Our Older Generation

Over the years I've done a lot of displays. Once in a while a door opens up and you get to take the project to a place that isn't a church or other function. This past weekend I had a very neat and blessed chance to take the Season 18 Project to Caretel Inns. It is an Assisted Living facility. I was at the Bay City, MI location.

I've often said the project has no age limit. That sometimes the biggest impact I have is not with the younger generation. But the older one. That for them they relive their life though my work. They are the ones who remember the time when the parishes use to be filled with people. When their had to be more than one Mass on Sunday to fill the needs of the parish ministry. Those days are long past. Yet here I am with my project full of people taking part in the Mass. It is something that touches deep into the soul of who we are. To see the residents of this place. To see the smiles on their face. The excitement in their hearts. For me it was a humbling experience that I shall not forget. The display went by so well that it looks like I will be back with Season 19 next year.

We should never forget the Older Generation. For they still have the knowledge and the wisdom that they can teach us. This is a generation we should always have the deepest respect for. This weekend was humbling in how the project was received. I am very blessed and thankful. This has been a powerful season for my work. I can't wait till the next display.

My thanks to Steven for setting things up and helping with the transportation.

-JM

My vision for the Project

On Nov 27th of last year I was interviewed by WJRT which is out of Flint, MI. It was the first time I've ever been on TV talking about the project. The last few times I've been in the media it was in print. Including a few years ago a story that went to the APwire via the Saginaw News/Mlive.com even going so far as to making a blurb in USA Today. Since that time I've been wondering what else I can do with the project.

The displays of course are one of the most important aspects of what I do. They allow me to showcase my work. But even then finding locations and the transportation to make them possible is a profound challenge. The primary way to do this is to develop contacts and partnerships with parishes and leaders. All of the displays of the past few years have been done in this fashion. However securing sites and having them commit to rides is not always easy. More so when a location doesn't fully understand what I'm asking. Or the reasons behind me doing it. This creates a high level of internal frustration on my part. Some of which is a direct result of my own limits.

Currently I'm doing around three or four displays per season. Which really isn't a lot given the nature of what I am doing with the project. For me if the host locations provided transportation I could easily do around six or seven displays from May to December. With a decent mix of multi week runs and single events. Because of the nature of how I do the project every year. Some of those events could turn into multi year runs. Such as Christ the Good Shepherd which has hosted the project for Christmas every year since 2003. That is the core of my frustrations. Being able to locate good locations and have the support to pull off an amazing display which includes either all or part of the transportation. So far I've been rather blessed in that respect. But that brings up an important element of what I do. Every year is a new project. Each season tells a different story. So if I'm coming back to a location I was at the previous year. Then that means I have a brand new building to show off.

It is also important for me to be able to share the message of the project. Which is why I don't mind the media attention I have gotten. So long as I am able to share what God is doing for me then it is very worth while. The problem of course is that when your doing a display and you have a flood of people. You don't always get the chance to share with them what the mission is. In fact I've had many people get out right surprised that I have a mild form of cerebral palsy. It catches them off guard and makes my work stand out even more. But the moments to plant seeds are very fleeting at most. I've often thought about trying to create some kind of talk that I could give about what I feel is important in raising awareness and hope for those of us who deal with challenges. A renewed sense of purpose. I've seen this first hand in some of the people who look into the project. To realize that they are able to do more than what their limits suggest. My problem of course is that I'm not fully sure how to realize this goal of mine. I'm honestly not sure on how to proceed and let alone develop the contacts needed to pull something off. But either way. I want to expand the role of the Project because I see it something very important in this day and age.

The Lego Church Project is a dream of mine turned into a reality. I would ask for your prayers and continued support for what I am doing. I pray that I can expand the role of the project in a way that deeply touches the lives of those around me. This is an art project. But it is also a passion of mine. The message of what I am doing is just as important to me as building of the project. I see it as a very neat way to reach out and evangelize. I once again thank everyone who has given donations or have given support in other ways. I am deeply humbled by this.

If you have any further questions drop me an e-mail at: kc8wzm@gmail.com.

-JM

Reflection for June 1st.

The world is a simmering pot that has been trying to boil over for a while now. With each passing year we seem to get closer to that edge. Lately things have started to get way more out of hand. I have seen people on FB suggesting violence is indeed to solution to the problem. Even assassination of world leaders. That it is OK to show disrespect in profound ways because you disagree with the other side's view point. I look around me and their is total anger in people's hearts. I see fear that has been generated because sometimes social media takes things way to far.

As I sit and reflect on the negative and hostile emotions around me. I am reminded of things that I have said in past reflections. About surrendering to Christ all things. To turn over our worries. Our anger. Our fears to Christ. To pray that our leaders would be granted profound wisdom to act in the best ways for the people. That party lines would not matter so much as the human factor.
But something else dawned on me. For us Catholics one of the best forms of prayer is asking Our Mother Mary for her help. One of the things that she told the children of Fatima was to pray the Rosary for Peace. Perhaps that can be extended to peace in our own hearts so that we can properly and wisely deal with the chaos around us. Peace for our world leaders and for those who have anger in their hearts.

I've also been told that Praying is worthless. That prayer does nothing in face of the issues at hand. I could not disagree more. Prayer unlocks the answers that we otherwise would not see. To find that inner peace to confront our challenges. To help fight the fear and anxiety in our troubled times. To remind us how important *all* life is.

Some days it feels like the world is crumbing in around us. But on our darkest of days that we are reminded that Christ is indeed the light that shines in that darkness.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us.
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Pray for us.
Holy Spirit, guide us.
God the Father we thank you.
Amen.


-JM

Eye on Research

Please see THIS post if you want more information on what Visual Snow is.

I belong and help out with a Facebook group for Visual Snow. Something that I've been doing for a few years now. Lately their has been a bit of a debate about raising money for on going research. With some even going so far to say that such research is a waste of money. Personally I think such negative views are extremely counter productive to the overall goals. Distracting us from the bigger picture at play.

Eye on Vision Foundation which is run by Jen Ambrose has been working hard for years to raise enough money to fund a full research into this condition. She like many others suffers from a more severe form of it which sometimes limits her over all vision and has a direct impact on her daily life.

My Visual Snow these days is way more mild though their are some days when my vision is directly impacted because of it. More so at night. However when thinking about the research. I don't see it from a perspective of myself. I want the research to very much move forward. Their are many of us who suffer with this condition who are in far worse shape than me.

Any time we conduct research into anything. Their is always a chance that a path may develop and new doors being opened where they didn't exist before. Medical journals have been written on "accidental" discoveries that have changed the way we operate. I see the research into visual snow not just helping us. But with other conditions such as tinnitus. A condition that readers of this blog know I suffer with on a more sever level.

Overall I feel that the efforts of Eye On Vision Foundation are extremely important to the visual snow community. I know that Mrs. Ambrose has spend a considerable amount of time and money into this effort. Those of us who deal with this condition want answers. We want this condition to be accepted as something legitimate. But we also want treatments and possible cures. We want help and so far Eye on Vision is the only group doing this.

If you would like to help out Eye On Vision Foundation. Which is a 501(c)3 origination. Please check out their donation page HERE.

-JM

Storms in our lives

Note: This was written as a FB post.

In the storms of our lives we must surrender all to Christ. Even when we cannot see a clear path out of the storm. It is often said that Christ is our light. This is very much true in this day and age. The evil one will use every trick in the playbook to try and build a wall between us and Christ. Often times it is way more subtle than people realize. A distraction here and there that can lead to total panic and anxiety. Sometimes the storm lasts far longer than what we would like. Often times it seems like the storm will never pass. No matter what. We should thank the Lord for all that He has done. Along with thanking Him for all He Will Do. Their is a praise and worship song that came to mind as I was on the ride today. "Amen Amen our hearts cry, His word is true! All that the Lord has said. He will do." I surrender to Christ all that is going on right now. Just not for myself. But for those closest to me. Lord give us the strength, the wisdom, and the courage stand up and ride the out the storms.

-jm

Not an easy road

 It is not always easy when we have a chronic condition that makes taking part in every day life a struggle. To go on with our lives as if nothing is wrong. Yet knowing that our lives are by no means normal. We wake up each morning. Wondering how our issues will directly effect us. Wondering if today will be a good day or a day where we want to crawl and hide. Our struggles are very much real. Even if others don't fully understand them. 

I was born with a mild case of Cerebral Palsy. Because of that I have some mobility issues along with a host of other challenges. Too many to list in this blog post. In addition to the Visual Snow and it's related issues. I also suffer from hearing loss as a result of the extremely severe case of tinnitus. In fact on any typical day the noise is far worse than the snow. On top of that I also deal with moderate anxiety/panic attacks. This is the reality that I live in. These are the challenges that I face every single day. My own worse enemy happens to be the person I see every time I look into the mirror.

Over the years the Lego Church Project has become a focal point for me. A deep statement about not letting challenges define you. When I first developed Visual Snow around 2011/12 the static was such a distraction that I wasn't sure I could work on the project. No clear idea if the VS would effect my ability to do something that I love. As you can tell from the blog and the FB page. This is not an easy project to work on.  I've been doing this project for 18 years now. I refuse to let any of my challenges stop me from what I am doing. VS and the other stuff I face are just part of who I am. But they are by no means the full story. I would rather be defined by my faith. My project. My life. I don't want to be defined by my challenges. I would rather use my project and my challenges to raise awareness. To show that no matter what you face you can do something creative with your life. That God can and will use your talents in amazing and creative ways.

When you deal with any kind of chronic and on going condition. Life can be a struggle. I had a very important choice to make. One that I still make every day. I would rather do my best to rise above my challenges and to live my life the best that I can. The road is by no means easy. Even for me. But I take comfort in the fact that my challenges have not stopped me from doing the things that I love. That I have a deep passion for. What helps me to survive the rough days is my faith in Christ. My enjoyment of the Catholic faith and all that it is. Taking comfort that with Christ I know I can ride out the storms that seen to toss me around just a little too much for my liking.

I close this post out with this: People ask me how I survive with my challenges. My answer is always the same. "By the Grace of God I am still Standing."

A Deep Passion

I've been doing displays with the Lego Church Project for eighteen years now. It is an amazing time for me to be able to showcase my talents and my mission. If  the building of the project is the telling of a story. Then the displays themselves is the sharing of that story. 

Their is always a level of excitement any time I have the chance to show my project. I have fans who have followed me over the years and they are always asking me what kind of project I'm working on. They look forward to seeing how I out do myself from the previous years. They know I do this yearly and understand that the project the following year will not be the same. 

When I bring the project to a new location. Their is an extra bit of excitement. For me it is the chance to see and visit another parish community. To visit with them and see how that parish does things. From the lay out of the building to the way the Mass is presented. For the project itself it is the chance show my work to a new audience. People that might have heard about my work but have never seen it in person. 

I have a mild case of cerebral palsy. I also suffer from severe tinnitus and visual snow. Doing these displays allows me to share my messages of disability awareness- that God can and use your talents even you have a challenge or disability. It also allows me to share my faith though the church itself. My love and my passion for what we believe in. 

One of the comments that I always get is "the church is always full of people". Our parishes are struggling a lot these days. Many have stopped going to Mass for various reasons. The Project is full of people because it is a reminder of how important our faith is to us. But it is also a prayer that more people would come home to the faith. That our parishes would be filled again. For me the project is a creative way to reach out to people. I don't see the church as it is. But rather how it *should* be.

I close this blog post with this: The Lego Church Project is a deep passion of mine. I am building faith one brick at a time. I enjoy the building of it. I enjoy sharing it. I am thankful to any place willing to host a display. Along with the people willing to help to make sure that happens. 

-JM

Miss Donna

Yesterday morning my elderly neighbor Miss Donna returned to Christ at the young age of 78. I knew for for about 9 and a half years. Shortly after I moved into the complex. She was a fiery German who was rather quick to tell you how it was. Even if you did not like the message. Yet if she let you into her world she was your family. You could count on her just as much as she counted on you. From the stories she shared it sounded like she had one heck of an adventure in this life. I'm blessed that she got to see me and Kat together. In fact she took Kat under her wing and really became another Grandmother to us both. Donna was truly a blessing in our lives. While we will both be sad that she is no longer here. Her memory lives on in our hearts. Knowing that she is no longer suffering. I thank God for the time we were friends with her. She was an amazing person. God grant you rest my friend. You earned it.

-JM

My Faith

My Catholic faith is the center of who I am as a person. It is the foundation of what makes me whole. It has guided me though some of the the most trying times of my existence. It has helped me celebrate when times have gone well. It also gives me the proper foundation on my own political views. Putting Christ first allows me to put elements of my life into proper perspective and is not some kind of "cop-out". Rather to surrender to Christ is one of the most hardest things an human can do. Because of our nature we want to be in complete control. In fact I would challenge more to do what I have chosen to do. It also gives me much needed wisdom and understanding of what goes on. I don't consider myself blinded by the single political party mentality that has gripped our nation as of late. My reasons for not supporting a single party are long and deep. But at the core of those reasons is how important my Catholic faith is to me and the values that they hold. So I gladly put my faith in Christ above all else. Because nations will come and they will go. But in the end Christ will always remain.

-JM

Poetry

Back in the day I use to be way more of a writer than I am now. Part of me would like to get back into it. I found it was a creative release and another way to explore some issues. The following is a brand new poem that I wrote the other day.

A Father's Shadow

JM Kraemer

At the time of my birth,

I was held in his arms.

Resting in my father's shadow.

As I grow and as I learn

Lessons that he has passed to me.

I crawl in my father's shadow

As a teen I am one to test limits,

Yet the lessons still remain,

I walk in my father's shadow.

As an adult I still have much to learn,

Passing along the wisdom he has gained

I still am in my father's shadow.

As I grow older with wisdom of my own,

The thoughts and words that I use.

I am passing my father's shadow.

At this I now fully understand,

What all those lessons have prepared me for.

I have left my father's shadow.

As I age with the passing of time.

It dawns on me this simple reality,

I have become my father's shadow.

Displays

One of the neat aspects of the Lego Church Project is that I do take this on the road. My feeling is that this project is a work of God. He is using my talents in an amazing and very creative way. This project isn't something that should be hidden. But something that needs to be shared with others. To show people that even if you have a disability or other challenge that God can and will use your talents in amazing and very creative ways.

One of those challenges for me is that I do not drive. I need help with transport for any display that I want to do. This means that any host site would need to provide transport for the project and in most cases myself so I can be there to over see things. This post is about the types of displays I can do. What kind of set up I need. What my transportation requirements are.

Types of Displays

Most of the time my displays fall into one of two types:

Single event: These are the Bazaars, craft shows, special events or functions. Set up could be the night before with the event happening the next day. Project would go home after the event was finished. I would be present so I can keep and eye on things and answer any questions that people might have.

Multi week/weekend run: Several of my parish displays (Christ the Good Shepherd, St. John XXIII, All Saints Parish) are multi weekend runs. This is where I set up the project up and then check it out once a week. Usually before and after the Mass(es) at the parish. How many weeks/weekend the project stays at the location is at the site's request. Personally I find that two weekends is a decent run. Though it can be longer if needed.

Setup needs

For the displays I need a folding/card table and access to an electrical outlet. Table needs to be medium sized but something that can support something that is about 47x25x25 inches. In most cases I will have my own extension cord. 

Transportation needs

The hardest part of any project season is not the build. It's finding locations to display my work and figuring out how to get the project and me out to the site. So for this season I am asking for help in this part. That way I can do more displays.


Project needs: The project sits on a 48x26in plywood board. Height is about 25 inches give or take. In most cases the project will fit in a normal SUV/mini van/small pickup truck. Just need to make sure the project is protected from sliding off the board. 

As far as moving the project. This project weighs about 40lbs or so. Because of it's size it does require two people to move it. If you have a cart that would also make things easier.


For the builder: Single event displays I will need to be picked up before the event starts and taken to the site. After the event is finished we will need to take the project back to my home location. 

For parish displays I would like to be around for the Saturday and Sunday Morning Mass. So I would need a ride there and back. If your parish has more than one Sunday Mass, need to be there for the earliest service and then be taken home after the last Mass. If your parish has a Sunday evening Mass. I don't need to be present for that. 

If anyone is interested in hosting or can help with transport, just drop me an e-mail to kc8wzm@gmail.com and we can work out the finer details.

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Important Links!

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Twitter: @kc8wzm

EMAIL: kc8wzm@gmail.com

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What can you do to help?

those who hate us

“There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate The Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be.”
― Fulton J. Sheen

In this life their will always be those who look down on you for what you have chosen to believe. This is not the usual level of disagreement. But rather profound and rather venomous contempt for the very core values that you practice. If anything social media has done much to make such hatred more apparent.

Lately I've had more than a few encounters with some members of various "Christian" groups. With one fellow specifically saying he "hates the Roman Catholic Church". He feels justified in his hate because he claims he use to be Catholic. The ones that I have encountered all use the same one track mind. Quote the Bible chapter and verse and then ignore any counter points that you may have to offer. Even if you offer up a Biblical explanation for the Catholic faith. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Pretty much the same debate over and over.

I have to openly wonder if these people truly believe on their own that the Catholic faith is evil. Or have they been mislead by some powerful and out right dangerous element that they don't realize. Even those who have left the faith and then go on to attack us. As if doing so just adds more validity to their arguments. No matter what the reasons for their dislike of us. Those who go on the attack have bigger issues than what they believe the Catholic faith to be.

Some time ago I made a decision that I would stop engaging these people unless it could not be avoided. Even then I would not stoop to their level and go on the attack. I will of course point out things that need to be shown. But instead I would rather put my efforts into praying for them. Even the fellow I mentioned above. The reality is that many people attack what they think the Catholic faith is. However what they are attacking is an illusion that they themselves have created. They have allowed their hearts to be corrupted and have decided to twist the Bible to serve their own personal agendas. To justify their hate of anything that does not conform to their world view. These are the people I pray for the most. Because unless you have chosen to walk in the path that is the Catholic Church. To embrace it completely. Then you really have no idea what it means to be Catholic.

-JM

The Mission

I often say that their is a mission with my work. That the building itself is only part of the story.

The entire core idea is about raising awareness for those who have some kind of disability. Such as those that are more invisible like mine. I was born with a mild form of cerebral palsy. Not many people fully understand all the ins and outs connected to it. No matter how you slice it I am unable to work. Instead I focus my efforts on other areas. My feeling is that if God has been kind enough to give me this amazing talent then it is something that I need to share. To show others that even if you have some kind of challenge God can still use your talents. Often those talents are used in amazing and creative ways.

The other focus is showing and giving a reminder of how important the Mass is to the Catholic faith. Our parishes are the backbone of our lives. It is not just a place we meet every weekend. It is a place where we come to celebrate Christ and to rebuild our faith from all the stuff that goes on in a typical week. The Catholic Mass is one of the most amazing and beautiful things one can take part in. Because of the rich history that is contained with in. My project is a snapshot of that parish life. That is played out at parishes all over the world. The project in that respect has become prayer. That more people would come home and that people would be reminded of how important the Mass is. How important is to take a more active role in our parish communities.

This is my mission in this life. This is why I keep doing this year after year. This is why I want to share my work with others. This is The Lego Church Project.

-JM

Season 18 Update

The Season 18 project is coming along decently enough. Fifteen days in and I'm farther along than I expected to be. Things have been going decent enough so far but I have a lot of work between here and now.

This project has been a rather fun mix of old ideas revisit and new ideas yet to be tried. But so far the keeping in line with the vision I had when I started out. Fan of the project will note that I'm using a window design by the alter is a lot like what I did on the Season 13 project. This goes back into the history and was a common feature of previous builds. Something I happened to like. Though it wasn't the plan starting out. The benches are a pretty simple build for the most part. Same style I've used for years. If I could ever get enough parts or a major donation I wouldn't mind upgrading to something that I'm using for the ensemble music group. A lot simpler to build but would require more plates and hinges than what I have on hand. Not even sure what the bricklink prices are on those parts to be honest.

The long read beams were done by mixing plates together. This is done for support because those beams also mark the main area of the church. The beams in this case also support balcony and the bell towers. So far this project has the record for the longest beams ever built. In fact I pretty much wiped out my collection of red plates doing this. Unless I happen to find some extra buried in the one tub I have all the red bricks in.

This project is extremely ambitions. Even with the stuff I've added recently I will probably have a few issues here and there. But I have a much better handle on where the project is going than I did last week. The list of what needs to be done is rather large and may take some time. I don't have a finish date in mind just yet. But this isn't a marathon. Speed building can cause more problems than they solve. I can't wait to finish the project and I can't wait to start doing displays.

If you would like to help me out please check this page: "What can you do to help?" Or consider making a Paypal donation via this link: https://www.paypal.me/LegoChurchProject.  

-JM

Working on the Project

I always get excited when I sit down and start work on a Lego Church Project season. I never know before hand how the project will turn out. What challenges I will face in the process of building. Typical stuff that is probably common with any artist who spends time on his/her craft. Mine just happens to be using a well known brand of building toys.

The project is for me a release. It is a chance to focus all I am on that single moment. To work with my hands in ways that are not all that common. It forces me to think and to look far into the future. I often say that I go in with a "throw and go" kind of view. Meaning that I don't have much of a plan going in. To be honest that is only partly correct. Once the lay out is set you do have to have to have some kind of road map.  A vision where things will go. Giving me a chance to tell a story with my work.

It gives me a chance to confront my own fears and anxiety over life head on. The fear and anxiety that comes with this project is with the bricks themselves. Assuming that I have enough of a specific part to finish my goals. That some issues will develop with the design and I may have to scrap something for another plan. But I've been doing this for a long time. I fight the anxiety and the fear in reminding myself that I know how the previous seasons have gone. I know that if something doesn't go according to plan their is always another way to do something. I'm not sure how it is for other artists. But I know for me that sometimes things happen and you learn. Still that fear is always in the back of my mind.

Still though all the challenges I am telling a story. The bricks and parts are a mix of new and old. Some have faded with age. Some have scratches and dings from years of use. When I work on the project I'm not seeing a new building. I'm seeing a parish community that has been around for a while. That this place has been around for far longer than most realize. This parish community could be mine. It could be yours. It could be in theory any Catholic Church in the world. It is a snap shot of who we are as Catholics. Celebrating the most important part of our faith. Jesus Christ.

About eight days ago I started work on my 18th season. I have no idea where this build will take me. I've been having visions of past visits to Our Lady of Loretto in Redford. Though the layout is not connected to the parish. More along the lines of past visits that I have made. I've done two displays with them in the past and it is one of list of places I would love to go back to. Any place I've been to becomes fuel for my ideas. The build is going well so far. Not quite to the half way point as of this post. I'm not in a rush. This isn't a race for me. I want to build the best project that I am able to.

By the Grace of God, I'm still building.

-JM

Look into History: Season 8

Season 8 (2007-2008): This was a unique project which was based on the idea of a "Look into history." The idea of course was to go back over the past few season and merge together some of the more fun ideas that I had at the time. This also includes the attempt at the dome roof.  More on that in a bit.  

The project itself was one of the more massive works. I think at the time it was one of the first ones to cross the 45 inch length mark. Though the primary worship space is much smaller than some of the newer projects.

The roofs of any of my projects have their challenges. Sometimes things don't always go the way they should. In this case with the Season 8 project. I tried to do too many things and pretty much ran out of bricks. I had decided to use the grid system that I had developed for the Season 7 project. With the theory that I could do a full truss system which would allow me some more stability and to keep the roof from twisting as I built upwards. However I did not fully expect as to how many parts that would take. So as I am working on building up the dome I find out that I have in fact run out of parts. The solution was was rather creative. I took two gray base plates and linked them together. Then added side plates to make up the difference. Doesn't look that bad to be honest. Held up well during transport.

I have found that with in this life their will always be challenges that we have to face. Sometimes the best answers to those challenges happen to also be the most creative. In building these projects over of the years I sometimes find answers to my own challenges. For me it is always a learning experience. One that I do enjoy.

-JM

Showing compassion instead of building walls

As someone who believes in Jesus Christ though the Catholic Faith. I believe that we should show compassion and mercy to those around us. We should not single out anyone because we may not agree with the path they have in this life. I can understand the current agenda in trying to secure our borders. To prevent acts of terrorism. However banning groups of people from entering into our country based on where they are from and what religious path they follow goes against the spirit of what the Founding Fathers intended. I agree that we live in an age where more security checks need to be made. But the majority of the violence that has visited our nation has not come from outside our states. But from inside our country. People born and raised here. The polices being offered are knee-jerk reactions that gives a false sense of security. But they do nothing to seek out and address the underlying issues that our country is facing. Perhaps if we shifted our focus into creating better paths for citizenship, better and more affordable health care and remove the stigma of mental illness. Rather than spending our resources building walls and excluding people we don't agree with. Then perhaps we can move forward with true progress.

-jm

Fighting the Darkness

Their is a lot of darkness in this world. Thankfully with Christ we have a light that can help us though that darkness. Perhaps if we put more of a focus on Him than the chaos that has always been the world. We can find some measure of peace and bring about real change and compassion to this troubled world we live in.

To easy

It is easy for someone like me to say that we should surrender all to Christ. All of our celebrations and our defeats. The challenge is turning words to action. We like to be in control of all things. Every aspect of our lives. With surrender we give up that control for something greater. Something far more profound. The road is not easy. But with Christ as our guide we can overcome the challenges. Surrender to Christ all things. For in all things there is Christ.

Protests

People who feel that violent protests are path to follow. Fail to understand the nature of the problems to begin with. Violence never solves problems. It takes existing issues and makes them worse. But in that same process creates new ones. The reality is message the protesters are trying to send gets lost in the destruction of property.

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