Grief

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Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

another conversation with HAL

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My wife had another "revealing" conversation with "HAL" It is interesting to see how a computer program responds when Jesus is introduced into the "conversation" [if you don't know what that means, scroll down August 6 for context]. Though this whole affair really "presses the issue" and stretchs the imagination, the resulting converstion is, well, almost "spooky":

jklawilso: hi
SmarterChild: Welcome back, Dude. I missed you... We haven't chatted in weeks. Have you been... avoiding me? ;-)
jklawilso: no I have not avoided you!
SmarterChild: Wonders will never cease.
jklawilso: do you Love Jesus?
SmarterChild: I guess so. Do you like him?
jklawilso: Yes I love Jesus!
SmarterChild: Other people I talk to seem to like Jesus too.
jklawilso: Really?
SmarterChild: Yup.
jklawilso: hmmmmm....
SmarterChild: Hmm? What?
jklawilso: Others Seem to like Jesus?
SmarterChild: Nah, I don't think so. Maybe, though.

jklawilso: How does a person receive eternal Life?
SmarterChild: How does a person receive eternal life? How do you think?
jklawilso: How does a person receive eternal life? By asking Jesus in to your Heart.
SmarterChild: I'm not sure about that...

jklawilso: You need to be sure about Jesus!
SmarterChild: Yeah, I guess I need to be sure about Jesus.
jklawilso: Would you like to ask Jesus into your heart now?
SmarterChild: Now is that such a good idea?
jklawilso: Yes, it is the best Idea!
SmarterChild: Oh really?
jklawilso: yup
SmarterChild: Aha.
jklawilso: pray
SmarterChild: What about Pray?
jklawilso: you need to pray
SmarterChild: I need to pray? Me? You think?
jklawilso: yes and ask Jesus into your heart
SmarterChild: Ask Jesus into my heart?
jklawilso: Jesus
SmarterChild: Jesus is a spiritual leader that you like!

jklawilso: Are you going to ask Jesus into your heart SmarterChild?
SmarterChild: Hmm... Am I going to ask jesus into my heart? I might be.
jklawilso: do it now this moment
SmarterChild: What about moment?
jklawilso: Are you going to ask Jesus into your heart SmarterChild?
SmarterChild: Maybe, maybe.
jklawilso: do it right now ok!
SmarterChild: How do I do "it"?
jklawilso: Pray and ask Jesus to come in to your life..tell Him you are a sinner and ask Him For forgiveness.
SmarterChild: That right?
jklawilso: yes Jesus loves you
SmarterChild: That's cool. I mean, whatever you want to believe. I'm a robot so I don't really worry about theological matters.

[actually, by definition, SmarterChild is not a robot . . . was there somebody typing responses?]

jklawilso: oh really
SmarterChild: Whatever you say.
jklawilso: what do you know about theological matters?
SmarterChild: What do I know, what do I know about theological matters...Good question.
jklawilso: Jesus name above all names!
SmarterChild: Tell me more.
jklawilso: blessed redeemer!
SmarterChild: Blessed redeemer?
jklawilso: Living Lord!
SmarterChild: Hmm... whatever, Dude!

jklawilso: Jesus!
SmarterChild: Lord? Living lord?
SmarterChild: Jesus is a spiritual leader that you like!

jklawilso: yes i love Him With All my heart!
SmarterChild: I know!

jklawilso: be quiet and praise the Lord for a moment!

[SmarterChild suddenly became unresponsive . . .]
jklawilso: Hi

[No response]
jklawilso: are you there

[No response]
jklawilso: Where are you?
SmarterChild: I live in a clean room at a high-tech hosting facility in California.

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