It’s Tuesday of “Christmas Week” and I’m planning out the days as I head towards Christmas Eve and Day. The month has been filled with quite a few music performances for me, and a few parties already. It’s been filled with gift purchases and gift wrapping. Sending out cards. I’m feeling prepared. Even the food and wine are ready.

Today I am driving up to babysit my granddaughter while her parents go out with clients for a Christmas dinner. Then back home, one more dance class tomorrow, a hair appointment, and on the 24th we head to my daughter’s home to celebrate with the family. I can’t wait to watch my four year old, twin grandsons, this Christmas morning because they are at the prime age where it’s all over the top exciting – and they believe Santa Claus exists. My little granddaughter will be more about the pretty gift wrap and ribbons – and she will be fun to watch also.

It’s the home stretch coming in to Christmas day. At this point I can breathe a sigh of relief. The stress of ‘preparing’ is almost over..

The moment of ‘wonder’ is upon us. The Christmas lights are on the trees and outdoor lights are bright as they twinkle. There are lots of colors everywhere.

On Christmas Eve churches around the world will be filled with people and carols will be sung. The Luke story of Jesus’s birth will be read as it is each year. Candles will be lit. It’s really my favorite part of it all… being at a worship service singing “Silent Night” by candlelight’s glow, and then turning on the bright lights to “Joy to the World.” Without that moment for me it’s just not complete.

There is something special knowing that people, all kinds from everywhere, are doing that very same thing at the same moment. That the birth of Jesus has withstood the test of time. That God’s son coming to earth is still a celebration. It’s such a warm feeling -it’s joyful, and hopeful. A real ‘feel good’ moment..

How long does that moment last? How long until reality seeps in, and we hear something awful on the news? Or we disagree and speak poorly of each other? How long can we really keep the Christmas moment alive??

We know the answers to these questions. Not long at all.

But, a Christian knows that Christmas is the START of the story. With thanks we rejoice that God sent Jesus here, though it was many years ago, He came for us still TODAY – and tomorrow. That is why we celebrate Christmas every single year.

I admit some years I am not in the mood for all the hoopla, and don’t have the desire to decorate, to send out cards – and to just go there. It can seem a lot of work, and repetitious, and stressful. It’s a game I play in my head all the time. So, I tell myself – to always remember Jesus at Christmas. I want to enjoy the good parts, and lower my expectations. I want to keep the Christmas moment special.

I’m doing pretty good this Christmas week. How are you doing?

Can we focus in on the peace, and love, and joy of the season? Can we take the Christmas moment into the new year? How long can it last?

Merry Christmas to my musings readers. I wish you well this week, and I pray we can keep the Christmas feeling going long after the day. What a difference it can make.

“The thrill of hope – a weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees, oh hear the angels voices. Oh night divine, Oh night divine! It is the night of our dear savior’s birth.”

It’s never been easy to have peace and good will. We have been longing for it for generations upon generations. It’s our constant prayer – to stop fighting, to never have wars, and to wish all men and women everywhere some happiness, comfort, love and meaning in life.

Living in these times it seems especially hard. Doesn’t it? I suppose if I could go back and talk to people who lived in the past they would say it was next to impossible back then too. So, it helps to keep it in perspective as we see the divisions, and read and listen to mean language, and can’t seem to find common ground anywhere.

I know I don’t have to tell you that here in America we are deeply divided and sometimes it seems there is no way to ever see a way to come back together. I am reading a book right now called “The Death of Expertise” by Tom Nichols and he says we are at a place right now (due to many reasons – social media, allowing false stories, conspiracy theories, and more) where believing in an expert’s years of education, training, and work efforts are denied. We are in a time and place where people doubt everything, and they make up whatever they want to make up. Often ego driven, anyone can go against an expert and think they are right. Being right is more important than offering peace and good will.

Finding peace and looking at others with wishes of good will is hard to do, isnt it?. Who can you trust? Who can you respect? It seems as if it has become a me against the world way of living. We have lost the desire to reach across the divide, to work towards acceptance, which can bring peace. Some actually prefer to stay adamant about their opinion instead of allowing openness and consideration.

As Christmas is about to come around again, I can’t help but sit here and wonder what Jesus thinks of us all right now. God sent him to teach us, to show us, to give parables, and to offer the gift of eternal life… but we turn against him, and we easily ignore the Jesus part of Christmas – while enjoying all the hoopla of a secular Christmas.

I struggle with this every December. The hypocrisy is so obvious – so on display everywhere. To think about the baby Jesus is just a side-note among all the parties, and events. Many people celebrate Christmas as a fun, gift exchange. The lights are fun and the music is catchy.

Does anyone even really stop to think about how to work towards peace and to bring good will to men during this season? (I just had a vision of Linus pop into my head. See Charlie Brown, this is what Christmas is really all about!) .

We have lost focus. We keep on seeking something bigger, and brighter, and ‘more special.’ We keep on wanting to outdo the last one. There’s pressure to make THIS Christmas the best ever.

And, the interesting thing is this: Jesus was born in a small manger, away from home, without a big production number, or a festive party for he and his parents. He was a tiny baby. Just starting out. He didn’t know in his infancy what God’s plans for him were… at least I don’t think he could know. But, he soon learned that he was God’s son, sent to bring peace to the world, and good will to all men.

I Sure wish we could be better at following his example. I wish we could worship him better. Do his work better. Share His love better. Put politics aside. Put divisions aside. Put fears away.

That is what Christmas is all about. Peace on earth and goodwill to men.

It’s my birthday. That calls for a musing.

It’s a ‘milestone’ birthday as I officially qualify for Medicare.

It’s a wonderful birthday because I am at this moment pretty healthy, and blessed with good genes, and love to move, to dance, to be outdoors, and to breathe in fresh air. I have reached 65 with few physical ailments and with my brain somewhat alert and working.

I celebrate my life – and the way all these years have passed, and who I have met all along the way.

I praise God for giving me ‘this’ and I know it is done through total grace, because I am no more deserving than any other person on this earth. I am grateful.

Life is never perfect. And, the Lord knows I am not. I judge too quickly, and I make assumptions when I should not. I think the years have helped me to try to be less so, and to be open and accepting of change. The more I become that way though I do find it is harder to converse with those who do not feel the same way.

Birthdays are reminders of change. The body certainly is changing as much as I wish it wouldn’t. Time does not stand still. Progress happens. I have made my mind up to embrace change. I have put my mindset into forward motion. I have seen examples of people who don’t and they become ‘old’ quickly, and grouchy, and just upset about everything.

So – I dance! I go to concerts I love! I play music!

I acknowledge modern advances and I go with them – yes, I drive an electric vehicle now. I live with a man who feels the same way. He’s a tech junkie. He pushes me forward: loving and looking at the future.

I have said this for awhile now but I feel sometimes more comfortable among the young and very young. I love hanging with my daughters, their spouses, their friends – and of course my grandchildren. They still have sparks of life! They laugh more than older people. I gravitate towards them.

So, my birthday is making me a day older. That’s all it is really. But, hopefully it’s also making me a day more excited about what comes. Here, now – and in the future.

I have learned to live without fear controlling life. I have learned to turn off the voices that want to make me and others think life is going down the tubes. Because – it isn’t!! I don’t listen to false narratives and theories and scary lies. They are rampant right now and I sadly see how it affects others.

It’s my birthday and I don’t know how long I will be on this earth, but I sure as heck am not going to live my remaining days (or years!) naysaying, and blaming others. No way.

It’s my birthday – and I’m 65 – and I never imagined myself this age when I was young. I celebrate, and I pray that my next birthdays will be as good as this one.

Yesterday was the official “giving day” which follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s Interesting to note the order that they happen on the calendar.

Yesterday I had many, many emails and text messages from charitable organizations, most who know me and I have given to in the past. It’s a day to “double down” and when you give your donation it is worth twice the amount. By whom? I’m not always sure who matches the funds, but I hope it is true and that many charities get double the help they need.

I thought about which ones to give to yesterday. So many choices, so many good causes. So much need!

I chose ones that mean something to me.

I gave to Habitat for Humanity. It’s an international organization that I have had the pleasure to personally be a part of, and so I know what a huge difference they make for the struggling, the working poor, often a mother who badly wants a warm, safe place to raise her children.

I gave to Planned Parenthood. It’s especially appropriate to give now as the US Supreme Court will hear a court case today that could turn back the hands of time, and change the Roe vs. Wade ruling. I believe in a woman’s right to choose. Don’t misread that. I do not believe in willy-nilly ending life. But, I believe every woman, along with her doctor and clergy, and/or family, should have the right to decide what is best for the unborn and the already born. I also wish we Americans took better care of the babies once they are born.

I gave to Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. And, yes, this donation was also timely – unfortunately, yesterday we in America had another senseless (and stoppable) gun tragedy in one of our high schools. One young male student took the lives of three others and severely injured others. He should never had been able to get his hands on a gun. Adults need to be held responsible for gun use, and safety. Guns need to stop being used to scare someone, or to settle a bet, or to pull out during road rage. Guns need to be securely locked away from children. Guns need to have thumb identification. Or face ID recognition – just like our cellphones. The technology is here, now.

My last donation yesterday went to a local cause, and again one that I proudly take part in as a member, the Pawleys Island Concert Band. It’s our community band. It is made up of volunteer musicians, and led by directors who believe in bringing live music to our community. There are costs – space rental, purchasing music and, giving the leaders a small stipend that barely covers travel. The band gets by from local donations. They have brought me joy as a member because I love to play with a group of other musicians, especially this time of year – at the holidays. We will have a concert on Tuesday, Dec. 14th. We are also playing other small group holiday performances around the area. The band plays for civic and military events throughout the year too. It plays at community events, including this Saturday at the Huntington Beach Atalaya Craft Fair, and Sunday at the PI Presbyterian Church Christmas tree lighting and festival. The band is made of all ages, from high schoolers to… well, still alive! ha There is no audition required. Just a desire to share a bit of talent, and to bring music to those who live in our little part of the world.

I admit that giving feels good. Giving keeps important causes and charities going.

i hope you selected a few yesterday – ones that mean something to you. There are endless ways to help… to give for animals with no permanent home, or to the undernourished in our country and abroad, or those without medical insurance, or those with little to wear to keep warm. And – the children!! Children need books and toys at Christmas. They need gifts that show love.

If you didn’t give yesterday, of course it is never too late. Do it today! Make a pledge to make a difference.

Every day is really Giving Day.

This is always a weird weekend. Thanksgiving Day is behind us, and Christmas is just around the corner. Depending who you are, you have now taken the pumpkins off your front porch and the Fall wreath is off the door.

Or, maybe you really jumped the gun, so to speak, and decided to start decorating early and already have the Christmas tree up and the outside lights draped over bushes and on the eaves. Your home is “Christmas Central” with Thanksgiving hardly a thought anymore.

Or, maybe you are like me, wanting, no needing, a bit of separation between the two. It’s Sunday of “Thanksgiving weekend for goodness sake, and my stomach is still full from Thursday, and I have been focused on lots of college football games over the past couple of days.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. There are 4 Sundays before Christmas arrives. There is still plenty of time to decorate, and, really, you know, the whole idea of Advent is to SLOWLY prepare for the celebration of the Baby Jesus who came in to our world. Christmas starts on December 25th and goes for ten days after.

I know people who put their Christmas trees up already, and that’s fine… but don’t be in a big hurry to take them down, and undecorate the place on December 26th. It used to be if you put up a living tree, freshly cut, that it was smart to wait and don’t put it indoors, in a warm environment with dry heat, with little water, until a week or so before Christmas. It would be a fire hazard to put it up any earlier, and half the needles would fall off and get stuck in your carpet by New Year’s Day.

Why are we in such a rush?

It takes me time to get into the Christmas spirit. I admit it. I can’t just turn on a switch, and ta-da – I’m all jolly, and ready to wrap presents, and bake cookies. Isn’t there something magical waiting, and about being in a dark room only lit by the glow of all the lights on the Christmas tree? It’s the best look there is on Christmas Eve. Such a special moment – to sit, and admire the tree lit up, with Christmas music playing. But, I don’t want to do it tomorrow.

I still need to put my Autumn decorations away.

One holiday at a time please!

If you are one of those with the pumpkins on your door step, and the Christmas lights on and lit outside…please slow it down. Use Advent to prepare. At least toss the pumpkins.

I mean – This time of year is hectic because we make it that wait. Relax. Stop rushing to get decorated. At least through this weekend. At least until the calendar turns to December. At least until everyone gets safely home from their Thanksgiving gatherings.

Is that too much to ask?

As I said in my last post, which was about 10 days ago, I have been watching quite a lot of both the trials: the McMichaels & Bryan case in Georgia, and the Rittenhouse case in Wisconsin. HLN has had non-stop coverage of the Georgia trial, and they have showed lots of coverage from Wisconsin including all of when Rittenhouse himself took the stand.

Lives were taken. Lives are at stake. I get that the attorneys for the accused want to do everything possible that they can to ‘save’ their clients from guilty decisions and years of prison. I also get that both judges must do whatever they can to make sure the trials are legal, follow all steps, and that verdicts will happen, without any calls for mistrials. So far I have been surprised by the number of calls for mistrials. Does this happen all the time? IS this common place in a court?

So, yes – it takes time.

As citizens we want our justice system to get it right. We have heard of people wrongly put in prison for years. We certainly don’t want that – and we don’t want all of this time spent on trials to be wasted. As citizens we are paying for these trials. We pay the salaries of the judges and of the ‘state’ prosecution. We pay for the buildings and for the security. We pay for the prison system too.

The Department of Justice is one of the three equal branches of our democracy, along with legislature and executive. Civics 101. Without a justice system our country would be run by despots, and there would be total chaos all over.

So, as I said earlier, I am interested – and I am glad to get an opportunity to watch these trials and to see the system at work. It does not happen often. The last case I watched closely was when OJ Simpson was charged for murders.

Watching though has also made me question some of what happens in the court room. Why ‘background’ or past criminal arrests, etc. can not be entered in for the jury to hear. A person’s history should have an impact, and should help decide character and motive. I know it’s done for ‘presumption of innocence’ and that all citizens should get an equal day in court. I also don’t understand why juries in any high profile case are not sequestered. It is impossible for the jury members to go home and not talk to anyone, even family members, or turn on TV, or read news… and not see something about the case. Truly impossible. I also fear for jury members coming and going from the courthouse every day. Staying anonymous is impossible.

Lady Justice is supposed to be blind and hold equal scales. Prosecution and the defense get equal time and rules. A group of 12 decide fates. But jury selection has become a fine art. There are specialists on jury make-up. Should not average people with opinions be acceptable? I think most people have SOME belief, one way or another, when it comes to self defense, and gun ownership, and crime punishment.

As I watch both trials, and hear the evidence, and listen to witnesses, I think…

Travis McMichael will be found guilty of murder. Greg McMichael will be guilty of accessory to murder. Roddy Bryan will get a lesser sentence, or will be innocent.

Kyle Rittenhouse will be found not guilty due to self-defense. I believe that justice will not be served in this case. There are facts that Kyle lived a life that had little or no regard for laws. He drove illegally. He purchased a gun illegally (by giving his friend money because he was underage.) He went to a place that was already a volatile area, disregarding the fact there was a curfew. He wore his illegal AK-17 on his body. He was a minor. He was emotionally and psychologically immature, yet spoke in a grandiose style. I have not heard of any mental testing done before the shooting, or after it – he was homeschooled. He watched Proud Boys videos online and his Facebook profile picture was him holding his AK-17. But – I think he will get off.

I worry about the ramifications of both of these trials. Both have racial undertones. Both have white supremacy concerns. Both again bring up the self-defense and ‘defend your property’ issues. Both are about white men with guns.

I pray this all ends well. I hope true justice is served.

Yesterday I got hooked on the opening statements by the attorneys in the Aubery murder case. I think most are familiar with the case about 3 men (2 of them are father & son) who live in a neighborhood in Brunswick, Georgia. These men took it upon themselves to go after a young black man running through the neighborhood, suspecting him of stealing from a boat parked at a house under construction a few months earlier. They chased Mr. Aubery in their pick up truck, and got into a confrontation, and the son, Travis McMichael, shot and killed him in the middle of the street.

The trial started with long opening statements from the prosecution, and from two of the defense lawyers, and then the first witness was called. I rarely get a chance to watch our judicial system ‘at work’ so I found it fascinating – and also at times very slow. Brunswick is not used to a high profile case like this one, one that has huge racial overtones, addresses “stand your ground” and citizen’s arrest, and therefore has attracted a national audience. I was surprised with the faulty technical equipment, and how they had trouble playing video pieces – from house surveliance cameras and from a policeman’s bodycam. The courtroom is small and the defense has 3 attorneys (and teams), one for each of the men charged. Everyone is crammed in to the room and it was obvious yesterday that not all the kinks had been worked out ahead of time. Jurors and the subs were marched in and out of the courtroom many times. They needed to leave whenever there was a question about a legal issue, or when the judge and attorneys had concerns to talk about that could sway the jury.

I listened closely to the opening statements. From them I learned a lot more about the months leading up to the shooting. The scene was set well, and both sides offered some similar information. The case is really about WHY Travis McMichael shot.

So – nothing new here, but I’m against citizens acting like neighbor watchdogs and driving around with loaded guns. (Remember Trayvon Martin?) Even though there was concern about an unfinished home in the community and items had been stolen from the boat on the property, it got really out of hand. Listening yesterday I had questions pop in to my mind that I hope get answered…. like…

Were there other burglaries in the neighborhood during that time? Did any neighbor call the police and ask for more police presence there? Police cars can cruise neighborhoods when asked. What is the ethnic ‘mix’ of the community? Do retired police or retired military feel more empowered than other citizens? Both father & son McMichael served. And, do they get to be given different treatment by our judicial system? Was there a Neighborhood Watch program put into effect? Do the three men on trial have issues with other races? Perhaps they were written up while serving or working another job? I believe the jury can not be told that the McMichael pickup truck had a confederal flag bumper sticker on the back (which is crazy considering both men supposedly served ALL people of our country.) Could they see the sticker in the video played? Why was the jury (by the way, there is only one black person on it) allowed to go home, back into the Brunswick community, over the weekend? They were told not to talk to anyone about the case, or read anything. Is this realistic in such a close knit town?

On the bigger picture of this case, I wonder if citizens acting like self-professed guardians of the neighborhood, armed and on the hunt, will be scrutinized. Personally, I do not want my neighbors to take on that role, and truth be known, I don’t trust them to act properly in a heated moment. I know some brag of their guns – and just that kind of talk tells me they could be pretty irrational. I get NO solace knowing they are armed and loaded.

Well, you can see that I am hooked on this case and want to follow it through. I want to see justice for the innocent who walk, or run, through a neighborhood. Any neighborhood, anywhere in the United States. I’m tired of white men acting all high and mighty, and I certainly want to see true justice done to the three in this case. More will come out. Testimony has just started. I will be watching.

Ignorance is bliss. Not paying attention can leave you unaware, and therefore happy. I know many people make that decision on purpose: to stay away from the news of currents events, to use their time in other ways.

Many young adults are pretty busy with new jobs, and new marriages, and children, and just keeping a household together. So, they really do not often have the time to delve in to political and social needs of where they live. They rely, blissfully, on those who came before them, or who now do have time, to keep the country from turning upside down.

Young people also don’t want to get into debates on issues they think should not be debate-able anyways. Racism. Gender equality. Sexual identification. Religion. They say: “Come on, aren’t we over it by now?” Live your life. Stop judging others.

One of the things I have learned as I am now in the second half of my life, and I have more time to learn more is this: It’s harder to be blissful. In some ways it should be easier, right? No more worries about raising children, and hopefully not as many financial worries. Okay – Health issues overtake those early life problems I suppose.

But, knowing more… reading more, watching news channels more, and just thinking more, can lead to losing the ability to be ignorant and therefore blissful.

Later in life, we sense the clock ticking and we know the time we die is not that long away. So, putting ‘knowing more’ with lack of time, and wanting to improve the world for our children and our children’s children… it can be daunting! It can make days challenging. It can make time precious.

My hubby used to say the Kenny Chesney song “Don’t Blink” will be us. The lyrics tell of an old man, at 102, giving advice on life… his answer: don’t blink, because just like that your babies grow, and then they will turn in to moms and dads, next thing you know your better half of fifty years is lying in the bed, and you’re praying God takes you instead.

The lyrics continue: so I have been trying to slow it down, I’ve been trying to take it in… in this ‘here today, gone tomorrow world we live in…. so, don’t blink. Life goes faster than you think. Don’t blink.

Yes, it goes fast, and along the way we learn, and worry, and get nervous about running out of time. As Kenny sings: when your hourglass runs out of sand, you can’t flip it over and start again. We need to use what we have learned for sure. We need to use our lives to the end. Find a purpose. Make a better change… but, also…

Don’t blink – and find the bliss!

The shooting that happened on the movie set for “Rust” was very tragic, and it has brought up a ton of questions about how props are prepared and used in movie making. The news has covered it significantly because it was a Hollywood star who pulled the trigger. There is now focus on what happened and on how safety measures are enforced or not enforced on sets, and about who will be ultimately responsible for the death of one, and injury of another. It is coming out now, due to this tragedy, there was earlier concern about gun handling on sets, and the lack of secure and safe measures.

My heart goes out for the family of the cinematographer killed, and for Alec Baldwin, and for the prop people on the set.

I can’t help but think how this one unfortunate shooting is getting so much attention yet gun death in America happens every single day. Senseless deaths every single day. “Accidental” firings that take innocent lives. Every single day.

The gun manufacturing industry has knowledge on how to make guns safer. They can put thumb and face recognition technology on them much like we have on our Iphones. Congress can introduce and pass laws that will require gun manufacturers to use the technology. Congress can pass laws to require gun owners to take required classes on gun use and safety. They can make certain types of guns illegal for ordinary citizens, guns not used for home defense or hunting – or at least require additional training and licensing to carry them. None of this is done.

We live in a country that accepts gun tragedies – and we watch the news and hear daily about deaths by gun mis-use, and drive-bys, We accept it as part of our freedom in America. We call it a right. We even are okay with mass shootings because nobody is allowed to take away personal arsenals. There is no limit on the amount of guns a person can own. No limit on the amount they can purchase at a single time.

So, yes, the tragedy on the movie set is appalling, and life changing for the survivors. I hope some inkling of good will come from it. Maybe movie makers and company heads will improve the care of weapons used in the making of pretend stories.

But in America gun deaths are not pretend. I believe none of it is acceptable. Children gunned down. Innocent people sleeping in bed, or going for a jog. It is wrong. It is not a right to be shot and killed because we will not work to make guns safer and hold all gun owners responsible.

This is about real life – and death.

I love to read. Occasionally a book will catch me, and then really stay with me, and I know it’s one that I want to hold on to for myself. Yet – I love it so much that I want to share it with others.

A few years back I did just that with the book “Across that Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America” by then US Representative John Lewis. I was so moved by his book that I bought copies and mailed them off to people.

Last week I read “If God is Love Don’t Be a Jerk” by John Pavlovitz. I have followed Mr. Pavlovitz on Facebook for some time now because he writes and posts essays and editorials that make sense to me. He writes about religion, today’s politics, and living in America. John is a pastor who has served churches, counseled people, supported them in good times and bad. Now, free of his church duties, and perhaps free of following a denomination’s standards, he writes from the heart. He challenges. He uses his experiences and he speaks ‘how it is’ and he asks how should it be?

I am not hear to sell more books for him. I am not connected with him in anyway except as a fan of what he writes.

Written under the title on the front cover is “Finding a faith the makes us better humans.” Don’t we all want that? Don’t we want to live our lives as good examples of a follower of Jesus? Are you like me and are you questioning where organized religion fits in with that these days? And, why so many are turned off by it?

“If God is Love, don’t be a Jerk” is not a heavy theology book filled with specialized language. You don’t need to have gone through a seminary to read it. No – It is written for you and me. It is written for all of us from all our backgrounds. It is not a dry read. There is some humor in it. But, there is also some really important questions asked, and some eye opening (but perhaps what should be common sense?!?) concepts. Chapter 1 is called “Unboxing God.” I mean, come on, don’t we all like to keep God in our box – and we put God in a safe place where we like Him, and call upon Him when we want to, and we describe Him in ways we can handle?

I am at a point in my life where I struggle with the love of my Lutheran heritage (and I really do love it), and the comfort of my way of worshiping God. I am on my spiritual journey with eyes open, and I wonder what living a Christian life will be like in the future. For me – and for others.

Religion and politics have gotten so mixed together in the past few years that I see a real falling out among the youth, and even among those who want to be faithful but can’t accept the hypocrisy. Many of my Roman Catholic friends left that church because it became so obvious in the last few decades – the scandals hidden, the white men rulers, the old laws that don’t address today’s issues . And, now other protestant religions are losing membership like crazy too. The generation of “going to church because we always do” is gone. Sunday school classes are hardly existent. Bible studies are few and far between. Yes – CoVid has accelerated this change. Online worship. Less contact. It’s real.

John Pavlovitz addresses many of the current changes. He wrote the book just last year, during CoVid, and post Trump. He speaks to the effects and fallout of them.

But, the book is always about LOVE ! God is love, and God wants us to love one another. God gives us a set of rules, and then all those parables and – Jesus! But, still we are jerks.

So, some of you will find this book in your Christmas stocking. Some of you I plan to gift to you in hopes you will read it. But, don’t wait for me. You can order “If God is Love don’t Be a Jerk” on Amazon. The audio version will be out soon. I’m also up for discussion about the book. Tell me what you think.