Archive for July, 2010

Lost

Posted: July 20, 2010 in Life
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Somewhere in the pursuit of something better, it feels like we lost something.

We have the ability to talk to just about anyone on the planet from the devices we hold in our hands. Through the internet, we are connected to more information than we could read in a lifetime. We can locate any point on the Earth by pressing the “Google” button.

We can microwave a meal in a matter of minutes; wash dishes by stacking them in a rack and closing a door; and sweep our homes by turning on the automatic vacuum cleaner.

Purchase an airline ticket and be in another location in a matter of hours instead of days. Take a picture and see it instantly instead of waiting for it to develop. Press a button and a new movie appears on our television, computer or cell phone screen.

Type some letters and instantly communicate to another person or group of people. Hear a new song you like and in a matter of minutes, download it for your listening pleasure. Talk to a speaker box and someone will hand you food through a drive thru window. Slide a card, punch in some numbers and money will magically appear.

 If we are sad, pop a pill and be happy for a while. If we can’t sleep, pop a pill and snooze the night away. Sleepy the next morning? Pop another pill and wake right up.

If we are lonely, try an online dating service. If we need more friends, start recruiting on FaceBook.

We are a society who has figured out instant gratification. We know how to press a button and get what we want. But do we really know what we want? And what is the price we have paid for our instant world we have created.

As much as I enjoy the convenience provided to us by modern technology, I still have to ask: In all of our advancement, could it be that we have left behind what is most important? Could it be that we have sold that which is priceless, to gain that which is convenient?

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

Excuse me while you think about that…I have to go make a call, send a text, Google an address, update my blog, reprogram my phone, check my FaceBook, download a new song and program my DVR to record my favorite show…

See You on the Stage

Posted: July 14, 2010 in Life
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Life is strange sometimes.  Just when you think you have it all figured out…the script changes. Like a play in which you have rehearsed your role but suddenly find that all of the other actors are improving: so you have to join in.  The show must go on. The unexpected takes place. Tragedy makes an unwelcome appearance on the stage of existence and the script has to be rewritten. New actors appear, sometimes uninvited, and you have to rewrite the dialogue in order to include them.

 Again…the show must go on.

You stop and ask…who’s directing this strange play?  Am I?  My friends?  My relatives?  My spouse? My Boss?

I keep making choices, so am I the director? But are my choices simply reactions to what the other actors are doing?  Am I following the right script? Who did these rewrites?  Wait…is it time to improv again? 

Then the scene changes, and more actors appear.  But the script they are using doesn’t sound like the one I was just in.  This feels like a different play all together. New director? Maybe. But who is it?  Who is controlling the action on the stage?  I thought I was, but I couldn’t be.  I would not write this.  But I must read my lines, play my part.  The show must go on.

The show sometimes makes me tired.  It feels that each scene requires a different role.  But I am just one actor. Sometimes all of the other actors behave as if they are the directors.  Could they be?  Could I be reading the script they wrote for me.  If so…it does not feel right.  But, my improvs and rewrites aren’t much better.

Oh wait…now I hear the voice.  It must be the director.  He just said, “Cut”.  Good time for a break. He’s motioning to me. I think He wants to talk to me.  Just a minute, the show will have to wait.  The director wants some time with me.  I’ll be right back.

Ok…how long was I gone? It felt like hours and just for a moment.  But, I am ready to get back on the stage.  The director assured me that He wrote the script and He is directing all of the action. There are many who are trying to rewrite what He wrote for me, but as long as I listen to His direction…the show will go on. He told me not to worry.  He has it under control.  Just do my best with the lines He has given and He’ll keep directing me into the next scene. Some scenes feel like a tragedy; some like a comedy. There is even some action, mystery and romance. But he weaves them all into the story He has written for my life.

He also said not to worry if the other actors seem to go off script, because they have their own.  Some of them are listening to the director and some are not.  What is important, He said, was that I love them, treat them well, and follow the script…or scripture He has given me.  Keep inviting them into the play I have written He told me. 

So, off I go into the next scene of life. So glad the Director has it all under control. Oh wait, I think He’s calling you.  Go ahead, listen to what He says; He wrote the script and makes it all make sense.

See you on the stage.

One day, out in the Parking lot…

Posted: July 7, 2010 in Just for fun
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Not too long ago, my wife was inspired to repot some houseplants, which were in need of some TLC. My mom was in town for a visit and was inspired to assist my wife in her inspiration.  I have learned that my wife’s inspiration generally leads to my perspiration.  However, this time my required “perspiration” was minimal. My wife and mother were committed to this project.  And they did it all!

All that was required of my son and me was to carry out the newly purchased pots and potting soil.  That is minimal perspiration!

Now if you are waiting for a story about how I dropped a pot or made a mess, I apologize in advance.  That did not happen…this time.  My “pot dropping, mess making” stories will have to wait for another day.

However, something funny did happen when my son and I were putting the pots in the van.

As we loaded the pots and closed the back hatch of the van, a beautiful red sports car flew into the parking lot. The driver brought the car to an abrupt stop and stepped out.  She was a strawberry blonde with oversized sunglasses and an heir of superiority in her walk.

She took a few steps before shooting us a glance over the top of her glasses as she whirled her right arm back behind her and gave her automatic lock-button a push.  The car chirped. She looked back hitting the button once more. The car chirped again. The car was locked. She flipped her hair up in the air as she bounced off making sure we understood she was a superior being with a really nice car. Her stare told us to leave her car alone.

My son and I looked at her, looked at the car, and then looked at each other as we burst out laughing.

The car was a brand new, beautiful, bright red Mustang.  That was most assuredly locked.

Did I mention the car was a convertible…and the top was down? 

I have nothing profound to say about that, but I do have a thought…

I find it funny when we as humans seek to find our importance by what we possess.  Please… don’t get me wrong, l like a nice sports car.  However, what I like more is a good laugh with my son.  So, I would like to say “Thank You” to the Mustang-Convertible-driving, strawberry blonde with big rim sunglasses that provided my son and I a laugh. If you happen to be reading this, I apologize. Because I just could not resist going over and turning up the volume knob on your radio. Yeah, sorry… that was me.

Freedom Reigns…

Posted: July 3, 2010 in Seasonal
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Freedom

Such a powerful word.

A word so powerful, it was weaved into the very fabric of the Constitution upon which the United States was built.

A word so powerful, men and women will take up arms in order to defend it.

A word so powerful, men and women will lay down their lives rather than surrender the ability to practice it.

A word so powerful it motivates friends to argue its meaning; enemies to attack its foundation; politicians to exploit its power; authors to write of its merit;  artists to paint under its emotion; singers to voice its hope; and teachers to tell of its history.

A word that people spend a lifetime pursuing.

Freedom: such a powerful word. 

A word so powerful yet so expensive to defend.

A word so powerful, yet so difficult to define.

A word so powerful, yet so easy to abuse.

Freedom…the most sought after, highest priced, misunderstood, fought over word besides love.  But without freedom, we do not have the opportunity to show love.  But without love, we do not have the correct motivation to defend our freedom.

The price of freedom is always paid by those who love…

… their country; their family; their freedom and the freedom of others.

Independence Day is a time we celebrate the freedom we enjoy in the good ol’ US of A.

No matter what our political beliefs or affiliation, let us not forget the price paid for the Freedom we experience on a daily basis.  Let us not take for granted how precious our freedom is.

Thank you to every man and woman who has given their lives for this Freedom.  Thank you to every man and woman who has served in our military in defense of the freedom we live with on a daily basis.

God bless every one of you and God Bless America.