Awesome, Brilliant Yosemite--Wow, God!

The inescapable truth...God Is!

Sometimes I am mightily puzzled by people who deny there is a God--God, The Creator, The Power, The Father. I understand that accepting an all powerful, unseeable, untouchable, unhearable God can be difficult but it seems so much more imponderable to believe that all that is happened by poof, that all was created out of nothing without an architect.

The underlying non-answerable question of a child who says "I don't understand. Didn't there need to be something to create something" must be difficult to answer if God is taken from the equation. All of Stephen Hawking's theories and cerebral exercises become invalid in the face of this child's question. There had to be something to "poof." Didn't there?

Anyway, for me, Yosemite offers unquestionable proof of God and puts the lie to Hawking. It is gorgeous without compare. It can only be a gift from someone who loves man--well, and woman.

So, to go back to the beginning--God can be seen, God can be touched, God can be heard. He is all around if we but look.

And--His crowning glory and achievement!

An Interesting Question From a Friend

Not too long ago, I was in New York City enjoying time with friends--and it was a good time, indeed. Need more of these escapes--good for the soul.

Anyway, before I left home, I prayed that God would open up an opportunity for me to talk about my faith. Two important parts of me are that I am a "born again" Christian and a strong, opinionated democrat. For many people, that is a contradiction. This is really sad as I am not such an anomaly, there are many, many of us; however, the "liberal" element, which ironically I in many ways am a part of, has chosen to paint all evangelical Christians with the same broad brush. Additionally they narrowly define what a "born again" believer believes-abortion, gay rights, sanctity of marriage--as if there are not hundreds of other issues of importance and which create opinions and commitments and which differentiate people.

On the flip side of this is the Christian-right which believes, if not so stating at least by implication, that one can not be a true Christian and be a democrat. I can not count the number of times I have been with friends or in church groups where there have been negative references to Obama, Obamacare and other democratic foci in which I believe. Of course, this is not a new phenomenon, it has always been. These same people were anti-Clinton (before the scandal), anti-Carter, who has been the most outspoken evangelical ever in the White House, and all other non-right wing republicans. My usual MO is to remind people that there are some present who feel differently--partially to keep myself from getting angry and partially to cause people to reflect a little.

To be truly fair here, it is important to clarify that I have believing friends who fall in the same political spectrum as I and I have many friends who tolerate my wayward ways. We have other things to focus on and share--common beliefs in Jesus as the Messiah and biblical truths. And, then, there are some whom I just avoid--which is also true of some rabid democrats who pop up from time to time.

So back to the beginning, the last night in NYC my friend, who is Jewish, said to me: Jane, I have been wanting to ask this, I hope it's OK. (of course.) I know you are a born again Christian and I know that you are a strong democrat (or some such words) why are you so different from the right-wing Christians I know and work with?

This opened the door to explaining how and why I am, who I am, despite growing up in a very republican conservative home. I believe the words of Jesus and writers of the Old Testament, too, who command us to care for the needy, the poor, the children, the widows in our midst. I believed in the words of the Sunday School song I sang at 4 years of age Jesus loves the little children of the world--red and yellow, black and white--all are precious in his sight, which is why I was active in the civil rights movement of the 60's and 70's. I believe in the equality of all people which is why we adopted both white and black babies while living in radically conservative Orange County.

I am formed by these simple understandings which to me are the bedrock of the democratic goals and philosophies. I do not see this in the republican party which, to me, does not acknowledge the government's responsibility to address needs; while many of my Christian friends (not all) will most certainly strenuously disavow what I say, I don't see compassion, sense of Christ-like brotherhood and accountability. Yes, there are huge amounts of money given to missions and the poorer peoples of poor nations, there are meals and rides for members of a congregation, there are church efforts (limited by their nature) for local concerns but where is the large scale commitment or sense of responsibility to the people of our nation--the United States of America, those without adequate health care, the homeless of San Diego, the mentally ill of California? I see a party whose goal is to have lower taxes which by default means inadequate government services--not taking care of the needy, the widow, the children, the hungry, the ill, the poor--those that Jesus singled out and loved.

Beyond my experience, I look and cringe at the behaviors of some who profess Christian faith and who are most media prominent. The lack of civility in discourse, the "no" mentality rather than the "let's see what we can do" mentality. Gross name calling and insults for the sake of insults. The USA Today two weeks ago had an opinion article about this which expresses my feeble thoughts much more succinctly and coherently--In God Fearing USA, Where is the Decency?  This is what scares me about what is happening in our country.

It scares me that we have people in leadership roles stating that their focus for the next two years will be on destroying the presidency rather than working together to solve problems of great magnitude. It scares me that republicans want to dismantle the rather incomplete health plan that finally passed last spring. That the focus of those who are coming to Washington from the Republican party and its sidekick the Tea Party is to gut social security, medicare, the health plan, the efforts for economic recovery, educational goals, several foundational amendments is beyond scary. That many people idolize a woman who promotes hate and insurrection and yet wants to become the leader of the free world boggles my mind.

So I am a person who believes in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, who believes in heaven and hell, who believes that without accepting Christ there is no heaven, who believes that the Bible is the Holy Word of God Almighty from Genesis through Revelation. As I told my friend, I believe that our Jesus is her Messiah. I believe that there will be end times. I do not believe in hate, fear mongering, hierarchical sin.

I am also a person who believes that the democratic party, despite all its inefficiencies and deficiencies, its at times misdirected ways, and its human failures, most pursues the spirit and commands of Jesus. I do not believe that they do so out of the same spiritual beliefs and foundations or commitment to Jesus that drive me but I do believe that they want some of the same things. I do not see this in the republican party; I do see it in some of my republican friends.

So, my friend, this is how I can be and why I am both. I think that my party affiliated friends understand this better than many of my spiritually affiliated friends. This makes me sad.

Afterthought:
This is the link to a recent NPR program which I wish more people would hear. It speaks to the fallacy of our health care system and the wrongful fear so many people have regarding a national health care plan--Changing Health Care  The link to the audio is at the top of the article. This is long so you may want to start at minute 5. TR Reid, who has traveled the world investigating health care in the large democracies, shares his learnings. His most telling statement is that the other countries have health care for all citizens because they believe it is the moral thing to do. He says we are not to that place yet. Sadly, he seems to be correct.

The Healing of America by T. R. Reid

Today is Easter!

THE TOMB IS EMPTY

I believe that the man Jesus was and is the Christ foretold in Isaiah of the Old Testament. He is alive and well today and sits at the right hand of God.  He is waiting to be known by all who  will acknowledge him.

He is Risen

Hallelujah!
The Tomb Is Empty.
He Is Risen.

God Is Awesome

If you read my blog, you know that sometimes I write of my belief in God and my conviction of the truth of His message and His Word, the Bible. Because of this, I believe there are times when we are made aware of supernatural intervention in the expected course of events—sometimes major ones and sometimes not so significant. Today I am certain that I experienced such intervention in a personally major way; although, in the course of world events it was rather insignificant.

I was astonishingly careless and am now fortunate that my house still stands. I believe that it stands because of God’s unsurpassed power and that He gifted me.

This morning, in an attempt to be efficient and because chicken cacciatore tastes so much better after sitting for a while, I decided to prepare tonight’s meal—not my usual approach to meal preparation, let me say. I was beginning by heating a quarter cup of olive oil—which has a comparatively low smoke point before flaming—in a sauté pan. However, about the time I turned the burner on and poured the oil into the pan, I decided that I should complete an errand before starting to cook. Casey had forgotten his lunch and, being the nurturing grandparents that Ken and I are, we decided to take it up to school. At this point, I completely forgot about the oil. We locked the door and left, leaving the burners on.

At school I found tears—from the school secretaries. We are facing an enormous budget crisis in San Diego schools and many people are receiving notices of termination. Having been a school administrator before retiring and unexpectedly resuming parenting, I have faced such crises several times and it always hurts to see good people so devastated. So—I spent time listening to and consoling the women and then commiserating with the principal about the devastating impact the budget cuts will have on the children. I had all the time in the world; my only concern being that I was sure that Ken was becoming bored waiting for me.

I knew there was a problem as soon as I walked through the door to the house. At first I wanted to think that my dirty sun glasses were causing the blur that permeated the air but I really knew that wasn’t true—all this in a 10 second understanding of what had happened. Rushing into the kitchen, through the haze I could see the heat shimmering above and encircling the stove.

I was lucky that the oil hadn’t flashed and that fire hadn’t engulfed our very open style house.

I thank God that He was in charge and allowed my carelessness to not end in the disaster it should have. I am glad that He is an awesome friend.

The Ugliness of Lies

Almost three years ago, when I started this blog, I shared that I am one of that unusual breed that is a born again Christian, believing in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and a card carrying democrat--I Am a Paradox. For many people this is an irresolvable contradiction. But… for me, it is immensely logical and understandable. There is a book, Is Jesus a Republican or a Democrat by Tony Campolo, which speaks to the problem of seeing human and social issues through the medium of political labels. It is a good book and should be read for its perspective and open-mindedness.

Politics are too often manipulated to polarize people, effectively derailing evaluation of issue legitimacy and meaningful debate; thus, the search for solutions is at best delayed at worst never achieved. Sadly, there are people of influence who successfully use their platforms to create unrest via false rumors, twisted truth and manipulation of fears—rational or irrational. To be fair, there are such people on both sides of the equation.

So—why this entry, now? Because I am upset about the bigotry, ugliness, lies, deliberate preying on fear and hate that is swirling around Senator Barack Obama. I am not promoting Obama; I am promoting fairness, ethics and honest debate. Our leaders must be elected on the basis of issues—not deceit and appeal to baseness.

This week I received an e-mail from a dear friend of mine whom I love. Politically we are on different pages in different books except for the one book we both try to live by, God’s word.

I had read that there were scurrilous e-mails circulating with deliberate, malicious lies about the senator, preying on the paranoia and legitimate fears that have become post 9/11 life. Until I received a copy of one, I had not realized how evilly hateful they are, how widespread they are or how believed they are by good people victimized by trust in right-wing demagogues who delight in exerting influence via twisted or non-existent truth.

What frightens me is that the lies are so easily disproven and seen for what they are with easy research—thanks to Google, Yahoo or whatever. Is Obama a Muslim or a Christian? This is such an easily answered question. Here, in a search that took two minutes, are his clearly stated beliefs in an interview in Christianity Today.

Does he refuse to salute the flag? Rush says so. Ann says so. Was he raised a Muslim? Is he a closet Muslim? What do he and the facts say?

I am worried that people so readily accept the demagoguery of men and women operating from agendas meant to prey on fear and which fly in the face of democracy--a form of government where decisions are to be made on substance, philosophical disagreements, issues, opposing understandings as to how to achieve a common vision and other legitimate factors.

I am upset that my friends will not enter into a dialogue about these things, that they will not research or consider information that is shared with them. I am upset that they question my faith because I vote differently than they do.

Tomorrow's Corner

Is there an adult who hasn't dreamed of life in retirement? I would guess that such dreams revolve around freedom--freedom to do and be what ever way the wind blows on any given day. My revelries were of no alarm clocks, travel by the whim, minimal accountability, freedom to "be" me. Certainly the dreams did not include PTA meetings, Little League snack stands, parent conferences, children's pool parties or, most of all, parenting.

But, life, if any thing, is unpredictable. We never, ever know what lies around the corner of tomorrow--unexpected joys? undeserved trials? unexplained sorrows? unanticipated pleasures? Clearly God plans our lives and we experience its unfolding. Certainly understanding His way falls outside our limits of understandings.

So, Ken and I wonder why around our corner we found a blessing, an unexpected joy, an unanticipated pleasure. Why did God smile on us?

We retired several years earlier than we needed to, wanting to indulge our passion to travel as much of the world as we could--before our bodies would begin to fail us. Being aware of how often people wait to retire only to have tragedy strike, we hoped to beat that outcome. And...we took this goal by storm.

We treasure experiencing other cultures, having brief glimpses of life beyond the comforts of the United States and Western Europe. In our wander lust over the years, we have seen amazing sights--Cappadocia in Turkey, the Himalayas in Tibet, the pyramids of mysterious Mayan and Aztec cultures, the vestiges of Communism in Central Europe, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie, small mountain villages of Greece and, of course, the "normal" places in much of Europe. All of this accompanied by sharing life with people along the way--people different from us and yet, really, much the same. But, there remained so much more of God's world to see and marvel at and wonder how, why, when?

And so, in our first year of retirement, we gorged ourselves on this obsession, going to five continents in less that twelve months--North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. It was a wonderful year. God took care of us and let us live our dream on His timeline. He knew that around the corner of that year, He had something even grander planned for us--an unexpected journey--one we would not have chosen. But he gave us that year to indulge our wanderlust.

Then, He pulled us out of retirement--so to speak. He had a job for us to do and trusted us to do it well. He gave us Casey--our grandson who needed his grandparents to love him, raise him and tell him he is the most special boy that ever was. He needed us to start parenting all over again--hopefully with the wisdom of years and lessons learned. So--we are now on the journey into the soul of a child with all the laughter, tears, joys and hurts that reside there.

Now we do go to those parent conferences with teachers--even in Italy where we needed a translator, have pool parties where our "peer" group is the age of our children, sit through Little League games which we were so glad to put behind us years ago, listen to children, against all our rules, bouncing on the beds upstairs, wonder why taking showers is a form of punishment and try to avoid those sleep-overs which mean no-sleep.

We teach him right and wrong, kindness, respect, loving his God, how to pray, what being a friend means, why he must learn, that life is more than having fun--all those things we wish we had found more time for the first time around. We delight in his laughter and his smile. His kisses and hugs and "I love you, Grandma" in the middle of the grocery store aisle give a meaning beyond compare to these retirement years.

This has become the best corner of all. Now--God must continue what He has begun and give us a life long enough to raise this joy into manhood. I think He will.

The Masters and The Master

Last Fall Ken and I stumbled on a wonderful exhibition called The Valley of the Treasures held in various Sacred Art Museums in the Empoli Valdelsa area of Tuscany. This was part of the project Little Big Museums of Tuscany. Each venue displayed a famous piece of art housed in that museum side by side with a similar art work from one of the major museums within Italy. Sometimes it was a comparison of one master, some times it was a comparison of form or subject. This opportunity was one of the highlights of our year.

So, we were more than excited when we came upon Rinascimento in Valdarno--another in the Little Big Museums series. Again five sacred art museums are displaying their works with works from larger museums. We now had some day trips to look forward to.

We began at the Museum of Sacred Art of the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria in Figline where Giotto's Madonna col Bambino e Angeli and the Madonna col Bambino e Santi by Giotto's contemporary and rival, the Maestro of Figline were on view. We were the only people there as we stood inches away from these great works, studying each expression, color and the imperfections caused by the centuries between execution and now. It felt almost as if we were communicating with these men of the past.


Giotto has a special place in our hearts because of a wonderful gift Casey received a few weeks ago. A gift which adds to his budding art appreciation and, thus, will enrich his entire life. This is a link to his blog entry where he tells about this--KZ in Toscana.

A few days ago we drove to the small mountain villages of Reggello and Vallombrosa--not places one stumbles upon in the course of a normal drive or where one would go looking for great art.
But--as it seems with most of the Sacred Art Museums in Tuscany--tucked away in small rooms are incredible treasures. They remain there to be seen by the people in quiet, out-of-the-way places which seem very fitting.

At the Masaccio Museum of Sacred Art in Cascia di Reggello were two wonderful pieces by Masaccio--the Casini Madonna (normally in the Uffizi) and the Triptych of San Giovenale which is Masaccio's first known work and the one which "officially initiated Renaissance painting."

Masaccio is the artist who gave us the incredible frescos in the Brancacci Chapel of Santa Maria della Carmine in Florence. He was the opening volley in the incredible art of the fourteenth century, impacted the history of art in monumental ways and yet died at the young age of 26.





























But--it was in the new Museum of Sacred Art of the Vallombrosa Abbey where I stood most transfixed. Here was the wonderfully beautiful Nativity and the Adoration of the Shepherds by Domenico Ghirlandaio--normally found in the Sassetti Chapel in the Basilica of Santa Trinita in Florence. But in this museum the room was light, the painting was at an easily seen level and the rope separated us from the painting by a mere inches. I could have spent hours just studying its detail and beauty--things such as the angel in the sky (which at first I thought was a demon) which Joseph is staring at, the marvelous expressions on the faces of the shepherds and the exquisite face of young Mary. It was memorizing in both detail and the whole.


Coupled with this was Ghirlandaio's Madonna Enthroned with Child and Four Saints. Of course, this is wonderful--as is everything of Ghirlandaio's but, somehow it paled when juxtaposed with the complexity of the Nativity and Adoration.




The final venue we visited was the Museum of the Basilica of Santa Maria in San Giovanni Valdarno. Here we found the incomparable Fra Angelico--he of the fragile, gentle faces. Displayed were the panel of the Tabernacle of the Linen Guild Predella from the San Marco museum in Florence and the San Giovanni Museum's Annunciation.


Last week when we went to the Uffizi to visit just 2 rooms--Lippi and Botticelli--I spent long minutes just studying the faces of Mary. Too often Mary is so formalized or older than she should be--she does not draw you to her. But these artists give us a Mary who is lovely in her introverted portrayals. There is a longing in her face--a transcendence. A gentleness and humility that speaks of love.

Fra Angelico gives the same beauty--not only to Mary but to many of his portraits. The San Marco museum should be visited at least once just to spend time searching the faces rather than the whole.

Now we have one more Little Big Museum to search out--the Sacred Art Museum in Montevarchi where two Luca della Robbia pieces are displayed. I am looking forward to that day.

And, finally--The Greatest Master of All

The Great I Am

God's Spring Cleaning

Today as we left to stroll an awesome annual flower market in the piazza, I was stunned by the intensity of the greens on the hills surrounding us. There were so many shades and such a variety of colorations that I was totally mesmerized, wishing that a camera could capture God's palate.


Then I knew why we have had such torrential rains the last two days here in the Chianti. It is time for spring cleaning; time to rinse off the dust and cobwebs; time to make all things fresh and new; time to prepare for the influx of guests that will be arriving during the next few months, time to show off.

And, rain has been needed. Drought is on the horizon here in Italy, particularly in the fertile north where even the Po River is drying up. Casey's disappointment at having no snow this year is rather overshadowed by what could be the tragic effects of a winter without adequate precipitation. So, it is time that God address the problem and provide more water for crops and animals. But, in doing this and in His graciousness, He is adding the extra gift of beauty and renewal that spring rains bring.

Last week we packed up most of our winter clothes, cleaned out the pot-belly stove, took the wood back to the wood pile and got out bathing suits and pool towels in our bow to spring cleaning. Yesterday, we retrieved the sweatshirts, restocked the wood, once again started the fire and the pool stands alone. But, with each glance out the window we see the trees sparkle with diamonds and the grasses stand high. It is truly lovely.

And, today--as if to accent this beauty--the rain stopped for a while and the piazza came alive with the flower market. People came from around the countryside to buy lush and gorgeous flowers--soon to be seen in terra cotte planters, window boxes, yards, everywhere and anywhere. The color of the carefully tended plants will compliment the greens of the forest and vines and trees. It will be a magical time before the heat of summer begins to reclaim it all--except for the red and yellow vines.


It's becoming grey again now--tonight will bring more rain, probably accompanied by a sound and light show. Then the freshness and newness will start again in the morning and we will drink it in, savor it and enshrine the memories. It seems that beauty is more pure, flowers more spectacular, simplicity more embraced than the world we came from and return to. Flower markets are simply more fun than Home Depots and Lowe's and Nursery Lands. But I remind myself that home will be good, time with friends we have missed will be a joy, the dog will be ecstatic and our son will be there for us. Maybe we can live with feet in both worlds!

Joy is a Boy

OK—it is probably nobody’s dream to be parenting in retirement—it certainly wasn’t ours. I clearly remember saying that such a thing would never,never happen to us. The empty nest fit us and the plans we had for our golden years quite well, thank you. But then—life happens, doesn’t it?

Now it is hard to imagine life without Casey and the joy and pleasure we find in him. Of course, there are days when I think of friends who don’t need to get an 8 year old off to school each morning; who can travel at will; who can have a leisurely restaurant meal any night they so choose; who don’t find themselves with a new peer group 30 years younger than they—in other words, they live lives appropriate to their age. But, these are fleeting thoughts as they can not lead anywhere good, and they deny the truth that through Casey we have a pleasure denied to our friends.

Yesterday I chuckled as I checked his room—it is so boy. When our children were growing up, there were 4 of them, I worked, and life was often consumed by the responsibilities of that period of life--rushing, rushing, rushing. Now, with Casey, I realize just how many things I missed and let pass by—not realizing the pleasure they bring. Or maybe—it takes perspective brought by the experience of age to fully appreciate the simplicity and the Tom Sawyer in an eight year old's mind.

Casey has a collection of “important” things that he is saving for a significant purpose. There is the plastic tear off part of the milk carton lid—a true treasure, the metal ring from the top of a soda can, innumerable colorful spoons that accompanied innumerable gelato cones, ice cream sticks with traces of chocolate still clinging, box tops, scraps of paper with imagined Chinese writing—products of boredom in school, broken toy pieces and then some indistinguishable/unidentifiable “things.”

I ask Casey, “Why do you have these” as I begin gathering them up. Then I see the horrified expression on his face registering fear that his treasures are on the way to the trash. That is when he explains that he may need them and he likes them and they are important. So—what can I do but put them back in their carefully arranged places as the smile inside me finds it way to the outside.

God is giving me a chance to savor what I had missed when there were four and I was too busy. He is giving me the opportunity to encourage this child's mind to be a child. I can enjoy his treasures with him and know that they are not ready for recycling--that they have a much more important purpose. I can thank God that He found a purpose for my "golden years" far greater than I had dreamed.

Yes, joy is a boy called Casey.

I Am a Paradox--I Think--A Blog Digression

I really have a major entry to make--my latest experience with the Italian Consulate and the big-time headache it has gifted me. But---I will do that later as right now I really don't want to deal with it--you know, the old bury your head in the sand syndrome.

This isn't really all that effective!

In the meantime, I share with my dear and faithful readers (and new ones) a little bit of me--because I want to prove that stereotypes born out of assumptions are dangerous and typically wrong. And because I get tired of the religious right thinking they speak for me or know who I am. And--on the flip side--I get tired of many of my fellow democrats making wrong assumptions about people who believe as I do. I do know and admit that, generally, it is those who erroneously believe they speak for "their people" that promote these perceptions--not the rank and file members of either group as, the truth is, there are many like me.

I wrote this for my profile this afternoon--which I thought people would only see if they clicked on the "view my complete profile" link--so I was surprised to find it at the top of the blog. I didn't like that. So, now I'll add it this way.....

I am a rare breed--or at least it seems that way. I am a born-again, evangelical Christian, believing that Jesus is the Son of God and that through his death on the cross, we can choose to be delivered from our inescapable, inherited sinful nature and spend eternity in a place called heaven. I believe that this is the single truth.

I am also an avid democrat, contrary to the common perception in today's political climate that all evangelicals are right-wingers who blindly support the current administration. I believe that the country is in deep trouble due to the current leadership. I believe that the lies and manipulated truths from the administration that took us into war-resulting in hundreds of our young people dying, the effort to destroy social security, the continuing dilution of our personal freedoms that have made our country unique in history, the attempt to destroy our constitution and the judicial system, the anti-environmental mentality and the spiritual posturing are far more immoral than the rather gross and pathetic sexual behaviors and lies of President Clinton.

I am afraid for this country and the place we will be at the end of the next 3 years. The lessons of history have been that when there is a single dominate power such power abuses just as unchecked individual power does. Mr. Bush signaled our entry into that philosophy when he challenged the world with "You're either with us or against us." This same hubris is now seen in the way he, the neo-cons, and the marching soldiers in congress are conducting national business. Anyone who does not agree with them is the enemy and fair game for destruction and political annihilation. Can you tell that I feel rather strongly about this? You're right! And--in the morning when I reread this, chances are I will delete the entire post.

But, my message is and what I would like people to understand is "be careful of stereotyping because it is often misleading! Not all things are what they appear to be." So, I close as I began--I am a born again believer of the redemptive power and gift of Jesus Christ and I am a card carrying democrat. The two are not incompatible.