.  I looked at him.  I said to myself I can't do this anymore. I knew then I needed to file for a divorce."   The  news sent me for a spin.  At first, I thought he must have cheated, or he spent too much time at hi...

 Happy Son-Day and Merry Christmas! Nostalgia for the True Minneapolitans  Astonished! It's the most wonderful time of the year for many people.  Easter is mine, but this is a close second.  And to that point, Jo and I have two trees in our living room.  The tinsel trees pay homage to the Christmas I experienced while living in the Summer Field Housing Projects formerly located in the Near North neighborhood in  Minneapolis. Back in the day, we celebrated with a tinsel tree and a rotating Christmas color wheel.  Some of my most memorable gifts as a youngster were nestled under this glistening metal tree.  To name a few, I received my first scare-faced G.I. Joe, A James Bond action figure with an Austin Martin DB5 car (the car included the machine guns jetting out of the headlamps and a bullet shield, Lincoln Logs, and a train set that emitted real smoke as it circled around the track.  I wished I still had the toys------------to make out like...

 Happy Son-Day May the merriment derived from Joy and Peace begin! 🎄🎄🎄 The Christmas Matrix🎄🎄🎄 You Are A Child of God, and You Are Not To Be Trifiled With Even when you are most vulnerable. God has you covered.  Even when people are plotting against you unbeknownst to you. God has you covered.  Even when the odds are against you. God has you covered.   In the passage below, a seemingly vulnerable infant by the name of Jesus was going to be assassinated at the hands of the mighty King Herod.  Take less than five minutes to read the excerpts from Matthew Chapter Two: 2 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men[a] from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” 3 King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teacher...

 Happy Son-Day! Come to Us, Christ Lower Town Glow A friend of mine just passed.  I just attended her homecoming service, which was done quite well. The eulogy text focused on salvation and getting assurance in your afterlife, a good standard-fare message for a funeral service.  The minister spoke on the hope of getting to heaven, where the followers of Christ will receive a new body and home.  Nice. While sitting there, I thought many people need hope in the here-and-now life.  I will put some kindling in the flame of hope by leveraging the season of hope and the anticipation of something glorious on the way, Advent.  Advent's first day is 12-1-24.   For many denominations, it is the day of the church calendar year.  Advent is Latin for 'TO COME TO". Advent's meaning is about the anticipation and prepping for the coming of Christ in our lives.  Christ performed marvelous works while on earth.  He ushered in the Holy Spirit, who is curre...