http://legacydaily.com/2009/04/a-trip-to-karabakh/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-trip-to-karabakh thoughts, lessons, observations, and experiences from a life's journey Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:15:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://legacydaily.com/2009/04/a-trip-to-karabakh/#comment-1839 legacy daily Wed, 29 Apr 2009 02:15:16 +0000 http://legacydaily.com/?p=255#comment-1839 You said everything perfectly, Mike. I was trying to stress the point of not sacrificing the present, not living in the past, and not living for the future. Thanks for the rest of your points. As always, they've added a great deal. You said everything perfectly, Mike. I was trying to stress the point of not sacrificing the present, not living in the past, and not living for the future. Thanks for the rest of your points. As always, they’ve added a great deal.

]]> http://legacydaily.com/2009/04/a-trip-to-karabakh/#comment-1533 Mike Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:45:31 +0000 http://legacydaily.com/?p=255#comment-1533 I am not sure that I want Nostalgia to disappear in my life. Even with it's sometimes overly exaggerated fond rememberances, I often long for the return to a time, place, or relationship that seems better than current reality. Actually, I may warmly welcome it at "my table" of distinguished guests. Guest's like childhood dreams, friends who wanted to give not take, family that provided comfort and non-judgemental advice, a Dad that sacrificed sleep and other things to give me time, a Mom that made no "class distinctions" between people, a Haitian immigrant that taught me God lives and works in people of different colors and an Armenian teenager who was an example of determination that overcame many roadblocks including my bad singing along the way. One might say that these guest's are not Nostalgia but real people and events. I know, however that what I remember may not be totally correct. I most likely have embellished many of the memories to the extent that they have become nostalgic. Who cares, I still long for them, real or partially real! I know a little of the Armenian struggle, but I also know of the pride that Armenians have in their heritage. Yes, heartache and tragedy are part of your history, but adversity has resulted in a people that have contributed and continues to contribute much to the world. Many cultures that have had bad things happen to them HAVE NOT and DO NOT contribute. They only take not give! I hope there are good memories of your cousin, and yes, even nostalgic ones that God will bring to mind! Please note that there may be two Armenian churches, but the problem is not just an Armenian problem. There are way too many different groups that call themselves "Christian". A southern Baptist once told me the reason for so many little Baptist churches in the south. He said that one group or family in the church would get into a fight and just move across the "holler" and start another church. Well, it is time that all of us who claim the name of Christ to put our differences aside, band together and create unity. We will not be able to overcome the massive discrimination aimed at Christians, in America and around the world, unless we do! I am not sure that I want Nostalgia to disappear in my life. Even with it’s sometimes overly exaggerated fond rememberances, I often long for the return to a time, place, or relationship that seems better than current reality.
Actually, I may warmly welcome it at “my table” of distinguished guests. Guest’s like childhood dreams, friends who wanted to give not take, family that provided comfort and non-judgemental advice, a Dad that sacrificed sleep and other things to give me time, a Mom that made no “class distinctions” between people, a Haitian immigrant that taught me God lives and works in people of different colors and an Armenian teenager who was an example of determination that overcame many roadblocks including my bad singing along the way.
One might say that these guest’s are not Nostalgia but real people and events. I know, however that what I remember may not be totally correct. I most likely have embellished many of the memories to the extent that they have become nostalgic. Who cares, I still long for them, real or partially real!
I know a little of the Armenian struggle, but I also know of the pride that Armenians have in their heritage. Yes, heartache and tragedy are part of your history, but adversity has resulted in a people that have contributed and continues to contribute much to the world. Many cultures that have had bad things happen to them HAVE NOT and DO NOT contribute. They only take not give!
I hope there are good memories of your cousin, and yes, even nostalgic ones that God will bring to mind!
Please note that there may be two Armenian churches, but the problem is not just an Armenian problem. There are way too many different groups that call themselves “Christian”. A southern Baptist once told me the reason for so many little Baptist churches in the south. He said that one group or family in the church would get into a fight and just move across the “holler” and start another church. Well, it is time that all of us who claim the name of Christ to put our differences aside, band together and create unity. We will not be able to overcome the massive discrimination aimed at Christians, in America and around the world, unless we do!

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