West Parish Elementary School is blessed to be entering a new school building in the fall. In the two years that we have been gone, our beloved Science Park has fallen into disrepair. When we found out that the kids will be unable to play on then newly planted grass fields for a whole year after we begin school, a plan for fundraising was born (lest the children will have recess in the parking lots).
Mobile bidding has already started on some great items like a ride to school by the Gloucester Police Department for a lucky winner and a friend, a ride on the Tuna.com with Sandro Maniaci, or breakfast at Sailor Stans with Good Morning Gloucester’s fearless leader, Joey C. To view our event, or buy tickets go to www.biddingforgood.com/westparishschool

We will have live, mobile and silent items.
We have received hundreds of donations from generous donors from our amazing Cape Ann community and beyond. Doors open at 6pm and tickets can be purchased at the door as well, $25 per person, $40 for a couple, light dinner fare and dessert is included. Friday April 1st, 6pm at the Cruiseport (one of our generous event sponsors).
BOOM!

Ray Ray

That may sound strange to some, but it is true. Whatever in life makes us feel uncomfortable, whatever touches a nerve in us (a person, situation, conflict, trying new things, religion, God), does so because there is an obstacle in our path of growth; something we need to look at and overcome within ourselves in order to grow and evolve in our earthly experience.  Unfortunately, we Americans in particular, have become so focused on whatever makes us feel good, comfortable, secure, etc. that we have become weak and soft as a people, and have lost our way.  We run from anything that touches a nerve – hiding our heads in the sand of entertainment, drugs, alcohol, partying, diversions of all sorts; or we strike out in anger, and if it makes us uncomfortable enough, we kill it – rather than examining it to understand why it makes us uncomfortable, and coming to terms with it, so that we can move on from it stronger, more evolved beings.

Through the sharing of my winter creative project, I have encountered many reactions from people, both on blog and off. Some greatly enjoyed it and wrote to tell me, which is good; some disagreed with things and voiced their disagreement, thereby opening up discussion, which is good; some wrote to say that it was causing them to question and investigate, which is good; some were upset by it, which is also good.

People who are in right relationship with God know they are. People who have a relationship with God, but aren’t really giving Him the love and devotion they know He deserves and desires, also know.  People who are mad at God for some perceived wrong He did, know within themselves that God is God, perfect and incapable of wrong.  People who say they don’t believe in God would obviously have no problem with Him because to them He doesn’t exist (although I find that akin to someone saying their mother doesn’t exist because they’ve never met her).  However, we most often run and hide from God because we feel guilt and shame (like Adam and Eve hiding from God in the garden) because we know we have done wrong and want to hide from the punishment we know we rightly deserve, or try to make excuses or blame someone else (my parents didn’t love me, I grew up poor, I grew up in a bad neighborhood, I was abused, bullied, etc.).  I know I fought hard against going before God for that reason; but God sees and knows all, so there is no hiding.

Fortunantely He is incomprehensibly loving and kind, and does not want to lose a single one of us.  That is why He gave us an out, The Way to become whole, forgiven and free through the acceptance of the sacrifice of His Son, which was made on behalf of all of us.  We just have to accept it and make it our own.  But it is completely our choice.  We can accept His gift of redemption, which promises us eternal life, or we can refuse it, which results in death.  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23).  God is also perfect justice, and no wrong goes unpunished.  We either choose to take the punishment ourselves (death), or we accept the gift of Jesus’ death to cover us and take it for us.  It seems like such a no-brainer.  And in fact it is a no-brainer, because our limited human minds are incapable of comprehending the magnitude of God’s mind and ways, so we have no choice but to accept it in faith believing.  And that doesn’t require a lot of faith, as Jesus told us, we need only have the faith of a mustard seed (which is really tiny).  Remember Abraham, who was counted as righteous because of his faith, not because of anything he did.  There is nothing we can do on our own to earn salvation.  You could be Mother Theresa, but if you haven’t accepted the gift of eternal life through Christ, you are ultimately no better off than a mass murderer.  God does not use a sliding scale system.  On the Day of Judgment, you are either in the Lamb’s Book of Life (having accepted his gift and thereby covered by Him – allowing Him to take the bullet for you), or you are not, period.  Revelation 20:15: “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Exodus 32:33: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.”  John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever (no matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, no matter how good you think you’ve been) believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”

This series was not intended to try to force anything on anyone, because God never forces us. He gave us complete free will to come to Him or not, as we choose.  God’s purpose in this assignment for me was to provide an overview of the Bible, His Word, to make it visual and plain for those who haven’t taken the time to study and know His Word for themselves.  As those of you who know me know, it is in my nature to share whatever I encounter that is good, beautiful, worthy and uplifting.  I can’t not share it.

Only a portion of this series has been shared on GMG. I hope that some of you, whether to enjoy, share, debate, question, investigate or teach me, come by Hobbit House Studio on Rocky Neck this summer to talk and see the complete series, which continues through the Book of Revelation (the times we are now entering into).  I have learned so much and grown a great deal through this series, but I still have much learning and growing to do, and we learn and grow best through sharing with each other.

“Each one teach one”, as the Rastafarians say.

E.J. Lefavour

www.hobbithousestudio.com

This photo of a skiff docked at Bearskin Neck is a little how I’m feeling today. It’s Thursday…a beautiful Thursday at that…and I’m stuck in my office wishing I was outside. Just waiting for the clock to hit 5pm on Friday to get outside and float up north to NH for a couple days. Anyone else feeling “docked” today?

How long have you lived in Gloucester?  12 glorious wonderful years

What is your favorite season In Gloucester?   365 days a year, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring

Do you have any secret outdoor spots in Gloucester where you go to “get away”?   Magnolia Pier, Rafe’s Chasm, everywhere

What is your favorite pizza joint in Gloucester?   525 Tavern

What is your favorite sub shop in Gloucester?   Virgilio’s

What place would you go for a romantic dinner in Gloucester?   Any beach

What is your favorite bar in Gloucester?  Minglewood when I go

What is your favorite breakfast joint in Gloucester?  George’s and Mile Marker

What is your favorite local event in Gloucester?  Schooner Festival, Fiesta and Art Shows

In the summer do you prefer the beach or to be on a boat?   Beach then kayak

Who is your favorite local artist?  Do not want to get into trouble, too many great artists

Which is your favorite local beach?  Wingaersheek Beach

Who has the best chowder in town?  Because I am allergic cannot have, but people state The Causeway’s Chowder has changed their lives

Excluding GMG what is your second favorite local blog?  I agree with E.J.’s answer

Do you prefer haddock chowder or clam chowder?  If I could it would be Clam Chowder

What were your thoughts on The Downtown Block Parties last year?  Great way to connect with friends and make new friends

What is your favorite local band? Love Allen Estes

What about Gloucester sets it apart from anywhere else?  Not enough space to state, Gloucester has an amazing community spirit, beautiful landscape, amazing beaches, great open space like Ravenswood and the love we have for this great place we call home.

Thanks, Joey

Hi Joey!
This site, if you don’t already know about it, is part of the Boston Public Library resources to the public.
http://heritage.noblenet.org/items/advanced-search
Just enter the words Gloucester or Rockport or any city or town and other category’s in the fields and a wonder of things will appear!
Pass it forward.
Dennis Lovelace