He Has Risen

Yes He has risen and Easter is being celebrated throughout the world today.  I read two very  good articles in Saturdays newspaper and they made me think back to the days growing up in the congregation at Trinity Lutheran on the north side of La Crosse.  Back then we used to have two services on Palm Sunday at the Mary E Sawyer Auditorium.  We would be there early to help with getting items ready for the service.  Normally, my friend Merlin Thompson or I would be the alter boy for one or both of the services.  The stage was big and there we so many flowers displayed on the floor or on the lily display my brother built for his project to earn the church medal for Scouting.  Most of the ushers were the church elders and the next group of men to lead the church boards.  I have good memories of these service and Pastor Hanson and then Pastor Nelson took great pride in the turnout at these Palm Sunday Services.

The music was always great and it was a time when families would find places to set all over the auditorium.  For this Sunday no one had claim to their seats (at least perceived) like they seemed to think the had at Trinity.

The Good Friday service was always full and I remembered as a kid watching the black veil covering the huge cross at the front of the church.  the music and the reading of the passages for the Bible seemed more intense.  Pastor Nelson had a strong and several points in his sermon (anyone who took sermon notes for confirmation knows exactly what I mean) and his deep voice seemed to echo even more.

Sunday sunrise Service was very popular and ushers often had to put chairs down the center isle to accommodate all of the worshipers.  The service had some of my most favorite hymns of the Christian year.  But the first song was always "He Is Risen" and we sang all of the verses which was a little uncommon for other hymns during the year.  The church and congregation we all up beat ans filled with the Holy Spirit.  Once the service was over we (almost everyone) headed down stairs for a breakfast made by the youth of the church.  Merlin and I didn't have to cook because we were apart of the 3 Services that day.  We did however get to help take down all of the tables and chairs.

Well, that is how I remember the Holy week back in the 60's at Trinity.  The church was full and all the women and girls had their Easter Bonnets on and the beautiful bright colors added to the day.  It has been along  time since I have been to Trinity, as I have lived out of town for  years, but I would hope the young people there today will make the memories that they can share 40 years from now like I have been able to do.

 HE HAS RISEN and THANK GOD HE DID.

F

Thoughts About Congress

Greetings .... Well it has been long time since i have posted so here I go again.. Let me first state that I am not pointing these comments at a specific party as I feel both are to blame for the lack of progress over the last year.  With that stated, I must ask the question why did health care reform take so long?  The party in power had the votes in the house and senate to run this through 8 months ago.  Now it is all about the minority party's lack of support.  NO SUPPORT WAS NEEDED.  The minority party certainly have thrown up a lot of road blocks but in the end that should not have made a difference because for the first time in a long time the President's party control both the House and Senate.  The President needs to spend more time working on his agenda and less time on TV.  And where have the press conferences gone?  Back to my thoughts on Congress.


I feel that the biggest problem with Congress in general is that they are too comfortable in their position and they certainly do not always support the will of the people who have elected them.  Why don't they have to be accountable for the money they spend?  States have to balance their budget every 2 to 4 years.  This is required by law and they certainly do get in jams but they still need to cut items to make the budget.I also am beginning to think term limits should be installed.  Heck, we say the President can only have two terms, so why can the Senators and Congressmen be their for ever.  Although, the house is up for election ever two years so if the will of the people is to keep bringing back the House members i guess I can agree.  The Senate on the other hand are a bunch of senior citizens (in the most part) who are multi-millionaires who really don't understand the what the real middle and lower class Americans need.


I do want to make a point that I have friends in both major parties and also in different movements.  I respect them all and I do enjoy a little bit of spirited debate with them.  I also know that these friends vote the way the feel and the do VOTE.  I listenes to some of the national talk and the local talk (NPR too) and now and again the host will ask the person who is complaining if they voted in the election.  More times then I could believe the person would say they didn't vote.  Then WHY CAN THEY COMMENT?  When an election is over the winner is everyones President, Governor, City Council Member ..... And because I have voted I feel I have earned the right to comment on any aide of an issue.  If you don't vote SHIT UP.


It is my feeling that a change in Congress is need and needs to happen this fall.  The American people voted the President in on his message of change and gave him complete control of the House and Semate.  Yet it took over a year to get a Healthcare plan passed.  Why?  Well, I believe that change took place but at the wrong end of the membership.  We need new leaders in the House and Sente and they have to do the people work and be accountable.  The parties need to work together and they need to quit playing games.


So in the end, I am saying whether you live in Wisconsin, New York, Californis  or Michigan please evaluate your elected officals and ask the question.  Are they doing what they were elected to do?  If yes, bring them back and if they are not send them home.

Well I guess I got some of my steam blown off.  Until next time peace out.