Thoughts from Sunday night

02 Monday May 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in 9/11, Osama Bin Laden

I was watching a movie Sunday night and turned it off to catch the 10:00 o’clock news to find that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. I sat there listening for quite some time with no words to say but as I watched, several thoughts started to flow through my mind.

I posted this on Facebook, a question borrowed from Chad Holtz, a Facebook friend, “A watching, cynical world will be looking to see how people who claim to follow Jesus will react to the death of a terrrorist. How does Jesus make a difference in our view of such events?”

As I watched the ongoing news, I was struck by the celebration on the TV while wondering if people really believe this is the end of terrorism. When our nation is attacked, most people rally together and, as a country, we are more engaged in a war mentality. I wonder if it will be any different for Osama’s followers, if their resolve will grow stronger and their attacks will be ramped up.

The celebrations I’m watching don’t seem so much different than what I see from Middle East countries when they celebrate their attacks against us.

I can understand what has happened and I can understand the decisions that were made. What I’m not comfortable with is the response of so many. Facebook comments that thank God that Osama is dead hurt my heart. People singing God Bless America in response to someone’s death doesn’t strike me as a blessing. Is God celebrating this death? Is God going to bless this country because we killed someone who wanted to persecute us?

I won’t begin to suggest I know more about what living the life of a Christ-follower is than the next person but I can’t help believe scriptures that suggest that we should celebrate in sharing in sufferings mean singing and dancing in the streets because of one man’s death fly in the face of what God would have us do.

I pray that this world will know peace but, more, I pray that those who want to be disciples will act as disciples and that God will open my eyes to know what that looks like in my life.

Grace and peace to you.

Freebird

27 Wednesday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

I’m listening to Third Day and thinking about Lynard Skynard as I write this so Freebird just seemed like the right title for the moment.

I don’t like the Yankees but can’t cheer for the Blue Jays either so I’ll just be there to soak in the sights.

I’m so thankful for friends that challenge me to be a better person and a better Christ-follower. I’ll ask you to pray for some friends who are doing great things in the kingdom with people that most would overlook and pray that their efforts will be fruitful. I hope to join them again soon and be the hands and feet of Jesus to suffering people.

That is all for today. Unless something fascinating happens in the next two days I’m likely done blogging until next week.

Grace and peace to you.

Markers

26 Tuesday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Cry Out to Jesus, hope, pain, Third Day

≈ 1 Comment

We mark a lot of events. Birthdays (happy birthday Shannon!) and anniversaries are maybe the most common but we also mark the bad days and bad events. I’m not sure if many people are like me but I tend to remember the bad markers better than the good markers. Sunday was one of those markers, an anniversary of sorts that is a painful reminder of something lost. It’s odd that I would spend the day vacillating between it being a day of resurrection and hope and a day of what is dead and lost, not odd that I would be thinking about one or the other but that they occurred on the same day. I was fortunate to be with a great church family and some very, very dear friends that day but I also needed and wanted some time alone to process, to cry, to read and maybe to heal a little. I was granted both time with others and time alone on Sunday.

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I often wish I could have a do-over. There are so many choices I don’t think I’d make again. I realize that many of my choices have led me to where I am and I don’t get the do-over so where do I go from here? Well, I’ll start by crying out to Jesus for help, for guidance, for courage, for strength to take the next step, to keep moving forward and to use my experiences, good or bad, to help others who are crying out for help too. I’ve been told by some people I couldn’t have reached them without some of my experiences. Honestly, it’s a tool I wish I didn’t have but it is what it is and my next step to growing closer to God is to use what I have and what he is giving me and go from there. I can’t rewrite the past but I can work on making the right decision today. So, I’ll keep crying out to Jesus to lead me.

Hope

25 Monday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Children of God, hope, Third Day

≈ 1 Comment

Yesterday wasn’t the best of days for me which is hard to say relative to what the day was about. I’m thankful it was a day about hope. Maybe I’ll say more about it this week.

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I spent the weekend listening to Third Day. So many of their songs speak to me and so I will be sharing some of those this week.

I am thankful to be one of the children of God and I will rejoice in knowing he loves me.

Grace and peace to you.

Things Learned in the Airport

22 Friday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in airplane, delay, emergency landing, horse's rear

≈ 3 Comments

Wednesday was a not-so-fun day at the airport. My first flight back was delayed, then delayed again, then delayed again. They got me booked on another flight because the problem was a hydraulic leak and it can take hours to find those. So, I was excited to get on a plane leaving at 2:00, then 2:30 and finally 2:50 because I would still get home in time for church. Uh, negative Ghostrider. The pilot comes on just minutes into our flight to let us know that the landing gear wasn’t working properly, we would fly in circles long enough to burn off 10,000 pounds of fuel and then give the landing a go and let us know there would be firetrucks and all the emergency response folks standing by. The landing was fine and all was well. Here are some random thoughts.
During the delay, I was in line with a man from Chile who was VERY upset about the delays and wanted everyone to know.
I was also in line with a couple from Brazil who felt very inconvenienced that the plane was delayed and thought they should move to the front of the line to be serviced first since they were sitting in first class.
There are some people who get really mad when someone tries to cut in line.
Mad women are the most persuasive in getting people to quit cutting in line.
The ladies working the desk must be given some type of sedative to stand there, take the heat and not pull a gun on someone.
During a flight in which people think there’s the possibility of a very bad ending, there are multiple ways of handling the stress but applause seems the general consensus when everyone realizes the plane isn’t going to explode.
A husband asked to switch seats so he could sit by his wife. The whole time they were sitting together, he never held her hand. I thought it odd but give him credit for at least moving to be closer to her.
Some people use humor in stressful situations. Sometimes it’s very bad humor and they would do better to put a gag in their mouth.
Some people get real nervous and real quiet but the fear in their eyes is evident.
I felt like I was at peace the whole time knowing the ending could be THE END. I wasn’t in control of anything so I said a couple of prayers for the pilots and the souls onboard.
I did realize I need to leave a note of what life insurance policies I have before I fly out again on Wednesday.
After defying death (yes, that’s a bit exaggerated but it makes for good drama), you’d think people would be happier and counting their blessings. Not the man from Chile. Instead, he exhibited what it’s like when a horse’s behind actually speaks.
If I was a desk agent and a little man from Chile said the things to me he said to that poor lady, someone would lose a head and someone would wind up in jail I think.

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The song that kept cycling through my head the whole trip was “It Is Well”. I want to be able to live it out daily. The ups, the downs, the victories, the challenges, I want to face it all knowing whatever comes my way, it is well with my soul.

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Grace and peace to you.
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The Power of Words

20 Wednesday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Power of Words, purplecontent

≈ Leave a comment

I’m in Las Vegas so I’m stealing content for the blog today.

The Babbling Brook

19 Tuesday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in fire, heaven, hell, Las Vegas, Possum Kingdom

≈ 2 Comments

That’s kind of how I feel about this post today. Just babbling. I’m on my way to Las Vegas. Woohoo. I’ve got $5,000 in cash and I’m ready to win big. Truth is I’m on my way to Vegas and I have $40 in my pocket because I don’t see myself gambling too much. One the last trip I wagered $3 and won $6 I think. I am OVER THE TOP. Ha-ha. I’m ready to take care of business (the real reason for the trip) and get home.

I saw the lead-in to Entertainment Tonight Monday night and wanted to throw the remote at the TV. The Royal Wedding? Seriously, is that the most important thing people have on their plate? Contrast that with a Facebook post by a friend on Saturday that he was with his church youth group in downtown Dallas trying to serve the homeless.

I’m glad I’ve attained perfection so I can criticize others.

That’s a BIG joke folks. Still, how much press can 2 people getting married receive as well as Charlie Sheen and whether Susan Lucci is going to join Desperate Housewives? Do these people not know the Rangers game is on TV?

I don’t know what to say after watching the news and watching the homes burning near Possum Kingdom lake except, “Lord, send rain and protect the firefighters and others who are putting their lives on the line and those who are volunteering their time.”

I’ve been keeping up with some Facebook posts by several who are debating the existence of a literal hell. It’s another argument that does draw some interest from me but one that, in the end, matters little to me. Maybe it will be a bigger issue to know these answers one day but for now, I just want to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and serve others as I believe he has called me to do and prepare for an eternity in heaven. Now, I’m not going to start telling everyone to enjoy life on earth and live it up because they have a free pass to heaven because I don’t believe that is what the Bible says but if I get to heaven and it’s filled up with people who claimed to be non-believers, murderers, drug users, liars, and whoever else God decides is worthy to be there, I’ll say HALLELUJAH and ask to be pointed to the fly fishing area. (I also want to know where the golf course is so I can go say hi to Rick.)

To that end, if and when I have all the facts about everything God knows, I’ll share it here. Until then, I’ll post what I believe, be willing to listen to other ideas and try to know more about my incredible father and Lord.

Grace and peace to you.

Roll The Stone Away

15 Friday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Acapella, Roll That Stone Away

≈ 2 Comments

Easter is coming and one song I always think about and haven’t heard in years is Roll That Stone Away sung by Acapella. I used to have it on a cassette tape (yep, that long ago) and played it until the tape was worn out I think and haven’t found the CD it was recorded on. Thank heavens for youtube.com.

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Here’s the song and let me tell you, if you don’t start keeping the beat with your foot or hand if not just flat-out dancing around the room (my preferred listening style), you better check your pulse because I think you might be dead.

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Grace and peace to you.
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Brought To Tears

14 Thursday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Jacob, Josh Hamilton, Rangers, youth group

≈ 2 Comments

First, I’ve gone too long without a post about the Rangers. 8-3 (EDIT: A reader pointed out the Rangers are 9-3. That’s the danger in writing a post in advance and then coming back to edit it later. And the mad cow disease.) now and not in World Series form the past 2 games. Still, I remember a start just 3 years ago that was more like 3-8.

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Josh Hamilton went down yesterday with a broken something in his shoulder and is out 4-6 weeks. That’s a tough break for the Rangers but something I think they will come to expect with Hamilton and something that will be a big factor in his contract talks. I usually get frustrated with players who are hurt often but I feel differently about Hamilton. Yes, I’m a fan and probably jaded but having read his book and knowing what he battles, I cheer for him to keep coming back, to keep overcoming obstacles, to stick to the straight path when the pain of hurting and not playing is what led him down a crooked road before. I want him to succeed simply because I see some of my life wrapped up in his ups-and-downs and realize life is about more than baseball, more than a stint on the DL and more than homeruns. It’s about getting back up when you’ve been knocked down, even when you’ve brought so much pain on yourself, and moving forward in a positive direction. Yep, I’m an unabashed Hamilton fan to the end.

_________________________________________

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OK, the brought to tears part. I’m a fairly emotional guy and the kids in our youth group got to me last night. Jacob brought a lesson about making war against our sins and at the end of class offered them the opportunity to write their sins on the board to share with their friends and the people they want praying for them. Yes, you read that correctly. Our teenagers were openly writing their sins on the board and it brought me to tears. Their honesty, their openness, their hearts desiring to be closer to God, their trust. It was moving to me, someone who tried for years to hide my faults and failings.

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Grace and peace to you.
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Brandon

13 Wednesday Apr 2011

Posted by Seeking Peace in Brandon, D7, Denton

≈ 2 Comments

God allowed me to cross paths with Brandon this past weekend. Brandon is the guy who reminds me that whatever my pain is, there is someone out there with more pain than me and more pain than I want to come my way. His parents were busted for cooking meth when he was about 13. He bounced between families for awhile. He’s been in jail, two brothers are in jail, one brother is handicapped, the mother is now married to a not-so-nice guy and his wife had just kicked him out because he doesn’t have a job and can’t find work right now. He also has some self-esteem issues because of what he’s lived through and he has Trichotillomania. He was trying to get somewhere to stay and didn’t have the money to buy gas to get there. A friend of mine gave him gas money and another friend got to share some experiences and words from God and I got to be in the presence of one of God’s hurting children. I got a reminder of how blessed I am. I got a reminder that the suffering I experience may be bad, may be the worst thing I’ve ever known but it is temporary. I’ve been knocked down and landed on my feet. Brandon has been knocked down and kicked while he was still down. I think he wants a relationship with God but he can’t see how to get there today because he’s fighting to survive, to keep a family together, to take care of a brother no one else wants to, to find a job so he can eat – problems I cannot comprehend.

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I was blessed to be able to pray with Brandon, to ask God to fill him with peace, to allow him to see what God has in store for him and to ask God to put healing into Brandon’s life surrounding him with God’s love and anyone else that God can lead his way that will help Brandon see that he is a child, worthy to be called a son of God just as he is.

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Oh Lord, please allow me to glorify you and to be light to those who are hurting, who are lost, who are wandering, who are being beaten down by this world and the pain that it holds. Work through me so I may say your words and bring hope to someone who is or has lost it.

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Grace and peace to you.
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