Good Morning, God!

Combobulate means to bring something out of a state of confusion or disarray. And our World is definitely in a state of disarray. In order to hide from a virus we have put small businesses out of business. And far worse, we have plunged billions of people still further into debt.

We are told that we are only “hiding” until we have a VACCINE that will protect us. Sigh . . . THEY tell us one is coming SOON. But, real scientists know that vaccines must be tested for safety . . . over time . . .

But the MUCH LARGER problem is that “training our immune system” to recognize an “enemy” and KILL IT is very similar to how we take wonderfully good young men and women and train them to KILL the Taliban, or the Viet Cong or ??? But, it is hard to identify “enemies” and so just like in many wars — we suffer from friendly fire.

In our bodies, “friendly fire” ends up looking like Autoimmune Diseases. And they are on the RISE!

But, if vaccines look like a way to get deeper into trouble — what are we to do? And that is a profound question with no easy answers! Or rather it has multiple answers.

FIRST: Those who are truly afraid that getting COVID-19 would kill them should stay safe . . . as safe and isolated as they can.

SECOND: The rest of us should resume going about our businesses or at least what is left of our businesses. And going about WITHOUT MASKS, which harm the wearer without helping anyone else. Yes, I know that the “SCIENCE” the MEDIA is pushing contradicts that. And I also know that many real scientists have spoken out and have had their websites and Posts taken down. Free speech or as my grandfather used to say “Free Thinking” is apparently a major danger to public health.

THIRD: We might get outside in the fresh air and sunlight. Eat organic vegetables and fruits. Perhaps even take vitamin C and the minerals we are all short of like magnesium and zinc.

FOURTH: But the most important change is to DO what You have told us to do and BLESS each other — instead of CURSING each other. TALK TO EACH OTHER WITHOUT CONTEMPT. YES! We will need a lot of prayer and help to do that one, God.

FIFTH: While we are making such a major reset — why not ask our military to help rebuild poor communities? Why not help the poor to insulate their homes? Saving money and reducing carbon. Why not stop funding the Military Industrial Complex and put the money into DEBT RELIEF for the NON-ELITES? And then there are our Police. They waste a lot of time responding to cries for help at which they arrive too late. They could work WITH the communities they are committed to protect. Positive acts could flourish.

SIXTH: In my prayer time this morning I “heard” You say DO NOT PRESUME TO TELL ME WHAT I CAN AND CANNOT DO. DO NOT LIMIT ME.

That was heartening, God. And I guess that is why I am speaking the truth as I see it from my heart.

Good Evening, God

You do communicate in the most amazing ways. This morning I was doing the Tuesday Mindful BrainDance in my office. While stretching on the floor my eye was “caught” by a small booklet at the bottom of one of my plastic bins. It was titled God’s Love and Our Rest.

It was a booklet that I had written in 2004. And it made that point that keeping the Sabbath holy was the PIVOTAL commandment. To keep it you really have to have ONLY YOU as God in our lives. YOU, not our careers, not our self image, not our cultures expectations, etc. That is hard. Well, without Your help, it is impossible.

The booklet pointed out that getting a full day of rest each week would make us less tired. And I covet/shop more when I am tired. I am also much more inclined to curse instead of blessing. Hm all those other commandments come to mind.

But the reason I am writing now is the memory that just came to me from a talk by Archibald Hart. He said that being BUSY builds a “wall” around our brain’s pleasure center. After a time it takes something “special” to get over that wall — special as in an affair, some high risk activity, gambling, etc.

In his counseling he would say “bring in your calendar” you are going to eliminate half of what you are doing. And if the person did that then about six month later they could again enjoy the small simple joys of life.

YIKES!!! Putting those two concept together explained most of what I see going on in our world today. Not having protected (By You, God) REST . . . leads to lives that become out of control.

I’m sitting here thinking of how vulnerable we humans are. We are such easy prey to temptation and to social pressure. I am going to ask Your help in imagining how I might keep the Sabbath.

Mr. Zapata speaking to the Shasta Board of Supervisors

Hey, God!

I’m doing pretty well here. And my news — while filled with COVID 19 and politics — is still pretty upbeat. I do know I am more fortunate than most. And I have been worried about folks with no safety net. Still, hearing from a real life person who is a victim of the lockdown, was an eye opener!

Please, God! Help us all take a few minutes to listen to this video. Open not just our ears but hearts and our minds.