Author: Neal Saye

Posted in Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt LOVE, Not Hate” — Day Two 12/2/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

From December 1-25, I’ll be sharing a quote and its truth from John Fugelsang’s Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, the book Robert and I are currently and fascinatingly reading.

An odd Advent Calendar, of sorts.

If you’re interested, you can see the introduction to this new blog category here:

https://nealenjoy.com/2025/12/01/countdown-to-christmas-2025-thou-shalt-love-not-hate-introduction-12-1-25/

“Jesus was:

A peaceful, radically nonviolent revolutionary

Who wasn’t American and never spoke English

Who hung around lepers, hookers, and crooks

Never sought tax cuts for rich Nazarenes

Was anti-wealth and anti-death penalty

Anti-public prayer, too (Matthew 6:5)

Never asked lepers for a co-pay

Never called poor people ‘lazy’

Never even slightly antigay

Never mentioned abortion

Supported paying taxes

And was a long-haired

Community-organizing

Authority-questioning

Anti-slut-shaming

Brown-skinned

Palestinian

Unarmed

Homeless

Jew …

But only if you believe what’s actually in the Bible.”

Preface, Separation of Church and Hate

A favorite ornament from many, many years ago. Still in good shape.

Posted in Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas 2025: “Thou Shalt LOVE, Not Hate” — Introduction 12/1/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

My Countdown to Christmas series this year is inspired by a recent simple book recommendation from dear friends Jo and Kathi. “You HAVE to read Separation of Church and Hate! It’s FULL of truth, and it’s often laugh-out-loud funny!”

I Googled the book and saw the full, never-ending title: Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists and Flock-Fleecing Frauds.

“Whoa,” I thought, “That title sounds far too Holiday Heavy.”

But then Robert and I started to read, and we were absolutely flabbergasted by the clear, undeniable truth and push for lovingkindness presented by author John Fugelsang. (And yes, I have laughed out loud many a time during our read.)

So I plan to share with you a quote and its truth from the book each day starting today, December 1 and ending on Christmas Day.

An Advent Calendar, of sorts.

And of course, I realize that everyone is not Christian or religious. That many folks have had awful and problematic issues with organized religion. I get that. And we’ve experienced the same thing. But we are happy today to have found an inclusive, love-embracing and creatively fun congregation here in Savannah, Asbury Memorial.

If possible, may you receive the kernels of truth in these posts without being bogged down by the “Christian-ness” of them.

And may Christmas 2025 for us ALL be a season of pulling away from hatred — and embracing all-encompassing, inclusive Love.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 36-37

Love, then, is the apex of the Christian faith, and I would surmise at the apex of every faith or even non-faith (if that makes a lick of sense).

Adding to the words of Jesus (can I do that?) …

Love Is ALL.

See you tomorrow.

Posted in My Saturday Evening Post

My Saturday Evening Post: 11/29/25  “An Evening Late/A Perfect Evening”

Posted on by Neal Saye

So after a wonderful holiday celebration on Thanksgiving Day itself over at my daughter Amy’s on Skidaway Island, Robert and I had our own little family Thanksgiving celebration here at home last night.

It was really Robert’s night as culinary chef. I just helped with prep and cleanup mainly.

Here he is tying up the Cornish hens …

Toasting the cornbread for the sage sausage dressing …

Pan frying the bacon and brussels sprouts …

HR set it all up on this neat little high rise table …

Oh wait, I did do something! I set up the festive holiday dining table.

I probably should not have done this, but as Robert started to say a beautiful Thanksgiving Blessing, I opened my eyes real quick and photographed him. (Who does such a thing?!)

The prayer went on quite a while. I had ample opportunity for a cute close-up.

He caught me after he muttered a too-quick “Amen,” not allowing me time to hide my iPhone.

Then on to the food!

My plate

HR’s

Scrumptiously delicious.

Oh, and don’t forget his pumpkin pie!

What a Delicious Feast with Just the Two of Us.

And that’s my Saturday Evening Post.

Saturday Evening Post
Saturday Evening Post

Posted in Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 12/28/25

Posted on by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Pulling out my parents’ colorful and old metal Thanksgiving Platter. Still beautiful, even with its chips and dents from decades of use.

2. Time once again for Neal’s Citrus Cranberry Sauce!

Wash

Cook

Serve & Eat

3. The hope that tomorrow might be better.

4. After Thanksgiving lunch …

… Robert taking photos of Daughter Amy and her fam for their 2025 Christmas card.

5. HR and a spot of wine.

May you drink heavily from the spring of joy this weekend.

Posted in Encouragement

There’s More Than One Way to Defy Gravity

Posted on by Neal Saye

So this afternoon, HR (Husband Robert, to the uninitiated), Ex-wife Donna and I went to see the current top-grossing film in the nation, Wicked: For Good.

We got our popcorn and headed for Auditorium One, when we decided we REALLY needed photo documentation (well, perhaps I alone decided that, but HR and Donna went along).

Not the greatest photo quality, but (spoiler alert for the rest of the post) I’m with the two Loves of My Life

In a weird way, just the three of us out together on a movie date is … Defying Gravity.

it may look dark in this theatre, but … it’s really not.

“It’s time to try defying gravity
I think I’ll try defying gravity
And you can’t pull me down”

I Have Been.

Posted in Encouragement

“Awareness” IS Important”

Posted on by Neal Saye

Robert and I were very encouraged last week when we walked into our wonderful local library and saw a beautiful display recognizing and celebrating Trans Awareness Week.

What is Transgender Awareness Week?

“Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the trans community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.” glaad.org

Here is a link to the glaad article, in case you’re interested:

https://share.google/K7S0HIkew6vZqQuy1