A secret to contentment?

I once heard C.J. Mahaney say that "disappointment occurs when expectations exceed our experience". Basically saying that when we expect something to happen - for whatever reason - and it does not happen the way we expect it to, we become disappointed. Bear with me as my points will probably be a little scatter brained. :) My beloved and I have some friends who are raving about this video that, I believe, they ordered from Pastor Joel Orsteen's church about - and I am paraphrasing here - that in order to find contentment and hapiness we essentially need to think positive. That when we live in self doubt or downing out abilities, lot in life, etc. we handicap ourselves and we are not able to achieve all that God has for us. I have listened to Pastor Orsteen and enjoy his teaching very much. It is obvious that he is being used by God to reach people, not just in his local community, but throughout the U.S. and probably the world. But I think if this message is carried too far it can lead to a misunderstanding of who God is and our relationship with Him. Now I in no way think that is what Pastor Orsteen intends. Anytime we equate our actions to a cause and effect in regards to what God is doing we are in danger of equating our works to our justification. When our works are seen in the light of our ongoing sanctification then I can get on board with it. I am going slightly off track... ok, back on-topic. :) But, in a sense this is true. In order to achieve and get ahead we need to first conquer ourlseves. "The longest journey begins with a single step", but if we are afraid or say we cannot make it we will either never take that first step, or we will stop somewhere along the journey before we reach the finish line. And are we not told to run the race as if to gain the prize? (1 Cor 9:24) We are also to run the race as if we are running a marathon and not a wind sprint. (Hebrews 12:1-2) My father-in-law got me hooked on "The Unit" on CBS, which in turn led me to pick up the book Inside Delta Force by Eric Haney. I have not finished the book yet, but the first part is about Selection process from the author's point of view. Many of those who did not make it simply gave up. (And I am in now way diminishing what they did accomplish because those men were, and probably still are, better soldiers than I ever was.) The thing that has stuck with me, well two things, from the book is this:

"All day long, I crossed that mountain from one side to the other.... I would arrive exhausted and breathless at one RV (check point) only to be sent to the next back on the other side I had just come from. The mountain was too big to contour around, and the lay of the was such that I could never anything approximating a direct approach or maintain the hard-earned high ground for any length of time. Never getting anywhere, back and forth across the same mountain. It was a masterful torture. But then I had a revelation. What difference could it possibly make if I crossed back and forth over this mountain until doomsday? A mountain is a mountian, time was time, and route selection was route selection. The only that that mattered was speed and ground made good.... The frustration and mental torture I had been suffering were completely of my own making - and completely within my power to disregard." (1)

The other quote is;

"I was physically spent and sore in every part of my body, But as I reflected on what I had undergone, I felt a calm sense of satisfaction and contentment. I had not just survived an ordeal, because survival in a sense if passive. No, I had conquered. But conquered what? I had to think about that a while, and then I realized: myself." (2)

In a sense we can never take credit for what we accomplish because the initiative always begins with God (Romans 5:8). And yet there are things we must perform in order to continue along the process of being conformed into the likeness of our Savior. (Romans 8:29) And we can not do that in a passive mode. Sorry for the long winded post today. :) It is something God put on my heart and in many ways I believe He has driven it. I pray that it may be used by the Holy Spirit to bless any who He brings. May the Lord bless each and everyone of you. Verse for today: Romans 8:26-30, ESV Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because [6] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, [7] for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. 1. Eric Haney, Inside Delta Force, Delacorte Press, 2006, pg 79 2. pg 100-101

Proficency with the tools on hand

Sort of an add-on to yesterday's post. It is important to be proficient with the tools that God has given you. Wether you are a supervisor or just a "cog in the machine". If you are a supervisor of 2 or 20,000 you need how to best position those under you to do their jobes effectively. You should known their strengths and weaknesses. Know what they are capable of and what they may fear to tread. If you work solo you still have tools at hand. If it's a hammer or a word processor. You should take the time to learn the tool. Learn how to use it, what it is capable of. And always be open to new ways of doing things. To learn how to do whatever we do effeciently and effectively not only builds self confidence it is good stewardship. Verse for today: Colossians 3:12-17, ESV Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Learning and application in all things

In the contruction of houses, choice of woods is made. Straight un-knotted timber of good appearance is used for the revealed pillars, straight timber with small defects is used for the innter pillars. Timber of the finest appearance, even if a little weak, is used for the thresholds, lintels, doors, and sliding doors, and so on. Good strong timber, though it be gnarled and knotted, can always be used discreetly in construction. Timber which is weak or knotted throughout should be used as scaffolding, and later for firewood. The foreman carpenter allots his men work according to their ability. Floor layers, makers of sliding doors, thresholds and lintels, ceilings and so on. Those of poor ability lay the floor joist, and those of lesser ability carve wedges and do such miscellaneous work. If the foreman knows and deploys his men well the finished work will be good. The foreman should take into account the abilities and limitations of his men, circulating among them and asking nothing unreasonable. He should know their morale and spirit, and encourage them when necessary. This is the same as the principle of strategy. ---quoted from The Book of Five Rings

I love to study strategy and military history. I remember when I was still in grade school just beginning to learn about the battle of Gettysburg and wondering why the Confederates just didn't move around to the right. I like to read books on ancient battles (mostly about the American Civil War) as well as play table top war games. And I really enjoyed my time as a 'straight leg' infantryman. As I was writting this I was beginning to divert into my thoughts on war, etc. but that was not my original intent on today's entry. What I wanted to talk about is how we can learn from anything. Often battlefield tours (well, at least ones the military sponsors :) ) speak to what was done right, what was done wrong. That sort of thing. In The Book of Five Rings Miyamoto Musashi explains how the warrior can learn from the other professions (the example above demonstrates a correlation between a carpenter foreman and a leader of men in battle). Yesterday I received the book, Guide to the Battle of Antietam from Amazon.com. While reading the introduction it dawned on me. It is not just the soldier that can learn from the study of such things, but the "civilian" can learn from such things too. As a matter of fact it would benefit us all to study things outside of our sphere of interest. Not to try and master another trade or hobby, but to draw parallels and thereby learn how to apply lessons learned to our own daily lives. Verse for today: Job 33:29-33, ESV “Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man, to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life. Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you. If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Modesty and mutual accountability

Last night, as I was sitting in my car watching DS1 soccer practice, I was listening to some Christian radio. Around 6:30 Family Life Today came on. I immediately recognized the voice of my old senior Pastor CJ Mahanney. The topic was on modesty. Specifically in regards to how women dress. Now before anyone brings up how men sometimes need to dress more modestly at times too, or how men need to guard their eyes, minds, and hearts - I would like to say this. If you tell someone to not think of a blue elephant what is the first thing that is going to come to mind. Even if you are trying to not think of it. I would also like to say that those statements are also true. My actual point of my blog today is not to proclaim that it is women and how they dress, or how men need to do certain things. It is about corporate accountability. I hear this all the time, "Judge not, lest you be judged". I would like to put forth that there is a difference between judging someone, and coming alongside someone to talk about something they may (or may not) be seeing. Now an observation may be totally off base, or mistaken (perhaps an assumption is being made) - but what if the observation is correct? Wouldn't it help them to show them an area that can be improved? What about the person bringing the observation? If the person is humble enough a self examination should also take place. Or what if the observation is wrong? Then the 'observer' can also learn from the experience. I guess what I am trying to say that corporate (or mutual) accountability can, and should, be a growth in personal humililty and humbleness. We should enver approach a brother or sister in order to bring them low or exault ourselvs. But it should be a time of growth for both people involved. I know that when I stand before the Throne of God there are a great number of things that I am convinced of that I will be shown wrong. My life is to be a time of sanctification and there is no possible way I can see it all. I need my brother to come alongside me. To gently remove the blinders of my own sin, so that I may continue to grow. I need to also be humble enough to appraoch a brother to try and encourage and help him. Even if I am wrong I need to be humble enough to be open to such a possibility. After all - none of us are perfect. Not even in our walks with the Savior. We should not try and limit God in how He might bring correction into our lives. Better even a firm hand of a brother, then the full weight of God allowing the consequences to fall if a sin is left to run its course. Verse for today: Luke 6:39-42, ESV He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

Same problem - different day

Well, I am at a loss as to what to talk about today. I've had three pretty good ideas (I think) and I can't remember any of them. :( Looks like I need to break out the old notebook again. May the Lord richly bless anyone who happens to stumble across this little blog... I hope to improve the posts...SOON! Verse for today: Job 24:13-17, ESV “There are those who rebel against the light,who are not acquainted with its ways,and do not stay in its paths. The murderer rises before it is light,that he may kill the poor and needy,and in the night he is like a thief. The eye of the adulterer also waits for the twilight,saying, ‘No eye will see me’;and he veils his face. In the dark they dig through houses;by day they shut themselves up;they do not know the light. For deep darkness is morning to all of them;for they are friends with the terrors of deep darkness.

Working on Sundays

I once had a boss who reminded me that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. To my shame I do not believe I truly hold the Sabbath as sacred as I should. I will revisit this... Yesterday I had to come into work to cover some 'routine' maintenance. This is the life of being support for wide area network. Unfortunately this maintenance ended up being anything but routine. It lasted all day. I know that God's Word talks about getting your donkey out of a pit and all. But I will need to see about how my family observes the "Lord's Day". I am behind the eight ball on today's load so I need to cut this short today. May the Lord bless each of you. Verse for today: Mark 2:23-28, ESV One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

A Tale of Two Dreams

This morning I was reminded of two dreams that I had just after I was born again back in 1989. I don't think they are anywhere on par with the story in regards to literary quality - it's just the title that came to mind. The first dream I had went something like this. I am in a long line that goes into a mountain cave like opening. Picture a line like any for an amusement park ride. I was in-line with another person that I could not identify but we were like twins. The line led to a very tall ladder that I could not see the top of. While climbing the ladder there were diving boards at periodic points where people would go out and dive off into an abyss. Every once in a while people from above would smack onto a nearby board and bounce off continuing on down into... nothing. An obvious impression of dread and darkness was everywhere. At some point there was a "man of light". He urged me to follow him and leave the cave. Although I hesitated I did eventually follow him, along with my 'twin'. The second dream was a continuation of an then recurring dream. In my dreams back then I would often find myself running through an appocolyptic city. Running from one bombed out building to another. Crashing through walls, climbing over debris, just running and running. Not really sure from what. Until I had this dream. At some point I realized that "I don' have to run anymore." I stopped, turned around, and saw a snake that was chasing me. I reached down, picked the snake up and said, "I don't have to run from you anymore". I was saved in August of '89 and I had these dreams in October. I still remember them vivedly even after all this time. After I was married I realized that my 'twin' in the first dream was my wife - even though I did not meet her until September of 1991. She was born again in October of 1989. Recently I have begin remembering my dreams again. For a very long time I thought I just did not dream any more, but they seem to be coming back to me. I think I cam going to keep a log of them... just to see. Verse for today: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, ESV Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Time marches on

I am not even sure what to write about today. My brain is scattered across several topics right now. DS 2 has been itching for a Webkinz and he has really been putting forth an outstanding effort in school lately, so we picked him up one yesterday. So far he loves it. Not only do you have the stuffed animal, but you can play with it on-line. DS1 continues to do real well in school. Yesterday he had some friends over. Man they (kids) grow up fast. DD1 (child3) also is doing well. She is so ready to get to school it's scary. I can get anxious about all three of them. I find myself praying for their school experiences, their futures, their relationship with Christ, their future spouses. Whatever comes to mind. Mostly I pray for my lack. That God would grant me a covering for my areas of weakness. Verse for today: Psalm 92:5-9, ESV How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep! The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever; but you, O Lord, are on high forever. For behold, your enemies, O Lord, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.

I couldn't help myself. Well, I probably could, but I didn't. I stayed up WAY too late watching coverage of the VT tragedy. I listened intently as the reporters interviewed faculty and roommates of the shooter. I listened as other people described this young man and I trembled inside. I remember being an outcast in high school. I remember not really fitting in to the college scene. A big difference was that I did actually respond to efforts of others to include me in things. I also thought of my son who is dealing with Aspergers. He often withdraws and does things that are odd. I worry about being a good enough father to lead him into better social habits. To help him deal with his frustrations and to help him learn how to interact with other people. But most of all - I really want to help him find his place in this world. To help him find the thing that he loves (that is NOT Pokemon :) ), and to encourage his desire. Please, I am not claiming my son is on the way down that road. It's just that as a parent I fear and pray for his future. Like any parent I just want the best for my children and with all that has gone on this week and has made me think and pray. Verse for today: Proverbs 18:1-3, ESV Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.

Kicking someone when they are down

I know probably most blogs that come from those of us who live in the United States today will be about the Virginia Tech shootings today. There are so many things that can, and should, be said - but I do not know how much authority I would have on such matters. I do not live on that campus. As far as I know I do not personally know anyone on that campus. One thing I am concerned about is the rising crescendo of criticism about the campus administration not notifying the students sooner about the earlier shooting at the dorms. The students that were in the classrooms at the alter shootings would have left their dorms probably by 8:45. At that time did the administration really see a need to notify anyone? The students in the dorm where the first shootings took place already knew, as well as many of the adjacent dorms. We only have experience to base such decision off of. There is no precedent of this taking place. Really, what would have happened if the administration had notified the students via e-mail even as early as 8:00 AM? There was no perceived need to close down the entire school at that point. In the past, usually, shooters that flee the sceene do not stay nearby to commit more shootings. They usually flee the area in a bid to escape and to avoid getting caught. In my opinion, most of the students would have still gone to class that morning. Especially the commuter students, the ones that do not live on campus. The professors most certanly would have been there. This morning I read the book of Obediah. While this may seem off topic the thing I think God was showing me is that we need to not 'contribute' our pound of flesh to the spectacle. I am not sure really how to coherently tie these things together. We need to know and trust that God is control of all things. Even when it does not make sense. The Edomites took advantage of God's judgement upon Isreal. They ransacked their villages, they policed up stragglers and turned them over to the invaders. In the end God judged them for doing this, even though the reason for Isreal being in such a state was because of God's judegment upon them. Also think about the relationship between Saul and David. David knew that God would bring down Saul but he would not lift his hand against the man. The same needs to be noted about the church in history. There have been times we have been quick to proclaim judgment against those suffering with AIDS, or those who suffer from an abortion. The afflictions may be a part of God's judgement upon that person, but who are we to add to the person's suffering? Are we not to have compassion upon one another? Because my dear friend - if not for the grace of God, there go I. This may seem disjointed, but... it is that kind of day. Verse for today: Luke 13:1-5, ESV There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Recovering from Vacation

Well, my brief season of frantic travel is over for now. The past two and a half weeks has seen me log over 2,000 miles on my family cars. It was nice to see the family but I am glad to be home for the forseable future. One theme that has been going over and over in my mind has been taking time to pray. I am not talking about the verbal petitioning of God - asking Him to intercede on my behalf or for friends and family. But the kind of prayer where I am sitting and listening, reading and meditating. Even before this little vacation God has been gently showing me that I need to work on my listening skills. I tend to talk, but when other people are trying to talk to me I am easily distracted (how selfish is that!). I need to work on not doing this. I need to stop thinking about whatever and focus on whoever is talking to me and what they have to say. And God has shown me that I am doing this to Him as well. :( This past weekend I watched "Left Behind". I first watched this movie when I was called up to active duty back in 2002 and I really like this series. I keep praying for Cloud Ten pictures to continue the movie series (there are currently 3 movies all told so far). My point is that there are times I feel so much like the charecter Bruce Barnes. He was the Pastor of a church where his entire congregation is swept up during the rapture, but he was left behind. The lines that stick out to me the most are, "I stood here and preached Your Word. And I was good! I knew your message! But knowing and believing are two different things." My prayer is to be a beliver and not just a knower. Verse for today: Psalm 46:8-11, ESV Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Easter Sunday

I don't feel like I take this holiday seriously enough. Today Good (or Black) Friday through Easter (Resurection) Sunday. It 'only' represents the culmination God's plan of salvation to His people. To His creation. I was blessed with a really good teaching Pastor when I was a new Christian. During Christmas time I don't just see the infant in the manger. I see the man who walked among us, who lived a sinless life, proclaimed the way of salvation, and then went to the cross to pay for my sin - with my voice calling out among the crowd. But I do not feel a depression for what my Savior had to go through. I don't feel elation at what His sacrifice procured. Why? I know these things in my head... but my heart somehow feels dulled. There are times when I feel it. Sometimes we think we don't know something if we don't feel it. Other times we trust feelings over knowledge. I think our walk with the Lord is more dynamic than that. There are times when either our head or our heart will lead us astray. We need to keep our eyes focused on the finish line and race as if to get the prize. Verse for today: Luke 24:1-12, ESV But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles, but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

Deprived or Depraved - you say Toh-mah-to I say Toh-may-to

I had a pretty good chuckle this morning. A fellow blogger, one I like to frequent a few times a week, pointed out a slight grammatical error in one of the comments I left for one of her blog entries. You see she had given up coffee for lent, and while I do not partake of that practice (I am rethinking this BTW) I commented that I felt her pain - of sorts. Recently she had placed a countdown timer for when she could once more enjoy a warm cup of her favorite beverage. I wanted to encourage her that her self deprivation was almost over and that I hoped God would give her the strength to get through her self depravity - ahem. Thankfully she understood what I meant. Grammer has never been a strong suit of mine. At least in the written form. Back in High School (insert joke about being old here) I was not a stellar student. I loved math and aced those courses - along with any sort of 'shop' class I had. English was another matter entirely. I failed all of my English classes since the first semester of the 10th grade. Half way through the 12th grade - realizing that I was not going to graduate with my peers - I dropped out. (I later went and got a G.E.D. though - I needed it for the National Guard.) Later on, while attempting to go to college I found myself in English 010 - not 101 mind you. English 010 was to try and teach me the ways of writing and compositions. It took me four attempts to pass this course. When I finally did pass this pass/fail class I declared my college aspirations dead (at least for now). What is even funnier.... (to me anyway) is that I enjoy writing short stories. I doubt they are really publishable, but it is a fun hobby. I know this is a long entry on my grammer, but I happen to be listening to a tape recently that reminded me that I should never take myself too seriously. Because there really is a lot of me that can bring enjoyment to others in my own short comings. :) Verse for today: Romans 3:21-27, ESV But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.

It is our duty

I once heard a Pastor proclaim (quoted from someone else), "sometimes it becomes our first duty to restate the obvious". Two nights ago DS2 came into my room as I was laying in bed (trying to get my back to relax). He wanted to know where I kept the 'little white tapes'. After a few questions to figure out what he was looking for I told him of my "stash". In the back of my closet I have a small box overflowing with small cassette tapes (anyone still use them?) of old sermons and conferences I had attended. I was not really understanding what my 9 yr old son would want with old sermon tapes but I indulged him. A few minutes later I was more than happy to turn off the television as he came back in with his cassette player wanting to listen to the sermon with me. Even though we were only able to listen for fifteen minutes or so it was very nice to listen with my son. "Raise up our children in the way thatr they should go..." that is our charge as parents. We not only need to preach the gospel to ourselves (and those whom God calls around us), but we need to be preaching the gospel to our children. Verse for today: Deuteronomy 6:4-9, ESV Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [2] You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

The arch support

Well, I have a bulging disc somewhere in the lower back. By God's grace I was referred to a wonderful Chiropractor who is not ashamed to proclaim his faith in God. He also is not one to just prescribe medication off the cuff. He worked with me for sometime yesterday. I went home with a back brace that holds cold compresses, a book that goes over the back and the exercises he wants me to perform, and helped me learn why/how I hurt it in the first place. I am still uncomfortable, but I have a better peace of mind. Ok, I don't want this to be all about the back. :) I was able to watch a little TV yesterday and last night. I may have mentioned this before but the FCC rules on profanity on television are confusing to me. You can use the "f-bomb" or the 'primary' word to describe a messy diaper. But they can use the Lord's name in vain without hesitation. It makes me sad. Verse for today: Luke 12:8-12, ESV And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Back problems

It is amazing how much of our daily lives are tied into things in the back. Last Thursday or Friday we had a tire blow out and I had to replace it. As a result I went ahead and rotated the tires on our mini-van. While I was tightening the last lugnut on the last tire I felt something 'tweak' in my back. It didn't bowl me over but it give me "reason to pause". I finished up my task and got on with my day. Well, pretty much since then my back has been going down hill. Over the weekend I drove to visit my brother in NC. Long story short he is getting ready to do a rotation overseas, and his wife was home on a two week rotation. It is essentially my last chance to see the two of them for about a year and a half. Thirteen hours in a car did not really help. Today it is hard to stand up and the doctor's office does not open until noon. *sigh* Well, I will have to wait and see. God bless... Verse for today: Luke 13:1-4, ESV There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”