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?"