It has been too long since my last entry... I think it is time to start this back up again... So, here we go:
I have been noticing a disturbing trend in society. What is it, you ask? Is it that there seems to be an increase in violence? Well, that may be true, and that certainly does play in to what is on my mind, but no. Nor is it any relation to drugs or politics, or comedies that just aren't comedy-ic. I have observed, that it seems we are too much anymore a throw away society.
What I mean is, we throw away important things way too quickly, for reasons that are just heartbreaking when you examine them. Do you know what I am talking about? Let me start with this example: Marriage. Because we are a fast-food society (I want it now, so I am going to get it now), people often rush into marriage long before they should. They get that goose-bumpy feeling whenever their crush walks by and they think they are in love... ah, sweet love! So they look past reality and plunge straight into a serious relationship. And then marriage. And then the slightest bump comes along, and all of a sudden that goose-bumpy feeling is gone. The thought floods into our head that obviously, we are no longer in love. The end result? A quick run down to divorce court. "My husband just can't stand the fact that I buy creamy peanut butter instead of crunchy." "My wife gets so upset because I watch too many sports, and I am not giving that up." Or whatever the case may be.
The end result is, broken hearts, broken families. Usually over something stupid. Or over a refusal to forgive.
But it doesn't only involve marriages. It goes to friendships as well. We find the people who we believe think like us . We spend time with them. We invest in them. We pour our hearts into them. Bonds and memories are built; while we tell ourselves that it will last a lifetime. But what happens in our society when one friend offends another? People who were once unseperable, who were the proverbial "two peas in a pod", walk away angry, hurt, and bitter.
I think the saddest part of this is, that from my personal observations, in almost all cases it was something not worth fighting over. Either there was a miscommunication- which most offenses are, by the way- or it is once again, the lack of forgiveness over things that are not that serious of an offense when we really examine it.
Once again, there is those words- a lack of forgiveness. I know that too often in my life, I have demonstrated this. I think if we are honest, we all have. And what are we left with? Regret. Hurt feelings. Wishing things could have been different, but refusing to be the first to budge. Refusing to admit that maybe- just maybe- we were wrong, and we just contributed to this new trend of a throw-away society.
Jesus demonstrated perfectly what must be done when we are offended. You see, we offended Him- and we still do! Yet He was willing to look past that and stand in our place in judgement. When He was on the cross, he did not curse those who nailed Him there. He didn't even demonstrate anger. Instead, He said "Father, forgive them."
I think it is time we buck the trend. There are already too many broken hearts and broken relationships. If someone or something is important to you, then hold on to it. Hold on to it with all your might. If someone offends you, don't be so quick to walk away. Work through it! So much time has already been invested- why waste that?
Too often, important things are thrown to the trash heap... And we will only be left with regret. We will find, at the end of the day, that if we conform to this throw away mentality- the person we end up hurting the most, is ourselves.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Friday, December 14, 2012
Of Hope and Fairness in Connecticut
I will be honest... There are many times in life that I wish things were fair. Many times that I sit down, examine personal events, or events in the world around me, and wish that life was fair. There are even times I pray to God that He would make it fair. It just doesn't seem right, the way things play out. It doesn't seem... fair. And yet, despite my pleas, life moves on along the same track, the idea of fair foreign to it's native language, a word not uttered by it's mocking tongue. No matter how much I would like for it to be different, that track it rolls down is a hard and abusive one, with dips and cracks and breaks and falls and sometimes- derailments. It doesn't seem fair because shouldn't that track be smooth? In a perfect world, yes... but in this world...
I will be honest... Today was a day that I cried out to God, wanting desperately for Him to make life fair. Not for me, no- but for twenty little children. Not for me, no- but for the parents of those 20 children. Not for me, no- but for the grandparents, the brothers, the sisters, the aunts, the uncles, the cousins, the friends, for all of those who quite literally had their hearts torn from their chest and could do nothing but watch life stomp frantically on that heart, stomp it into the ground until it stopped beating, broken beyond any repair that mankind can offer...
Oh, God- please make life fair for them.
People across this Country saw the news, the tragedy. 26 people dead. 20 of them children. Kindergartners. Children between the ages of 5-8. The calls have gone out for people to pray. Pray! We were told. Pray for the families! Voices pleaded. I am no stranger to prayer, but I must again be honest and say that prayer was a stranger to me today. Not because I was unwilling- but because I didn't have words. All I could do was weep for so many broken hearts. All I could think about was those parents who had bought and wrapped Christmas presents, placed neatly under the tree, that will never be opened. All I could think about was parents who, a week ago, were stressed about putting cookies out for Santa- are now at a loss because their children are no longer there to share cookies with. All I could think about was parents who have gone from planning Christmas dinners- to planning funerals.
Some of you reading this may think me crazy. After all, I did not know one single victim in today's tragedy. So how, pray tell, could I get so upset, so worked up, over the deaths of children I did not even know! But I dare say, that if you do not get upset, if this does not bother you, if this does not weigh heavy on your heart- then you are the one who is crazy. While it is true this happened several states away, in Connecticut- somewhere I have never even visited for a moment- it is equally true that it could have happened here. It is equally true that it very easily could have been a child I knew, a family I knew that was broken. It could have been- my child.
Evil exists here as much as anywhere else in the world. Life is not more fair here in my neck of the woods. They say justice is blind, and that may be true- but it is not as blind as tragedy. And while we gather around our t.v.'s trying to catch glimpses of a madman's motive, there is a deeper question that must be answered. It is question that, if we dare look in the mirror of our soul, we will see staring us in the face. We must ask ourselves- what if it was my child? What if it was my loved one? What if it was my mom or dad, my grandparent, my brother, my sister, my friend? Would we bury our loved ones in grief? Or would we bury them in shame? Would we treasure our moments we had with them? Or would we regret the moments we didn't have? Even worse- would we regret the moments we did have? Those moments of anger, those moments, of irritation, those moments of frustration, those moments that once tragedy strikes we wish we could have every single one back if just to hold for one more minute...
With today officially coming to a close, I finally have some words to form into a prayer. I pray that today you will remember, that there are some things in life more important than getting the newest i-phone or gaming system. I pray you remember that anger is not worth holding on to. I pray that you remember that always being right isn't always what is best. I pray that you make amends, that you allow healing in broken relationships, that this year for Christmas you give forgiveness... I pray that, as a parent, never let your last words to them be harsh or angry, make sure they know you love them, make sure you hold them close to your heart. I pray you treasure every stupid joke, every out of tune song that is sung, every question they ask that you don't understand why they are asking you again for the hundredth time...
Because once a treasure is gone, there is no getting it back.
Finally, I pray that you look to this time of year. I pray that we would all be reminded, when faced with tragedy, the whole point of the first Christmas- to show us that even in our darkest hour there is hope. Jesus Christ the Son of God was not born into a world that didn't need healing- He was born into a world that is unfair, tragic, and beyond any repair offered by man. The first Christmas- His birthday- was to remind us that there is light, there is hope, there is healing from God if we seek it- even on the darkest day in Connecticut...
"The Lord heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds..." Psalm 147:3
I will be honest... Today was a day that I cried out to God, wanting desperately for Him to make life fair. Not for me, no- but for twenty little children. Not for me, no- but for the parents of those 20 children. Not for me, no- but for the grandparents, the brothers, the sisters, the aunts, the uncles, the cousins, the friends, for all of those who quite literally had their hearts torn from their chest and could do nothing but watch life stomp frantically on that heart, stomp it into the ground until it stopped beating, broken beyond any repair that mankind can offer...
Oh, God- please make life fair for them.
People across this Country saw the news, the tragedy. 26 people dead. 20 of them children. Kindergartners. Children between the ages of 5-8. The calls have gone out for people to pray. Pray! We were told. Pray for the families! Voices pleaded. I am no stranger to prayer, but I must again be honest and say that prayer was a stranger to me today. Not because I was unwilling- but because I didn't have words. All I could do was weep for so many broken hearts. All I could think about was those parents who had bought and wrapped Christmas presents, placed neatly under the tree, that will never be opened. All I could think about was parents who, a week ago, were stressed about putting cookies out for Santa- are now at a loss because their children are no longer there to share cookies with. All I could think about was parents who have gone from planning Christmas dinners- to planning funerals.
Some of you reading this may think me crazy. After all, I did not know one single victim in today's tragedy. So how, pray tell, could I get so upset, so worked up, over the deaths of children I did not even know! But I dare say, that if you do not get upset, if this does not bother you, if this does not weigh heavy on your heart- then you are the one who is crazy. While it is true this happened several states away, in Connecticut- somewhere I have never even visited for a moment- it is equally true that it could have happened here. It is equally true that it very easily could have been a child I knew, a family I knew that was broken. It could have been- my child.
Evil exists here as much as anywhere else in the world. Life is not more fair here in my neck of the woods. They say justice is blind, and that may be true- but it is not as blind as tragedy. And while we gather around our t.v.'s trying to catch glimpses of a madman's motive, there is a deeper question that must be answered. It is question that, if we dare look in the mirror of our soul, we will see staring us in the face. We must ask ourselves- what if it was my child? What if it was my loved one? What if it was my mom or dad, my grandparent, my brother, my sister, my friend? Would we bury our loved ones in grief? Or would we bury them in shame? Would we treasure our moments we had with them? Or would we regret the moments we didn't have? Even worse- would we regret the moments we did have? Those moments of anger, those moments, of irritation, those moments of frustration, those moments that once tragedy strikes we wish we could have every single one back if just to hold for one more minute...
With today officially coming to a close, I finally have some words to form into a prayer. I pray that today you will remember, that there are some things in life more important than getting the newest i-phone or gaming system. I pray you remember that anger is not worth holding on to. I pray that you remember that always being right isn't always what is best. I pray that you make amends, that you allow healing in broken relationships, that this year for Christmas you give forgiveness... I pray that, as a parent, never let your last words to them be harsh or angry, make sure they know you love them, make sure you hold them close to your heart. I pray you treasure every stupid joke, every out of tune song that is sung, every question they ask that you don't understand why they are asking you again for the hundredth time...
Because once a treasure is gone, there is no getting it back.
Finally, I pray that you look to this time of year. I pray that we would all be reminded, when faced with tragedy, the whole point of the first Christmas- to show us that even in our darkest hour there is hope. Jesus Christ the Son of God was not born into a world that didn't need healing- He was born into a world that is unfair, tragic, and beyond any repair offered by man. The first Christmas- His birthday- was to remind us that there is light, there is hope, there is healing from God if we seek it- even on the darkest day in Connecticut...
"The Lord heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds..." Psalm 147:3
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
And I Love The Bitterness- Thanksgiving Thoughts
Thanksgiving. Turkey day. Day of national pride and honor, day of being thankful for all the blessings, thankful for all things bright and beautiful. Yes, it is that time of year again. To be honost I do like this particular holiday. I love the food- though I must admit I would rather see beef briscuit on the table than turkey. Or a hamburger... mmm yes, piled high with lettuce, tomatoe, onion, mushroom, jalapeno... Can't go wrong anytime you serve that... But food aside, it is nice to have a day set aside to thank God for all blessings great and small.
All month I have been watching and listening as people count down the days to this most sacred of holidays, recalling what is precious to them. I have seen people move about, expressing thanks from their lips for everything from children to spouses, parents to siblings, houses, jobs and cars, and oh the list carries on... But there has been one thing suspicously absent from all. Well, several things actually, but for sake of easy reading and easier typing, I shall sum all of it up in one word: bitterness.
Allow me to explain what I am meaning, before I am cast off as a heathen and a hater. Let me start off with something simple. Joy. True joy. I assume that we have all felt it, some level of it anyway. But can you truly and fully appreciate joy- without knowing sorrow? What about gain- we all have gained something we appreciate, yes? But what level of happiness does gain bring unless we have also experienced loss? Do we understand freedom without slavery, or liberty without tyranny? Can there be a winner without a loser? Is it not true that everyone is a friend, and thus friendships are devalued, unless we have dealt with enemies? Can we know the depths of love, can we understand it's impact on our lives without also having experienced hate?
And speaking of love- would we ever, even just once, experience the healing power it holds- if we are never broken?
My friends- can we know just how sweet life is without knowing life's bitterness?
The reality is, without bitterness, the rest of life would blend together. It would be one endless blah, with every emotion the same as the next, our senses dulled, and we would be left with the inability to comprehend the very emotions we crave. Love, joy, peace, all would be as common to us as a glass of water or a handful of dirt. I dare say, that without bitterness, we would still be broken, lost souls in need of a Savior- but never understanding why. I don't think I would ever want to be in that state of mind...
So while it is true, this great turkey day I will be thanking God for all He has done for me, I will be grateful for the love, joy, peace, happiness...
But I will also take a moment and thank God for the bitterness... because what would life be without it?
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone- and may God bless you in all things bright and beautiful- and may He bless you in the bitterness!
All month I have been watching and listening as people count down the days to this most sacred of holidays, recalling what is precious to them. I have seen people move about, expressing thanks from their lips for everything from children to spouses, parents to siblings, houses, jobs and cars, and oh the list carries on... But there has been one thing suspicously absent from all. Well, several things actually, but for sake of easy reading and easier typing, I shall sum all of it up in one word: bitterness.
Allow me to explain what I am meaning, before I am cast off as a heathen and a hater. Let me start off with something simple. Joy. True joy. I assume that we have all felt it, some level of it anyway. But can you truly and fully appreciate joy- without knowing sorrow? What about gain- we all have gained something we appreciate, yes? But what level of happiness does gain bring unless we have also experienced loss? Do we understand freedom without slavery, or liberty without tyranny? Can there be a winner without a loser? Is it not true that everyone is a friend, and thus friendships are devalued, unless we have dealt with enemies? Can we know the depths of love, can we understand it's impact on our lives without also having experienced hate?
And speaking of love- would we ever, even just once, experience the healing power it holds- if we are never broken?
My friends- can we know just how sweet life is without knowing life's bitterness?
The reality is, without bitterness, the rest of life would blend together. It would be one endless blah, with every emotion the same as the next, our senses dulled, and we would be left with the inability to comprehend the very emotions we crave. Love, joy, peace, all would be as common to us as a glass of water or a handful of dirt. I dare say, that without bitterness, we would still be broken, lost souls in need of a Savior- but never understanding why. I don't think I would ever want to be in that state of mind...
So while it is true, this great turkey day I will be thanking God for all He has done for me, I will be grateful for the love, joy, peace, happiness...
But I will also take a moment and thank God for the bitterness... because what would life be without it?
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone- and may God bless you in all things bright and beautiful- and may He bless you in the bitterness!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Mission Minded in America
WE ARE a Christian nation. I hear this repeatedly. It seems to be the mantra of most followers of Christ here in America, a mantra that seems cemented by the fact that most of the founders of this great land professed to be followers of the faith; it flows through the veins of our history; it is even reflected in our national motto: In God We Trust. Yes, it seems that everyone knows we are a Christian nation; especially the Christians.
This is both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because it means that we enjoy a rich heritage of religious freedom. As Christians we are sensitive to any attacks against that freedom that come our way; and even when we may not always be overly active in politics, we are quick to step up and speak out when religious liberty is threatened. However, it is also a curse. How so you say? Allow me to explain...
American Christians are great at evangelizing- in other nations. We are quick to run to other nations to spread the Gospel; and often when our missionaries go overseas they see great results- God moving in amazing ways, spreading revival throughout communities the missionaries work in, many people converting to become followers of Christ. I will be the first to admit it is very exciting to hear the testimonies that missionaries have to share when they return from foreign soil.
However, we are not so quick to share the Gospel here. It seems too often our mouths are more interested in praising our favorite sports team than we are praising God. Our heart is more content seeking the American dream than seeking to fulfil the Great Commission. We are more cautious with our words, which are chosen intentionally to ensure they do not offend those in this vast culture that may believe in something different.
And we have our excuses; sometimes they even sound good. The one on my mind tonight though, is the following: We are a Christian nation. So perhaps I am missing something here... Because we are a Christian nation, we as Christians are excused from sharing the Gospel here? It saddens me to no end when people tell me this... You see, in the mind of many Christians, so much of our culture revolves around Christianity that they really believe everyone here has already heard the good news... There is no point in making a special effort, in living mission minded in this land- because everyone has heard it already, and they have either chosen to accept or reject it.
You may ask- why does this sadden you? Isn't it true? In this nation where Jesus is so prevalent that His name is even a common curse word, shouldn't we turn more attention to other lands and not be so concerned about it here? After all, we will probably just offend others anyway, and then we will be labeled as self-righteous people who are just some weird kind of zealot...
Well? Is it true?
Tonight I had the opportunity to speak with a couple of teenagers about Jesus Christ. I asked them who they thought He was. Their response? He was a guy who taught some religious stuff. I asked them if they knew what sin was. Would you believe they didn't? They genuinely did not know what it meant to be a sinner!! It was a great joy that God allowed me to explain the Gospel to them- it is with greater joy that I have a new brother and sister in Christ when all was said and done... But the reason and purpose for this blog is not to shine a light on that, but rather on this fact: So many of us assume that everyone in America has heard the Gospel, that everyone knows what sin is, that everyone knows who Jesus is; we become so convinced of this that we make little or no effort to evangelize our neighbors, our co-workers, or families, our friends, or whoever else God places in our path...
The fact is, there are a lot of Americans that we have placed labels and assumptions on, who don't fit in to it at all. The reality is that this society is so exposed to the Gospel that many of the lost have become desensitized to it's message, never getting the whole of the truth. The reality is that too often we replace genuine evangelism with bumper sticker and t-shirt slogans, giving out only a half-hearted morsel of the whole loaf of the bread of life.
The reality is, here in America, Jesus' Words apply greatly : "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few."
May I ask a question? When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone? When was the last time you took a friend or co-worker aside and said, "can I tell you about Someone who has completely changed my life?" When was the last time you saw someone hurting and you offered to pray for them- not just when you got home or when you remembered to, but stopped right there, stopped what you were doing, and prayed WITH them? When was the last time you were intentional about being mission minded here in America?
I must confess- too often I am not. It grieves me to think of missed opportunities because I fell into the trap of believing "they have probably already heard it"...
Jesus never said, "Go-unless you think they already know."
Does that mean every time we share people will choose to accept Christ right then and there? No. Jesus was clear that many will reject Him, few will follow. But you see that part isn't up to us. It isn't for us to make the decision for them, and it isn't for us to get discouraged and give up when they don't. What is for us is to be obedient. And what is for us is that when we are obedient, we will see God move! You see, I really believe Jesus' Words, the harvest IS plentiful here in America! There are so many that have yet to hear the truth in our own backyard!
Do me a favor would ya? Let's agree together to be intentionally mission minded in THIS Country, in OUR state, in OUR city, in OUR neighborhood- you and me! What do you say?
I believe God will move and use us in an extraordinary way if we will commit to that! Let's be a part of His harvest here in America!
This is both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because it means that we enjoy a rich heritage of religious freedom. As Christians we are sensitive to any attacks against that freedom that come our way; and even when we may not always be overly active in politics, we are quick to step up and speak out when religious liberty is threatened. However, it is also a curse. How so you say? Allow me to explain...
American Christians are great at evangelizing- in other nations. We are quick to run to other nations to spread the Gospel; and often when our missionaries go overseas they see great results- God moving in amazing ways, spreading revival throughout communities the missionaries work in, many people converting to become followers of Christ. I will be the first to admit it is very exciting to hear the testimonies that missionaries have to share when they return from foreign soil.
However, we are not so quick to share the Gospel here. It seems too often our mouths are more interested in praising our favorite sports team than we are praising God. Our heart is more content seeking the American dream than seeking to fulfil the Great Commission. We are more cautious with our words, which are chosen intentionally to ensure they do not offend those in this vast culture that may believe in something different.
And we have our excuses; sometimes they even sound good. The one on my mind tonight though, is the following: We are a Christian nation. So perhaps I am missing something here... Because we are a Christian nation, we as Christians are excused from sharing the Gospel here? It saddens me to no end when people tell me this... You see, in the mind of many Christians, so much of our culture revolves around Christianity that they really believe everyone here has already heard the good news... There is no point in making a special effort, in living mission minded in this land- because everyone has heard it already, and they have either chosen to accept or reject it.
You may ask- why does this sadden you? Isn't it true? In this nation where Jesus is so prevalent that His name is even a common curse word, shouldn't we turn more attention to other lands and not be so concerned about it here? After all, we will probably just offend others anyway, and then we will be labeled as self-righteous people who are just some weird kind of zealot...
Well? Is it true?
Tonight I had the opportunity to speak with a couple of teenagers about Jesus Christ. I asked them who they thought He was. Their response? He was a guy who taught some religious stuff. I asked them if they knew what sin was. Would you believe they didn't? They genuinely did not know what it meant to be a sinner!! It was a great joy that God allowed me to explain the Gospel to them- it is with greater joy that I have a new brother and sister in Christ when all was said and done... But the reason and purpose for this blog is not to shine a light on that, but rather on this fact: So many of us assume that everyone in America has heard the Gospel, that everyone knows what sin is, that everyone knows who Jesus is; we become so convinced of this that we make little or no effort to evangelize our neighbors, our co-workers, or families, our friends, or whoever else God places in our path...
The fact is, there are a lot of Americans that we have placed labels and assumptions on, who don't fit in to it at all. The reality is that this society is so exposed to the Gospel that many of the lost have become desensitized to it's message, never getting the whole of the truth. The reality is that too often we replace genuine evangelism with bumper sticker and t-shirt slogans, giving out only a half-hearted morsel of the whole loaf of the bread of life.
The reality is, here in America, Jesus' Words apply greatly : "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few."
May I ask a question? When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone? When was the last time you took a friend or co-worker aside and said, "can I tell you about Someone who has completely changed my life?" When was the last time you saw someone hurting and you offered to pray for them- not just when you got home or when you remembered to, but stopped right there, stopped what you were doing, and prayed WITH them? When was the last time you were intentional about being mission minded here in America?
I must confess- too often I am not. It grieves me to think of missed opportunities because I fell into the trap of believing "they have probably already heard it"...
Jesus never said, "Go-unless you think they already know."
Does that mean every time we share people will choose to accept Christ right then and there? No. Jesus was clear that many will reject Him, few will follow. But you see that part isn't up to us. It isn't for us to make the decision for them, and it isn't for us to get discouraged and give up when they don't. What is for us is to be obedient. And what is for us is that when we are obedient, we will see God move! You see, I really believe Jesus' Words, the harvest IS plentiful here in America! There are so many that have yet to hear the truth in our own backyard!
Do me a favor would ya? Let's agree together to be intentionally mission minded in THIS Country, in OUR state, in OUR city, in OUR neighborhood- you and me! What do you say?
I believe God will move and use us in an extraordinary way if we will commit to that! Let's be a part of His harvest here in America!
Monday, October 29, 2012
Why Libya Matters
IT WAS not that long ago we were honoring the memory of September 11. There were prayer events, political events, and times of reflection at sporting events. The nation was reminded of that time in our recent history when we suffered violently at the hands of terrorists... That time when so many of our American citizens died, and we swore that it would happen NEVER again. We had our time of tears, but those tears turned to anger, and that anger fueled war, in an attempt to send a clear mesage to the world: NEVER AGAIN. We thought that they heard us. The question is- did they?
That was answered 11 years after the first 9/11 attack. 11 years to the day. September 11, 2012 was a new day for terror. This time, the attack happened at our Consulate in Libya. An act of violence using military grade weapons and took the lives of 4 Americans. While it is true that we did not lose as many as we did on the orriginal 9/11, it does not discount the fact that our people were murdered. To their families, it is irrelevant if it was 4 or 3,000. Their lives are changed forever, their loved ones are never returning home to hug them, to kiss them, to hold them. Their world fractured that day. What makes it worse, though, is that a time that should be reserved for sorrow and healing has been fractured as well. Only this time it was not rocket launchers, gunfire, or mortars that has left a crater on their soul- no, this time it is betrayal.
Betrayal. A strong word, but we must understand the events of that day, and in so doing understand that the events at Libya were not just some random thing that happened, they were not some minor event in American history, nor was it something we should just ignore. Now I know the concern that some may have- we should not politicize the deaths of four Americans. I agree. I think it would be a grave disservice to them to turn this into a partisan politics arguement. HOWEVER- we must not avoid the discussion in fear of being taken as politicizing the event either.
We must first look at some facts that we do know: First, that there was an attack on sovereign American soil. International law states that a country's consulates in foreign land is sovereign soil to that nation. Basicly, if you attack a consulate you are in effect attacking that nation. So the American consulate in Libya was, by international law, sitting on American soil. The attack there on that fateful September day then, in the eyes of international law- as well as our own- was no different than if they had attacked us here in the states.
Less than a mile away from the consulate, there were 2 Navy SEALs. Upon hearing the gunshots they radiod in for support, requesting aid as they went into action to protect American soil, and more importantly, American lives. They were denied help. And they were told to stand down. They were told to do nothing as their fellow Americans fell under attack.
They chose to defy orders.
They left their safety and went into action, engaging the enemy in a firefight, rescuing 30 American citizens that day. Unfortunately they were not able to save everyone, as 2 other Americans- one of them our ambassador to Libya- were killed. Finally, near the end of a 7 hour firefight, these two Navy SEALs were killed in action as well.
After the attack we were told repeatedly by our President, by our Vice President, by the Secretary of State, and by all the other mouthpieces in between that this was the result of an anti-muslim video that had been made and put out on youtube. This video, which reportedly had 17 views before this incident, supposedly set the whole middle east into a blazing riot.
But that was not the case at all, as we have since learned that there was no protest. There was no uprising. In fact, less than an hour after the attack began- WHILE our men were still fighting- an islamic terrorist group was taking credit for it. Yes, my friends, we have learned that indeed this was a terrorist attack. On our soil. And our government, as investigations have proven, knew this the whole time. Not only did they know about it- but they lied to the American people about what it was. They covered up for a terrorist group as long as they could. And as testimonies and evidence have surfaced, they watched the attack on live video feed. They watched as these 2 SEALs fought to save others. They watched as they called for help, for backup, for something. They denied their requests, and then they watched them die.
Why does this matter, you ask? First of all, because of several unanswered questions. WHY was there inadequate security at this consulate? WHY were the SEALs told to stand down and not engage the enemy? WHY were their repeated calls for help denied? WHY were other military and CIA branches also told to do nothing and to stand down when they requested to go in for back up? WHY did our government do nothing but watch as this terrorist attack unfolded? WHY DID THEY COVER FOR A TERRORIST GROUP AS LONG AS THEY COULD UNTIL THEY COULD NO LONGER LIE ABOUT IT BEING A PROTEST?
WHY should we think this is anything less than treason?
Why does this matter? How is this not politicizing this event? Because republican, democrat, liberal, conservative, it really doesn't matter what the president believes. This was nothing less than intentionally leaving our men to die. They may have been killed by mortars and gunfire that day- but it was this administration's lack of involvement that enabled their murder. By OUR law, that is called being an accomplice to murder. It matters not what the party affiliation is. This was just wrong.
In the democrat primaries in 2008, Hillary Clinton campaigned against Barak Obama, asking the question- what will you do when you get a call at 3 a.m. in the morning about an American attack...
Well... Now we know what the answer to her question is.
What will he do? Nothing. Nothing but watch.
My friends, is this really what we want from our president? Is this what we should expect? This behavior does not warrant four more years as leader of the free world- it warrants 40 to life behind bars.
That was answered 11 years after the first 9/11 attack. 11 years to the day. September 11, 2012 was a new day for terror. This time, the attack happened at our Consulate in Libya. An act of violence using military grade weapons and took the lives of 4 Americans. While it is true that we did not lose as many as we did on the orriginal 9/11, it does not discount the fact that our people were murdered. To their families, it is irrelevant if it was 4 or 3,000. Their lives are changed forever, their loved ones are never returning home to hug them, to kiss them, to hold them. Their world fractured that day. What makes it worse, though, is that a time that should be reserved for sorrow and healing has been fractured as well. Only this time it was not rocket launchers, gunfire, or mortars that has left a crater on their soul- no, this time it is betrayal.
Betrayal. A strong word, but we must understand the events of that day, and in so doing understand that the events at Libya were not just some random thing that happened, they were not some minor event in American history, nor was it something we should just ignore. Now I know the concern that some may have- we should not politicize the deaths of four Americans. I agree. I think it would be a grave disservice to them to turn this into a partisan politics arguement. HOWEVER- we must not avoid the discussion in fear of being taken as politicizing the event either.
We must first look at some facts that we do know: First, that there was an attack on sovereign American soil. International law states that a country's consulates in foreign land is sovereign soil to that nation. Basicly, if you attack a consulate you are in effect attacking that nation. So the American consulate in Libya was, by international law, sitting on American soil. The attack there on that fateful September day then, in the eyes of international law- as well as our own- was no different than if they had attacked us here in the states.
Less than a mile away from the consulate, there were 2 Navy SEALs. Upon hearing the gunshots they radiod in for support, requesting aid as they went into action to protect American soil, and more importantly, American lives. They were denied help. And they were told to stand down. They were told to do nothing as their fellow Americans fell under attack.
They chose to defy orders.
They left their safety and went into action, engaging the enemy in a firefight, rescuing 30 American citizens that day. Unfortunately they were not able to save everyone, as 2 other Americans- one of them our ambassador to Libya- were killed. Finally, near the end of a 7 hour firefight, these two Navy SEALs were killed in action as well.
After the attack we were told repeatedly by our President, by our Vice President, by the Secretary of State, and by all the other mouthpieces in between that this was the result of an anti-muslim video that had been made and put out on youtube. This video, which reportedly had 17 views before this incident, supposedly set the whole middle east into a blazing riot.
But that was not the case at all, as we have since learned that there was no protest. There was no uprising. In fact, less than an hour after the attack began- WHILE our men were still fighting- an islamic terrorist group was taking credit for it. Yes, my friends, we have learned that indeed this was a terrorist attack. On our soil. And our government, as investigations have proven, knew this the whole time. Not only did they know about it- but they lied to the American people about what it was. They covered up for a terrorist group as long as they could. And as testimonies and evidence have surfaced, they watched the attack on live video feed. They watched as these 2 SEALs fought to save others. They watched as they called for help, for backup, for something. They denied their requests, and then they watched them die.
Why does this matter, you ask? First of all, because of several unanswered questions. WHY was there inadequate security at this consulate? WHY were the SEALs told to stand down and not engage the enemy? WHY were their repeated calls for help denied? WHY were other military and CIA branches also told to do nothing and to stand down when they requested to go in for back up? WHY did our government do nothing but watch as this terrorist attack unfolded? WHY DID THEY COVER FOR A TERRORIST GROUP AS LONG AS THEY COULD UNTIL THEY COULD NO LONGER LIE ABOUT IT BEING A PROTEST?
WHY should we think this is anything less than treason?
Why does this matter? How is this not politicizing this event? Because republican, democrat, liberal, conservative, it really doesn't matter what the president believes. This was nothing less than intentionally leaving our men to die. They may have been killed by mortars and gunfire that day- but it was this administration's lack of involvement that enabled their murder. By OUR law, that is called being an accomplice to murder. It matters not what the party affiliation is. This was just wrong.
In the democrat primaries in 2008, Hillary Clinton campaigned against Barak Obama, asking the question- what will you do when you get a call at 3 a.m. in the morning about an American attack...
Well... Now we know what the answer to her question is.
What will he do? Nothing. Nothing but watch.
My friends, is this really what we want from our president? Is this what we should expect? This behavior does not warrant four more years as leader of the free world- it warrants 40 to life behind bars.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Hamster Wheel Theology
"I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:11... Have you ever sat down and just absorbed that verse? Put all of your own thoughts aside, sitting somewhere, maybe laying in bed at night, just absorbing what David meant...
I have met so many Christians- including myself- that have said something along the lines of, oh if only I could overcome this sin, I promise Lord to do better next time, etc. etc. etc. It seems that too often we get caught like a hamster in his stupid wheel, spinning and spinning it, running with all our might to escape it, yet never going anywhere. The next step, we say, will free us from our bondage. When it doesn't and we get worn out, we stop for a breather and say to ourselves "I will no longer be in this place, I will be free", only to pick the pace right back up in our little hamster wheel.
Running, running, running. Spinning, spinning, spinning. Going nowhere fast. Our never ending quest to outrun what we cannot.
The truth is that we cannot escape our little hamster wheel on our own. They say that if you do not learn from history you are doomed to repeat it... And sadly, we will keep repeating it. The same spokes of the wheel repeatedly passing under our feet. Because too often we do not learn.
This brings me back to Psalm 119:11. David, ironically, gives us the key to escape our spinning world. "I have hidden Your Word in my heart"...
How do you hide the Word in your heart? By reading it. No, not just merely scanning over a few verses a day. Rather, we must READ it. Absorb it. Meditate on it. Study it. David hid the Word in His heart because it was God's Word, and God's Word is life changing. When we absorb His Word it penetrates the very darkest depths of our soul, and changes us from the inside out, in ways we could never comprehend or accomplish ourselves.
I am not meaning picking and choosing either. I have seen too many people take a verse here or a verse there and build theology from it. But we must guard against that temptation. What David was referring to was not a verse by verse theological argument- he didn't write "I have hidden chapter 10 vs. 2 in my heart" but rather, Thy Word.
Are you stuck in a hamster wheel of repetitious stupidity and sin? My friend, now is the time to step out of it, step away from the norm of the world, step away from the self help advice and replace it all with His Word, in your heart. It's that simple. When you fill up on the Word, when you absorb it, when you hide it in your heart- He will change you.
Step out of the wheel. You are not a hamster, after all...
I have met so many Christians- including myself- that have said something along the lines of, oh if only I could overcome this sin, I promise Lord to do better next time, etc. etc. etc. It seems that too often we get caught like a hamster in his stupid wheel, spinning and spinning it, running with all our might to escape it, yet never going anywhere. The next step, we say, will free us from our bondage. When it doesn't and we get worn out, we stop for a breather and say to ourselves "I will no longer be in this place, I will be free", only to pick the pace right back up in our little hamster wheel.
Running, running, running. Spinning, spinning, spinning. Going nowhere fast. Our never ending quest to outrun what we cannot.
The truth is that we cannot escape our little hamster wheel on our own. They say that if you do not learn from history you are doomed to repeat it... And sadly, we will keep repeating it. The same spokes of the wheel repeatedly passing under our feet. Because too often we do not learn.
This brings me back to Psalm 119:11. David, ironically, gives us the key to escape our spinning world. "I have hidden Your Word in my heart"...
How do you hide the Word in your heart? By reading it. No, not just merely scanning over a few verses a day. Rather, we must READ it. Absorb it. Meditate on it. Study it. David hid the Word in His heart because it was God's Word, and God's Word is life changing. When we absorb His Word it penetrates the very darkest depths of our soul, and changes us from the inside out, in ways we could never comprehend or accomplish ourselves.
I am not meaning picking and choosing either. I have seen too many people take a verse here or a verse there and build theology from it. But we must guard against that temptation. What David was referring to was not a verse by verse theological argument- he didn't write "I have hidden chapter 10 vs. 2 in my heart" but rather, Thy Word.
Are you stuck in a hamster wheel of repetitious stupidity and sin? My friend, now is the time to step out of it, step away from the norm of the world, step away from the self help advice and replace it all with His Word, in your heart. It's that simple. When you fill up on the Word, when you absorb it, when you hide it in your heart- He will change you.
Step out of the wheel. You are not a hamster, after all...
Saturday, September 1, 2012
America Again
I HAVE TO BE HONEST...
Gov. Rick Perry was my first choice for the republican nominee for president in 2012. That guy, in my humble opinion, is a rock star governor not afraid to live his faith. But... sadly he was defeated rather quickly and quite handily. SO... My second choice was Michelle Bauchman. I love that woman; she is not afraid to say what needs to be said when it should be said... Sadly, she was also defeated rather quikly. Well, you know what they say- the third time's a charm, so I went with Sen. Rick Santorum... only to be disappointed at his lack of finishing big. well, I guess he did come in second...
One thing is for certain, my very last choice was Mitt Romney. A guy who came across as a moderate establishment candidate. A guy who was carrying an awful big chain around his neck with bling attached to it that plainly read "Romneycare" in the gold glittery letters. A guy who was the poster child for the evil "one percent" that the left was going nutso about. Yeah... that guy. I hate to say, but I was more excited to bob for dead fish in a barrel than to vote for Romney.
I was firm in my convictions, refusing to acknowledge him as a viable candidate. When it became clear that he would be our nominee I entered a state of political depression, preparing my mind for another Obama victory. Visions of the end of America floated through my head. I was beginning to accept the premise of doom.
You see, I understand that the America I grew up with, the America that I had known and loved since I was a small child, is in critical condition. She is laying in the ICU room for nations, on life support. The prognosis is dim. Hope is not lost- but those with any logic know it might as well be. Her light is fading from her eyes, and her torch is but an ember. She has been beaten down by an administration that promised hope and change, and instead gave us no hope and a beating with chains. That once great Lady Liberty, crippled at the hands of her leader. Her people made to believe that American exceptionalism was a demonic plague. Her people assured that to believe in America as the last great hope, that city on a hill for all other nations to look to, was nothing more than a corrupt dream worthy of being abandoned on the trash heap of unfairness. No, we were told, it is time to look beyond what was and accept a new reality- that America needs to be brought to her knees, brought to a place where all the other nations can see eye to eye with her. Eye to eye, that is, as she looks up- at them.
That America, that once was great, that was the beacon of hope to all the world, had had it's beacon of hope extinguished by a leader who promised hope. Oh, how I look back to my youth, back to the America I grew up in, longing for her to pull through, to stand back up lifting high the notion that ALL men are created equal, that ALL men have the right to life and liberty, that ALL men can be free to pursue their dreams and reach as far as they are able, that ALL men through hard work, blood, sweat and tears can one day reach their dreams- and more importantly, that they can impact their neighborhood, their city, their state, their country, their world- that we are more than just a number, a nameless peasant...
I WANT that America back.
I WANT a better future for my children and grandchildren.
But I don't see that. I don't see anything but Lady Liberty taking her last dying breath under this administration.
That is where I was. That is what I saw. I had no faith in the possibility of a victory for conservatism.
But then... I watched something unfold. It was called hope. Not a glittery hope, not honey-like words spoken from the lips of a seducer in chief. No, there was something else here. It was hope spoken from a man once held in sway by the liberal left. It was hope spoken from a woman reflecting on being that little girl refused hamburgers at the local gathering because of her skin color, later elevated to Secretary of State. It was hope spoken from a man whose family immigrated from communist Cuba, whose father and mother poured sweat- not for their dreams, but for the dreams of their son. It was hope spoken from a man who assured us that it is ok- no, not just ok but the right thing to do to believe in America again!
The reminder that WE are the employers, and that this president has been no more effective than an empty chair flooded through my mind- and I pray yours. The reminder that THIS president, who PROMISED to slow the rise of the waters and to heal the lands SADLY FORGOT the millions of Americans without work, without food, losing homes, losing dreams, losing the very hope that they were promised. Most importantly, we were reminded that IT IS NEVER too late to HOPE for TRUE HOPE. It is never too late for Lady Liberty to rise up again. It is NEVER TOO LATE for OUR America to stand up and once again be that beacon of hope, that symbol of liberty that shines forth from sea to shining sea!
YES! America can be restored! There IS hope! Where there is truth, there is hope! Where there is faith, there can be victory! Where there are people who are willing to stand and fight for her, there is liberty!
My friends, NOW is our time. They had their time, those who would see America weak and defeated. But NOW is OUR time to rise! NOW is our time to say, that we are TIRED of more people out of work, we are TIRED of more people hurting, we are TIRED of more debt, we are TIRED of the right to life being trampled, we are TIRED of the right to liberty being stolen, and we are TIRED of a government that has gone TOO FAR!
Four years ago, God gace us the exact leader we asked for. But now it is time that we recognize our wrongs. Now is the time we get down on our knees, and go to Almighty God, admitting that we were wrong. Now is the time that we seek His help once again, then rise to our feet, and claim the idea of America, the idea of freedom, the idea of liberty that burns in our minds, our hearts, our souls again!!! LET US go forth from this day forward and fire those responsible for trashing our Constitution, fire those who have attempted to enslave us to their socialist views, and TAKE AMERICA BACK FROM THEIR HANDS AND BACK IN THE HANDS OF THEIR EMPLOYERS- WE! THE! PEOPLE!!!!
What do you say? Are you willing to stand? Are you willing to be a voice of reason in this time of insanity? Because my friends, the time is now, you are the voice that will restore hope, and your voice was never more needed than NOW!!!
Gov. Rick Perry was my first choice for the republican nominee for president in 2012. That guy, in my humble opinion, is a rock star governor not afraid to live his faith. But... sadly he was defeated rather quickly and quite handily. SO... My second choice was Michelle Bauchman. I love that woman; she is not afraid to say what needs to be said when it should be said... Sadly, she was also defeated rather quikly. Well, you know what they say- the third time's a charm, so I went with Sen. Rick Santorum... only to be disappointed at his lack of finishing big. well, I guess he did come in second...
One thing is for certain, my very last choice was Mitt Romney. A guy who came across as a moderate establishment candidate. A guy who was carrying an awful big chain around his neck with bling attached to it that plainly read "Romneycare" in the gold glittery letters. A guy who was the poster child for the evil "one percent" that the left was going nutso about. Yeah... that guy. I hate to say, but I was more excited to bob for dead fish in a barrel than to vote for Romney.
I was firm in my convictions, refusing to acknowledge him as a viable candidate. When it became clear that he would be our nominee I entered a state of political depression, preparing my mind for another Obama victory. Visions of the end of America floated through my head. I was beginning to accept the premise of doom.
You see, I understand that the America I grew up with, the America that I had known and loved since I was a small child, is in critical condition. She is laying in the ICU room for nations, on life support. The prognosis is dim. Hope is not lost- but those with any logic know it might as well be. Her light is fading from her eyes, and her torch is but an ember. She has been beaten down by an administration that promised hope and change, and instead gave us no hope and a beating with chains. That once great Lady Liberty, crippled at the hands of her leader. Her people made to believe that American exceptionalism was a demonic plague. Her people assured that to believe in America as the last great hope, that city on a hill for all other nations to look to, was nothing more than a corrupt dream worthy of being abandoned on the trash heap of unfairness. No, we were told, it is time to look beyond what was and accept a new reality- that America needs to be brought to her knees, brought to a place where all the other nations can see eye to eye with her. Eye to eye, that is, as she looks up- at them.
That America, that once was great, that was the beacon of hope to all the world, had had it's beacon of hope extinguished by a leader who promised hope. Oh, how I look back to my youth, back to the America I grew up in, longing for her to pull through, to stand back up lifting high the notion that ALL men are created equal, that ALL men have the right to life and liberty, that ALL men can be free to pursue their dreams and reach as far as they are able, that ALL men through hard work, blood, sweat and tears can one day reach their dreams- and more importantly, that they can impact their neighborhood, their city, their state, their country, their world- that we are more than just a number, a nameless peasant...
I WANT that America back.
I WANT a better future for my children and grandchildren.
But I don't see that. I don't see anything but Lady Liberty taking her last dying breath under this administration.
That is where I was. That is what I saw. I had no faith in the possibility of a victory for conservatism.
But then... I watched something unfold. It was called hope. Not a glittery hope, not honey-like words spoken from the lips of a seducer in chief. No, there was something else here. It was hope spoken from a man once held in sway by the liberal left. It was hope spoken from a woman reflecting on being that little girl refused hamburgers at the local gathering because of her skin color, later elevated to Secretary of State. It was hope spoken from a man whose family immigrated from communist Cuba, whose father and mother poured sweat- not for their dreams, but for the dreams of their son. It was hope spoken from a man who assured us that it is ok- no, not just ok but the right thing to do to believe in America again!
The reminder that WE are the employers, and that this president has been no more effective than an empty chair flooded through my mind- and I pray yours. The reminder that THIS president, who PROMISED to slow the rise of the waters and to heal the lands SADLY FORGOT the millions of Americans without work, without food, losing homes, losing dreams, losing the very hope that they were promised. Most importantly, we were reminded that IT IS NEVER too late to HOPE for TRUE HOPE. It is never too late for Lady Liberty to rise up again. It is NEVER TOO LATE for OUR America to stand up and once again be that beacon of hope, that symbol of liberty that shines forth from sea to shining sea!
YES! America can be restored! There IS hope! Where there is truth, there is hope! Where there is faith, there can be victory! Where there are people who are willing to stand and fight for her, there is liberty!
My friends, NOW is our time. They had their time, those who would see America weak and defeated. But NOW is OUR time to rise! NOW is our time to say, that we are TIRED of more people out of work, we are TIRED of more people hurting, we are TIRED of more debt, we are TIRED of the right to life being trampled, we are TIRED of the right to liberty being stolen, and we are TIRED of a government that has gone TOO FAR!
Four years ago, God gace us the exact leader we asked for. But now it is time that we recognize our wrongs. Now is the time we get down on our knees, and go to Almighty God, admitting that we were wrong. Now is the time that we seek His help once again, then rise to our feet, and claim the idea of America, the idea of freedom, the idea of liberty that burns in our minds, our hearts, our souls again!!! LET US go forth from this day forward and fire those responsible for trashing our Constitution, fire those who have attempted to enslave us to their socialist views, and TAKE AMERICA BACK FROM THEIR HANDS AND BACK IN THE HANDS OF THEIR EMPLOYERS- WE! THE! PEOPLE!!!!
What do you say? Are you willing to stand? Are you willing to be a voice of reason in this time of insanity? Because my friends, the time is now, you are the voice that will restore hope, and your voice was never more needed than NOW!!!
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