Bookends

 

     In the spring of this year (2024), I was contemplating reading through the Bible again. As the thought occurred to me, I was reminded of my friend who told me that he had read through the Bible more that 60 times. The very next day, I heard of his passing. This spurred me on to get started and I am now more that 1/4 the way through. I am disciplined to do a bit every day but am not hurrying. Once again I am discovering things that I seemed to have not read the last number of times I have done this. 

     Every so often, a truth will jump up and grab me, something I may have known or heard in the past, but suddenly a new appreciation or insight will make me sit up and take notice. This time, it is about "Where does God reside?"

     Encounters with God were numerous and varied throughout the Old Testament. God was in the 'burning bush' when He spoke to Moses. He was in the pillar of cloud and fire for the Israelites when they crossed the wilderness on their way to the promised land. He was on the mountain in the thunder when Moses was on Mt. Saini. Then He dwelt in the Tabernacle that the Israelites built to exacting standards. Later, Solomon built the temple where the worship of God took place in the 'Holy of Holies', guarded by a curtain or veil, and none but the most high priests were allowed in.  

     The account of Christ's crucifixion talks about this 'veil being torn'. This is in reference to the fact that access to God is no longer through the Temple and through the High Priests, but now there is access to God for all. God was let out, or, we were let in, when the veil was torn. Christ's dwelling place is now in the hearts of his believers, his church universal. 

     The Bible is a collection of 66 books, written by 40 authors, over a period of 1500 years and yet the unified message and theme is unmistakable. The entire narrative is sandwiched between two bookends. It is about God and his relationship with his ultimate creation, mankind. The bookend at the beginning of this collection of books is 'God with Adam and Eve, in the cool of the day', communing without any encumbrances. Then, sin entered the picture and the sweet personal relationship with their creator was broken. The way back to that relationship is through Jesus and his death on the cross and his resurrection which paid the debt for sin and conquered death. The relationship is restored for those who believe, but it gets better. The bookend at the end of the Bible is this. Revelation 21: 3 "Now, the dwelling place of God is with men, and He will live with them"  In the beginning God dwelt with men, and in end God will dwell with men, but this time, it will be for forever.  Matching bookends to the greatest story ever told.  

      

On Election Day 2024

An election can feel like a bend in the road, a choosing of a new direction, or staying the course and enduring (or enjoying) another term of the status quo. The election in the USA today is looking a lot like a pivotal crossroads. Harris and Walz are relatively unknowns especially since they seem incapable of articulating any policy or specifics on how they are going to do what they say they are going to do. Harris has had a chance to implement positive changes as Vice President under Joe Biden, but has not been perceived as a doer or even an idea person in her four years in that roll.  Can it then be concluded that the next four years will be similar to the last four years if she wins? It seems to me that America has declined in those years in many areas.

Then there is Donald Trump. He is a known quantity as he was president for 4 years and has a track record. 

The polarization and antagonism between the two camps has never been so palpable. The final outcome of the election could result in rioting in the streets, no matter who wins, and both sides have a history of this kind of 'sore loser' behavior. As I write this, there are maps being published on where riots are likely to occur after the results of the election are known.

At best, we will know in a few hours who won. At worst, it will be days or weeks as recounts and judicial recounts and court cases are ramped up to clear up any perceived hanky panky at the ballot box. 

Regardless, America will be changed from what it is or even what it was. The forces that are driving division in the population are going to be strengthened, one way or the other. I lay the blame for this at the feet of the media, who have never in their history been so blatantly biased on every news story. We need to get back to investigative, unbiased journalism so that everyone gets both sides of every story. The voter is not stupid and given accurate information about any issue, is quite capable of making an informed decision based on critical thinking. At least, that is the way it used to be when paper ballots were cast by citizens who were registered voters, and we knew the winner hours after the voting stations were closed.  
 

Cruising home

Each time we left a port of call, whether it was Kauai above, or Oahu below, I felt a bit of sadness because I did not know if we would ever be back. It is such a different world from our home and I realize that one can be content anywhere and home is more than location. 

Already I miss the sunsets, sunrises, and the vast stretches of open ocean, seeing nothing on the horizon in every direction for days on end. I miss the different shades of blue reflected in the water depending on location, lighting, and time of day. 

I miss the gentle rolling of the ship which seemed to be ever present. Neither of us were even remotely seasick on the whole voyage. 

I loved the 12-15 ft. seas with spindrift blowing off the curls. I could watch it for hours. We even saw a few flying fish in the middle of nowhere. 

The sunsets were now behind us instead of before us. Each morning we would awake to a day that was a few degrees cooler than the one before, and eventually, all thoughts of sunning by the poolside were put away. We had a wonderful time, an experience we will never forget. We highly recommend this particular trip and heartily endorse Holland America Cruise lines. Our ship, the Koningsdam, was beautiful in every respect and we would not hesitate for a moment if we ever had the chance to sail her again. Have I become a "cruiser"?  The jury is still out on that, but perhaps again, only not frequently. It's not for everyone. When I hear of folks who have gone on 30 plus cruises, I shake my head and know for a certainly that could never be me. But, as an infrequent vacation, it is a good thing. 

 

Hilo

The last stop on our Island tour was Hilo, also on the big island. Our port was a few kilometers from anything of interest but it was a cooler day with a light shower every so often and we were up for a long walk, umbrella at the ready. 

The skies were beginning to break up as we came across this lagoon. Very pretty, with our ship in the background.

More colorful trees in full bloom. 

There were signs warning of falling coconuts, but this one was staged. 

There was a strong current in this lagoon with the tide going out. Just beyond, there was some very high pounding surf as it hit a breakwater. 

We found the largest Japanese Gardens in the state of Hawaii and they did not disappoint. The little storm had passed so the water was calm and reflective. 

The large drops of water on the leaves show that a shower had just passed

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The trees of Hawaii are so impressive, but the Hawaiians might say the same of our massive Cedars, Maples, and Firs here in BC. The difference is that our trees grow up and theirs grow sideways. 

We were sure we were seeing another cruise ship in the distance, but as we got closer, we realized that it was a hotel meant to look like a cruise ship. And it certainly did!

These Rainbow Shower trees were quite common but each time I saw one I had to take a photo. I think they were in their peak. Hilo and Kona, both, were places I would consider for a longer term vacation in the future. Fewer people, less traffic, and more unspoiled wilderness. And did I mention the crystal clear waters....so beautiful. 
 

Kona

Kona, Big Island of Hawaii, was the only port that required us to be tendered to shore. It was quick and efficient, and surprising to see so many handicapped folks daring to hop on board with the heaving seas. There were plenty of crew to assist and nobody fell overboard, that we knew of. 

This couple was not talkative, but didn't seem to mind getting their photo taken with busylizzy. 

That's a long way to swim if we don't catch the last tender at 5:30!

An impressive tree, with massive buttress roots to hold it up in any tropical storm. 

Java Sparrows in a feeding frenzy. 

A close up of the beach in Kona. It was comprised of broken pieces of coral, bits of shell, and various shades of volcanic rock pieces. 

The first Congregational Church in Hawaii built in the late 1800's. We talked to a fine gentleman outside who was handing out tracts. We would have been welcome to go inside but it was undergoing a restoration and was closed to the public. 

Again, Paradise. 

We were certainly struck with the clarity and color of the water here. Like nothing I have ever seen. 

Swamp Mangroves, with possibly some rodent deterrent on the trunks. 

Again marveling at the clarity of the water, and so cool, without being cold, to refresh a couple of pairs of hot feet. 

A beautiful statue of St. Michael on the grounds of the Catholic church. 

When a cruise ship arrives, the sleepy little streets and shops come alive with tourists bearing cameras and credit cards. 

House plants that we baby at home, thrive and multiply here in the hot and humid climate. And what would a trip to Kona be without a black lava beach. Alas, my idea of purchasing some excellent Kona coffee in Kona, no less, was thwarted when I saw the price. Can$ 80.00 for less than a lb. However, I will never forget the rich aroma in the Kona Coffee store, with the many varieties of roasts and flavors.

 

Kauai

The next stop was two days on the Island of Kauai, the garden island. And, true to its reputation, the first time we tried to disembark from the ship, we got drenched in a warm tropical downpour. We had not gone 20 yards past the gangway and we turned back. Our umbrella was useless as the horizontal rain drenched us in a few minutes. But these showers are as short as they are intense, and after we dried off in the cool dry environment of the ship, we set out again, this time with success.  

We walked 19,000 steps that day and began with a stroll through the Marriot resort less than a Kilometer from the cruise ship terminal. 

This is an older but beautiful resort on a fabulous piece of property. 

From there, we trekked up a very long hill to the sleepy little town of Lihue. It was a Sunday and the only action was a street vendor selling BBQ chicken in an empty parking lot. The town looked depressed with many businesses boarded up. A few businesses nearer the cruise ship terminal were faring much better. 

Of note, in Lihue, were a few historical building and a museum which was closed. Kauai had its own king and queen, memorialized with statues

As you can see by the photos, Kauai is a tropical paradise, as evidenced by the lush and beautiful flora.