The Roaming Minds

     Living in the Big Apple affords us endless wonderful experiences. It's been more than a year since my wife started working in NYC, and us living on the Upper West Side, but every time we get out of our apartment, new experiences await us. Here are some things we discovered you can see or do during summer if you visit the "city that never sleeps." Watch a drive-in movie. The Manhattan skyline during the movie drive-in.       If you love going to the movies, you can enhance the experience by watching a film through a drive-in cinema. Whether you drive in with a vehicle or motorcycle or walk in (chairs are provided), the experience is much different from watching a movie in an enclosed theater. The full moon, stars, and gorgeously lit Manhattan cityscapes join you as you enjoy the company of your loved ones watching the latest movie. As you approach midnight, bonus fireworks display on the right side of the Manhattan skyline. We recommend you try S...

Photo by Steven Lasry on Unsplash      Psalm 23 is one of our favorite verses. Who could not remember this reassuring psalm?  The Lord is my shepherd ... it begins. Here's the whole chapter in the New American Standard Bible (NASB) version. The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For the sake of His name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.    Our pastor expounded on this passage during the last Sunday of May 2022. Indeed, Psalm 23 never loses its comforting power in a ...

Night view of The Metropolitan Opera House      She's an exquisite princess, but at the same time, cold and ruthless. She hated men and promised to execute any suitor who could not answer her three riddles. She was vengeful and ferocious to men who tried to pursue her heart because her equally beautiful ancestor was kidnapped and killed by an invading prince. She was sure that she would never love a man.      On the night of the execution of her 12th suitor, a young man rang the gong to signify he wanted to challenge and pursue her heart. However, the princess, ministers of the kingdom, and the crowd were sure that he could not answer the three questions and would face the same fate as the previous suitors.      However, victoriously, the young suitor answered all three questions correctly. The crowd cried for joy, but the beautiful princess was furious and begged the emperor not to let him marry. The suitor offered the princess a challenge o...

     What will you do if you got bored but you live in a city that offers so many things to do and see for free? You walk. There are always new things to see and discover when you explore the city's surroundings. That's exactly what my teenage son and I did on a beautiful spring sunny day. Our pre-war but well-kept apartment building   ABC News Building at Columbus Avenue Fox News Building at 6th Avenue   The Trump International Hotel and Tower with The Globe Sculpture at Columbus Circle Entrance to the Central Park at Columbus Circle Facade of The Shops  (a shopping mall) at Columbus Circle The NBC News Building at the Rockefeller Center   People line up to watch Stephen Colbert's late show taping. If you are a fan, you can watch a taping from Monday through Thursday. Get a free ticket online. Out of curiosity, maybe we will watch it one day.  Entrance to the Top of the Rock at 5th Avenue where you can have a panoramic view of New York C...

The Power of Prayer James 5:13-20 Messenger: Pastor M 13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Opening thoughts and questions: James wants to convince us that there is power in prayer How do you respond to the trials, temptations, and joys in life? Pray can change your life, the world, and anything. Lesson 1: Prayer is the right response to any situation in your life Prayer is always the right response to any challenges in life Ephesians 6:18a - "and pray in Spirit in all occasions with all kinds of...