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teanicolae · 3 years

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letters, cuts

*scattered poems published in scan lancaster, february 2020. they belong to a collection of poetry i compiled which chronicles the various stages of coping with grief. written a few years ago…

01. 01. 2018

dear A,

it’s been three years since i’ve lost you

and i swear i am trying.

i bought a shiny yoga mat

and i do yin yoga for grief release.

i ground my feet,

do warrior poses

and chant.

i try,

but no matter how much i contort my body at dawn

my sorrow rips through my brain

and sticks to my eyelids.

10. 02. 2018

most beloved A,

i wear my loss

like i wear my rings.

11. 02. 2018

darling A,

i swear i’m trying.

i’ve stopped reading sylvia plath

and i bookmark poems

about the universe that is supposedly unfolding in my core.

i read self-help articles about how pain is grace,

grinding my teeth.

i write inspirational quotes on purple notebooks

and i make bullet-points about buddhism

with pink pens.

i press the tips onto the paper

hard

as if to push what i write through me.

i beg my mind to meditate

i put on compilations of “deep relaxing & healing music with instant relief from stress”

and i force myself to still.

i download apps that ease anxiety

and i go to meditation groups on wednesdays.

but, no matter how long i stay cross-legged on the floor,

straightening my back and linking my thumbs,

it hurts.

25. 02. 2018

my dearest A,

i quit drinking

and i made new friends.

friends that drink hot chocolate

friends that watch soft films

friends that pray in the evenings

instead of drowning in face paint

and sprawling on dance floors.

they meet for coffee

they talk about how simple life is

and i nod when my heart clenches.

30. 02. 2018

beloved A,

my brain is softly melting to the floor

04. 03. 2018

ever dearest A,

i’ve been reading about the cycle of rebirth

i wish to believe in it,

but scepticism clouds my heart.

i’m not pure enough for transcendence

so if i am reborn

i wish i could be as small

as a sparrow.

11. 04. 2019

dear A,

i’m unsure where loss ends

and i begin.

with longing,

T. ☼

one more scattered letter-poem... one i wrote about my grief.

*performed at a slam poetry contest in st. andrews, where i spent three weeks in the summer of 2016. three weeks of magic, sand, books, david bowie and messy dorms.

*performed at the lancaster poetry café in 2017, autumn. having people tell me i’ve moved them to tears is magical and it’s something i’ve never dared to hope for and it’s something i’ll never take for granted. thank you

1st of January, 2016

Dear A,

Happy one month anniversary, my grief, my love.

You’ve been good, you’ve been still.

I’ve been spending my evenings writing scattered letters to you.

I roughly choke on paper as I burn

with sore pain. I miss you.

Dear A,

It’s been one month,

I feel dispatched.

I think it’s fair to say that you broke my brain.

I’ve been mulling over you since December.

Dear A,

I can’t help

but feel angered,

I am shamed.

I sweat self-loathe

each time I

desperately

and

obsessively

drag my nails across my cheeks

and carve your name onto my forehead,

trying not to forget your face.

Dear A,

But I have.

I’ve started to forget

the curve of your neck,

your sharp teeth,

your hair,

your heavily edited psychedelic pictures,

your long poems,

the short story you wrote to me.

I gulp and write as much about you as I can,

so that no one will ever forget

your painful songs,

your whiny voice,

your sad words,

your drugs,

your self-hatred.

Dear A,

You were brilliant.

You were so good. I was sure you’d be the next Lou Reed – so fresh, so wild, so pearly, so beautiful.

I thought you’d love me,

and then leave me,

and I’d spend my life watching you recite your lines in movies,

or looking at your face, plastered on shiny new books,

and I would lull to myself:

remember me, when you’re the one who’s silver screened, remember me when you’re the one you’ve always dreamed. remember me, when everyone’s noses start to bleed. remember me, special needs

Dear A,

You were candy in my mouth

until you smashed my teeth from the inside,

as my heart ashed on the 1st of December.

#poem #poetry #grief #depression #loss #letter #coping #mental health #pain #tea nicolae

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barbaramoorersm · 6 years

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March 6, 2019

Ash Wednesday

March 6, 2019

Joel 2: 12-18

This ancient prophet calls the people to repent beginning with their hearts.

2 Corinthians 5: 20-6:2

Paul reminds his readers that the present moment is the “acceptable time”

Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-19

Jesus warns all of us about hypocrisy.

I am reading a delightful book by Father James Martin, SJ. It is entitled, Between Heaven and Mirth. He shares with his readers the importance of joy and humor in the spiritual life. He quotes another Jesuit, Teilhard de Chardin who wrote, “Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God”. (15) I find this a powerful quote, especially as we approach the rather somber season of Lent. Many of us of a certain age, remember the emphasis on denial, “giving up” something up, fasting and more frequent attendance at multiple religious services.

Our first reading from Joel, also calls for such behavior. “…return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning.”

And all of these things are important and good, but Jesus on this opening day of Lent reminds his listeners and us of another important truth. Balance. “When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you….do not let your left hand know what your right is doing. When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites”.

Lent, as Paul writes, “…is a very acceptable time…”. It is a gift to reflect on the commitment of Jesus and the multiple ways he tried to convey God’s wishes for us. It is a time when we see one person’s commitment to love and truth and his shared wisdom about loving one another as members of his Body. It is also a time when we see how the power of “systems” can punish those who resist their power. In smaller ways you and I and many we know and love, have experienced our own Lents.

Spouses caring for their partners with dementia. Men and women struggling with abuse and addiction. So many not able to keep up with bills and have so little put away for retirement. Since last Lent, many of us have lost spouses, friends and children, and Lent seems a constant companion for us.

Certainly almsgiving, fasting and prayer are important but I think Jesus is saying that they are not “ends unto themselves”. They are opportunities to reflect on the generosity of God and the power of Jesus’ life-giving message. These coming days offer us time for reflection. As busy as many of us are, perhaps one practice might be as Jesus suggests, to “go to our inner room and close the door”. That may be a quiet space or a space in our hearts where we retreat for a few moments each day. Paul often reminds his readers that God’s Spirit dwells within us. Joel hints at this when he advises us to “Rend our hearts and not out garments”. That is to look within and engage God and God’s Spirit.

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the-record-obituaries · 5 years

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Aug. 28, 2019: Obituaries

Lexie Roberts, 89

Mrs. Lexie Juanita Dowdy Roberts better known as "Ma" gained her angel wings on August 24, 2019 at the age of 89.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday August 31, at Reins Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. Victor Church, Pastor Steve Shumate and Brother Brandon Dillard officiating. Burial will be in Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery, North Wilkesboro. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Friday evening, August 30, 2019 at Reins Sturdivant Funeral Home.

Ma was born March 30, 1930 in Guilford County to John Arland Dowdy and Lexie Viola Blackburn Dowdy Honeycutt. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; Leroy Roberts, and her daughter, Renea Taylor.

She is survived by her sons, John Roberts of Butner, NC, Don Roberts of Checotah, Oklahoma and Paul Roberts of Millington, Tennessee, grandchildren; Tay Taylor, Adrian Taylor, Candy Caldwell all of Winston Salem, NC, Carmy Taylor of North Wilkesboro, NC, Fletcher Roberts of Alma, Michigan, Kristi Roberts of Union, SC, as well as several distant grandchildren; great grandchildren; Zane Caldwell and Kala Douglas of Winston Salem, NC, Max Taylor of North Wilkesboro, NC, Devin Heinz of Union, SC, Destiny and Kara Church of Wilkesboro, NC, and several distant great grandchildren.

Ma worked for many years at Gardner Mirror as well as a CNA at Home Care of Wilkes and Avante.

She was known for her kind, mischievous, loving nature and was a hard working simple woman who loved everyone. She didn't care about worldly riches because she always said she had a mansion waiting. Ma loved to garden, grow flowers, do sequin embroidery, dip snuff, eat chocolate, go to the beach and read her Bible, but most of all spread the word of God.

She was a faithful member of Bethany Baptist Church. Ma always sat in the second pew on the right side of the church. She attended until her health declined. When not able to attend, Ma still praised the Lord daily.

Even as the Alzheimer's progressed her love for Jesus remained. This terrible disease took so much from her but never her faith. Her favorite quote was "God loves you and so do I."

The family wishes to thank the entire staff of Westwood Hills who have helped take care and love Ma for the last five years. A very special thanks to the staff on the Spark Unit and Orange Hall where Ma resided. The family also wishes to thank Mountain Valley Hospice for their loving

support the last few months.

In addition to flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Attn: Molly Goote 31 College Place Ste. D 103, Asheville, NC 28801 c/o Walk for Ma.

Arlena Creasman, 79

Mrs. Arlena Virginia Barker Creasman, age 79 of North Wilkesboro, wife of LaMar Creasman, died Friday, August 23, 2019 at her home.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 29, 2019 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with Rev. Kedron Nicholson officiating. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:00PM until 8:00PM at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.

Mrs. Creasman was born June 17, 1940 in Ashe County to Lee and Ilene Gilley Barker. She was a social worker at Wilkes County Social Services and retired from New River Mental Health as a counselor. She also specialized in working with children as a private counselor. She continued working for BROC Head Start as a counselor. Arlena was a friend and caregiver to many. She gave herself to others every day of her life. She loved her family and her many friends. She especially loved her grandkids and great-grandkids and made each of them always feel like they were the favorite.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Kathy Sapp; and her brothers-in-law, Delbert Sapp and Haskell (Frog) Hartsog.

She is survived by two daughters, Vickie Shupe Shew and husband, Claude Shew, Jr., and Robin Shupe Keller and Dave Keller; one son, David Lee Shupe and wife, Karen Rhoades Shupe; five grandchildren, Chris Ferguson and wife, Jessica, Karrie Shew Combs and husband, Matthew, Maggie Shupe, Sophia Shupe, and Amber Keller; six great-grandchildren, Levi Ferguson, Ty Ferguson, Bryce Ferguson, Tori Ferguson, Owen Combs and Addie Combs; one sister, Janet Hartsog; and three special nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to BROC Head Start, 701 Veterans Drive, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659; Wilkes ADAP Program, P.O. Box 968, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659; or NC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners Program, Wilkes County Center, Executive Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

Vecie Shoemaker, 86

Mrs. Vecie Hall Shoemaker, age 86 of North Wilkesboro, passed away Friday, August 23, 2019 at her home.

Graveside services were August 25, at Arbor Grove Baptist

Church Cemetery with Rev. Lane Roark officiating.

Mrs. Shoemaker was born September 28, 1932 in Wilkes County to Clarence E. Hall and Verna Shumate Hall. She retired from Thom McAn Manufacturing, Inc.

She was preceded in death by her parents and four sisters; Marie Hall Karriker, Catherine Hall Lovette, Sue Hall Miller and Wanda Hall Adams.

Mrs. Shoemaker is survived by her husband; Bobby E. Shoemaker of the home, two daughters; Lynn Shoemaker Dyer and husband Danny of Millers Creek, Diane Shoemaker Cannon of Wilkesboro, a son; Bobby F. Shoemaker

and wife Pam of North Wilkesboro, four grandchildren; Robin D. Hamby and husband Matt, Amber C. Shumate and husband Andy, Ashley D. Cannon and fiancé Bobby Sheets and Adam P. Shoemaker, six great grandchildren; Aaron Hamby, Adrienne Hamby, Emeliegh Shumate, Ashlyn Shumate, Dawson Sheets and Gage Sheets, two sisters; Lucille Hall Johnson of Thurmond and Hazel Hall Brown of Moravian Falls and one brother; Ronnie Stone and wife Bonnie of McGrady.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Wake Forest Baptist Health Care at Home Hospice 126 Executive Drive Suite 110, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

Michael Pennington, 60

Michael Andrew Pennington, age 60, of Millers Creek, passed away Thursday, August 22, 2019 at his home. He was born April 16, 1959 in Ashe County to William Watson and Reba Phillips Pennington. Michael was a member of Boiling Springs Baptist Church. He enjoyed fixing up old cars and was employed with Tiny's Alignment as a mechanic. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Surviving are his wife, Sandra Polk Pennington; son, Dustin Pennington of Wilkesboro; sisters, Becky Beach and spouse Johnny of Washington, NC, Nancy Pennington of Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Emmalyne Pennington, Benjamin Pennington, Keegan Pennington; and nephew, Cody Beach.

�� Funeral service was August 25, at Boiling Springs Baptist Church with Pastor Joey Moore and Pastor Victor Church officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Miller Funeral Service to help family with funeral expenses.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Pallbearers were Cody Beach, Johnny Beach, Clinton Reins, deacons: Raymond Eller, Jerry Eller, Fred Martin, Jeff Phipps, Pedro Sanchez, Steve Jenkins, and James Parker. Honorary pallbearers will be Benjamin Pennington and Keegan Pennington.

Aurelia Delp, 78

Mrs. Aurelia Allen Brown Delp, age 78 of Millers Creek, wife of Robert Clayton Delp passed away Thursday, August 22, 2019 at her home.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, August 29, 2019 at Millers Creek United Methodist Church with Rev. Cokie Bristol officiating. Burial will be in Mountlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 1:30 at the church.

Mrs. Delp was born October 4, 1940 in Wilkes County to John Quincy Brown and Ona Belle Blackburn Brown. She graduated from Wilkes Central High School in 1960, was a Senior Girl Scout and enjoyed gardening and cooking. She worked in retail at the Sears store before becoming a fulltime Homemaker. Mrs. Delp was a member

of Millers Creek United Methodist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters; Mary James and husband John, Martha Faw and husband Gurnie and Betty Jennings and three brothers; Quincy Brown and wife Gladys, James Brown and wife Sally Adkins and Clayton Brown and wife Ruby.

She is survived by her husband; Robert Clayton Delp of the home, a daughter; Tina Delp of Millers Creek, a son; Tony Delp and wife Jennifer of Fuquay-Varina, two grandchildren; Richard "Clayton" Delp and Christine Delp and a brother in law; Ralph Jennings of Gaffney, SC.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Wake Forest Baptist Health Care at Home Hospice 126 Executive Drive Suite 110 Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

Nancy Thompson, 64

Nancy Trudean Thompson, age 64, of Millers Creek, passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2019 at Forsyth

Medical Center. Mrs. Thompson was born February 17, 1955 in Wilkes County to her mother, Faye Dancy Combs. She was a member of Pine View Baptist Church. She loved to play the piano, in which she was the pianist and was faithful to her church as long as she was able. Nancy dearly loved her family. She vol

unteered with Meals on Wheels and Senior Companions. Nancy was preceded in death by her mother.

Surviving are her daughter, Suzanna Harrold of Hays; son, Ashley Winfield Harrold of Hays; grandchildren, Lydia Harrold, Jaseanna Trudean

Harrold, Landon Ray Harrold, Samuel Winfield Harrold, Alyssia Harrold; great grandchildren, Oakley Aspen Weaver and Kaycen Grey Bartleson; sister, Brenda Miller and spouse Dean of North Wilkesboro; brothers, Michael Combs, Joey

Combs and spouse Chasity all of Millers Creek; father, Rev. Amos Combs and spouse Iris of Millers Creek; special friends and neighbors, Billy and Jerrie Rash; and her dog, Benny.

Funeral service was August 24, at Pine View Baptist Church with Pastor Steve Shumate, Rev. Kevin Souther, Rev. Jason Wiles, Rev. Amos Combs officiating. Burial followed in Mountlawn Memorial Park.

Flowers will be accepted. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Bobby Bumgarner, 82

Mr. Bobby Gray Bumgarner, age 82 of Wilkesboro, passed away Tuesday, August 20. 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist-Wilkes Medical Center.

Funeral services were August 23, 2 at Reins Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. Jamie McGuire officiating. Burial was in Scenic Memorial Gardens.

Mr. Bumgarner was born July 31, 1937 in Wilkes County to John Alonzo Bumgarner and Cilla Creola Watts Bumgarner. He retired after 45 years of service from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Mr.

Bumgarner was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son; Michael Graylin Bumgarner, a sister; Gladys Margaret Bumgarner Shumaker, four brothers; Ted Bumgarner, Jim Bumgarner, Rex Bumgarner and Rale Bumgarner and a sister in law; Ruth Bumgarner.

Mr. Bumgarner is survived by his wife; Betty Jo Lankford Bumgarner of the home and a son; Jeffrey Todd Bumgarner of Millers Creek.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to

Pruitt Hospice 924 Main Street Suite 100 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or the Humane Society of Wilkes PO Box 306 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Dean Stamper, 73

Dean Arnold Stamper, age 73, of McGrady, passed away Monday, August 19, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Health-Wilkes Regional. He was born March 8, 1946 in Wilkes County to Connie and Bessie Mae Ellis Stamper. Mr. Stamper loved to fish

and hunt. He also loved being with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mr. Stamper was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Lynn Annette Stamper; brother , William Donald Stamper, Montie Stamper; sister, Grace Beck and brother-in-law, Jim; and brother-in-law, Eugene James.

Dean is survived by his wife, Nancy Carol Johnson Stamper; sons, Steven Stamper of Wilkesboro, Roy Thomas Stamper of Raleigh; daughters, Sheila Stamper Brock of McGrady, brother, Ivory Lester Stamper of Wilkes, sisters, Vella James of Winston Salem, Cleo Stamper Rakes of Wilkesboro; sister-in-law, Gladys Stamper of Wilkes; grandchildren, Christina Darnelle Stamper of Kings Mountain, Steven Worth Stamper, William Dean Brock both of McGrady, Adam Joseph Brock and spouse Ashley of Hendersonville; five great grandchildren; two great grandchildren on the way; several nieces and nephews.

Graveside service was August 21, at Cane Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Kenny Absher officiating. Flowers will be accepted. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Steven Meade, 57

Steven Lee Meade, age 57, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Friday, August 16, 2019 at Forsyth Medical Center. Mr. Meade was born June 13, 1962 in Hamlin, West Virginia to James Merle and Ella Victoria Bare Meade. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Haskel Cleek.

Surviving are his wife, Theda Wyatt Meade; daughter, Ashley Meade of Mattoon, Illinois; sons, Stevie Meade and Dustin Meade of Mattoon, Illinois; mother, Ella Victoria Bare of North Wilkesboro; step daughter, Lisa Anderson of Millers Creek; step son, Frankie Reavis of North Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Jason Brown and

Cheyenne Brown; brothers, Mark Meade of Paris, Tennessee, Brian Meade of Roaring River; and sisters, Delta Miller of Millers Creek, Mary Alice Urick of North Wilkesboro.

Funeral service was August 24, at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Randy Johnson and Rev. Rev. Wiley Boggs officiating. Burial followed in Scott Blevins Cemetery in Lansing.

Flowers will be accepted. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Pallbearers were Mark Meade, Brian Meade, Stevie Meade, Kevin Phillips, Travis Miller, Cory Miller, Jason Brown and Dustin Meade.

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fourthofjuly2018-blog · 5 years

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Ash Wednesday 2019, Lent 2019, Easter 2019 SMS Wishes Greetings Quotes Images… Ash Wednesday 2019, Lent 2019, Easter 2019 SMS Wishes Greetings Quotes Images Source by ashwednesdaylenteaster

#Easter Message Pictuers #Easter Message Pictures #Easter Messages #Easter Messages 2019 #Easter SMS #Easter SMS 2019 #Happy Easter Messages #Happy Easter Messages 2019 #Happy Easter SMS #Happy Easter SMS 2019

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incarnationsf · 6 years

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I’ve Fallen, and I Can’t Get Up!

By the Rev. Darren Miner

Gospel Reading

Today is the first Sunday in Lent, a period of forty days of self-examination and self-discipline in preparation for Easter. Those who attended the Ash Wednesday service heard a lengthy introduction to Lent that ends with this invitation: “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.”

The purpose of self-examination during Lent is not to admire ourselves in the mirror and praise ourselves for our accomplishments, but to become aware of our temptations and to repent of our sins. Now, unlike the rest of us, Jesus did not sin, not ever. But he did know what it was like to be tempted. And in today’s Gospel, we hear the story of his temptation.

It begins right after his baptism by John in the Jordan River. The English translation we heard today says, Jesus “was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” It makes it sound like the temptation of Jesus was a chance occurrence. The original Greek text, however, says something a little different. It says, Jesus “was led by the Spirit in the wilderness in order to be tempted by the Devil for forty days.” In other words, the entire event takes place at God’s behest, not the Devil’s.

Why would God test his Son? Unfortunately, we are never told explicitly, but I have some ideas on the subject. I suspect that this time of testing was necessary for Jesus to figure out what kind of Messiah he was going to be and what kind of Kingdom he was going to proclaim—and then to come to terms with the consequences of those decisions. Each of the three temptations serves in its own way to clarify Jesus’ thinking. At least, that’s my claim!

In the first temptation, the Devil preys on Jesus’ desperate hunger. After all, Jesus had not eaten for forty whole days. The Devil dares Jesus to magically transform a stone into a loaf of bread. In good Rabbinic tradition, Jesus responds by quoting scripture, in this case Deuteronomy: “One does not live by bread alone.” Now, to be honest, it doesn’t seem at first glance that the Devil is tempting Jesus to do anything even remotely sinful. But I suspect that the Devil is hoping that, if Jesus gives in to even one self-serving act, it will eventually lead down a slippery slope to a Messiah who is more concerned with feeding himself than he is with feeding a multitude of 5000.

In the second temptation, the Devil lays his cards on the table: “Worship me, and I will give you political power beyond your wildest dreams.” Once again, Jesus refuses the Devil by quoting Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” As before, the Devil is trying to divert Jesus’ Messiahship along a different path, to make a political ruler out of him, just like the Roman emperor. He is trying to warp the Kingdom of God into a worldly kingdom, just like any other.

In the third and final temptation, the Devil dares Jesus to jump off the roof of the Temple in a spectacular display of his unique relationship to God. Again, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy in his refusal: “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” But what if Jesus had given in to this third temptation? What kind of Messiah would he have become? Well, one thing seems likely, he would have been a Messiah who refused to die on a cross, a Messiah who would demand to be saved—even if the rest of humankind had to die in their sins.

After the final temptation, the Devil departs. But there is an ominous hint that the Devil will return at “an opportune time.” Presumably, that opportune time was when the Devil tempted Judas Iscariot and seduced him into betraying his Master.

The common thread throughout this story is that the Devil is trying to divert and derail Jesus’ Messiahship and to warp and deform the kind of Kingdom that he would proclaim. Fortunately, Jesus remained faithful to the calling that he received at his baptism—even though that faithfulness would cost him his very life.

Jesus passed his test. He was tempted by Satan himself and did not yield. But what about us? Well, we pray that the Lord “will lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” But despite that prayer, eventually we all stumble over some temptation and fall headlong into sin. It’s like those old TV commercials for a medical alert system, in which an elderly woman falls and cries out desperately, “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!” When we fall into sin, we too need someone to reach out and help us back on our feet. That someone is Jesus Christ.

He reaches out to us when we meditate on the Good News of God’s holy word. He reaches out in the blessed sacrament of his Body and Blood. He reaches out whenever we pray for forgiveness and for the strength to change. And in particular, he reaches out in the sacramental rite of private Confession. In the Anglican tradition, we have a saying about Confession: “None must; all may; some should.” With that in mind, if, in the course of your self-examination this Lent, you feel that you would benefit by making a private Confession, know that my door is always open to you.

Now, as I just said, private Confession is entirely optional. But there is another kind of confession that is not so optional, at least for us Christians. I am speaking of the confession of our faith. Even if you never come to me, or any other priest, to make a private Confession, “if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Hold on tightly to that simple saving truth as you look inward this Lent and confront your temptations and your sins.

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thisdaynews · 5 years

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For one shining moment, liberals loved Fox News

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/for-one-shining-moment-liberals-loved-fox-news/

For one shining moment, liberals loved Fox News

Inside the White House, the president’s advisors have closely tracked how supportive or negative different Fox hosts have been about Trump’s Iran actions, but said Trump has relied on his own advisers for Iran strategy. And they disputed the idea that Carlson and Hannity were on opposite poles of the Iran debate.

“The view on Wednesday is that Tucker was totally supportive of what Trump was doing and Tuesday night we didn’t see any divide between [Carlson and Hannity],” said an administration official.

In conversations with several White House sources familiar with Trump’s decision-making process, the president had indeed monitored the chatter of cable news, the internet and print media after his decision to kill Soleimani, following that with various tweets threatening to ratchet up sanctions and even destroy 52 Iranian sites, including some cultural ones.

White House officials have grown wise to reporters’ queries about their boss’s viewing habits, wary of the inevitable stories that ascribe one weighty decision or another to the mighty influence of Fox News.

While they acknowledged that Fox opinions on the strikes had reached the president’s ears, aides downplayed the extent to which they moved him. “Why would you give credit to a bunch of TV hosts on that?” asked a second White House official, noting that Trump was in the Situation Room on Tuesday night as Carlson went on air.

But their protestations usually run into one stubborn fact: The president really does watch and absorb copious amounts of cable news, whether in the bank of screens near the Oval Office or via the souped-up DVR he uses in the White House residence. In 2019 alone, Trump tweeted at least 558 times responding to Fox segments, according to a forthcoming study by Media Matters for America, a liberal group that tracks conservative media.

Many of his predecessors developed close relationships with the press, from John F. Kennedy’s consultations with columnist Joseph Alsop to Barack Obama’s cultivation of David Brooks. But Trump takes an unusually high volume of calls and political advice from television personalities. Often, the president will credit a talking head with a particular idea, giving Twitter shout-outs to his favorite anchors or quoting flattering views he likes. He also ingests private counsel from the likes of Carlson, who was widely credited with convincing Trump not to retaliate last year after Iran shot down an American drone.

Liberals usually decry or lampoon this outsized influence, and a cottage industry of groups and individuals — Media Matters chief among them — have built massive audiences tracing how the latest Fox & Friends thought bubble made its way to the Resolute Desk. But the mockery turned to strange new respect this week when, after BuzzFeed credited Carlson for yet another climbdown, the Fox host received heaps of confused praise for apparently helping avert a war.

“It’s like ashes in my mouth, but a sincere thank you,” tweeted journalist Helen Kennedy, while ethics lawyer Richard Painter said, “Even @TuckerCarlson acknowledges the truth: getting into a war with Iran is nuts.” Journalist Glenn Greenwald, a frequent Carlson guest and fellow skeptic of interventionist foreign policy, said the Fox host had offered “some of the most vehement & unflinching denunciations of Trump’s assassination attack on Iran of anyone in the media.”

Aides rationalize the Fox-to-Trump pipeline as a way for the president to break out of the liberal groupthink they say infects most mainstream media outlets.

“I think he likes that they give a different spin on his administration than what the American people are used to seeing,” said a third administration official. “If you just get your news diet from CNN and MSNBC, you’re going to hear nothing about all the accomplishments that this administration is getting done.”

What’s more, the official argued, Trump isn’t the only one in Washington taking cues from cable. “[Speaker] Nancy Pelosi got the idea of withholding the articles from CNN, so it’s hardly unique for a public official to see something on the news and for that to spark an idea,” this person said, hastening to add, “Although that doesn’t apply to what happened with the recent tensions with Iran.”

A former senior White House official attributed Trump’s willingness to absorb advice from his favorite cable pundits to his hunger for alternatives to tired, conventional Washington wisdom.

“The difference with Trump is that he wasn’t just going to roll over and say, ‘OK, I get it, you’ve been doing it for 20 years, so I’m going to just do what” government experts said, explained this former official. “There is a sense that you’re getting the same old same old, and his whole point is ‘This is why we keep doing the same thing over and over again.’”

#Foreign #liberals #loved #Politics

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getseriouser · 5 years

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20 THOUGHTS: Trade Radio Ga Ga (’is this real life or just a fantasy?’)

WHAT a stupid year.

The losers of the NRL Grand Final are paid out as winners by bookmakers, and not because of a silly betting promotion but because the code and its officials are as relevant and effective in their jobs as contraception to Irish catholic newlyweds on their honeymoon.

Where Donald Trump himself is evidence our species might now be regressing, the fact endless hours of Trade Radio always have talkback callers is the proof in that devolution pudding.

And in a year where all the conservatives and right-wingers in this country should be as excited as a Beagle on full lipstick following ScoMo’s Steven Bradbury effort in May, they’re got their pantyhose and pressed slacks in a twist because of what some Volvo factory-worker’s teenage daughter has to say about the inclement weather conditions.

There was chaos and anarchy on Swan Street for the second time in three years last month but Hold Kong locals asked Richmond fans if they could hold their beer. We lost Polly and Spud, and said vale, gone too soon, to Saturday Night Rove. Five clubs let go of their coaches, Pope Francis delisted one of his cardinals, and a ginger from Christchurch defeated his own country by the virtue of most boundaries.

But at least we retained the Ashes in England.

1. Let’s start with the footy, trades season is almost done. Hutchy to his credit was a genius for seeing revenue opportunity in this trade period, with an ‘insert sponsor here’ open line and hours and hours of coverage, its been a windfall and then some for his business. But I reckon we’re only a year or so away from the unwashed realising there’s no relevance in any of it until the final day. There’s only so many Terry Wallace orations on the merits of list analysis before your average punter switches off. Know when to hold them, know when to fold them, Craig.

2. The biggest name out there with a day to go is Joe Daniher. Was that meeting with Tom Harley a personal one or an actual, official Swans’ approach? Soft tacos, hard tacos, why not both? Now we have Essendon playing hardball and who knows if it gets done. Chances are it does, Geelong last year with Tim Kelly was more exception than example, if the Swans want him bad enough, they’ll lump up the pieces, especially if they fear as I do that Bud’s barely got ten more games in him in a market that requires a star.

3. St Kilda has a lot on. Jack Steven and Josh Bruce are two big losses, but getting in Dougal Howard, Bradley Hill, Zak Jones, Paddy Ryder and Dan Butler are some nice pieces. If Ratten can indeed coach, and as an ex-Clarko assistant he should be just fine, next year looks properly solid down at Moorabbin.

4. Whats the thinking with the Dogs? Aaron Naughton looks like a key forward gun, and Josh Schache was just starting to show something as a footballer without being a star. Yet they’re throwing all the cash at Josh Bruce for a go at a third flag? I do know he was free to a good home because the Saints were hellbent Max King’s twin at the Gold Coast would head home next year – not now after that re-signing yesterday. Couple big mistakes there for mine.

5. Tom Papley worth pick nine? Righto. And the Masked Singer will be popular on Australian television too, right?..... Yep, pick nine sounds about right then, forgive me.

6. Jack Martin though, to Carlton, that’s the steal of the whole thing. Martin is a freak, who has gone underappreciated playing in the ghost town that is Gold Coast, for a horribly weak side, in a club that can’t develop anyone not named Tom Lynch. But has talent to burn and could easily become one of Carlton’s top 10 players next year, in fact based on the player he can become, he should. Think 2019 Michael Walters. Seriously. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

7. Collingwood have cap issues? Really? Firstly who really knows, unlike North American sports where contracts are public, only each club really knows how much room they’ve got and how that ever would be divulged puzzles me. And yes they have to pay Grundy, De Goey and Moore next year, although the latter won’t be all that much given his hamstrings are like an Uber driver with turrets, unreliable and could snap at any time. But given the Pies were offering Tom Lynch the same financial terms as Richmond this time last year, with Scott Pendlebury out of contract next year and coming down in salary, with less stars to pay than West Coast, how is this a thing? It isn’t. Chris Mayne is overpaid, sure, but that’s it. Wells has retired, Beams took a cut, and unless George Calombaris oversaw their player payments and there’s backpay to cover off, I think it’s a total beat-up. But sure, let James Aish being wanted by his former backs coach at Freo to fuel that fable.

8. Crows hired Matthew Nicks. Reckon that’s got fail all over it. Adelaide’s list is in a heap, the review basically said their post Grand-Final plans two years ago totally wiped the place out like a broken toilet on a buck’s weekend, and not seeing to the damage since has only exacerbated the crap spilling out all over the shop. Good half dozen or so quality players leaving this offseason, Walker and Sloane are the wrong side of 30 and they’ve got only a few good kids, most clubs around them have better youth and are more rapidly improving. Either Nicks can’t coach at the level or he can but the Crows will be a bad side regardless, either way it doesn’t see him making a new contract beyond whats given out today.

9. NRL. Definiton of a pub league. Your local Wednesday night basketball is better run. And with better officiating. That Six Again controversy was the most befitting thing you’ll ever see to a sport, a sport where 13 of its 16 clubs run insolvent, but that’s ok because all their giant pokies-infested leagues club venues write them all a cheque to cover the losses each year. Absolute pub league.

10. If an umpire or referee makes a bad call, it’s only made worse by changing that decision midstream. If a player marks the ball, but then the umpire overrules saying no, it was touched, its no mark, and because you’ve claimed it and made no attempt to get rid of it its now holding the ball, you just can’t do that. Kids are taught to play to the whistle. Except in rugby league then. Because chances are what the ref just said isn’t what he is about to mean in a couple seconds time, just be patient. That referee shouldn’t be crucified for what’s essentially just one error, but in the grand scheme of things, he needs witness protection. Or better yet, stay off the roster for trips to Canberra next season.

11. It was mentioned in the preamble but no wonder SportsBet paid out all Canberra to win bets. The Raiders had all the momentum, it was 8-all, and it was near the Roosters tryline. They were no guarantee to score off that play, at best they might have got a repeat set. But if there was anyone more likely to break that deadlock given who was playing better but also, more importantly, the territory battle, it was the Green Machine. This isn’t SportsBet just being philanthropic, the result is just that shady.

12. Speaking of Sportsbet – Western United. Made their A-League debut on the weekend, won one-nil in front of some fans at Wellington. But it was midweek that we saw their announcement which said “we are proud to announce SportsBet has joined the club as its exclusive sports wagering partner”. Firstly, poor form, in a city where all the AFL clubs are quite publicly backing out of gambling revenue, to be going the other way stinks big time. But secondly, what does that even mean? That if I go into a TAB all Western United games are unavailable to bet on. Coz that’s just not even close to true. Dumb and stupid in all of the ways, that.

13. So the new boys have their home opener this weekend down at Geelong, even though they’re a team based out of Tarneit. Melbourne Victory when they’ve ventured down to Sleepy Hollow attract 14,000 or so, who knows how many turn up for the novelty first time around this Saturday. But going forward, given Melbourne City don’t exceed 10,000 and they play in town, if they’re getting anymore than 5,000-6,000 in what’s otherwise a 36,000 AFL venue, its going to look oh so pretty on television. What’s the opposite of the eggplant emoji?

14. Few more on the A-League, firstly, why have your opening round smack bang in the middle of an international window? They were so hyper vigilant to schedule their opening round after the AFL and NRL had ended they failed to recognise all of the good Aussie players will be off winning 28-nil against Chinese Taipei or Christmas Island or whoever it was. Its like Victoria Police planning a social function on New Year’s Eve. No-one’s going to be able to make it you morons.

15. And you open up with the Melbourne Derby. Lucky Victory is a terrifically run club with a strong, loyal fanbase. But only 33,000, with zero promotion? These should be nudging 50,000.

16. Lastly, you know they’re going really well when the free-to-air partner this season is the ABC. Even the VFL got a commercial broadcaster, yet the country’s premier round ball competition shares a channel with Gardening Australia and Four Corners. And the cherry on the top is when it comes to finals, and I’ll quote the ABC press release on this one, where “one A-League match per round broadcast live on ABC TV and iView around the country… and a selection of A-League finals on delay, including the grand final.” Delay?! Remember those days? You can’t make this stuff up.

17. Darren Weir got done for using jiggers. Rest of racing stays dead quiet. Right. Now is that because Darren is their mate and despite the heinous crimes blood is thicker than water in the industry and they have some empathy for him? Or is it a case of if he can get caught, then maybe some of the others equally as guilty could so easily as well, and staying mum is step one of avoiding such scrutiny? I wonder.

18. So, Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge broke the two-hour barrier for running a marathon. Phenomenal achievement, just ridiculous to even comprehend the feat. Amazing. But it won’t count as a world record. Why? Well it wasn’t a race. Old mate contrived the event with a couple dozen pacers to help him do it and that’s it. It’s like if me and some mates hire lane eight down Altona Pool Thursday morning, and fresh off a high-protein breakfast and a quick hit of flakka happen to break 20 seconds for one-lap of freestyle – you think FINA will recognise it? You think Kieran Perkins will shout me free Light Start for life off the back of it? As a milk crusader I could only dream of such a reward but yeah nah. Nice stunt Eliud, you’re a freak of a human. But we’re in the same boat brother.

19. Tough one, not just for boxing because its bigger than that, but Patrick Day is in real bother and sincere optimism about his recovery to one side, so is his sport. Day was knocked out in the tenth round in a bout with Charles Conwell in Chicago in the weekend, which in itself is not unusual. But the consequences of the blow are such that Day is in a coma and in an “extremely critical condition”. Again, nothing but positive wishes about his eventual recovery first and foremost, but in an era where concussion in the football codes is as alarming as ever, combat spots’ existence, like boxing, could/would/should be on borrowed time with cases like this.

20. TV ratings worry the pants off me. By far the most important and major revenue source for all the sport we love to watch, it helps grow the professionalism and the standards, and the access really. But as TV viewership declines, so does the viewership with live sport. And we all waited with bated breath for the NRL Grand Final numbers in the hope maybe they would be good, and it wasn’t just sport in general in trouble, that maybe rugby league was still on an upward trajectory and its just everyone else.

Nope, it was down too. Usually something that rates at times near 3m nationally, it was around 1.8m. The AFL Grand Final, with an engaged Sydney audience, has been on a trajectory over 3.5m, topping 4m occasionally, it was under 3m for the first time in years. Australia Open primetime slots were down, cricket was good but still down, be it the summer on Seven or The Ashes mid-year on Nine.

What does this mean? It means less people are watching live sport. And when advertisers hear that, they’ll be paying less to the networks for the privilege of putting 30 seconds of their product in front of the eyeballs of footy fans. And that then means TV networks will hand over less cash, subsequently, to the sporting bodies for the rights to broadcast their fixtures.

It doesn’t mean that we’re all destined to see the days of the 1980s return where players need a job outside of footy and only one game is broadcast a week and all that nostalgia. But the idea that salaries will keep going up and up is gone, the idea the game can grow at the same rate looks doomed. So unless someone makes Foxtel honest (nudge nudge Amazon Prime) or this is only a lull, and once we get over Fortnite and Korean boy-bands we will all fall back in love with Friday night in front of the telly watching footy, it’s a big, big concern.

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torentialtribute · 5 years

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‘We felt like we got the Ashes stolen’: Langer reveals Australia are still reeling from defeat

& # 39; We felt as though we had stolen the ashes & # 39 ;: Justin Langer reveals that Australia is still recovering from Headingley's defeat … but warns England that they will use it as FIRE in the fourth test in Old Trafford

Justin Langer says that Australia still licks their wounds from Headingley's defeat

Langer has urged his players to use the defeat to bounce back this week

The 48-year-old says the setback will be a true test of the mental courage on his part

by by Rory Dollard, Press Association 45 BST, 2 September 2019 | Updated: 17:46 BST, 2 September 2019

Justin Langer says that Ben Stokes & Audacious Match-Winning Efforts at Headingley left the feeling of Australia as the Ashes were & # 39; stolen & # 39;

The head coach had previously told the Australian media that England's incredible one-wicket victory, a record pursuit of 359 made possible by Stokes' undefeated 135, had left him & # 39; physically ill & # 39 ; and doubted whether he should cry out of my eyes or destroy my hotel room & # 39 ;.

If Stokes failed, Australia would keep the urn with two games to spare, but instead, the hostilities resumed at Emirates Old Trafford on Wednesday at 1-1 and with everything to play for.

Justin Langer says that Australia has the feeling that the Ashes has been stolen from them in Headingley & # 39; stolen & # 39;

Longer has his depressed encouraged players to show their mental resilience and bounce back

Describing his current emotions after his first training session in Manchester, Lan Ger quoted an illustration from one of the great sports of all times

Think about Muhammad Ali getting his bike stolen (as a child). He got his bike stolen and that was the fire he needed to become the greatest boxer of all time, "Langer said.

" We felt a bit like we had recently stolen the Ashes. They won that test competition, so we felt it was stolen from us. Now we have to figure out what we are going to do and use that as a fire. We will not feel sorry for ourselves and let it slip away.

& # 39; The big players and great teams – in business and in life – have their ups and downs, but they always fight back. You would not see one champion player, one champion team, one company champion who has not yet done so. & # 39;

Australia will certainly make a change in their side, with starbatsman Steve Smith back after the concussion caused by a 92mph Jofra Archer bouncer shut him out in Leeds.

With his stand-in, Marnus Labuschagne, who so far impressed, Smith could replace opener Marcus Harris and force Usman Khawaja to open a place.

Mitchell Starc could return to Australia's bowling attack instead of James Pattinson

There are also decisions to be made in the bowling attack, with Mitchell Starc strained on the leash for his first outing of the series after his leading role at the World Cup. James Pattinson is the most likely man to make room.

As for Smith, Langer expects to prove his class under the inevitable barrage of bouncers eating his way.

& # 39; If you get hit, it's always a little voice on your shoulder. You have a good strategy and he works out the game better than anyone I have ever met in my life, & he said.

& # 39; He would have thought long and hard about it. If someone goes over small demons, it's Steven.

& # 39; He is confronted with a lot of skittles in his life. Much of it will be how he organizes his mind and as I said, he organizes it better than anyone else. & # 39;

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