For Me? . . .

(from the writings of The Rev. Howard Bess**)
" . . .  Is there anything in the Lazarus story for me? My answer is “yes.”  I cannot get past “Unbind him and set him free.”  This is the great mission of devoted followers of Jesus.  We are to help set people free from superstitious beliefs, destructive behavior, harmful habits and selfish patterns of living.  The life of the follower of Jesus is neither inactive nor passive.  No human being should live in bondage of any kind.  I can think of no more exciting life than a life given to setting others free. . ."


** The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer, Alaska.  His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.                                                                                                                             

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html  or at
http://www.ohomusic.com 


OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD) OHO is Jay Graboski, David Reeve & Ray Jozwiak.  Please Visit http://www.ohomusic.com 


My latest solo offering, Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak, featuring original, instrumental piano music is now available at - Just More Music by Ray Jozwiak

(To Access all Ray Jozwiak - Gonzo Piano music you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RayJozwiak)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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Resurrection. . .

Many Christian ministers do not share things they learned in the seminary about the  'resurrection' passages in the new testament of the Christian bible during their Easter Sunday sermons.  Nor will they share this information on any other of the 52 Sundays of the year.  As a result, some members of the congregation will continue to read the Matthew resurrection story uncritically as factual history.  Conversely, others will us the story to reconfirm their skepticism about the truth in Christian Faith.  Then, there will be those who truly want to believe in something, but are left on their own to figure out what truth and value there may be in the Christian Gospel.

When the four canonical resurrection accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are compared side by side they cannot be reasonably reconciled.  Nor can any of the versions of the story be connected to any eye witnesses.  The Matthew account was written at least 50-60 years after the death of Jesus. But no one can doubt that within a few years a rapidly growing number of people believed that this man, Jesus, was raised from the dead. 

Did Jesus come back from the dead in real flesh and blood as one could be led to believe from the the resurrection accounts?  These accounts were  written by devout and believing followers who claimed Jesus as their Lord. But it was recorded in a time tested and honored literary tool widely practiced at that time and place.  Technically, mythology is any story or report in which a god is the primary actor.  Mythology will always defy historical analysis.

Truth, value?  Yes.  History?   No!  
(Thanks to both The Rev. Howard Bess,  a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer, Alaska.  His email address is  hdbss@mtaonline.net) and to John Shelby Spong, retired American Episcopal bishop, religion commentator and author. He calls for a fundamental rethinking of Christian belief away from theism and traditional doctrines. https://johnshelbyspong.com/ )

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html 

OHO's "Ocean City Ditty," the CD single is now available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/oho4
(and, if you're in town, at Trax On Wax on Frederick Rd. in Catonsville, MD)

My latest solo release, '2014', can be digitally downloaded at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak4)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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Both Sides. . .

So I've got to say that I certainly hear both sides of the debate (see Pianogonzology August 14th & 15th) and empathize with each.  Our society is all too quick to vilify and then we seek revenge.  (See Mel Gibson movies-Any)

While Anthony Weiner, Bob Filner and Eliot Spitzer have all done despicable deeds, some with more hubris than others, as Howard Bess says, dwelling on these things will only make us miserable human beings.

I certainly have no desire to bring additional or excessive misery upon myself.  First, and I'm sure Howard would agree, any illegal activity must not go unpunished.  And I most certainly believe Howard is spot-on that we must forgive and move on.  Based upon sincere remorse and a willingness to make amends (and restitution, if applicable) everyone deserves another chance.

What I have difficulty with, and I'm sure Howard is a much better man than I, is re-electing someone to the same position (or higher) when deficient remorse has been exhibited and excessive lack of scruples demonstrated.

What do you think?
Tell me at
http://www.rayjozwiak.com/guestbook.html

My latest release, Black & White Then Back,
can be downloaded digitally at:

(or you can copy-and-paste this URL directly to
your browser:  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rayjozwiak3)

Also, be sure to visit:
http://www.rayjozwiak.com

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