Tomorrow is “Palm Sunday,” when we remember Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. (Passage from Luke chapter 19.)

It is simultaneously a joyous and sad occasion.

Joyous, because Jesus’ entry is being celebrated by the masses. All of Nature is engaged, and even the rocks stood ready to hail the King of Kings.

Sad, because Jesus knows that the leadership of Israel will reject the redemption he brings, and they will suffer both spiritual and political destruction.

Jesus brought them Truth and Light.

They chose darkness.

Nellie at Special Olympics today making sure daddy is watching...

“Jesus Ain’t No Mamby-Pamby Savior”

It’s not certain whether Jesus Christ cleansed the temple after His triumphal entry, during a former visit, or on both occasions. (Passage from John 2)

But what is clear is that it was not a polite event. Jesus made a whip and drove out the money changers and the animals, and overturned their tables.

The “swamp” is not limited to politics. Our churches are also corrupt, and we like Jesus should have zero patience with it.

Painting Jesus Christ as some milk-toast softy just ain’t right. People incorrectly describe him as a ‘carpenter.’ But scripture describes him as a *builder*, a “techton” (τέκτων), probably building mostly with rocks (not a lot of wood in Israel; the same root is used in the word ‘plate techtonics’).

Imagine a guy who lifts stones for a living coming after you with whip in his hands.

And not just physically strong; but also morally and spiritually. He was able to bear the sin of the entire world on his shoulders.

Jesus ain’t no mamby-pamby savior.

“Idaho”

Sorry I couldn’t make it for the Idaho meetings and event. It was a last minute deal, and with my other commitments I simply couldn’t carve out four days for it.

Hoping that I could participate, I completed several new analyses of their election data, and I plan to post them soon.

The country is steadily waking up, and widespread election corruption is being exposed in every state, including Idaho.

Keep the pressure on... especially at the local level.

Remember, politicians don’t start parades, they join them.

“Profound Music”

I served as a music minister for forty years, and during that time I compiled a list of the finest and my favorite choral works for church choirs.

I’ve been on planes a lot lately, and necessarily have missed a lot of church. So I’ve been reading scripture and listening to sacred choral music to fill the gap. I noticed something the other day...

I have hundreds of profound choral works for Christmas and Passion, but only a few for Easter, and I think I’ve figured out why.

Christmas is when we celebrate the incarnation... God becoming a human.

The crucifixion is where that perfect human humbled himself, and served us to the point of death, even death on a cross.

These are profound... profound events in the history of the universe.

Easter is of course important: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. His victory over death, and our promise of resurrection and eternal life. But God having power over human life and death is not as mysterious to me. After all, he created our human bodies and can animate them at will.

And our redemption was accomplished on the cross. The resurrection is the evidence of that accomplishment; the necessary epilogue.

So to me, the incarnation and crucifixion are profound mysteries more about God, and Easter is more about us.

And it is logical that profound mysteries would stimulate profound art and music, and evoke strong emotions within us. Art and music are particularly good at inspiring awe and worship, and it helps to have a profound subject.

Choral music is particularly good for this because it synchronously combines physical, intellectual, spiritual, and vocal activity.

So it’s only natural that I would gravitate toward music that touches me in the most profound ways.

“Lotions and Potions”

So, I was an invited speaker a couple months ago in Mabel, Minnesota. My host there manufactures and sells lotions and potions, and he gave me some samples when I left. As it turns out, I ended up using the samples during my travels, and I really liked them. Later, he shipped me some larger samples, and I hadn’t even said anything about it.

Normally I wouldn’t say anything, but I LOVE the skin care and foot care creams.

And the guy is a patriot.

I haven’t tried the pain stuff, so I can’t recommend it yet. But something tells me it is the real deal too. While we were visiting in the car he said, “What works in the barn we bring into the house.”

As someone who spent many years in the barns caring for the animals, I appreciate this. He also mentioned that all the Amish mothers in the region use his creams while they are nursing. I’ve treated cows with mastitis, so I understand this too.

What do you say we surprise him with a bunch of sales this month?

I’ve been saying, “Vote Amish.” Now I’m suggesting, “Lotion Amish.”

LOL.

https://steuartlaboratories.com/collections/steuarts-pain-relief-products/products/steuarts-skin-care-plus-8oz

“Phew!”

I’ve been analyzing data from several new states... my computers were whirring away all day today while I renewed my drivers license and Nellie’s state ID (yes, she’s registered to vote), picked up my shoes for Daniel’s wedding, replaced the lock on the back door, replaced the bathroom doorknob, and replaced several lightbulbs around the house.

Things have a way of building up when one is away so much.

Tomorrow, l’ll finish OREGON while I’m repairing the roof, LOUISIANA while I’m cleaning the pool, and IDAHO while I recalibrate some electronics for a customer.

Hmmm....

I might be working HARDER at home than when I’m on the road.

At least I can sleep in a bit and I get to see the family every day.

But I’m back on the road soon. The schedule is filling up!

Gotta love this guy.

I'm endorsing Borer for SoS of Nebraska. Their existing SoS doesn't know what he is doing, and is asleep at the wheel.

Borer "runs into fires."

That ain't natural, buddy...

(The number of registrants in every Oregon county over time, shown in relation to their rolls in 2020. Data are from the Oregon Secretary of State webpage.)

People who say that the high registration and turnout in 2020 were due to Covid haven't looked at the DATA, which show that the increasing trend started *before* Covid.

Notice also the increased volatility in turnout following 1996... a trend I've seen in many states.

1996 is when the national concerted effort began to steal our elections, enabled by electronic voting machines and the internet.

“Good Friday”

Today is Good Friday, the day we remember Jesus Christ’s death on a cross. His death, the death of a perfect human, was the ultimate act of service, enabling our redemption from our fallen state. It is one of the most profound moments in the history of the universe.

One of my former pastors served regularly at a local children’s hospital. On one of his rounds he encountered a young girl with Down Syndrome, alone in her hospital bed recovering from surgery.

As he leaned over the bed to bless her, his cross swung away from his body and the sweet little girl grabbed it.

She looked him directly in the eyes and said, “God...”

“That’s right.” He replied, “The cross represents God.”

She continued, “God died.”

He was speechless. She was the most profound theologian he’d ever met.

Ask your county clerk, "May I have a list of everyone who voted in the 2020 General Election? The official rolls are incomplete."

I find that animating the slides makes them less scary for non-math people.

I'll be at the Ohio Trump rally next Saturday. (4/23)

“O death, where is thy sting?”