RevRainbow

Way back in 1981, I took my camera down to Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago where I preached the Wednesday Night Service. I spent a day photographing the interior of the mission and took candid photos (non of them staged or directed) of those who worked and stayed there. These photos are the result. I recently found the release papers signed by all those (or their children) whom I photographed back 28 years ago and am publishing these photos for the first time. I also intend to publish a portfolio with captions. Even though the photos are old, they still provoke a response. I hope they are a blessing to you. All photos are my property and copyrighted 1981, 2009. Photos may not be copied or retransmitted without my permission. Just click, or cut and paste, on the link. Peace. http://www.facebook....74&l=82c7c6c81f

That is kind of a stunning question, Murph, and, although it points to the Christian God concept, methinks all faith currently is belief or non-belief in (a) God. If God were seen and His existence known beyond a doubt, religion could no longer be based on faith but fact. Presuming that fact (the known, visible God) as absolute, I question whether that would destroy many faiths or religions, and if so, would we be willing to change to this "reality religion?" In short, whose (faith-based) God would it be - if any?

...basically, the same thing St. John the Divine saw on Patmos, therefore he began writing the California version, which began...

So be it.

...miracle blender which, after adding some chopped walnuts and avocados, pressed the blend button, thus producing a...

...I am the son of the Great Orb, Iz. Immediately Marty knew it was Roy, Orb Iz' son. The old man grabbed the orb from the female warrior and, while ogling her revealing outfit, exclaimed...

...the Delta Quadrant! Just as the old man was about to reply, a saucer like ship appeared in the sky; hovering over the two, a strange light emanated from the base of the ship engulfing them in a purple haze and suddenly there was a...

...the sacred epistles of HA, to which he responded...

Blessing on you also, my friend.

Go figure. The bible is one of the most stolen books there is (and we aint talking from motel rooms either).

...encrusted old man who saw him place the gold coins in his...

I received a message this morning from RabbiO which, with Peter's knowledge, I am sharing with you. Last Wednesday Peter suffered a heart attack while leaving the synagogue. It was due to arterial blockage. The doctors felt he did not need bypass at this time and he is now home recuperating. He will be back with us shortly but until that time, I would like to request, with Peter's permission, prayers and well wishes for a dear soul who has contributed much to this forum through is insightful postings and gentle manner. Get well soon, rabbi, you are missed. "The Lord is my refuge and my strength, a very present help in time of trouble."

hmm, has the appearances....

There are a few references to veils in the NT. One being the reference to the temple veil being rent and the analogy to Christ. The other analogy is in reference to the veil of Moses and spiritual blindness. I could expound on either if you like but neither one is in reference to past existence of the soul.

I do not recall anything specific along these lines. Perhaps a bit more information on the story might help. Some people believe our soul was with God before we were born (which there are heavy theological discussions on), and our soul "forgets" that existence shorty after birth.

I see it, Murph.

A POOP bunny? Oh man, I read that and though of a good scary movie: Peter Poopbunny, "just when you though you were eating chocolate..."

Good one, Fawzo. I wonder if Soph still plays with his food?

I don't think he would come back mad at you, Soph. He was your friend and, rather than toss him out, you ate him and he became part of you. If we look at the things we did as children, we might find some very sound spiritual truths in them.

earliest known photo of me and Harvey, Easter, 1946.

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." –Velveteen rabbit As children, many of us had imaginary friends. My early childhood friend was a rabbit and, it was a rabbit you could see. My dad named it after a movie rabbit: not Bugs or Peter –and there was no Roger as yet – but Harvey. I first was introduced to Harvey at a very early age on Easter Sunday, 1946. I was 10 months old. Every Easter Sunday after that, until 1952, my picture was taken with Harvey. We became inseparable friends. Every Easter I looked forward to playing with Harvey again. We hugged and posed and spent the day together and then he went back in the basement where I only saw him on occasion, perched stoically on top of storage boxes, when I went downstairs with my father. I couldn't play with Harvey all the time because of his delicate condition: he was a store display about two feet in height and papier mache. My family had moved into a new home on the northwest side of Chicago in 1953. It was during that summer when the basement flooded due to heavy rainfall. There was over two feet of water and boxes, papers, toys and Harvey were floating like jetsam on the sea. I remember my father taking Harvey out of the basement with many other things after the flood, and placing them in the alley for trash pick up. My life-long friend was soaked and falling apart. I was deeply saddened. As I said my final goodbye to him (it could have been the water from the flood, but I don't think so), I noticed what I thought was a real tear in his eye. The next day, when I went to the trash, he was gone. Now some may say that he was picked up by the trash collector, but I knew differently. I believe the toy fairy took him. You see, this past summer, as I was sitting out in the yard, out of nowhere, on Easter Sunday, a rabbit appeared and hopped over to me. He sat there while I got my camera and took a few photos and then he left. It was Harvey – he remembered me - and he came by to let me know he was alright and, that he became real - just as the Velveteen rabbit did. "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." – Velveteen rabbit

And may the blessings return to you ten fold.

Yaarrrr, right ye be, me hearty. Methinks a pint er two with the wenches will fill yer sails. Yaarrr.