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Realize the Divine

As a cultural Catholic, it's hard to talk to people about Jesus.   Everytime you get to an intellectual dead end, the answer is that it is true, and it is "the Mystery of Faith".  Plus people get awfully pissed at you if you ask a question that they interpret as threatening to their mantle of faith.

I don't buy Dogma that doesn't make sense.  I believe that the Holy Spirit guides us all outside of interpretation by others.

So at the risk of pissing off those who would be reincarnated Crusader combatants,,,,,, Here's what I know and believe.

At the age of thirty, Jesus set out to minister to the people of Israel. In three short years, he performed astounding miracles like walking on water, raising the dead, turning water into wine and ultimately rising from his own tomb and appearing to his followers after his public execution.

Interspersed within these events, he proclaimed a practical philosophy of  behavior.... turning the other cheek, embracing your enemies with kindness, loving your neighbor, praying to God without ostentation, and phoniness.  I believe this behavior allows you the greatest chance to live in peace with your fellow Man.

We have no physical record of where he was, or what he did in his formative years up to the age of thirty, and in three short years, he managed to run afoul of the government, i.e. the Jewish Religious Leaders and the Roman Occupiers.... so the Government killed him.

I believe that he continues to perform miracles and give mystic guidance to those who seek his counsel in a sincere manner, and I believe that his Mother Mary performs the same as well.

There are other paths to God, walked by Muslims, Taoists, Hindus and countless others striving to lead a blessed life as well, and that there is no need to debate and kill over which path that you take.  It would be nice if we could drop this exclusivity intolerance and celebrate all of the cultural paths that God has given humanity to realize the Divine.

Happy Easter.

Below is a nice chronology of his ministry compiled by http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPhillips.htm

THE STORY OF JESUS Matthew, Mark, Luke, John rearranged by Subject & in Date order

Interlude - SUMMARY OF HIS TRAVELS and ACTS

Year One Year Two Year three Galilee area

The travels and acts of Jesus have been compiled from "Gospel Harmonies". Although there are discrepancies, the following itineraries and maps give an indication of Jesus' movements over these three years

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TRAVELS and ACTS OF JESUS, YEAR ONE - c AD27-28

Key: 1 - Approximate sequence of events, used in the list following

OPENING EVENTS

[1] Jesus, now about 30 years old (Lk 3:23) travels from his home-town of Nazareth in Galilee
[2] At the River Jordan, possibly near Bethany-across-the-Jordan, he is baptised by John the Baptist (Mt 3:13; Mk 1:9)
[3] He goes in to the Judean Desert or wilderness to face the devil's temptation (Mt 4:1; Mk 1:12; Lk 4:1)
[4] At the River Jordan near Bethany-across-the-Jordan, or Bethabara (Jn 1:28), and according to John's Gospel, Jesus calls his first five disciples (Jn 1:35). These include Philip, Andrew, and Simon Peter all from Bethsaida in Galilee (Jn 1:44)
[5] Jesus returns north to Galilee with his disciples (Jn 1:43), and at a wedding in Cana, changes the water into wine - his first recorded miracle (Jn 2:1)
[6] He continues on to Capernaum, on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee with his mother, brothers and disciples, and stays there a short time (Jn 2:12)

EARLY MINISTRY IN JUDEA, SAMARIA AND GALILEE

[7] He travels south to Jerusalem for the Passover - the first one mentioned in the Gospels (Jn 2:13). There he drives the money-changers from the Temple for the first time (Jn 2:14). He also meets the Pharisee, Nicodemus (Jn 3:1)
[8] Jesus leaves for the countryside of Judea where his disciples baptise believers (Jn 3:22)
[9] Jesus and his disciples continue northwards from Judea (Jn 4:3), passing through the territory of Samaria (Jn 4:4). Near Sychar, Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well (Jn 4:5). Many Samaritans believe in him (Jn 4:39), after which he continues on to Galilee (Jn 4:43)
[10] He reaches Galilee (Mt 4:12; Mk 1:14; Lk 4:14; Jn 4:45), and back in Cana heals the official's son who lays sick in Capernaum (Jn 4:46)
[11] Jesus returns to his home-town of Nazareth, and preaches in the synagogue (Lk 4:16). He is rejected for the first time (Lk 4:28)

 

TRAVELS and ACTS OF JESUS, YEAR TWO - c AD28-29

Key: 1 - Approximate sequence of events, used in the list following

[1] Jesus moves to Capernaum (Mt 4:13; Mk 1:21; Lk 4:31). According to the Synoptic Gospels, Jesus call his first disciples - perhaps only now to full-time service (Mt 4:18; Mk 1:16; Lk 5:1). In Capernaum he heals the madman in the synagogue (Mk 1:23; Lk 4:33) and Peter's mother-in-law of her fever (Mt 8:14; Mk 1:29; Lk 4:38)

FIRST PREACHING TOUR OF GALILEE

[2] Jesus travels throughout Galilee, preaching and healing (Mt 4:23; Mk 1:39), including the leper (Mt 8:2; Mk 1:40; Lk 5:12).
[3] Returning to Capernaum (Mk 2:1) a paralysed man is healed (Mt 9:2; Mk 2:3; Lk 5:18) and Jesus calls Matthew (or Levi) the tax-collector to be a disciple (Mt 9:9; Mk 2:14; Lk 5:27)
[4] Jesus travels from Galilee south to Jerusalem for a Jewish festival - possibly the Second Passover identified in the Gospels (Jn 5:1). At the Pool of Bethesda he heals the crippled man (Jn 5:2)
[5] Returning north to Galilee, Jesus heals the man with the shrivelled hand (Mt 12:9; Mk 3:1; Lk 6:6) and many others (Mt 12:15; Mk 3:7)
[6] On a hillside in Galilee, probably near Capernaum, he selects his twelve apostles (Mt 10:1; Mk 3:13; Lk 6:12) and delivers the Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:1). In Luke's report Jesus comes down from a hillside to give the Sermon (Lk 6:20)
[7] Back in Capernaum, (Mt 8:5; Lk 7:1) Jesus heals the Roman centurion's servant (Mt 8:5; Lk 7:2)

SECOND PREACHING TOUR OF GALILEE

[8] Jesus continues preaching and healing in Galilee, and in Nain brings the widow's son back to life (Lk 7:11)
[9] Accompanied by the twelve apostles and some of his women helpers, Jesus continues his second Galilee tour (Lk 8:1)
[10] He sails across the Sea of Galilee (Mt 8:18; Mk 4:35; Lk 8:22) and calms a storm (Mt 8:24; Mk 4:37; Lk 8:23). Landing in the region of the Gerasenes (Mk 5:1; Lk 8:26) or Gadarenes (Mt 8:28) in Gentile Decapolis - the Ten Towns or Cities, Jesus heals the madman in the story of the Gadarene Swine (Mt 8:28; Mk 5:2; Lk 8:27)
[11] Sailing back across the Sea of Galilee (Mk 5:21) Jesus lands at "his own town" of Capernaum (Mt 9:1). Here he raises Jairus' daughter from the

 

TRAVELS and ACTS OF JESUS, YEAR THREE - c AD29-30

Key: 1 - Approximate sequence of events, used in the list following

THIRD PREACHING TOUR OF GALILEE

[1] Jesus travels from Capernaum to "his own native town" of Nazareth (Mk 6:1)
[2] In Nazareth, he is rejected for a second time (Mt 13:54; Mk 6:1)
[3] He continues through Galilee (Mt 13:58; Mk 6:6) and sends out the twelve apostles to preach the Gospel (Mt 10:5; Mk 6:7; Lk 9:1)
[4] The Twelve return to Capernaum from their mission (Mk 6:30, Luke 9:10)
[5] From Capernaum, they go off by boat with Jesus to a quiet place (Mk 6:32) near Bethsaida (Lk 9:10). Here he feeds the 5,000 (Mt 14:14; Mk 6:33; Lk 9:11; Jn 6:5)
[6] The disciples return across the Sea of Galilee (Mt 14:22; Mk 6:45), Jesus walking on the water to join them (Mt 14:25; Mk 6:48; Jn 6:19). They land near the Plain of Gennesaret and Jesus heals many people there (Mt 14:34; Mk 6:53).
[7] From Gennesaret they make their way back to Capernaum (Jn 6:24) and Jesus teaches about the Bread of Life (Jn 6:26)

JESUS PREACHES AND HEALS IN SYRIAN-PHOENICIA, ITUREA and TRACHONITIS, THE DECAPOLIS

[8] Jesus retires from Galilee to the region of Tyre and Sidon in Syrian-Phoenicia (Mt 15:21; Mk 7:24) where he heals the daughter of the Gentile Syrophoenician woman (Mt 15:22; Mk 7:25).
[9] He leaves Syrian-Phoenicia via Sidon for Galilee (Mt 15:29) but travels through the Decapolis (Mk 7:31).
[10] In the Decapolis he heals the deaf and mute man (Mk 7:32) and feeds the 4,000 (Mt 15:32; Mk 8:1)
[11] Reaching the Sea of Galilee, he crosses by boat to the Magadan/Dalmanutha region (Mt 15:39; Mk 8:10). There the Pharisees and Sadducees ask for a sign from heaven (Mt 16:1; Mk 8:11)
[12] Continuing on to Bethsaida, a blind man is healed (Mk 8:22)
[13] Jesus now travels from Galilee, north to Caesarea Philippi in Iturea and Trachonitis, where Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ (Mt 16:13; Mk 8:27)
[14] Continuing on from Caesarea Philippi possibly further north towards Mount Hermon, three of the disciples see Jesus Transfigured in the presence of Elijah and Moses (Mt 17:1; Mk 9:2; Lk 9:28). On his return, Jesus heals the boy with epilepsy (Mt 17:14; Mk 9:14; Lk 9:37).
Other traditions place the Transfiguration to the south, on Mount Tabor. The epileptic boy would then have been healed in the Galileearea
[15] In Galilee (Mt 17:22; Mk 9:30), in Capernaum (Mk 9:33), Jesus pays the Temple Tax with a fish! (Mt 17:24). Then to avoid the dangers in Judea, he remains in Galilee (Jn 7:1)

LATER MINISTRY IN JUDEA

[16] Jesus leaves Capernaum and Galilee for the last earthly time (Mt 19:1; Mk 10:1) and heads for Jerusalem (Lk 9:51; Jn 7:10). Travelling by Samaria, he heals the ten lepers (Lk 17:11) but is rejected in a Samaritan village (Lk 9:52)
[17] Arriving in Jerusalem for the Feast of the Tabernacles in the Autumn of c AD29 (Jn 7:10), Jesus forgives the woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:2) and heals the blind man who is taken before the Sanhedrin (Jn 9:1)
[18] During his travels in Judea, Jesus visits Martha and Mary in Bethany (Lk 10:38), returning to Jerusalem for "Hanukkah", the Feast of Dedication in December c AD29 (Jn 10:22)

THE LAST FEW MONTHS - c AD30

[19] Jesus withdraws to Bethany-across-the-Jordan (or Bethabara), and into the province of Perea, and stays for a while (Jn 10:40)
[20] Following the death of Lazarus, Jesus returns to Bethany near Jerusalem, and raises him (Lazarus) from the dead (Jn 11:1).
[21] Because of threats to his life, Jesus withdraws to Ephraim to the north of Jerusalem (Jn 11:54)

HIS MINISTRY IN PEREA (MODERN JORDAN)

[22] He then crosses the River Jordan and works in Perea (Mt 19:1; Mk 10:1). There he blesses the little children (Mt 19:13, Mk 10:13; Lk 18:15) and speaks to the rich young man (Mt 19:16; Mk 10:17; Lk 18:18)

THE FINAL JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM

[23] Jesus now travels towards Jerusalem for the last time (Mt 20:17; Mk 10:32; Lk 18:31). Passing through Jericho he heals one (or two) blind men (Mt 20:29; Mk 10:46; Lk 18:35) and converts Zacchaeus the tax collector (Lk 19:1).
[24] Reaching Bethany (Jn 12:1) the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, Jesus is anointed by Mary either now (Jn 12:2), or later (Mt 26:6; Mk 14:3) after his triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mt 21:1; Mk 11:1; Lk 19:29; Jn 12:12)
[25] During the Easter week, Jesus returns to Jerusalem each day after staying overnight in Bethany on the Mount of Olives (Mt 21:17-18; Mk 11:11-12;19; Lk 21:37).

 

GALILEE AREA

As much of Jesus' three year ministry took place in the Galilee area, a more detailed map follows:

Map - Galilee Area where Jesus Preached and Healed During Much of His Three Year Ministry, c AD27-30

to Contents List

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on to Parts 8-12 - THE START OF HIS MINISTRY OR back to Harmony of Jesus

Maps by Gordon Smith can be used without further permission. Please quote http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPhillips.htm

Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 16th Week of 2014

Superpeep Brendt D'Orio reminded me that I have completely fallen off of the wagon in my weekly obligation to choose a Nanepashemet Peep of the Week.
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My old, feisty Mountain of a Man persona would probably be a bit annoyed at this poke at my failing, but it dawns on me that the proud Danish-Italian machine shop entrepreneur is dead-on with his observation.
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Somehow the despicable yet inspirational tradition has been set aside, but today will receive a strong dusting off.
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As Nanepashemet Peeps will recall.... to become a Peep of the Week... one must fit the following criteria.

1. Must have done something either inspirational or annoying.
2. Cannot be an animal.
3. Cannot be Dead.
4. Or fulfill the automatic criteria of buying the MOAM a bottle of Lagavulin 16 year old Single Malt Scotch... otherwise known as the King of Scotch.

How is it then, that I have neglected this weekly duty for so long????
I am duped by the mystery as you must be also.

You would think that dwindling Lagavulin supply would have tipped me off that something was wrong.... but it was the Italo-Dane who snapped me back to attention.

And So.... after a long hiatus....

ANNOUNCING.....
Nanepashemet Peeps of the Week for the 16th Week of 2014

Brendt D'Orio
Brian Donovan
Dave Bruett
Lindsay Lohan
Lynda Murray

Somehow, the world is starting to feel right again.

Mindless Maggot Sickos. Why?

It's been a year since those mindless maggots carried out their perverse and cowardly plot to kill and maim people standing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.   A crowd of people, assembling to applaud the human achievement of enduring 26 miles,  an achievement of self esteem and self worth..... stricken by two sickos.... viciously and cowardly by two vermin who slimed by them with their concealed explosives, and placed them in spots next to innocent, young, thriving victims,
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Why?   What was the motivation to kill and maim?  Was it jealousy?  Of What?  These two Muslims were in America.... on the dole.... subsidized by the people that they wished to kill.   What could possibly have been the outcome that they hoped for?   That we would cower in our homes?......  Unwilling to carry on our way of life?
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That didn't happen.
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All day long, the local news media has been talking about what happened.... and how we responded.... Boston Strong.
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But still no real analysis or answers as to WHY IT HAPPENED?   Why did these two mindless maggots kill. Who was their audience?  What message did they wish to convey?  Who were they trying to impress?
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If we answer these questions truly to ourselves.... things start to get wicked politically incorrect.  Don't they?

Living the Dream

Gearing up for a long day.
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By day's end, I will have submitted a complex lease for legal review, prepared a zoning application that is sure to antagonize abutters, and present at a public hearing in NH for a new tower proposal.
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I'm thinking that I'll be back at this living room recliner with a Bud Light in my hands by about 11:00PM tonight.
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I'm not complaining..... and in fact, I am technically Living the Dream.... working at my own company for major carriers.  But when I was dreaming the Dream back when.... I didn't anticipate how much work Living the Dream would actually entail.
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This is indeed my Dream job, just not so much of it was in my Dream.

Return of the House Finch

It was a huge day of renewal today.



We saw the first House Finch that I have seen in the last few years on the feeder.

Plus UPS delivered the grill gas regulator replacement part which I installed after getting back from a couple of County Courthouse filings that had to be made in Southern New Hampshire.

The grill works like a charm with the new parts, and I'm grateful that I went with the repair parts rather than shelling out all of the money for a new one.

We grilled some burgers for dinner.

Fake It Till You Make It.

You have to fake it till you make it.
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As I waded through lease review processes that I loathe today,  I played a mind game that they were really interesting and relevant to getting the job done.
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It worked.
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Tomorrow I have to go to a Balloon test where the neighbors are sure to show up with torches and pitchforks.  They are none too happy about a cell tower proposal that we have proposed for their backyard and, I can empathize with their hostility even though I am basically the cause of it.
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Not sure what mind games I can come up for that one.

Path to Wings and Burgers

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I've been busy lately working to get my gas grill repaired.  It's a Charmglow model that I bought from Home Depot about six or seven years ago and has served us well despite some real neglect.  The burners and the drip shields are all corroded and rusty, but the stainless steel chassis of the grill is in great shape and the grill grates are of large gauge stainless steel so I thought I could replace the worn parts and avoid a $300 new grill expense.
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Bought new ceramic drip plates for $10 and new burners for $7 on Amazon, which also sold the two components as Charmglow replacements for $135.   So I went with the $17 option which was delivered in two days.  I can't imagine how the $135 deal could be worth it, because the parts that I received were solidly made.
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Ryan came over this Sat. morning, looking for something, and I pretended that I didn't know what while I fiddled with taking apart the grill.   It seems like a simple devise, but the corroded burners were welded in place by the heat over the years, and what seemed to be a question of simply hacking them off of the chaissis turned into a lot of concentrated thought and effort, but Ryan eventually wrenched them out and we figured how to install the replacements.
Now... only to hook up some propane and try it out, right? .... Wrong.
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The propane would not proceed from the tank to the burners and it seemed that the gas regulator and feed had to be replaced.  Naturally the threads were completely rusted so I WD-40'ed the hell out of the nut and waited a while.   Turned the grill on its backed so that I could get better leverage and worked off the regulator nut, releasing the gas regulator from the grill.
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It was  a Nexgrill model 7806 regulator.... nothing on Amazon, so I went to the Web and found the part for sale at ereplacementparts.com.    $40 bucks for the part and $10 for shipping.
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It should be here by Tues. if the web site is the real deal.
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So now I'm in this grill repair job for $67 which will be a great deal it the grill works with the new regulator.  Will just have to shine up the stainless steel and the wings and burgers can resume.

Spring

Birdfeeder Resurgence

I finally got around to setting up the bird feeder and filling it with seed out on the new deck.   The  birds in this neighborhood haven't witnessed my generosity since we moved to the Sundance House from 32 Beverly Ave.
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In no time, a couple of Chickadees were snacking at the station.
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Also, one Titmouse.

Homophobia

Naturally, because of the last post, some of you Peeps saw the need to call me an anti-Gay homophobe.
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No.... No.... that's not it.
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All I've been trying to say is that, if Gays want to go mainstream, then they should get in the freaking boat.    Because us mainstream types have respect for others, and keep things that should be left private as our own private affairs.
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No parades are necessary.
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I'm not anti-gay.  I am definitely anti-anyone who wants to advertise their sexual preference for the express purpose of causing a distressful emotion in others.   If you want mainstream respect, then respect others in the mainstream.

Erin Go Bragh? or Bra Less?

Should Gays be allowed to march in the South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade?

Absolutely.  It would be illegal to use the public streets and restrict anyone because of race, creed, religion, national origin, sex, or sexual preference in Massachusetts

Should they be allowed to wave flags and flaunt their sexual preference?   That  is up to community standards.  Personally, poke it wherever you want.  That's your business, not mine.  And if you want to advertise your preference, that's not an inherent right, and basically is in bad taste in my opinion.

So I support the ban on Homosexuals marching to advertise that they are homosexual.  If they want to march in a marching band, or with any other group.... fine.  But just to flaunt their preference for members of their own sex is not a valid reason and is offensive to community standards in my opinion.

I would be in favor on banning a group of nymphomaniacs from marching for the same reason.
Keep your sexuality in your own pants in public.