"Yankees in LONDON!! (and Other Entertainment News)"

THE NEW YORK YANKEES, MY TEAM, ARE HEADED TO LONDON to play a two game series against the World Champion Boston Red Sox!!  I can’t help but think that this first-ever, historic two game set is a battle of LAST year’s champs and THIS year’s champs-to-be.  The high-flying Yanks have won 11 of their last 12, are 7 games in first place in the A.L. East (despite a multitude of injuries) and 9 games ahead of Boston.  They have SIX candidates for the All-Star team, have just set a record for most consecutive games with at least one home run, they’ve played the equivalent of a full season (162 games in a row, dating back to 2018) without being shut out and have a guy leading the league in hitting who, if he wins the batting title, with be the first player in MLB history to win a title in BOTH leagues. (And, oh yeah…remember those blogs I wrote calling for manager Aaron Boone to be fired?? Forget it…now that their winning pct. Is .650, the guy’s a GENIUS, Lol!!)

Seriously, with the Yanks flying to England today it makes me a bit JEALOUS…that is ONE place in the world outside of the U.S. that I would actually like to visit!! I’m afraid of flying overseas but to go THERE I would. My favorite Christian writer, J.C. Ryle, was from there.  My favorite preacher, Charles Spurgeon, was as well. My favorite musician, Cat Stevens (now going by his Muslim name, Yusuf Islam) was born there and The Beatles, and Elton John, were, also.  Deana Carter and James Taylor recorded their first albums there!! And let’s not forget one of my favorite TV shows, “The Saint”….Simon Templar (Roger Moore) had HIS base in London.  I would like to visit London before the Muslims take over (they have a Muslim mayor now)…I hope the Yanks have a lot of security!!

MEANWHILE, IN OTHER “ENTERTAINMENT NEWS”…

As promised in a blog from earlier this month, I did get Springsteen’s new album and it’s TERRIFIC!! Here’s what I said earlier in June.  My first experience with one of his albums is a GREAT one!! http://chetitorial.blogspot.com/2019/06/go-western-old-man-springsteens-new.html

In this recent blog, I said we WOULDN’T watch the Dem Presidential debates but after hearing the “reviews” of LAST night’s escapades, we want to see the fireworks TONIGHT.  Part two should be entertaining!! http://chetitorial.blogspot.com/2019/06/democratic-debates-will-be-debacle.html        

Finally, I am planning to see the re-release of “Avengers: Endgame” on Monday afternoon (Lord Willing)!!  http://chetitorial.blogspot.com/2019/06/marvels-magnificent-movie-marketing.html

"A.O.C."

A sad, sad anniversary!!  No, I'm not talking about YESTERDAY being the 10th anniversary of Michael Jackson's death....(I wrote enough about THAT lost soul in this blog on Jan. 28th and March 5th to last the NEXT ten years!!) The anniversary I speak of is TODAY, the ONE year anniversary of (Democrat) Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ("A.O.C.") ascending to national prominence.

Yes, one year ago today this 29 year old former bartender with a penchant for saying ridiculous things gained national attention by unexpectedly winning the Democratic Primary in New York. A member of the "Democratic Socialists of America, " AOC quickly  grabbed the national spotlight and made a complete fool of this country, in the process.  Among her dumb quotes, she has said that we have "Concentration Camps" here in America, The world will end in 12 years due to Global Warming and she described Alabama's abortion ban as a "brutal form of oppression towards women."  There are many, many MORE ridiculous statements that she has inflicted on our minds besides those.  And, why OF COURSE she's a College Graduate....this is young people are being taught these days!! AOC is revealing just how bankrupt and harmful our "educational" system really is....not to mention how low the intelligence level of most voters is.

Cortez is so................intellectually challenged that when someone sent me these memes I actually thought they were TRUE quotes of hers, that's how clueless she is...

Do I personally endorse making fun of people?? No, but if others choose to LAUGH someone like AOC off, instead of getting sad (like me) or angry, that's their business and it beats getting sad or angry. I choose to mourn because America has fallen so far that AOC got elected and is RESPECTED by many in the Democratic Party. 

And did I think those memes (and others LIKE them) were funny, until I learned that she really DIDN'T say them??  Yes.  Absolutely.

But when I realized  that the quotes are made up and how that WASN'T immediately obvious, it helped me understand what a tragic one year anniversary today really is.

"Getting Old Ain't Easy, But...."

In the past few days I've had a bunch of "aging pains".....thankfully, nothing SERIOUS but enough to remind me that "Getting Old Ain't Easy."

And I can't imagine how hard it must be for someone who believes this life is all there is!! Sure, getting old beats the ALTERNATIVE of dying young....but how hard must it be to have HAD youth and health and to see it slowly, slowly, slowly....slipping away, never to be recovered??

Growing old ain't easy for me as a Christian, EITHER (though I do NOT walk with a CANE yet, Lol!!) But at least I know from the Bible that, one day in Heaven, I'll have a new BODY that will live FOREVER.

When I was saved in 1975, God gave me a new HEART (spiritually speaking)...a heart that obeys Him and loves Him and serves Him.  And one day, He'll give me a new BODY (which includes a new PHYSICAL heart, by the way!!) He does things in that order because where we are SPIRITUALLY is far more important to Him than where we are PHYSICALLY.  These bodies we have WILL  perish, but our SOULS are ETERNAL!!  However, for the Christian, a new body WITHOUT aches and pains and sickness and death IS coming, and that gives me (and all Christians) reason to actually REJOICE as we age.

Yes, Getting old ain't easy but it's a lot EASIER when you know the Lord Who HELPS sustain you in this life, day-by-day, and promises you a new and better existence beyond the grave!!

Democratic Debates Will Be a DEBACLE"

CNN posted a photo of the 23......23!!.... Democratic 2020 Presidential hopefuls who will be debating for the first time later this week.  All they could say about the photo is that "Historic Diversity will be on display."  Yawn.

This is a pathetic replay of 2008 when you were supposed to vote for Obama because he'd be the "First Black President" and 2016 when HILLARY was supposed to make history as the "First Woman President."  We're supposed to vote for WHOEVER the Dem candidate is because they are the PARTY of "Historic Diversity," you see.  Apparently, Integrity...Qualifications...Experience...things like that don't matter to Democrats.  Just "Make History." These people boast of "Diversity" but not ONE of these 23 opposes Abortion, they all march in lockstep conformity to the Democratic Doctrine of Death on Demand.  Their "Diversity" only regards EXTERNALS...how about some "Historic INTEGRITY" being on display, people??

The goal should not be just to "make History" but to make GOOD History.

And by the way, whoever put this collage together for CNN should be fired, he is obviously a SEXIST...note how only MEN are depicted on the top row!! He obviously desires to oppress and suppress women (only kidding, but isn't that what these phonies would say if FOX NEWS had a collage with only men on the top row??)

Prediction: The Democratic Debates will be a DEBACLE...they'll all start out attacking TRUMP, but then they'll eventually have to turn on EACH OTHER.  And with 23 of them all needing to set themselves apart from the pack with the straights afraid to attack the gay guy(s), the men afraid to contradict the women, the whites afraid to disagree with the people of color (for Political Correctness REIGNS in the Democratic Party), this will be a "debate" of  Historic LUNACY.

I won't watch it, to me it's just "Summer Reruns" of a show that I just don't like.

"MARVEL'S Magnificent Movie Marketing"

Before I go on, my letter about LGBTQ "Pride" does appear in today's local paper (I wrongly predicted that they wouldn't print it, in my previous blog.) To view the letter online, go to  https://www.jerseyshoreonline.com/themanchestertimes/, click "READ THIS WEEK'S EDITION" (June 22nd, today's date) and check out page 8.  And now, for what I really want to write about today...

...MARVEL'S Magnificent Movie Marketing!!

When I was a kid reading Marvel Comics they were GENIUSES at marketing themselves.  They were the only comics that were often "CONTINUED NEXT ISSUE," making readers committing to buying each new issue monthly.  They had an entire, cohesive UNIVERSE of characters crossing over, guest-starring and cross-referencing in a way that their competitors didn't....making you collect the entire Marvel "brand," not just individual titles.  And, most of all they had STAN LEE, who personally answered letters in the letters pages and had a monthly COLUMN.  These helped build a personal connection between the author / editor and the reader which the hapless "competitors" didn't have.

Marvel STUDIOS, with their 22 movies climaxing recently in "Avengers: Endgame," has followed the same STRATEGY as in the comics, with Stan appearing in CAMEOS for each movie and the "cohesive universe of characters" all coming together to culminate a ten-year storyline. It's paid off HANDSOMELY.  As of Wednesday morning, "Avengers: Endgame" is challenging "Avatar" for the all-time global box office record...."Avatar" is at $2.788 billion and "Avengers" is at $2.743 billion.
And now to put "Avengers" over the top, Marvel is RE-releasing it in theaters next week with NEW FOOTAGE added!!

This is great marketing for MANY reasons.

1.) The new footage will supposedly contain some sort of tribute to Stan Lee, who died last November at 95.  Marvel acknowledges that for many of us who read their comics as kids, Stan was like a family member and this is like a "Public Memorial."

2.) The re-release comes just AFTER "Captain Marvel" (the movie BEFORE "Avengers: Endgame" in the ongoing storyline) has been released on DVD and Blu-Ray (it's been out of theaters since April.)

3.) The re-release comes out right BEFORE the new "Spider-Man" movie hits theaters in early July, kicking off the NEXT storyline for Marvel Studios ("Phase 2").

It's not just the CHARACTERS and STORIES that are making "Marvel Studios" the juggernaut it is...it's the brilliant MARKETING.  Because I had my own tiny service business for 35 years before retiring and because I handled most of the advertsing / marketing MYSELF, I perhaps can appreciate Marvel's Magnificent Movie Marketing more than MOST.

"Warning to 'Pride' Advocates: Don't Get in MUSLIM Faces"

Talk about "In your face," Lol!! When I turned my computer on this morning, THIS image (above) was in the rotation which changes on my desktop screen each day. It's an aggressive and unwanted reminder of how the LGBTQs are so insecure about the rightness of what they are that they have to be...literally...IN OUR FACES to try to brainwash us and get us to affirm them.  The fact that they've apparently chosen to desecrate one of the tallest buildings in the world, the Empire State Building in New York, with their insecure assertions now makes me wonder if they may think they're putting their sin in GOD'S Holy Face, TOO.

And regarding the fact that they just call it "Pride" now....they don't call it "GAY Pride" anymore (see upper left hand corner of the photo, click it to enlarge it if you have to), is something I wrote about to our weekly paper recently. They didn't publish it LAST week and I doubt if they'd have the courage to publish it THIS week, but here's what I wrote.  (See, MY editor (me) fully approves of what I wrote!!)

Editor,

What used to be "Gay Pride" events are now suddenly only "Pride" events.  The "Gay" has been dropped, perhaps in an attempt to make the events (like the BlueClaws' "Pride Night") seem more relatable, more palatable to the average person. Whoever is behind this marketing strategy does not realize, however, that in the Bible, Pride is spoken of continually as being a much worse sin than being Gay is.

Therefore, those who celebrate "Pride" in their parades have only made their situation worse, and the Rabbi in Lakewood who denounced the BlueClaws and the Gays in such a proud, malicious manner is acting in a manner that will never get him my support, as much as I may agree with him that Homosexuality is wrong in God's Eyes.

As for me, I will continue to say that God hates pride wherever it shows itself, so feel free to label me "Prideophobic" if you wish.

Chet Jelinski

   Notes: 1.)    The "BlueClaws" are our local minor league team, they recently sponsored "Pride Night" to replace (so I hear) what used to be "CHRISTIAN Night." 2.)    The first-ever "Pride" Parade is taking place in the large town next to us this weekend.  And, 3.)    The "Rabid Rabbi" I mentioned gets quoted FREELY by the paper because he makes all opponents of Homosexuality look bad, but people who write RATIONAL responses to what's happening cannot get a fair hearing in this paper most of the time.

As I conclude, again, these folks seemingly are intent on getting in GOD'S Face and in STRAIGHT people's faces with their sin, but I have a word of warning to them: don't get in MUSLIM faces!!

Here's what I mean.

Islamic terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center buildings in 2001, as we all know.  Those New York structures WEREN'T even decorated in "Pride" colors, but what do you think they (Muslim terrorists) are thinking when they see the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING decked out in support of "Pride" now??  It is well-known that Islam has ZERO tolerance for Homosexuality, I would think they'd want to see THAT edifice fall more than the Twin Towers.  The Bible says "Pride goes before destruction" (Proverbs 16:18) and you are provoking the Islamists to follow up the destruction of the WTC buildings with the destruction of the Empire State Building by flaunting your perversion as you are.  You can get in CHRISTIAN faces with your sin and we won't hurt you, and I doubt if GOD will suddenly hit the Empire State Building with a lightning bolt!! But He just might take His Hand of protection away and let radical MUSLIMS hit the E.S.B., so watch out.  Remember...the 9-11 Commission mentioned "a lack of imagination" as being one of the reasons the Trade Towers were so vulnerable....THINK for a minute how MUSLIM TERRORISTS view your stupid Empire State Building lighting, try to forsee the DANGER of how you are agitating them by this stunt.  You are "poking the proverbial bear," my friends.

Hopefully, if Islamists DO attempt to bring the Empire State Building down, it will be at NIGHT when those "Pride" lights are MOST obvious and hardly anyone will still be in the building to get hurt. And I'll pray God WILL protect the E.S.B. so that that WON'T happen!!  But you guys are going a bit too far...can't wait till "Pride Month" is over and the hell that Barack Obama released 7 years ago goes back in the closet, relatively speaking.

"Marvin Gaye and Memories"

MEMORY is a funny thing...at least mine is!!

Yesterday at the Post Office I learned that MARVIN GAYE is on a stamp now (why, I don't know....but that's not the point, Lol!!  I suppose if LENNON can be on a stamp after "Imagine", so can MARVIN be on after "Sexual Healing.")  Anyway, seeing Marvin's painting on the stamp yesterday for the first time (done VERY well, by the way) reminded me of how his dad shot him to death 35 years ago, in 1984.  It also brought to mind an incident with MY dad that took place 20 years later, and after I explain the incident, maybe you'll see the reason my mind connects the two.

It was Fathers Day, 2004 and I went to visit my dad in Pennsylvania at the house he built out in the remote mountains.  Dad was drinking and turned really ugly to me, raising his hand as if to hit me.  He was FURIOUS and all I could think of was "He has shotguns in this place, and they're loaded, I don't want to end up like Marvin Gaye" so I got in my car and drove home for the three hour trip without saying Goodbye. The next day (15 years ago yesterday) I tried to call him, figuring he was sober and I could explain why I took off like that, but my stepmother wouldn't let me talk to him.  This led to a five-and-a-half year ALIENATION from my dad...didn't see him again till a few days before he died on Christmas Day, 2009.

Had I not seen the Marvin Gaye stamp yesterday I would not have remembered that sad 15th anniversary when our separation began, but God has a purpose for EVERYTHING that happens.  (If you'd like to read a HAPPIER blog, check out the one I wrote earlier this morning, Lol!!   It deals with the PLEASANT aspects of God's Providences!!) So that's the connection between Marvin Gaye, me, and MY father.  As for a connection between Lennon and Gaye?? Both were assassinated...maybe that creates a sympathy factor which makes people want to see them on stamps, who knows.  In my opinion, NEITHER of them contributed enough for society which was positive in order to warrant what USED to be, I thought, an extreme honor (being on a U.S. stamp.)  But, we're becoming a "Third World Nation" and in THAT context, yes, I can see why those two are remembered as they are.

"John"

50 years ago this fall, I started attending Arts High School in Newark. I was 14 and my life was in turmoil because I lived at home with my mom and a VERY abusive step-father who had me constantly in fear of his violent (verbal and physical) attacks.  At Arts High I met a guy, via my Art teacher, who was a few years older than I but a really, really great guy.  Ironically, his name was JOHN (same name as my step-father), but THIS John had and has a very calm, predictable demeanor and was always encouraging...he was as different from the OTHER John as night was from day!!

Like a big brother that I never had, God used John to get me out of my crazy house several times, which I appreciated very much.  See, he drove (I didn't) and I recall a trip we took to the New England area for a few days in Fall of 1969 to visit some friends.  John always listened patiently to my gripes about my home situation, with sage advice coupled by a calming influence.  He saw school as being "prison-like" (as I did)  and we STILL have that in common, by the way!! Also, in the Summer of '71, I distinctly remember John picking me up to take me to see the car-racing movie "Two Lane Blacktop" with James Taylor, Dennis Wilson and Warren Oates at a time was my step-father was REALLY acting up (before he went to jail for good) and I was very, very grateful for the "escape."  (Again, I did not DRIVE yet.) John is a MUCH more accomplished artist than I am (I got into WRITING at Arts High and Art took a back burner), but still, I knew enough ABOUT art that John and I had that in common, and our mutual Art teacher friend  encouraged our friendship, ALSO as SHE was aware of the turmoil in my home at that time. God was blessing me with these people even before I knew or served Him!!  They helped "get me through" that dark period.

After that time, (Summer 1971), I didn't see John for DECADES because when school started in the fall HE went to college, and I continued in high school until I dropped out in '72.

John and I lost contact with each other but three years ago, after 45 years I reached out to John via FACEBOOK and for the past three years, we've talked on the phone regularly. Since 1971, of course we'd both married and had children and we did a LOT of catching up on the phone!! He was someone I could talk to when Beth passed away into Heaven, and listened "encouragingly" as I began to court, then remarry, Mercedes.  And.......John was visiting relatives back here in Jersey recently, so on Sunday night, for the first time in 48 years we met face-to-face for about three hours and it was GREAT. I'm thankful to God that John was in my life THEN and that he's here AGAIN.  I have not seen the OTHER John (my step-father) since the summer of '71...nor would I have any desire to, if I could...but THIS John (above left) is a truly great person and I'm so grateful we've reconnected on the TAIL end of that "Two Lane Blacktop" we call Life.  I truly believe that John and I will be friends forever!!

"Fatherlessness"

Before I go on, I need to say how thankful I am that the assassination attempt against David Ortiz, "Big Papi," was UNSUCCESSFUL.  "Papi" (above)  was shot in the Dominican Republic a few days ago, in case you didn't know.  I've already decided that my theme for today's blog would be "Fatherlessness" but I'm grateful that we are not "PAPI-less" as I begin writing here on the day before Fathers Day.




Anyway, so 40 years ago today my sister MaryAnn got married and I was looking at pictures of that this week.  Noticeably absent from the ceremony was my DAD, but, well that's no surprise...he couldn't make it for MY wedding 5 months earlier, either (and in neither case did he even call, send a card or a gift, Lol!!  He just didn't CARE.) We basically grew up in the city streets of Newark, New Jersey WITHOUT my dad...he left us when we were infants...and though by the grace of God and input from our GRANDPARENTS my sisters and I "turned out well," it's been hard. At least we were always there for OUR kids.

There's a terrific show on "Showtime" called THE CHI, about some black families on the south side of Chicago.  The whole plot really revolves around the three young men pictured, each of whom is fatherless but full of TREMENDOUS potential.  One dude is trying to start a business but has no financial backing from a dad, so eventually "has" to accept money from a shady businessman.  ANOTHER guy has no dad living at home, just "two mothers" and the effects on his social life are obvious.  The OTHER one already has kids by three different women (just like HIS departed dad did) but is working hard to try to get on his feet financially and give child support to the three demanding moms.  You see, NONE of these guys was born POOR and white people are NOT blamed as the source of their problems (how refreshing).  They are "good" guys and come from a world where black-on-black crime threatens them, NOT the police and their biggest obstacle in life is.....FATHERLESSNESS. Rightly or wrongly, they look to BARACK OBAMA (who's from Chicago) as a role model because, though he's "out of their league" he's the best example they have (how SAD.)   Oh yeah, there's a young LADY whose dad dies and she allows herself to be sexually exploited by an older man, trying to fill the void her dad left.  THERE IS NEVER AN EXCUSE FOR SIN, BUT THERE IS AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY CERTAIN FOLKS SIN IN CERTAIN WAYS.  

The final episode of "The Chi", Season Two, airs, appropriately, at 10 pm tomorrow night....Father's Day.  We'll watch it MONDAY and this is NOT a plug for the show, it has plenty of things in it that I don't recommend....but for ME watching it has been an eye-opener as to how FATHERLESSNESS hinders some guys and gals, and NOT just in the black community!!  I doubt that many, or ANY of my readers will want to watch "The Chi" which is why I gave no SPOILER ALERT (Lol)...but whether we watch it or not, this show is "Real Lifelike," sadly, and we'd better learn how to understand the Fatherlessness issue it addresses because it's NOT just confined to Chicago.

And yes, when someone gets SAVED they have God for their HEAVENLY Father, but it takes a long time to have faith that their HEAVENLY Father is not like their EARTHLY one if the EARTHLY one just picked up and left, for one reason or another.  It's something no one understands unless they've been through it.

"The Chi" has such realistic characters that, at times, when I watch with my wife I wind up PRAYING silently for these folks!!  And here's the point: people like this ARE real, they live in all parts of the country, they come in all colors, both sexes and all AGES, for that matter.  They walk around with holes in their hearts which, as John Lennon (who was fatherless, himself) sang makes them "crippled inside."  The common thread is that they are FATHERLESS and we had better start seeing them and caring for them as best we can.  Fatherlessness among so many in America is one of the biggest problems we face today!!  Maybe "Fathers Day" tomorrow is a good time to start reaching out to those for whom the day is NOT necessarily a "Happy" one, and stop pretending they don't exist.

They do, and they need (at the very least) our PRAYERS!!

"Flag Day"

Tomorrow, June 14th is FLAG DAY and if it's as in years past, it will be sad to see how many of my neighbors fly OTHER flags (sports teams, artistic flags, "hobby" flags, etc.) rather than "Old Glory."

You see, it's the AMERICAN flag that represents the FREEDOM we have to FLY other flags!!  Too often I've observed "other" flags flapping in a June breeze minus our AMERICAN flag, come June 14th...hopefully, in our new neighborhood (we moved 5 months ago) it will be different.  FREEDOM should not be taken for granted and, to me at least, the American flag represents FREEDOM.

To love one's free country should evoke a LEGITIMATE form of pride in us, and I find the OTHER kind of "Pride" flags, the flags that celebrate two sins (Homosexuality and, even worse, PRIDE ITSELF) to be repulsive.  We recently celebrated MEMORIAL DAY and the American flag should have been flying for that, ALSO....on Memorial Day, we remembered those who died to keep us free and it's hard to believe that they'd sacrifice their lives so that Americans would be "free" to fly a flag celebrating SINS.  Let's take a LEGIT form of pride in the AMERICAN flag, but not in a RAINBOW "Pride" flag.

By the way, (I just learned this) the American Flag should be flown on FATHER'S Day (this Sunday), as well.  On the other hand, I'd wish that all "Pride" flags would be taken down by their owners on Father's Day in respect and acknowledgement that their lifestyle cannot NATURALLY create kids as God intended....but that's a blog for another time. And I'm not holding my breath waiting for them to do that, Lol!!

"40 Years Without The Duke"

In the movie "Argo,"about the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979, Alan Arkin lamented that John Wayne had only been dead a few months and America looked IMPOTENT regarding that crisis.  A lot of people felt that way after "The Duke" passed away 40 years ago today.  He was a symbol of rugged masculinity and it's amazing that he still has so much appeal TODAY even as "Pride" flags fly over our U.S. embassies abroad, advertising how sissified we've become and perhaps even provoking radical elements of Islam to attack us AGAIN, this time for how we promote Homosexuality.

In my recent Facebook post on John Wayne's BIRTHDAY, I wrote the following:

 "The Duke" never served in the military, but he had tremendous respect for our armed forces and for ALL Veterans, living and dead!! I'm honored to have two friends who call me "Duke" NOT because I'm the macho man HE was but because I, too, never served yet feel like HE did about those who do and those who did.

There will never be another John Wayne, that's for sure!!  He'd have (correctly) scorned an athlete who was born a man yet tried to pretend he'd changed to a woman.  "What's so bad  about bein' a man that you'd wanna change?" I can hear him say.  He'd have openly rebuked those who chose to "take a knee" as their protest, while upholding their right TO protest.

And the only flag that HE would associate with (a legitimate form of) "pride" was, and always WILL be, the AMERICAN flag.  "That's all, pilgrim!!"

"Modesty"

I feel kind of sorry...to an extent...for the Catholic priest who called for women to dress modestly at Mass.  The way he was verbally PILED ON via social media recently is really, really sad.

Now, I need to say that I just completed an 18 part series in my Sunday School class contrasting the errors of Roman Catholicism with the truth of Scripture, so I am NOT a Catholic by any means!!  The Catholic Church shouldn't even be CELEBRATING Masses because they think they are sacrificing Christ again and again and again, and they are not.  There shouldn't be "priests" (as ROMANISM has them) and they shouldn't be forced to remain unmarried...perhaps if they COULD marry and enjoy conjugal intimacy, seeing a woman's bare shoulders (that was the priest's complaint) wouldn't be SUCH an occasion of stumbling.  Also, if  priests would get out into the real world more, they'd see that a woman's bare shoulders is "mild" compared to the way ladies dress these days...not saying that makes his complaint invalid, just that he might need a sense of proportionality here to help him pick and choose his battles.

And, with the current sex scandals in the Church, Catholic priests are NOT the best ones to speak up about this Modesty issue...NUNS might fare better.  (Maybe).

All of that being said, "a broken clock is right twice a day" and this "PRIEST" is right.  The Bible may not justify the "Mass," but it certainly speaks about MODESTY for times when we appear in public.

It's sad to see the ABUSE he is getting for speaking up, but the ironic thing?? Most of those attacking him online seem to be....Catholics.  Again, really, really SAD.

"Go WESTERN, Old Man-Springsteen's New Album Has Me Excited"

I'm a big fan of WESTERNS.  Among my favorite TV shows are "The Rifleman" and "Gunsmoke" from the 60s, and we just watched my favorite John Wayne movie (his last), "The Shootist," a few nights ago. ("Hang 'Em High" is my favorite CLINT western, with "Josey Wales" right behind it.)

And even though I'm from New Jersey,  as much as I like westerns to that same extent I am NOT a Bruce Springsteen fan!!  He may be "The Boss" to most OTHERS around here, but to me, "THE Boss," humanly speaking, was former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who died about 9 years ago.

I've never purchased a Springsteen album before (even though I did buy two "singles," his "Human Touch" and "The Wrestler" theme. And, I love his song "State Trooper" which I heard recorded by Deana Carter, my favorite country singer.) But when I heard that Springsteen has done a western-themed album (due out next week), "WESTERN STARS," I admit, I "HAD" to buy it. My daughter has pre-ordered it for me for Fathers' Day, at my request, and I can't wait!! I've only heard ONE preview track ONE time, but in this case that's enough for me, frankly.  I am so excited about this concept, in my latest poem I referred to Springsteen and this album...check May 22nd entry (currently the top poem) HERE...

https://www.facebook.com/writingfromwhiting/

Friends, I get excited to see an old guy try something NEW, which is why I'm taking a chance on "Westrern Stars" without knowing in advance all that's in it.  And I definitely believe these two things...   1.) It's good to keep an open mind about trying new things, as long as I know in advance that they are not positively sinful things.  "Old dogs" CAN learn "new tricks"!! And    2.) Anyone born in New Jersey profits greatly to explore the WEST a little bit...my trip to WYOMING about 12 years back was amazing.  Springsteen will be a better person for visiting the west, even if he only does it through his music.  New Jersey is NOT the end of the world, thankfully!!

In closing, I am in no danger of becoming a CHRIS CHRISTIELIKE fan of Springsteen (our former New Jersey Governor who literally and pathetically has seen Bruce in concert hundreds of times.) Buying "Western Stars," if I enjoy it, will NOT be a "gateway" to purchase his OLD stuff and I don't like Springsteen's politics or what I know of him as a PERSON.  All of that being said, I'm very excited for his new album....Go WESTERN, Old Man!! (Speaking to both Springsteen and MYSELF, there!!)

" 'Pride' Is Even More of a Sin Than 'Gay'!! "

Seems that many have stopped calling them "Gay Pride" Parades...it's just "PRIDE Parades" now.  

Why is this?? Could it be that the LGBTQs realize that the word "Gay" is an immediate turnoff to most people, whereas "Pride" is far more benign, and is often seen as a virtue by many?? (Hey, who's not proud of SOMETHING, right??)  I don't know.  Maybe LGBTQs are employing slick marketing tactics now to try to sell us on the "normalcy" of their sin.  If so, I have to admit...dropping the word "Gay" is a pretty clever move.

However, what they don't realize is that, Biblically speaking, PRIDE is even more of a sin that being GAY is!!

There are FAR more references in Scripture to God hating pride and resisting proud people, far more examples of pride UNDOING people in God's Word, far more of warnings against pride than there are references to God being against the sin of Homosexuality. (He IS against it, mind you...it's just that PRIDE is far more common and so Scripture gives it more REBUKES.)  Unaware, however, the Gays continue to march, choosing now to hide the LESSER sin (the LGBTQ lifestyle) but still glorying in the GREATER one (Pride.)  They are the only ones who DO glory in their sin this way, by the way...there are no "pride parades" for any OTHER sin but THIS sin.  Sad.  When have you seen an ADULTERY Pride Parade?? A THIEVES Pride Parade?? MURDERERS?? (Well, there was "Murderers Row" when Lou Gehrig was "PRIDE of the Yankees," Lol!!  But, I digress.)

Because you see, on the other hand, there are STRAIGHT folks who ALSO need to learn that being proud is even more of a sin than being GAY  is.

A local Rabbi is leading a protest against our local minor league baseball team because they're having "Pride Night" this Saturday night.  If anyone should be protesting, it is CHRISTIANS because "Pride Night" (so I hear) is now replacing what used to be "CHRISTIAN Night" at this stadium!!  But THIS Christian, for one, will NOT be joining the Rabbi's protest because HE (the Rabbi) comes across as VERY proud and arrogant. And you can't oppose Pride with Pride, we are called to "speak the truth in love" as Christians and this man's appeal to join his protest was proud to its core. 

Truth WITHOUT love.

We will never be able to persuade gay folks that there's a better way if we hypocritically have THEIR attitude.  Oh, I know that SOME gays will condemn you even if you're as humble as can be when you tell them their lifestyle is sinful, but those who are persuadable MAY respond if we show that we care enough to not be arrogant!!  The old saying goes that "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care"...but let's remember, these people may be hellbound for the sins of "Gay" AND "Pride."  But they're still PEOPLE.

"6-6-'44"

Wegen dem, was heute vor 75 Jahren passiertist, sprechen wir heute kein Deutsch.



(Because of what happened 75 years ago today, we are not speaking German today.)



Think about it!!

"President Trump's New Hairstyle"

Seems like all of the Internet is talking about President Trump's new hairstyle today.  What no one seems to have pointed out is that it coincides with the "National Day of Prayer" for him that Franklin Graham (and many others) called for yesterday!!  Is it possible that this new (in my opinion, "HUMBLER" hairdo) reflects a change in the President's HEART, brought about by the prayers of thousands of Christians yesterday?? I certainly hope so.  He certainly conveys a more mature and SERIOUS look now. While it is definitely true that "appearances can be deceiving," let us ALSO remember that where someone is "at" INWARDLY often finds expression in outward things that they can control (hairstyle, clothing, demeanor, etc.)

In any event, "Man looks at the outward appearance but the LORD looks at the heart," Scripture says. GOD knows the President's heart....we DON'T, we can only evaluate him by his fruits.  Yesterday in my Sunday School class, the men and I did pray for the President, that he'd get saved and that if he WAS already saved that he'd grow and bear more good fruit so that it would be obvious to ALL.  (Now, I am NOT saying that his new hairstyle is a direct answer to prayers of yesterday... but I'm hopeful that his "style" of SPEECH will be changed where it needs to be.  I love his DIRECTNESS and lack of POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, but he needs to cut out INSULTING comments, PROUD comments and certainly the LEWD ones.  A few apologies where warranted would be nice, as well!!)

For the record, I love his new "do" and I'm voting for him in 2020 no matter whether he is saved or not, or whether he keeps the new look, or not.  He's doing a GREAT job, in my opinion. But I pray he DOES come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as His Savior, if he doesn't already!!

The Drudge Report headline this morning suggests that Trump's new hairdo is because he's prepping to meet the Queen of England soon.  THIS writer is hoping it's because he HAS met the King of all the Universe in a new way!!

" 'ROCKETMAN' Review (Warning: Spoilers)"

Yes, I saw "Rocketman" in the theater last night, as I promised here on May 17th. (Please read, or RE-read that blog FIRST before you read any further if the fact that I saw this movie and am going to review it CONCERNS you in any way.  Thank you!!)

Also, if you're one who PLANS to see it, I must tell you plainly: WARNING: SPOILERS ARE AHEAD!!   Read further at your own risk!!

My summary of "Rocketman" is as follows: it was WELL DONE, but if it was supposed to be a positive "commercial" for Homosexuality, it was more like a Public Service Announcement: DON'T DO IT. YOU'LL BE MISERABLE, take it from the most famous Homosexual on planet earth.

"Rocketman" is the life story of "Sir" Elton John up till the point where he kicked booze and TOTALLY came out as "Gay"  (28 years ago.) He even acknowledges that his STRAIGHT lyricist, Bernie Taupin, is really the one who helped him get back on track musically after his stint in rehab...his GAY friends, according to this biopic, were nowhere to be found at that point.  And the movie shows, quite honestly, how despite all of his wealth and fame, the man was MISERABLE.

  There is a great deal of "rewriting history" in "Rocketman," however and the BIG lie is that John's been happy SINCE he "came out."  As I wrote in my blog here last December 8th, Elton Hercules John is NOT happy now...he's bitter, he's petty, and he's NOT a very tolerant person  Again, if this movie was supposed to be a positive "commercial" for Homosexuality, it was more like a Public Service Announcement: DON'T DO IT. YOU'LL BE MISERABLE, take it from the most famous Homosexual on planet earth, Elton John.

I didn't need ELTON JOHN to tell me that sin makes you miserable, the BIBLE tells me that.  ALL sin makes us miserable if we yield to it, coddle it, justify it, and (in the case of those now celebrating "Gay Pride Month" this month of June), actually CELEBRATE it.

But I did want the most famous Homosexual in the world to "come through" and VERIFY what the Bible says, even though he didn't INTEND to do that.

And he did.  Yes he DID.

So thank you, Elton John.  May MANY heed the REAL message of "Rocketman" and may the Lord use it to achieve the OPPOSITE of what he intended!!  And, may Elton himself turn from HOMOSEXUALITY one day just like (he claims) he turned from the sin of ALCOHOLISM.  May he turn to CHRIST for forgiveness, and be saved!!

Having seen this movie myself, I do NOT recommend that you see it without checking out why it's "R" Rated.