"is the death of His saints." That's what the Psalmist tells us in the Old Testament.
I've been away from the "worldwide web" for the last four days, so I've not been able to "blog" any, even though lots has happened that has caught my attention.
Two events that have taken place since my last post are worthy of my attention today. Both of these are the "home-going" of precious, precious people.
The first person I want to honor is the late Reverend Dr Cecil B Knight, who went to be with the Lord last weekend at his home in Cleveland, Tennessee. Dr Knight was a true Christian gentleman. Having grown up in a Pentecostal denomination, Brother Knight's name was well-known, and well respected.
I first became very personally acquainted with Brother Knight and his wonderful wife Evelyn back in September 1992 when they came to Oslo, Norway to attend the Pentecostal World Conference being held there. It was my grand privilege to give them the "tour of Oslo" and to enjoy their company while they were in Scandanavia. I was stationed in the United States Air Force there at the time. Brother and Sister Knight treated me so wonderfully well on this visit, and he encouraged me to stay in touch with them.
Some four years later I had decided to leave the Air Force and to attend Seminary. I remembered that Dr Cecil Knight was the president of the Church of God Theological Seminary, and so I contacted him. He asked me to come for a visit, and to check out the seminary. I did just that, and made up my mind that I should be a student at the seminary. In late August 1996, I became a first-year Seminary student. Again, Brother and Sister Knight received me so graciously and warmly. Lots of stories abound concerning Brother Knight. But his legacy is that he loved and served the Lord Jesus Christ with all of his heart. He was by no means perfect, but he was a faithful servant of God. He will be tremendously missed by all who knew him. He was that kind of man.
The second person whose death I mourn is someone I never met, but whom I've loved anyway. That is Ruth (McCue) Bell Graham, the late wife of Evangelist Billy Graham. Everyone knows who Billy Graham is--well just about everyone. And anyone who has ever heard Dr Graham speak, or read any of his written works has heard him talk about his precious wife Ruth.
Mrs Graham was a wonderfully wise, gracious, and gentle woman. She and her husband raised 5 children to love and serve God, as well as loving and serving humanity. Anne, Gigi, Ruth, Franklin and Ned had a marvelous mother--one who passionately loved her God, her husband, and her family.
I remember reading a book about Ruth Graham a few years ago, and just doubled over in laughter. Mrs Graham had a tremendous sense of humor, and didn't mind playing practical jokes on anyone and everyone--her husband included!
I vividly remember an interview the Grahams did with David Frost some years ago, and the Mr Frost asked Ruth about her marriage. His question was along the lines of "You've raised these children without the help of your husband, and I know you've been very lonely at times....did you ever consider divorce?" Ruth Graham was very quick, very firm, and very funny in that she said, "No, I never, ever considered divorce, but MURDER did cross my mind many times."
I was in the Billy Graham Museum at Wheaton College yesterday, with a friend who was visiting Chicagoland. I stood near the exhibit where Dr Graham's family was featured, and the wonderful pictures of him and his precious Ruth. Dr Graham said that "Ruth is my most trusted spiritual advisor. She has a tremendously deep relationship with the Lord, and her knowledge of the Scriptures is amazing." I couldn't help but wipe tears from my eyes.
This world has lost two wonderful servants of the Lord. And indeed "precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints."
Even though we mourn now, when God calls it "precious" it is indeed a "precious thing."
Happy Birthday, Ann Downing!
My friend, Ann Downing, celebrated her birthday yesterday. So this is a tad bit "belated"...
Her website is www.anndowning.com
Ann, and her late husband Paul, formed the wonderful singing group The Downings many, many years ago. Of course Ann had been singing a long time before "The Downings" ever came to be, having spent time in musical ministry with The Speer Family, and singing on that cotton farm in Mississippi where she grew up.
I have wonderful memories of "The Downings" when I was growing up. I remember my first "Downings" concert at the National Guard Armory in Huntsville, AL in the very early 1970s. What a wonderful, wonderful night of music that was. It was so great that I still remember most of the songs the Downings sung that night.
Some of my favorite Downing songs were:
Gettin' Ready Today
I Feel So Good About It
God's Wonderful People
People
And I still love those songs today. I find myself singing "Gettin' Ready Today" quite often...and it always encourages my heart.
Paul went to heaven some 15 years ago, and Ann, with God's grace and help, has carried on in ministry to people across the globe. She and Paul had a dream of a Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat, and this year's retreat was just the greatest from all the reports I've read.
Please visit her website, and let her know that Phil in Chicago sent you.
Happy Birthday ANN!
Her website is www.anndowning.com
Ann, and her late husband Paul, formed the wonderful singing group The Downings many, many years ago. Of course Ann had been singing a long time before "The Downings" ever came to be, having spent time in musical ministry with The Speer Family, and singing on that cotton farm in Mississippi where she grew up.
I have wonderful memories of "The Downings" when I was growing up. I remember my first "Downings" concert at the National Guard Armory in Huntsville, AL in the very early 1970s. What a wonderful, wonderful night of music that was. It was so great that I still remember most of the songs the Downings sung that night.
Some of my favorite Downing songs were:
Gettin' Ready Today
I Feel So Good About It
God's Wonderful People
People
And I still love those songs today. I find myself singing "Gettin' Ready Today" quite often...and it always encourages my heart.
Paul went to heaven some 15 years ago, and Ann, with God's grace and help, has carried on in ministry to people across the globe. She and Paul had a dream of a Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat, and this year's retreat was just the greatest from all the reports I've read.
Please visit her website, and let her know that Phil in Chicago sent you.
Happy Birthday ANN!
Enforce the Current Immigration Laws...
As usual, the Senate of the United States has done basically nothing about comprehensive immigration reform. Not that I expected them to, though.
I have tremendous respect for Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina...However, on this issue, he was just terribly wrong. The so-called "agreement" hammered out with the White House was horribly flawed from the beginning.
We need to simply enforce the current laws of the nation concerning immigration.
Sadly, we may have waited too long. To those who want to come into this country (like the two people sitting in my office yesterday who have "overstayed their visas") and stay here, illegally, our laws mean nothing--and we are the ones to blame! We must insist on our duly enacted laws being enforced! No debate, no questions, no exceptions.
For all 12 million-plus, I would be in complete favor of buying one-way airline tickets back to their native lands. I would inform those governments that the United States will not accept these people inside our borders unless and until they can come here legally.
This is a costly proposition, but I am worried that "doing nothing"--which we have been experts at for the last 20 years--will be far costlier in the long run.
I have tremendous respect for Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina...However, on this issue, he was just terribly wrong. The so-called "agreement" hammered out with the White House was horribly flawed from the beginning.
We need to simply enforce the current laws of the nation concerning immigration.
Sadly, we may have waited too long. To those who want to come into this country (like the two people sitting in my office yesterday who have "overstayed their visas") and stay here, illegally, our laws mean nothing--and we are the ones to blame! We must insist on our duly enacted laws being enforced! No debate, no questions, no exceptions.
For all 12 million-plus, I would be in complete favor of buying one-way airline tickets back to their native lands. I would inform those governments that the United States will not accept these people inside our borders unless and until they can come here legally.
This is a costly proposition, but I am worried that "doing nothing"--which we have been experts at for the last 20 years--will be far costlier in the long run.
An "oldie" but "goodie"
The ministry of Bill and Gloria Gaither has blest my heart for many, many years. As long as I can remember, these two "giants" (in my eyes, at least) have enriched the Christian community with their prolific and powerful songwriting. Here is one of those grand treasures from years gone by:
MY FAITH STILL HOLDS
I thought I had to see and feel
To prove that what I loved was really real
As passion turned to ashes, things I held to dust
I found reality in simple trust
CHORUS:
My faith still holds on to the Christ of Calvary
Oh blessed Rock of Ages cleft for me
I gladly place my trust in things I can not see
My faith still holds on to the Christ of Calvary
I tried to find life's mysteries
Just by the reason of my mind to see
But void remain between me and where I longed to be
Till childlike faith there built a bridge for me
And oh what joy to walk His way
I followed nailed-pierced footprints all the way
Though the end of where I'm bound I may not see
I choose to place my trust in Calvary
______________________________________
Thank you Bill and Gloria for ministering to my heart for so many years!
MY FAITH STILL HOLDS
I thought I had to see and feel
To prove that what I loved was really real
As passion turned to ashes, things I held to dust
I found reality in simple trust
CHORUS:
My faith still holds on to the Christ of Calvary
Oh blessed Rock of Ages cleft for me
I gladly place my trust in things I can not see
My faith still holds on to the Christ of Calvary
I tried to find life's mysteries
Just by the reason of my mind to see
But void remain between me and where I longed to be
Till childlike faith there built a bridge for me
And oh what joy to walk His way
I followed nailed-pierced footprints all the way
Though the end of where I'm bound I may not see
I choose to place my trust in Calvary
______________________________________
Thank you Bill and Gloria for ministering to my heart for so many years!
An Open letter to Paris Hilton
Knowing that she will NEVER read this post, I still want to speak my mind here. (And in the off-chance that she does read this post, then "good for her.")
_______________________________
Dear Paris,
Forgive me for not calling you "Miss Hilton", but I have almost 20 years on you, and probably have clothes in my closet that are older than you. Not being snotty, snooty, or mean...just stating the obvious.
First, you have been "over-exposed"..and that for a very long time. I do not begrudge your money, your heritage, nor the "wealth" that you have at your disposal, regardless of it's form(s). I'm glad that you haven't had to "struggle" like we "commoners" or "little people" as your "Aunt Leona Helmsley" once called the "working class." But now you are old enough to make "wiser" decisions than you have recently.
Second, did anyone ever tell you that if you are driving while intoxicated (and I really don't care how many beers, cosmpolitans, martinis, sangrias, or anything else alcoholic you may have had) that you are committing "attempted murder"? You should have been charged as such. The license to drive an automobile in this country is a PRIVILEGE--not a right. In my humble opinion, you have forfeited that privilege for a very, very long time. You intentionally put yourself in a place where you could have taken a life. And sadly enough, once those lives are snuffed out...they are NEVER returned.
Third, we are all learning from your "mistakes." You obviously aren't learning anything from them, but those of us "little people" who must see your face in the headlines are learning more every day. And the lessons are not pretty. And after awhile, neither are you. "Pretty is as pretty does..." And right now, you are not pretty.
Finally, your parents have failed you. The authority-figures in this country have failed you. And it's time that we face up to the consequences of our failures. The fact that we must "face our consequences" by no means let's you off the hook from facing yours. And face them you should...the sooner the better. Hopefully the time that you will spend incarcerated lets you see that "life really does have consequences"--and yours definitely does.
I can't help but wonder if there had been "consequences" earlier on in life for you, if things would have been drastically different now.
_______________________________
Dear Paris,
Forgive me for not calling you "Miss Hilton", but I have almost 20 years on you, and probably have clothes in my closet that are older than you. Not being snotty, snooty, or mean...just stating the obvious.
First, you have been "over-exposed"..and that for a very long time. I do not begrudge your money, your heritage, nor the "wealth" that you have at your disposal, regardless of it's form(s). I'm glad that you haven't had to "struggle" like we "commoners" or "little people" as your "Aunt Leona Helmsley" once called the "working class." But now you are old enough to make "wiser" decisions than you have recently.
Second, did anyone ever tell you that if you are driving while intoxicated (and I really don't care how many beers, cosmpolitans, martinis, sangrias, or anything else alcoholic you may have had) that you are committing "attempted murder"? You should have been charged as such. The license to drive an automobile in this country is a PRIVILEGE--not a right. In my humble opinion, you have forfeited that privilege for a very, very long time. You intentionally put yourself in a place where you could have taken a life. And sadly enough, once those lives are snuffed out...they are NEVER returned.
Third, we are all learning from your "mistakes." You obviously aren't learning anything from them, but those of us "little people" who must see your face in the headlines are learning more every day. And the lessons are not pretty. And after awhile, neither are you. "Pretty is as pretty does..." And right now, you are not pretty.
Finally, your parents have failed you. The authority-figures in this country have failed you. And it's time that we face up to the consequences of our failures. The fact that we must "face our consequences" by no means let's you off the hook from facing yours. And face them you should...the sooner the better. Hopefully the time that you will spend incarcerated lets you see that "life really does have consequences"--and yours definitely does.
I can't help but wonder if there had been "consequences" earlier on in life for you, if things would have been drastically different now.
Advice to a brother...
A good friend of mine decided to enter the United States Army active duty more than a year ago. As a matter of fact, he wanted me to write one of the letters of reference for him to the Officer Candidate School board. I gladly recommended him.
Right before he left for the "Army" I sent him this email. I found it a while ago, and felt like sharing it here:
_________________________________
The next six months will be some of the most challenging of your life--not to mention your spiritual experience. You will meet some wonderful people, and some not-so-wonderful people. God will use both groups to help you see as He sees, even though your vision will be limited.
But also remember that God does indeed look on the heart--and sees much more than we humans see when we scrutinize the "outward person."
Athleticism, physical fitness, physical prowess, sharp intellect, keen senses of humor--we humans tend to evaluate others by these artificial standards. Yet God evaluates people--made in His image--by their hearts. He evaluates them by their willingness to live holy and humbly before Him. God never turns the brokenhearted and contrite person away. Instead, He draws them close to Himself, and heals their wounds.
After we hung up last night the story of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son from Luke 15 weighed heavily on my heart. Particularly so in the latter parable, because there was more than one prodigal son. The "elder brother" who never left the farm was just as prodigal (if not more so) than the younger who spent his inheritance (which he had no right to ask for at the time) on "riotous living."
The "elder son" never realized that everything in his father's possession was there for the asking. When the younger son returned, the father threw a party---but the older son could only point the accusatory finger and say "that son of yours...." It sorta makes me wonder if the older son wasn't glad, after all, that the younger one had left--and worse yet, hoped he would stay gone and never return.
You will meet alot of "younger sons" in your journey through military life--and life in general. They will be consumed with "riotous living"--sex, relationships, climbing to the top, fame, being the "best of the best.." (and let me say there is nothing wrong with being the best or striving for excellence, as long as it honors God) regardless of whom they have to avoid or step on....
Yet those "younger sons" will always come up empty....
But you will meet alot of "older brothers" too. This is the "I-told-you-so" crowd. This is also the "I've- never- been -the -slight- bit -disobedient- yet- you- never -do- anything- special- for- me" bunch. Their evil twin is the "Well, why don't you honor me" folks....
And we've all been there....many, many times. I know I have...and if you live long enough you may get the opportunity to become one of those kinds too....
Don't do it.....ever!
One of the kindest men I've ever known is a retired Four-Star Army General who once told a group of us, "I've gotten everything I've ever wanted out of life because I have always made sure that others get everything they have wanted out of life."
Jesus was less wordy when He said, "Greater Love has no man than this: That he lay down his life for his friends."
With that, I'll close. Serve the Lord fervently, serve this country passionately, and I know you will.
I'm here for you...always.
Right before he left for the "Army" I sent him this email. I found it a while ago, and felt like sharing it here:
_________________________________
The next six months will be some of the most challenging of your life--not to mention your spiritual experience. You will meet some wonderful people, and some not-so-wonderful people. God will use both groups to help you see as He sees, even though your vision will be limited.
But also remember that God does indeed look on the heart--and sees much more than we humans see when we scrutinize the "outward person."
Athleticism, physical fitness, physical prowess, sharp intellect, keen senses of humor--we humans tend to evaluate others by these artificial standards. Yet God evaluates people--made in His image--by their hearts. He evaluates them by their willingness to live holy and humbly before Him. God never turns the brokenhearted and contrite person away. Instead, He draws them close to Himself, and heals their wounds.
After we hung up last night the story of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son from Luke 15 weighed heavily on my heart. Particularly so in the latter parable, because there was more than one prodigal son. The "elder brother" who never left the farm was just as prodigal (if not more so) than the younger who spent his inheritance (which he had no right to ask for at the time) on "riotous living."
The "elder son" never realized that everything in his father's possession was there for the asking. When the younger son returned, the father threw a party---but the older son could only point the accusatory finger and say "that son of yours...." It sorta makes me wonder if the older son wasn't glad, after all, that the younger one had left--and worse yet, hoped he would stay gone and never return.
You will meet alot of "younger sons" in your journey through military life--and life in general. They will be consumed with "riotous living"--sex, relationships, climbing to the top, fame, being the "best of the best.." (and let me say there is nothing wrong with being the best or striving for excellence, as long as it honors God) regardless of whom they have to avoid or step on....
Yet those "younger sons" will always come up empty....
But you will meet alot of "older brothers" too. This is the "I-told-you-so" crowd. This is also the "I've- never- been -the -slight- bit -disobedient- yet- you- never -do- anything- special- for- me" bunch. Their evil twin is the "Well, why don't you honor me" folks....
And we've all been there....many, many times. I know I have...and if you live long enough you may get the opportunity to become one of those kinds too....
Don't do it.....ever!
One of the kindest men I've ever known is a retired Four-Star Army General who once told a group of us, "I've gotten everything I've ever wanted out of life because I have always made sure that others get everything they have wanted out of life."
Jesus was less wordy when He said, "Greater Love has no man than this: That he lay down his life for his friends."
With that, I'll close. Serve the Lord fervently, serve this country passionately, and I know you will.
I'm here for you...always.
Rules of the North
In all fairness, I wanted to collect these rule for the North....some of them are my own creation, and some of them were contributed by those who shall remain nameless.
1. Yes, we are developing stereotypes about you...
2. Biscuits are not a separate food group.
3. We do not have to eat GRAVY with everything...
4. It's not cold, you are just not insulated for our weather.
5. Grits? If I want to eat hominy, I'll chew it myself, thank you.
6. You lost the war, we won it. Get over it!
7. We can't understand a word you are saying...we don't think you are speaking in tongues, and besides you are scaring the children.
8. When you are told, "Don't travel because of the snow" you might want to listen...next time.
9. Yes, Starbucks are welcomed here..don't mess with it. Or we will MESS with you!
10. The word "marathon" does not mean an extra long church service.
11. Look, I asked where McDonald's is located, that doesn't mean I want your entire family history, while you are trying to remember where Mickey D's might be.
12. If you want to see your next birthday...or anyone else's, you will stop at the sign.
13. Vote early and vote often: Not a suggestion...A Commandment!
14. Alligator isn't a big snack commodity up here. Quit asking for it.
15. We spell "taters" with a "P"...as in Potato.
16. "Bagel" is not a long word...it's also not pronounced as two words.
17. Get to the point...I asked a simply question, and all I want is an answer...not a novel.
18. There are lots of things to see here...."The mall" wasn't what I had in mind.
19. You are in a traffic jam with 23, 432 other people on this mile. Stop crying, your mascara is running.
20. It is a shopping cart...not a "buggy."
What say ye?
1. Yes, we are developing stereotypes about you...
2. Biscuits are not a separate food group.
3. We do not have to eat GRAVY with everything...
4. It's not cold, you are just not insulated for our weather.
5. Grits? If I want to eat hominy, I'll chew it myself, thank you.
6. You lost the war, we won it. Get over it!
7. We can't understand a word you are saying...we don't think you are speaking in tongues, and besides you are scaring the children.
8. When you are told, "Don't travel because of the snow" you might want to listen...next time.
9. Yes, Starbucks are welcomed here..don't mess with it. Or we will MESS with you!
10. The word "marathon" does not mean an extra long church service.
11. Look, I asked where McDonald's is located, that doesn't mean I want your entire family history, while you are trying to remember where Mickey D's might be.
12. If you want to see your next birthday...or anyone else's, you will stop at the sign.
13. Vote early and vote often: Not a suggestion...A Commandment!
14. Alligator isn't a big snack commodity up here. Quit asking for it.
15. We spell "taters" with a "P"...as in Potato.
16. "Bagel" is not a long word...it's also not pronounced as two words.
17. Get to the point...I asked a simply question, and all I want is an answer...not a novel.
18. There are lots of things to see here...."The mall" wasn't what I had in mind.
19. You are in a traffic jam with 23, 432 other people on this mile. Stop crying, your mascara is running.
20. It is a shopping cart...not a "buggy."
What say ye?
Dangerously close...
I was fascinated with CNN's "The Situation Room" broadcast last night, featuring Senators Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and former North Carolina Senator John Edwards. The theme of the evening was "Faith and Politics." Soledad O'Brien moderated the discussion, which was more in the format of three 15-minute interviews, with each of the three special guests appearing one at a time on the platform.
It was a tremendously informative program--or at least I thought so.
What fascinated me was the way that each of the politicians handled questions about their own faith journey, and how "faith" informs public policy, and how "faith" would inform their public policies if they are elected to the Presidency of the United States.
I was particularly interested in Senator Clinton's response to the questions forwarded to her. She spoke of how she learned to pray as a child, and that prayer has always been an important part of her life. She assured the audience that she would have never survived all the "stuff" in her husband's administration--including his moral indiscretions--if it had not been for her relationship with God through prayer.
I am not one to judge Senator Clinton nor the other two guests on last night's program. Former Senator Edwards confessed how he grew up in the Southern Baptist Convention, strayed away from the Lord, and found his way back to Christ when his first son was killed several years ago. Senator Obama's "testimony" was less riveting, because he didn't talk about his "conversion."
Yet, as one who believes the Scriptures, and believes that Christ is the ONLY way to God the Father, and the Christ is the ONLY Saviour, I want to hear what these (and the other) political candidates have to say about "their faith."
I know many, many godly people who vote for the Democratic candidate--every election! I have ZERO reason to "question" or "doubt" their relationship with the Lord God. One of these leaders once lead a major conservative Pentecostal denomination. I've known the man personally for almost thirty years. He votes for the Democratic candidate...and I have no problem with it.
I'm grateful that CNN had the foresight to have this discussion on the air in the first place. I'm grateful that Senators Clinton, Obama, and Edwards were willing to share part of their lives and views that we might have not heard otherwise.
And regardless of whom is elected, we will need the Lord to help us in these great United States.
It was a tremendously informative program--or at least I thought so.
What fascinated me was the way that each of the politicians handled questions about their own faith journey, and how "faith" informs public policy, and how "faith" would inform their public policies if they are elected to the Presidency of the United States.
I was particularly interested in Senator Clinton's response to the questions forwarded to her. She spoke of how she learned to pray as a child, and that prayer has always been an important part of her life. She assured the audience that she would have never survived all the "stuff" in her husband's administration--including his moral indiscretions--if it had not been for her relationship with God through prayer.
I am not one to judge Senator Clinton nor the other two guests on last night's program. Former Senator Edwards confessed how he grew up in the Southern Baptist Convention, strayed away from the Lord, and found his way back to Christ when his first son was killed several years ago. Senator Obama's "testimony" was less riveting, because he didn't talk about his "conversion."
Yet, as one who believes the Scriptures, and believes that Christ is the ONLY way to God the Father, and the Christ is the ONLY Saviour, I want to hear what these (and the other) political candidates have to say about "their faith."
I know many, many godly people who vote for the Democratic candidate--every election! I have ZERO reason to "question" or "doubt" their relationship with the Lord God. One of these leaders once lead a major conservative Pentecostal denomination. I've known the man personally for almost thirty years. He votes for the Democratic candidate...and I have no problem with it.
I'm grateful that CNN had the foresight to have this discussion on the air in the first place. I'm grateful that Senators Clinton, Obama, and Edwards were willing to share part of their lives and views that we might have not heard otherwise.
And regardless of whom is elected, we will need the Lord to help us in these great United States.
Wounded people...God can bring healing to them.
I was invited to a cook-out last evening, hosted by one of my long-time friends from The Moody Church, where I am a regular parishioner...it was a fun evening.
And while I was there, I began thinking about "wounded people" who sit in local sanctuaries every week. And there are hundred of thousands, if not millions of them.
I know this is true. I've been one of them before. It's not a pretty sight.
Now, thank the Lord, I can honestly say that I am on the way to "healing" and health. It's certainly a process, and one that is never pain-free.
Almost two years ago I was wounded, and wasn't sure that I would ever "trust" again...even though I desperately wanted to...
The Moody Church has been a wonderful place of healing and wholeness for me. I have found people who are in love with God, with His Word, and with His people.
Of course The Moody Church isn't the only place people of this quality are found...but these folk are really, really special to me.
This congregation has always been a great "informational" and "evangelistic" place, and rightly so. But as we all know, the Gospel not only calls us to evangelism and information, but also to relationships. The whole of the New Testament emphasizes our relationships.
The most important relationship we will ever have is our connection to God the Father through His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ by the power of His Holy Spirit. This relationship is the ONLY sound, solid foundation for all other relationships on earth, and particularly in the family of God.
But then, our relationships to other Christians--blood-bought, blood-washed, believers--is definitely important. The Scriptures tell us how important these relationships are now, and for eternity. We belong to one another. We need each other, and the world can see that we are HIS disciples by how we relate to one another (John 13:32-34).
Sadly enough, I've been places where the only value I had was when I was "doing something" for "the cause"--whatever the cause happened to be at the time. I even had one leader tell me that I was of "no value to this congregation" unless...and then he ticked off a list of things.
I'm thankful that God views us as valuable to Him.
I'm thankful that The Moody Church views me as a valuable part of the family. I love them dearly.
And while I was there, I began thinking about "wounded people" who sit in local sanctuaries every week. And there are hundred of thousands, if not millions of them.
I know this is true. I've been one of them before. It's not a pretty sight.
Now, thank the Lord, I can honestly say that I am on the way to "healing" and health. It's certainly a process, and one that is never pain-free.
Almost two years ago I was wounded, and wasn't sure that I would ever "trust" again...even though I desperately wanted to...
The Moody Church has been a wonderful place of healing and wholeness for me. I have found people who are in love with God, with His Word, and with His people.
Of course The Moody Church isn't the only place people of this quality are found...but these folk are really, really special to me.
This congregation has always been a great "informational" and "evangelistic" place, and rightly so. But as we all know, the Gospel not only calls us to evangelism and information, but also to relationships. The whole of the New Testament emphasizes our relationships.
The most important relationship we will ever have is our connection to God the Father through His only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ by the power of His Holy Spirit. This relationship is the ONLY sound, solid foundation for all other relationships on earth, and particularly in the family of God.
But then, our relationships to other Christians--blood-bought, blood-washed, believers--is definitely important. The Scriptures tell us how important these relationships are now, and for eternity. We belong to one another. We need each other, and the world can see that we are HIS disciples by how we relate to one another (John 13:32-34).
Sadly enough, I've been places where the only value I had was when I was "doing something" for "the cause"--whatever the cause happened to be at the time. I even had one leader tell me that I was of "no value to this congregation" unless...and then he ticked off a list of things.
I'm thankful that God views us as valuable to Him.
I'm thankful that The Moody Church views me as a valuable part of the family. I love them dearly.
There's always next year...CUBS' fans!
I'm a rather new convert to being a Chicago Cubs baseball fan...well, about 6.5 years ago at least...
I never was an Atlanta Braves fan, or a Baltimore Orioles fan (Don Bowdle, I know you are shocked to read those words..LOL). But, since I lived about 1 mile from Wrigley Field for almost four years, I did finally "see the light."
And it's always an on-coming train--or so it seems.
Like my friend Joe Misek says (www.joemisek.blogspot.com) "300 Million dollars can't buy what it used to buy..."
The Tribune Company (owners of the Chicago Cubs) spent a boat-load of cash this year to buy some decent "players" for their 100-year losing team...with some years, better than others.
And all these men, hmmmm...males...can do is fight. Friday is a prime example.
Two of the players were resigned to the fact they couldn't beat the Atlanta Brave (my Grandmother Fields FAVORITE baseball team, incidentally), so they decided to start pounding each other.
In the dugout...and later in the lockeroom....
What were these "boys" thinking? Did their testosterone levels hit an all-time high, or something?
And then the manager...Mr Lou himself--became the "Drama queen" of Wrigleyville on Saturday...what was HE thinking?
Now, when does this season end?
I never was an Atlanta Braves fan, or a Baltimore Orioles fan (Don Bowdle, I know you are shocked to read those words..LOL). But, since I lived about 1 mile from Wrigley Field for almost four years, I did finally "see the light."
And it's always an on-coming train--or so it seems.
Like my friend Joe Misek says (www.joemisek.blogspot.com) "300 Million dollars can't buy what it used to buy..."
The Tribune Company (owners of the Chicago Cubs) spent a boat-load of cash this year to buy some decent "players" for their 100-year losing team...with some years, better than others.
And all these men, hmmmm...males...can do is fight. Friday is a prime example.
Two of the players were resigned to the fact they couldn't beat the Atlanta Brave (my Grandmother Fields FAVORITE baseball team, incidentally), so they decided to start pounding each other.
In the dugout...and later in the lockeroom....
What were these "boys" thinking? Did their testosterone levels hit an all-time high, or something?
And then the manager...Mr Lou himself--became the "Drama queen" of Wrigleyville on Saturday...what was HE thinking?
Now, when does this season end?
He's Getting MARRIED...
I tried posting this one earlier, but for some reason it didn't take...
My good---great friend AARON KUGLIN is getting married!
I knew that something was up last week when he told me he was "seriously seeing someone..." and I kindly asked him to "keep me informed."
Monday morning, bright and early, I get a telephone call from Decatur, GA and the cheery voice said, "She's wearing a ring on her finger..."
I'm so happy for Aaron and Kristy, even though I've never met Kristy.
Aaron and I have been pals for almost seven years...and he is one of the sources of great joy in my life...He is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute, and has been one of my very closest friends for a long time now.
I could say so much about him...but I won't...
At least not right now.
My good---great friend AARON KUGLIN is getting married!
I knew that something was up last week when he told me he was "seriously seeing someone..." and I kindly asked him to "keep me informed."
Monday morning, bright and early, I get a telephone call from Decatur, GA and the cheery voice said, "She's wearing a ring on her finger..."
I'm so happy for Aaron and Kristy, even though I've never met Kristy.
Aaron and I have been pals for almost seven years...and he is one of the sources of great joy in my life...He is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute, and has been one of my very closest friends for a long time now.
I could say so much about him...but I won't...
At least not right now.
Rules of the South....
Someone posted this on a message board a while back. I'm a native Southerner...even though now I am happily transplanted in the North...aka YANKEE LAND....
I will neither confirm nor deny the "truthfulness" of any of these rules....but they are hilarious:
___________________________________________________
RULES OF THE SOUTH
A friend just moved from Southern California to South Carolina and he e-mailed this. He said they gave it to him at the state line.
If you are going to live or visit in the South, you need to know these rules:
1. That farm boy you see at the gas station did MORE work before breakfast than you do all week at the gym.
2. It's called a "gravel road." No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Navigator. Drive it or get out of the way.
3. The red dirt -- it's called clay. Red clay. If you like the color, don't wash your car for a couple weeks -- it'll be permanent.
4. We all started hunting and fishing when we were seven years old. Yeah, we saw Bambi. We got over it.
5. Go ahead and bring your $600 Orvis Fly Rod. Don't cry to us if a flathead breaks it off at the handle. We have a name for those little 13-inch trout you fish for -- bait.
6. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.
7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of mallards (ducks) are making their final approach, we will shoot it (the phone). You might want to insure it's not up to your ear at the time.
8. No, there's no "Vegetarian Special" on the menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey.
9. Tea - yeah, we have tea. It comes in a glass over ice and is really, really sweet. You want it hot -- sit it in the sun. You want it unsweetened -- add a LOT of water.
10. You bring Coke into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice.
11. So, you have a sixty thousand dollar car. We're real impressed. We have a quarter of a million-dollar combine (it's farm equipment) that we only use two weeks a year.
12. Let's get this straight. We have one stoplight in town. We stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow.
13. We eat dinner together with our families. We pray before we eat yeah, even breakfast). We go to church on Wednesdays and Sundays and we go to high school football games on Friday nights. We still address our seniors with "yes, sir" and " yes, ma'am," and we sometimes still take Sunday drives around town to see friends and neighbors.
14. We don't do "hurry up" well.
15. Greens - yeah, we have greens, but you don't putt on them. You boil them with salty fatback, bacon or a ham hock.
16. Yeah, we eat catfish, bass, bream (pronounced brim) and carp. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop.
17. They are pigs. That's what they smell like (money). Get it -- pig farms -- income -- money? Get over it. Don't like the smell? Interstate 77 goes two ways .Interstate 20 goes the other two. Pick one.
18. Grits are corn. You put butter, salt, and maybe even some pepper on them. If you want to put milk and sugar on them, then you want Cream of Wheat -- go to Kansas. That would be I-20 west.
19. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer r season or dove season. Both are holidays. You can get pancakes, cane syrup, and sausage before daylight at the church on either day.
20. So every person in every pickup waves? Yeah, it's called being friendly. Understand the concept?
21. Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazards. It spooks the fish and bothers the gators...and if you hit it in the rough, we have these things called diamondbacks, and they're not baseball players.
22. That Highway Patrol Officer that just pulled you over for driving like an idiot...his name is "Sir," no matter how young he is.
23. We have lots of pine trees. They have sap. It drips from them. You park your Navigator under them, and they'll leave a logo on your hood.
24. You burn an American flag in our state, you get beat up. No questions. The liberal contingent of our state legislature -- all four of them -- enacted a measure to stop this. There is now a $2.50 fine for beating up the flag burner.
25. No, we don't care how you do things in California or up North. If it is so great, why not stay there?
26. And no, down here we don't have an accent, you do.
___________________________________________________________
I think most of them are pretty funny. And some of them are "gospel" truth too.
I will neither confirm nor deny the "truthfulness" of any of these rules....but they are hilarious:
___________________________________________________
RULES OF THE SOUTH
A friend just moved from Southern California to South Carolina and he e-mailed this. He said they gave it to him at the state line.
If you are going to live or visit in the South, you need to know these rules:
1. That farm boy you see at the gas station did MORE work before breakfast than you do all week at the gym.
2. It's called a "gravel road." No matter how slow you drive, you're going to get dust on your Navigator. Drive it or get out of the way.
3. The red dirt -- it's called clay. Red clay. If you like the color, don't wash your car for a couple weeks -- it'll be permanent.
4. We all started hunting and fishing when we were seven years old. Yeah, we saw Bambi. We got over it.
5. Go ahead and bring your $600 Orvis Fly Rod. Don't cry to us if a flathead breaks it off at the handle. We have a name for those little 13-inch trout you fish for -- bait.
6. Pull your pants up. You look like an idiot.
7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of mallards (ducks) are making their final approach, we will shoot it (the phone). You might want to insure it's not up to your ear at the time.
8. No, there's no "Vegetarian Special" on the menu. Order steak. Order it rare. Or, you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey.
9. Tea - yeah, we have tea. It comes in a glass over ice and is really, really sweet. You want it hot -- sit it in the sun. You want it unsweetened -- add a LOT of water.
10. You bring Coke into my house, it better be brown, wet, and served over ice.
11. So, you have a sixty thousand dollar car. We're real impressed. We have a quarter of a million-dollar combine (it's farm equipment) that we only use two weeks a year.
12. Let's get this straight. We have one stoplight in town. We stop when it's red. We may even stop when it's yellow.
13. We eat dinner together with our families. We pray before we eat yeah, even breakfast). We go to church on Wednesdays and Sundays and we go to high school football games on Friday nights. We still address our seniors with "yes, sir" and " yes, ma'am," and we sometimes still take Sunday drives around town to see friends and neighbors.
14. We don't do "hurry up" well.
15. Greens - yeah, we have greens, but you don't putt on them. You boil them with salty fatback, bacon or a ham hock.
16. Yeah, we eat catfish, bass, bream (pronounced brim) and carp. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the bait shop.
17. They are pigs. That's what they smell like (money). Get it -- pig farms -- income -- money? Get over it. Don't like the smell? Interstate 77 goes two ways .Interstate 20 goes the other two. Pick one.
18. Grits are corn. You put butter, salt, and maybe even some pepper on them. If you want to put milk and sugar on them, then you want Cream of Wheat -- go to Kansas. That would be I-20 west.
19. The "Opener" refers to the first day of deer r season or dove season. Both are holidays. You can get pancakes, cane syrup, and sausage before daylight at the church on either day.
20. So every person in every pickup waves? Yeah, it's called being friendly. Understand the concept?
21. Yeah, we have golf courses. Don't hit in the water hazards. It spooks the fish and bothers the gators...and if you hit it in the rough, we have these things called diamondbacks, and they're not baseball players.
22. That Highway Patrol Officer that just pulled you over for driving like an idiot...his name is "Sir," no matter how young he is.
23. We have lots of pine trees. They have sap. It drips from them. You park your Navigator under them, and they'll leave a logo on your hood.
24. You burn an American flag in our state, you get beat up. No questions. The liberal contingent of our state legislature -- all four of them -- enacted a measure to stop this. There is now a $2.50 fine for beating up the flag burner.
25. No, we don't care how you do things in California or up North. If it is so great, why not stay there?
26. And no, down here we don't have an accent, you do.
___________________________________________________________
I think most of them are pretty funny. And some of them are "gospel" truth too.
No ordinary "Joe"
at least I don't think so. My buddy Joe Misek has started blogging!
Here's his link:
http://joemisek.blogspot.com
Go visit my friend, and read about his life...his thoughts...his emotions, and tell him that PHIL sent you over! It will be a good visit.
For both of you.
Here's his link:
http://joemisek.blogspot.com
Go visit my friend, and read about his life...his thoughts...his emotions, and tell him that PHIL sent you over! It will be a good visit.
For both of you.
Does it ever slow down?
I'm just going to say it:
I'm exhausted!
In the last seven days I have:
Participated in two conferences (student matters) here at work;
Worked at two career/resource fairs (on my feet for at least 5 hours each);
Participated in a condo association board meeting;
Cleaned my house for potential buyers to view;
Worked in the new Facility of my local church, preparing for the dedication (www.moodychurch.org) 12 hours on Saturday, and 8 hours on Sunday;
Put in 40 hours worth of work in my office.
Where did my weekend go? I spent at least 20 hours out of 48 at the church--I was happy to do it, but I'm also glad that "dedication" is behind us.
My back hurts, my feet hurt, and I just feel drained.
And I'm not even married! And I don't have small children at home!
What is my problem?
I just don't seem to have the stamina nor the energy that I once had.
Oh well.....
I'm exhausted!
In the last seven days I have:
Participated in two conferences (student matters) here at work;
Worked at two career/resource fairs (on my feet for at least 5 hours each);
Participated in a condo association board meeting;
Cleaned my house for potential buyers to view;
Worked in the new Facility of my local church, preparing for the dedication (www.moodychurch.org) 12 hours on Saturday, and 8 hours on Sunday;
Put in 40 hours worth of work in my office.
Where did my weekend go? I spent at least 20 hours out of 48 at the church--I was happy to do it, but I'm also glad that "dedication" is behind us.
My back hurts, my feet hurt, and I just feel drained.
And I'm not even married! And I don't have small children at home!
What is my problem?
I just don't seem to have the stamina nor the energy that I once had.
Oh well.....
Earth's Loss and Heaven's Gain!
I just returned from a short lunch break and heard the awful news:
Dr Jerry Falwell, Pastor of the Thomas Road Baptist Church, Chancellor of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia has gone to be with the Lord this morning.
He was found unconscious in his office. All efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
I first met "Pastor Falwell" thirty plus years ago when he did a tour of the nation entitled "I LOVE AMERICA!" That was the very first time I heard Robbie Hiner and the "Sounds of Liberty"...it was a grand evening.
Dr Falwell pastored the same congregation that started in his living room more than 50 years ago.
I remember hearing him on the radio back when I was a teenager, with the half-hour program "The Old Time Gospel Hour"...I also remember the Sunday television program by the same name.
I didn't always agree with Dr Falwell on a variety of political issues. But I have always admired his bold stand for the power of the Gospel, the love of Jesus Christ, and our eternity with God for those who have trusted His Son.
This is a tremendously sad day for the Christian Church in the United States, and indeed around the world.
Let's remember his precious family in our prayers. That includes his large, loving church family as well.
Dr Jerry Falwell, Pastor of the Thomas Road Baptist Church, Chancellor of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia has gone to be with the Lord this morning.
He was found unconscious in his office. All efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
I first met "Pastor Falwell" thirty plus years ago when he did a tour of the nation entitled "I LOVE AMERICA!" That was the very first time I heard Robbie Hiner and the "Sounds of Liberty"...it was a grand evening.
Dr Falwell pastored the same congregation that started in his living room more than 50 years ago.
I remember hearing him on the radio back when I was a teenager, with the half-hour program "The Old Time Gospel Hour"...I also remember the Sunday television program by the same name.
I didn't always agree with Dr Falwell on a variety of political issues. But I have always admired his bold stand for the power of the Gospel, the love of Jesus Christ, and our eternity with God for those who have trusted His Son.
This is a tremendously sad day for the Christian Church in the United States, and indeed around the world.
Let's remember his precious family in our prayers. That includes his large, loving church family as well.
The First Commandment with A Promise...
Exodus 20 tells me to "Honor thy father and mother..."
Yesterday was Mother's Day--one of my two least favorite holidays in the whole year. The other "least favorite" will be Father's Day in a few weeks.
My parents abandoned me when I was a small baby, and for all intents and purposes dropped out of my life when it was convenient for them to do so.
My precious Grandmother Hoover raised me--and did one terrific job, if I must say so myself.
We were discussing this very issue in Sunday School yesterday: Honoring your parents.
This has plagued me for a long time. But it seems to have all "come together" yesterday. I don't "honor them" for their sake. I "honor them" for my sake. The promise of God is to me. The promise is that "it will be well with you all the days of your life." That is God's promise to me--for honoring those who "gave birth" to me.
And that's the "hard" part for me. Jodi (my biological mother) and I are friends. Very platonic friends. I'm happy with this arrangement, and it seems to work for me. I'm not sure how it works for her--and for the most part, I've not really cared how it works for her. There is no hatred nor animosity there--but there is a heavy load of indifference, on my part.
So how do I honor someone who abandoned me, and indirectly (sometimes directly) abused me when I needed them most?
What say ye?
Yesterday was Mother's Day--one of my two least favorite holidays in the whole year. The other "least favorite" will be Father's Day in a few weeks.
My parents abandoned me when I was a small baby, and for all intents and purposes dropped out of my life when it was convenient for them to do so.
My precious Grandmother Hoover raised me--and did one terrific job, if I must say so myself.
We were discussing this very issue in Sunday School yesterday: Honoring your parents.
This has plagued me for a long time. But it seems to have all "come together" yesterday. I don't "honor them" for their sake. I "honor them" for my sake. The promise of God is to me. The promise is that "it will be well with you all the days of your life." That is God's promise to me--for honoring those who "gave birth" to me.
And that's the "hard" part for me. Jodi (my biological mother) and I are friends. Very platonic friends. I'm happy with this arrangement, and it seems to work for me. I'm not sure how it works for her--and for the most part, I've not really cared how it works for her. There is no hatred nor animosity there--but there is a heavy load of indifference, on my part.
So how do I honor someone who abandoned me, and indirectly (sometimes directly) abused me when I needed them most?
What say ye?
The not-so-pretty part of King David
Read 1 Samuel 24 and 25.
We are studying the life of David in our Sunday School class. And so far, we've all liked (for the most part) what we've discovered about the second king of Israel. We've found a brave, proud, and loyal servant of the Lord. We've found a man who refuses to kill the same mad man who has tried to kill him on several occasions. We've found a young man who honors the Lord and the Lord's anointed--even at the risk of his own life.
But then we come to 1 Samuel 25. The story of David, Abigail, and Nabal.
There are some things that we know from this story:
1) Nabal is a rude, arrogant, and foolish man.
2) Abigail is a smart, wise, and diplomatic woman.
3) David is ready to kill a man, and his entire village--just because Nabal spoke rudely towards him.
David sends his men to tell Nabal, "Look, we've protected your sheep even though we didn't have to, and we've not harmed your shearers (even though we could have), and we are tired and hungry, and we want your food from your farm. Furthermore, we want it now." (my paraphrase and emphasis).
David had no right to "call in this favor." Sure, David was fleeing from Saul, and was running for his life: tired, exhausted, probably afraid and depressed.
David had witnessed the horror of Saul's murdering of an entire city of priests because they didn't cooperate with his scheme--or even knew anything about it. But now David was willing to wipe out an entire community--just because an arrogant farmer was rude to him.
It's truly amazing how much of SAUL is in David's heart. Gene Edwards' masterpiece A Tale of Three Kings truly assists us in understanding just how much "humanity" this soon-to-be-great King really possessed.
David is probably not 25 years old now, but he's bent on wiping out innocent people--just for giving him an answer he didn't like. How very, very like the man he would replace: King Saul.
So how much of "Saul" do I have in me?
What about you?
We are studying the life of David in our Sunday School class. And so far, we've all liked (for the most part) what we've discovered about the second king of Israel. We've found a brave, proud, and loyal servant of the Lord. We've found a man who refuses to kill the same mad man who has tried to kill him on several occasions. We've found a young man who honors the Lord and the Lord's anointed--even at the risk of his own life.
But then we come to 1 Samuel 25. The story of David, Abigail, and Nabal.
There are some things that we know from this story:
1) Nabal is a rude, arrogant, and foolish man.
2) Abigail is a smart, wise, and diplomatic woman.
3) David is ready to kill a man, and his entire village--just because Nabal spoke rudely towards him.
David sends his men to tell Nabal, "Look, we've protected your sheep even though we didn't have to, and we've not harmed your shearers (even though we could have), and we are tired and hungry, and we want your food from your farm. Furthermore, we want it now." (my paraphrase and emphasis).
David had no right to "call in this favor." Sure, David was fleeing from Saul, and was running for his life: tired, exhausted, probably afraid and depressed.
David had witnessed the horror of Saul's murdering of an entire city of priests because they didn't cooperate with his scheme--or even knew anything about it. But now David was willing to wipe out an entire community--just because an arrogant farmer was rude to him.
It's truly amazing how much of SAUL is in David's heart. Gene Edwards' masterpiece A Tale of Three Kings truly assists us in understanding just how much "humanity" this soon-to-be-great King really possessed.
David is probably not 25 years old now, but he's bent on wiping out innocent people--just for giving him an answer he didn't like. How very, very like the man he would replace: King Saul.
So how much of "Saul" do I have in me?
What about you?
If God is God, then Why?
My long-time friend, Dr Al Truesdale has written a marvelous, searching, probing book:
If God is God, then Why? Letters from New York City
This is a companion book to an earlier volume, If God is God, then Why? Letters from Oklahoma City written in the late 1990s, concerning the horrible bombing of the Murrow Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
Al, a retired theology professor, sensitively and compassionately answers many questions that everyone raises about the "goodness" and even the "severity" of God.
This fictional account of letters to a pastor addresses the unavoidable question: What kind of loving Father would allow the suffering of September 11, 2001?
We find the solution in the life, death, resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son.
While acknowledging the absolute sovereignty of God the Father, Truesdale doesn't run and hide behind that well-established fact. He grapples with some of the heart-wrenching questions that many have asked through the ages, and that many will continue to ask.
Let me encourage you to get both volumes.
Published by Beacon Hill Press, Kansas City, these two books will encourage you, enlighten your mind, and cause you to look deep within your own heart. These volumes will draw you into deep response for the suffering and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If God is God, then Why? Letters from New York City
This is a companion book to an earlier volume, If God is God, then Why? Letters from Oklahoma City written in the late 1990s, concerning the horrible bombing of the Murrow Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
Al, a retired theology professor, sensitively and compassionately answers many questions that everyone raises about the "goodness" and even the "severity" of God.
This fictional account of letters to a pastor addresses the unavoidable question: What kind of loving Father would allow the suffering of September 11, 2001?
We find the solution in the life, death, resurrection of Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son.
While acknowledging the absolute sovereignty of God the Father, Truesdale doesn't run and hide behind that well-established fact. He grapples with some of the heart-wrenching questions that many have asked through the ages, and that many will continue to ask.
Let me encourage you to get both volumes.
Published by Beacon Hill Press, Kansas City, these two books will encourage you, enlighten your mind, and cause you to look deep within your own heart. These volumes will draw you into deep response for the suffering and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
There's alot of truth to this...
I'm not sure who "authored"this--but it states exactly how many of us in the "silent majority" feel about the "undocumenteds" in this country:
_________________________________________
Let's say I break into your house.
A lady wrote the best letter in the Editorials in ages!!!
It explains things better than all the baloney you hear on TV.
Her point: Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely.
Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.
Let's say I break into your house.
Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors. I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).
According to the protesters:
You are required to let me stay in your house.
You are Required to add me to your family's insurance plan.
You are Required to Educate my kids.
You are Required to Provide other benefits to me & to my family (my husband will do all of your yard work because he is also hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part).
If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my RIGHT to be there.
It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm a hard-working and honest, person, except for well, you know, I did break into your house.
And what a deal it is for me!!!
I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of cold, uncaring, selfish, prejudiced, and bigoted behavior.
Oh yeah, I DEMAND that you learn MY LANGUAGE so you can communicate with me.
Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?!
Only in America .
_________________________________________
Let's say I break into your house.
A lady wrote the best letter in the Editorials in ages!!!
It explains things better than all the baloney you hear on TV.
Her point: Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely.
Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.
Let's say I break into your house.
Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors. I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).
According to the protesters:
You are required to let me stay in your house.
You are Required to add me to your family's insurance plan.
You are Required to Educate my kids.
You are Required to Provide other benefits to me & to my family (my husband will do all of your yard work because he is also hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part).
If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my RIGHT to be there.
It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm a hard-working and honest, person, except for well, you know, I did break into your house.
And what a deal it is for me!!!
I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of cold, uncaring, selfish, prejudiced, and bigoted behavior.
Oh yeah, I DEMAND that you learn MY LANGUAGE so you can communicate with me.
Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?!
Only in America .
Send them back! Do it now!
All of the "undocumented" (read ILLEGAL) folks in this country have decided that it is time to "march again for our rights..." As a matter of facts, they are doing it even as I am writing this post.
My first question is this:
If you are here "undocumented" then what "rights" do you suppose you have? You are breaking the laws of this free nation--and you have the gall to think you have "rights"?
The government of the United States of America needs to grow a spine and do something about the "undocumented" "illegals" in this country. And do it now...post haste!
As a taxpaying, law-abiding, citizen of this great land, I'm devoid of any patience where this issue is concerned. The rest of the taxpaying, law-abiding, citizenry (and documented immigrants) in this country have been "robbed" long enough.
Personally, I want every person who insists on not becoming part of this nation (and have come here illegally) to go back to wherever they have come from. We do not want you here--particularly so if you insist on breaking the laws of this land.
We want you to:
1) Come here legally. Wait your turn, and do it legally.
2) Learn to speak ENGLISH...not Spanglish, Polish, or Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics....ENGLISH....
3) Become a citizen of this nation. Start today...regardless of the cost. Either become an American, or find another nation in which to live.
4) Insist and demand that your children and family learn to speak English.
And for the legislators:
1) Grow a spine, for heaven's sake!
2) Enforce the laws of this land.
3) Refuse amnesty, guest worker programs, and anything else that will encourage people to break the laws of this land, and violate us as they have been doing for years.
My first question is this:
If you are here "undocumented" then what "rights" do you suppose you have? You are breaking the laws of this free nation--and you have the gall to think you have "rights"?
The government of the United States of America needs to grow a spine and do something about the "undocumented" "illegals" in this country. And do it now...post haste!
As a taxpaying, law-abiding, citizen of this great land, I'm devoid of any patience where this issue is concerned. The rest of the taxpaying, law-abiding, citizenry (and documented immigrants) in this country have been "robbed" long enough.
Personally, I want every person who insists on not becoming part of this nation (and have come here illegally) to go back to wherever they have come from. We do not want you here--particularly so if you insist on breaking the laws of this land.
We want you to:
1) Come here legally. Wait your turn, and do it legally.
2) Learn to speak ENGLISH...not Spanglish, Polish, or Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics....ENGLISH....
3) Become a citizen of this nation. Start today...regardless of the cost. Either become an American, or find another nation in which to live.
4) Insist and demand that your children and family learn to speak English.
And for the legislators:
1) Grow a spine, for heaven's sake!
2) Enforce the laws of this land.
3) Refuse amnesty, guest worker programs, and anything else that will encourage people to break the laws of this land, and violate us as they have been doing for years.
My buddy Paul...on his wait to Kuwait...
The day I've dreaded for a while is now here.
My buddy Paul--an officer in the United States Army is enroute to Kuwait, and then to the supposedly safe "Green Zone" in Baghdad.
I'm not happy about it at all...Paul wanted to go to this assignment, and even volunteered.
I've known this for several months now...but that doesn't make it any easier.
I'm wiping tears from my eyes, even as I write this post.
With the failures of the current administration in the White House, I'm just praying for God's protection around my dear friend, and that he will come back to the United States alive, in one piece, and in sound mind.
I'm just not sure what to think right now. He and I have talked about this for a long time...he and I are very close friends...and I love him dearly.
So does his wife, his son, and the rest of his family. He's a brother to me.
Please pray for him. Please pray for every military service personnel who is serving any where in the world right now.
My buddy Paul--an officer in the United States Army is enroute to Kuwait, and then to the supposedly safe "Green Zone" in Baghdad.
I'm not happy about it at all...Paul wanted to go to this assignment, and even volunteered.
I've known this for several months now...but that doesn't make it any easier.
I'm wiping tears from my eyes, even as I write this post.
With the failures of the current administration in the White House, I'm just praying for God's protection around my dear friend, and that he will come back to the United States alive, in one piece, and in sound mind.
I'm just not sure what to think right now. He and I have talked about this for a long time...he and I are very close friends...and I love him dearly.
So does his wife, his son, and the rest of his family. He's a brother to me.
Please pray for him. Please pray for every military service personnel who is serving any where in the world right now.
My buddy, Jonas...
I have a good friend...his name is Jonas...and it was by the providence of God that we met almost a year ago.
Here's the story:
I was walking out of the lobby of the Marriot Hotel (on the Magnificent Mile--Michigan Avenue) last Spring. These two young guys were looking at a map, and looking very, very lost. I offered to help them find their way to wherever they were going. This was about 3 p.m.
One of those guys was my now-friend Jonas. So instead of just giving them directions to where they needed to go, I offered to show them a thing or two here in the Windy City, since neither of the guys had ever been to Chicago before.
They took me up on my offer. We had a grand time for the next 5 hours. That was the beginning of a very special friendship with this 19-year old Real Estate agent--Jonas.
We've stayed in touch ever since that time. He was living in Madison, Wisconsin where he grew up. His parents divorced many years ago, and his dad now lives in the Bay area of northern California. Jonas moved out there last November, to be near his father.
Therein lies part of the heartache that my friend is experiencing. Jonas' mother is a diagnosed, legal schizophrenic--something no 19 year old dude is able to wrap his mind around. From what he has told me, she is very, very controlling and almost destructive when he is around her.
His father--who has been mostly an absentee dad for the better part of his life--is a real "play boy" womanizing just as much as he possibly can fit into a 24-hour period.
This has been a real disappointment to my buddy. Jonas is not a Christian. He has been severely turned off by "organized religion", or so he tells me. But now, he has a tender heart.
Last night we were talking about his relationship with his dad. Jonas moved to the Bay area (at his dad's behest, I might add) so he could be near the man he calls "father." Sadly enough, his dad has paid little to no attention to this gracious and charming male who calls him father. Jonas has been so tremendously disappointed in his biological father, and I can understand that feeling oh so well.
While talking with Jonas, I felt like just bawling. I remember how disappointing my relationship with my own biological father has been--a man with whom I've had no contact for almost 15 years now. I don't even know if my "dad" is dead or alive. And right now, it just isn't an issue for me.
But I learned something a few years ago--you can call it a "prophetic word" in my life. One of the most godly and loving people I know called late one night just to tell me: "Phil, remember your Heavenly Father is nothing like your earthly father. Your Heavenly Father always keeps His eyes on you, and loves you more than you could ever love yourself, or expect anyone else to love you."
In the nick of time last night, I sensed that God wanted me to share that with Jonas. Even though Jonas would never make any pretenses of being a Christian, he did understand what I was doing my best to convey concerning the Heavenly Father.
This 19-year fella needs the Lord. He needs to know that Christ will love him more than anyone else ever could love him. He needs to know that Christ will never forsake him, or go "schizo" on him.
Jonas is my buddy, and I love him dearly. He knows that he can trust me. I just want him to know that he can trust the Saviour whom I love so dearly.
Please pray for Jonas.
Here's the story:
I was walking out of the lobby of the Marriot Hotel (on the Magnificent Mile--Michigan Avenue) last Spring. These two young guys were looking at a map, and looking very, very lost. I offered to help them find their way to wherever they were going. This was about 3 p.m.
One of those guys was my now-friend Jonas. So instead of just giving them directions to where they needed to go, I offered to show them a thing or two here in the Windy City, since neither of the guys had ever been to Chicago before.
They took me up on my offer. We had a grand time for the next 5 hours. That was the beginning of a very special friendship with this 19-year old Real Estate agent--Jonas.
We've stayed in touch ever since that time. He was living in Madison, Wisconsin where he grew up. His parents divorced many years ago, and his dad now lives in the Bay area of northern California. Jonas moved out there last November, to be near his father.
Therein lies part of the heartache that my friend is experiencing. Jonas' mother is a diagnosed, legal schizophrenic--something no 19 year old dude is able to wrap his mind around. From what he has told me, she is very, very controlling and almost destructive when he is around her.
His father--who has been mostly an absentee dad for the better part of his life--is a real "play boy" womanizing just as much as he possibly can fit into a 24-hour period.
This has been a real disappointment to my buddy. Jonas is not a Christian. He has been severely turned off by "organized religion", or so he tells me. But now, he has a tender heart.
Last night we were talking about his relationship with his dad. Jonas moved to the Bay area (at his dad's behest, I might add) so he could be near the man he calls "father." Sadly enough, his dad has paid little to no attention to this gracious and charming male who calls him father. Jonas has been so tremendously disappointed in his biological father, and I can understand that feeling oh so well.
While talking with Jonas, I felt like just bawling. I remember how disappointing my relationship with my own biological father has been--a man with whom I've had no contact for almost 15 years now. I don't even know if my "dad" is dead or alive. And right now, it just isn't an issue for me.
But I learned something a few years ago--you can call it a "prophetic word" in my life. One of the most godly and loving people I know called late one night just to tell me: "Phil, remember your Heavenly Father is nothing like your earthly father. Your Heavenly Father always keeps His eyes on you, and loves you more than you could ever love yourself, or expect anyone else to love you."
In the nick of time last night, I sensed that God wanted me to share that with Jonas. Even though Jonas would never make any pretenses of being a Christian, he did understand what I was doing my best to convey concerning the Heavenly Father.
This 19-year fella needs the Lord. He needs to know that Christ will love him more than anyone else ever could love him. He needs to know that Christ will never forsake him, or go "schizo" on him.
Jonas is my buddy, and I love him dearly. He knows that he can trust me. I just want him to know that he can trust the Saviour whom I love so dearly.
Please pray for Jonas.
What do you look for in a "church"?
I've been part of what the post-moderns call "organized" religion since I was six years old. I'm quite convinced that God established the "church"--imperfect though it is, and that His Son gave His life for the "church." The "church" is God's idea--not humanity's.
But I've also wondered, and still wonder "What should someone look for when making the search for a local church?"
Some things are obvious:
A clear commitment to the infallible Word of God.
A clear commitment to the Triune God.
A clear commitment to Jesus as the ONLY WAY to God the Father.
A clear commitment to the present ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the "church."
But what do you look for when you are in that search for a local church?
I must confess that my criteria has changed/altered/adjusted over the last many years.
When I was in college (1980-1985), pursuing the undergraduate degree, I was a member of one local church--and never even remotely considered finding another congregation.
When I entered the United States Air Force, my choices for corporate worship were somewhat limited, depending on where I was stationed at the time.
When I re-entered civilian life in August 1996, my choice was pretty clear--or at least I thought it would be. And then I changed local churches.
When I moved to Chicago, I came here with a "church plant" that didn't work out, and so I became a regular worshipper at The Moody Church here. I was very active in a few ministries, and only left when I felt the Holy Spirit pushing me elsewhere...
I returned to The Moody Church in November 2005 after being part of a congregation that I loved for three years--but sadly felt that I couldn't trust those "leading it" and knew the best thing I could do would be leave, painful as it was.
I hope I never have to look for another "church home"...not any time soon.
But what do you look for in a "local church"?
But I've also wondered, and still wonder "What should someone look for when making the search for a local church?"
Some things are obvious:
A clear commitment to the infallible Word of God.
A clear commitment to the Triune God.
A clear commitment to Jesus as the ONLY WAY to God the Father.
A clear commitment to the present ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the "church."
But what do you look for when you are in that search for a local church?
I must confess that my criteria has changed/altered/adjusted over the last many years.
When I was in college (1980-1985), pursuing the undergraduate degree, I was a member of one local church--and never even remotely considered finding another congregation.
When I entered the United States Air Force, my choices for corporate worship were somewhat limited, depending on where I was stationed at the time.
When I re-entered civilian life in August 1996, my choice was pretty clear--or at least I thought it would be. And then I changed local churches.
When I moved to Chicago, I came here with a "church plant" that didn't work out, and so I became a regular worshipper at The Moody Church here. I was very active in a few ministries, and only left when I felt the Holy Spirit pushing me elsewhere...
I returned to The Moody Church in November 2005 after being part of a congregation that I loved for three years--but sadly felt that I couldn't trust those "leading it" and knew the best thing I could do would be leave, painful as it was.
I hope I never have to look for another "church home"...not any time soon.
But what do you look for in a "local church"?
The Problem with Pain...
My friend Kevin Bussey (www.kevinbussey.wordpress.com) in his blog "Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee" asked a very profound question last week. One of his posts was entitled "What Happened to My Brady Bunch World?"
And now, more than ever, that is a very real and relevant question.
As the events of recent days have so drastically have reminded us, this world (and those of us who still inhabit it) have a problem with "pain." I can't begin to imagine what the people connected to Virginia Tech must be experiencing now--and the level of pain they must endure.
I can't begin to imagine how those families who lost loved ones and friends in the Twin Towers tragedy (almost 6 years ago now) must have felt then, and must still be feeling.
But I can say that I have not been immune to pain in my own life. I have known the pain of being abandoned as a baby, and being raised without parents. And even though I wasn't aware of the pain at the time, I did feel it's realities some years later.
I have known the pain of being betrayed by family members, and being abused by those whom you trusted. It's no fun, but that didn't stop it from happening.
I have known the pain of being betrayed by friends whom you knew would be there--and for some reason they weren't. And I've been guilty of doing the same thing, sadly enough.
But, as I look back on the incidents of "pain"--I'm reminded of what the Apostle Paul said to the Christians in Corinth, when he referred to all the "pain" in his life and ministry as "these light afflictions."
I'm very thankful that "this world" is not all that we have, or can look forward to in the future. I'm eternally grateful for the promise that we can indeed hold a title to the "City Whose Builder and Maker is God."
The writer of Hebrews tells us of God's people who endured all kinds of things (Chapter 11), and he/she ends that particular thought with these profound, sobering words: "of whom the world was not worthy...."
Oh, that my life and moreso, my outlook on life, would be like that!
A marvelous hymn that I learned many, many years ago has these precious words:
"Some through the water
Some through the flood
Some through the fire
But all through the blood.
Some through great sorrow
But God gives the song,
In the night season
And all the day long."
It's those very precious "songs in the night" that reminds me that God knows, feels, and understands my pain.
Even when it's self-inflicted (but that's an entirely separate post).
But any pain that I might feel could never compare to what a miracle-working, humble, generous man felt one day more than 2000 years ago when he stood on a lonely hill outside Jerusalem and cried. He was on a Cross. He felt forsaken and alone.
But even in His pain, He took the criminal on one side of His cross to Paradise that very day.
He never denied His own pain. But He never let it stop Him from doing what had to be done.
That man, Jesus Christ, made a way for me to endure the pain, by enduring His own pain. He made a way for me to see "beyond the pain" because He saw beyond His own.
The words of John the Revelator says it so well..."I John saw the holy city....no more pain, nor sorrow...."
I look forward to that time. Really, I do.
But until then....
And now, more than ever, that is a very real and relevant question.
As the events of recent days have so drastically have reminded us, this world (and those of us who still inhabit it) have a problem with "pain." I can't begin to imagine what the people connected to Virginia Tech must be experiencing now--and the level of pain they must endure.
I can't begin to imagine how those families who lost loved ones and friends in the Twin Towers tragedy (almost 6 years ago now) must have felt then, and must still be feeling.
But I can say that I have not been immune to pain in my own life. I have known the pain of being abandoned as a baby, and being raised without parents. And even though I wasn't aware of the pain at the time, I did feel it's realities some years later.
I have known the pain of being betrayed by family members, and being abused by those whom you trusted. It's no fun, but that didn't stop it from happening.
I have known the pain of being betrayed by friends whom you knew would be there--and for some reason they weren't. And I've been guilty of doing the same thing, sadly enough.
But, as I look back on the incidents of "pain"--I'm reminded of what the Apostle Paul said to the Christians in Corinth, when he referred to all the "pain" in his life and ministry as "these light afflictions."
I'm very thankful that "this world" is not all that we have, or can look forward to in the future. I'm eternally grateful for the promise that we can indeed hold a title to the "City Whose Builder and Maker is God."
The writer of Hebrews tells us of God's people who endured all kinds of things (Chapter 11), and he/she ends that particular thought with these profound, sobering words: "of whom the world was not worthy...."
Oh, that my life and moreso, my outlook on life, would be like that!
A marvelous hymn that I learned many, many years ago has these precious words:
"Some through the water
Some through the flood
Some through the fire
But all through the blood.
Some through great sorrow
But God gives the song,
In the night season
And all the day long."
It's those very precious "songs in the night" that reminds me that God knows, feels, and understands my pain.
Even when it's self-inflicted (but that's an entirely separate post).
But any pain that I might feel could never compare to what a miracle-working, humble, generous man felt one day more than 2000 years ago when he stood on a lonely hill outside Jerusalem and cried. He was on a Cross. He felt forsaken and alone.
But even in His pain, He took the criminal on one side of His cross to Paradise that very day.
He never denied His own pain. But He never let it stop Him from doing what had to be done.
That man, Jesus Christ, made a way for me to endure the pain, by enduring His own pain. He made a way for me to see "beyond the pain" because He saw beyond His own.
The words of John the Revelator says it so well..."I John saw the holy city....no more pain, nor sorrow...."
I look forward to that time. Really, I do.
But until then....
When it doesn't make "sense"
Like the rest of this nation--and indeed a large part of the world--I was horrified by the needless slaughter of 32 people at Virginia Polytechnical University in Blacksburg, VA yesterday.
The gunman, a young 23-year old Senior, killed 32 people before ending his own life. How terribly tragic!
Even now as I am watching the "Convocation" on television, I am profoundly saddened by what has happened almost a thousand miles from me here in the Windy City.
Last night, Charlie Gibson (anchor of World News Tonight) just about brought me to tears. He always ends his "half hour" with the words: "I hope you've had a good day." But last night he couldn't end his broadcast that way. He simply said, "I wish it had been a good day, but it wasn't.." He seemed to choke up, and so did I.
The Governor of Virginia flew back from a trade mission in Japan just to be with "his people" in Virginia. In the broadcast a few minutes ago, he practically preached a gospel message in the midst of all this unspeakable sorrow. He reminded the gathered students, faculty and friends--along with the rest of the world--that the pain felt in this community and in this nation, reminds us of the pain of God's Son who cried from a lonely hill, "My God, My God why have You forsaken Me?"
What a powerful, powerful reminder.
Let's keep this nation in prayer. We desperately need it.
The gunman, a young 23-year old Senior, killed 32 people before ending his own life. How terribly tragic!
Even now as I am watching the "Convocation" on television, I am profoundly saddened by what has happened almost a thousand miles from me here in the Windy City.
Last night, Charlie Gibson (anchor of World News Tonight) just about brought me to tears. He always ends his "half hour" with the words: "I hope you've had a good day." But last night he couldn't end his broadcast that way. He simply said, "I wish it had been a good day, but it wasn't.." He seemed to choke up, and so did I.
The Governor of Virginia flew back from a trade mission in Japan just to be with "his people" in Virginia. In the broadcast a few minutes ago, he practically preached a gospel message in the midst of all this unspeakable sorrow. He reminded the gathered students, faculty and friends--along with the rest of the world--that the pain felt in this community and in this nation, reminds us of the pain of God's Son who cried from a lonely hill, "My God, My God why have You forsaken Me?"
What a powerful, powerful reminder.
Let's keep this nation in prayer. We desperately need it.
This is EXACTLY how I feel...
Thanks to CNN for posting this commentary. And this is pretty much how I feel about the whole "world of politics" right now....and how Christ-followers should relate:
________________________________________
Editor's note: Roland Martin is a CNN contributor and talk-show host on WVON-AM in Chicago, Illinois. He is the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith."
NEW YORK (CNN) -- When did it come to the point that being a Christian meant only caring about two issues, abortion and homosexuality? Ask the nonreligious what being a Christian today means, and based on what we see and read, it's a good bet they will say that followers of Jesus Christ are preoccupied with those two points.
Poverty? Whatever.
Homelessness? An afterthought.
A widening gap between the have and have-nots? Immaterial.
Divorce? The divorce rate of Christians mirrors the national average, so that's no big deal.
The point is that being a Christian should be about more than abortion and homosexuality, and it's high time that those not considered a part of the religious right expose the hypocrisy of our brothers and sisters in Christianity and take back the faith. And those on the left who believe they have a "get out of sin free" card must not be allowed to justify their actions.
Many people believe we are engaged in a holy war. And we are. But it's not with Muslims. The real war -- the silent war -- is being engaged among Christians, and that's what we must set our sights on.
As we celebrate Holy Week, our focus is on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But aren't we also to recommit ourselves to live more like Jesus? Did Jesus spend his time focusing on all that he didn't like, or did Jesus raise the consciousness of the people to understand love, compassion and teach them about following the will of God?
As a layman studying to receive a master's in Christian communications, and the husband of an ordained minister, it's troubling to listen to "Christian radio" and hear the kind of hate spewing out of the mouths of my brothers and sisters in the faith. In fact, I've grown tired of people who pimp God. That's right; we have a litany of individuals today who are holy, holy, holy, sing hallelujah, talk about how they love the Lord, but when it's time to walk the walk, somehow the spirit evaporates.
A couple of years ago I took exception to an e-mail blast from the Concerned Women for America. The group was angry that Democrats were blocking certain judges put up for the federal bench by President Bush. It called on Americans to fight Democrats who wanted to keep Christians off the bench. So I called and sent an e-mail asking, "So, where were you when President Clinton appointed Christian judges to the bench? Were they truly behind Christian judges, or Republican Christian judges?
Surprise, surprise. There was never a response.
An African-American pastor I know in the Midwest was asked by a group of mostly white clergy to march in an anti-abortion rally. He was fine with that, but then asked the clergy if they would work with him to fight crack houses in predominantly black neighborhoods.
"That's really your problem," he was told. They saw abortion as a moral imperative, but not a community ravaged by crack.
If abortion and gay marriage are part of the Christian agenda, I have no issue with that. Those are moral issues that should be of importance to people of the faith, but the agenda should be much, much broader.
I'm looking for the day when Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Joyce Meyer, James Dobson, Tony Perkins, James Kennedy, Rod Parsley, " Patriot Pastors" and Rick Warren will sit at the same table as Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Cynthia Hale, Eddie L. Long, James Meek, Fred Price, Emmanuel Cleaver and Floyd Flake to establish a call to arms on racism, AIDS, police brutality, a national health care policy, our sorry education system.
If they all say they love and worship one God, one Jesus, let's see them rally their members behind one agenda.
I stand here today not as a Republican or a liberal. And don't bother calling me a Democrat or a conservative.
I am a man, an African-American man who has professed that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that's to whom I bow down. If you concur, it's time to stop allowing a chosen few to speak for the masses.
Quit letting them define the agenda.
So put on the full armor of God because we have work to do.
________________________________________
Editor's note: Roland Martin is a CNN contributor and talk-show host on WVON-AM in Chicago, Illinois. He is the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith."
NEW YORK (CNN) -- When did it come to the point that being a Christian meant only caring about two issues, abortion and homosexuality? Ask the nonreligious what being a Christian today means, and based on what we see and read, it's a good bet they will say that followers of Jesus Christ are preoccupied with those two points.
Poverty? Whatever.
Homelessness? An afterthought.
A widening gap between the have and have-nots? Immaterial.
Divorce? The divorce rate of Christians mirrors the national average, so that's no big deal.
The point is that being a Christian should be about more than abortion and homosexuality, and it's high time that those not considered a part of the religious right expose the hypocrisy of our brothers and sisters in Christianity and take back the faith. And those on the left who believe they have a "get out of sin free" card must not be allowed to justify their actions.
Many people believe we are engaged in a holy war. And we are. But it's not with Muslims. The real war -- the silent war -- is being engaged among Christians, and that's what we must set our sights on.
As we celebrate Holy Week, our focus is on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But aren't we also to recommit ourselves to live more like Jesus? Did Jesus spend his time focusing on all that he didn't like, or did Jesus raise the consciousness of the people to understand love, compassion and teach them about following the will of God?
As a layman studying to receive a master's in Christian communications, and the husband of an ordained minister, it's troubling to listen to "Christian radio" and hear the kind of hate spewing out of the mouths of my brothers and sisters in the faith. In fact, I've grown tired of people who pimp God. That's right; we have a litany of individuals today who are holy, holy, holy, sing hallelujah, talk about how they love the Lord, but when it's time to walk the walk, somehow the spirit evaporates.
A couple of years ago I took exception to an e-mail blast from the Concerned Women for America. The group was angry that Democrats were blocking certain judges put up for the federal bench by President Bush. It called on Americans to fight Democrats who wanted to keep Christians off the bench. So I called and sent an e-mail asking, "So, where were you when President Clinton appointed Christian judges to the bench? Were they truly behind Christian judges, or Republican Christian judges?
Surprise, surprise. There was never a response.
An African-American pastor I know in the Midwest was asked by a group of mostly white clergy to march in an anti-abortion rally. He was fine with that, but then asked the clergy if they would work with him to fight crack houses in predominantly black neighborhoods.
"That's really your problem," he was told. They saw abortion as a moral imperative, but not a community ravaged by crack.
If abortion and gay marriage are part of the Christian agenda, I have no issue with that. Those are moral issues that should be of importance to people of the faith, but the agenda should be much, much broader.
I'm looking for the day when Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Joyce Meyer, James Dobson, Tony Perkins, James Kennedy, Rod Parsley, " Patriot Pastors" and Rick Warren will sit at the same table as Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Cynthia Hale, Eddie L. Long, James Meek, Fred Price, Emmanuel Cleaver and Floyd Flake to establish a call to arms on racism, AIDS, police brutality, a national health care policy, our sorry education system.
If they all say they love and worship one God, one Jesus, let's see them rally their members behind one agenda.
I stand here today not as a Republican or a liberal. And don't bother calling me a Democrat or a conservative.
I am a man, an African-American man who has professed that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that's to whom I bow down. If you concur, it's time to stop allowing a chosen few to speak for the masses.
Quit letting them define the agenda.
So put on the full armor of God because we have work to do.
Does John MacArthur like anyone?
In his current volume The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception, Pastor/teacher John MacArthur (Grace Church of Sun Valley, California) goes after the "Emerging church" folks this time.
Let me recap for all those who may not be familiar with John MacArthur's past publications:
In the late 70s/early 80s, he wrote a book called Those Charismatics. In this volume, MacArthur (who pastors a mega-church in Southern California) basically blasted, with skewed information I might add, all those in the Charismatic/Pentecostal circles with whom he disagreed. He went after practically everyone...few, if any remained unscathed.
In the mid-1990s, he republished his book (with some much needed editorial revisions) under the title Charismatic Chaos. This effort didn't even deserve a yawn--much less a read.
Now he seems to have nothing better to do than go after Rob Bell (Velvet Elvis fame) and anyone else who dares to reach people with Gospel of Jesus Christ using methods other than what he has used over the last forty years.
He really should be ashamed of himself. Really, he should.
Confession time here.
When I was in college, I absolutely LOVED John MacArthur's daily broadcast "Grace to You." As a matter of fact I have several of his books from way back then, and I still enjoy re-reading them. His commentary series has been very helpful in many ways as well.
But, my question remains. Does John MacArthur like anything or anyone that doesn't "do it his way"?
I'm not sure. But I wish he would document why he doesn't like all these people?
What will MacArthur say when he gets to glory and see all these people who have come to saving faith in Christ because of these ministries?
Let me recap for all those who may not be familiar with John MacArthur's past publications:
In the late 70s/early 80s, he wrote a book called Those Charismatics. In this volume, MacArthur (who pastors a mega-church in Southern California) basically blasted, with skewed information I might add, all those in the Charismatic/Pentecostal circles with whom he disagreed. He went after practically everyone...few, if any remained unscathed.
In the mid-1990s, he republished his book (with some much needed editorial revisions) under the title Charismatic Chaos. This effort didn't even deserve a yawn--much less a read.
Now he seems to have nothing better to do than go after Rob Bell (Velvet Elvis fame) and anyone else who dares to reach people with Gospel of Jesus Christ using methods other than what he has used over the last forty years.
He really should be ashamed of himself. Really, he should.
Confession time here.
When I was in college, I absolutely LOVED John MacArthur's daily broadcast "Grace to You." As a matter of fact I have several of his books from way back then, and I still enjoy re-reading them. His commentary series has been very helpful in many ways as well.
But, my question remains. Does John MacArthur like anything or anyone that doesn't "do it his way"?
I'm not sure. But I wish he would document why he doesn't like all these people?
What will MacArthur say when he gets to glory and see all these people who have come to saving faith in Christ because of these ministries?
Best Barbeque Sauce I've ever tasted!
http://mcclards.com/
I first encountered the wonderful, wonderful food of McClard's BBQ about 14 years ago when I was visiting friends in the Little Rock, Arkansas area. Brad and Jennifer (my hosts) decided that we needed to go camping over near the lake. We did...and we also stopped at McClard's for dinner that night.
Without a doubt, it is the BEST barbeque I've ever put in my mouth...hands down!
Fast forward some 13 years, and one of my students came in for some academic advising one day...and mentioned that he was from Hot Springs, Arkansas...and I mentioned McClard's. His jaw just about hit the floor!
I went online, and ordered several bottles of their wonderful BBQ sauce, and it was delivered via UPS less than a week later.
Oh the joy those bottles of barbeque sauce brought to my soul! And my stomach!
I've just re-ordered, and this time I bought a case!
I also called the owner of McClard's and told him of my great joy in his products. He was delighted to hear of my satisfaction and glee with their "family tradition."
Please check out their website, and visit their online store. Order some of that BBQ sauce, you will certainly be glad that you did!
It's worth ever delicious ounce.
I first encountered the wonderful, wonderful food of McClard's BBQ about 14 years ago when I was visiting friends in the Little Rock, Arkansas area. Brad and Jennifer (my hosts) decided that we needed to go camping over near the lake. We did...and we also stopped at McClard's for dinner that night.
Without a doubt, it is the BEST barbeque I've ever put in my mouth...hands down!
Fast forward some 13 years, and one of my students came in for some academic advising one day...and mentioned that he was from Hot Springs, Arkansas...and I mentioned McClard's. His jaw just about hit the floor!
I went online, and ordered several bottles of their wonderful BBQ sauce, and it was delivered via UPS less than a week later.
Oh the joy those bottles of barbeque sauce brought to my soul! And my stomach!
I've just re-ordered, and this time I bought a case!
I also called the owner of McClard's and told him of my great joy in his products. He was delighted to hear of my satisfaction and glee with their "family tradition."
Please check out their website, and visit their online store. Order some of that BBQ sauce, you will certainly be glad that you did!
It's worth ever delicious ounce.
Rosie O'Donnell...just be quiet, please!
Rosie,
I must confess that I loved your show some 13-14 years ago. I thought you were funny, informative, and very entertaining.
I even defended your right to publicly proclaim your status as a "lesbian" in an interview with Diane Sawyer some four years ago on a Primetime Special. I do not agree with your "stance", but I defended your right to be an adoptive parent, and to provide the safety and security for children whom you have chosen to give a home.
But you have obviously crossed the line over the last year or two.
You have singlehandedly managed to offend every military person in this country--active duty and veteran. You are entitled to your opinions concerning policies coming out of Washington, just like every good American is entitled to theirs.
You are not entitled to insult people of faith with whom you disagree. Those same people are not entitled to insult you either. They may vehemently disagree with you. And most of us do.
But please, be quiet for a while. Take a long vacation.
A very long one.
I must confess that I loved your show some 13-14 years ago. I thought you were funny, informative, and very entertaining.
I even defended your right to publicly proclaim your status as a "lesbian" in an interview with Diane Sawyer some four years ago on a Primetime Special. I do not agree with your "stance", but I defended your right to be an adoptive parent, and to provide the safety and security for children whom you have chosen to give a home.
But you have obviously crossed the line over the last year or two.
You have singlehandedly managed to offend every military person in this country--active duty and veteran. You are entitled to your opinions concerning policies coming out of Washington, just like every good American is entitled to theirs.
You are not entitled to insult people of faith with whom you disagree. Those same people are not entitled to insult you either. They may vehemently disagree with you. And most of us do.
But please, be quiet for a while. Take a long vacation.
A very long one.
Dealing with "abandonment" issues.
For those of you who may not know me, I want to divulge a small part of my personal history. I was abandoned by my parents, shortly after I was born. My biological mother and father abandoned each other (eventually divorcing) and thus, abandoned me. I was less than a year old.
Even though my wonderful Grandmother Hoover raised me--and did a marvelous job--with lots of help from the "village" I still feel "abandoned" at times.
These feelings/issues/emotions are not constant...but they are recurring, and usually at the most "inconvenient" times. But when is "abandonment" ever a 'convenient' emotion?
In doing a self-analysis, I am beginning to think that my subconscious fear of being "abandoned" is one of the reasons that I've never married, nor even seriously dated (in a long time). It's not that I don't trust anyone--I just don't want to put myself into a place where I could be abandoned again--by anyone.
I've read and am re-reading Gordon Dalby's marvelous book Healing the Masculine Soul realizing that my own soul does need some "serious" healing. The sooner the better.
And when I think about what "abandonment" really is, and all the "issues" involved, it can be pretty overwhelming. Some of the "issues" are intimacy, relationships, finances, stability, productivity, and even spirituality. And I'm beginning to believe that I've not even scratched the surface.
My saving grace is that Christ has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. I can count on that. Even when other people have.
Even though my wonderful Grandmother Hoover raised me--and did a marvelous job--with lots of help from the "village" I still feel "abandoned" at times.
These feelings/issues/emotions are not constant...but they are recurring, and usually at the most "inconvenient" times. But when is "abandonment" ever a 'convenient' emotion?
In doing a self-analysis, I am beginning to think that my subconscious fear of being "abandoned" is one of the reasons that I've never married, nor even seriously dated (in a long time). It's not that I don't trust anyone--I just don't want to put myself into a place where I could be abandoned again--by anyone.
I've read and am re-reading Gordon Dalby's marvelous book Healing the Masculine Soul realizing that my own soul does need some "serious" healing. The sooner the better.
And when I think about what "abandonment" really is, and all the "issues" involved, it can be pretty overwhelming. Some of the "issues" are intimacy, relationships, finances, stability, productivity, and even spirituality. And I'm beginning to believe that I've not even scratched the surface.
My saving grace is that Christ has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. I can count on that. Even when other people have.
Words for today
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don't ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that's a picture of the "prosperous life." At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
So, my very dear friends, don't get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.
Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.
Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don't ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that's a picture of the "prosperous life." At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.
Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, "God is trying to trip me up." God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.
So, my very dear friends, don't get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.
Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God's righteousness doesn't grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life.
Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.
Attorney General Gonzales: Resign, please!
Mr Attorney General,
You have done some great things in your professional life. You educated yourself, became a very successful attorney in Texas, and was even on the Texas State Supreme Court. You were asked to come to Washington DC with all the other Bush clan in 2001. You worked in the White House, and you were nominated to be the Attorney General of the United States.
In the last few months, you have lost complete control of the Department of Justice, which you were confirmed to run. You have no idea what your staff has been doing. You allowed eight good United States Attorneys to be fired--and really for no apparent reason--other than politics.
You have been "asleep at the wheel."
It's time for you to go.
You made a fool of yourself in Chicago yesterday, by walking out of a press conference that was supposed to last for 15 minutes. You cut it short at 3 minutes...
That's neither adult nor professional.
If George W Bush doesn't have the fortitude to ask for your resignation, you should offer it...and do it today. Don't take "no" for an answer.
Go back to Texas, set up a law practice, and make the big bucks.
You have continually proven you are in over your head at the Department of Justice.
Do the honorable thing now: Resign!
You have done some great things in your professional life. You educated yourself, became a very successful attorney in Texas, and was even on the Texas State Supreme Court. You were asked to come to Washington DC with all the other Bush clan in 2001. You worked in the White House, and you were nominated to be the Attorney General of the United States.
In the last few months, you have lost complete control of the Department of Justice, which you were confirmed to run. You have no idea what your staff has been doing. You allowed eight good United States Attorneys to be fired--and really for no apparent reason--other than politics.
You have been "asleep at the wheel."
It's time for you to go.
You made a fool of yourself in Chicago yesterday, by walking out of a press conference that was supposed to last for 15 minutes. You cut it short at 3 minutes...
That's neither adult nor professional.
If George W Bush doesn't have the fortitude to ask for your resignation, you should offer it...and do it today. Don't take "no" for an answer.
Go back to Texas, set up a law practice, and make the big bucks.
You have continually proven you are in over your head at the Department of Justice.
Do the honorable thing now: Resign!
Parents, please raise your children!
I was abandoned by my parents when I was just an infant. They abandoned each other--and then abandoned me.
My paternal Grandmother raised me, for all intents and purposes. She had already raised 10 children of her own, and was caring for her invalid husband (my Grandfather). She should have been able to enjoy the "golden years." But alas, she wasn't afforded that opportunity.
I grew up in abject poverty: no designer gym shoes, $200 jeans, iPods, computers, or any of the other stuff that "teenagers" take for granted today. Most of the time I didn't even have the "essentials"--meaning more than two pairs of dress paints, and more than one pair of shoes--dress shoes, at that.
But I did have this:
I grew up learning good manners. Respect. Class.
I knew better then (and still to this day) than to "smart off" at an adult, for any reason. I knew that "Yes sir" "Yes ma'am" "Thank you" "Please" "You're Welcome" and all the other vocabulary in this seemingly foreign language were absolutes in our home, in our neighborhood, and in my life. There were no excuses for not using these phrases all the time.
Repercussions were swift and certain if I didn't use them.
Teachers in the public schools where I attended knew that my Grandmother was their absolute best ally---and I knew that too. I knew that I would never "live" to be a problem student, so it was out of the question at an early age....it never crossed my mind.
MY HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED!
It is a rare thing to find good manners in the current generation--and occasionally I do. These fine young people are sadly the exception--not the rule.
And really, I can't blame them. I can certainly blame their parents though.
This "travesty" on society can be approached from several viewpoints, but I'll tackle only one of them today: Parents, raise your children!
I personally have nothing against sports, extracurricular activities, and all the "stuff" that children and teenagers have today. What does bother me a great deal though is when these "things" are given to kids, teenagers as a poor substitute for good parenting.
Parents, your children deserve and must have your attention! You made the decision to take on the responsibility of being a parent. God gave you the blessing and honor being a parent, and now isn't it time to "honor God" by raising your children?
Don't let XBOX, video games, iPods, Cellphones, and all the "stuff" raise your children. That is your responsibility. "Smart mouths" can be corrected...and MUST be corrected. We called it "attitude adjustments" when I was growing up.
Sure, Senator Clinton was right: It does take a village. But that "village" must start in your living room, long before it ever starts in the public school classroom. It is not reasonable to expect school teachers to "raise" your children. And they shouldn't ever have to do your job.
The Church can certainly help you in this regard. But then again, the church can never be the "parent" for your children--even though many wonderful, godly people helped to raise me, and bless them for doing so.
I'm not coming down hard on anyone...but I want to see a far better generation than the ones I'm currently seeing.
Parents, raise your children.
My paternal Grandmother raised me, for all intents and purposes. She had already raised 10 children of her own, and was caring for her invalid husband (my Grandfather). She should have been able to enjoy the "golden years." But alas, she wasn't afforded that opportunity.
I grew up in abject poverty: no designer gym shoes, $200 jeans, iPods, computers, or any of the other stuff that "teenagers" take for granted today. Most of the time I didn't even have the "essentials"--meaning more than two pairs of dress paints, and more than one pair of shoes--dress shoes, at that.
But I did have this:
I grew up learning good manners. Respect. Class.
I knew better then (and still to this day) than to "smart off" at an adult, for any reason. I knew that "Yes sir" "Yes ma'am" "Thank you" "Please" "You're Welcome" and all the other vocabulary in this seemingly foreign language were absolutes in our home, in our neighborhood, and in my life. There were no excuses for not using these phrases all the time.
Repercussions were swift and certain if I didn't use them.
Teachers in the public schools where I attended knew that my Grandmother was their absolute best ally---and I knew that too. I knew that I would never "live" to be a problem student, so it was out of the question at an early age....it never crossed my mind.
MY HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED!
It is a rare thing to find good manners in the current generation--and occasionally I do. These fine young people are sadly the exception--not the rule.
And really, I can't blame them. I can certainly blame their parents though.
This "travesty" on society can be approached from several viewpoints, but I'll tackle only one of them today: Parents, raise your children!
I personally have nothing against sports, extracurricular activities, and all the "stuff" that children and teenagers have today. What does bother me a great deal though is when these "things" are given to kids, teenagers as a poor substitute for good parenting.
Parents, your children deserve and must have your attention! You made the decision to take on the responsibility of being a parent. God gave you the blessing and honor being a parent, and now isn't it time to "honor God" by raising your children?
Don't let XBOX, video games, iPods, Cellphones, and all the "stuff" raise your children. That is your responsibility. "Smart mouths" can be corrected...and MUST be corrected. We called it "attitude adjustments" when I was growing up.
Sure, Senator Clinton was right: It does take a village. But that "village" must start in your living room, long before it ever starts in the public school classroom. It is not reasonable to expect school teachers to "raise" your children. And they shouldn't ever have to do your job.
The Church can certainly help you in this regard. But then again, the church can never be the "parent" for your children--even though many wonderful, godly people helped to raise me, and bless them for doing so.
I'm not coming down hard on anyone...but I want to see a far better generation than the ones I'm currently seeing.
Parents, raise your children.
Mr President, Let them Testify!
President Bush has promised the Senate of the United States a bruising fight if White House Advisor Karl Rove and the former White House Legal Counsel (and jilted Supreme Court nominee) Harriet Miers are subpoenaed to testify before the Senate.
What a travesty!
This President, if he is the "ethical" man that he claims to be, should follow the mandate of the subpoenas--if they do occur--and insist that both Rove and Miers testify about the firing of the eight United States Attorneys back in December.
Mr President, stop your political posturing--the same thing you are accusing the Senate of doing!
If the Senate calls for sworn testimony under oath, then so be it.
And Mr President, should you "put up a fight" I hope you lose...and lose big!
What a travesty!
This President, if he is the "ethical" man that he claims to be, should follow the mandate of the subpoenas--if they do occur--and insist that both Rove and Miers testify about the firing of the eight United States Attorneys back in December.
Mr President, stop your political posturing--the same thing you are accusing the Senate of doing!
If the Senate calls for sworn testimony under oath, then so be it.
And Mr President, should you "put up a fight" I hope you lose...and lose big!
General Peter Pace: You are Absolutely right!
I'm a military veteran, having served in the United States Air Force for a little more than ten years. I was active duty when the whole "gays in the military" hullabaloo blew open in January 1993, after President Clinton took office the first time.
I remember all the hypothesizing, theologizing, demagoguery, etc from every side and every angle of the issue.
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Marine General Peter Pace, recently did an interview with the Editorial Board of the Chicago Tribune. The newspaper editors obviously asked General Pace about the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that was adopted by the Pentagon more than a dozen years ago.
General Pace gave his personal views that "immorality" does not belong in the military services of this country. He said that "heterosexual immorality" and "homosexual acts" are both wrong, and they are both IMMORAL...and have no place in the military.
I couldn't agree more...and thank you, General Pace for stating your personal convictions.
As a Christ-follower, I have to view "immorality" for what it is: Sin.
It's nothing less, and nothing more. Sin will destroy any and everything it touches. Sin is an offense to a holy, righteous and loving God--who gave His Son to conquer sin.
General Pace, thank you...thank you!
I remember all the hypothesizing, theologizing, demagoguery, etc from every side and every angle of the issue.
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces, Marine General Peter Pace, recently did an interview with the Editorial Board of the Chicago Tribune. The newspaper editors obviously asked General Pace about the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that was adopted by the Pentagon more than a dozen years ago.
General Pace gave his personal views that "immorality" does not belong in the military services of this country. He said that "heterosexual immorality" and "homosexual acts" are both wrong, and they are both IMMORAL...and have no place in the military.
I couldn't agree more...and thank you, General Pace for stating your personal convictions.
As a Christ-follower, I have to view "immorality" for what it is: Sin.
It's nothing less, and nothing more. Sin will destroy any and everything it touches. Sin is an offense to a holy, righteous and loving God--who gave His Son to conquer sin.
General Pace, thank you...thank you!
And finally....
Happy Birthday to me....Actually, I'm wishing myself a happy birthday a day early.
Forty-five years ago on March 13, 1962 I was born in Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville, Alabama!
It's been quite a journey over the last 45 years....and God has kept me safe and sound (at least I think so) over all those years.
There have been SO many people who have loved me, cared for me, and made sure that I was headed in a good direction, or at least in some direction.
I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to alot of people, and I would be terribly remiss if I started naming them all, because undoubtedly I'd miss some one who means the world to me.
So, I guess it's Happy 45th Birthday to me!
I am a very fortunate, lucky, and blest man! Better than anyone else, I truly realize and appreciate that.
Forty-five years ago on March 13, 1962 I was born in Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville, Alabama!
It's been quite a journey over the last 45 years....and God has kept me safe and sound (at least I think so) over all those years.
There have been SO many people who have loved me, cared for me, and made sure that I was headed in a good direction, or at least in some direction.
I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to alot of people, and I would be terribly remiss if I started naming them all, because undoubtedly I'd miss some one who means the world to me.
So, I guess it's Happy 45th Birthday to me!
I am a very fortunate, lucky, and blest man! Better than anyone else, I truly realize and appreciate that.
He's 59--Happy Birthday, Jim Moses!
My wonderful friend, Jim Moses (Kevin, Regina, and Cynthia's dad) is FIFTY-NINE years old today!
Jim is one of the smartest and most gracious people I know. He's an engineer in the Lexington, Kentucky area. He and his wife, Luvadia, are "family" to me. Their son, Kevin (whose birthday we celebrated last month) is probably my very best friend.
Jim grew up in the church, since his parents were in full-time ministry. Jim is still faithful to God's work and will in his life. He is a marvelous example of what it means to love God, love family, love people, and still strive for "excellence."
I think his humor is great--most of the time....
His children don't always agree with me. Actually, most of the time they think I'm just as "wacked out" as their father...at least I'm in good company.
Happy Birthday, Jim!
Jim is one of the smartest and most gracious people I know. He's an engineer in the Lexington, Kentucky area. He and his wife, Luvadia, are "family" to me. Their son, Kevin (whose birthday we celebrated last month) is probably my very best friend.
Jim grew up in the church, since his parents were in full-time ministry. Jim is still faithful to God's work and will in his life. He is a marvelous example of what it means to love God, love family, love people, and still strive for "excellence."
I think his humor is great--most of the time....
His children don't always agree with me. Actually, most of the time they think I'm just as "wacked out" as their father...at least I'm in good company.
Happy Birthday, Jim!
"The Rock"--take a listen.....
www.southerngospelhits.com
A good buddy of mine sent me an email a few days ago, telling me about this wonderful Internet station playing "southern gospel songs, just like we used to sing in our churches..."
It's called "The Rock"--and it is great!
I'm hearing the wonderful songs that hallowed my childhood from people who have always been my heroes:
The Speers
The Downings
The Goodmans
The Hemphills
The Talleys
And so many more....
So, go ahead, tune in, and see what you think.....
A good buddy of mine sent me an email a few days ago, telling me about this wonderful Internet station playing "southern gospel songs, just like we used to sing in our churches..."
It's called "The Rock"--and it is great!
I'm hearing the wonderful songs that hallowed my childhood from people who have always been my heroes:
The Speers
The Downings
The Goodmans
The Hemphills
The Talleys
And so many more....
So, go ahead, tune in, and see what you think.....
Twenty years ago this month...
I had my very first encounter with the Denver First Church of the Nazarene. (www.dfcnaz.org)
I had just made a permanent change-of-station (PCS) move with the United States Air Force to Lowry AFB, in nearby Aurora, Colorado.
Having been a pretty much lifelong "Pentecostal" I wanted to find a great church where I could become a regular part of the congregation, worshipping God, and serving as needed.
I visited several congregations in the greater Denver area...and just didn't feel at home in any of them. I began to get discouraged.
One Sunday afternoon, I just happened to be reading the Rocky Mountain News, and saw an advertisement for the "Winter Campmeeting" at the Denver First Church of the Nazarene--and the Speer Family would singing....I was gonna be there...
I grew up loving, loving, LOVING the music of the Speers (one of the premier family groups in Southern Gospel Music), and so I had to go.
I wasn't prepared for what would happen to me when I got the Denver First Church facilities that evening.
As soon as I walked into the breezeway, I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me that I was "home" while stationed in the Denver area...that I would not have to search any further for a church family. I had found it..and them. Senior Pastor Doctor Donald Wellman and the entire congregation became my family from then on...
The evening meeting was tremendous. Reverend Jim Diehl was the guest speaker. At the time, Rev. Diehl was the District Superintendent for the Colorado District of the Nazarenes. Some two years later, he would leave the District Superintendent's office and become the pastor of Denver First Church. He now serves as one fhe General Superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene.
I was only part of this congregation for a few months, but these precious, precious people loved and cared about me...and from all indications, still do.
I still have the "Worship in Song" (old Nazarene hymnal) that someone gave me, when I told them I needed a good devotional hymnal to use. I treasure that precious volume.
If you are ever in the Denver area, please visit the Denver First Church of the Nazarene. You will treat yourself to a wonderful blessing.
Tell my friend, Pastor Tim Stearman, that Phil Hoover sent you.
I had just made a permanent change-of-station (PCS) move with the United States Air Force to Lowry AFB, in nearby Aurora, Colorado.
Having been a pretty much lifelong "Pentecostal" I wanted to find a great church where I could become a regular part of the congregation, worshipping God, and serving as needed.
I visited several congregations in the greater Denver area...and just didn't feel at home in any of them. I began to get discouraged.
One Sunday afternoon, I just happened to be reading the Rocky Mountain News, and saw an advertisement for the "Winter Campmeeting" at the Denver First Church of the Nazarene--and the Speer Family would singing....I was gonna be there...
I grew up loving, loving, LOVING the music of the Speers (one of the premier family groups in Southern Gospel Music), and so I had to go.
I wasn't prepared for what would happen to me when I got the Denver First Church facilities that evening.
As soon as I walked into the breezeway, I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me that I was "home" while stationed in the Denver area...that I would not have to search any further for a church family. I had found it..and them. Senior Pastor Doctor Donald Wellman and the entire congregation became my family from then on...
The evening meeting was tremendous. Reverend Jim Diehl was the guest speaker. At the time, Rev. Diehl was the District Superintendent for the Colorado District of the Nazarenes. Some two years later, he would leave the District Superintendent's office and become the pastor of Denver First Church. He now serves as one fhe General Superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene.
I was only part of this congregation for a few months, but these precious, precious people loved and cared about me...and from all indications, still do.
I still have the "Worship in Song" (old Nazarene hymnal) that someone gave me, when I told them I needed a good devotional hymnal to use. I treasure that precious volume.
If you are ever in the Denver area, please visit the Denver First Church of the Nazarene. You will treat yourself to a wonderful blessing.
Tell my friend, Pastor Tim Stearman, that Phil Hoover sent you.
When brave Americans die...
One of the things that I have disciplined myself to do over the last few years is to watch the Newshour with Jim Lehrer (I've always loved that show anyway), and particularly at the end of the broadcast when the Newshour staff honors those service personnel who have been killed in either Iraq or Afghanistan.
I am profoundly grateful to the Newshour for honoring these brave men and women who answered the call of duty in the face of danger.
I always read each name carefully, and at the end of the listing I ask the Lord to be near the loved ones who are left behind to grieve this brave person's death.
I served in the United States Air Force for ten years. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to serve God and country in the military. In hundreds of ways, it was a life-changing experience for me.
I know many people who are serving now, and I pray for them all the time.
As Americans, we owe an infinite debt of gratitude to these people. And in some small way, we must be ready to repay it.
I am profoundly grateful to the Newshour for honoring these brave men and women who answered the call of duty in the face of danger.
I always read each name carefully, and at the end of the listing I ask the Lord to be near the loved ones who are left behind to grieve this brave person's death.
I served in the United States Air Force for ten years. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to serve God and country in the military. In hundreds of ways, it was a life-changing experience for me.
I know many people who are serving now, and I pray for them all the time.
As Americans, we owe an infinite debt of gratitude to these people. And in some small way, we must be ready to repay it.
Cleaning up the "Rumsfeld" mess...
When then President-elect George W Bush nominated Donald Rumsfeld to be the Secretary of Defense in December 2000 (after a very contentious election), I was just horrified....
Even though I was a child when Rumsfeld served in the Nixon-Ford administrations, I can still remember the debaucle that we call the "Vietnam War."
Why on earth would then President-elect Bush nominate someone who had been a "failure" in a previous administration in the Department of Defense? Were there no other choices?
Of course there were.
And six years after Donald Rumsfeld bumbled and fumbled every action he took as the Pentagon Chief, he finally had the fortitude to insist on his own resignation. By his own accounting, he had offered the President his resignation at least three times before, and George W Bush refused to accept it.
Thus, Bush-Cheney didn't get my vote in 2004.
The current Pentagon chief, Secretary Robert Gates, is now in the process of cleaning up the debris at the Department of Defense.
And thanks to the Washington Post, Secretary Gates is starting with the Department of the Army, and more specifically with Walter Reed Medical Center. Two generals and the Secretary of the Army have already been "relieved" of their duties.
Bob Gates means business.
He has my eternal gratitude.
Even though I was a child when Rumsfeld served in the Nixon-Ford administrations, I can still remember the debaucle that we call the "Vietnam War."
Why on earth would then President-elect Bush nominate someone who had been a "failure" in a previous administration in the Department of Defense? Were there no other choices?
Of course there were.
And six years after Donald Rumsfeld bumbled and fumbled every action he took as the Pentagon Chief, he finally had the fortitude to insist on his own resignation. By his own accounting, he had offered the President his resignation at least three times before, and George W Bush refused to accept it.
Thus, Bush-Cheney didn't get my vote in 2004.
The current Pentagon chief, Secretary Robert Gates, is now in the process of cleaning up the debris at the Department of Defense.
And thanks to the Washington Post, Secretary Gates is starting with the Department of the Army, and more specifically with Walter Reed Medical Center. Two generals and the Secretary of the Army have already been "relieved" of their duties.
Bob Gates means business.
He has my eternal gratitude.
"The Long Road Home"
Martha Raddatz, the ABCNews correspondent who covers the White House (and has reported from Iraq 12 times since the war began) has authored this wonderful book. I want to encourage everyone to get a copy and read it:
The Long Road Home
Martha does this nation a great service is giving us an otherwise unreported perspective concerning what our brave military service personnel are enduring.
I plan to read it very, very soon.
The Long Road Home
Martha does this nation a great service is giving us an otherwise unreported perspective concerning what our brave military service personnel are enduring.
I plan to read it very, very soon.
Profoundly saddened...
One of the smartest things I've ever done was the decision to serve my country in the United States Air Force. I knew this was the "right thing" from the very first time I looked through the promotional materials before I signed on the "dotted line."
With very few exceptions, I received very, very good medical care while I was on active duty. Like I just stated, there were a few exceptions, but there were indeed "some."
What troubles me greatly now is the reports coming from places like Walter Reed Medical Center, and the examples given by Bob Woodruff concerning the neglect of some troops that have suffered life-threatening injuries in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
I was riveted by report in the Washington Post last week about how poorly military veterans were treated once they left "in patient" care at the finest medical center in the country, Walter Reed Medical Center. Dana Priest, a staffer from the newspaper spent four months researching the atrocities at WRMC--and did so with little, if any, interruption.
Bob Woodruff just about died covering the conflict in Iraq--being injured, airlifted to both Landstuhl Medical Center (Kaiserslautern, Germany) and then to the Naval Military Medical Center at Bethesda, Maryland. Bob, much to his everlasting credit, has done alot of follow-up with those brave men and women who have suffered traumatic brain injury...and what he has found in many cases is not good news.
Our military veterans deserve much, much, much better treatment than what has been revealed.
One question keeps swirling around my mind: " Why would it take two reporters, a near-death experience for one of them, and a four-day expose' in a national newspaper with worldwide readership for the "powers-that-be" in the nation's capitol to discover all of these things? Defense Secretary Robert Gates has promised the nation a full investigation, and that this matter would be rectified immediately. Too bad his predecessor wasn't nearly as attentive--or maybe this mess wouldn't have happened in the first place. I do not miss Donald Rumsfeld.
Secretary Nicholson from the Department of Veterans Affairs has made a nationwide promise that our brave military personnel returning from war zones will receive immediate and far superior care to what they have been receiving--on a long term basis.
We owe these men and women the very best.
It's time we deliver...
And with all due haste.
With very few exceptions, I received very, very good medical care while I was on active duty. Like I just stated, there were a few exceptions, but there were indeed "some."
What troubles me greatly now is the reports coming from places like Walter Reed Medical Center, and the examples given by Bob Woodruff concerning the neglect of some troops that have suffered life-threatening injuries in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
I was riveted by report in the Washington Post last week about how poorly military veterans were treated once they left "in patient" care at the finest medical center in the country, Walter Reed Medical Center. Dana Priest, a staffer from the newspaper spent four months researching the atrocities at WRMC--and did so with little, if any, interruption.
Bob Woodruff just about died covering the conflict in Iraq--being injured, airlifted to both Landstuhl Medical Center (Kaiserslautern, Germany) and then to the Naval Military Medical Center at Bethesda, Maryland. Bob, much to his everlasting credit, has done alot of follow-up with those brave men and women who have suffered traumatic brain injury...and what he has found in many cases is not good news.
Our military veterans deserve much, much, much better treatment than what has been revealed.
One question keeps swirling around my mind: " Why would it take two reporters, a near-death experience for one of them, and a four-day expose' in a national newspaper with worldwide readership for the "powers-that-be" in the nation's capitol to discover all of these things? Defense Secretary Robert Gates has promised the nation a full investigation, and that this matter would be rectified immediately. Too bad his predecessor wasn't nearly as attentive--or maybe this mess wouldn't have happened in the first place. I do not miss Donald Rumsfeld.
Secretary Nicholson from the Department of Veterans Affairs has made a nationwide promise that our brave military personnel returning from war zones will receive immediate and far superior care to what they have been receiving--on a long term basis.
We owe these men and women the very best.
It's time we deliver...
And with all due haste.
Happy Birthday, Tim Elston!
Tim is an amazing man!
He and I became good friends almost 27 years ago when we were freshmen in college in southeastern Tennessee.
Spring 1981 semester, we were actually roommates. How he ever put up with me is still "amazing" in itself....but then again, maybe I wasn't that difficult to live with after all.
Tim is originally from the great state of Oregon. His parents served in the pastorate for many years, so Tim has a deep and rich heritage in the church.
He's a marvelous trumpet player. He's also a military veteran--and there are lots of stories we could tell about our military service, and how we seem to always bump into each other all over the world.
Tim is probably one of the brightest people I have ever known. He has such a brilliant mind, and he can always think outside the "box"--however that box is defined.
I wanted to wish my pal, Robert Timothy Elston, a wonderfully happy Birthday!
He and I became good friends almost 27 years ago when we were freshmen in college in southeastern Tennessee.
Spring 1981 semester, we were actually roommates. How he ever put up with me is still "amazing" in itself....but then again, maybe I wasn't that difficult to live with after all.
Tim is originally from the great state of Oregon. His parents served in the pastorate for many years, so Tim has a deep and rich heritage in the church.
He's a marvelous trumpet player. He's also a military veteran--and there are lots of stories we could tell about our military service, and how we seem to always bump into each other all over the world.
Tim is probably one of the brightest people I have ever known. He has such a brilliant mind, and he can always think outside the "box"--however that box is defined.
I wanted to wish my pal, Robert Timothy Elston, a wonderfully happy Birthday!
Bob Woodruff, welcome back!
ABC's Bob Woodruff, is returning to work in the news division of ABC. He was injured some 13 months ago (January 2006) while reporting from a Humvee in Iraq. He, along with one of his cameramen, sustained life-threatening injuries to his head and brain.
Bob made an appearance on Good Morning, America today. There is a special that will be on ABC tonite, 9 p.m. Central/10 p.m. Eastern time.
Bob is the husband of Lee, and the father of four wonderful children.
His injuries were so great that he was in a coma for some 40+ days. His wife and children helped him immensely in his recovery, once he left the hospital. These five most important people in his life helped me learn the "words" and "signs" of every day existence again.
Bob credits the wonderful men and women of the United States military for saving his life.
Before becoming a journalist, Bob was a lawyer. He also is quite the linguist, speaking Chinese, French, and Italian in addition to English.
It did my heart good to see him on television this morning. I look forward to his documentary tonite.
Bob made an appearance on Good Morning, America today. There is a special that will be on ABC tonite, 9 p.m. Central/10 p.m. Eastern time.
Bob is the husband of Lee, and the father of four wonderful children.
His injuries were so great that he was in a coma for some 40+ days. His wife and children helped him immensely in his recovery, once he left the hospital. These five most important people in his life helped me learn the "words" and "signs" of every day existence again.
Bob credits the wonderful men and women of the United States military for saving his life.
Before becoming a journalist, Bob was a lawyer. He also is quite the linguist, speaking Chinese, French, and Italian in addition to English.
It did my heart good to see him on television this morning. I look forward to his documentary tonite.
Jennifer, forget about "Simon"....
Jennifer Hudson....uh, excuse me, Academy Award Winner, Jennifer Hudson....
Girlfriend, you rocked the house!
Even though I did not see your "performance" on American Idol...I did see you win the OSCAR last night in Hollywood!
I just hope that Simon Cowell was watching, and now he can issue a nationally-televised apology for how wrong he was about your skills and talents.
After all, "Simon" doesn't have an Oscar...
You do!
Girlfriend, you rocked the house!
Even though I did not see your "performance" on American Idol...I did see you win the OSCAR last night in Hollywood!
I just hope that Simon Cowell was watching, and now he can issue a nationally-televised apology for how wrong he was about your skills and talents.
After all, "Simon" doesn't have an Oscar...
You do!
Happy Birthday, Matt Foster
Matt Foster, one of my pals (who also happens to be an attorney) will be celebrating a birthday tomorrow....He's in his 40s, and doesn't look a day over 30...
That's what makes all of us so blessed mad!
Twenty six years ago this August, I first met Matt Foster when he and I wound up in the same men's dorm at college. I was a sophomore and he was an incoming freshman.
He's originally from Oklahoma, and has a rich heritage in the Kingdom of God. His family raised him right...for the most part.
Matt was instrumental in my introduction to such wonderful musicians as Bryan Duncan, Ed DeGarmo, et al.
He's also one of those people that I can tell anything to--regardless of the subject matter.
I hope he reads this post about him...
Happy Birthday, Matt!
That's what makes all of us so blessed mad!
Twenty six years ago this August, I first met Matt Foster when he and I wound up in the same men's dorm at college. I was a sophomore and he was an incoming freshman.
He's originally from Oklahoma, and has a rich heritage in the Kingdom of God. His family raised him right...for the most part.
Matt was instrumental in my introduction to such wonderful musicians as Bryan Duncan, Ed DeGarmo, et al.
He's also one of those people that I can tell anything to--regardless of the subject matter.
I hope he reads this post about him...
Happy Birthday, Matt!
Why we need FATHERS in this nation....
More than ever before, I'm beginning to see just what tragedy we are experiencing here in the United States due to the lack of "active fathers" in our culture.
Just look around:
Brittany Spears---no mention of her father, ever.
Paris Hilton---again, little, if no mention of her father, ever.
And those are just two of the more notable figures....
But we see this tragedy on a very local and personal scale everywhere.
In my job, I am always talking with young men (and some young women) are who single parents. And most of these folk are still "babies" themselves, by and large. They want the best for their children--at least that's what they tell me. I tend to believe them....at least some of the time.
What really bugs me is the fact that so many children are growing up in a deranged, distorted, and dangerous society where the value of "fathers" is increasingly being scoffed, or worse yet, being ignored.
No child in this country should be forced to grow up (and they will grow up, whether we like it or not) wondering what the value of a "man" really is. These precious children did not come into the world on their own, or with only the help of their mother. God created them a product of both a man and a woman.
Children need both images in their life.
Why am I so concerned about this now?
Because I grew up without a father in my life.
My parents divorced when I was a few weeks old, and then abandoned me. Even though I know them both, I was the victim of their dropping in and out of my life at their convenience. My precious paternal grandmother raised me the best she knew how--and she did a remarkable job, if I must say so myself.
I never knew what a strong, good man was like for a long, long time. I never knew the tenderness of a dad who would teach me how to pitch a ball, or mow a lawn, or any of the other stuff that every "boy" needs. No child (boy or girl) deserves a bully as a dad, but they do deserve a dad.
God has brought me a long way since those days many, many years ago. There have been several great men in my life who continue to demonstrate just what it means to be a "strong, gracious" man of God. These men have become "fathers" to me in ways that only eternity will reveal.
But, as Gordon Dalbey so eloquently states in his Healing the Masculine Soul, we need strong and godly men in this nation. Those strong and godly men are needed in their families.
We can't afford to allow children to raise themselves anymore. And we certainly can't afford to allow "children" to raise children anymore.
What shall we do?
Just look around:
Brittany Spears---no mention of her father, ever.
Paris Hilton---again, little, if no mention of her father, ever.
And those are just two of the more notable figures....
But we see this tragedy on a very local and personal scale everywhere.
In my job, I am always talking with young men (and some young women) are who single parents. And most of these folk are still "babies" themselves, by and large. They want the best for their children--at least that's what they tell me. I tend to believe them....at least some of the time.
What really bugs me is the fact that so many children are growing up in a deranged, distorted, and dangerous society where the value of "fathers" is increasingly being scoffed, or worse yet, being ignored.
No child in this country should be forced to grow up (and they will grow up, whether we like it or not) wondering what the value of a "man" really is. These precious children did not come into the world on their own, or with only the help of their mother. God created them a product of both a man and a woman.
Children need both images in their life.
Why am I so concerned about this now?
Because I grew up without a father in my life.
My parents divorced when I was a few weeks old, and then abandoned me. Even though I know them both, I was the victim of their dropping in and out of my life at their convenience. My precious paternal grandmother raised me the best she knew how--and she did a remarkable job, if I must say so myself.
I never knew what a strong, good man was like for a long, long time. I never knew the tenderness of a dad who would teach me how to pitch a ball, or mow a lawn, or any of the other stuff that every "boy" needs. No child (boy or girl) deserves a bully as a dad, but they do deserve a dad.
God has brought me a long way since those days many, many years ago. There have been several great men in my life who continue to demonstrate just what it means to be a "strong, gracious" man of God. These men have become "fathers" to me in ways that only eternity will reveal.
But, as Gordon Dalbey so eloquently states in his Healing the Masculine Soul, we need strong and godly men in this nation. Those strong and godly men are needed in their families.
We can't afford to allow children to raise themselves anymore. And we certainly can't afford to allow "children" to raise children anymore.
What shall we do?
In a quandry right now...
A few weeks ago I posted a "prayer request" about a Job opportunity that had come my way...
The position is the State Coordinator/Recruiter for the Troops To Teachers program here in the State of Illinois through the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
I received the call this morning, offering me the position. After a good conversation with the Human Resources personnel, I found out the budget for the position had been cut as of this week, and that several other responsibilities will be added to the person who accepts this job.
My first inclination is to decline the job offer. I really don't want to be traveling 3 weeks out of the month, and I am not that fond of hotel rooms.
The salary was cut significantly from the original job listing. From what I was offered, I would be making less than 5% more than where my current salary stands.
Right now, in my mind, it's just not worth all the "transition" effort that it would require.
I like my current job, and my employer is very happy with me.
I'll have to make a decision soon.
The position is the State Coordinator/Recruiter for the Troops To Teachers program here in the State of Illinois through the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
I received the call this morning, offering me the position. After a good conversation with the Human Resources personnel, I found out the budget for the position had been cut as of this week, and that several other responsibilities will be added to the person who accepts this job.
My first inclination is to decline the job offer. I really don't want to be traveling 3 weeks out of the month, and I am not that fond of hotel rooms.
The salary was cut significantly from the original job listing. From what I was offered, I would be making less than 5% more than where my current salary stands.
Right now, in my mind, it's just not worth all the "transition" effort that it would require.
I like my current job, and my employer is very happy with me.
I'll have to make a decision soon.
I never thought I would ever....
watch American Idol...but I did.
Last night, as a matter of fact.
And for only one reason.
My friend, Phil Stacey, is one of the contestants on the competition this season.
Phil is an amazing man. Truly, truly amazing.
He is the son and grandson of Church of God ministers. He has a deep and rich heritage in the Kingdom of God. His parents currently pastor the Hendersonville Church of God, right outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
Phil and his wife Kendra are graduates of Lee University--also my alma mater.
Phil is currently serving on active duty with the United States Navy, stationed in Jacksonville, Florida. He and his wife are very active in their local church there. He and Kendra have two beautiful daughters.
I first heard Phil's beautiful voice about 8 years ago when sung "I"ll Be Here" at his cousin Matt's wedding in the Knoxville area. It was just wonderful.
He also has that kind, gracious, and gentle spirit that characterizes so much of his heritage.
Phil, I know you don't have time to read this, but if you do:
I'll vote for you.
And since I'm in Chicago, I'll take the late Mayor Richard Daley's advice:
Vote early and vote often.
Last night, as a matter of fact.
And for only one reason.
My friend, Phil Stacey, is one of the contestants on the competition this season.
Phil is an amazing man. Truly, truly amazing.
He is the son and grandson of Church of God ministers. He has a deep and rich heritage in the Kingdom of God. His parents currently pastor the Hendersonville Church of God, right outside of Nashville, Tennessee.
Phil and his wife Kendra are graduates of Lee University--also my alma mater.
Phil is currently serving on active duty with the United States Navy, stationed in Jacksonville, Florida. He and his wife are very active in their local church there. He and Kendra have two beautiful daughters.
I first heard Phil's beautiful voice about 8 years ago when sung "I"ll Be Here" at his cousin Matt's wedding in the Knoxville area. It was just wonderful.
He also has that kind, gracious, and gentle spirit that characterizes so much of his heritage.
Phil, I know you don't have time to read this, but if you do:
I'll vote for you.
And since I'm in Chicago, I'll take the late Mayor Richard Daley's advice:
Vote early and vote often.
So is he "black" enough?
Listening to "Talk of the Nation" on our local NPR (National Public Radio) station. The discussion is the candidacy of Barack Obama, junior Senator from the state of Illinois.
The question has come up, "Is he black enough for us?"
What a dumb question...absolutely assinine!
Did the "black" folks--and I'm not one--ever learn anything from Dr King's "I Have a Dream" speech? Can we judge Senator Obama's character instead of the color of his skin?
I really hope that the voting citizenry of the United States contemplate the substantive issues of the Presidential Race for 2008. "Race" in my opinion isn't one of them.
Except for the "human" race. Whoever gets my vote must be "human."
Asking alot, huh?
The question has come up, "Is he black enough for us?"
What a dumb question...absolutely assinine!
Did the "black" folks--and I'm not one--ever learn anything from Dr King's "I Have a Dream" speech? Can we judge Senator Obama's character instead of the color of his skin?
I really hope that the voting citizenry of the United States contemplate the substantive issues of the Presidential Race for 2008. "Race" in my opinion isn't one of them.
Except for the "human" race. Whoever gets my vote must be "human."
Asking alot, huh?
I was thinking....
What would life be like IF:
1) We knew we could always trust those with whom we have deep, meaningful relationships:
Pastors trusting members
Members trusting pastors
Family members trusting each other
Church members trusting each other.
2) We knew that when a fellow believer tells us something, that we can:
Know that it is the truth--and that no information has been conveniently omitted
Know that "their word is their bond"--no need to double check "the facts."
Know that the "best interests" of all persons involved were being taken to heart.
I guess I've gotten somewhat cynical over the last 15 months. Back in November 2005 I was betrayed and bruised by a very ugly situation in the local church where I was a faithful member and attendee. The senior leadership of that congregation made false statements to me and about me. I can't remember when I've been as hurt and wounded as I was by those actions.
Up until that time I felt that I could trust that pastor with anything, regardless of how personal or "embarrassing" it might be. I confessed things to him that I had never told anyone else.
And yet, for some crazy reason, I was betrayed. I was gossiped about, lied to, and accused.
I still love that congregation and even the leadership there. But I was hurt, and there really was never an apology, or any reasonable explanation for all the "things" that happened.
The law of love was clearly violated. The Body of Christ was bruised, and that hurts me even more than my own personal injuries.
God knows. God sees, and I have to leave it all in His hands.
But it still bugs me from time to time. Goes to show that I really did care, and that it was such a vital part of me.
1) We knew we could always trust those with whom we have deep, meaningful relationships:
Pastors trusting members
Members trusting pastors
Family members trusting each other
Church members trusting each other.
2) We knew that when a fellow believer tells us something, that we can:
Know that it is the truth--and that no information has been conveniently omitted
Know that "their word is their bond"--no need to double check "the facts."
Know that the "best interests" of all persons involved were being taken to heart.
I guess I've gotten somewhat cynical over the last 15 months. Back in November 2005 I was betrayed and bruised by a very ugly situation in the local church where I was a faithful member and attendee. The senior leadership of that congregation made false statements to me and about me. I can't remember when I've been as hurt and wounded as I was by those actions.
Up until that time I felt that I could trust that pastor with anything, regardless of how personal or "embarrassing" it might be. I confessed things to him that I had never told anyone else.
And yet, for some crazy reason, I was betrayed. I was gossiped about, lied to, and accused.
I still love that congregation and even the leadership there. But I was hurt, and there really was never an apology, or any reasonable explanation for all the "things" that happened.
The law of love was clearly violated. The Body of Christ was bruised, and that hurts me even more than my own personal injuries.
God knows. God sees, and I have to leave it all in His hands.
But it still bugs me from time to time. Goes to show that I really did care, and that it was such a vital part of me.
Happy Birthday, Kevin Moses!
Dear Kevin,
Happy 32nd Birthday to you!
Even though I've already called and wished you a wonderful day (actually your birthday is tomorrow, Feb 9th), and you've already received your birthday gift from me--I just wanted all of "cyber space" to know that it's your birthday!
We've been very close friends now for ten years. Ten wonderful, exhilirating, learning and stretching years. We've both grown alot since that Spring semester 1997.
You are now the proud (rightfully so) father of two wonderful sons, and the husband of a wonderful, wonderful lady! Monica, Micah, and Caleb are your gifts from God. And YOU, Kevin, are God's gift to them. Always remember that.
You've been my brother through thick and thin. You've seen my good side, and some of my not-so-good sides, and yet you've "hung in there" with me. You've been the face of Christ to me at times when I wasn't sure what He looked like. You've been God's love--with skin on--when I felt unloved, and unlovable.
Wishing I were there in Georgia with you to celebrate, but alas, I'm not.
Happy Birthday!
Happy 32nd Birthday to you!
Even though I've already called and wished you a wonderful day (actually your birthday is tomorrow, Feb 9th), and you've already received your birthday gift from me--I just wanted all of "cyber space" to know that it's your birthday!
We've been very close friends now for ten years. Ten wonderful, exhilirating, learning and stretching years. We've both grown alot since that Spring semester 1997.
You are now the proud (rightfully so) father of two wonderful sons, and the husband of a wonderful, wonderful lady! Monica, Micah, and Caleb are your gifts from God. And YOU, Kevin, are God's gift to them. Always remember that.
You've been my brother through thick and thin. You've seen my good side, and some of my not-so-good sides, and yet you've "hung in there" with me. You've been the face of Christ to me at times when I wasn't sure what He looked like. You've been God's love--with skin on--when I felt unloved, and unlovable.
Wishing I were there in Georgia with you to celebrate, but alas, I'm not.
Happy Birthday!
Poignant Reminders...
It's been brutally cold here in Chicago for the last several days...and I do mean brutally cold.
And what's more interesting is that the "water" system into our condominium complex has been down ever since Monday sometime...
Now I grew up in the "sticks" in north Alabama, where we didn't have running water in our home until I was almost twelve years old. But that was a long time ago....
We still don't have "running water" in our complex as of this writing. I've been forced to get creative, just so I could shave and bathe for the last couple of days....
Yet, it seems that God has reminded me of all the people...multiplied millions of them, around the world that don't have fresh water to drink or use--EVERY DAY!
Here I am feeling that I am "deprived"--when millions around the world, and MANY here in the United States don't have fresh water to use whenever they want it.
I should be ashamed of myself....and in some ways, I am.
This situation has also been a stark reminder that millions--multiplied millions--don't have the "Water of Life"--Jesus Christ, God's Son.
I sit in a wonderful sanctuary here in Chicago every week. I offer my acts of worship to the Lord among His people regularly. The gospel is preached clearly, passionately, and with great power.
Yet, how many have never received this "Water"?
There are multiplied millions (I've used that term several times already, huh?) who have never received...or maybe haven't even heard about this Water?
Yes, my "light affliction" over the last few days has been a very poignant reminder.
And what's more interesting is that the "water" system into our condominium complex has been down ever since Monday sometime...
Now I grew up in the "sticks" in north Alabama, where we didn't have running water in our home until I was almost twelve years old. But that was a long time ago....
We still don't have "running water" in our complex as of this writing. I've been forced to get creative, just so I could shave and bathe for the last couple of days....
Yet, it seems that God has reminded me of all the people...multiplied millions of them, around the world that don't have fresh water to drink or use--EVERY DAY!
Here I am feeling that I am "deprived"--when millions around the world, and MANY here in the United States don't have fresh water to use whenever they want it.
I should be ashamed of myself....and in some ways, I am.
This situation has also been a stark reminder that millions--multiplied millions--don't have the "Water of Life"--Jesus Christ, God's Son.
I sit in a wonderful sanctuary here in Chicago every week. I offer my acts of worship to the Lord among His people regularly. The gospel is preached clearly, passionately, and with great power.
Yet, how many have never received this "Water"?
There are multiplied millions (I've used that term several times already, huh?) who have never received...or maybe haven't even heard about this Water?
Yes, my "light affliction" over the last few days has been a very poignant reminder.
Congratulations!
Congratulations are in order for the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS for winning Super Bowl XLI!
I've never been a big football fan--mainly because I just didn't understand the game.
Then, about three years ago, I had an epiphany...
One of my pals (about 20 years my junior) sat me down one Sunday afternoon, and explained the game to me.
Thanks Christian...even though you are a Green Bay Packers fan...
It was an interesting game last night--or at least the first quarter was.
And two commercials were terrific:
The one with Oprah Winfrey and David Letterman
And the one about the "connectile dysfunction..."
The rest were okay...
I've never been a big football fan--mainly because I just didn't understand the game.
Then, about three years ago, I had an epiphany...
One of my pals (about 20 years my junior) sat me down one Sunday afternoon, and explained the game to me.
Thanks Christian...even though you are a Green Bay Packers fan...
It was an interesting game last night--or at least the first quarter was.
And two commercials were terrific:
The one with Oprah Winfrey and David Letterman
And the one about the "connectile dysfunction..."
The rest were okay...
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