I Am Angry

Yesterday, Friday September 5, 2025, I received word that a dear friend had died. She was 56 years old. I have known her and her family almost since the time of her birth. I was and continue to think of myself as her pastor. She died in her sleep from COVID. Robert Kennedy, Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has said he did not want to see anyone other than elderly people taking the COVID vaccinations. He even said yesterday that Tylenol, during pregnancy, was a cause of children’s autism. I have a dear friend and colleague who is pregnant. I am angry with this non-medical and non-scientific individual placing his prejudices onto the American people and attempting to make his prejudices the laws, policies and procedures of the nation. I think, he is a dangerous person. There may not be much that I can do except put my thoughts and feelings into this blog. So, “Thank you, blog.”

Praying for one's enemies is not an easy thing to do

Jesus said we were to pray for our enemies, (Matthew 5:44). Jesus knew with our anger and desire for revenge, we could become like our enemies, if we were not very careful. I not only believe that interpretation, but I see it exhibited every day, via the news, with Israel’s efforts to destroy the Palestinian people in Gaza. I do understand and give full support to their desire to bring to justice those who were involved in the October 2023 massacre. However, the followers and supporters, even in America, of the present Israeli government’s plans to destroy Gaza and the Palestinian people are planting seeds of bitterness among the Arab world that will produce consequence for generations. Praying for one’s enemies, even as justice is sought, is not an easy thing to do. It will not grant you prominence as a leader. Nevertheless, it is the right thing to do.

Born stupid or working at it?

"Florida surgeon general says state will eliminate all vaccine mandates." Yes, that is what the headlines read today. My response was "You have to be kidding!" Why would a physician want to run the risk of exposeing a school house of children to someone's chicken pox or measeles becaue their parents did not want to have thier child vaccinated. Furthermore, doesn't the greater community, in this case the State of Florida, have a responsibility to see that there is not an epidemic of diseases which can be prevented via vaccines. This sound like 'individualism run amook with serious consequences for the larger community." When I read such headlines, I hear my deceased father's voice asking, "Son, do you think he was born supid or do you think he has to work at it?"

Misoneism

I have often wondered why some folks are “old” at 55 whereas others are still “young” at 85. I’m not thinking about a person’s physical attributes but their mental, emotional, social, spiritual, etc. attributes. I have found the word “misoneism” helpful. This word or concept has a Greek origin, and it is a combination of words that mean the “new” and “dislike”. Misoneism refers to a strong aversion to new ideas, methods, or technologies. A misoneist is fearful of what is new and avoids dealing with it. The person not only avoids dealing with the new way but, also is frustrated when society makes it normal so that the old way is no longer needed or helpful.

How Long Is a Piece of String?

I was told that I was a curious child. I asked a lot of questions, such as how long before we got to wherever we were traveling? How long before I can quit doing my homework before going out to play? How long is it before my birthday? I’m sure I was a nuisance. My father always had an answer that frustrated and puzzled me for a long time. His answer was a question, “Son, how long is a piece of string?” I was not pleased when my dad answers my questions with his question. Besides, Dad’s question seemed like a non-answer. Finally, I figured out the answer to Dad’s question. A piece of string is as long as it needs to be for whatever purpose a piece of string was needed or until you ran out of string. Now, that makes sense. I also quit asking my dad a lot of questions about “How long until _____? Because I knew the answer. Today when someone asks me a question, such as, “Rick, how long until you retire?” I answer with a question, “Well, how long is a piece of string?” and I get some unusual facial expressions.

You Can't Be Good at Everything

Someone has said that you can’t be good at everything. If no one has already said that then I just said it because it needs to be said for the benefit of all of us. My mother wanted me to have some musical talent, or at least skills. I took piano lessons from Mrs. Rose when I was young, very young. I cried most of the time that I was supposed to practice on our old upright piano in the back room. I cried because I would rather be outside playing. In Junior High School, I was a member of the Church’s youth choir. There were no auditions, you just showed up. I really wanted to be in that choir because of the girl who I admired. Being in choir meant we got to ride home in the back seat of a parent’s car and hold hands after choir practice. In High School, my mother strongly recommended I join the band (she did not pressure me, but she was persistent). I was third chair in the baritone section. If there had been ten in the baritone section, I would have been tenth chair. I was not very good. I recalled what I learned in the Church choir, so I made certain I did not play very loud. I was not good at practicing as I would rather be outside playing. Do you see a pattern? I do not have an “ear” for music. I can not hear the difference between a sharp and a flat (I learned these words in band) but I know that each had a different button to push on the baritone. My music experiences were surely helpful for my maturity even though “You can’t be good at everything.”

Elephants and Scripture

I have had the privilege of being in central Africa, i.e., Zambia and Zimbabwe. On Lake Kariba we saw a herd of elephants near the shore. We were in a small boat and the elephants did not want us to come closer as they made loud sounds and threw water at us with their trunks. We back off to a distant which they approved. Seeing elephants in a zoo or in the circus is a different experience. I feel for those captured and tamed elephants. They are not like the free elephants in Lake Kariba. God’s word is like the herd of elephants at Lake Kariba who are free to be who they are created to be. Thanks to the writings of Dr. Paul Kittner, I have imagined the scriptures like that free herd of elephants at Lake Kiriba. The scriptures are the divine words; they are not my words. Unfortunately, we have placed those words of the Creator in interpretation and doctrine ‘cages.’ Worse, we have even paraded the Bible in worship services as if we have tamed it, like a circus elephant. Yes, we need to work at interpreting the scriptures, but we need not think we can tame and limit the scriptures to only our interpretations, doctrines, beliefs, etc. The scriptures were inspired by the Divine Creator/Spirit and they are free. The scriptures may mean different things to different individuals at different times. The task of interpretation is to get our egos out of the way and cease making them mean what we need and/or want them to mean for our purpose(s).