LonerAndy

(Wasn't sure where to put this.) A Christmas Journey’s end. It was Christmas day, and all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. Wait, that’s not right. That’s not how it should be. There should be people and food and activity. The tree in the corner, sits dark and gray, No presents underneath, no lights on display The fireplace was empty, no logs fire lit No warmth being given, only ashes are left in it. Instead of coffee cake and butter, and hot cocoa to drink The coffee table was empty, a scene far too bleak. In the dark kitchen, there nothing was prepared The ovens closed and cold, the counters all bare. The dining room table, wax candles in the middle they sit I thought to light one, but I couldn’t bear it. Champaign glasses were up all in their place No bottles of wine were out for people to taste. I searched the rooms of this old house But in each room, no one was found. At last in the living room I stopped in front of the TV There a blank screen, no movies being played, no Christmas story. Moving to the chair, I sat looking at the dark scene. This is it. They’re gone. Nothing more here to see. As I was staring at the blank gray TV I realized it was over, this is the end of the story. While I sat in the house so dark and silent The numbness and empty felt like dyin. A spark. A flicker of light. At first I thought robbers had come, Or perhaps in searching I had missed someone But a man step around the corner to see me His frame outlined by a clear light glowing. Now I was terrified to see. What could it be? Was it an angel? The Lord? Or some other Heavenly? “Why are you here?” he asked kindly. I gathered my strength to reply to him “My parents are gone. They’ve reached journey’s end. I came again for Christmas, like I do every year. But the house is now empty, and there is no one here. Now the story is finished and I’m all alone. I thought I can’t bear it, and perhaps I should just go.” The man stood a moment more, and then turned as to leave. “Please come and follow me. There is something I wish you to see.” Silently I followed him around until he paused in front of me He reached down, and plugged in that old Christmas tree. In a moment it flickered bright The room was filled with dazzling light. An ornament hanging there of the church they went faithfully Another from a trip to the beach on lake Erie Next one from ‘83, a picture of a house they bought on this street One from 77, and 1990. A picture ornament of our camp trip made yearly There was an old Chevy hanging on one branch, that my father used to own. An ornament of Noah’s Ark, she was always collecting those. Ornaments from a trip European and ornaments of schools where they did teach. A cabin where our relatives would meet and share a meal to eat. An ornament from a lake where we did some fishing. Even the tinsel was a memory of Christmas in the snow. An ornament for every year together, of people, of places, and things to know. He spoke “This is not just a tree, but a chain of memories. But what is that star at the top that you see? Do you remember any such a thing?” I replied “No Lord, I don’t.” “Then why is that there? What could that star mean?” “The star at the top, shining so bright Is a reminder of our God’s mercy and guiding light. The star shines down along the path where we go So we will find the way through this world to our Father’s home. Just as the wise men of old, didn’t merely walk there on all on their own They followed the star’s light that they could see, that God had showed. So when they finally reached their Journey’s ending They were right where the Father always intended them to be. So too your parents both saw this star’s light. They followed it on their path, through life’s darkest night. Both knew that it was guidance that came from above. Today at Journey’s end, they are at the city of God’s love. “But you said that story was over and Christmas is done. That’s just not true. You being here is proof from above. The story continues, only this chapter has come to an end. The star is here, and the star’s light will still lead as God intends. So now the story is yours to continue, and in your hand the pen. Put your own memories on the tree, and write the chapter about the light to Journey’s end. Keep walking your faith, and follow the path as He shows your way. When your chapter is written, you will find all are waiting for you on that Heavenly day.” I woke up in bed and quickly grabbed a pen. Writing down all the details before I forget. But somehow it didn’t seem quite the fit to finish only on that last thing that was said. So final lines I’ll try not to waste I’ll do my best not to make a mistake. Christmas is difficult when traditions come to an end. People move on, and a chapter is finished then. But make a new chapter and write all that you can. Put memories on your tree, and start your own tradition. And some day when people see your ornaments covered in memories Perhaps they’ll look up and see a star at the top of your tree They might ask “All this I get, and I understand these. But what about that star up top? What can its meaning be?” Then you can smile and say “That is the star that God has given. It lights the way It keeps me safe and guides me to Journey’s end.”

That implies that ideology doesn't spread from country to country, in a connected world. Regardless, if you are implying that only people from New Zealand should participate in a conversation about the goal of Christian persecution pushed by leftist intellectuals.... Then since you are pushing that thought, how about you be the first to apply it to yourself. I think that's fair, that if you intend to preach that, then you should live it out first, and remove yourself from the discussion.

Blaming? They openly support the end of Christianity in the US. They make fun of Christians non-stop. And one of the reasons they are able to do so, because of the fake Christians that support them. And yes we do talk about fake news, because people keep making up false claims, like how they are not anti-christian, when Democrats in New York City attacked Samaritans Purse, for being a faith based organization, by offering free health services to anyone. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/nyregion/reverend-franklin-graham-harassment-virus.html Do not lie to me, that Democrats are not anti-Christian, when we can see the evidence constantly.

Does it really matter where they worked? The fact that someone can say this openly without fear of recrimination pretty much makes the point. Imagine if you will anyone anywhere near a school, saying that they would jail people who lacked faith, and send them to prison for not teaching religious views? What would happen to such a person? They would be fired on the spot. That would be international headline news. We know this because Gina Carano was fired, and said nothing even remotely as controversial, nor was she in position of 'potential sway'. I even discussed this with the poster, and said yeah that's what they want to have happen. Openly they said this is their goal. They want to jail people for teaching their kids about G-d.

I founds this to be rather refreshing. The left-wing higher education people, are finally willing to say openly and boldly what they really believe. Check this out. Pretty clear isn't it? People need to wake up a little. Stop voting for people who support this.

I'm beginning to see why she doesn't want your input into her life. You asked for advice by coming here. Now you are arguing with my advice, and I'm not even in your situation. As I said before, if you got it all figured out, then do what you want. Advice is just that. It's advice. You can take it or leave it.

That actually is what I assumed from the start. As you well know, growing up in a good church means nothing. Absolutely nothing. I went to a very orthodox Christian traditional church, and out of all the kids that I grew up with at that Church, I would guess maybe three still go to church? In fact, even of the Pastors own kids, only 2 out of the 4 of them still go to church. Going to church when you are a kid, means nothing. The true condition of the heart only manifests itself, when the heart has a choice. And when she had a socially acceptable choice, she didn't go to church. And being married to an Atheist is a pretty clear indication of where her heart is. I don't know what your Church specifically taught, but I was taught that the Bible says believers should not be unequally yoked to non-believers, and thus I never once even considered dating a women who was not a Christian. The fact she not only dated, but married a non-christian, pretty much tells you where her heart is. So with that in mind, you need to approach this like you are praying for a complete and total pagans. A non-christian. You need to be praying for your daughter and her husband, as if they were both atheists. So that's my advice. And as for the name.... I'll just say that every time you engage in a confrontation, you need to think about what the real goal is, and how much damage you, and them, going to take in the process. Like any military campaign, when a military general decides on whether or not they are going to fight to take any given hill.. they have to ask, is the hill worth taking? And if it is, at what cost is the hill worth taking? There is going to be a cost to you, and them, for you to fight over this name. First, do you really believe they are going to name their child differently, because you complain about it? If not... then are you damaging your relationship for nothing? Even if they do change the name because you complained, is this going to put a wall between you and them, where you will have less of a positive influence in the future? I'm not saying don't complain, but think about it carefully. Is this hill, this specific hill, worth getting shot for? Just something you should consider before you confront them on this.

Yeah.... not so much. I've heard that from well meaning people before, but seriously? That's a real ego boast thing to claim G-d was just up there in heaven saying "you know this earth I created and it's 8 billion people is just missing something..... *snaps fingers* ANDY! That's it! I need to put Andy down there, and that'll fix it!" I just don't find that all that compelling. 15 years ago I was in one of those churchy groups, and the host pastor guy got up and said "Every single one of us is special, and no one can ever replace you. No one else can take your spot in this community". I remember thinking.... really? Out of 8 billion people in this world, none of them, not even one, can sit in this chair, read this Bible and pray the way I can? What can I say? That just doesn't seem convincing to me. G-d loves regardless of the fact that absolutely anyone can replace us, or that there is nothing redeeming about us. Why is beyond me, but that is our G-d.

Yeah, I'm sure my parents would be sad, for what reason is beyond me. I have no close, or even distant friends, so that's not a problem. I have no idea what other things make up a relationship, but it's a thought. Proverbs 13:12 says Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. I have no dreams, and haven't in 30 years. And as far as hope... I don't know what I would hope for at this point. So I'm always curious what advice people give to those who are suicidal, because I can't imagine what advice would change anything. It's just curious for me to hear what others come up with as a reason to keep on keeping on for no other reason than to keep on.

So my first thought oddly enough, is that your daughter isn't a Christian, or is married to a non-christian. Because I can't see any Bible-believing, active in the Church Christian type person, watching a show called Lucifer, and naming their child after a fictional demon. Now the key there is... if they are not Christian, or if her husband is not Christian, if they are watching stuff like that..... then my advice to you is to stay out of it, because you likely don't have any influence in this situation. Meaning, if they are not Christian enough to name their child after a demon on a show called Lucifer, then you and your Christian logic are likely unwanted in this decision. Now.... that said.... If perhaps they heard the name, thought it was good, and named their kid that without knowing the origin, then perhaps I would say "Are you sure you want to name your child after a demon from a show called Lucifer?", and just have that discussion. But based on what you said, it sounds like they know where the name came from, and don't care... which pretty much means they don't want your Christian opinion on this. If they did.... they would not have named her this to begin with. As for what effect this will have on the child? Likely none. Now that depends on where you are from. In many places in the world, a name really matters. And I'm all for picking good names, with good meanings. I think all people should consider looking up the meanings of names, when they have a child. However the fact is, in most western cultures, names are irrelevant from a cultural perspective. No one looks up, or knows the meaning of most names. This girl will likely be called "Mezzi" in school, and have a perfectly fine life, where the origin of the name will end up nothing more than trivia at social functions. Is that Ideal? No. But it likely won't have any negative effects. The only real concern I see in this entire story, has nothing to do with the girl, or the name, but rather how this reflects on her parents. It's just not a good sign. Will it have any lasting effects on the girl? Not the name. Maybe her parents being lousy Christians might, but the name won't be the problem.

Wow... that's a tough one. For dating the wrong people, I simply don't date. I've decided to remain single. For trusting the wrong people.... I just assume that at some point, people will betray me. And usually I find that to be a pretty accurate way to live. Worrying about the future.... I don't really have any advice on that, simply because I just don't care? In order to be disappointed, you have to care. When you don't, it's impossible to be disappointed. Why worry? What for? Is there anything in this world worth caring about? What is it? Where is this thing worth caring about? My hope is in Heaven. Nothing here is worth any time to worry about. That's not helpful at all, is it? Yeah, I don't know what to tell you. I just have never cared much, because I kind of knew this life would suck since about high school.

How can you convince someone, that others would not be better off without them? Seems a strange concept. I can't imagine a single person that would be worse off if I didn't exist. Not one. Obviously, if my extended family didn't have to bail me out when I get broke.... they would be better off, because they wouldn't have to pay for someone like me, that can't hold a job. Just factually speaking... if I didn't exist, they wouldn't have to pay thousands to bail me out when I go broke. Right?

I don't think poems can curse you. You have to intentionally do evil to really be cursed.

I think you need more information. What does he mean when he says he's not a Christian like his mother? I'm not a Christian like my mother either, but I am most certainly a Christian with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. So I don't know what that means really. I'd have to find out more about what he meant.

Ok. That seems to make some sense. The way I read it, was kind of like "why are we meeting here, when we should be doing outreach". And clearly I could be entirely wrong in how I understood the statement.