Profound and Sometimes Preposterous Ponderings of Pete

I am reminded often of my unworthiness, but too often I have felt worthless.  They are not the same.  I can never and will never be worthy of God's gift of grace. The apostle Paul very clearly states this in all of his letters and very thoroughly in Roms 1- 7.  But here is the rub, this in no way means worthless!  Let's analyze this for a second.  The God who created the universe as well as us, loved us so much that he became one of us.  He underwent all the temptations we do, was rejected by us, and finally died under punishment reserved for those who committed the most heinous of crimes.  He did this because He thought we were worthless?!  I think not! He even calls us his craftsmanship or masterpiece in Eph 2:10. So when I feel worthless, it is like me saying that I am a better judge of worth than the God who created me!  Oy veh!  Sorry, I reverted to my Jewish roots.  This means that as a born again Christian, allowing myself...

I was soaking my kidneys and praying.  Yes, I pray in the bathtub, I also pray on the toilet and many other places which probably will offend some sensibilities.  God doesn't mind. As a matter-of-fact, He likes it.  He sometimes thinks it is funny that He gives me some of my best ideas in places and during situations that many would find quite awkward.  I digress.  Here is a little something that I believe has been revealed to me by God through his Holy Spirit who dwells within me. When Corinne and I first were married we had a small debate on which was the first sin.  She said selfishness and I said pride.  I have come to learn that pride and selfishness are 2 sides of the same coin.  From that sin sprung lust.  Most of us think that lust refers to sexual feelings but that is only a part.   Lust is the strong and often overwhelming desire to possess and or control that which does not belong to you or that, over which, you have no aut...

If I could go back in time and visit the younger me this is what I would say (there is no specific order here): Stay in school, I know it is not fun but do it anyway. Stay away from alcohol. In spite of what you know for sure what they have done, your friends know nothing about sex and even less about women. You know far less than you think you know. Life is short and long. God is real and he does indeed love you and know what is best for you. People do and will fail you. Forgive them anyway. Forgive yourself. Stay away from sugar. Stay away from porn. You are not a loser. Don't be so angry. Even though nice guys finish last, keep being a nice guy.  The bad boy thing doesn't work for you. Listen long, speak short. The Bible is true. Place your faith in Jesus Christ, not in people. Science fiction and fantasy is exactly that and not possible. Women are people, not objects. Love is not a feeling. You need to look beyond how you feel. You and your body are N...

Last week, I returned from the Phillipines.  I was there for my son's wedding.  The Filipino people are a wonderful, gracious, and beautiful people and my stay there was a dream. Our stay at the resort for the wedding was luxuriant.  My son's in-laws, the Soriano family, welcomed my wife , my other son, Nick, and myself into their home and included us into their family even though we were strangers.  Again it was living a dream come true and this part of my trip was a check-off on my bucket list. The trip was so wonderful that I have hesitated to even post this but my heart was stung deeply and I have to make mention.  When we were in the city of Manila, we were stopped at a traffic light and a 3 year old little girl knocked on our car window.  She was naked from the waist down and was begging for money.  We were told before hand that something like this might happen and that we should not give money because it only hurts them more.  That they ...

10. Hammer, car door, or other large object on fingers. 9. Sugar in a cavity that needs root canal. 8. Kidney stones 7. Winning 40 million dollars 6.  The IRS taking 95% of those winnings. 5. A solid hit in the groin. 4. Wife leaving him. 3. Conviction of sin 2. Wife dying 1. Child dying. My experience includes #'s 10, 9, 8, 5,3, and 1.  

The weather is getting warmer and many people are breaking out their Spring/Summer clothing.  Every year I cringe at the things I see so here is my list. 10.  The smell of coconut oil tanning lotion - nauseating 9. Wearing lingerie as outer wear. 8. Guys who wear shorts with black nylon socks and black leather shoes. 7. 12 -13 year old girls in string bikinis. Parents, do your job!! 6. Guys in ankle socks. 5. Shorts with white socks and sandals. 4. Women over 40 wearing tube tops.  Ladies please grow up! 3. Athletic guys who wear loose shorts and no underwear that like to take stances which reveal things best left hidden. 2. Guys in flip-flops.  I know you guys who wear them think its cool.  Its not!  No one wants to see your ugly man feet! And the number 1 is (drum roll please)  men in Euro-style Speedos.  I don't think I need to expound.

So I already said my piece on Christmas (see previous posts) now I need to talk about Easter.  It is the anglicized form of the pagan god Oster (sorry dad I can't find an umlaut).  Not the food processor! LOL! The Germanic god of fertility and new life.  So, Christians high-jacked that celebration to coincide with the celebration of Christ's death and resurrection.  I admit I love the dying of eggs, and the hunts, and the chocolate etc.  Sorry folks but I hate the peeps.  You know what I mean!  None of which has anything to do with the horrible way in which Christ died for me.  Am I bad Christian for enjoying this? Maybe.  Is that between me and God?  Absolutely.  In my life and in that of my family, does this fun little nothing detract or shadow the reality that we are sinners desperately needing forgiveness and grace?  Absolutely not!  My love for Jesus Christ is deepening daily.  My conviction for being a sinner dr...