Politics and Religion: A Conundrum

Conundrum: An intricate and difficult problem;

a dilemma.

We've been taught that one does not discuss 

politics or religion in polite society.

However...

Jesus says: "But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will
be my witnesses to the ends of the earth."
Acts: 1:8


and, in our Great Commission:
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."
Matthew 28:19


Since I am pretty much surrounded by Christian
friends here at home, this conundrum has most
often presented itself to me at dining tables
on the cruise ships I have been blessed to sail.
On one recent and memorable one, this is how it went.


There were just 5 of us at our table.
I bought these two "diamond" rings for myself
late in the voyage
with a plan in mind that one of them would be 
helpful in sharing my faith.

That night at dinner I showed my companions my
purchases and said that the anchor ring was especially
meaningful to me, as I was a Christian 
and my life is securely anchored to Jesus.
C.r.i.c.k.e.t.s.


Now later the husband of the couple at the table
started to share with me in private that they were
Christians, too, but his wife shushed him.
Evidently she ascribes to the theory stated above.
No talk of "religion."


I do not want to discuss religion.
My faith in Jesus is a relationship, not a religion.
I don't wish to force my beliefs on anyone.
I just want to tell the Good News that Jesus saves!
I want to share how one can have peace
 here on this earth and indescribable joy
in heaven with God forever, unendingly, eternally.



I always think of this analogy.
If I found out about a cure, a medication for a disease 
from which a person suffered, and I offered
to tell him or her about it, 
would any refuse and accuse me of "forcing" my idea?
And yet, I know the marvelous truth which is better
 than any cure, better than the "fountain of youth."
I want all to be able to sing...

"When we've been there 10,000 years,
bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun."



--------------------------------------------------

I had such a good time reminiscing about this 
cruise as I wrote this, that I thought you
might, too.

CLICK HERE FOR PART 1

CLICK HERE FOR PART 2




P. S. I have followed up with Paul.
I sent him a Bible and a book,
"More Than a Carpenter."
He thanked me, and we have continued to
correspond occasionally.
In fact, I need to write him now!

Hope Floats

"What are cruise lines doing with their empty ships?"

I'm all aglow today with Cruise Critic's 
answers to that question.

A few weeks ago, when operations were initially
suspended in Asia, Royal Caribbean redeployed its
China based ships to Australia, offering free cruises
to first responders who battled the country's bush fires.

Carnival Corporation, which includes Princess, Holland America, and P&O has offered to turn their fleets

into floating hospitals.

American Queen Steamboat Company has offered their

 fleet to house quarantined U. S. military personnnel.

The MSC Splendid has been converted into a 
floating hospital.

Crew members are also being treated to staying in

guest cabins, including balconies, free use of the guest

pool deck, and eating in guest dining areas.

On the Celebrity Edge there was even a drawing
among the crew members,

with the winners being able to stay in suites!
Princess is making stops at their private island
for crew to have fun in the sun!


Many ships are lit up at night with encouraging signs,
created by turning on lights in certain cabins.
This required a coordination between land 
operations and those at sea!


Here's the Sky Princess, whose "#We Will Be Back"
was spelled out in cabin lights at the crew's own initiative.

And the P&O Azura off Barbados...

This is particularly touching. The P&O flagship,
Brittania lit up with the message "#Love NHS"
(National Health Service)
in the port of Southhampton, in support of the U.K.'s
tireless health workers.

The Seabourn Encore created a heart-shaped
ship track in the ocean and said,
"Life takes you to unexpected places.
Love brings you home."

What started with 5 Holland America ships 
anchored around Grand Bahama Island sounding
their horns has now extended to other lines.
Now each night at 7:30 p.m. ET, all of the ships
are sounding their horns at the same time in 
solidarity, letting the world know they are strong,
safe, and healthy onboard.



Who knows what will happen? 
The cruise lines are optimistically announcing dates
that cruising will resume, as early as April 28th.
Sounds like they're keeping the ships ready 
to welcome us back onboard.
The Lord willing.


Of course, I am especially interested since I have
a beautiful, talented family member who
just can't wait for the Disney Magic to sail again!




CLICK HERE

for something fun!!!
Captain Kate was not in charge of the Epic last year
when I was on it, but I sure wish she had been!

My Recent Cruise

It wasn't all that special...I didn't even take many photos.

I made the reservation on January 19th before
most of us had even heard of the Coronavirus.
But...I think I would rather reminisce about my trip
today than read the latest "news" again!


I started out looking for a cruise from New Orleans,
since I had never done that.
As it turned out, no ship I found desirable was
departing there, and the air fares were very $$$!
I then began looking at leaving from New York and
maybe getting to see one or both of my grandgirls
in the bargain.

I found a Norwegian ship--the Bliss--which appealed
to me for several reasons.
It was mega, relatively new, had good shows, 
and included all the perks for a reasonable fare!
I found a good deal on American Airlines, and I was set!


I departed for New York on February 22nd, a day early,
so I would not miss the ship on Sunday, the 23rd.
Both Madeline and Susannah were in...Texas...
Madeline for a wedding; Susannah for annual training.



Now as I said, I didn't take many pics, so you are
going to be subject to seeing them all.
I did Google which side of the plane to sit on
coming into NY, so I got some great shots!

My first view of Lady Liberty!

Looks like it would sink!

***New York, New York***


I stayed that one night at the 
Sheraton New York Times Square.

Very nice - highly recommend!


Now I must admit there are quite a few culinary photos
(food pics!) in this post. I do love my food.
This is the first--lobster tacos at the Sheraton!

These and the cole slaw were about the best things I've
ever tasted, but that's about all I did--taste!
It was all tiny...compare to the lime slices!


I then walked a short distance to Times Square and
took this photo just to prove I was there.

On the return walk I stopped off for a "little" dessert
since my dinner had been so light!

I do believe this was the best Napoleon I have ever had!
Majestic Deli, Times Square.


Embarkation looked a bit zoo-ish, but it did not turn
out to be bad at all.
I have no pictures of my room.
The first picture I have is of us sailing by Lady Liberty,
always such an exciting experience!

The picture was taken from the Observation Lounge,
which is a special feature of the Norwegian Bliss.

 There were many chairs and tables by the windows.
Then there were these leather loungers farther back.
I took advantage of these several times--
the first day to eat this from their eatery:

Guava and cheese croissants! Packin' on the pounds
and lovin' it!


"I went on this cruise for the ports," said no one ever!
Our first port was, drum roll please, Port Canaveral!
Since I had a $50 credit toward an excursion at each port,
 I managed to find one that looked tolerable.
It was a pontoon boat ride on the Banana River.


Here I am aboard:

Here's what the boat looked like:

And here's our Captain!

Yes, for a moment I wondered if I shouldn't have passed
on that $50 shore excursion credit!


But it was very pleasant. I wish I remembered what
these huge, impressive birds were.

And it wouldn't be a bad place to live!

Our other two ports were Great Stirrup Cay
(Norwegian's private island)
and Nasssau, Bahamas.
I didn't get off the ship in either port, so I do not
have my usual postcard shot of the Bliss.
What I do have is my signature shot of Royal Caribbean's
Anthem of the Seas
with the pod which rises above the ship at its highest point!
That's it up in the clouds, and yes I've been there!

And here's the Anthem at night, across from us.

I think this shows off my new iPhone's fancy camera!


Here I am dining at the cherished table by the windows
in LeBistro.

Look at this beautiful lump crab salad--I had it twice!

I love to cruise! Or did you know that?

But back on terra firma, I still had some treats in store.
Unfortunately, as I was docking, my flight attendant
granddaughter, Susannah, was taking off for Saint Lucia.
My Disney performing grand, Madeline, was already
off to Toronto for rehearsals.
But...my new grandson in law, Nick, was at home in NY.
We met so slickly at Junior's for the best lunch.
Then he took me to see their charming,
fabulously located apartment.
Getting to spend time with him was a highlight for sure!
And he got Susannah in on it by Facetime so she could
hear me ooh and aah!

This time I stayed at the Hampton Inn, Times Square.
Again, highly recommend.
On the Sunday night of my return, I got to walk across
 the street and see Wicked for the first time!
Oh, my. How could anything have been more enjoyable!
The music, the sets, everything about it.
It was enchanting.

I even got a headset so I could hear better!

The curtain.

Then on Monday I had a whole day to explore.
I started out at the Top of the Rock for the first time!

Just a couple views from the top.
Empire State and Central Park.
Someone told me the views are better here than from
the Empire State Building. I loved it!


Then I went to Ellen's Stardust Diner for lunch.

 Their chicken pot pie--amazing!

And I wanted something really special for dessert! 
Do you think this qualifies?


Then I did something which I came up with all on my own!
Does anyone know who this is?

You will only know if you happen to watch
Project Runway!
That is Swatch, the dog who greets the contestants
when they go to Mood to choose fabrics.
Yes, I actually went to Mood!

 Mood is on the 3rd and 4th floors of an office building.
I studied up on it before I went!

 You have never seen such a mind boggling array of fabrics.
Two floors stacked to the ceiling.

Interestingly, their zippers are very inexpensive.

 

Don't know about their buttons, but do they have buttons!
Several sections this size.

 The contestants RUN up and down these stairs.
I don't know how. They are very steep!
I didn't run.

 Here's where the contestants check out!
They were all so friendly to me--a tacky tourist from Texas!

I bought souvenirs for me and for Cousin Sarah, who 
introduced me to Project Runway!

Oh...and Swatch wasn't there!

At this point I had done my things. 
Time for my New York expert (initials SSM) to step in.
She suggested that I go see Diana, the new musical.
It was opening in preview that very night.
So...

I did!
I enjoyed it a lot especially since the events all
unfolded during my lifetime.
I hope you get a chance to see it in the future.
And it also happened to be close enough to my
hotel that I could walk home!
A great way to end my trip.


The more I wrote the more special the trip seemed.
Not just the cruise part. The New York part!
I'm so thankful I slipped it in just under the wire.
Will it be my last?
It sure could. None of us has a promise of tomorrow
even in the best of times.
But, with gratitude, I'll add these to the pleasant memories
 I have stored.

Not My Best Sunday

The past two Sundays our sermon topic has been

SABBATH,

based on the fourth of the Ten Commandments.

"Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."

These sermons have been amazing.

The tone of preaching in our church has changed

so much over the years.

Rather than stressing a list of "don'ts" for the

Sabbath, a beneficial balance of work and rest 

in the Lord is the central message.

I have taken this very much to heart, really I have,

but things just didn't go well today.

The first problem I had was that I was way

low on gas--and it was Sunday.

I didn't want to have to fill my car up on Sunday,

but I sure didn't want to do it on my way home

at the QT just down Bowen from our church!

I had even led my small group

(Sunday School class) last Sunday and

stated that I didn't do such things.

Or tried not to. Or didn't make a habit of it.

So I drove on home on a wing and a prayer.

But...I had a second problem.

(Both self created.)

I had told the little girl I mentor that we would

do a Valentine craft tomorrow.

I certainly am unable to come up with one on

my own, so I needed to go to Michael's--

on Sunday, which I again had bragged to

my SS class that I do not do.

I decided to eat my Subway sandwich first

all the time thinking that next Sunday I was

going to have something on hand for lunch

so I did not make someone work to feed me.

Then I decided to take a little nap.

Perfect for my day of rest!

I woke up from my nice nap and decided

to take right off for Michael's since I

had no idea what time they closed.

I would go there then stop at QT!

Oh, and I had a timeline in which to stop and

let Teddy, the Metzger's dog, out.

My guilt and I arrived at Michael's safely.

But when I looked for my purse, it was not with us!

I had put an extra key in the cupholder, 

allowing me to start the car.

I couldn't get the craft.

I couldn't get the gas.

I did take care of Teddy!

Back home I looked up Michael's hours.

Those poor people have to work until

7:00 P.M. on Sunday!

So I returned and got the craft and filled up with gas

without anyone who knew me seeing me.

And now I'm telling you.

We have two more sermons on this fourth

commandment, and I hope to share some

more serious aspects of the impact they

are having (or trying to have!) on my life.

Even better, it would behoove you (where did

I come up with such a strange, old fashioned word?)

to go to fielder.org and navigate your way to

the sermons for February 2nd and 9th and

listen. You will be inspired!

Thank you, Jason Paredes and Michael Wierick.

I'm truly looking forward to the next two sermons.