Easter Sunday 2014

“I Saw God Today”
By Chaplain George M. Rossi BCC MA MDiv
Easter Sunday 2014

Just walked down the street to the coffee shop Had to take a break I'd been by her side for 18 hours straight Saw a flower growin' in the middle of the sidewalk Pushin' up through the concrete Like it was planted right there for me to see The flashin' lights The honkin' horns All seemed to fade away In the shadow of that hospital at 5:08 I saw God today
Above you will find the beginning lyrics of the country song, “I Saw God Today,” by singer and songwriter George Strait. This is one of my favorite songs. It talks about “spiritual eyesight” that lets hearers see God in ordinary life. Surely the high and holy days of religion such as Easter and Passover are anything but ordinary. Yet, Mr Strait talks about seeing the face of God as he peered into the new baby unit of the hospital where his baby girl had just been born. For me, it is a matter of “been there, cried those tears and got the hospital bill!” among other things. So, where do you see God? In the song George Strait says he sees God in the flower that is growing up through the concrete. In the hard times of life he still found time to experience God and know the beauty and love of God through nature and people--the flower in the concrete and the baby in the newborn nursery. Easter is a perplexing reality. Jesus is raised from the dead. If that is not radical then let me know what else qualifies! Just recently I did a wedding where the groom told me that his bride (second marriage) helped him to regain the ability to love again. What a powerful word he shared. I was deeply touched that he had been given the gift of love but even more importantly he had allowed himself to feel and experience it. I am not sure where you will experience and feel God in this time of religious holy days but I hope is often and meaningful. Let us open our eyes and see God. He may even be looking at us in the mirror. After all, we are all created in the image and likeness of God. That is a sight to behold and reality to ponder for a lifetime.

Craig and Kevin Stadler: Father and Son Make History at the Masters

My son called me last night and said, "Dad, do you have the Masters app?" I quickly and proudly said, "Yes." Last month I was able to get an iPhone and I really like it and find it helpful for my professional and personal needs. The Masters app is one of my favorite apps and it is really nice that my son asked me if I had it. Dads need their sons to look after them occasionally! I am a big golf fan. Some of you know that. I have been watching Craig Stadler since he won his first and only Masters in about 1982. He is affectionately known as "The Walrus." His mustache and size give that easily away. I could think of kinder nicknames but his name fits and he seems to not mind. Papa Stadler's son Kevin won his first PGA tournament this year and he thus qualified for the Masters this year. In his interview with his father on April 9 a few days ago he referred to it as "being inside the ropes." That is golfer lingo for playing and gaining access to quite possibly the prettiest and most hallowed 18 holes of golf in the world. Augusta National is just plain sweet. I live in the metro Columbia area which is about 80 miles from where the Masters is played. Our azaleas, dogwoods, flowers, and grass are growing and blooming at the same time and pace as those in Augusta. So when our azaleas and trees bloom and the centipede grass becomes more green than brown then that means the Masters is getting ready to tee off. It is nice to be close and to feel the excitement and see similar visual spring reminders. Yet, this post is about a father and son making history. In it's almost 80 years there has never been a Father-Son to play together in the tournament until Craig and Kevin teed it up on Thursday. Kevin is playing well and made the cut and dad is going to be watching the final two rounds! Here is the link to their interview where they talk about making history: http://www.augusta.com/masters/story/news/latest-news/masters-interview-craig-and-kevin-stadler What a great story. I have already added Kevin to "my favorite" on my Masters app. He has not disappointed and I hope he wins it all. In my opinion, he and his dad have already won it all by making history and playing together as the first ever Father-Son to play in the Masters.