And a new season begins

The United States of America has elected a new President, and more of a shift within both the House of Representatives and the Senate. I liked what i heard in Senator McCain's concession speech - but i need to be honest - i fell asleep before President elect Barrack Obama acceptance speech... :( There are reasons that i am not in public office. 1) I do not have any real idea how to deal with the issues that trouble our land, and 2) I do not really know anyone who knows how to deal with them either. I voted based on my moral choices, and those who i felt best represented what i feel God would be most glorified through. In the end the man who sits on the hill and in the office will get my support. I may not agree with everything, and i am allowed to disagree vocally, but they are still my leaders. I don't know what motivated others to vote, but when the vote is based off of skin color - either way - it is a racist vote. If a person voted because of their pocket book then it was based off an idol (IMO). When need to seek first the kingdom of God first.

Music Monday - deferred - 20081104

Before i get into my blog for today i want to encourage everyone in the United States to get out and vote! I was playing catch up on a lot of things yesterday and i forgot to even try and get here to update my blog! :/ And this one will be quick too...

I Will Not Be Moved by Natalie Grant I have been the wayward child I have acted out I have questioned Sovereignty And had my share of doubt And though sometimes my prayers feel like They're bouncing off the sky The hand I hold won't let me go And is the reason why... [Chorus:] I will stumble I will fall down But I will not be moved I will make mistakes I will face heartache But I will not be moved On Christ the Solid Rock I stand All other ground is sinking sand I will not be moved Bitterness has plagued my heart Many times before My life has been like broken glass And I have kept the score Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed That I was far too gone My brokenness helped me to see It's grace I'm standing on [Chorus] And the chaos in my life Has been a badge I've worn Though I have been torn I will not be moved [Chorus]

Verse for today: Psalm 19 : 1-6, ESV The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above [1] proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice [2] goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

No matter where you go, there you are

It doesn't matter how far you travel the one constant thing is you. You may be in a new environment, a new town, or even a new country - but you can never get away from yourself. Even when your friends or family are not around, you are. I bring this up because i've seen many people act in totally different ways when they think no one is around and/or watching. One can put on a 'face', but they will have to live with themselves in the end. What got me thinking about this today is the game i have been looking forward to for so long has finally hit the shelves. One of the big selling points is that the player can act like either Luke Skywalker (a good guy), Han Solo (a kind of Neutral guy), or like Count Dooku (a real bad guy). The game even keeps track of your 'karma' and it will change how you can interact with the rest of the game world. I have never been one drawn to games like "Grand Theft Auto" or things like that, but i know many are. I don't even begin to know where to try and understand why so many people are. My boss and his son came to an agreement. Do not play any games that you would not do in real life. Now, that's an over simplified statement - but i think the concept comes across. If i need to go on a business trip i should behave as if my beloved is right there with me. If i am playing a video game, or any type of game, i need to behave as a Christian. Just because it's not real does not mean it that it is a moral choice you are making. Just because it is easy (like copying movie DVD or music CD's) does not make it acceptable. Just because you disagree with a law does not mean you are free to violate it. The only exception would be when it crosses with what God says is right and wrong. I have been voting for... well let's just say this is not my first election. ;-) The candidate that i voted for does not always win the election (big surprise there), but i need to keep in mine just Who has established the "king". While i was on active duty my team and i got to interacting with a man who was on his way to a formal function at the Officer's Club. I had noticed a Bible on his dashboard and made a comment about the Good Book (probably not an acceptable thing to do in uniform). Some how he turned it into a tirade against the administration of the time. I let him go on for a good two minutes before i said to him that it is God who established the rulers of all times, and in all places. He stopped, thought for a moment and said, "I will have to give that some thought". The point i think i am trying to make is that we are to be good and seek to follow Him, no matter where we are, or who is elected. We may not agree with those who are elected, or the laws that are passed, but we are to be good citizens and act as if it was God Himself sitting on the seat of government - for He is. For He has ordained all things for His greater glory and purpose - wether we understand it or not. Verse for today: Romans 13 : 1-7, ESV Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

A work in progress

Self discipline is hard! When i was in basic training discipline came easy. You did what you were supposed to or you did push ups. Pretty much a no brainer. But as we get older, and we have to actually do things for our selves it gets harder. Why? Because there are fewer boundaries. You can do pretty much what you want. If you don't feel like going to work you don't have to - but there will be consequences. The consequences can help you make the right choice (like the push ups did in basic training), but what about the times when there are no apparent consequences? At least not immediately. I found a verse of scripture referenced in a place i did not expect - but it sort of struck a cord for where my mind has been of late:

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. (Revelation 21:6, ESV)

I have been becoming more "thirsty" (I think, i hope, and i pray this is so) of late. This is a very good thing in my opinion. But as i look around i am not sure where to go to attempt to quench such thirst. Draw from the wrong pool and a poison can set in. By God's grace i have such a wealth of resources to turn to... but i am not sure exactly how to do it. That sounds... odd i'm sure. I'm not exactly sure how to pursue this on my own... and i am even more unsure if/how to approach someone to try and mentor me... especially as it's probably going to be over the web. Verse for today: Revelation 21 : 1-8, ESV Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place [1] of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, [2] and God himself will be with them as their God. [3] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

Listening to the news this morning you would have thought the end was near. "Oh no! the weather will be cold and windy today!" I know it's only October and all, but come on people this is the Fall after all. Winter is coming and the weather is bound to change. There's not even any snow coming our way! Relax people, we will have snow soon enough. For now just enjoy the opportunity to snuggle in your living rooms and enjoy someone's company. I took my lunch break to run down to GameStop to pick up my pre-ordered copy of Fallout 3 (PC) and the "Prima Collector's Edition Game Guide". I still do not have the laptop to play it on, but that's ok. Anyway... i walk into the mall and what greets my eyes but Christmas decorations! Now, i am not one who is turned off by this in general. For me it is a welcome diversion to all that is Halloween. I love Fall, i think i mentioned this before, but the one thing i am not fond of during this time of year is all of the Halloween things. I am not fond of horror movies, and i am not particularly fond of trick-or-treating. But that is me. I know there are many who enjoy the festivities, etc. so for the most part i keep my opinions of these things to myself. But when i saw the Christmas decorations i was, slightly, filled with joy. Not because of the mad retail season, but because we are ever closer to the season of celebrating the coming of the Christ. So dread not my heart - the Yule is coming! Verse for today: Luke 1 : 26-33, ESV In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed [2] to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” [3] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Music Monday - 20081027

What a weekend! I am very grateful to get back to work so i can recuperate. :) I got nothing done to move the deck project forward, but i was able to do so many other things with the family that it's all good. :) A quick safety tip: DON'T SHAKE WARM SODA CANS! By God's grace neither i, nor DS2, were injured while working on his science fair experiment. Part of it was seeing how much pressure a can of soda has when it is shaken at various temperatures. Long story short, the Coke can blew its top. I had soda in my hair, my eyes, my clothes. It was everywhere. We aborted the rest of that series of tests for safety reasons. I was lucky... i only received a slight cut to my hand. But my son LOVED it! LOL - boys Last week i mentioned in passing my concern over the possibility of my deceiving myself in regards to my relationship with Christ. I don't know about any readers out there, but i am concerned about my lack of 100% certainty in this regard. I've grown up seeing how "certain" people have been in various things. Certain that such-and-such was going to happen. Certain that they were going to do something. Then, in the end, the thing they were so certain was going to be... wasn't. I include myself in being certain of things. I mean, if one Jesus' disciples could do things like sell Him out after being with Him and see Him heal the sick, walk on water, feed the multiples, speak with such authority about the things of God... how can i be so sure that i would not do the very same thing? I feel love for my God Jesus Christ... and yet i feel my failures too... and there are times... sometimes whole "seasons"... were i feel i fail Him more than i please Him. Over the weekend the song i've picked for this week gave me some comfort...

My Savior My God from the album Anything Worth Saying I am not skilled to understand What God has willed, what God has planned I only know at his right hand Stands one who is my savior I take him at his word and deed Christ died to save me this I read And in my heart I find a need For him to be my savior That he would leave his place on high And come for sinful man to die You count it strange, so once did I Before I knew my savior My savior loves, my savior lives My savior's always there for me My God he was, my God he is My God he's always gonna be Yes, living, dying; let me bring My strength, my solace from this spring That he who lives to be my king Once died to be my savior That he would leave his place on high And come for sinful man to die You count it strange, so once did I Before I knew my savior My savior loves, my savior lives My savior's always there for me My God he was, My God he is My God he's always gonna be song journal - from the website

I was reading my "One Year Book of Hymns" and stumbled across a hymn entitled "I Am Not Skilled To Understand" whose words blew me away. I didn't bother searching for the melody: its obscurity indicated antiquity. So I started from scratch and sang it without the chorus for over a year at our church, which seemed to embrace it as it was. But I wanted to take it over he top. Sitting at a red light one night, a melody of excitement and a lyric that seemed to pull together the concept of Christ, my Advocate, always pleading my case, was born. And the song finally exploded on the chorus like I always knew it should. i do not understand everything, but I know that Jesus Christ loves me and is alive defending me. That calls for a big chorus.

-more thoughts in cd jacket

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While running from one thing to another yesterday i was able to follow along with the Panthers game. For the first 3 quarters i was not a happy camper. The Cardinals were walking all over the Panthers. Then something happened... i was smiles. I was even able to watch the final three plays (William 16 yard run to secure a first down, and the two kneel downs by Jake). I know it was not much, but i really enjoyed watching that run. I looked over the Buccaneers and the Panthers schedule for the rest of the year. I am not going to judge who has the tougher schedule - but i am grateful for the one game lead the Panthers currently enjoy. The NFC South might come down to the final two weeks or so of the season! It makes the Monday night game the Bucs come to Charlotte all the more exciting for me! I have decided to not get my hopes up for the Super Bowl... i just want one thing for Christmas... and that is an NFC South championship for the Panthers! Verse for today: Isaiah 55 : 6-9, ESV “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I am just ramblin' man

As most of you have probably figured out... it's election season again. I am not posting to stump for any candidate in particular, but i get irritated at the news outlets and all the political commercials. Maybe i am just cynical but it's practically impossible for someone who is employed full time to wade through a really decipher what is true, what is exaggerated, and what is false. And there is no party that is exempt from it. And i don't feel that it is necessarily the candidates fault in all cases. No one person can be fully informed on all subjects at all times. It is not possible for them to read every line of every ad that is being placed in their name. In the end they have to rely upon those who they have surrounded themselves with - that is what we eventually judge them on. I think the debates are good, and if you are fortunate enough to listen to the candidate early enough in the campaign you might actually hear what they think on a certain subject. In the end i vote my conscience. Does this person believe in similar things that i do? Because i don't care if the world is promised to me, they will be lucky if they get half of the things they promised even before Congress, let alone passed. There are things i have heard about both the Republican and Democratic candidate that distress me - and I will not elaborate on that here. In the end my trust is in God. God allows rulers to rise, nations to fall (or succeed). I pray for this country, i will pray for things i feel are good, against things i feel are bad, but in all things i just pray for His will to be done here, as they are in heaven. Tomorrow i am driving out to get together with a couple of other old soldiers. Guys that i used to drill with but are now retired like me. It's been like pulling teeth. Fortunately we all still have ours. ;-) If everyone shows up it will just be four of us. It's not that we are too old, it's just that we've not kept in better touch with some of the others who have retired. Now that i am thinking about it... not many did retire. They just let their contracts run out. One of the guys coming tomorrow though - didn't retire, he's just old enough to actually seem like he did! lol I'm not sure how much i am going to get done on the deck this weekend. With rain and church events there's just not very much time. I might be able to swing the hammer a couple of times, or possibly just pick up the nail gun offered to me last weekend. We'll see. Verse for today: Proverbs 24 : 17-22, ESV Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.

Fret not yourself because of evildoers, and be not envious of the wicked, for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?