Seeing the news that one of the great actors of our generation, Philip Seymour Hoffman had passed yesterday was truly saddening. Not only was he immensely gifted in his profession and enormously successful by the world's standards, but he was admired and loved by many peers and fans. It is always shocking to lose someone we know or care about before their time, but the incidental rate of these tragedies is seemingly and needlessly rising. It seems fame has a cost and potentially a very high one at that. Inside the fishbowl that comes with international stardom and fame comes immense scrutiny and a lack of respect for a person's privacy. But that's one of the sordid byproducts. Since Hollywood has been around and as long as I can remember the famous of the world have had no fewer problems than us regular folks. Money and multiple houses won't buy happiness, peace and contentment. Often as we read or see in the news, on the internet or on the numerous tabloid television programs more and more celebrities are spiraling out of control. In some ways how could they not? Look at the recent cases of Justin Bieber and Lindsey Lohan. Both are young, rich, talented and surrounded by parasitical entourages and money grabbing publicists and promoters. They are in essence expendable cash cows, racehorses to be exact. Both are nothing short of tragic and their lives unfold to us in a daily dose of wild unruly antics, drug and alcohol excess, shoddy behavior and a total disregard for laws and people. Because actors and performers are relied upon for the generating of revenues of the multibillion dollar entertainment and music industries they are in essence trapped inside a gilded castle. Isolated, coddled, nurtured in many wrong ways and idolized to ridiculous degrees, they can become demigods who think they can do no wrong and are somehow immune to the constraints of life itself. By the way, both Justin and Lindsey are from broken homes with enabling divorced parents who also are regular tabloid fodder. But that is a discussion for another day.
Because we glorify the altar of celebrity worship, we in essence have created the monster. It is the general public's insatiable demand for entertainment in both it's forms public and private, that there is no rest for these people. They become ticking time bombs and often tragic one's at that. In the past two decades numerous promising actors, singers and musicians have died mostly unnecessarily before their time. They have left a huge void for all of us and especially their loved ones because of the God given enormous talent they squandered and the fame that they succumbed to the pressure of. Actors such as Philip Seymour Hoffman, Corey Monteith, Brittany Murphy, River Phoenix, Corey Haim, Chris Farley, Lisa Kelly, Heath Ledger. Singers and musicians like Chris Kelly, Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston. The list goes on and on and the common denominator being by far, drug and or alcohol abuse. Why? Because they often are overwhelmed and unprepared emotionally, physically and most definitely spiritually for the 24/7 demand of their profession. They become commodities instead of precious human beings who have insecurities, feelings and needs. Everybody wants them or a piece of them. Quite often the circles of friends or advisers become like a malignant cancer eating away at them till there is nothing left. So they often self medicate to escape with tragic results. In the case of Philip Seymour Hoffman, he leaves behind three beautiful children and a grieving girlfriend. Let me be clear, I'm not formulating an indictment of the the entertainment industry itself, as there are many successful actors and actresses, singers and musicians who are great role models, philanthropists and decent moral human beings. But the propensity of ungodly amounts of wealth, ego driven fame and an insatiably demanding public fan base is a toxic combination in the right circumstances. Unfortunately those circumstances are becoming all to common. We need to hold our society and it's industries of entertainment to a higher standard and reset the moral compass. Drug and alcohol addiction are cancers throughout all aspects of our society but are especially high amongst the rich and famous. But poor choices are without prejudice and certainly these celebrities made them. If we don't seek help or relief from the pressures of this world we will continue to become victims of the merciless pressure of it. God offers us that rest! He offers a place to retreat to. A retreat for the renewing of the mind and soul. We all need rest, love and healthy support. But Hollywood proves over and over that the world offers the wrong kind of solutions. That without Christ we are truly alone! Maybe some of these celebrities could have been saved. Maybe a few of their lights would still be burning brightly! Don't let the world's offerings be the source of your happiness, choose the Water that gives life and doesn't take it.
Colossians 2:8
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
Monday, February 3, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
55 Million and Counting... The Silent Genocide!
I was reading my news reports today and one of my websites was reporting on a rather ominous anniversary. This one often flies under the radar because of the polarizing feelings and heated emotional battles it causes just in the mention of it's name. That along with the liberal bias in most of the American media, methodically works to sweep it under the carpet. Forty one years ago today seven supreme court justices decided to legalize the practice of abortions in the USA, via the landmark Roe vs.Wade case. Now I know that some of you may be cringing at the mere mention of this case and it's historic implications, but the staggering amount of aborted children senselessly murdered, that's right I said murdered, in the USA each year has averaged 1,375,000 unimaginable acts of infanticide. Most legal, all shameful and incredibly barbaric. To give you an idea of the amount of loss, that equates to over 166,000 more deaths each year than the total of 1,209,000 brave American military men and women who have lost their lives in all the wars in the history of this nation up to this point. We eclipse that on a an annual basis and you almost never hear about it! It's not until the most egregious and horrific cases come to light, such as the Dr. Gosnell case in Philadelphia last year that you would ever be privy to the horror. But in essence, is there any difference when it comes to the inhumane procedure whether it's performed in the best of medical conditions with the most accommodating of doctors and pristine clinical atmospheres or in a filthy and sordid clinic in West Philadelphia? The results are startlingly the same. A child, an innocent child dies.
There are no small white caskets, or grieving family members, or touching church eulogies with pictures and stories of a life tragically cut short. Just a bag labeled medical waste and a trash bin as the final resting place for someone who will never have a name, or mother and father to raise and love them. I am passionate about this subject because as a father of five beautiful children, the lives of my wife and I have been equal parts blessed and enriched by the greatest gift our loving God gives us , life! We simply could not imagine our lives without our children and the joy and light they bring to us and the world they interact in each day. According to a lengthy study in the British Journal of Psychiatry, 85% of women suffer from serious or periodic episodes of depression, regret and overwhelming sadness after abortion procedures. Not to mention the guilt associated with the dis- attachment from the life they carried inside of them. I respect all political views of reasonable adults, friends and family but do not always agree with them, but this subject I have zero tolerance for! You simply cannot convince me that this abhorrent practice honors anything that God has intended for us! Nowhere in scripture does it regard the sanctity of human life with such callous disregard. It is a crime we are already under indictment for. The most serious kind of indictment, God's! A few years back I was having a lively discussion with a family member at Christmas regarding politics and namely a woman's right to choose. This particular relative is pro choice. To make a long story short they were going on about how unfair it is to intrude on a woman's personal choices regarding their bodies. I looked at this person and said, "Aren't you glad your mom wasn't pro choice?" Dead silence engulfed the table and a look of conviction rushed over her face and the subject was abruptly changed. Point made I thought to myself. Another opponent to my position said to me, "If your God is so merciful how come there's no cure for cancer or other crippling and fatal diseases, or peace in our world, or people are allowed to starve to death? I simply said, "How do you know that the doctor who finds the cure for cancer, or the next great president, or scientist who solves world food shortages, was one of the aborted children never given a chance to use their God given destiny and talents?" Maybe God had them ready to enter into this world and we so selfishly decided their life wasn't worth it or precious enough. I won't go on without stating that I do sincerely empathize and feel for women who have contemplated this life altering act. Or to pretend to know the circumstances in their lives. There are many post abortive ministriestoday that effectively help women to regain their lives and seek forgiveness from the Lord for the oppressive guilt that they carry. Thank God our Lord is merciful and there is healing for them and their lives! But that doesn't excuse the cruel fate that awaits a child who is innocent our our irresponsible choices. They did nothing! Right now in America, we are not having enough children to replace and reestablish generations of future workers and citizen's to keep this economy and country going, both economically and socially. We are in essence depleting our species by both refusing to have children or aborting them. I urge you to reeducate yourselves on this heartbreaking tragedy before we are too late. God will not be mocked and our children deserve to know that the safest place they have when God releases them to our earthly stewardship is in their mother's womb. Pray for the unborn and the mother's who carry them! Hold the father's feet to the fire of honor and responsibility. Let's all reach out to show compassion to help those women in need and restore the utmost in regard for the most innocent of us.
Psalm 139: 13-16
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
There are no small white caskets, or grieving family members, or touching church eulogies with pictures and stories of a life tragically cut short. Just a bag labeled medical waste and a trash bin as the final resting place for someone who will never have a name, or mother and father to raise and love them. I am passionate about this subject because as a father of five beautiful children, the lives of my wife and I have been equal parts blessed and enriched by the greatest gift our loving God gives us , life! We simply could not imagine our lives without our children and the joy and light they bring to us and the world they interact in each day. According to a lengthy study in the British Journal of Psychiatry, 85% of women suffer from serious or periodic episodes of depression, regret and overwhelming sadness after abortion procedures. Not to mention the guilt associated with the dis- attachment from the life they carried inside of them. I respect all political views of reasonable adults, friends and family but do not always agree with them, but this subject I have zero tolerance for! You simply cannot convince me that this abhorrent practice honors anything that God has intended for us! Nowhere in scripture does it regard the sanctity of human life with such callous disregard. It is a crime we are already under indictment for. The most serious kind of indictment, God's! A few years back I was having a lively discussion with a family member at Christmas regarding politics and namely a woman's right to choose. This particular relative is pro choice. To make a long story short they were going on about how unfair it is to intrude on a woman's personal choices regarding their bodies. I looked at this person and said, "Aren't you glad your mom wasn't pro choice?" Dead silence engulfed the table and a look of conviction rushed over her face and the subject was abruptly changed. Point made I thought to myself. Another opponent to my position said to me, "If your God is so merciful how come there's no cure for cancer or other crippling and fatal diseases, or peace in our world, or people are allowed to starve to death? I simply said, "How do you know that the doctor who finds the cure for cancer, or the next great president, or scientist who solves world food shortages, was one of the aborted children never given a chance to use their God given destiny and talents?" Maybe God had them ready to enter into this world and we so selfishly decided their life wasn't worth it or precious enough. I won't go on without stating that I do sincerely empathize and feel for women who have contemplated this life altering act. Or to pretend to know the circumstances in their lives. There are many post abortive ministriestoday that effectively help women to regain their lives and seek forgiveness from the Lord for the oppressive guilt that they carry. Thank God our Lord is merciful and there is healing for them and their lives! But that doesn't excuse the cruel fate that awaits a child who is innocent our our irresponsible choices. They did nothing! Right now in America, we are not having enough children to replace and reestablish generations of future workers and citizen's to keep this economy and country going, both economically and socially. We are in essence depleting our species by both refusing to have children or aborting them. I urge you to reeducate yourselves on this heartbreaking tragedy before we are too late. God will not be mocked and our children deserve to know that the safest place they have when God releases them to our earthly stewardship is in their mother's womb. Pray for the unborn and the mother's who carry them! Hold the father's feet to the fire of honor and responsibility. Let's all reach out to show compassion to help those women in need and restore the utmost in regard for the most innocent of us.
Psalm 139: 13-16
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Friday, January 10, 2014
Good Things Come To Those Who Wait,...Really?
Last summer while traveling back up north here to our new home in Rice Lake Wisconsin, we stopped at a rest area along the interstate. After walking Tino, our dog, I went inside to go to the bathroom and wash up. As I entered the building I couldn't help but notice the long row of vending machines and the many people digging for loose change frantically trying to appease their highway hunger pangs and quiet down the kiddies for awhile. What made me take notice though was the instantaneous change in attitudes when folks had put their money in and selected their snack of choice or beverage then gave it to their children. The decibel level dropped immediately from a somewhat high pitched fingernails across the blackboard whine to instant, albeit momentary bliss. Instant gratification, how convenient! Anyway, the thought that made me chuckle as I was walking back to our vehicle was the irony that this was a microcosm of our world today. I am not criticizing the actions of other parents who need to soothe restless and sometimes impatient children on long road trips. Not hardly, since I can wholly empathize being a father of five now thankfully grown up children. But rather the the many instantaneous solutions we have in our world now designed to quell or stave off inconveniences or solve problems.
If there are two words that sum up our ever rapidly evolving planet they are, right now. In our haste to solve all of our own problems we constantly try to accelerate almost all aspects of our life to make them easier or more convenient. Man made solutions have spawned full time industries for the ever increasing list of man made problems. The ultimate vicious circle grows not smaller as we had hoped but ever wider like an intensifying hurricane. Have you ever heard the saying when people need something immediately, "Today is good, yesterday was better, tomorrow won't work." That's how we've become. Whether it be important decisions in school, work, life choices, or any crises, we have gone from hold on a minute let's think this through first. Or better yet, let's pray about it and seek God's wisdom, to Google it, text somebody, Facebook search it, Twitter it or change a channel. In this world of at your finger tips results, we have subliminally conditioned ourselves likewise and have set moral relevance and common sense aside. Our new man made god's serve us faithfully in increasingly faster ways and encourage our dependence like the ambivalent entities they are. Data in and data out! I am not berating the wonders of such technology, as it has helped us in way good ways. We simply rely too much on our technology outside of it's designed applications and it's enticing aspects of speed and answers, instead of slowing down to reflect and take the time to seek the Creator of all that has been given to us in this world. Whatever happened to meaningful soul searching by asking our pastor and intimate discussions with family members when we need to make important decisions about our lives? Or quiet prayer time with ourselves to seek the One who has no bad advice or wrong answers. That's right, God's record is perfect! Unlike man made devices which rely in part on imperfect men designing them and then putting in imperfect data. Consequently, you have breakdowns and software malfunctions. God always answers you correctly. Let me repeat myself for those of you hard of hearing, I said correctly and not conveniently. You may not want to hear God's unfiltered, unedited, never late, or even silent responses sometimes but they are always true and loving. He always has our best interests at heart and cares for us more than any source of help, human or technological on earth. And heaven help us, all it takes is earnest effort on our part in seeking and the dreaded "P" word, patience!
In my own life's road there have been many potholes, a few crashes, some property damage and tears. But their have been many more miles of smooth roads, sunny days and peaceful traveling. I simply had to stop wanting to solve my own problems my own way and to seek guidance from He who knows me best. For my type A personality that was most challenging. I've learned when God is sought out earnestly and I take His guidance and advice, I don't make bad decisions. So slow down, because in case you hadn't noticed God's not going anywhere!
Psalms 32: 8-10
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. {9} Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. {10} Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.
If there are two words that sum up our ever rapidly evolving planet they are, right now. In our haste to solve all of our own problems we constantly try to accelerate almost all aspects of our life to make them easier or more convenient. Man made solutions have spawned full time industries for the ever increasing list of man made problems. The ultimate vicious circle grows not smaller as we had hoped but ever wider like an intensifying hurricane. Have you ever heard the saying when people need something immediately, "Today is good, yesterday was better, tomorrow won't work." That's how we've become. Whether it be important decisions in school, work, life choices, or any crises, we have gone from hold on a minute let's think this through first. Or better yet, let's pray about it and seek God's wisdom, to Google it, text somebody, Facebook search it, Twitter it or change a channel. In this world of at your finger tips results, we have subliminally conditioned ourselves likewise and have set moral relevance and common sense aside. Our new man made god's serve us faithfully in increasingly faster ways and encourage our dependence like the ambivalent entities they are. Data in and data out! I am not berating the wonders of such technology, as it has helped us in way good ways. We simply rely too much on our technology outside of it's designed applications and it's enticing aspects of speed and answers, instead of slowing down to reflect and take the time to seek the Creator of all that has been given to us in this world. Whatever happened to meaningful soul searching by asking our pastor and intimate discussions with family members when we need to make important decisions about our lives? Or quiet prayer time with ourselves to seek the One who has no bad advice or wrong answers. That's right, God's record is perfect! Unlike man made devices which rely in part on imperfect men designing them and then putting in imperfect data. Consequently, you have breakdowns and software malfunctions. God always answers you correctly. Let me repeat myself for those of you hard of hearing, I said correctly and not conveniently. You may not want to hear God's unfiltered, unedited, never late, or even silent responses sometimes but they are always true and loving. He always has our best interests at heart and cares for us more than any source of help, human or technological on earth. And heaven help us, all it takes is earnest effort on our part in seeking and the dreaded "P" word, patience!
In my own life's road there have been many potholes, a few crashes, some property damage and tears. But their have been many more miles of smooth roads, sunny days and peaceful traveling. I simply had to stop wanting to solve my own problems my own way and to seek guidance from He who knows me best. For my type A personality that was most challenging. I've learned when God is sought out earnestly and I take His guidance and advice, I don't make bad decisions. So slow down, because in case you hadn't noticed God's not going anywhere!
Psalms 32: 8-10
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. {9} Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. {10} Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
My New Year's Resolution, Fuggedaboutit!
As a real estate broker and sales manager for most of my adult life, one of the bedrock tenets I preached about to my sales teams was the importance of setting goals. Let me clarify if I may, realistic goals. The significance of which often separated the long term career oriented successful and ever improving salesperson from the short term quick hitter or ninety day wonder as we used to say. Whether you are an aspiring athlete, academic, business manager or virtually any other profession you need the self discipline of setting and working towards completion of goals to continually progress and succeed. The same can be said about our lives too, at least for the most part.
I'm talking about the annual unrealistic process we go through that involves a measure of self loathing, personal assessment and then the putting together of the ultimate crash and burn, surely doomed to fail New Year's resolution list! You know the upcoming new achievements you talk about at parties after we all end up comparing our houses, careers and possessions to one another. Oh, come on now, we all at sometime have done it. After all we're proud of our hard work, families, accomplishments and purchases. They have become our measuring stick for life in many ways. At least in the world's eyes. But when the conversation goes from our jobs or kids to ourselves that's when a life size mirror immediately pops up in our minds! All of sudden for some reason the image of yourself is most always susceptible to self criticism. Instantly a litany of images appear! I'm too heavy. Where did my hair go? Why are all my parts moving south? My face has more lines than than an airport at Christmas. I should bleach my teeth, pluck my eyebrows, join a gym, eat less, eat better, upgrade my wardrobe, climb Mt. Everest or my personal favorite, be a better person! What? What the heck does that mean? It could mean anything or nothing. Because it has no definition or boundaries to work towards. I mean if I helped an elderly woman across the street once this new year does that technically make me a better person than last year? I guess so. If I have set the bar as low as my big toe. No my friends it doesn't. Neither does making a list of resolutions each year! Studies have shown that over 88% of us do not stick with our resolutions. It has something to do with the frontal cortex of our brains and our willpower. Hah, what does that say about our willpower? So why do the vast majority of us set these unrealistic goals each year? I don't know, ask me after my third piece of Lou Malnati's pizza when I'm trying to eat better and cut my cholesterol. Seriously folks, it has to do with our self image.
Because we live in a botox, liposuction, get a lift or implant, Photoshopped, Hollywood worshiping narcissistic, I am never good enough society, we feel compelled to do this. It's a constant both in your face and subliminal assault and it's a shame and wrong.
Yes, we should take care of our physical temples that God made our souls to live in. We should exercise and eat a well balanced diet too. But we should also live according to His perfect desire for us and not the world's! Did you ever hear the statement, "That so and so is beautiful on the inside as well the outside?" They are usually a person of great spiritual peace which God then uses to further enhance their physical beauty. In short they radiate an eternal perspective on health, prosperity and joy. If Jesus lived a perfect life and God created us in His own image, then in His eyes we are all beautiful and loved equally. Another words, He set the standards we should live by. So when you go to make that list every year of doomed to fail resolutions, don't. Instead, promise yourself that you are going to make changes mentally, physically and spiritually that will naturally improve your self esteem and image. I guarantee you if you pray everyday, read God's word and apply His love to others in your life, people will be clawing over one another to ask you about how you do it. Remember my friends, a narcissist needs only a room full of mirrors to feel loved.
1st Cor. 6 19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
As a real estate broker and sales manager for most of my adult life, one of the bedrock tenets I preached about to my sales teams was the importance of setting goals. Let me clarify if I may, realistic goals. The significance of which often separated the long term career oriented successful and ever improving salesperson from the short term quick hitter or ninety day wonder as we used to say. Whether you are an aspiring athlete, academic, business manager or virtually any other profession you need the self discipline of setting and working towards completion of goals to continually progress and succeed. The same can be said about our lives too, at least for the most part.
I'm talking about the annual unrealistic process we go through that involves a measure of self loathing, personal assessment and then the putting together of the ultimate crash and burn, surely doomed to fail New Year's resolution list! You know the upcoming new achievements you talk about at parties after we all end up comparing our houses, careers and possessions to one another. Oh, come on now, we all at sometime have done it. After all we're proud of our hard work, families, accomplishments and purchases. They have become our measuring stick for life in many ways. At least in the world's eyes. But when the conversation goes from our jobs or kids to ourselves that's when a life size mirror immediately pops up in our minds! All of sudden for some reason the image of yourself is most always susceptible to self criticism. Instantly a litany of images appear! I'm too heavy. Where did my hair go? Why are all my parts moving south? My face has more lines than than an airport at Christmas. I should bleach my teeth, pluck my eyebrows, join a gym, eat less, eat better, upgrade my wardrobe, climb Mt. Everest or my personal favorite, be a better person! What? What the heck does that mean? It could mean anything or nothing. Because it has no definition or boundaries to work towards. I mean if I helped an elderly woman across the street once this new year does that technically make me a better person than last year? I guess so. If I have set the bar as low as my big toe. No my friends it doesn't. Neither does making a list of resolutions each year! Studies have shown that over 88% of us do not stick with our resolutions. It has something to do with the frontal cortex of our brains and our willpower. Hah, what does that say about our willpower? So why do the vast majority of us set these unrealistic goals each year? I don't know, ask me after my third piece of Lou Malnati's pizza when I'm trying to eat better and cut my cholesterol. Seriously folks, it has to do with our self image.
Because we live in a botox, liposuction, get a lift or implant, Photoshopped, Hollywood worshiping narcissistic, I am never good enough society, we feel compelled to do this. It's a constant both in your face and subliminal assault and it's a shame and wrong.
Yes, we should take care of our physical temples that God made our souls to live in. We should exercise and eat a well balanced diet too. But we should also live according to His perfect desire for us and not the world's! Did you ever hear the statement, "That so and so is beautiful on the inside as well the outside?" They are usually a person of great spiritual peace which God then uses to further enhance their physical beauty. In short they radiate an eternal perspective on health, prosperity and joy. If Jesus lived a perfect life and God created us in His own image, then in His eyes we are all beautiful and loved equally. Another words, He set the standards we should live by. So when you go to make that list every year of doomed to fail resolutions, don't. Instead, promise yourself that you are going to make changes mentally, physically and spiritually that will naturally improve your self esteem and image. I guarantee you if you pray everyday, read God's word and apply His love to others in your life, people will be clawing over one another to ask you about how you do it. Remember my friends, a narcissist needs only a room full of mirrors to feel loved.
1st Cor. 6 19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Hope Hasn't Changed, We Have!
I don't care how old I get, there's something so special about the Christmas season that just encourages my soul every year. From my endless baking, to all the seasonal music, friends calling and Christmas services to shopping and gift wrapping, the latter of which I let my wife handle as I have a severe allergic reaction to all malls and stores this time of year. I don't know why, it must be all of the cheery faces and polite shoppers or the ever helpful store staff but the experience is too fun for me! Anyhow I love the feeling of personal peace and inner joy I get. I have most definitely evolved over the years from the breathless expectations of ripping into piles of presents on exciting Christmas mornings as a child to that same feeling as a parent vicariously living through our own children when they were growing up, to just getting together and spending food, time and memories with them as fledgling adults. I think we all change in similar ways as we get older, at least I'd hope we do.
However, in today's world that cannot be further from the truth. What happened to us? Endless lawsuits about removing crosses and nativity scenes pepper the news. Banning all references of God and Jesus from school pageants and replacing Merry Christmas with Happy Holidays is a common occurrence. We quite simply are losing our collective minds but even more dangerous to our well being, we are losing our souls. Now I don't know about you, but growing up with a reverence to the birth of Jesus and an emphasis on spiritual reflection this time of year did not turn me into a raving lunatic or irrational human being. Instead, it grounded me. I received my life's foundation. Enough of a set of morals and principles through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to give me balance and more importantly hope and an anchor in the turbulent times of my life's journey. Now, I'm not going to turn this into a lengthy diatribe about why Jesus really does exist or has been wronged and besmirched by our actions. After all it's my first time back with you in a year. The time for more serious contemplation will be another day and other topics. No, instead I will just say that the Lord need's no help with His defense. Because regardless of the folly mankind tries to assail against the pureness and holiness of the cross it will in the end always prevail! The Bible says the the Lord uses the foolish things of the earth to confound the wise. Indeed, Indeed!
Overwhelming physical historical evidence aside, the spiritual ever present guidance of our Precious Savior existence emphatically demonstrates itself most boldly in times of oppression. How do I know this you ask? Because, He saved me, changed me and carried me and many people I have come to know in my life when they couldn't simply go on or have the strength to change themselves. You see the great and powerful intangible of the Lord's work doesn't manifest itself from the outside in but rather the opposite. That my friends makes it bulletproof. Nothing the world can throw at you know matter how difficult or trying can affect the Holy Spirit's perfect work in you heart. In a world that need's peace, love and hope there still is only one true and lasting source and it began for us in a little dirty, cold stable in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago. You can only have so many material possessions, you'll never have enough. You can only have so much money you'll never have enough. You can only have so much success you'll never have enough, why, because they are temporal and fleeting like our human bodies. But the heart and soul you can appease forever! That is the true gift of Christ and Christmas! So this year embrace the Hope and you too will experience the victory that the world can't take away. God Bless you all richly, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Luke 2:9-14
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Let Earth Receive Her King!!
I am exceptionally proud of myself this Christmas season. I did not once venture out amongst the sea of people and fight for my life in a loud, warm, Cinnabon, pumpkin spice latte smelling shopping mall. No driving around aimlessly for hours trying to find the perfect parking space. No standing in line listening to rude children berate their mothers for not getting them an Ipad or a smart phone. And best of all, no getting sprayed in the face by an overly ambitious perfume sales girl. I guess that's one of the benefits of being an empty nester. You're free to plan things out more thoroughly without over sugared little children running around in a constant state of euphoria and excitement. Yeah, ok so I miss that! That will come back to us as grandparents when we can totally spoil them rotten then leave after a weekend to complain to their mom and dad why they can't be more like grandma and grandpa! Anyway, you can shop online or in my case have a very organized wife who handles everything for our brood every year. Now this is not to say I have been sitting around drinking copious amounts of eggnog in my ugliest Christmas sweater and jammies either watching the Hallmark channel 24 hours a day. Instead I have been very busy in my annual yuletide bake fest. Alone in my kitchen lab with my trusty laptop and archived top secret cookie recipes, I whip, stir, fold, incorporate, mix and bake until I have enough cookies and cheesecakes to cause an outright epidemic of sugar comas.
But enough about me already. As my wife is downstairs putting all the trays together for our annual delivery route to family and friends, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and pray God blesses each and every one of you this season and upcoming new year! Now, I wouldn't be me if I didn't remind you to make sure to take the time to slow down and worship the true meaning of the season, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. I know in the midst of all the headlines recently especially in Newtown CT, the fiscal cliff, the insanity in the middle east, the endless attacks on this Holiest of Seasons and all of your life issues each day that it's so easy to lose sight of Hope. But believe me folks, He's there! He grieves when we grieve, He smiles when we are happy, He loves us more when we are struggling and picks us up when we fall. How do I know? Because He does it for me and you everyday and you may not even realize it. For every calamitous and tragic event there is always an outpouring of love and support afterwards that is more than human based. It is divinely infused into the situation to bring calm and peace in the midst of anguish. How else do you explain the massive outpouring of relief, love and sympathy in each of these occurrences? He alone stands watch over and gives charge to His angels and us, His earthly children to mend and heal the brokenhearted. We do so time and time again which reinforces in our hearts a greater love than we are capable on our own of giving. So get away, pray, go to church, sing joyous carols to His glory and give honor to the King of Kings this season. For that little manger in a dirty lowly stable over two thousand years ago is more than the centerpiece of a nice nativity scene on your lawn or in front of your church. For placed in that manger by His heavenly father is the reason hope is still alive! He is the King of Kings and His kingdom will have no end and He is coming very soon. So from our family to yours may God keep you and make His face to shine down upon you and your family this joyous holy season! Peace to you all!
Luke 2 9-14
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
But enough about me already. As my wife is downstairs putting all the trays together for our annual delivery route to family and friends, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and pray God blesses each and every one of you this season and upcoming new year! Now, I wouldn't be me if I didn't remind you to make sure to take the time to slow down and worship the true meaning of the season, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. I know in the midst of all the headlines recently especially in Newtown CT, the fiscal cliff, the insanity in the middle east, the endless attacks on this Holiest of Seasons and all of your life issues each day that it's so easy to lose sight of Hope. But believe me folks, He's there! He grieves when we grieve, He smiles when we are happy, He loves us more when we are struggling and picks us up when we fall. How do I know? Because He does it for me and you everyday and you may not even realize it. For every calamitous and tragic event there is always an outpouring of love and support afterwards that is more than human based. It is divinely infused into the situation to bring calm and peace in the midst of anguish. How else do you explain the massive outpouring of relief, love and sympathy in each of these occurrences? He alone stands watch over and gives charge to His angels and us, His earthly children to mend and heal the brokenhearted. We do so time and time again which reinforces in our hearts a greater love than we are capable on our own of giving. So get away, pray, go to church, sing joyous carols to His glory and give honor to the King of Kings this season. For that little manger in a dirty lowly stable over two thousand years ago is more than the centerpiece of a nice nativity scene on your lawn or in front of your church. For placed in that manger by His heavenly father is the reason hope is still alive! He is the King of Kings and His kingdom will have no end and He is coming very soon. So from our family to yours may God keep you and make His face to shine down upon you and your family this joyous holy season! Peace to you all!
Luke 2 9-14
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Keep Your Hands Off My Nativity Scene!
At first I was mad, I mean hopping mad at that. These ungodly people and their annual war waged on Christmas and it's truly Christian and American tradition! Who do they think they are? The illustrious "Freedom From Religion" organization, the "Free Thinkers" or the usual suspect the "American Atheists Society." All groups whose sole mission is to disrupt, redefine and all but remove anything associated with our beliefs and the singular most joyous and spiritual season of the year. They not only want to separate and purify us all from the goodwill and renewed hopefulness of celebrating the birth of our Holy Savior but in doing so they believe they are doing us a favor. What boils my blood more than anything is they are winning some battles and in doing so, we like sheep are not putting up much of a protest. We need to be careful here people. In this case our silence is deafening to the Ears of Heaven. Using in many cases activist judges and their own self serving interpretation of the constitution, they harass and bully people by a well orchestrated campaign of shock and awe. They are rude, crass and often times disruptive as well as gratuitously inviting themselves into communities where they don't personally live or raise there own children to overtly destroy decades of tradition. What's most disturbing is the influence they have in the rapidly deteriorating and progressively evolving public education system by bypassing parental taxpayer influence and bulldozing all too eager and cowardly school administration officials into removing almost all references, programs, music and activities for Christmas. Right now they are concentrating on public property issues i.e. schools, city parks, state and local government buildings, public monuments etc. But wait, and mark my words it's only a matter of time before they start badgering private land owners about their outside displays of nativity scenes, lighted crosses and openly Christian symbolism because it offends them as they're driving by their house and totally disrupts their already sad and lost day.
If you don't believe this will happen then just look around at all the American flags that have been forced to be removed from houses in neighborhoods because they were either to offensive to certain local immigrant and ethnic groups or in one case "in excessive prominent display." Let me tell you what we are removing here and you tell me what's wrong, okay? We are removing the only true symbol of hope and salvation man has ever known, Jesus Christ. Here is all He did to deserve this.
He raised the dead to life, healed the sick, fed the poor, forgave people of their faults and behavior, loved unconditionally, gave us tried and true wisdom and purpose for life, ordained the sanctity of the family unit, set forth fair and just laws for us to live and govern by and never, ever, ever once turned anybody away. For this He was and in many ways is still being crucified. Even if Jesus could ever be disproved, and He can't and won't be, you need to find the bones first gang. We won't because He is completely alive and sovereign and will soon come again to judge and reign forever! Those are facts and frankly we should be thankful God is so patient with us giving us more chances to change our hardened hearts. But mankind is now more hellbent than ever to shake it's collective fist at God. We here on earth are just fabulous without Him or His merry, goofy and sadly lost band of believer's who still worship, go to church, give time and hope to others, pray earnestly and have lives that are fulfilled and full of deep spiritual meaning. Hah! The jokes on you atheists and look around you as soon a cruel one it will be. We are rapidly collapsing under our blasphemous, atheistic and progressive freedoms in this world. Our rush to self govern with no moral restraint and absolution is sending us headlong into the abyss. I for one, will stay focused on He who saved a wretch like me. I will love more, appreciate more and give more this year than last. I will give Him all the credit because my life is better because of His love for me. So stand up be proud to call God your father and honor Him this season of joy. Celebrate Him who lives, came and died for you! Don't be politically correct be spiritually pure! Now if you'll excuse me I have to bake some Christmas cookies and go work on my "Freedom From Atheists" website! ;)
John 3:18
He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
If you don't believe this will happen then just look around at all the American flags that have been forced to be removed from houses in neighborhoods because they were either to offensive to certain local immigrant and ethnic groups or in one case "in excessive prominent display." Let me tell you what we are removing here and you tell me what's wrong, okay? We are removing the only true symbol of hope and salvation man has ever known, Jesus Christ. Here is all He did to deserve this.
He raised the dead to life, healed the sick, fed the poor, forgave people of their faults and behavior, loved unconditionally, gave us tried and true wisdom and purpose for life, ordained the sanctity of the family unit, set forth fair and just laws for us to live and govern by and never, ever, ever once turned anybody away. For this He was and in many ways is still being crucified. Even if Jesus could ever be disproved, and He can't and won't be, you need to find the bones first gang. We won't because He is completely alive and sovereign and will soon come again to judge and reign forever! Those are facts and frankly we should be thankful God is so patient with us giving us more chances to change our hardened hearts. But mankind is now more hellbent than ever to shake it's collective fist at God. We here on earth are just fabulous without Him or His merry, goofy and sadly lost band of believer's who still worship, go to church, give time and hope to others, pray earnestly and have lives that are fulfilled and full of deep spiritual meaning. Hah! The jokes on you atheists and look around you as soon a cruel one it will be. We are rapidly collapsing under our blasphemous, atheistic and progressive freedoms in this world. Our rush to self govern with no moral restraint and absolution is sending us headlong into the abyss. I for one, will stay focused on He who saved a wretch like me. I will love more, appreciate more and give more this year than last. I will give Him all the credit because my life is better because of His love for me. So stand up be proud to call God your father and honor Him this season of joy. Celebrate Him who lives, came and died for you! Don't be politically correct be spiritually pure! Now if you'll excuse me I have to bake some Christmas cookies and go work on my "Freedom From Atheists" website! ;)
John 3:18
He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
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