Faith

Spring is a time for flowers to burst into bloom, trees to tremble with new leaves, showers to scrub the skies until a rainbow shows through — all signs of new life!

Fittingly, the joyful religious events of this season in both Judaism and Christianity bear the promise of freedom and a new life for those who will believe.

Though some solemn events were part of its past, a light-hearted spirit will mark Judaism’s ritual meal of the Seder this Saturday night launching Passover, a week-long celebration of the freeing of the Jews from slavery in ancient Egypt.

Easter Sunrise Service, Linda Pedersen Park 6300 Shoal Line Blvd, Hernando Beach, at 7:15 AM.

Crosspoint Church, Challenger K8 School, 13400 Elgin Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34609. 9:30 & 11 AM.

Northcliffe Baptist Church, 10515 Northcliffe Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34608. 9AM & 10:30 AM.

Grace World Outreach Church 20366 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601. 9 & 11 AM.

Christian Church in the Wildwood, 10051 Country Road, Weeki Wachee, FL 34613. 8AM, 9:30, & 11:15 AM.

On February 3, 1943, 676 souls were lost aboard the USS Dorchester. Among the perished were four chaplains, of four different faiths, who provided prayer and comfort to the men who would die at sea with them.

Every now and then I’m asked why I do not express my thoughts about political and social issues. Of course, I have personal opinions about all that is going on just like you, but do we really need more repetitive commentary especially when it comes to confirming how disturbing the world has become? How could I help anything by joining in with the crowd to criticize and argue about problems which are politically and socially divisive?

Any history — including Black history — of what now is the United States must begin with the church and the faith it represents.

When Juan Ponce de Leon planted a cross in Florida soil on Easter Sunday, 1513, and took formal possession of the land around what now is St. Augustine in the name of Ferdinand of Spain, religion lay claim to the history of the region.

Possessing the land for the Spanish sovereign was the same as taking title for the Roman Catholic Church, for the king was the secular head of the church by direct commission of the Pope.

The idea of a “deep state” and “fake news’ is not new with the Trump administration. It began with critics of our first president, George Washington, whose birthday anniversary we celebrate Feb. 19.

Someone said, “Our lives are defined by opportunities, including the ones we miss. Let us not weep over chances we have missed, but rather for the ones we did not take.” When I look back over my life, I can see where I’ve made plenty of mistakes and I’ve also missed out on some wonderful opportunities. Maybe you are saying the same thing. If so, I encourage you to resist the temptation to live in regret. Humans are fallible creatures and we all make wrong choices but at least our disappointment reveals that we care and that’s a good thing.

“God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.” (Psalm 54:4 NASB)

The Lord is your Helper. He will always sustain you.

If you put your trust in Him, God will honor that and WILL come through for you and do whatever it takes to bring you to other side… past the obstacle, past the dilemma, past the hardship that you are facing now.

God is your deliverer. Put your hope and trust in Him.

He will see to it that you are provided for in every way.