MORGAN'S MOMENT...
“I was born in Seattle in 1903...
        I’m 100 years old.”
I was shaking his hand as he spoke
        looking me in the eye
        holding a steady grip.
They were doing an art show
        paintings done in his garden
        with its abundance of fruit trees.
“Yes, it’s true that I trim them myself...
        and mow my own grass.”
I was stunned and mumbled to him
        of my own birth in Seattle
        a few years after his own.
I told of my hope for fame like his
        after I add a few more years...
        at which he chuckled.
We do mortality calculations
        pitting our age against others
        pondering potential longevity.
His fitness rivaled that of guys
        who work out where I exercise
        giving us all hope as we age.
I left him cheerfully enduring attention
        while he would rather be home
        riding his mower in the sun.
Everlasting life is a matter of faith...
        and 100 years is not everlasting...
        but it’s closer than most of us get.
— Art Morgan 
MOMENT MINISTRIES
Apr. 14, 2003
home address:  25921 SW Airport Ave.
Corvallis, OR 97333   541-753-3942
email at  a-morgan@peak.org
EASTER 2003
@ INAVALE FARM
Easter at lnavale Farm is a happy tradition.
Directions: Drive west on Airport Avenue/Road, (past Morgan’s) through green fields and rolling hills. Pass Independence School (Fern Road) staying on Airport Road for a couple of miles to Sexton Road: (Should be a sign to lnavale Farm) Take Sexton Road to the gate of Horse Farm Lane. Pass the horse barns and riding arena on a lane through oaks and tall firs, ending at the Glass family home.
Paul will have music set up so we can being at 10:00 a.m.
All you need to know:
                Easter Brunch Sunday April 20
                Music begins at 10:00 a.m.
                A Potluck Brunch follows
                The Glass phone number is 929-5776
                A special Easter Cake is a tradition!
BOOK CORNER
We’re in the midst of a horrendous remodeling program —actually long delayed maintenance. Books are not getting read. Our current book club read is Alfred Lansing’s Endurance—Shakleton’s Incredible Voyage. Why this book I’m not sure. Our discussions have been a bit heavy and intense during the current Iraq war. Time to back off maybe.
When the Endurance became trapped and crushed in the ice, the only hope was reaching a deposited cash of supplies on an island 365 miles away left by another shipwreck 12 years earlier in 1903. This book is the story of what happened.

(back page)

 
DEAD OR ALIVE?
        You may recognize this guy. Then, maybe not.
        I’ll give you a clue. He’s one of three people. No one knows for sure whether any of them are dead  or alive. It is claimed that there is DNA available to prove the identity of two of the choices. The DNA of the third individual is apparently unavailable.
        The three choices are Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, and Jesus bin Joseph.
        The picture could be Saddam in disguise as he fled Baghdad. It is highly speculative since there are claims that he was killed in one of two attacks on alleged places of refuge. The search is on for DNA evidence amidst the tangle of rubble. No one knows for sure that he was killed in either attack. There are many of his loyal friends who believe that he is alive. If anyone knows for sure, they are not telling. We don’t know whether he is dead or alive.
        Another possibility is Osama bin Laden. There were many who thought that he died in a cave in
Afghanistan. Soldiers scoured the caves and dug up graves. They were hoping to find evidence that Osama was dead. Millions of dollars in reward money were offered to anyone who could find him dead or alive. Rumors say that he escaped through the mountains into Pakistan. There have been some tapes claimed to be the voice of bin Laden himself. Some experts think that the voice is actually his. They think he is alive. If this were his picture we would have to agree that he has put on a bit of weight and is very healthy. If he is alive, we don’t know where he is. The fact is we are not sure whether he is dead or alive.
        Then, of course, there is another well-known middle-easterner named Jesus. His death seems to
have been well attested. He was one of the many hundreds who suffered cruel crucifixion at the hands of the Romans. You would think that would settle it. There are rumors, however, that he did not actually die. One argument is that he fainted and was carried off by friends who revived him. If that happened, no one has explained where he went.
        The more astounding report is that he was actually dead and buried but somehow came alive again. There are reports of “sightings,” as mystical as they may be. We are told that the reason we have no evidence of his survival is that he “ascended” into heaven. In that case there is no body to look for. He is reported as being both dead and alive. The shroud of Turin claims to hold an image of Jesus. The picture above would be a wild guess. We really don’t know whether Jesus is dead or alive.
        Faith raises its heroes above death. It is astounding that the life of Jesus is still affirmed and celebrated after 2000 years. It would be astounding if the same will be said of Osama or Saddam by anyone after 20 years.
        The evidence of Jesus’ life is said to be in the lives of his followers. Seeing the behavior of our “Christian nation,” in stewardship of might, wealth and world resources, you would have to conclude that the jury is still out. Is Jesus dead or alive?
Art Morgan, Easter 2003