Letter to Pope Francis

Dear Pope Francis,

I appreciate you coming in peace to get us back on track again and we welcomed you with open arms and clear eyes.

I am a Methodist and a Lutheran, a mixed denomination person who has his criticisms of the Catholic Church, however, is very supportive of SOME of the positions you take. To be frank, I haven't got a problem with the church, it's just you do things differently than other religions...

First of all, I appreciate your stance on abortions. There's a thing called the "sanctity of human life" and planned parenthood has VIOLATED that sanctity several times by selling baby parts and live tissue. I don't really have an official stance on the right of abortion, but I seem to be getting to be more pro life than anything. Personally, if a girl is raped, has a baby, and she doesn't want it: Why kill it? Give it up for adoption if they don't feel they can handle the stress.

Second, I am very happy that you took a stand with the Lutheran church on the joint justification of the doctrine. Seems like you are very much doing your very best to make peace with the church that broke away from you over 600 years ago. But do not think of Reformation Day as a day of thievery by the Lutheran Church, think of it as a day in which new religious denominations were founded that prayed to the same god yet under differentiating circumstances. Understand

Third, It's time for you to back off from politics. You are head of a church, not a politician. Your job is to spread peace to the world, make nice to the warring nations, and keep the peace between the religions. It's not your job to tell politicians to tell us what we should and shouldn't do. As the head of the catholic church, you have one job, pray for the world and hope peace comes to it.

Finally, thank you for coming to America. I hope that Ben's Chili Bowl, Pat's, Geno's, and others were good to your tasting and also you had a great load of fans who appreciated everything you did.

I also found it really amazing that you... Instead of eating with congress... you ate with the homeless. That got me very happy. Thank you for coming to America and please visit soon again, we'd love to have you again.

~ Joshua

NFL Week 1 - Let the games begin!

Hello,

Picks will be posted every Wednesday during the football season

Note: These picks are for fun and FUN ONLY, do not ask me to help you out with fantasy football, fanduel, draftkings, or anything else. I only do picks because I can.

Opening Statement:

The NFL regular season has begun and with 256 games to Super Bowl 50 in San Francisco, California. Are we ready for some football? I am. The excitement factor will be based off of a 0 to 10 rating. So grab some wings, popcorn, and other munchies... Get a beer or two... It's time for some football!

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WEEK 1 GAMES (Team on right is the home team)
Wins are worth 2 points

Pittsburgh vs. New England (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 9.0)
Foxborough, Massachusetts - 8:30pm - Thursday
Selection: New England
Score: 37-29

Indianapolis vs. Buffalo (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 5.3)
Orchard Park, New York - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: Indianapolis
Score: 26-21

Green Bay vs. Chicago (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 6.2)
Chicago, Illinois - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: Green Bay
Score: 31-13

Kansas City vs. Houston (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 4.1)
Houston, Texas - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: Houston
Score: 27-17

Carolina vs. Jacksonville (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 3.0)
Jacksonville, Florida - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: Carolina
Score: 30-21

Cleveland vs. New York-AFC (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 3.2)
East Rutherford, New Jersey - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: New York-AFC
Score: 25-15

Seattle vs. St. Louis (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 7.4)
St. Louis, Missouri - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: Seattle
Score: 26-21

Miami vs. Washington (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 6.0)
Landover, Maryland - 1:00pm - Sunday
Selection: Miami
Score: 24-13

New Orleans vs. Arizona (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 6.8)
Glendale, Arizona - 4:05pm - Sunday
Selection: New Orleans
Score: 30-27

Detroit vs. San Diego (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 7.5)
San Diego, California - 4:05pm - Sunday
Selection: Detroit (UPSET SPECIAL)
Score: 27-26

Baltimore vs. Denver (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 8.4)
Denver, Colorado - 4:25pm - Sunday
Selection: Baltimore
Score: 34-21

Cincinnati vs. Oakland (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 5.0)
Oakland, California - 4:25pm - Sunday
Selection: Oakland
Score: 26-16

Tennessee vs. Tampa Bay (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 2.4)
Tampa Bay, Florida - 4:25pm - Sunday
Selection: Tampa Bay
Score: 19-16

New York-NFC vs. Dallas (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 8.1)
Arlington, Texas - 8:30pm - Sunday
Selection: Dallas
Score: 33-26

Philadelphia vs. Atlanta (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 7.9)
Atlanta, Georgia - 7:00pm - Monday
Selection: Atlanta
Score: 34-28

Minnesota vs. San Francisco (EXCITEMENT FACTOR: 9.1)
Santa Clara, California - 10:20pm - Monday
Selection: Minnesota
Score: 30-20

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Final scores along with the previous picks will be posted on the next Wednesday's selections along with the next week's picks.

~ Joshua

Questions to the Editor: End of Summer Edition

As in all past entries... the person wishes to remain anonymous.

Person: Yep! Been a long time! Where have you been??

Me: Busy, working, new job, buying a house, drinking beer, vacation...

Person: You've been through a lot, it seems.

Me: You can say that.

Person: So what is with you and fall. Why do you dislike fall so much...? Don't you like the colors and stuff like so.

Me: While I am fine with the colors and the upcoming events... I don't think many understand that you just can't wish your life away. I know that my wedding is coming up in November but... I really want to just enjoy each day that comes and goes. I wish people would understand that. I post stuff to say: Hey folks, ENJOY life!!! One day at a time! It's 96 degrees and people are still at the beach! BEGONE WITH YOUR PUMPKIN TREATS! Everyone says I have a problem with fall. No I have a problem with people wishing their lives away. I see all these posts of: Oh I just can't wait for autumn, the crisp air, and snuggles... To me: These people want to wish their lives away.

Life is short, take it one day at a time, and enjoy what's in front of you.

Person: Don't you feel like you are upsetting people?

Me: Me? Come on... I just want people to realize, life is short, don't waste it away.

Person: So what would be your idea to fix this?

Me: Start selling the pumpkin spice stuff at the START of fall (September 23) and not before. Mind you, it's not even real pumpkin flavor... it's just cinnamon flavoring that knows somebody... Just like champagne, it's ginger ale that knows someone.

Person: Wedding's getting close. You excited?

Me: With 61 days to go, I'm taking it a day at a time. You know, we started at 439 days, and we are this close. It's not really hit me yet.

Person: Have your schedule together???

Me: Yep, I'll begin with a gym day from 6:00-8:00, I will probably have my opening statement all written out and posted at 7:00am. At 8:25, after I depart the gym, ill pick up donuts and orange juice for the men. At 8:45, I'll get myself a shower and all spruced up... I want all my guys there by 9:00-9:15... this way we're all set to go as soon as the limo gets in (10:30am sharp). Wedding is at 11am.

Person: Looking forward to football season?

Me: Yep, Ravens had a 1-3 preseason but that's ok, I'm looking at the bright side because every preseason that the team has managed 0, 1, or 2 preseason wins, they've averaged 10 to 12 wins and got a playoff berth.

Person: How about college football?

Me: My expectations with Maryland aren't as high, but I'd like to see them get to 6+ wins to get themselves a bowl. I'm hoping that the game vs. Rutgers last year when we blew the lead wasn't a turn of events for what's to come this season. I really just like watching college football all together because it's great to see what the kids can do before the NFL.

Person: I know you are a college basketball person, so what's your take on the upcoming Maryland Terrapins season after a surprising 2nd place finish in the Big 10.

Me: Yep. I was very surprised that the Terrapins did so good when people picked them to finish 8th or worse. There were lazy players the previous season and Turgeon fired them pretty much. I didn't think they would have a team with all the losses. But the moves the Terps made along the way with a highly ranked recruiting class.

Person: So how's the house coming along?

Me: It's pretty much done. Can't thank my fiance's mom and my fiance herself for doing the painting. Lord knows I am no good at it.

Person: With the fall coming up, what's some events you are looking forward to, aside from the wedding and honeymoon?

Me: Of course Thanksgiving with the fam, Christ the King Sunday, and the start of Advent. I like Advent because the vestments are happy and we are singing songs of great joy. Before which, we have to get through Thanksgiving and all that food.

Person: You're planning on doing some working out beforehand right?

Me: Yep, get up nice and early, get a long workout in, try to get at least 3 or 4 hours in.

Person: Are you going to be...

Me: If you say, my usual blogs about Thanksgiving, buckets of gratitude, Christmas, letters from Bethlehem, and etc... Yeah, you're right.

Person: I can't wait to read them.

Me: Got to write them first.

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Until next time, this has been questions to the editor.

~ J

28 years, 2 homes, and now a new era begins.

Hello,

September 4th marked the last time I ever slept in my bed at my parents place... I remember that day in 1991, when we left our previous house for the new one.

I remember the last days we were at the old house...

Going over to the park...

My mom cooking in the kitchen...

Eating a calzone hurriedly so we could go to my grandmother's pool.

The times we played Nintendo in the basement...

My mom watching "The Young and the Restless" on the portable television with the channel knob on the side.

Coming home after Christmas Eve...

The sharp television for which either had it on Channel 11 or 13... HRC, IRC, Cable...

A lot of things I remember about the old house.

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The current house?

I will remember the days we played Nintendo, Super Nintendo, and beyond in the living room...

The days we had the Maurers and the Grabs over.

The family Christmas parties we threw...

The family Thanksgivings...

Everything...

Those days... well, they were great but a new era is beginning.

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That era is over... It's all over and things will be totally different. It's already different because of the fact that I won't be sleeping in my own bed at my parents place... I'll be sleeping on a futon for a bit until we can get larger bed for my wife and I down the road.

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Am I sad that this is happening? Yes. But I know that my mom and dad know that their 28-year old has grown up and is ready to start his new life. I kept saying that it was time to push play on life and I will be pushing play on it now.

Things, yes... it just don't feel like it's going to be the same anymore. Waking up in a house that you've barely spent any time in... no internet or anything... it's just going to be different for awhile.

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November 7th is right around the corner. Am I getting nerve-wrecked? No.

I know that I am marrying a wonderful woman in Joanna. I wrote a great letter to her that will be delivered to her on the wedding day.

I'm looking forward to seeing all of my friends and family there. Looking forward to everything.

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But it's time to say good-bye to a home I called for 24 years... a home I will still visit from time to time, but... I guess the time is here to begin a new era. It's going to be right goofy going down 295 to 166 to get home.

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~ Joshua

Sunday Sermon: Where's our patriotism?

Good Evening,

Picture if you will... where you were on 9/11. Just picture it for a minute.

It was a beautiful morning, not a cloud in the sky, and I was on my way to my 2nd full week at Western Tech High School as a 9th grader. I remember being in American Government class which was very ironic because we were assigned a project (which I didn't do...) in regards to George W. Bush. Class was over at 9:00am, while the attacks were currently ongoing.

Then I remember around 9:05, the morning announcements were done but no mention of the attacks (which was a very smart move by our principal) to try to keep us calm. But something was itching at me that something just didn't seem right. Today felt ok, but something was nudging at me saying: "Hey Josh, something's wrong..."

Something was wrong... The WTC towers in NYC were attacked by Islamic extremists and Osama Bin Laden.

The situation was dire as many people were trapped inside the towers and I knew that a lot of people were going to pass on that day.

Then it got worse... The Pentagon was attacked.

It was a very serious situation that just couldn't seem to get any worse... Then it did when another plane about 80 miles from Pittsburgh was overtaken by the Islamic extremists by retaken by the passengers on the plane but they couldn't stop it and it crashed at 600 mph.

By 12:00pm, my mother was taking no chances and took me out of school. Mom pushed me into the car and told me what happened. We came home and on the television... the same towers I visited back in 8th grade... were gone.

Nearly 3,000 were killed... many were displaced... bodies still haven't been claimed... 9/11 was a complete disaster.

Later that evening, it was silent in the skies... not a plane to be heard... It was deafeningly silent and very scary. The full ground stop grounded all the airplanes.

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Our patriotism on the days prior were lacking... we didn't have many American flags flying and it was just at all-time lows... We thought that our nation couldn't possibly be attacked... Well, were we ever wrong.

9/11 brought back the great patriotism that America needs to seriously be showing again. What will it take to bring back patriotism in America. I see the American flag being desecrated in so many ways... We're in America, this is the land of the free, and the home of the brave... Why in God's name are we doing such despicable acts with our American flag... Why are so many people getting offended by the flag of our nation?!

Do this in any other country and you will get destroyed like nobody's business!

It's popping up all over social media.

1. I am seeing pictures of people on facebook shoving the flag up their rear end

2. People stepping on the flag

3. People burning the flag.

Come on people, where IS YOUR PATRIOTISM! Do you not understand what this flag means to our nation? Honestly? Do you not understand? Think of all the military men and women who sacrificed THEIR LIVES to SERVE AND PROTECT!!!

What about our firefighters... police officers...? They sacrificed their lives on 9/11 as well! I've had enough of this flag desecration! Why aren't we punishing people for this!?

Fly the flag on 9/11 and every day of the week. Remember, this is the country YOU LIVE IN! Remember all the men and women that have sacrificed THEIR LIVES for that flag.

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9/11 is also NOT AN ANNIVERSARY... It is a not even considered a federal and public holiday... For which I don't understand. We call it Patriot Day but there's just no federal recognition for it to become a public holiday of sorts.

It is an extremely significant day in our nation's history.

Why are we calling something an anniversary when it was a dark day?

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I ask everyone, no matter how old or young you were on 9/11, to fly the flag that our forefathers bore and our military defends today.

It is really sad that our flag continues to be ignored as a piece of our history. Not to mention the fact that people are literally being asked to take it down because "IT OFFENDS"

You know what, if someone tells you that the flag offends... Tell them: "Sorry, this is the flag that my country hails... I will not take it down."

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On this 9/11, 14 years later, remember those who perished... say a prayer for the nation... and hope that this never happens again...

Thank you

~ Joshua