Joseph - Jesus' Caretaker and Protector

Mary is highly respected as the mother of Jesus, but we must not forget Joseph's role as caretaker of the family. In fact, Joseph had more visions than Mary regarding Jesus and the family. And his role as protector, was vital in the early years of Jesus.

Joseph took a liking to Mary, a young woman in the village. He was a bachelor,  who was a carpenter and had enough money for a home. He asked Mary's hand in marriage, and she accepted his offer. Jewish custom observed that they were now pledged to each other. However, Mary needed to go see her aunt Elizabeth, before they formally became man and wife. This time away would also allow him to finish his house for them.  

Unfortunately, after a few months away, Mary returned pregnant. The town wanted to stone her for her adulterous behavior, but Joseph had his first vision. An Angel said that all was well and that she was impregnated by the Holy Spirit of God, and to name him Jesus. He decided to drop any charges against her and took the baby as his own.

When Caesar Augustus pronounced that a census be taken, he took Mary from Nazareth and went back to his home town in Bethlehem. It was there that Mary had the baby.  Sheep herders came to visit, proclaiming Angels told them about the baby and it's greatness for their people.

Eight days later they circumcised Jesus. 40 days after his birth brought him to the Temple in Jerusalem and offered two doves for the rite of purification.  It was there that an older man named Simeon asked to hold Jesus...he proclaimed that his eyes had seen the Messiah of Israel and the light to the Gentiles. A prophetess named Anna also saw Jesus and mention Jesus would bring redemption to Jerusalem. Both these people confirmed what Joseph had already learned from the angel.

Between, 6 and 12 months Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus now lived in a Bethlehem house. The Bible does not say whether it is his or his extended family's home. That's when three Magi from the east showed up to worship and give presents to the child...gold, myrrh, and frankincense. 

Soon after, Joseph received the second vision from an Angel who warned him of death...that they should leave for Egypt. Joseph took his family and lived in Egypt until it was safe. While they were away, news spread that King Herod killed many babies (up to two years old) in Bethlehem.

A few years later, and after the death of King Herod, Joseph received the third vision, and was told to return to Israel.Joseph obeyed, but avoided Bethlehem and journeyed back to Nazareth instead; where they lived for many years.

Every year, back in Israel, Joseph took his family to the temple in Jerusalem. Being of lower status, they could only afford a dove for their sacrificial animal. Jesus continued to absorb all of the scriptures in the Hebrew Bible. 

When Jesus was 12, Joseph and Mary were returning with a caravan of people and thought Jesus was with one of his cousins...maybe even John, since they were both dedicated to their faith. When Mary and Joseph couldn't find Jesus in the caravan, they traced their steps back to the Temple, hoping to find him safe - either along the way or in Jerusalem. Their search ended when they found Jesus in the Temple, questioning the Rabbinic leaders on passages of scripture. 

Even though people marveled at Jesus' brilliant mind, Mary reprimanded Jesus for leaving them. However, Joseph and Mary were reminded that Jesus had a greater purpose - by Jesus himself -  who said his duty was to his Father (meaning Father/God). Regardless, Jesus understood how it worried his parents and never left them like that again.

Joseph and Mary had other children (James, Joses, Judas, and Simon and unnamed sisters), who not only were second in line to Jesus, but had to look up to Jesus as a big brother who did everything righteously. Jesus was highly respected in the community as a religious person, who one day could have taught scripture to others in the community. 

Joseph died when Jesus was a young man. And yet he imparted all his knowledge of carpentry to Jesus before he died. Joseph was undoubtedly proud of how Jesus grew to be worthy of being the Messiah. Joseph knew of his role as step father, and was selfless in his duty to protect Jesus for his son's future role. With visions from angels, and confirmations from godly people, not to mention esteem magi from the east, it was evident he knew Jesus would one day be the Sacrificial Lamb for their nation.

A Tribute to Rob

I recently learned that Rob Beadle, my best friend in high school, died. 

We hung out together and I got into mischief with him like no other friend.  We blew up a stump with pipe bomb when the Fox Hills community was just being built. When we lit the fuse, we ran back 100ft and watched as a huge KABOOM preceded a giant mushroom cloud...pieces of stump flying in every direction. Stunned at the destruction, we took off running before the police could arrive.

At Halloween, we met up with Dave Gillihan and Tony Clasen - more mishief. At one point we threw a smoke bomb in between a front door and a glass door, then rang the door bell. The owner was ticked and shouted out some choice words to Rob and I as we were halfway down the street. He caught sight of Dave and Tony and ran after them. Rob and I watched from the shadows as Dave zoomed by. Next Tony, a few seconds behind - followed closely by the offended homeowner. When we met up with Dave and Tony, the homeowner just put his hand on Tony as he broke through some vines and escaped.

In High School Betsy Warner and some of the girls asked me to join rally. I thought it was a ridiculous idea, but I figured I'd pass the rejection onto Rob. I said, "I'll do it if Rob does." They ran over to Rob and asked him and, to my astonishment, he said yes. I assumed he would say no, but the next thing I knew, we were running out to the basketball court shouting slogans to the crowd. I hated it...but loved being around Rob. His enthusiasm was contagious and everyone at school liked him. I wasn't sure of myself and I sure wasn't sure why he liked to hang around with me. Maybe he saw something in me that I didn't. 

In high school Rob was into karate and self defense. He showed me how to use nunchucks and throw Ninja stars. One time he took me and another buddy Scott Hansen down to his parents basement and gave us some boxing gloves. I didn't know what I was doing, but as we sparred Scott laid a nice jab on me. Not realizing my adrenaline kicked in, I rushed forward quickly to attack him with a primal blow. Luckily Rob saw my intentions and broke it up to calm me down before Scott hurt me worse. That's what a friend is for...to protect you before you make a big mistake.

Of course he couldn't always protect me. We took up skiing lessons together and went every week up the mountain to race down the hill. After high school we went up when Timberline had very little snow. It was the end of the day and we raced down to the bottom. But I had gone so fast I didn't realize I was heading for a rock field and bounced then tumbled over and over until I crumbled to a stop. Rob sat by my side until the Ski Patrol arrived and escorted me in a sled to the lodge. He drove me home after the accident on my head...later I  went to the emergency room. I still remember limping into my parents' living room with him helping me in. "Don't worry mom, I'm okay," I said with a temporary bandage covering my bloody head.  

While attending  Portland Community College, Rob was doing a story for the college paper. Earlier in the week we went rafting down the Clackamas river. I like to paint and was taking some art classes along with my business classes. Little did I know, the next paper's headline was "Artist Get's into Scene" plastered across the top, with a photo of me going down some rapids. Accompanied was a story of how before I do a painting, I like to physically experience the landscape. It was all made up without my knowledge; but I was so impressed with the story, I thought that maybe I should follow his advice. 

 He went into the Army, but talked me out of joining because he knew the Navy was better for me. And yet, after our stint in the service, we both ended up being electricians - him a lineman and me in maintenance. Every other year, out of the blue, I'd get a call from him...usually after he had a near death experience. One example went something like this:

Rob: "Hey Gary, how are you?" 

Me: "Okay Rob, what happened?" 

Rob: "Well, I was on my way to the hospital in an ambulance and I was thinking of you...." and he'd precede to tell me about the huge wrench dropped on his face when he looked up at a lineman from a tower that called down "Look out below!"

Whenever I'd hook up with him through the years, he'd have a disfigurement...maybe a scar on his head - I think that was the motorcycle accident. I never knew how he was going to leave this world, but assumed it would be in fantastic fashion. Nevertheless, after each near death story he told, he usually followed it up with relationships, friendship, etc.

As I write through these tears, the emotions stir up more stories that are more detailed, more funny, more drunken, more thought provoking, but I think you get the idea. I'm not sure how I even met Rob, but through time, I found religion - he didn't, and we slowly drifted away...but not completely. The last time I saw him was at a High School Reunion. He was overweight and difficult to recognize - until he laughed and mentioned something witty...then the  same old Rob peeked through. 

In the last several years, after trying to locate him without avail, I thought maybe he ended up in some foreign land. He could and would do something like that.

High School was tough, but life is even tougher; so his death reminds me to cherish those around us at every moment. One thing is for sure, we always loved each other like brothers, and I'm going to miss him.

Peace for America

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9

In my experience, Peace is not given, but earned. Conflict will escalate into hate only if the offended party allows it. It is obvious that America is suffering from escalating negative emotions that, in the last several years, have crept into our lives and homes.

After the 2016 presidential election, the disappointment in the losing candidate has had the added effect of fostering loud vocal anger, in print, on social websites, the workplace, institutions of learning, in large public speaking arenas, and even in the major media.

I was on a Facebook news site and noticed how the political left and right jabbed at each other...mercilessly. When I stepped back to analyze the comments individually, it reminded me of a friend of mine who pointed out how we all are like a symphony. He said if C,E, and G are played separately, we would only hear one note at a time, but when they are played together, it became a C major chord. 

So too is the importance of seeing all sides of a situation to really understand the breadth and depth of an issue. With only one view, all of us are stiffed from gaining the fullness of answers. 

It is difficult to assess why there is so much anger. I have thought that it may just be disappointment or fear of the unknown. Another more sinister theory is that society itself is changing and causing a schism in social norms, forcing a rift or battle for power. This kind of assessment would require an in-depth social/physiological study to discover the underlying causes. One I am not capable of addressing. 

What I do want to address is what each of us can do to reduce the tension in our relationships with others.  If we are to be good citizens in a functioning society, we must learn to work and live with one another in a peaceful way.  Therefore, I am proposing a way to address conflict...and learn to adapt it into our lives in order to achieve peace with others. See the links at the bottom for the references I have incorporated into this essay. 

Conflict  
Most people either attack  or escape from a conflict. Few naturally try to work it out.

Attack Responses: These are wrong attempts to win a fight...ultimately damaging a relationship.

• Put Downs — Attacking others with harsh and cruel words.
• Gossip — Talking about others behind their backs
• Fight — Using physical force to get our way

Escape Responses:  

• Denial — Pretending that a conflict does not exist or refusing to do what we can to repair it.
• Blaming — Blaming others for the problem, pretending we did nothing wrong, covering up what we did, lying.  Blaming someone or covering up one's own mistakes only makes conflict worse.  

• Avoidance — Prolonging the problem by avoiding the other person. Avoidance only delays the inevitable.

Resolution:

Conflict is not necessarily bad or destructive. It can be an opportunity for improvement. Step back from the conflict and ask yourself whether you are doing all you can to work it out.

Resolution responses: .

• Overlook an Offense — Deal with an offense yourself by simply deciding to forgive a wrong.
• Think before you speak... Or before you act... Or before you confront someone.  
• Get Help — Ask someone who you respect to help you decide how to handle the conflict you are involved in.  Wise unbiased choices are better than self serving choices. Selfishness will not lead to happiness. The wise way is to make right choices, seek good advice from respected leaders, and in return respect others.
• Talk it out - Going directly to the other person to work out the disagreement.

Tips to remember before conflict occurs:

Conflict starts in the heart. The choices we make are deliberate. Why we escalate a conflict is something deep inside us that only WE can understand fully. Dig deep to find out the why of your motives.

 Choices have consequences. For good or bad, the choices we make will affect us and others.  

 A respectful appeal can prevent conflict in the future, and likely to be heard. This includes the words we speak, our tone of voice and our body language (making eye contact and avoiding bad gestures, facial expressions or posture).

 Use STAR to remember how to engage others.

• Stop yourself  before choosing to say or do something that will cause conflict.
• Think about why you want to appeal and what words to use.
• Appeal (Ask): Use "I" messages and questions, and communicate your appeal in a civil manner.
• Respond respectfully whether the other person answers yes or no.

The Hatfield and McCoys were two families in West Virginia and Kentucky in 1863. They initiated a feud that resulted in an ongoing cycle of death for years, and probably never was resolved. Words can cause us to descend into a spiraling dark hole of hate, hurtful actions, and potentially with deadly results. 

If we wish America to be a symphony of beautiful music, it doesn't start with the President, or Congress, or State and City officials; it starts with each one of us. 

By ourselves, we are only one note, together we are a chord. We must confront the conflict of words for healing and peace. Let us look at our own weaknesses, find help to gain inner strength, and be strong enough to let go of our hate... only then can we truly expect America to become a healed nation.

https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/spiritual-growth-for-kids/peacemaking-kids/teaching-children-to-be-peacemakers

https://blog.uwgb.edu/alltherage/whywegetmad/

Test your own anger with  Dr. Ryan Martin's angry conditions scale test: 

http://blog.uwgb.edu/alltherage/surveys/

The Trump Economy

Trump has played two major cards in 2017, which should dramatically affect the US economy - Deregulation and Corporate Tax Cuts.

In a previous blog of mine, I laid out the conditions that the QE3 (quantitative easing to stimulate the economy by going into debt) had on the economy during the Obama Administration - See the link on Note 1 below.
I predicted correctly that further stimulus would not be necessary, because employment was up, the stock market would remain stable, and that inflation would be kept in check by the Federal Reserve's low interest rates. However, with that said, eventually the infusion of cash from previous stimulus (QE1, QE2, and QE3) will come home to roost. In other words, we have to pay off the debt...that is if we don't want to be cruel to our descendants.

Trump's Deregulation

With the implementation of deregulations on businesses, and in many cases a reversal of Obama's executive orders, corporations have felt confident enough to invest and produce products and services in hopes of the future. As a result, the US has seen about a 3% GDP through most of 2017. That is a full percentage better than the last eight years.
When the economy expands so well, it follows that interest rates would climb. The Federal Reserve has decided to raise interest rates slowly, so as not to upset the markets, thus keeping inflation low and still allowing Wall Street to wean itself from the easy money allocated through quantitative easing. However, if interest rates rise too fast in 2018, Wall Street will have a fit, which would put the breaks on the current fast-paced economy.

Trump's Tax Cuts

The 2017 US Tax bill (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017) slashes corporate tax rates and to a lesser degree lowers personal tax rates. I agree with Steven Mnuchin (US Treasury Secretary) that this will bring off-shore dollars back into the US and stimulate the economy to over 4%.
Two events will most likely occur.... The economy will heat up so fast that the country may actually cut into the debt and deficit, and the Federal Reserve will increase the interest rates at a greater rate than in the recent past. The more the economy grows, the quicker the debt is erased...but if interest are too high, a lagging market will be a drag on growth.
Some believe unemployment is as low as it can go and therefore companies cannot hire any more US citizens. This is a misunderstood concept. The current unemployment calculations use the U3 measure; meaning only those few millions on food stamps are available to work. Unfortunately, the U3 doesn't consider the millions more out-of-work people who are willing and able to take a job but don't fit the narrow BLS definition of "unemployed." The U6 is a more accurate measure and is currently around 8%. Therefore, millions of workers ARE available and will be able to comfortably fill company demand for at least the next year.

Consumer confidence 

By October of 2017, consumer confidence had risen to the highest it's been in 17 years (see note 2).
Consumer confidence is another factor to economic growth and a byproduct of deregulation and tax relief. As I mentioned in a previous blog (see note 3) I stated that both consumer confidence and jobs were key in getting the economy soaring again. In the last administration,  confidence and jobs suffered from numerous regulations and higher taxation.

When consumers feel the economy is doing well, they spend money. However, it isn't just consumers, it's the business sector as well.
When taxes are reduced and there are less regulations, businesses are freed up and confident enough to hire...thus, jobs are created. Businesses with less regulations want to produce and buyers want to buy...which in turn stimulates the economy.

I've said before that the real proof if the QE3 has worked was - if it created jobs (which I believe is the true sign of a recovery). A functioning economy is akin to fixing a leaking boat so it can float, but a healthy economy is like a boat that can soar through the economic waves of business. In some ways, the QE1, QE2, and QE3, did keep the markets afloat; unfortunately, the millions out of the workforce and on food stamps proved it was probably not worth going into trillions of debt for. Therefore, Trump's stimulative effect should not only get people working, but also give the added effect of decreasing the debt and deficit.


The Future of the US Economy

I predict that the result of Trump's initiatives will be a huge 2018 economic surge. A 4% GDP is likely and 5% GDP may be possible. As the economy heats up, physics says there is a point of equilibrium where the US economic light can only burn so bright.
By 2019 a plateau may occur, and if Trump continues his strict immigration policy the US will either have to raise wages or hire workers from outside the country (or both) to continue further growth.
A strong economy not only means putting more money into the economy, but paying off debt. And with trillions coming back into the US, it's a perfect time to pay off foreign nations' loans. This would not only be fiscally prudent, but also prudent by allowing the US to be politically healthy and independent.


Note 1  http://www.garyriedl.com/search?q=qe

Note 2:  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-31/u-s-consumer-confidence-index-rises-to-highest-level-since-2000

Note 3: http://www.garyriedl.com/search?q=qe3