SATURDAY MAY 1, 2021 STORY

 SATURDAY MAY 1, 2021 STORY

This is an attempt at love wins.

Samuel Mendenhall is a professor at Empire University in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Five years ago, a terrible incident happened.  During a home invasion (or daylight robbery), two thugs killed his wife of 14 years and daughter of 4 years.  It was brutal.  There were all kinds of sexual perversions and disgusting mutilation.  

The thugs were caught, tried, and sentenced to life imprisonment.  

There was a call for executing the two criminals because of the horrific attack.

Sam was devastated at the time and still is.  He fights depression, has a grief-sharing group that he regularly attends (and now, he is more of a counselor to others), and has nightmares.

Originally, Sam would have killed those two jerks - even to get a gun and somehow getting into the jail and shooting them.  They did NOT deserve to live.  Scum.  Worse than a pile of manure.

*****

But, five years and two months after the murders, in his quiet time in his new apartment, God spoke to him - mentally that is

God:  “Sam, forgive those men”

Sam: “God, I can’t - they killed my wife and daughter, they violated her, they were sick, they are scum.

God:  “Sam, forgive those men”.

Sam: (starting to cry): “But, God I just can’t forgive them”.

God:  “Yes, Sam, cry and mourn for your family, and then forgive them”

Sam: “I just can’t”

God was patient for a few minutes while Sam wept.

Quietly, then God added, “You know evil men killed my son”.

Sam sat quietly in his recliner listening to the still small voice in his brain.  

“Yes, I know, Lord, but this was different” (even as he said it, he knew it wasn’t different - an innocent man hung on a cross; an innocent woman and child - killed in cold blood”.

God:  “Sam, you know what my son said on the cross?”

Sam nodded his head slowly.

God continued: “Sam, he said ‘Father forgive them, they know not what they do”.

Sam still nodded.  He knew the scripture.  Matthew 6:15 says, “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

God said “Sam, do you want to be forgiven and with your wife and daughter in heaven someday?”

Sam knew deep in his heart.  He started, “But God, “and stopped.  He wanted to say “But, it was different this time, but he knew it wasn’t really different”.

God said, “Sam, forgive those men”.

Sam fought back the tears, long and hard, then he couldn’t hold them any longer.  The tears streaked down his cheeks and bounced into his shirt.  For four or five minutes, those deep tears floated like bits of coal down his cheeks.  

In his own still small voice, Sam somehow squeezed out “Father, forgive them.”  

Suddenly, a heavy weight was lifted off Sam’s shoulders.  He could hear Jaci’s voice in the kitchen, and Kathryn’s screams of delight as she played.  (And, those tears that seemed like bits of coal became like bits of diamonds)

Sam had an idea where to look.  Using the BibleGateway online, he searched for “Vengeance is mine” and found

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

(Romans 12:18-21)

Sam sat, humbled, hurt, but also healed for a long time.  Eventually, with more meaning and outloud, he said “Father, forgive them”. 

Then louder - shouting,  “FATHER FORGIVE THEM, I FORGIVE THEM, I DO FORGIVE THEM”.

And for maybe one of the first times in five years, Sam Mendenhall laughed - a clear, laugh of joy, of peace - and of love winning in his life.  “Father, forgive them”.

*****

Micah 6:8 So what does God expect of you, O man?  But to love justice, show mercy, and to walk humbly with God.  

*****

Our time on Earth is short - maybe a hundred years.  Then what?  Heaven?  And how long for Heaven?  Infinite years.  

*****

From that time forward, Sam Mendenhall was a changed person.  People knew his story, but he could laugh, his students loved him even more than before.  He had found “LOVE WINS” in his heart:

*****

I love you all!!!  I know there are some I have hurt, and I am sorry, and I know others that have hurt me, and I forgive them - because I have to!!

Karen, May 1, 2021

--

Karen White

http://karens2019.blogspot.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 30, LOVE WINS

 FRIDAY, APRIL 30, LOVE WINS

After this week of being maybe overly spiritual, I can tone it down some!!

Back to LOVE WINS!!

Love is an attitude that overflows into action.  The Greeks had three main words for love, Agape, Eros, and Phila.  I’m trying for Agape.

Agape is a Greco-Christian term referring to unconditional love, "the highest form of love, charity" and "the love of God for man and of man for God". 

How does one show and live that “highest form of love”? Can I love EVERYBODY?  If my house is being broken in, can I show love to the thief?  (Pretty tough).  

(Aside. On Tuesday, I was involved in an accident.  I had been shopping and a jar of peanut butter was rolling on the floor.  At a stop sign, I reached for the jar, and my foot came off the brake for a few seconds, and my car rolled into the car in front of me (ouch).  My car had more damage than the other car.  I, of course, wanted to be upset with myself.  I had to practice “In Everything Give Thanks”.  It happened, I couldn’t undo it.  And, I was at peace.  Yes, I made a mistake (and probably a costly mistake), but it happened!!!)

There are people that are difficult to love (or even like) but I “have” to love them.  Love one another!!!

LOVE WINS!!!

Karen

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021 - THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART

 THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021 - THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART

For the past three days, I’ve talked theology - that borders on the “Prosperity Gospel”.  “He will give you the desires of your heart” Psalm 37:4

I have taken many scriptures out of context and passed them on - such as:

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”  3 John 1:2

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

*****

Well, let’s see some other verses.  “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

“ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” I Timothy 6:10

“You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:2-3

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 1 John 5:14

If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. Psalm 66:18

“Now to him who can do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16b

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

*****
My perspective.  Many of the verses above come from Paul’s letters.  I am a little suspicious of those letters for these verses (which I consider being cultural), as Paul (unmarried) gives his views of women.

(Long - excuse me - Paul's view of women in worship)

I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.  Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but a woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.  It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.  For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.  I Corinthians 11

And

"Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church." 1 Corinthians 14

Or this

But women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety.  1 Timothy 2:15

BUT, GOD loves us - right

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Everything is for my good!!  (Including humility, suffering, and even childbirth?)

Humility?  (Do I have to God?)

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

I have quoted Micah 6:8 in the past: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

So, my take - is that God does love me and hears me, and does give me the desires of my heart, does meet my needs according to his riches in Glory, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Yes, I do have to ask.  

God is infinite and I am not.  Will he give me money just because he wants me to be rich?  Probably not.  His verses say he wants me to prosper and be in good health.  

But, I tend to think that James 2 verse 3 might be the most appropriate.  “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

And, if God has blessed people with many good gifts - am I to envy them?  (No way!!!)

So, who am I to tell God what to do?  I am to love Him (Her, It) and I am to love one another.  

Love justice, show mercy, and be humble!!

LOVE WINS!!!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 Prosperity Gospel III

 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021 Prosperity Gospel III

(You know, I don’t always like to talk about myself) 

“Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord,  and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.  Psalm 37:3-5

A couple of keywords - PROSPER, HEARTS DESIRES.  Do you want to prosper?  Do you have your heart’s desires?  Read on!!

*****

“And He will give you your heart’s desires” (or an alternate wording - “He will give you the desires of your heart”.  Really?  God will give me my innermost being desires?  

*****

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  3 John 1:2

*****

Keokuk, Iowa spring/summer 1978.  

I had been teaching high school math for five years at Keokuk High School.  We had our two children, Steve and Becky.  And, money was tight.  It was okay, but it was a “job”.  I was getting to be a good teacher.  Becky arrived in April 1978, I was blessed with two wonderful children.

I had started on an educational specialist program - to be qualified to be a principal - through Western Illinois University.  It was a thought that maybe, being a principal (or assistant principal) would have better pay.  I loved my teaching and wasn’t sure I wanted to be an administrator.

Psalm 37:3-5 became real to me that year.  I meditated on “what were the desires of my heart”?  What did I want?  What did my family want?  Where was God leading me?  (And, maybe … I wasn’t sure if God could really deliver the desires of my heart.  Cmon now, God could bless me that way?  Nah - that was “pie in the sky” thinking!! God didn’t care that much about little old me!!

I had enjoyed college - and it wasn’t hard to figure out what the ‘desires of my heart' would be.  I wanted to (I desired to) be a college teacher.  With a master’s degree, I could be an instructor or a lecturer.  But, haha - that just wasn’t going to happen.  I had a signed contract to teach for the Keokuk School District for the 19787-1979 school year.  I could see my future was as a high school teacher.  BUT, God was listening to the desires of my heart.  (While I can’t really understand God, maybe He had plans and goals for me - like Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”)

So, I had opened my college placement file and was looking at beginning administrator jobs.  I had an interview that I really wasn’t ready for (and didn’t get it).  

On August 1st, 1978, I got a call from Winona State University where my wife and I went to college, and where I had my bachelor’s and masters in math.  “Would I be interested in a one-year position teaching math?”  (Reading between the lines, two teachers were taking a one-year sabbatical and they needed two people.  They had been looking for a while, it was now the first of August and they didn’t have a warm body to cover their classes!!)

WOULD I BE INTERESTED???  Of course, I was interested!!!  (Wow - the desire of my heart!!!)

I answered, “Yes, Yes, Yes”.  WOW - I was floating (at least for a few hours).

*****

BUT, as I talked with the Keokuk Schools Superintendent the next day, I was reminded that I had a signed contract to be a teacher in the district starting in about three weeks.  And, no, he was NOT going to let me out of that contract!!!

He indicated he would put a want ad in the local Keokuk newspaper, and he warned me, there was almost no way the district would find a replacement for me.  (Boy, was I shot down).

But within a week, he had a great local person who was more than qualified to teach my classes. WOW - I was off the hook.

But, there was more where God was involved.  We listed our house for sale and it sold quickly.  We had a garage sale - and EVERYTHING sold.  (Actually, not quite true.  We had advertised our garage sale in the local newspaper and everything but two things was sold.  About two hours after our garage sale ended, a person knocked at our door and asked if he had sold two things - the TWO things that hadn’t sold!!  God was even interested in our garage sale!!!)

It was like God just took over and in two weeks moved us out of Keokuk and to Winona Minnesota.

I KNEW this was God giving me the desires of my heart.  

*****

The one-year position became two years, and I was now a college teacher.  That first year led to 38 years as a college teacher (and later, a college professor)

*****

Desires of my heart - part II

I wanted grandchildren.  I can remember driving past elementary schools at recess or lunchtime with kids on the playground.  I can remember praying for grandchildren.  (This was even way before either of our children were married).  It seemed like this wasn’t going to happen (I needed to be patient).

Then voila, we had five grandchildren in about eight months. God had answered the desire of my heart again with twins and triplets. (WOW!!).  

The first time I held the twins I cried such happy tears.  It was harder to hold all three triplets, but God had blessed the desire of my heart.  

*****

And, desires of my heart - part III

God, when I retired, seemed to put some strange things into my brain.  I have been blessed to become a woman.  And, He has offered me the ability to be “authentic” (and more vulnerable).  

*****

There have been other times when I have truly seen or felt God in my life.  A week ago, I was overpowered by the Love of God.  For me, God is very real.  Does that play into the “prosperity gospel?” Maybe - check back tomorrow!!!

LOVE DOES WIN

HUGS

KAREN

TUESDAY APRIL 27 - PROSPERITY GOSPEL - PART II

 TUESDAY APRIL 27 - PROSPERITY GOSPEL - PART II

I started this yesterday.  In the Judeo-Christian tradition, prayer and asking God for His favor are common.

*****

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  3 John 1:2

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

****

Let’s start with the Ask, Seek, and Receive verses.

Each of the four Gospels has the Ask and it will be given to you verse:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

And you ask in prayer, you will receive if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!  Luke 11: 9-13

******

I want to comment on the Luke version.  Like the others, he writes ask, seek, knock, and receive, but then he adds more.

God wants to give you good gifts (like the Holy Spirit). What is a “good gift” from God?  I’d love a new car, but that might not be a ‘good gift’ for me.  (Some of the prosperity gospel believe that a new car can really be part of God’s plan).

If you are a Godly person (and I assume you are), do you ask for good gifts?  Do you seek God, do you knock?  

*****

The basic is:

.- ASK - ask for wisdom, ask for guidance, ask for passion.  The scripture promise is “And, it shall be given until you”.

.- SEEK - for God’s will in your life.  The scripture says, “Seek and you shall find”.  Keep searching, (Google doesn’t always know the answer, but God does!!!)

.- KNOCK - and the door will be opened to you.  Have you walked (mentally) past a “door” that looks interesting to you?  Have you said “That might be my goal, my calling, but I don’t know”

KNOCK -and the door will be opened.  Don’t give up.  I remember the Olympic Marathon many years ago.  The leaders had passed the finish line - and maybe an hour later, limping and struggling with every step came one last finisher.  That person was LAST in the Olympic Marathon race.  LAST.  But, I can imagine the story that person will tell to his grandchildren. “I was last in the 1968 Olympic Marathon race.  But, I made it to the Olympics.  And, I finished.  I was tempted to drop out, to say “enough”, but I didn’t I pushed on.”  

*****

So, what are you asking God for today?  

*****

Last week in a substitute class I talked about the difference between “want” and “need”.  

Philippians 4:19 says “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”  God will meet your needs.  Unable to make the house payment this month?  Have you asked God?  Do you need guidance and direction?  Have you asked God?

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  Philippians 4:6

*****

Okay, in context, these verses seem to indicate an “open door” to God.  There must be a catch!!  Let’s see what I find for Tomorrow and Thursday!!!

By the way, to me, God is NOT a great piggy bank in the sky.  I don’t snap my fingers and say “Hey God, I need XYZ”.  This is NOT a formula that works every time.  

I have used Isaiah 55:8-9 in the past. ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Two verses before this (55:6) we have, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”

Tomorrow, I share my experiences. (Warning - watch out!!!)

LOVE WINS

HUGS

KAREN

MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021 I want you to prosper!!

 MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2021

I’m going to try something this week - “The Prosperity Gospel”  (I bet my friend AR will be intrigued about this!!).  And like normal, as I start this, I’m not sure where I will end up!!!

First - I am an amateur theologian - and not all that good at it  (but that rarely stops me!!!).  If I was a true theological scholar I would read the original texts in Hebrew, Greek, or Aramaic, but knowing none of those, I trust those scholars who labor over accurate translations from the original texts.

I say I write from the “Jewish-Christian” perspective.  I try to incorporate both sides, but I tend to write more on the Christian side as I know that better.

*****

Let’s start with a familiar Psalm - Psalm 23 - 

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Okay, sure.  So, what is the big deal, Karen?

“The Lord is my shepherd”.  That somehow implies that I am (hmmm) a “sheep”.  Sheep aren’t all that smart.  I remember going to Uncle Rob and Aunt Selma’s farm and chasing the sheep.  They were in a little pen - and since I wasn’t their shepherd - when I came close to their pen, they would run away to the other end of the pen.  

I see that sheep needed somebody to watch them.  Do I need to be watching?  (Probably (absolutely) <grin>).  Can I run away (like a sheep might)?  

*****

Let’s see.  “I lack nothing” (or “I do not want”) - God as the shepherd provides for me.  

When I read this, I have a picture in my mind - a luscious green pasture, along a slowly ebbing stream.  If I was a fisherman, I could grab some nice trout (or other) out of the stream.  There is a big oak that is on the bank on the stream, and over time, the roots have been eroded some and under those roots, the big fish enjoy the cool waters.  

“He refreshes my soul”.  I have that ‘perfect peace’ in this place.  I have no anxiety, I am refreshed completely   “He guides me along right paths”.

When things get tough, and I go through that dark valley, or dark place - He is with me.  

“You prepare a table before me” - huh?  GOD IS preparing a table for ME?

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”  (Maybe anointing my head with oil is old-time, but the meaning is there - God really does love me.  And, he BLESSES me - my cup, my plate, my life OVERFLOWS with HIS goodness.

And, to conclude “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  Hold it, God’s love, God’s goodness, is around me ALWAYS - and I’m going to dwell in God’s house FOREVER - ETERNITY!!!  (John 14 says he goes to prepare a place for us - some versions say he prepares a mansion for us!!)

*****

So, if my Judeo-Christian thoughts go with this, God is going to take care of me.  Repeat - “GOD IS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF ME”!!!

WOW!!!

*****

Now, the Bible has a lot of books, a lot of writing, and I “cherry-picked” one Psalm.  Sure, if you grew up in a Judeo-Christian background, you may (like I did) memorize this Psalm.

BUT, my opening salvo in a series on the Prosperity Gospel is to show you promise - I don’t need ANYTHING.  I have peace.  I am BLESSED!!!!

*****

So, my reflection.  God is infinite.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  

I can’t possibly understand God.  For His reasons, he created the universe.  And, I think He did it out of LOVE.  Translating that concept - God loves US.  The very creator of the university LOVES us. Christians love to quote John 3:16 … “For God so LOVED THE WORLD”.  God’s love has to be so amazing.  And, then (if we look at Psalm 23), the implication is that He wants to take care of us - give us those green pastures, lead us, and bless us.!!!  

Okay - some look ahead for this week.  (Scriptures out of content)

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  3 John 1:2

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

Something to think about - the infinite God - KNOWS me - one of the crazy minions on this blue planet called Earth - and not only knows me - but LOVES me!!

How can this be?

LOVE WINS!!

HUGS!!!

Karen

SUNDAY FUNDAY Sunday, April 25, 2021

 

SUNDAY FUNDAY

Sunday, April 25, 2021

SUNDAY FUNDAY - April 25th

Here we are - the LAST SUNDAY in April.

My Jewish friends follow God’s command from Genesis 1.  In six days God created heaven and the earth and he rested on the seventh day - the Sabbath.  We find that concept in different areas - like a Sabbatical year for professors or a sabbatical rest for the land.  

Then along came the Christians - who thought it would be better to rest on Sunday.  They considered Sunday as the day Jesus rose from the dead - so most calendars (or at least the ones I’m familiar with) treat Sunday as the first day of the week - and most Christians (or those people in areas where Christian is or predominates) treat Sunday as “day off”.  The weekend became Saturday and Sunday.  

Of course, some Christians (most notably Seventh Day Adventists), observe the traditional Jewish Sabbath (aka “Saturday”) as their day of worship.

And, we can’t even agree on what is a ‘day’.  (Okay, we have some agreement - it is 24 hours).  The Jewish community says the day ends at Sunset - and thus a day goes from Sunset to the next Sunset.  

But, the world seemed not to want one clock for the whole world, so the world was divided into 24 sections - or 24 time zones. (with some areas observing an offset of 30 minutes).  Most of Europe is seven hours different than Texas time.  (Or six hours different than Eastern Time).

And Hawaii is five hours different than Central Time, or six hours different than Eastern Time.  Thus it is that most flights FROM Hawaii back to the mainland (or most flights from New York to Europe) are “red-eye” flights - leaving the westernmost location in the evening - and flying overnight to the eastern location.  And, working the other way, flights from East to West generally go so they arrive in the western location, disembark, clean the planes, refuel, and reload the planes to return.  (Not losing a lot of time in the western location).

I will add a quasi-related story.  I went to Belarus twice.  The flights were Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Minsk.  But, arriving in Minsk, we stopped at the end of the runway and were escorted to the gate by military forces.  I sense this was left over from the cold war - where a flight from the West (aka Germany in this case), to the East (Belarus or Moscow) needed to be fully scrutinized.  

And, at the end of the runway were maybe fifteen old aircraft - some missing engines, others missing other things - so it was kind of a junkyard for Russian/Belarussian aircraft!!  

It also seemed to me that Lufthansa wanted to load and return to Germany fairly quickly - before Belarus seized the plane!!!  (At least that was what I envisioned).

WORD PUZZLES  (answers at the bottom)

.1 HEAD   SHOULDERS

         THE REST

  

           ↓

.2   troUble  (accent on the “U”)

.3  At     L  A  S  T  

.4  TIME  TIME

5.  Himself He

6. OBJECTION

     RULED

                ↓

.7  AN ERA

.8  PUNISHMENT

**********

ONE OF MY IDIOCRACIES / CLOCKS/NUMBERS

I have two digital clocks in my apartment plus my microwave has a digital display.  (So, what do you mean by ‘clockwise’ and ‘counter-clockwise’)?  <smile>

Each digit is made up of straight-line segments.  So, the number 8 has the most lines (seven); the number 1 has the least (two).

Some numbers are the same as the number of line segments (which ones)

Three numbers all have five line segments (which ones)

Three numbers all have six line segments (which ones)

One number is the mirror image of another (which ones)

One number is a flipped version of another (which ones)

Assuming a 12-hour clock what time will have the most line segments lit; and what time will have the least line segments lit?  (Leading zeros do not show up)

**********

PERFECT NUMBERS

Perfect number, a positive integer that is equal to the sum of its proper divisors. The smallest perfect number is 6, which is the sum of 1, 2, and 3.  

There is one more perfect number under 30 - what is it?

AND …

You can also classify numbers as deficient, perfect, and superabundant according to whether the sum of their divisors was less than, equal to, or greater than the number, respectively.

For example, 12 is “superabundant” since its divisors are 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 (and all of the divisors add up to 16); but (say) 15 is deficient as its divisors are only 1, 3, and 5 (which adds up to 9)

Can you give three more superabundant numbers under 30?

******

WHAT’s COMING UP?

Well, that is somewhat a personal question this week.  

Next Saturday is May 1st - and every Saturday night in Walburg Texas at the Walburg Restaurant is MAYFEST!!!  Walburg is an unincorporated town north of Georgetown Texas (where I live).  It has TWO Lutheran Churches and TWO German Restaurants.  In October, the Walburg Restaurant has Oktoberfest, and in May, they have Mayfest.  They used to have a huge circus-type tent behind the restaurant, but it came down in the February ice-and-snow storm.  

I will be there with my tuba playing with the Brushy Creek Brass Band!!!  We play two sets - the first one is generally German marches, polkas, waltzes, and fun.  The second is a big band and fun music (Chicken Dance, YMCA, In The Mood).  It is family fun.  Come get a bratwurst and a beer, dance a little, socialize and get out of the house for a while.  They generally have a house band (‘The Walburg Boys’ - who have their humor and music as well).  

What else?  Things are moving towards normal.  This week Tuesday the Granny Basketball team is practicing (last week it was tough!!).  Thursday, the Bridgebrat Bridge group meets.  

I’ll still be doing my Wednesday night Bible Study on Zoom, and my Saturday morning Bible Study at a storefront church.  Monday night is the rehearsal for the Williamson County Symphony Orchestra - and I’ve already lined up one substitute teaching position for Monday.  I hope to get to the Georgetown Rec Center a few times to get my miles!!!  

And, the week after that will have lots of exciting things -including getting out of the Austin area for a couple of weeks!!!

LOVE WINS!!!

Karen

Answers

.1 Head and Shoulders above the rest

.2 You are in trouble

.3 At Long Last

.4 Time After Time

.5 He is beside himself

.6 Objection overruled

.7 The end of an era

.8 Capital Punishment

Numbers:

4, 5, and 6 all have the same value as the number of line segments 

2, 3, and 5 all have five line segments

2 and 5 are mirror images

6 and 9 are flipped

28 is a perfect number (divisors of 1, 2, 4, 7, 14)

Abundant numbers 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36