We Christians are so quick to cry foul when the secular world infringes on our "sacred" things. I think we first need to remember we are only visitors to this world and our stay here is temporary. I also think we need to research things and our traditions to see if we first "stole" the holiday from the secular world and not gripe when they claim back what is righfully theirs.
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/christmas/real.html
I think it's funny that all over the nation there is the debate of Christmas trees and religious symbols. Last night I was standing in view of the White house (yes the one in Washington, D.C. that the president lives in) and I looked at over 65 Christmas trees representing each state, one of which being the nation tree must have been 30 feet high. In that representation of trees there was a large nativity scene. I think people need to get over it and realize people like Christmas trees and even nativity scenes.
Crack: I have noticed the overwhelming amount of crack in America lately. It's on the streets, in the grocery stores and I even saw some in Target today. The problem is it's mostly women dealing the crack and it's hard for me to say anything to them...probably because I'm laughing so hard. No women is immune. Any generation is vulnerable. Young women, middle aged women, mothers, singles, they all are dealing with it. If I see one more butt crack I'm going to throw something in it or ask them to come fix my toilet.
Stages: I've noticed that my life goes in stages. Not stages like marriage, kids...etc. But stages of things that God is teaching me. I think that pretty normal and each stage is merely a building block for the next stage He will take me through. The funny thing about the stages is when they come about I know is not the final stage but it's like I'm just a tiny bit more enlightened than I was in the previous stage. I always learn a lot and I never have to look for the next stage but rather just grasp my current stage and the lessons I learn and the next stage ushers itself into my life in due time.
Music: I've really been enjoying U2's new album and some of the songs on it. I know people won't like this comment but some of their songs on spirituality are very worshipful for me. I was driving to work today listening and I remembered a time where I felt guilty that I didn't really like Christian music. I remember people making me feel so guilty that I didn't like "christian" music. Of course my views have changed and I don't feel so guilty anymore...just a little weird.
Worth Noting: Mia Hamm retired yesterday. She was born the same year that Title IX was put in place giving women the same athletic opportunities as men. She really seized the day on that one. I'll try to get these stats right. She scored goals against 32 teams in 15 different nations. She also scored goals in 26 states. She retires as the all time leading goal scorer in International Soccer. Not the all time leading women scorer but all time scorer over men and women. She did a real classy thing yesterday. She played the first half with the name everyone knows her as Hamm but she came out in the second half with her husbands last name on her shirt. I thought that was pretty cool.
Rage: I have noticed that people get upset a lot faster than they used to. I see it all the time, in line at a store, ordering food at a restaurant, it's like the faster you can snap and go off the handle the better service you'll get. I really think that's what has happened. If you go loco on someone then they want to put out your fire so people are more inclined to go loco to get better treatment.
I don't play those games!
I don't have too many people go crazy on me but when they do I just look at them. Not a mean stare but a compassionate look, because I really do feel bad for them. If their life is so bad that they get mad at someone backing out of their spot, delaying their wait in line or getting their order wrong then they must have a pretty horrible life. Normally what they want or seem to want is you to freak out back.
Dicky V: If you watch college basketball then you know who this guy is. He basically gets paid to say cool stuff and come up with new catch phrases and is well known for ending loud phrases in "BABY". I'm so jealous of this guy it's not funny. He just sits there with the play by play guy and comes up with crap to say. I love it. Last night during halftime he talked about cancer patients and how they need our help. It's called the Jimmy V Classic.
Underneath it all.
I normally don't buy political bumper stickers or even put on the free ones but...for some time I've had my eye one one of those support our troops ribbons. But my car being green I didn't want to put a yellow or rainbow magnet ribbon on it. So on Saturday I paid #3.50 of my hard earned bucks to buy a camoflaged one. It looks pretty good and I'm happy to support our troops.
Thanks!
Scott Peterson's family must be going through some very rough times. I don't mean to minimize what Laci's family has had to endure but my attention has been pulled to the Peterson's. First they had to accept that their loving son is a murderer, to accept that a family member is capable of murder has to be horrendous. Then they have to feel guilt for what he did to Laci's family. Then they have to realize that their own son may be put to death for what he did.
It got me thinking how much Scott must be loved for his parents and family and friends to plea for his life. They really value his life even though he did not value Laci or his baby's life.
Steriods: Oh big suprise that Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi have both testified to using steriods. The funny thing is from the sounds of it no one is going to come down on Barry Bonds for using. He has broken almost every homerun record....hooray...he's on the juice. So does it count? Not in my mind. The power of the asterick*. www.espn.com
College Basketball: I think that college basketball is my second favorite sport to watch. I used to loathe professional sports, I was enthralled as a kid watching them play on tv, but then as an adult I realized all the showboating and big money and the air was let out of my enthusiasm. But college sports, now that atheltics. Athletes compete for...well the victory. I realize some of the guys hope for big contracts, endorsements and stuff like that but for the short few years they play in college they are untouchable by the greed of America.
I've been reading a ton of books lately. It's not incredibly unusual for me to be reading but the number of books has been quite alarming.
Searching for God knows what; Don Miller: it wasn't the life changing book that blue like jazz was but it was an excellent part two. I love anything that comes out by this guy and I can't wait till he puts something else out. My wife says that if he were the leader of a cult I'd join. I argue with her that not only would I join I'd be his head disciple. I value his honesty, his struggles and his willingness to admit he doesn't have it all figured out.
Messy Spirituality; Mike Yaconelli: Written by the late great Yaconelli. I hear this guy was incredible. I never had the chance to meet him but I know I would have liked him. Again a man willing to admit that the walk with Christ is not easy and full more of questions than answers. It was interesting because I heard God telling me to read this book before I preached last sunday. My text was from John 4 and the samaritan woman. I picked up this book and suddenly he's talking about John 4 and teh samaritan woman, God is good like that.
Making sense of church; Spencer Burke: Burke is the founder of theooze.com. I have to admit that when I found out theooze was church of christ I quit going to it. There was a time when I loved the website but when I found out his affiliation I bailed. What can I say...I was young and arrogant. After reading this book I wished I would have stuck around. Basically it's a hard look at the emergent church and how church must adapt to the culture. Using post from the forums on theooze he touches on topics like leadership, mission, worship, and several others. I like the story he gives at the end. The moral; either get on board with where church is going or get off the cart. There is no shame in getting off the cart but don't be responsible for holding church away from culture.
Two stories from Foxnews.com that caught my eye.
The first:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139968,00.html
Must take some real guts to be able to look your child's killer in the face and tell him how he's wrecked your life. I'm not sure I could do it, I think it's fair that she get's the chance to do so.
The second:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,140053,00.html
Have we humans become such sick people? Not too many years ago I read the book called The Giver. The young boy lives in a perfect eutopia where noone is different and there is a place for everyone...everyone that is except the weak. The boy doesn't find this out till he begins to grow up and he realizes the horror that his father euthanizes the elderly and the terminally ill children. That book was fiction...this article is not. May God have mercy on us!
I was watching the news last night and it was reported that Americans spend 22 Billion dollars over this past weekend at retail and discount stores. 22 Billion dollars! I wondered to myself how many children 22 billion dollars could feed that are starving to death around the world. I wondered how many children that are orphaned by aids could be given homes and nourishment with 22 billion dollars...heck 11 million dollars(only asking America to give up half).
But I'm not one to throw stones my consumerism is little better than most Americans. But yeah, I'm disgusted with myself.
The question asks itself...Will I do something about it or just talk about it?
I was at a parade in Spartanburg, SC this morning. I was standing there with my wife, mom, sister, nephew (3), niece (1), and brother-in-law. There weren't a ton of people there but it was quite festive, a nice crowd, simple parade, and really the weather was the best part of it all. One thing about the hour long parade will stick out to me for some time. About the second or third float was a group of men in the Army. They were in their desert camo and simply walking and waving. Suddenly a group to my right of older gentlemen and their grandchildren started clapping for the service men. Quickly the entire group, both sides of the street joined in on the applause. I started clapping and suddenly realized how great it felt to let these three men know how much I appreciate them and their co-workers. The applause went on for some time and I could tell it let the soldiers know they were cared for and appreciated by many. One of the soldiers looked at me and I met his eyes for a moment and I said "Thank You". He gave me a nod as if to say "I'm just doing my job but thank you".
You're welcome, You're so very welcome!
It's tradition in my wife's family to go around the table oldest to youngest and share what you are thankful for. We won't be with my wife's family this year so I started my own list in the shower this morning.
1. 17 great years with my little brother
2. My wonderful loving wife, that is truly my best friend.
3. God's wonderful gift of a little baby boy- Nathan Douglas
4. Excellent "extended" family that cares for my family.
And finally I am thankful for God's provision in ALL situations.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 The one who calls you is faithful and HE will do it.
I share this from my personal journal. I was watching HGTV this morning (The Lord works in mysterious ways). The homeowner was showing some improvements he had done to his home and some plans he had for the future to the host of the show. Normally children aren't in these shows but there was Matthew. He liked to be called Matt. Matt was about 5 years old and showing the improvements to the yard just as much as his father was. He was very well spoken for a little boy of his age and a nice looking kid. In fact he was so normal I didn't notice his abnormality.
The host of the show asked Matthew if he would show them the porch. Matthew, not waiting for anyone, grabbed the wheels to his wheelchair and got moving towards the porch. Neither strong, adult male, one being his father, noticed the boys effort or offered to help. Matthew reached an incline in the side walk, paused for a moment, took a breath and started wheeling himself again. When Matthew reached his destination the men started talking about the porch. His Dad was there waiting for him but not going on without him. His Dad then said some gentle and encouraging words to Matthew, telling he was proud of him and how strong of a boy he was.
That's when I got it. Matt's father wasn't helping him because Matthew has to learn to be strong. A fathers job is not to do everything for our children but to encourage them to carry on even when it's tough. The love of the Father is evident to us. I think sometimes we are tempted to wonder why God won't help us out, but he's there. He's with us and he cares for us. He lets us struggle because well...life is struggle.
I was sent this by a family member. It was in a powerpoint presentation showing the U.S. Forces work in Fallujah. This brief chart shows that the warfare was rough. Regardless of how you feel about the war in Iraq I think we all want our soldiers to be safe and get home to their families as soon as possible. 
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139316,00.html
With all this fiasco of brawls in sports, violence in sports and players and fans clashing it is nice to see some schools and institutions take a stand. This is a hard hit for the schools and is a big step, I know it doesn't mean much but I am proud of U of South Carolina and Clemson administration for not accepting any bowl bids as punishment for a fight that broke out during the game Saturday. Well done! Thanks for providing some sanity to the sports world.
I'm not sure there were too many people in America rooting for him during his trial. I think most people think he's guilty mainly becaused of his cold behavior through the whole process. So now that he's been found guilty and the sentencing phase has begun....
If you were a juror in his trial would you give him the death penalty?
Why or why not?
Read more about this part of the trial here.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139228,00.html
Well the NBA suspensions were dealt out. Fair?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139169,00.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139169,00.html
Story is here. Basically a man's game got out of control and turned into a playground brawl. I know I don't know the story and only watched the highlight...well lowlight really of these guys acting like street thugs.
I say this is the line...in the future if a professional athlete gets involved with the fans in any physical way the athlete is out of professional sports...forever. I know there are two sides to every story so the fans need to be punished. Make it rule or law or whatever if the player gets physically involved with an athlete whether it be by throwing something or spitting or anything like that a hefty fine. Add physical threats to that list as well. I'm thinking 5K-20k depending on the persons income. Really set them back for a few years, to be fair offer a payment plan. The money goes to the charity of the player's choice that was being assaulted.
Two reasons for this idea in my mind.
1. I am not allowed to beat up my co workers or even people I know that work at other churches. If we disagree we don't knock each other out.
2. People aren't allowed to stand beside me and yell at me and do physical things to me while I'm working. If they did I'd probably try to beat them up.
That's what the Padre thinks!
Yeah I guess I've got nothing to rant about today. In August I read Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller if you've never read it I really recommend it. You can get it from cbd.com or Amazon. Read more about Donald Miller at www.bluelikejazz.com. I'm always talking about the book "Donald Miller said this..." "Donald Miller feels..." I guess I shouldn't speak for him so much. My wife makes fun of me saying that if Donald Miller started a cult I'd join. I told her I most certainly would, I would try to be his lead disciple.
He's the man! He just came out with a new book in October call Searching for God knows what. Blue like jazz changed my life...I know it sounds cheesy but it really did. Searching for God knows what just helped me take one more step to where God wants me to be.
Two must reads!
Man Steals Fiancee's Engagement Ring
Thursday, November 18, 2004
ARCHIVE
MILFORD, Conn. — He might be able to star in a spin-off of "Desperate Housewives" — maybe something along the lines of "Desperate Husbands-to-Be."
A Milford, Conn., man staged a burglary to steal and hock the engagement ring he gave to the woman he planned to marry, The Associated Press reports.
Police said 43-year-old George Rich turned the home he shares with his fiancee upside down in order to make it look like a thief had broken in and taken jewelry, including her gold-and-diamond ring.
Court documents show Rich pawned the gems and jewelry for $5,000 at the Hock It To Me shop on Bridgeport Avenue.
On Sept. 21, he called police to report that burglars ransacked his home and stole a gold cocktail ring and the engagement ring, both valued at $2,500. He also said a gold chain was missing.
Detectives became suspicious when they noticed Rich's name in a weekly update on pawnshop activity. Records from Hock It To Me showed that Rich pledged a gold chain and two gold rings — including the engagement ring — at the business on Sept. 14.
Rich later admitted the scheme to detectives, police said.
He was charged Tuesday with falsely reporting an incident and providing a false statement, according to police. He was released on a written promise to appear in Superior Court on Dec. 7.
There was no word on whether the wedding is still on.
www.foxnews.com
I've been into politics lately. That's not really too bad of a thing except for the fact that I think I'm turning into a hippie.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139059,00.html
Maybe I'm missing the point but I think the reality is Iran is missing the point. We promise we won't make any weapons capable of killing millions after friday but we're going to hurry up and make as much as we can in the meantime. So you plan on using those?
I think it's funny when bigger nations get all up in arms (pun intended) when another country starts making nuclear weapons. Like we don't have places cranking out this stuff by the truckloads. I think we're just better at covering stuff up.
We went and registered for some baby stuff today. Overall it was fun and exciting. I loved it and believe it or not my favorite part was picking out clothes for my little boy. So it was a fun day and made it seem like the three and a half months we have to wait before he arrives will last and eternity. I have only one question well a statement really...maybe just a rant.
How in the world do they charge you so much for some of this stuff. Some of it makes sense it seems like they have a corner on the market so they can charge whatever they want. But some of the stuff like a baby towel 2 for $20, what? $10 for a towel, I promise you that my clothes are cheaper than a babies clothes and I am approximately 30 times bigger than any baby known to man.
Good grief. But I'm sure we'll buy it, why? Cuz we're suckers!
I've been wondering would the message of Jesus Christ be more effective if Christians didn't have as much power. It seems that so many people feel attacked by Christians and this Jesus gospel. I think that for starters they misunderstand about what Jesus was really about. I think "christians" have misrepresented HIM for so long; the message is so muddled it hurts. But think about it if we don't like something that goes down in our country we can cause enough ruckous about it to at least be heard if not to get things changed.
We even have enough votes, depending on the articles you have read, to determine who the president will be and who will represent us in congress. But what if evangelical, gospel believing and acting Christians had no power in the United States. I think things would get ugly fast. I think we would be persecuted and would leave tough lives. But would it help the gospel, the TRUE gospel, the Jesus gospel? People would know we are genuine, they would know we believe not because we are on the "winning" team but because we really believe what Jesus taught. I think there'd be a lot less fakers or nominal christians. If you didn't believe it you wouldn't say you did.
Now I'm not saying I want to be persecuted I just think we feed our "christian" egos too much, expecially after this election. Our attitude says we can control the gov't...but controlling the gov't doesn't introduce people to relationship with Christ or save souls from eternal hell.
Jesus tells us in Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
I think it's funny now that the republicans have won the white house two elections in a row all of a sudden conservatives are stupid and dumb. I can tell you how many times I have heard that if you have any sense or half a brain then you vote democrat. This article http://www.urbanarchipelago.com/ is quite the rally call for democrats but takes it's fair share of cheap shots at conservatives.
Suddenly people with certain morals and convictions in America are stupid. I guess I would label myself as a conservative, and yes even a republican. But I have to be honest and say that this election I took a good hard look at the democratic party and the reason I could not consider to take my vote thier way is the lact of integrity and consistency NOT the fact that I didn't like their platform. I think the democratic party has a lot going for it that the church should be attracted to. Helping the poor and public school reform being the ones that stick out to me.
But then I read articles post election calling me stupid because I voted one way or the other it makes me want to hate monger right back. But I will be the bigger man...the funny thing is that democracy is a beautiful thing when it represents you but when the vote goes against you and your candidate doesn't win suddenly everyone else is stupid. The beautiful thing about American is that we like a good cry baby. They're nice to have around, makes for good news and good things to post on your blog!
Even though I own Saving Private Ryan I normally don't watch it because everytime I do I dream I am storming the beach. It's not getting shot at or even getting shot in my dream that bothers me but the fact that I am killing others...people just like me.
Last night it was on TV unedited. I was flipping though and almost passed it up, then I thought if our veterans lived though this the least I can do it watch it and risk having a bad dream. There is a part at the end. The translator is carrying the ammo for his group. All of them men have run out of ammo and they can't find the translator. That's because the coward is hiding in a house so that he's not shot at. What's worse? The coward has a chance to save countless of his men, men I'd like to think were his friends or at least would try to save his life and instead he lets them die. Because he is a coward. So as I was thinking how much of a girly man this guy was...
How often do I pass up the chance to save someone's life...or at least offer them life saving truth and pass it up? Maybe I'm the coward because I know the truth about eternity and too often keep it to myself.
This information from Lord of the Slums by Scott Bessenecker:
Slums are marked by crowded conditions, makeshift housing, questionable sanitation, unbelievable unemployment rates, desperate poverty, and despair. Slums are typically built around trash heaps outside cites. 80% of the trash dumped in these is reused as materials to build with and food to eat. People are eating trash.
1 Billion People live in slums around the world. To put that in perspective the United States population is approximately 250 million, so 4 times our nations population live off of trash.
50 years ago slums did not exist. So all of our technology, industralization, and advancement has not helped those in poverty...dare we even claim it has put them there?
They are smart people to know how to live off of trash and they must be creative. They are just poor, not on their own voalition but because of other reasons.
Jesus tells us to help these. Why was Sodom destroyed...first because of their unwillingness to help the poor...then their immorality. Ezekiel 16:49-50
So I went into Wawa today (gas station/convenience store) and there was a young lady picking out a drink like I was doing. I didn't even glance twice at her not that she wasn't pretty but looking at ladies is a bad habit to get into. So she beat me to the register and as she walked by this other guy I just knew what he was going to do. I was right. He turned and checked out her backside after she walked by him. The funny thing was he didn't have the guts to make eye contact with her when she walked by him, he just kept looking down at something not important so as not to draw her attention. Then as soon as she walked past him he did a full turn to just stare. I found it funny! She poops just like you do!
I was at a not so local Christian bookstore the other day and I there was a whole section dedicated to the Chicken soup series. I don't normally think I would have gotten as irate as I did but the whole thing just really rubbed me raw. Since when have we reduced our relationship with Jesus Christ the man-God into a bowl of soup. The magical cure all chicken soup wrapped up in a book, "come get your daily dose of jesus and you'll instantly feel better, he helps with the sniffles, use him as a spiritual snack or even a full course meal"
Probably the best movie I have seen since LOTR ROTK. It was Gladiator meets LOTR and it was incredible. The story line was good, mixing roman rule with England and the tribal people. The saxons invade, and the Roman troops must make a decision, their freedom that they have earned for the past 15 years or friendship and doing what they know is right.
I like teams. I loved playing sports in high school and then intramurals in college. The concept of team is a good one. There is one leader, one director, and then the rest are equal. Each person has a job, a responsibility, and often if they fail at that job the rest of the team will fail. The ability to work together makes a good team.
I was driving to work today and saw a facinating model of team. While driving on the interstate I glanced to the median and saw a swarm of about 8 men all taking care of one job. Cutting the grass. Each man had a different task. There were 2 on push mowers, 2 on riding mowers, 2 weed eating and 2 picking up the trash. They were huddles within 20 feet of the other concentrating on their individual task at hand but working as a team. I thought to myself "what an outstanding model of TEAM! I wonder what company they are with." I looked for their work truck and saw the words in bright orange letters "Inmate Van".
I decided after this rather long glance to look back at the road, safety first. I wonder what the church can learn from a bunch of inmates...many, many things!
No really I did! Yesterday was a tough day. Not sure why, I've dealt with stuff much harder than what yesterday brought me but this was a defeating day. Is anyone really on my side? Do I have any teammates? I wasn't sure the answer and still am not sure but I had a dream that really helped me know I am exactly where I needed to be...exactly where I WANT to be.
I went back to college after serving some time in this church. I was glad to be going back to see my friends and I really loved college but my heart was with my teens and with the ministry at my church. Once I got to college I was so miserable, I felt torn in two and the part of me that I liked better was still a youth pastor reaching teens with the truth of Jesus. I tried for hours to get back to ministry but never could. I was stuck doing something I thought I would love and the something that often causes me pain I wanted to get back to.
I woke up so happy that is was really a dream and that I was exactly where I needed and WANTED to be!
I read this quote from Mike Yaconnelli, how challenging!
“Let me tell you what youth ministry is all about. It’s about bringing kids into the presence of Jesus Christ. We are not social workers. We are not counselors. We are not family fixer-uppers. We are not people who put on performances for kids. We are not programmers. We are just people who love kids and who love Jesus and who want kids to know about Jesus. That’s what we’re about. That’s what we do. Of course we help kids with other things, but the main center of what we do is to bring kids into the presence of Jesus. Instead of starting with kids’ wants and needs, we should start with God. Jesus Christ through his Holy Spirit comes into the lives of these kids, and all of a sudden the world is standing on its feet at what God can do through the lives of these young people. What a calling we have. What a privilege.”
he's right, I believe all the things he says YW's are not will actually happen if we are leading families and their teens into the presence of Jesus.
Saw spiderman yesterday. I scored it a 7 out of 10. I feel the set up took too long and they worried about being funny and should have stuck with more action. Doc Ock was an excellent villian and was even likeable. I like the way the movie deviated from the comic book and it looks like Peter and MJ are going to get together.
Last night my friends son came over his house with a couple hundred dollars of fireworks. So the whole youth group went out and watched light them off. What is it about things that make loud bangs and sparkle that facinate us so much? I don't know but they were so much fun to watch, even the grumpier older people stepped outside to enjoy.
I went to Va beach this past week. My family lives there so it was sort of a vacation/visit family but it was a great time. I'll post a few pics that I have.
Heard a quote today but can't find the source so hopefully I'll get it right:
Teach a man his rights and you'll start a revolution,
Teach a man his responsibilities and you'll start a revival.
-Bill Gothard
I came across this paragraph while studying for my last ordination paper. I love the intensity in which the author portrays Jesus.
Christ wants to return. He longs to reign. It is His right. Then why does He wait? He is waiting for you and me to complete the task. He is waiting for us to do what He has told us to do. Many a time He must say to Himself as He sits there, 'How long, I wonder, are they going to keep me waiting? When will they let Me come back? How soon can I return to earth to sit on My throne and reign?'
I heard this song for the first time today a great reminder of how we should live everyday!
Live like you were dying by Tim McGraw
He said: "I was in my early forties,
"With a lot of life before me,
"An' a moment came that stopped me on a dime.
"I spent most of the next days,
"Looking at the x-rays,
"An' talking 'bout the options an' talkin’ ‘bout sweet time."
I asked him when it sank in,
That this might really be the real end?
How’s it hit you when you get that kind of news?
Man whatcha do?
An' he said: "I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."
He said "I was finally the husband,
"That most the time I wasn’t.
"An' I became a friend a friend would like to have.
"And all of a sudden goin' fishin’,
"Wasn’t such an imposition,
"And I went three times that year I lost my Dad.
"Well, I finally read the Good Book,
"And I took a good long hard look,
"At what I'd do if I could do it all again,
"And then:
"I went sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I gave forgiveness I'd been denying."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."
Like tomorrow was a gift,
And you got eternity,
To think about what you’d do with it.
An' what did you do with it?
An' what can I do with it?
An' what would I do with it?
"Sky diving, I went rocky mountain climbing,
"I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu.
"And then I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,
"And I watched Blue Eagle as it was flyin'."
An' he said: "Some day, I hope you get the chance,
"To live like you were dyin'."
Sometimes it's good to have a little fun and then there are those times it's good to have a lot of fun. Last night at youth group was one of those lot of fun times. We had water/yuck night. The night had little spiritual value and I'm not the least bit worried about that. It had tremendous relational value. We saw several new kids, one professed athiest and one who had never been to a church anything ever!
When's the last time you went on a slip-n-slide? Sat in a baby pool? Threw a water balloon?
So our neighbor comes to the door yesterday morning and tells my wife. Your cat and another cat are fighting in my back yard. So she looks for the cat for a long time and can't find it. This cat is a real bully and likes to come into our yard and pick on our cat. Finally our cat came home and I checked her out for wounds she was fine.
So tonight the bully cat climbs up onto our deck and start meowing at the door. I am faced with a decision. Do I??? Grab the board we use to lock the door and smash it into the cat or do I??? thank the bully cat for beating the tar out of my cat because I don't like my cat either? I elected to do neither and just chase it off the porch.
Ever notice how people panic in certain situations. I was at Lowe's today to pick up some gate hinges so I can fix my gate and my hyper active dog will quit escaping. On my way back out to the truck to get my wallet I forgot I see this lady driving a Camry and this old dude who was driving a Stratus. The cars are both half in spots and both drivers are standing outside their cars. The lady who's bumper took the brunt of the incident was dented in on one of the corners. She was on her cell phone in an extreme panic not knowing what to do. The old dude was exactly opposite. He was leaning against his car just looking at her sympathetically, he could have been watching the waves at the beach for all his concern. I just thought it was funny to see those two extremes. The lady didn't need to panic as much as she did, no one was hurt, the damage was minimal. Kind of reminds me to not take things so seriously sometimes.
Pistons won again. I might actually watch some basketball next season.
How bout this guy in Texas that went after this foul ball. The video is pretty funny that a guy would go over a seat to get a foul ball but honestly I think it's been blown way out of proportion. The media makes it sound like the knocked the kid out of the way while he was going for the ball. The kid had no idea what had happened or that a foul ball was even close to him. The kid got bumped a little by his legs but that's it. Then the fans and lady made such a big deal about it the kid ended up getting a bunch of stuff from other players and fans. Moral of the story: Act like a victim and you get what you want.
Shooting Range: I went to the range today to test my accuracy and get a feel for my new gun. For anyone who is afraid of guns or not wanting to get shot let me give you some pointers. The safest place for you to stand if a gun is pointing at you is right in front of it about 30 feet away. There were so many people who were missing the complete target and target pad.
Reagan: I posted a few days ago wondering what made Reagan so great, because great men are to be modeled. Through watching some of his friends speak I came up with a few characteristics of great. 1. Be positive- Reagan was a gun that saw things in a positive light, he was willing try try new things and encourage others 2. He was a man of vision, he saw big picture 3. Admit when you are wrong 4. Have a sense of humor 5. Show people love when they need it most (Challenger 1986)
Detroit Pistons: I'm not an NBA fan at all, in fact I really dislike the NBA not because I dislike basketball but because it's mostly show boating one man team basketball. The pistons are different. They are TEAM. Forget Kobe forget Shaq, the pistons are a team and they act like one. The shooting guard has the most offensive rebounds...that's team. If there were more teams like them I'd watch NBA again, I hope they win it all 4-1.
Huggins: I've always liked this guy and thought he taught good basketball at Cinci. People make mistakes unfortunately in times like this people who work with young adults can't get caught DUI.
Now I'm not a parent and we don't even have one on the way but I sure would be frustrated by the daycare and preschool selection out today. Driving to work today I see a sign that says "just opened, Kare-a-Lot Daycare and Preschool" I'm sorry but I'm not sending my kid to a preschool that can't spell "Care" right.
And how bout this La Petit academy...see that's what's wrong with America, the french invade us at the youngest levels robbing us of our backbones.
James 3:1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.
I have actually heard people, friends use this verse to decline a teaching position that they were positive they were called to by God. I wondered if they figured they would get a less strict judgement by declining than leading people astray.
I've been thinking about the lack of service and volunteers that plagues churches, not all churches but far to many. Then I think of the song "Thank you for giving to the Lord" While it is a pretty cheesy song it has a good message, but it's awfully feel good. I'd like to hear the dark side version. About a person that is a believer and bound for heaven but as his judgement God sends him to hell for a few minutes. That person walks through hell and hears the screams of those he refused to serve. Then he encounters a few people he could have helped, a few people that wanted him to be their teacher, or spiritual mentor, or accountability partner and instead he declined them. Because of this rejection they turned their back on God never to believe and confess (Romans 10:9).
Maybe if we sung songs like that in church we wouldn't have to scramble to fill leadership positions but I don't think God works via guilt. Only conviction.
I was too lazy to come up with a good rant today. I have one brewing about the emergent church but I haven't thought about that enough yet to articulate it well.
I have been doing some studying about Kaballah, a mystic jewish religion. It seems to be the new religion of the hollywood stars. It's quite interesting but basically the same old junk by Satan to take as many to hell with him as he can. Someone gave me a video that is very anti-semetic. The hatred for the Jews is so sickening. What did they ever do that was so bad? What did they do that no other nation has done? Reject God, reject Christ, reject salvation, we've all done it so why hate the jews for it?
My wife and I joke about it, when something is wrong with the world we blame the jews in jest. I guess that's not a good idea we don't really mean it but that's what I feel like the world is doing. War with Iraq, it's the jews. Economy is bad, the jews must have done it. That's just a bunch of crap. To me it's just prejudice that people try to justify.
I guess I came up with a rant, who knew?
With the passing of this great american president I've had to wonder. I was alive for the whole Reagan administration but to be honest I can't say I remember it much if at all. I realize I have lived with his decisions and have nothing to complain about. But here is what I have been wondering.
I have heard on the news that he was one of the two great American presidents of the 20th century. I do not doubt that Reagan was a great man and a great president but what I have not heard is why. Perhaps if we knew why more people would live like him, thus making a epidemic of being great, that's something we all would benefit from. For the most part America does not value morals, we do not value acting on principle, what we value is self.
Sports Note: I love the way we ripped off the Calgary Flames in Games 6 forcing a game seven that Tampa Ray won. If I were a Canadian I'd be mad as all. Who likes hockey in Florida? Who has even heard of hockey in Florida?
FF: Fantasy Football starts up soon I'm excited. I won't have to watch Nascar anymore.
I've been doing a blog for about a month now but it was been a personal journal of sorts, one between me and God. I'm not comfortable sharing that with people I know or even strangers but I think it would be cool to have another place to share thoughts to maybe sharpen some of my brothers and sisters in their thoughts.
Nothing Profound, nothing profane, just some thoughts.
