Loving the Unloveable

It has been so long since I posted.  It's not that I lack ideas to write about. In fact I have so many ideas of things I want to write about. It's simply a matter of getting it out of "mambo jumbo that no one other than myself will understand form" and into coherent English.  That being said, I have been toying with this post for about a week now.  I think I finally have it to the point that I like it.  So here we go, "the latest from the album "life as I know it.....

Show me how to love the unlovableShow to reach the I reachableHelp me now, to do the impossibleForgiveness, forgiveness

   This is the chorus from one of Matthew West's new songs.  I whistle, hum, or sing it to myself all the time.  It really seems like a good play book for part of what God has planned for us, and our time here. "Love the Unlovable".  "Reach the Unreachable".  This post is going to hit specifically on the "loving the unlovable".

   It's easy to love those that love you back.  Your parents.  Your spouse.  Your friends.  Even that person you used to talk to everyday, but for some reason haven't talked to in months.  This is great, and God loves it, but we are called to "love thy neighbor as yourself"(Mark 12:31) "Neighbor" does not just mean your "physical neighbor".  It means toward all man.  Even the person who does you wrong.  Even the person who almost runs you off the road after cutting you off in traffic. We ( as the upset sinner who just got cut off) try to "Jedi Mind trick" them into getting a ticket, or worse, wish them to get into an accident.  How do I know you do this?  Because I do the same thing on occasion.  Its tough to not get caught up in the moment, to be SO MAD, that you cant let it go. It's almost easier too, rather than taking a step back and holding yourself accountable and saying "Did I really just say that"?  Like you have a fear that if you let it go, they'll "win".
 
  A lot of the time our emotions get the best of us, and we get really upset with people and hold a grudge.  To the point that it ruins the rest of our day, while the person that upset you is not likely thinking twice about it.  I'm going to challenge you today, to not hold that grudge next time someone wrongs you.  Even pray for them.  In this case "that they make it home safely with those mean NASCAR skills"  It may just help you feel better.  

a closing verse from the above song sings:

  "It will clear the bitterness away, it can even set a prisoner free.  There's no end to what its power can do, so let it go, and be amazed by what you see through the eyes of grace.  The prisoner that it really frees....is you"

I checked on the inspiration he had for this song since it spoke to me so much.  It turns out it's about a woman who forgave a drunk driver that killed her teenage daughter.  Not only that, she was able to get his sentence shortened, and is now traveling the country with him, doing seminars on the dangers of drunk driving.  Powerful.

   The example I used in the beginning of this blog is not as serious as the one in the end, but both require forgiveness, and loving "unlovable" people.  Now if I were in the same situation as the lady this song is about,  would I be able to do what she did?  I'd like to think so....eventually.  In honesty though.  I don't know if I could.

  Remember this then my book is done.  There's alot of crappy things in this world, and there are alot of crappy people that don't deserve a second chance, but it could always be worse.

 

 

   

Always Remember

   Today is September 11, 2012.  Eleven years removed from arguably the worst attack on American soil. 

   I did not live through Pearl Harbor obviously, but I have read about it.  Heard accounts of that fateful December morning from those who experienced it first hand.  I remember every year, because of them.  Their stories.  I would consider the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01 as this generations Pearl Harbor.  "A day that will live in Infamy" is the way president FFranklin Roosevelt described that day.--"An extreme and publicly known criminal, or evil act.  A state of being infamous"-- That description to me, in my lifetime, is 9/11/01.
   Again, I was not alive for Pearl Harbor, but I feel it was a day alot like 9/11/01.  Everyone who lived through it knows what they were doing during every single aspect of the day.  The first tower. The second tower.  The Pentagon.  then finally, the crash in that rural Pennsylvania field. 
   I was talking with a co-worker of mine this morning about how I am going to write down where I was, and everything I was doing, so that when old age kicks in, and I forget , I will still remember.  It may sound strange, but I don't want to forget. I'm afraid that means I would forget all the innocent, and heroic lives lost that day. While I would like to forget why they were heroic, I'm afraid it just doesn't work that way. Unfortunately, they go together.
  I want to be able to give my account to those who did not live through it. My kids.  My Grand kids. My nephews. (That still blows my mind that they were not even born when it happened.)  Much like those videos did for Pearl Harbor, or my parents have done for JFK. 
  This amazing country has come along way since that Tuesday 11 years ago.  We are getting closer, and closer everyday to defeating this war on terrorism.  These evil minds that plot hatred all around the world.  What a great country we live in!  God Bless America!



(I don't know if anyone reading this knew anyone who died that day, but I am dedicating this blog to them.  To keep the memory of their lives alive.  We must never forget)

Life as I know it...Growing up.

  Everyone has their dreams as to what they wanna be once they're "grown up".  Growing up I wanted to be an actor--Play the leading role on the big screen.  Then a Fireman--Saving the beautiful girl from the 12th  story of the burning building.  Then a Cartoonist--The next Jim Davis. 
   Then once I reached high school, I realized those dreams would likely stay just that.  Not because the old saying "If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything" is wrong, because it's not..  My mind just wasn't "put to it". 
   I was shy, so acting...on a stage...in front of people?  No thanks.  I was (and still am to this day) scared of heights.  Fireman have to climb ladders.  Again, something I do better in my dreams.  I am however a decent drawer.  I draw Garfield great!  The only problem is, I'd have to be looking at it to do so.  I lacked the originality, the creativeness. (not looking for a pity party, just the truth)
   Once I graduated from High school, I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do with myself.  I went to college, hoping something would "tickle my fancy".  It didn't.  I came home, started working in a restaurant, and before I knew it, I had seven years of customer service in my back pocket. 
   Somewhere in those seven years I got introduced to blogging.  Just writing your thoughts, stories, plays, whatever was on your mind.  It was fun, but like drawing I had trouble coming up with my material more than once a month.  I kept it though, changed it up every other time I wrote a new post, thinking "OK, this time, with this new look, I will keep up with it." I did this a bunch until I got to this wonderful layout you know and love today.  That I actually enjoy keeping up with, and updating.
  I am reminded of one of my favorite verses of scripture

"I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go.  I will counsel you, and watch over you"--Psalm 32:8

  Now is bogging or perhaps something more where God is leading me, as he promises in this verse? Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  Time will tell, but in the meantime, I'm having fun.  =-)

London Olympics

   It's that time again ladies, and gentlemen.  The time, every four years, that you watch sporting events that 351 days out of the year you could care less about. 
   Yes, I am in fact talking about the Olympics. The beautiful city of London won the rights to host this years games, and have so far, in this bloggers opinion, done a great job.  The venues have been full.  every last second has been exciting, and I really feel like I'm there and feel a sense of American pride when the fans scream USA! USA! USA! from the stands.
   I have thoroughly enjoyed watching some kind of event every night for the past week. Cheering on my country.  Again, even in sports I couldn't care less about on a regular day.

• Gymnastics:  I held my breath on every vault, every balance beam flip, every floor exercise.  I watched with pride as the U.S.A took gold in the "team competition".  Then again in the "All around" as Gabby Douglas brought it home.  I even felt for the other girls who did not achieve their Olympic dreams. 
• Beach Volleyball: Some might say it was the women in the bikinis, but even when it was 60 degrees out, and they were wearing more than a typical beach volleyball player would typically  wear, I was glued.  From the first serve till the end.  I loved watching the U.S.A. girls battle it out in the gold medal match, after eliminating country upon country along the way. 
• Soccer:  Okay, this one I watch more than just at the Olympics.  I watch the world cup as well.  Still, I don't watch it on a regular basis.  This Olympics though...If you were a fly on the wall, you would have seen me jumping up and down in front of the TV, when Alex Morgan hit the header in the 125 minute in the victory over Canada, only to look around for someone to celebrate with...realizing I was the only one in the room.  Finally, (and I wont admit this to my wife, as I have made fun of her for doing so)  I found myself tearing up as the girls mouthed the national anthem, as the cameras paned across them this afternoon after winning gold. 

   The Olympics...for two weeks....even synchronized swimming is a sport.  (apologies if you're a synchronized swimmer)

U.S.A!  U.S.A!  U.S.A!!
 

Chick-Fil-Apology

    So unless you have been living under a rock for the last 3 weeks...Chick-fil-a has been under some scrutiny for some of their anti-gay beliefs.  It has started a whirlwind of a 2 sided battle of supporters, vs. non supporters, with few of us--Myself included, that are in the middle.  While we don't condone some of their decisions, we're not boycotting either.
   When I originally started typing this post I was going to go into a whole ton of detail as to "why my stance is where it is. In fact, I have written it, but I figured instead of beating Mr. Ed after he's already been buried, I would take this post as something good for all, not just those who agree with me.
   That being said, I got into a pretty heated debate with some folks on Facebook about this.  While I thought they were civil, it was brought to my attention that some might not have seen it that way. While most of you I have fallen out of contact with, other than FB, there is a reason we became FB friends to begin with. That being said, and my stance not changing, I'd like to apologize to those with whom the heated debates took place. (you know who you are...because I tagged you in the link from FB) I am sorry if I came off as disrespecting to your opinion, or even a "bigot"  That was not at all my intention.  I sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, apologize to each and every one of you, and hope and pray we can just take this as an agree to disagree moment. 

One Crazy Week

(Beep, Beep, Beep, Beep) I lean over with a tired grown, and check my alarm clock.  It is 6 AM on Sunday morning.  I get out of bed, stretch, hop into the shower, and am out the door by 6:20 to serve at church.
   It is the last day of an extremely eventful week.  It started off like any other week.  I worked Monday and Tuesday.  Tuesday night i had an interview with Van Baird.  A local state farm agent to be a member of his sales team.  While it is a completely different position than I am used to, and one that I will need to obtain a license for, it is exciting non the less, and am hoping to make work.  It would mean a more steady/ consistent hours of work for me, and a more consistent paycheck for my family, and I. 
   Charity and I then left at 5 AM Wednesday morning to drive down to Panama City to spend a few days on the beach with her folks.  It gave us all a little time to relax, Sleep in, and not really think about any kind of Job(s) for a few days.     Charity's dad and I body boarded in the ocean, her mom and I built some pretty killer(if I do say so myself) sand art.  (see facebook for pictures), and Charity got some bonding time on the pier fishing with her dad, while Sherrie, and I enjoyed cheering them on. (Charity hooked what we can only assume was a Sand Shark--3 others had been caught earlier).  That wrapped up our trip to P.C. Beach '12.  We slept in again this morning before the long trip home, and got in about 9 PM. 
   The week will be concluded tomorrow evening, with dinner at my folks, for another great meal, and to pick up Lola, whom they have been so graciously dogsitting all week. 
    Monday......Back to work. What a crazy week!!

"Not the little green kind..."

"It's like trying to find a needle in a haystack."  What a descriptive saying.  Clearly, this saying means you are looking for something very small in a very large area.  I think of this in regards to the earth in this universe, and beyond (this blog would fall under the "and beyond" section of my header)  In the grand scheme of things, the big picture, we are but a "needle" in this "haystack" of universes that God has created.  Francis Chan shows just how little we are in this video.  pretty amazing.



In the midst of the summer season, I arrive to work at about 6:30.  It's still dark enough to look up at the stars, and just think about how awesome God's creation is.  The fact that we're so small in a such a big area.  Our sun is HUGE, but its not even close to the biggest known object out there.  This video is pretty neat as well.

So cool!!  Such a little part of God's massive creation, and he knows us personally.  There are some bosses of companies of 20 employees who don't know everyone's names. 

Something else to think about...now that we have this knowledge of just how truly small we are...is it possible there could be other life out there?  Not the "little green men" we've come to know and love, but other humans.  On another Earth somewhere.  Scientists discuss how perfect the earth is.  how its just the right distance from the sun for life, but not to far.  Is it possible there could be another earth out there in the millions of galaxies beyond our own?  Who knows.