Ale for the Soul

Thank you, Joe, my old, dear friend, for those mostly undeserved kind words. Vice President Biden and I have known each other for a lot of years now, more than forty, if you’re counting. We knew each other back when we were young and handsome and smarter than everyone else but were too modest to say so.   Joe was already a senator, and I was the Navy’s liaison to the Senate. My duties included escorting senate delegations on overseas trips, and in that capacity, I supervised the disposition of the delegation’s luggage, which could require – now and again – when no one of lower rank was available for the job – that I carry someone worthy’s bag. Once or twice that worthy turned out to be the young senator from Delaware. I’ve resented it ever since.   Joe has heard me joke about that before. I hope he has heard, too, my profession of gratitude for his friendship these many years. It has meant a lot to me. We served in the Senate together for over twenty years, during some eventful times,

Regardless of religious belief, I hope my readership finds rest and rejuvenation on the wonderful Sabbath day.  The institution of such days were premised on no labor of any kind.  Unfortunately, I have already violated the intention of such a day of rest.  However, the integrity of the spirit of the day remains intact as I take care of a few odds and ends with joy as a act of worship toward my God and King.  The previous year, and no less the previous week, has been one of transition as I attempt to find footing in gainful, prosperous employment and satisfaction in social activities, mostly church related.  As I look toward a new week, I am tying up several loose ends to calm the mental anxiety of leaving responsibilities abrogated, undone, or quite simply to combat the behavior of laziness and procrastination.  Yes, yours truly is guilty of such irresponsible actions.  Whenever my mother and I talk, we always proclaim how much we have to do but are rarely in the mood to undertake.  O

The hoped for dream of a triumphant return to the shoe business came crashing down around me.  Unbeknownst to me at the beginning of the day, Thursday's shift was to be my last one.  I take equal responsibility for the failed effort; however, some companies simply aren't a good match for retail professionals who have made their living selling what they know best.  In this case, a shoe company may not be a good fit for an artisan who has been in the industry for years and sometimes decades.  Unfortunately, sometimes regardless of any prior research, one can not truly know this without jumping in feet first.  The good news out of all this is the new job I was offered yesterday evening.  It is with Paladin Cigars.  Yes, a return to the cigar and pipe industry.  I am amazed at the provision of Almighty God and how undeserving I am of His gracious and merciful blessing(s).  Until I begin work on Monday, I will enjoy a few days off tying up a bunch of loose ends around the apartment.

These attributes are elusive and somewhat fleeting as I continue to try finding fulfillment in life.  Ultimately, contentment and joy are found in a relationship with Almighty God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  However, how do I find that haven of rest in what many would consider the intangible, invisible realm?  (Many would say, if it's even there at all.)  That's a great question, and the answer is that the spiritual life isn't as unreal as many claim.  To realize that materialization of spirituality, I must look for the seemingly minor details of life where God is at work in my own personal daily life.  In a world of instant gratification and satisfaction that seeps through one's fingers like sand, a resolve to live according to a higher, eternal standard is a must.  Transcendence is hard to focus on while the world is so in my face every day.  Work, relationships, and a whole host of other "fill-in-the-blanks" won't ever perfectly replace the rightful pla

President Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Speaker Edelstein, Leader Herzog, members of the Knesset, justices of the Supreme Court, citizens of Israel it is deeply humbling for me to stand before this vibrant democracy to have the great honor to address this Knesset, the first vice president of the United States to be afforded that privilege here in Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel. And I bring greetings from a leader who has done more to bring our two great countries closer together than any president in the past 70 years – the 45th president of the United States of America, President Donald Trump.  Thanks to the president’s leadership, the alliance between our two countries has never been stronger, and the friendship between our peoples has never been deeper. And I am here to convey a simple message from the heart of the American people: America stands with Israel. We stand with Israel because your cause is our cause, your values are our values, and your fight is