A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion says, "Because if I do, I will die too."
The frog is satisfied, and they set out. But in mid-stream, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp "Why?"
Replies the scorpion: "I am a scorpion, it’s my nature..."
Regardless of political affiliation we need to realize one thing; politicians do what they do because they are politicians. They will continue to serve their own interests instead of representing the people that elected them because it is their nature.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Kin Folk or Folk Lore?
As I examined my Facebook Friends list, I began to wonder just how often I really had contact with the people on it. I looked at the names and the categories (lists) I had placed each of them into. Some are in a list entitled “Close Friends”. Others are “Farmville Neighbors”, “Old Friends”, and “School Friends”. And finally there is the “Family” category. I would like to be able to say that everyone fit into this last category. But, unfortunately, the times we live in don’t lend themselves to people truly becoming family.
“Family “ is a title that is usually reserved for people that we are related to, either by birth or marriage. For me, however, this title carries with it great meaning and responsibility. Family are not merely people I am related to. They are people that hold an important place in my life and heart. They are people I would drop anything for and go to the ends of the Earth for if they simply asked. And they are people I cannot go even one day without thinking about.
We are commanded to love one another with a Christ-like love; a love that is unconditional, a love that knows no ends. And yet, we treat each other like strangers, except when we meet at church, work, or the local grocery store. We go days, weeks, months, and even years without even a thought for family members. We spend more time, money, and effort getting to know our customers, store clerks, and TV show characters than we do our family.
Growing up I recall family gatherings on a regular basis. When a birthday came along, we got together to celebrate it, as a family. When a holiday would roll around, we gathered. But we did not simply gather with relatives. When a close friend had an occasion to celebrate we gathered with them as well. There are many people in my life that I have called “aunt”, “uncle”, or “cousin” that I don’t share a blood or marriage relation with. And I think about each and every one of them almost on a weekly basis, if not more often.
I believe we have cluttered our lives with so many entertainment distractions that we have forgotten the important things. Our “Kin Folk” of yesterday are becoming “Folk Lore” of tomorrow.
“Family “ is a title that is usually reserved for people that we are related to, either by birth or marriage. For me, however, this title carries with it great meaning and responsibility. Family are not merely people I am related to. They are people that hold an important place in my life and heart. They are people I would drop anything for and go to the ends of the Earth for if they simply asked. And they are people I cannot go even one day without thinking about.
We are commanded to love one another with a Christ-like love; a love that is unconditional, a love that knows no ends. And yet, we treat each other like strangers, except when we meet at church, work, or the local grocery store. We go days, weeks, months, and even years without even a thought for family members. We spend more time, money, and effort getting to know our customers, store clerks, and TV show characters than we do our family.
Growing up I recall family gatherings on a regular basis. When a birthday came along, we got together to celebrate it, as a family. When a holiday would roll around, we gathered. But we did not simply gather with relatives. When a close friend had an occasion to celebrate we gathered with them as well. There are many people in my life that I have called “aunt”, “uncle”, or “cousin” that I don’t share a blood or marriage relation with. And I think about each and every one of them almost on a weekly basis, if not more often.
I believe we have cluttered our lives with so many entertainment distractions that we have forgotten the important things. Our “Kin Folk” of yesterday are becoming “Folk Lore” of tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Choose …….. But Choose Wisely
Every choice you make has an end result.
- Zig Ziglar
As a teacher, on the first day of school, one of the first things I told my students was that they did not have to attend my classes. This was an exciting proposition to a group of pre-teenagers and teenagers. Most of them had the impression that they didn’t have a choice. After announcing this great news, I continued by explaining the conditions of this choice. They had a choice of whether to attend my classes or not. However, their choice would carry certain consequences. By choosing not to attend the classes, they would not get any credit for the classes. This choice would also carry with it certain administrative consequences: demerits, detention, or even expulsion. It might even result in certain disciplinary actions by their parents.
How many times you have heard, or maybe even said, “I didn’t have a choice!” This seems like a logical thing to say, at first glance. However, after further investigation, you realize you always have a choice. You usually see a lack of choice because the consequences of one of the choices are so undesirable that you don’t even consider it to be a viable choice. Life is full of these situations.
I had a conversation with someone concerning his or her financial situation. I should be the last person to give financial advice, considering my own financial ruins. However, we had the conversation anyway. As we discussed their need to find gainful employment I asked a few questions. “Why do you need to work if your spouse works?” “Do you really need the second car if you don’t work?” “Do you really need the extra bedrooms, or could you live in a smaller house?” “Would the choice to work create more of a need for the additional income?” The conversation continued along this line for some time. The end result was that if they were to cut back then the need to find a job was eliminated and they could stay home with their children. Which was their true desire in the first place.
I too have found myself in this situation. We could downsize our household and afford for Sherri not to work. It would be a little tight and we might have to sacrifice a few things, but we could manage. Or, as we chose, we could have a larger house, two newer cars, eat out frequently, and Sherri would continue to work. Funny thing is, we still struggled and ended up living paycheck to paycheck anyway. The ironic reality is that if we had chosen the first option we probably would have a place of our own today. As a result of our thought that we “didn’t have a choice” we have lost pretty much everything.
Luke 14:28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
We are instructed to “count the cost” when making a decision. This is such a simple concept that so many of us fail to catch on to until it is too late. I challenge you to commit to fully evaluating the choices before you, praying earnestly about the choices, and choosing wisely. God will bless when we do it His way.
- Zig Ziglar
As a teacher, on the first day of school, one of the first things I told my students was that they did not have to attend my classes. This was an exciting proposition to a group of pre-teenagers and teenagers. Most of them had the impression that they didn’t have a choice. After announcing this great news, I continued by explaining the conditions of this choice. They had a choice of whether to attend my classes or not. However, their choice would carry certain consequences. By choosing not to attend the classes, they would not get any credit for the classes. This choice would also carry with it certain administrative consequences: demerits, detention, or even expulsion. It might even result in certain disciplinary actions by their parents.
How many times you have heard, or maybe even said, “I didn’t have a choice!” This seems like a logical thing to say, at first glance. However, after further investigation, you realize you always have a choice. You usually see a lack of choice because the consequences of one of the choices are so undesirable that you don’t even consider it to be a viable choice. Life is full of these situations.
I had a conversation with someone concerning his or her financial situation. I should be the last person to give financial advice, considering my own financial ruins. However, we had the conversation anyway. As we discussed their need to find gainful employment I asked a few questions. “Why do you need to work if your spouse works?” “Do you really need the second car if you don’t work?” “Do you really need the extra bedrooms, or could you live in a smaller house?” “Would the choice to work create more of a need for the additional income?” The conversation continued along this line for some time. The end result was that if they were to cut back then the need to find a job was eliminated and they could stay home with their children. Which was their true desire in the first place.
I too have found myself in this situation. We could downsize our household and afford for Sherri not to work. It would be a little tight and we might have to sacrifice a few things, but we could manage. Or, as we chose, we could have a larger house, two newer cars, eat out frequently, and Sherri would continue to work. Funny thing is, we still struggled and ended up living paycheck to paycheck anyway. The ironic reality is that if we had chosen the first option we probably would have a place of our own today. As a result of our thought that we “didn’t have a choice” we have lost pretty much everything.
Luke 14:28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
We are instructed to “count the cost” when making a decision. This is such a simple concept that so many of us fail to catch on to until it is too late. I challenge you to commit to fully evaluating the choices before you, praying earnestly about the choices, and choosing wisely. God will bless when we do it His way.
Facebook: Friend or Foe?
Some of you have noticed that I have not been posting to my blog for quite some time. Some have even taken the time to encourage me, and I appreciate that. While thinking about why I have felt no compulsion to write lately I came across this thought somewhere in the back of my brain.
Is Facebook a good thing or a bad thing? First, what is Facebook? Most people know it to be a web site where a lot of time is spent doing nothing of real value. Some know it as the cleaner version of MySpace. Some are entirely wrapped up in the games that are offered. And some are just happy to check in on occasion to see what their friends might have posted, but it does not consume their lives.
As a long-haul truck driver I am away from home for weeks on end, sometimes as many as 8 at a time. Therefore, Facebook is just one form of communication with my family. As a trainer I spend many hours just sitting while my student gets experience behind the wheel. Most of this time does not require direct supervision, so Facebook is a diversion for me. I have had the opportunity to connect with friends from time gone by all across the Country, even being able to get together for a meal. I have been able to receive encouragement from many of you. Spending long hours on the road either alone or with a stranger can be pretty discouraging. I have even had the honor of being an encouragement to some. To put it simply, I have found Facebook to be a lifeline of sorts.
Some might try to convince you that Facebook is just a waste of time. Others are completely addicted to it, spending countless hours in front of their computer screens. I simply find Facebook to be an outlet for relaxation, similar to TV, and another form of communication, like the telephone.
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know many of you better than ever before. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and especially your prayers while I have been separated from my family (which includes many of you). You mean a great deal to me and are a very vital, special part of my life.
May God bless you richly.
Is Facebook a good thing or a bad thing? First, what is Facebook? Most people know it to be a web site where a lot of time is spent doing nothing of real value. Some know it as the cleaner version of MySpace. Some are entirely wrapped up in the games that are offered. And some are just happy to check in on occasion to see what their friends might have posted, but it does not consume their lives.
As a long-haul truck driver I am away from home for weeks on end, sometimes as many as 8 at a time. Therefore, Facebook is just one form of communication with my family. As a trainer I spend many hours just sitting while my student gets experience behind the wheel. Most of this time does not require direct supervision, so Facebook is a diversion for me. I have had the opportunity to connect with friends from time gone by all across the Country, even being able to get together for a meal. I have been able to receive encouragement from many of you. Spending long hours on the road either alone or with a stranger can be pretty discouraging. I have even had the honor of being an encouragement to some. To put it simply, I have found Facebook to be a lifeline of sorts.
Some might try to convince you that Facebook is just a waste of time. Others are completely addicted to it, spending countless hours in front of their computer screens. I simply find Facebook to be an outlet for relaxation, similar to TV, and another form of communication, like the telephone.
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know many of you better than ever before. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and especially your prayers while I have been separated from my family (which includes many of you). You mean a great deal to me and are a very vital, special part of my life.
May God bless you richly.
Friday, July 30, 2010
If You Can’t Play With The Big Dogs……..
There was once a time when I had dreams of growing old, retiring, and sitting on the porch with my life-long love. Now it seems that houses aren’t built with porches any more. And those that are go unused. Why have we gotten so busy that we can’t just sit on the porch and watch life happen in the neighborhood?
I spend almost every day of my life traveling down the highways of this great nation. And, since I drive a company owned truck, my speed is limited to a maximum of 62 MPH. There are days I really wish I could go faster. But today I am thankful for being forced to just slow down a little. I need to slow down and enjoy the blessings God has so richly and freely given me more often.
Look all around you. Look at the things you complain about and dread. Cleaning your house, messy kids, lazy co-workers, a flat tire on the way to the grocery store, a snoring spouse, grass that needs to be cut, a noisy neighbor, an imperfect church, etc… Instead of complaining about these things we should be thanking God we have a home, children, a job, a car, money for groceries, a help meet, a lawn, friends, a place to freely worship God, etc…
Life is not always going to be theme parks and cotton candy. Sometimes we have to perform tasks we aren’t thrilled with. Sometimes life is hard. But at the end of the day it is important to just sit back and enjoy the spoils of that life. God tells us that if we don’t work we shouldn’t eat. But even God took a day to rest and enjoy His creation. Why don’t you take a walk with God in His house this Sunday? You just might find a little rest on the porch after a long, hard week of work.
I spend almost every day of my life traveling down the highways of this great nation. And, since I drive a company owned truck, my speed is limited to a maximum of 62 MPH. There are days I really wish I could go faster. But today I am thankful for being forced to just slow down a little. I need to slow down and enjoy the blessings God has so richly and freely given me more often.
Look all around you. Look at the things you complain about and dread. Cleaning your house, messy kids, lazy co-workers, a flat tire on the way to the grocery store, a snoring spouse, grass that needs to be cut, a noisy neighbor, an imperfect church, etc… Instead of complaining about these things we should be thanking God we have a home, children, a job, a car, money for groceries, a help meet, a lawn, friends, a place to freely worship God, etc…
Life is not always going to be theme parks and cotton candy. Sometimes we have to perform tasks we aren’t thrilled with. Sometimes life is hard. But at the end of the day it is important to just sit back and enjoy the spoils of that life. God tells us that if we don’t work we shouldn’t eat. But even God took a day to rest and enjoy His creation. Why don’t you take a walk with God in His house this Sunday? You just might find a little rest on the porch after a long, hard week of work.
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Message Is Simple
The past couple of weeks have been particularly difficult for me. I have been on the road and away from the love of my life, training a student driver, since June 10th. At 43 years of age I am homesick! This has left me dry in the blog area. I just have not felt much like being inspiring or uplifting. But, as usual, in the midst of this valley God began to speak to me last night. Actually He has been trying to speak to me all along but I finally opened my ears and listened.
I would just like to share this simple thought. It isn’t unique or original but, as a friend reminded me of recently, it is a pressing or the reset button.
I began to think of just how deliberate God was in creating us. Look at our body’s design. So many of our parts are duplicates. We have 2 hands, 2 arms, 2 legs, 2 feet, 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils, even 2 lungs……….but only 1 mouth. Very interesting to me that we have so many “input devices” that are duplex, but only one “output device” and it would be singular. Why might this be?
Well, to some, the answer might seems simple. We have heard it before. God would like us to work with our hands twice as hard as we speak. He wants us to listen more than we speak. He wants us to stop and smell the roses instead of speaking. He wants us to drink in His Glory looking at His creation and just be silent while doing it.
But, didn’t He command us to go and tell everyone about Him? Why would our most important command only have one tool to perform it with? I think the answer is simple and here is what He showed me. God’s message is singular. And He never intended it to be muddled up in different interpretations. He intended it to be spread as purely as He gave it to us. He wants the same message to be spread all over the land. He only gave us 1 mouth because His message is NOT duplex.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
I would just like to share this simple thought. It isn’t unique or original but, as a friend reminded me of recently, it is a pressing or the reset button.
I began to think of just how deliberate God was in creating us. Look at our body’s design. So many of our parts are duplicates. We have 2 hands, 2 arms, 2 legs, 2 feet, 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils, even 2 lungs……….but only 1 mouth. Very interesting to me that we have so many “input devices” that are duplex, but only one “output device” and it would be singular. Why might this be?
Well, to some, the answer might seems simple. We have heard it before. God would like us to work with our hands twice as hard as we speak. He wants us to listen more than we speak. He wants us to stop and smell the roses instead of speaking. He wants us to drink in His Glory looking at His creation and just be silent while doing it.
But, didn’t He command us to go and tell everyone about Him? Why would our most important command only have one tool to perform it with? I think the answer is simple and here is what He showed me. God’s message is singular. And He never intended it to be muddled up in different interpretations. He intended it to be spread as purely as He gave it to us. He wants the same message to be spread all over the land. He only gave us 1 mouth because His message is NOT duplex.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Oh What A Difference A Letter Makes
Over the past 2 years I have had a lot of time to think and reflect on my life. God has grown me in many areas. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of those lessons.
While driving down the road a thought came to mind. Have you ever wondered "What's the difference?"? As I began to think about this question a few differences came to mind.
The word "altar" is only different from the word "alter" by one letter. But, oh how different their meanings are. An "altar" is a place we go to for communication with God. A place for reflection. A place to cry. A place to leave an offer. But the operative theme of the "altar" is in the action, not the location. If we go to the "altar" and never "alter" our lives, or allow God to "alter" our lives, then the "altar" is just that, a place. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
As Sherri and I were driving in Louisiana, trying to locate a customer, I noticed another truck. The driver was trying to get himself out of a tight spot. I began to reflect on all of the mental and physical preparation that was necessary to maneuver around a corner with a 65 foot vehicle. It required forethought concerning the size of the lane to be turned into. It required proper positioning within the lane to be turned out of. And it also required looking for objects that might get in the way. Do you think ahead? Do you position yourself to be prepared for bends or turns in your life? Do you look for objects that might get in the way of God's plans for your life?
I noticed the writing on the side of the trailer. It said "lastic". I realized very quickly that a letter was missing. I told Sherri that a couple different letters would fit in the empty space. If the letter was "p" the word would be "plastic". It would describe something rigid and hard to bend, quite like the 53 foot trailer the other driver was pulling.
The other letter that came to mind was "e", making the word "elastic". How much easier would it be for that driver if the trailer would bend or wrap around the corner?
I to think about my life. How, often times, I am rigid and inflexible in my ways. Being firm in your convictions in not a bad thing, but never being willing to bend can cause a lot of heartache. Are we like that with God? What about His people? The Bible describes it as "stiff necked". Oh what a difference a letter makes.
I began to think about other words and 3 more came to mind; "to", "too", and "two". The word "to" denotes direction. The word "too" denotes inclusion. And finally, "two" denotes addition. We may have direction in our life, but without adding new experiences or including new people, then we really aren't going anywhere. If all we do is include everyone, but aren't going anywhere, we become stale, and we add no value to our life. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
And finally I began to think about the Bible. It is a love letter from the One who created us. It is a letter addressed to us personally; "My Beloved". The Bible tells us how to live, how to love, and most importantly, how to spend eternity with our Lord. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
As I posted a teaser in my FB status today, a dear friend pointed out another couple letter differences, so I will share them here as well. Do you have one true "G"od in your life? Or are you controlled by many "g"ods? Do you refer to God as "h"im, or do you show reverence and refer to God as "H"im? To most these differences are subtle. To some they are even insignificant. But to "G"od they are worlds apart. You see, this world has a "g"od, "h"is name is Satan. And "h"e loves to disguise "h"imself to look as much like "G"od as possible. But if you know "H"im personally, you will never be fooled by "h"im. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
While driving down the road a thought came to mind. Have you ever wondered "What's the difference?"? As I began to think about this question a few differences came to mind.
The word "altar" is only different from the word "alter" by one letter. But, oh how different their meanings are. An "altar" is a place we go to for communication with God. A place for reflection. A place to cry. A place to leave an offer. But the operative theme of the "altar" is in the action, not the location. If we go to the "altar" and never "alter" our lives, or allow God to "alter" our lives, then the "altar" is just that, a place. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
As Sherri and I were driving in Louisiana, trying to locate a customer, I noticed another truck. The driver was trying to get himself out of a tight spot. I began to reflect on all of the mental and physical preparation that was necessary to maneuver around a corner with a 65 foot vehicle. It required forethought concerning the size of the lane to be turned into. It required proper positioning within the lane to be turned out of. And it also required looking for objects that might get in the way. Do you think ahead? Do you position yourself to be prepared for bends or turns in your life? Do you look for objects that might get in the way of God's plans for your life?
I noticed the writing on the side of the trailer. It said "lastic". I realized very quickly that a letter was missing. I told Sherri that a couple different letters would fit in the empty space. If the letter was "p" the word would be "plastic". It would describe something rigid and hard to bend, quite like the 53 foot trailer the other driver was pulling.
The other letter that came to mind was "e", making the word "elastic". How much easier would it be for that driver if the trailer would bend or wrap around the corner?
I to think about my life. How, often times, I am rigid and inflexible in my ways. Being firm in your convictions in not a bad thing, but never being willing to bend can cause a lot of heartache. Are we like that with God? What about His people? The Bible describes it as "stiff necked". Oh what a difference a letter makes.
I began to think about other words and 3 more came to mind; "to", "too", and "two". The word "to" denotes direction. The word "too" denotes inclusion. And finally, "two" denotes addition. We may have direction in our life, but without adding new experiences or including new people, then we really aren't going anywhere. If all we do is include everyone, but aren't going anywhere, we become stale, and we add no value to our life. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
And finally I began to think about the Bible. It is a love letter from the One who created us. It is a letter addressed to us personally; "My Beloved". The Bible tells us how to live, how to love, and most importantly, how to spend eternity with our Lord. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
As I posted a teaser in my FB status today, a dear friend pointed out another couple letter differences, so I will share them here as well. Do you have one true "G"od in your life? Or are you controlled by many "g"ods? Do you refer to God as "h"im, or do you show reverence and refer to God as "H"im? To most these differences are subtle. To some they are even insignificant. But to "G"od they are worlds apart. You see, this world has a "g"od, "h"is name is Satan. And "h"e loves to disguise "h"imself to look as much like "G"od as possible. But if you know "H"im personally, you will never be fooled by "h"im. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
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