Chapter 32

It had taken months for the trip to be organized, but we were growing in our excitement about it. When Sean Kelley had heard of our plans, he jumped at the opportunity to come along. He had not been able to find any steady work due to his bad leg, and he needed a way to survive. His wife had left him for another sailor she met when he was on the Intrepid. He was more than ready to leave England for a new start in life. Kelley was grateful for the opportunity to work, and to be reunited with old friends. He was indeed, a friend of the first rate.

 We sailed out of London on a bright August morning in 1623. The sun was rising slowly and brilliantly, as we tacked toward the Atlantic from the Thames. Our crew of 22 men, captained by aging Captain William Braden, recovered well from his last dangerous voyage, was a veteran crew, unlike the ill-fated Intrepid crew. The Merriweather was not a new ship, but she had only 5 or 6 voyages under her belt. Loaded with barrels and casks of provisions for our new settlement at Cape Ann, as well as some refreshed supplies for Plymouth, we felt well stocked. Further, Shepherd had asked Harvey for help with medical supplies, and we had a veritable hospital on the ship, including Harvey’s latest medical equipment, graciously given to us for the trip to America. Shepherd had made the case that the New World offered a potential supply of new medicinal plants and herbs which could benefit both England and America if properly developed and tested. He had heard of the dreadful diseases which had decimated Plymouth in the past two years, and he was firm in his resolve to make America a healthy place for people seeking a new way of life. He had also heard of the native people of America, savages really, but Shepherd never called them that. He felt that they could benefit from the scientific advances we had seen in England also.

“Captain Braden” I said as I walked into his cabin, “how has your health been since our last adventure”. I was once again named ship’s physician so I felt that I had reason, even the duty, to open our dialogue in this way. “Dr. Greene” he said, “I cannot tell you when I have felt better than I do at this moment!” I smiled at him, “That is certainly good for a passenger to hear from his ship’s captain!”

We both had a good laugh as we went into a reverie of our last voyage together. Both of us could have died on that voyage, and we were both close to it, although in different ways. We talked about some of the old crew as Kelley joined us in our casual discussion. “Whatever happened to old Dooley?” I asked. Kelley joined in, “Dooley is in Bethlam Asylum”. “He seems almost sane these days I think, but when you are in a place like that, nobody seems sane” he said matter-of-factly. When he killed Swailes and North, I thought that to be the sanest thing a man could do”, he said. The judge in the case as much as said that when he sent Dooley to Bethlam instead of hanging him. I was on trial then too, for mutiny on a Royal ship. Old Dooley said that there were only about three or four people on the ship who were not insane, and he named Braden, Greene, me and Shepherd as the ones who saved the ship. I think Dooley did too, but when he told the judge that the angels and the demons were fighting in his head all the time, and that he heard God talk to him sometimes, the judge thought it would be easier to just put him in Bethlam than to hang him. It was easier to just put that whole thing of the Intrepid away by saying that a mad man had killed some of the crew. No one cares now what really happened on that ship, so we are all better off now. I got off charges mostly because Dooley was the one who the judge says was out of control. Nobody told of my “incident” with Mr. Kent. For that I am grateful. Truth is, that whole ship was out of control!”  We came away from that conversation sad for Dooley, but glad it was behind us. In fact, had it not been for the Intrepid disaster, I would not be where I am today. I felt blessed.

The days melted away for me in reading, and discussions with Shepherd, Kelley, Braden and Adams. As I looked out over the port side one day, I saw spout of water rise out of the sea, followed by hundreds of jumping dolphins. What a sight! I thought.  Tacking to deal with the prevailing “Westerlies”, we had drifted much farther south than intended and we were experiencing some warmer water and weather. Braden seemed unconcerned, and we became accustomed to the hot days, and enjoyed the evening light shows of “falling stars”.

Shepherd told me that Galileo had told him of these “falling stars” a few years ago while we were in Italy. Galileo did not think them to be stars, but likely some heavenly bodies which raced through space in a predictable way, since he could plot their appearance year after year. In fact, this is part of why he had said that the earth too was a wanderer through space around the sun. Mathematics could predict these patterns, but the Church seemed too threatened to consider these ideas. Shepherd was saddened by this, not really angered like some of the great minds of the day. Truly, I felt that Shepherd was one of the great minds of the day.

Shepherd spent time with Henry Adams on the voyage, discussing his politics, religion, and views of farming science. Adams was an independent sort who seemed to embody a non-conformist, perhaps contrarian world view. Fiercely independent, he was convinced that America could become a new chance for the English people. Shepherd and Adams talked a great deal about the Dutch philosopher Hugo Grotius who seemed to have the idea that natural laws did not contradict God’s laws since God was the author of all, including natural law. He believed that the rule of law should govern any human disputes, and that men should be free to establish governments which represented this natural approach to human coexistence. The idea that a sort of social contract” should exist between those who govern, and those governed, was a very radical kind of thought. This flew in the face of the arbitrary type of ruling which existed all over the civilized world. It certainly refuted the Divine Right of Kings which was the hallmark of monarchy. If such thinking could somehow be implemented in America, the world indeed would be turned upside down!

Captain Braden told us that we were making great progress. This, I believe, was due to the favorable winds and his savvy tacking maneuvers. At this rate we would be in America in the next two weeks, a swift 6-week journey. What a start to our adventure. It seemed to bode well for our brave group of travelers.

As Braden had predicted, in the next 10 days, we began to see signs of land. Gulls began to be sighted almost daily. Passengers grew restless as we neared land. Anticipation and wonder ruled the day. The Dorchester Company had designated a leader for the new community at Cape Ann. His job would be to establish the settlement, make a relationship with the native people, to help with favorable deals for trading goods, as well as learning about this new place from them.  This leader was John Levine, a very cunning, no-nonsense man whose job it was to not only make a settlement, but to make money for his investors at The Dorchester Company. He was generally respected by most in the company of travelers, but their goals differed from his somewhat. Most had come wanting a new start in a new world. Levine wanted to make money for his employers. In order to do that, he had to make sure the settlement was successful. The trade-off seemed to be fair and understood.

We landed on September 26, and we immediately held a service of thanksgiving for the providence God had given to the voyage. Not one death, not even significant illness, despite the privation of a treacherous ocean voyage in the most challenging of circumstances. Levine was unfolding his plans for building structures which would sustain us through a winter which we anticipated might be as difficult as that faced by the Plymouth group. We had, he reckoned, about 6-8 weeks before we could expect cold temperatures, perhaps snow, and even blizzards of some type as William Bradford had discussed in his pamphlets published in 1622.

We had provisions for the winter on board the Merriweather, and in the Spring, we would plant the seeds which we brought along. We hoped also to learn of new crops to plant, including tobacco, which was of particular interest to Levine, though not a prominent incentive for the trip. Levine had his own ideas about the role of tobacco, but no one was sure that it would grow as well in a cooler climate like Plymouth settlement as it did in the relative warmth of the Virginia area. Immediately, he assigned several men to scout the area for game so that we could begin to get some meat for the winter. Bradford had talked about how American native people had smoked meat to preserve it. The country teemed with deer, beaver, turkey, fish in fresh water rivers, otters, and a host of other creatures which could be hunted. Surely, food should not be a problem.

Chapter 33

Andrew Kensington was still seething about the voyage to America that was taken away from him. He had done all the work on arranging to have his voyage underwritten by the East India Company. Shepherd, Harvey and I had gone over his head and called in the favor from King James who made our voyage possible by having us added on to the Cape Ann settlement voyage, which had both economic and now scientific purposes. Kensington’s plan for a tobacco, slave, rum triangle as part of his financial empire beginnings would have to wait for another investor, or for the East India Company to endorse it- something they had not yet been persuaded to do. We had convinced the King and The Dorchester Company that a settlement and a medical/scientific voyage would be more beneficial in the long run for England, especially as an increasing colonization of America held out huge potential as a new market for goods, and a raw material bonanza.

King James was not fond of tobacco as a crop, and that seemed to help sway our argument as well. Besides, it was becoming increasingly clear that the country that could populate the new American settlements with the most people would have an advantage over the others- the Dutch, Spaniards, and French.  Finally, though Kensington was not aware, King James had wearied of Kensington’s poor reputation, and the King did not want any more connection with him than necessary.

Kensington decided that his revenge would come in several ways. First, he would put together another company to finance his plan for trade to America. The London and Western Trading Company thus came to be. He had contacts all over Europe, and he had already discussed his plans with a number of financiers. He had, of course, many contacts also in the shipping world, and it did not take him long to put this plan together, even without royal help or protection. Further, he came to believe that King James’ power was weakening, and he was going to continue to hasten that weakness with other mischief as he could.

His other revenge would be more personal. He would find ways to hurt Joseph Shepherd and me in any ways that he could. As for me, he would simply find ways to ensure, through his shipping contacts, that I would never again find employment on a ship as a ship’s physician.  Whatever reputation I may have had would be ruined, or at least downgraded, if Kensington could have any say in it.

For Shepherd, it would be more sinister.  

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Late one evening, Oliver Craft and James Bidwell walked around the Franciscan mission asking if they could locate an old friend who, the morning before, had come up missing after a night of drinking. One of the senior friars bid them to come in from the crisp evening and warm themselves by the fire as he tried to locate a newcomer from that day. There had been several since the weather was turning cold in the evenings and nights, and the drinking always seemed to increase.

They were alone in a receiving room used to house overnight transients, and since it was still early in the evening, there were no occupants.  Bidwell followed after the old friar, engaging him in conversation, and Craft took that opportunity to throw a flagon of oil into the fire. He trailed out a line of oil into a pile of rags, which he had soaked with the oil, and soon flames were snaking through the room. Craft then followed where Bidwell and the friar had gone into the main great room of the Mission. In the room he saw some children playing innocently in a corner. Some people began drifting into the room from their meager supper to prepare for the evening prayers and Bible story.

Craft caught up to Bidwell and the friar and said, “I found old Jack Merton just outside the Mission, we can be leaving now”, said Craft. With that Craft and Bidwell thanked the friar and hastily made their exit.

They had expected only to make some mischief for now. Had they wanted to burn down the mission, they would have done things differently.  However, they did not know that the friars had just laid in a supply of brandy and had placed it in the receiving room until they could later bring it into the kitchen. The brandy, in wooden crates, caught fire quickly, and fire accelerated wildly into the adjoining room. One of the children smelled smoke and instinctively yelled “Fire!!” Some friars came running to find smoke and fire pouring into the great room. As Bidwell and Craft were walking down an adjacent alley, they saw the glow of a growing fire- something well beyond what they expected. The walk turned into a trot, then a full run as they slipped into the darkening evening.

At the mission chaos prevailed. Screaming children began to run. Some ran right into the receiving room, thinking it to be the fastest exit. Alarms rang out and townspeople began to get into a well-known drill for putting out fires. The residents of the mission began to run in all directions. Jacob Carr ran down the steps from his room and began to lead the children and the sickest residents out of a safe exit in the building rear. He then thought about Albert Adams. Albert had just had another of his fits, and he was fast asleep in the hospital ward. Carr grabbed a blanket from the storage area and soaked it in water. He threw the blanket over himself and went back in to the hospital ward. Patients who could walk were shuffling to the exit he pointed out to them. He saw one patient, an elderly man who was paralyzed, screaming for help. Fire was his worst nightmare, and it was happening right now to him. Carr grabbed the man up and slung him over his shoulder with a quick heave. He moved toward the exit, laid the man safely out of the way, and went back in. By now, smoke was enveloping the building. It was hard to see, and the smoke began to choke Carr. He went back in to the ward, and he saw Albert writhing on the ground in another fit. The noise, smoke and confusion must have set off another of those dreadful episodes.

Carr reached down and tried to lift Albert who was simply dead weight. With fire now closing in, and the smoke choking and blinding him, Carr decided to drag Albert out of the building.  Carr saw flames lapping at his blanket, and he felt immense heat under it. The water had turned to steam and it was scalding Carr as he dragged Albert to safety.

Once outside, he asked if all had made it to safety. Margaret was tending to some children who had been burned. Many others were choking with smoke inhalation. Jacob doused his blanket once again for a return trip into the Mission. “No!” screamed Margaret, “you cannot go back in there”.

Jacob ignored her pleas. He knew that there were other people still trapped in the inferno that was rapidly no longer a mission but now crumbling rubble. He soaked the blanket in fresh water and went back in the building. The crowd comprising a bucket brigade was now concentrating on nearby buildings. They had learned that, at a certain point of a fire, saving the burning building was no longer the goal, but containment of the fire from spreading through the city.

Carr could barely see now inside the building which he had re-entered. He went to the hospital ward, believing that they were the most vulnerable at this point. He heard, somehow, the high pitched wail of a baby. He remembered that they had taken in an abandoned child just last week. A baby boy who had been left in the chapel, wrapped in a ragged blanket with a note that was nearly illegible that simply said “SAVE ME”     

Carr made his way to the sound of the baby and scooped the boy up. He took off his blanket, wrapped the boy inside and stumbled his way to an exit. He dropped to the ground as he passed off the child to Margaret. Margaret screamed in terror. “He is on fire!” she screamed. A man with a bucket threw the full contents on Jacob and he smoldered as the flames went out.

Had he not passed out at that point, he would be screaming in pain as the crowd saw his burning flesh cling to the bits of clothing that remained on him. Two friars lifted him gently and moved him away from a gawking crowd. They were sickened as they smelled the burnt flesh of his back and legs. Other friars gathered around him and began to pray for his soul.

The mission continued to burn for another hour, but buildings nearby had been saved. Jacob Carr would not be saved.      

Chapter 34

London was stirred by the remarkable tragedy at the Franciscan Mission. Word quickly spread about the heroics of Jacob Carr in saving three people from the fire. There had been a growing awareness of the ways that the mission had expanded its role in caring for people, especially with the hospital which took in the sickest and poorest in London.

Kensington was outraged. Not so much because of the horrendous loss, but because it had been done in such a clumsy and reckless manner. A little fire in part of the building to disrupt and send a message was one thing, but being possibly tied to deaths, and destruction of a “poor house” would not be good for him or his new business.

Bidwell and Craft met with Robert “Red” Locker just outside the city, near a little hideaway they used to meet secretly, drink, and occasionally take a woman. Bidwell was shaken as he talked with Locker. Locker was a gruff, angry man who simply took care of what his boss, Andrew Kensington told him to take care of. Fiercely loyal to Kensington, he would make sure that Kensington would not be tied to this disastrous crime, no matter what it took.

“Did anybody see you other than that old friar?” Locker asked. “Maybe some kids in that great room” said Bidwell, but I don’t think they was really lookin’ at us” he said hesitantly. Craft added, “The one we need to worry about is that old friar” he said matter-of-factly. “I’ll take care of him” said Locker. “Now, you two scum need to get out of here”. “Where do we go?” they asked. Lord Kensington is putting you two on a ship next week headed to America. You will be deck hands on the trip, then when you get to America, you are on your own. You are lucky that he didn’t tell me to just kill you right now.”

Bidwell was chilled to the bone as he heard this. He knew that such things could, and had, happened before, so he indeed did feel lucky. Craft on the other hand was not as grateful. “We was just doing what he wanted us to do, now he wants to send us to a strange land to let us rot!” he said. “You are too stupid to even know what you did wrong” countered Locker. “If you don’t want the deal just let me know now” Locker said. Craft was silent, recognizing that resisting this deal would indeed be fatal. “Just tell us where to meet the ship” said Craft in a resigned tone. “You’ll stay here until next week”, said Locker. “We will send someone for you.”

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Margaret was devastated in her grief over the loss of Jacob Carr. She had, of course known him for several years, but in the past year, she came to know the new Jacob Carr- a man transformed. He was kind, loving, selfless, and dedicated to his new mission in life. He and Margaret had cared for the poorest of London’s rabble together, and in the process, fell deeply in love. Margaret did not know where to turn. The Franciscan Mission was gone, and people who were cared for there seemed to vanish back into the streets of London. The friars, demoralized, decided to return to their home province in Ypres, France. The atmosphere in France was much more welcoming than England, and they saw that, perhaps, God was calling them back to a more receptive land, even though all would agree that God had worked through them to serve the people of London. That time was now apparently passed, and they voted to return to Ypres.

Margaret felt responsible for Albert Adams. Jacob had lost his life saving Albert and that little baby from the fire. Margaret decided that she would give a legacy to Jacob by providing for Albert and that baby. How she would do that, she did not know, but she felt deeply that this was her mission now. Margaret had prevailed upon an old friend from the Boar’s Head Pub to provide a place to stay for her, Albert, and the baby, now             renamed Jacob. She had heard that there was a ship leaving for America in the next few weeks. She decided that, since many people were deciding that a new start in America was possible, she would do just that, despite the tremendous challenges it posed. She also had no idea how this trip could possibly happen, but she trusted that God did, so she prayed a simple prayer- “God, if you want me to go to America, and if you want me to take care of Albert and Jacob, please find a way for me.”

Edwin Carr sought out Margaret. He knew that she loved his late brother, and he felt that he needed to speak with her. She had been the last person to talk with him, and he really did not know much about his brother after his conversion. He wanted to know.

Friar Theodore, the elder friar who had brought Craft and Bidwell into the Mission, was preparing to move the Franciscans to Ypres in the next few weeks. He went to the Boar’s Head and inquired about Margaret, Albert, and Jacob. He was directed to the home of Emma Stone. Emma seemed to be the person whom everyone knew. She was aware of people, places and things that others had no idea about. “If you want to know, ask Emma”, seemed to be the wisdom among people of London’s East side.  

“Sure, I know where Margaret is” said Emma. “Staying at Mother Rose’s. She takes in the girls when they get old or tired or sick. Margaret is a fine young woman, I don’t care what people says!” “I just directed Edwin Carr there, do you know him?” Friar Theodore began to weep. “I knew his brother, Jacob. I would love to see him.” “Well, hurry along!” said Emma and you’ll see them both.

Friar Theodore headed to Mother Rose’s place. As he was walking up the alley to her door he was accosted by a red haired man. Locker walked quickly behind the old friar, took out a knife and jabbed it into Theodore’s back. Friar Theodore stumbled and fell down quickly- so quickly that his feet tangled with Locker and Locker fell heavily on top of him. Just then, Edwin Carr turned a corner and saw the scene. The old Friar was moaning, with blood oozing from his back. Locker scrambled to his feet intent upon raining a death blow on the old friar. Carr picked up a loose cobblestone and hurled it at the attacker. He at least wanted to distract the attacker until he could get closer to intervene. In fact, the stone caught Locker on his shoulder and he screamed in pain. By now Carr was at Locker and he jumped straight at him. Locker was stunned by the stone and in obvious pain. He was no match for the enraged Edwin Carr. Carr punched him in the wounded shoulder to knock him down. He then made quick work of him with a kick to the face, then a kick to his mid-section, and a final kick to his head. Locker was not moving after the final kick.

Carr moved to the wounded friar. He had been fortunate that the stab in his back was high and to his upper right back. While it was indeed painful and bloody, if was not fatal. Given the old man’s age however, it was serious. Carr took him to Mother Rose’s house where he met Mother Rose, Margaret, Albert and little Jacob. Mother Rose knew what to do. She had dressed much worse wounds in her day, and she had seen plenty of street fights. “I will care for the friar” she said. I know you want to talk with Margaret”, she said to Edwin Carr.

Margaret talked at length to Edwin about his remarkable brother, his selfless acts of heroism, and finally of her love for him. Edwin was moved and he sat silent for a long while. He felt guilt over not knowing his changed brother. His only memories were of the man people knew as a schemer and thug. While Edwin never saw much of the criminal traits of Jacob- he did not want to see them- he also felt cheated out of knowing this wonderful person his brother had become. He finally spoke. “Margaret”, he said “I am sailing for America in the next two weeks. I am sure this is probably a shock for you, but I would like to take you, Albert and little Jacob on that trip. I can make all the arrangements. It would be a new start for you”

Margaret was stunned. She quickly composed herself and said simply, “I accept your kind offer”. She then asked Albert Adams about this large decision. Albert was alert this day, having one of his good days where he had some energy. He smiled at Margaret and said simply, “There is a verse from the book of Ruth which states ‘whither thou goest, I go also’”.   

A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones.

Proverbs 14:30 (The Message)

In the past year, it may be that more people around the world have taken their temperature than in any other year on record. The reason, of course, is the presence of the COVID-19 virus, which makes itself known, sometimes, with a fever. People checked their temperature to see if a fever were present, fearful that they might have Covid. Unfortunately, symptoms are not always present, making the virus harder to track and to eventually subdue.

This reminds me of an exercise I give to my clients with regard to emotional health. My exercise involves periodic self-questioning during the course of a day to stop and simply self-reflect with the question, “What am I feeling right now emotionally?”

It may seem like a curious exercise, but my clients have found this helpful for many reasons. One reason is that taking a time-out to check in on ourselves is a good idea. It keeps us in touch with what is really happening in our mind and spirit at a given moment in time. Without an intentional reflection of this, we may be going on “auto-pilot”, not aware of the real feelings which we are suppressing to get through a hectic day.

This exercise also gives us a chance to be really honest with our self, and to own that emotion that we may not want to share with anyone else. We might, for example, be feeling resentful or angry, sad or fearful- emotions which we may not be comfortable with. Yet, it is so important to just be in touch with what is happening in our mind and soul.

Finally, when we take that quick little snapshot, we can tie back that emotion with a trigger. Maybe that little comment in a meeting really started an emotional response that we quickly suppressed. Or that person who cut us off on the highway elicited a stronger response than warranted. These are important experiences to identify and own, because left unheeded, they can catch up with us in ways that do not have happy or healthy outcomes.

Tomorrow, more on this, and a little self-disclosure from me about a time I did this exercise and what I found out about me.

Prayer: Lord, give us the courage to do these self-reflections which can be healing, Amen.

When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall he exploded in anger, vilifying the Jews. In the company of his Samaritan cronies and military he let loose: “What are these miserable Jews doing? Do they think they can get everything back to normal overnight? Make building stones out of make-believe?”                                                                                                                                                              Nehemiah 4:1-2 (The Message)

We kept at it, repairing and rebuilding the wall. The whole wall was soon joined together and halfway to its intended height because the people had a heart for the work                                                                                        Nehemiah 4:6 (The Message)

As we dig out from the rubble that is COVID-19, it is time to start some reflecting on its lessons. I remember those pictures that we have seen so often of people in Germany and England picking up the rubble of bricks and debris that the terrible aerial bombings wrought during World War II. Interesting that many of those pictures and films depict women lifting the shattered bricks onto carts, trying to determine which were able to be reused and which were simply relegated to landfill.

The point was, that after catastrophe there must come rebuilding. In this upcoming post-COVID environment, we must determine what positive lessons we learned from the disaster. What can we use to rebuild, and what should be discarded as “lessons learned, not to be repeated”?

There are many lessons, and I will go into just a few. We learned, for example, that telehealth is here to stay, and it can be a valuable tool for our physical and behavioral health. We learned that in a crisis, many people stood up heroically to the challenges, offering innovative ideas to overcome the negative effects of lack of social interactions. We learned that many companies have decided that “coming into the office” was not as necessary as they may have thought, and that working from home will be much more common, and even cost-effective as we move forward. We learned that healthcare workers and the much-maligned “big Pharma” came through in amazing ways to fight the virus at ground level.

Churches learned that large assemblies of people for worship, while often inspiring, are not necessary for the faith to thrive and spread. Indeed, many churches last Easter were awestruck that their online services reached exponentially more people than their old live worship ever could. It took a pandemic to find out.

Rebuilding is hard, because we must first grieve the loss before we rebuild. Yet, while we grieve, we also begin the process of sorting through those bricks.

Prayer: Lord, you have built us to move forward in pain and to learn from it. Help us to learn the right lessons the right way, Amen.

 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free                                                                                                 John 8:32 (KJV)

Yesterday I received my second COVID-19 immunization of the Moderna vaccine. I am feeling the effects today, but that is a very small price to pay for the protection it affords me, as well as the peace of mind it gives. I was given a small dose of genetic material close to the Coronavirus (but not a Coronavirus) so that my body will recognize the Coronavirus and will fight that invader should I be exposed.

The whole idea of getting immunized brought to mind an analogy that my pastor, Mike Slaughter, spoke years ago in a sermon. He said, (and I hope I can give it the impact he gave to me) that some incorrect, and weakened variants of the gospel of Jesus are picked up by people, and later, when they hear the healing gospel of Jesus, they have been made immune to hearing the truth. They had been given a small dose of a false variant of it, and it interfered with hearing the truth.

That thought has always struck me and stayed with me. I see many clients who are living under the bondage of a religious system of constraints and threats that they had heard as children. When later they hear the freeing message of Jesus’ love and sacrifice for them, they cannot really apprehend it for themselves.

I am not meaning here to try to argue doctrine with my readers or my clients. I do want my clients to have the freedom of knowing God’s love for them, but their spiritual journey is theirs alone. I simply hope to support them and encourage them on it.

Prayer: Lord, your simple truth of loving us right where we are is so freeing. Thank you for it, Amen

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.                                                                                            Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)

I saw something on Facebook the other day that was bothersome. I know. What a shock, right? This particular comment seemed to just strike me as terribly irresponsible and thoughtless. The comment came from a member of a certain political party, stating that if someone were in the other party, they surely were not real Christians.

Now we know, on the face of it that this statement is overly broad, incorrect, and clearly judgmental. Perhaps it was meant as simply a way to marginalize the other person and their viewpoint. Maybe it was meant to be critical and hurtful. Worse yet, maybe the writer believed it.

Brothers and sisters, such thinking and writing ought not to be. When Jesus stated that we are not to judge others lest we also be judged, I don’t think he was kidding. The only people that Jesus judged harshly were those who judged others. You can look it up. Jesus was a friend of repentant sinners, and he reserved his own judgment particularly for those who were willing to judge others’ sin. In fact, Jesus loved sinners even before they repented. That is how he came to earn their love and trust. Oh, and by the way, we all qualify as sinners.

So, let us not ever judge a person’s relationship with Jesus by their affiliation with a political party. People on both sides of the political aisle can be, and are, lovers of Jesus. If that is true (and it is), then how dare we treat our brothers and sisters the way we do sometimes because of political affiliation?

We all have our opinions, and we sometimes hold them very strongly- maybe sometimes too strongly. We all can get pretty worked up about those political beliefs too. We can all fail in this at times. But let us never put party affiliation over our first allegiance- allegiance to Jesus.

Can I get an Amen?

Prayer: Lord, you alone are judge, and you are a righteous and merciful one. Forgive us when we judge others, Amen.

I cannot sleep until you act. I am too distressed even to pray!I keep thinking of the good old days of the past, long since ended.  Then my nights were filled with joyous songs. I search my soul and meditate upon the difference now                                                                                                                                                          Psalm 77:4-6

I was speaking recently with a client who has chronic anxiety, and he told me that he spends a lot of time thinking about the past. He finds this comforting, and it also affords him the peace of not thinking about his current anxieties. We discussed the fact also that when he remembers the past, it is with a sort of “rosy lens” which somewhat distorts the reality of what that past may really have been like.

I assured the client that thinking nostalgically about the past is very common, and indeed helpful in some ways because of the comfort it may bring. Why do you think the Andy Griffith Show remains popular now over 60 years since its first broadcast?

Thinking about the past conjures up some warm memories for many, and it is also highly predictable. No surprises, typically, as we go over some old comforting themes and memories. I also discussed the idea also that while visiting the past is enjoyable and comforting, we can’t live there. Yes, we can visit there, we just can’t live there.

Indeed, the word nostalgia comes from the Greek as a compound word, with the sense of both “homecoming” and “pain”. Probably coined from the homesickness of that famous traveler, Ulysses.

So, reveries of the past are great- I enjoy it a lot as I get older- but we can’t get lost there. The present is too important to leave for very long.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the capacity we have to fondly remember our past. Give us the courage and strength to face our present and future with confidence, Amen.

So, we have seen and proved that what the prophets said came true. You will do well to pay close attention to everything they have written, for, like lights shining into dark corners, their words help us to understand many things that otherwise would be dark and difficult. But when you consider the wonderful truth of the prophets’ words, then the light will dawn in your souls and Christ the Morning Star will shine in your hearts.                                                                                                                                                II Peter 1:19 (Living Bible)

I recently spoke to client with anxiety, asking her to write out the things over which she has control, and the things over which she does not have control. She started on the list but then admitted that she had trouble completing the assignment because it gave her anxiety to look at those things directly. Things which are hidden take on more power than they ought. My client  started to recognize this as she began the assignment.

Indeed, even if she did not complete the assignment of bringing to light those things over which she lacked control, they still remained with her- but hidden to the light of day. When we began to talk about those things, the power of the hidden became less. She was, in that moment, exercising some control over those things which she formerly had assumed had power over her. She could exercise a behavior which showed that she does have the ability to control her thoughts.

So, hidden things in our life can exercise control over us, if we let them.

Prayer: Lord, we see your truth that light breaks the power of darkness, Amen.

Part II July, 1621 –

 America

Chapter 29

 Andrew Kensington had not succeeded in his attempt to foment trouble for the king. Oliver Craft’s clumsy thugs had been unable to disrupt John Ward’s religious revivals, and in fact had added to their success. Kensington however was on to other things. He was busy making plans to implement his scheme of New World trade of slaves and tobacco. Upon Edwin Carr’s return he would approach him about the plan. The East India Company was becoming aware of the possibilities of huge profits to be made from the trade of tobacco largely through Kensington’s efforts. Our sea journey from Rome had been mercifully uneventful.

 Upon our arrival in London, Shepherd immediately went to visit the Franciscan hospital, which Jacob Carr was organizing into a place of healing for many sick and destitute people of the street. I went to visit Kensington, and I found him in a foul mood. He was desperate to begin his trade route plan, and decided that with or without royal approval he would proceed. He told me that a “Mr. Kelley” had inquired of him as to the whereabouts of Dr. Greene and Dr. Shepherd, whom he had sailed with on the Intrepid last year. Kelley was looking for help in getting back on a ship, though he was “damaged goods,” as he put it, having been wounded in the service of England while in a fight with pirates.

He limped slightly on his damaged right leg, and now was unable to find any kind of work. Worse, he was under suspicion for inciting mutiny, and he was staying away from old sea mates and any royal military people. Yet he had told Kensington of Shepherd and me, stating that he had never met finer men, and if there was a way to get aboard an East India ship, he would want Greene and Shepherd aboard. I was pleased to hear that Kelley was still around, and that he had said such good things about me. This seemed to solidify for Kensington that I would be on his ship to Virginia when it sailed in the next three months. It looked to me like my near future was already planned for me, especially when I had not really had my own ideas on the subject. My only real plan had been to follow Joseph Shepherd on his quests. I thought that this might be an opportunity to engage Shepherd on a quest with me. I also knew that Shepherd would be loath to become involved with Kensington’s ventures, especially since it would involve slave trading as part of the arrangement.

“Lord Kensington,” I began. “So good of you to have such faith in me in being part of your business enterprise.” Kensington interrupted me at that point. “Dr. Greene, I will be direct with you. I have been told that the King seems to feel very kindly disposed to you and Shepherd for some reason, and if I can invoke your names in the discussion of a royally commissioned trip to Virginia, I plan to do just that.” Kensington must have been referring to our visit to King James, and our odd experiment with his poor health. I was certain that no one else knew of this, and likely the details would never be known, but the King knew, and that was all that mattered. Kensington had the ability to make a request seem like a direct order that could not be disobeyed except with the most dire yet subtle consequences. On the other hand, I had just heard that King James was kindly disposed to me. Had I just been dreaming this, or did my future just get much brighter?

I was snapped out of my reverie when Kensington said, “You need to convince your friend Shepherd to go on this voyage with you. I am prepared to pay whatever it may reasonably take to make this happen.” “Lord Kensington,” I said, “Joseph Shepherd will not go on this voyage no matter what you may want to pay him. He is deeply opposed to slavery, and anything that is involved with it will crush the idea with him.” “Well, Dr. Greene,” he sniffed, “your job just became more difficult, but you need to make this happen.” I was convinced that he was simply using his arrogance, intimidation, and nefarious implication to force me to do something that he really had no control over. I really had nothing to fear from him, but the idea of going to America, and doing it under the protection and blessing of the King, was too heady for me to dismiss. Somehow, if I could convince Joseph that our trip was purely scientific, and that he could bring along some of his philosophers, scientists, theologians as guests, he might be willing to come along.

 “What an opportunity!” I would say to him. He could see firsthand a New World, one that he had already influenced through his lengthy discussions with William Bradford last year. I knew he would be excited to have some influence on the spiritual growth of these people in America. Perhaps the reason for the trip could be explained as a fact-finding, scientific voyage. Indeed, that would be true, at least to some extent. If Kensington could be persuaded that the plan for slavery as part of the trade arrangement could be at least shelved for now, maybe this would work.

I met Joseph Shepherd at the Franciscan hospital mission, where he seemed to be completely in his element, encouraging friars, teaching the children, who were increasing in number daily, and ministering to the medical needs of patients. Jacob Carr also seemed to be very content with his life, especially now that Margaret had decided to stay and help also. Carr’s fortune, larger than even I had expected it to be, seemed to be a large source of the funding now for the mission. The friars were amazed at the turn of financial events, and Joseph simply said to them that “God provides.” “Joseph,” I said, “you have really done some fine work here!” Almost immediately I caught myself, because I knew his response would be something like, “God did this, not me,” so I added quickly before he could answer, “And I know this is God’s work, but He surely picked a fine servant to make it happen!” Shepherd smiled. “You’re learning!” he said. “Are you ready to join us?” “Actually,” I said haltingly, “I am asking you to join me on a trip to America.”

I held my breath, pleading to someone that he would not immediately cut me off and dismiss the idea out of hand. If I had a chance to talk to him, maybe I could at least get him to consider it. “A trip to America!” he said. “I have been thinking about that.” I am sure that my eyes widened and my jaw dropped. “Is that true?” I stammered. “Yes,” he said. “Just two days ago I received a letter from William Bradford. He is now governor of the settlement, which they have named Plymouth after their home port in England. He told me of the incredible hardships they have faced there. Great illness and famine are their torments. He also told of native people there, and most have been helpful to his group. In fact, without their knowledge of the land, how to grow crops, deal with weather, et cetera, all might have perished. As it is, nearly half have died. He also told me of the vast beauty he has seen: lush forests, abundant game, and, importantly, freedom to worship as they see fit.” I was trying to soak this all in. The fact that nearly half of his people had died in less than one year did not sound very enticing to me. “This is what piqued Joseph’s interest?” I thought. “Joseph,” I said, “I came to ask you to accompany me on a scientific trip to America, not to go die there!”

 Shepherd laughed. “Every adventure has that possibility, Luke, but that is not my plan either!” We both laughed, and that eased the moment. We then began to discuss the idea further. I explained that Kensington had arranged for a scientific trip to determine how crops may grow in America. Of course, Shepherd knew that this included tobacco. I felt that I could venture that much, but I certainly could not even hint at his idea of a slave trade as part of the plan. Shepherd countered with his own reasons. As a scientist and medical man, he was fascinated by the potential of finding new medicines and cures for disease, since there were certainly whole new plants and herbals that could possibly fight disease. He reasoned that people displaced from one part of the world to another were exposed to a whole host of new diseases that their bodies could not fight off. He used the word “immunity” to explain how some people were able to avoid getting ill while others around them did. He also observed that people who had developed cowpox never ended up getting smallpox. He had witnessed this, and it gave him the idea that somehow our bodies could “fight off” getting smallpox.

Once again, his ideas were beyond my grasp, but he did make a very convincing case, even if it were simple coincidence. Shepherd was not one to put much faith in coincidence. He wanted a logical, scientific explanation of the world around him, and he was willing to be ridiculed for his ideas if need be. “So, you may be willing to become part of this trip?” I asked. “Kensington told me that you could bring along other men of science in whatever field you desired. He also feels that King James would be most honored if you were to go.” I had saved that little bit for last. It was not entirely accurate, but there was truth in the statement somewhere.

“Luke,” Shepherd began as he looked directly at me and into my eyes, “I do not want any part of the slave trade, nor the tobacco trade, and I am certain that Andrew Kensington has both in mind. Is that true?” I was completely disarmed at this, and I said, “Yes, both are true. He wants to grow tobacco, and as part of that plan, he wants to import slaves to do the work of growing the crops.” There, I had said it. As I spoke it a sense of shame came over me. Not because I was ashamed of being part of the slave trade (although I felt that to be at the very least a disagreeable institution), but because I was deceiving a very decent and honorable man – a man with whom I had endured pain, danger, fear, joy, and every human emotion. What kind of a person would deceive a close friend?

 “Luke,” said Shepherd, “I would love to go to America with you, but not as part of Andrew Kensington’s plan. I hope you understand that.” “I do,” I replied. “I do.”

Chapter 30

 John Ward was amazed at the following he was starting to gather. His simple message of salvation by faith seemed to resonate with people. Among the people attracted to this message were Herbert Wesley, who had been away with us on the trip to the Continent, and Henry Adams. Wesley was smitten with the simple theological message, but Henry Adams was touched by the sense of freedom and independence that stirred in his restless spirit.

Adams could never understand why religion needed to be tied to the governing of the country. Religious wars were, to him, completely illogical, and an affront to his spiritual as well as moral senses. Consequently, he became convinced that he wanted to move his growing young family to America. There was a growing number of people who decided that the adventure of crossing the sea to America was both an adventure and an opportunity. Land there was said to be so plentiful, forests so lush, animals so exotic, and freedom so intoxicating, that the risks were believed to be well worth the effort.

Dangers were discussed, but as with all enticing ideas, the emotion of the calling seemed to outweigh the logic of the risks. He was also convinced that his wife Edith would be as excited and taken with the idea as he. She was a hardy, strong woman (who would eventually bear him nine children), and she could manage anything, including a trip to the New World of freedom and opportunity.

Wesley met Adams one evening at a gathering where Ward was preaching. They struck up a conversation about Ward’s message that evening. “I like the message that Ward gives these people,” said Wesley. “He tells the truth no matter what the Church of England tries to force on him.” “It’s not the Church of England that is the problem,” countered Adams. “The King simply wants central control, and he can control people with religion. The real problem is with a King who wants us to believe that God has anointed only him as the leader of a country. I value the freedom to believe more than I value the belief itself, I think,” continued Adams. “Kings only want more power and control, and if religion gives that to them, they will use it.”

Wesley pondered what Adams said, but he could not agree. “Faith is all that we have and all that we need!” Wesley said somewhat firmly. “Don’t be confusing worldly power with faith. But keep in mind that Paul said in the book of Romans that God anoints Kings to rule, and we should be subject to that authority.” “I suppose you would then say that the Pope in Rome is an authority, appointed by God whom we must obey,” Adams countered, knowing that this would likely raise the temperature of the conversation.

“I most certainly would not!” Wesley shot back. “The Pope is the head of the anti-Christ Babylon – a perversion of God’s plan. Scripture is the only authority in matters of faith. Kings are earthly authority whom we are required to obey.” Adams smiled at Wesley and said, “Friend, let us agree that God is in authority, and man needs to follow his conscience in responding to Him.” Wesley was disarmed by Adams’ smile, and he agreed that arguing was not productive here, especially with someone he had just met. “You remind me some of a friend of mine with whom I journeyed last year – a man named Joseph Shepherd.” Adams looked surprised. “I remind you of Joseph Shepherd?” he said. “I hear that he consorts with the scoundrel Jacob Carr. Andrew Kensington told me that Shepherd cannot be trusted.” “So, you consort with Andrew Kensington?” replied Wesley. “Kensington is the one you need to hide your purse from, not Joseph Shepherd!” “It seems that we cannot agree on anything!” Adams said, again with a smile. “Perhaps not,” said Wesley, as he tried to suppress a smile of his own. “Shepherd is an interesting man. He can be challenging, I will give you that, but he is bright, fair, and caring. He will make you angry and troubled, and at the same time give you hope and encouragement. I have never met anyone quite like him. So, rather than judge Joseph Shepherd without knowing him, would you like to meet him?” “Yes, I think that is a fine idea. Let’s agree on that,” said Adams. “Meet me tomorrow at the Franciscan mission on Market Street,” said Wesley. “I know the place,” said Adams. “I will meet you there about mid-morning.”

Wesley and Adams met at the Franciscan mission the next day, and Wesley introduced Adams to Shepherd. They exchanged pleasantries, then Wesley got right to the point. “I think my new friend, Mr. Adams, has the wrong idea about you,” Wesley said to Shepherd. “He has heard that you consort with Jacob Carr, and that anyone who has dealings with Carr has dealt with the devil himself.” Shepherd looked at Adams and said, “Is that what you believe?” Adams looked back at Shepherd and said, “I know of Jacob Carr, and he is of the vilest sort. Two years ago he and his unholy mob broke into my cousin’s shop, stole all of his wine, gin and brandy, and all the gold coins from his money drawer, then cracked his skull with a truncheon. They left him for dead, and he might have died if it were not for my wife Edith who was coming by the shop the next morning. She bound his wounds, brought him to our home, and we slowly nursed him back to health. To this day, he is blind in one eye, has headaches and dizziness, and has fits from time to time where he falls down drooling and clawing the air with his fists drawn up. He cannot work, and we care for him as he tries to do a little work in our garden. So yes, Jacob Carr might be of the devil himself. If you want to be around such a man, perhaps you too are misguided, or foolish, or evil.”

 Shepherd did not respond for a long while. “You and your family have suffered a great loss and a great injustice,” Shepherd said. “In what way can I be of help to you?” Adams replied, “You owe me nothing, sir, but Jacob Carr should be hanged.” “So, you would be pleased to see Jacob Carr hanged?” he asked. “Yes I would,” said Adams. “But that would not restore your cousin, now would it,” said Shepherd. “No, it would not,” said Adams, “but it would be justice.” “Perhaps it would be justice, but does justice restore or does it simply punish?” asked Shepherd. “If there is a chance for restoration, would you choose that over punishment?” “Perhaps I would. I don’t know,” said Adams, “but I cannot speak for my cousin Albert. He is the one wronged here the most.” “Yes, that is true,” said Shepherd, “and perhaps there is a chance to begin that journey right now.

Jacob, can you come out here to meet Mr. Adams?” Shepherd asked. Carr walked out of the mission and approached the gathering of men. Adams, shocked, eyed him warily and moved toward him. Shepherd stepped in and said to Carr, “Jacob, this is Mr. Adams, and he has told me about the harm you did to him and his family.” Carr was solemn as he said to Shepherd, “I have wronged so many people in my life, I am ashamed to say that I do not know this man, or his family member, or specifically what I did to them. I can say that I humbly ask for forgiveness. If you will be so kind as to tell me my crime, I will do my best to make restitution to this man and his family.”

 Adams was not sure how to respond, but his anger was still not dissipated. “You beat my cousin Albert Adams nearly to death, and you stole almost the entirety of his shop. You robbed him of not just his goods, but his livelihood and his dignity. He is physically damaged, and he cannot care for himself. What you have stolen from him cannot be restored.”

 “I ask your forgiveness even though I do not deserve it,” said Carr. “I will restore the value of what I have stolen, and I will give you a pension for your cousin for the rest of his life. I know that this does not restore his body or his mind, but it is all that I can offer, and I offer it in the hope that you may find some peace in it.”

 Carr finished and bowed his head to Adams. He then turned and walked slowly away, allowing Adams time to absorb this act of repentance.  Shepherd said to Adams, “It is now up to you if you would like to accept this offer, or if you would like to take Mr. Carr to the sheriff to have him thrown into gaol.”

Herbert Wesley stood silent as he watched this dramatic event unfold. He believed that he had just witnessed an act of faith that was an experience of what the Bible prescribed. It was faith in action right before his eyes. “I will need to think about this,” said Adams. “Yes,” said Shepherd, “we all need to think about this.”

 Chapter 31

I began to think about King James’ part in the expedition to America. Kensington had said that King James was kindly disposed toward Shepherd and me, and he wanted to use our influence with the King to help finance the journey. Imagine that! If that were the case, we could bypass Kensington, appeal to the King, perhaps with Harvey, to form our own scientific mission.

I was actually considering giving up the lucrative benefits offered by Kensington to spend more of my life with Joseph Shepherd. More and more I was feeling that whatever journey I was to take next, I wanted it to be with Shepherd. Going to America would be a wonderful (albeit dangerous) and exciting venture. Shepherd would respond favorably if he knew there were to be benefits for people, especially if he could exercise his scientific mind. He would love to bring some of his new friends along if they were up for the adventure.

I went to the Franciscan mission the following day and found Shepherd busily tending to some new arrivals. “Joseph,” I hailed to him warmly, “I have an idea for us.” “Another idea for the trip to America?” he said smiling. “Well, in fact it is,” I said. “Let me hear it,” he said. I proceeded to explain my idea about approaching Harvey and King James about a trip to America. The primary reason for some of us was for the adventure, as well as the scientific benefits. For the King, however, there needed to be some military, political, or economic value. So we needed to find out how we could approach the King in those areas.

There are risks to such endeavors, not the least of which might be how we would alienate Andrew Kensington, stealing the expedition out from under him. However, the potential rewards were just too great to pass up. Henry Adams was increasingly torn about moving his family to America. He believed strongly in the freedom principles that drove many adventurers to leave England for America, but he felt that he had a responsibility to care for his cousin Albert.

Henry Adams had told his cousin about his encounter with Jacob Carr at the Franciscan mission. Albert was strangely quiet as Henry spoke. “I have upset you, Cousin Albert. I am so sorry,” said Henry. “No, that is not the case, Henry. You and Edith have been so kind and helpful for me these past two years, and I do not want to be a hindrance to you any longer,” he said.

 “Nonsense!” said Henry. “That is what families do for one another. You would have done the same for me.” “That is what I have been thinking about, Henry. I want to do the same for you and your family,” said Albert. “What do you mean?” said Henry. “I mean that I am leaving your kind family to free you to go to America. I cannot live with myself if you stay in England only to provide for my care. I am leaving tomorrow. Please do not try to stop me.”

 Henry was completely dumbstruck. “You cannot survive without help and care. You surely know that.” Albert seemed wounded by this remark, true as it may have been. “I did not mean to hurt you, Albert, but truth is truth.” “I need some time to myself, Henry. Please indulge me that,” said Albert. “Yes, of course,” said Henry.

Albert took off for the The Bard tavern to drink a pint of ale and think about his next move. He had been considering for some time how to free Henry and his family from the burden of caring for him. He had no other family, his wife having died just before he was robbed and beaten. He had a son who had died at birth, and a daughter who had perished with smallpox as a child. His parents had died in a fire when he was seventeen years old. He had been fiercely independent as a youth, starting his business when he was twenty-two, and finding a way to survive by guile and a flair for business. Now he faced another life challenge, and he was sure not to let his disability get in the way of his cousin’s dreams.

As he walked in the dusk down to the tavern, he was deep in thought. Suddenly he had another of his fits. He fell to the ground with a grimace, grasping wildly at the air. He bit his tongue deeply, and blood started to pour from the side of his mouth. He was lying helpless on the ground, unable to even call out for help. Even if he had, it was not likely to result in real help, as three people on their way to the tavern simply stepped over him. “Helpless sot!” one of them called out. Another said to his friend, “Another victim of demon gin!” as he laughed at Albert’s helpless body beneath him. The fit subsided finally, but Albert was unable to get up. He was completely exhausted, bleeding and unable to speak intelligibly. As he lay in despair, a stranger came up to him. “Friend, it looks like you need help,” he said. Albert could not speak, but he simply nodded. Then a look of terror came upon him. The man standing over him was Jacob Carr.

 It turned out that it was not as difficult as I might have imagined persuading the King about financing the trip. It turned out that the Dorchester Company, which was a trading company poised to exploit New World wealth, was looking for added support for their venture in establishing a new settlement at Cape Ann near Plymouth. We would become part of that expedition, and we would be given a royal charter to “explore the American coast, begin a settlement, determine which crops can best be grown, find new medicinal plants and herbs which can benefit the people of the realm, and provide for the health of people who have traveled to America.”

Shepherd and I and our new traveling companion, Henry Adams, began talking about our upcoming trip. “Tell me again how you decided to make this trip with a young family, Adams,” I said. Shepherd had told me earlier about Adams and his disabled cousin, and I wanted to know why he had decided to risk his own family, as well as how he had provided for his cousin. “My family, and generations beyond mine, will live free of royal abuse of authority, and free of religious oppression. As for my cousin Albert, that is an interesting story. I sometimes think that this was somehow an affirmation from God about my decision.” “Why is that? I asked. “Albert was caught with another of his fits last week and he was left on the street until, of all people, along came Jacob Carr. Apparently, Carr has taken to searching the streets, especially near taverns in the evening, looking for people who might be in trouble. That evening, it was Albert. He picked Albert up from the street and carried him to the Franciscan mission. Then, weeping, he asked Albert’s forgiveness, and he pledged to take care of him at the mission for as long as he needs care. I am still stunned at both God’s provision for Albert, as well as the miracle of Jacob Carr’s conversion. Albert says that we are now free, all of us, to pursue our own calling. Funny thing, but Jacob Carr says he is now free also.”

Anxious hearts are very heavy, but a word of encouragement does wonders!

Proverbs 12:25 (Living Bible)

I mentioned yesterday that today, March 1, is my first day of Spring. In honor of that, I decided that today should be a holiday of sorts, so I have named it Affirmation Day. Today, to celebrate this wonderful holiday, every person is to specifically affirm or encourage someone that they know, be it family or friend, coworker or acquaintance. The celebration of this day is not complete unless one has sent a text, called, emailed, or in some other way communicated a message of appreciation and encouragement to another person.   

I think today is the right day for this because, in his creation, God has reaffirmed to us that another season is coming- a season long awaited and much needed this year. Ancient traditions had festivals to celebrate the end of the season of death (Winter) and the start of the season of new life (Spring). So, isn’t this holiday just the natural evolution of such past celebrations? I say it is.

So, Happy Affirmation Day. Spread the word!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the reminders of new life springing up around us!

 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion                                                                                                                                                                 Proverbs 1:2-4 (KJV)

Today is the last day of February. To me that means Spring starts tomorrow! Yes, I know I am rushing it, but if they are playing baseball somewhere (and they are!), it is officially Spring.

Today also is the last day of Black History Month, and I want to call to mind one of the great pieces of literature of the 20^th century, that being Martin Luther King’s Letter from the Birmingham Jail. I encourage my readers to read the letter in its entirety, but I just quote a portion here. He is discussing the comparison of just and unjust laws. As we are painfully aware, the “Jim Crow” laws of the south were still in effect in many states at that time. In this letter, King gives a thoughtful and poignant comparison of just and unjust laws, as well as stirring quotes such as Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

So, I conclude with this quote from his letter…

Now, what is the difference between the two? How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man- made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust. All segregation statutes are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality. It gives the segregator a false sense of superiority and the segregated a false sense of inferiority. Segregation, to use the terminology of the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber, substitutes an “I it” relationship for an “I thou” relationship and ends up relegating persons to the status of things. Hence segregation is not only politically, economically and sociologically unsound, it is morally wrong and sinful. Paul Tillich has said that sin is separation. Is not segregation an existential expression of man’s tragic separation, his awful estrangement, his terrible sinfulness? Thus it is that I can urge men to obey the 1954 decision of the Supreme Court, for it is morally right; and I can urge them to disobey segregation ordinances, for they are morally wrong.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see truth and justice as you see it, and give us the courage to seek those goals, Amen