Eating Crow...

Last night (midnight) I responded to a very serious accident on I-75 where a pick-up was traveling Southbound in the Northbound lanes. The pick-up was clipped by one semi and hit head on with another semi. I left the scene around 5am, went home for a while and returned to work at noon. When I got to my office several workers who were working on the stations air conditioning system had moved around the furniture and had totally disrupted our work space. I, after having little sleep went off on these workers saying "I wish somebody would tell me before they just start moving our stuff around". They apologized but I could hear murmurings of discontent coming from them. This is not the first time this group has gotten on my nerves. I guess today I just lost it. I left and went to lunch. I had to get away before I said something I would regret. At lunch I had time to cool off and I felt the Lord was telling me to apologize. "I did not do anything wrong Lord, they did!!!" Tough Jack, apologize. When I got back to the office I went up to the supervisor and told him that I was wrong and I was sorry. I ate some crow because feeling I was right in my actions was a reflection of something in me that was not pleasing to the Lord. I felt better after I apologized and feel the Lord spoke to me telling me to do the right thing.

Sometimes in life people do things that are very inconsiderate and mean centered. How we respond to the actions of others shows Christian maturity. Today I failed the test, but God gave me a chance to correct the situation. Lord help us be more like you.

Rain...

"Don't rain on my parade." "Rain, Rain go away come again another day." I sure you've heard these little quotes before when it comes to rain being equated with having a bad day. Let's look at this rain mindset. We all know that in order for plants, animals and people alike to survive we must have rain. In order for life to grow and flourish rain must fall. Now back to rain and it's negative implication. Just like rain can make things grow, bad days (or rain, if you will) also will make us grow as Christians. If nothing bad ever happened we would become complacent and feel we did not need to improve. As long as we live in this world bad things will happen. Take those bad events in your life as an opportunity to improve and grow. We need the rain, be it good or bad. Trust the Lord in all things; he will help you deal with anything that comes your way.

The Tree Lives On...

I had to cut down a large tree that was endangering my house. The tree was one that I had planted about 17 years ago. The tree has been down for several months. Now I have small trees trying to grow off the roots of the cut tree. They are coming up everywhere as far as 30-40 feet away from the stump. They are growing under my wood deck coming up between the boards. It's amazing that this is occurring as it never sprouted new trees prior to its literal fall. This tree is similar to the "family tree". It starts with one then two, then four... Then after you're dead the multiplying continues.

So where am I going with this? Your influence affects generations. If you raise your children in a loving home then they will be more prone to have loving homes. If you raise your children in a Christian home then they are more apt to do the same with their children. The same is true for those raised in broken homes as they are prone to have the same failures. This is not always the case as God can move in your life and change a bad cycle.

Another analogy is the tree had to die before it could give new life. What does this remind you of? If you said Christ, you are correct. God help us to be righteous leaders in the home and thank you Jesus for dying so we could live.

Old friends...

I have had the good fortune of having many very good friends over the years. Recently I have located some that I had lost touch with for years. It was interesting to hear about what they were doing now and how it caused me to reflect on days gone by. I have lost some friends over the years due to them moving away, myself moving away or by their passing in this life. I know I will see all of my Christian friends one day but my heart aches for those who do not know the Lord. I hope and pray that I will be a good influence on my friends but I know I am human and eventually I will probably let them down. One friend will never let them down. He is waiting to love them unconditionally and has already given his all for them. I know that friend; he is my Lord and savior. He is my best friend. Even though I fail him daily he loves me none the less. His name is Jesus. Jesus loves you. He died for you; won't you live for him?

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Politics...

I hate politics! I thought a few years back that I might want to get into the political scene but have since given up on any desire to do so. I have known some great politicians and some who are very selfishly motivated. I work in government and just want to do the best job I can. The last couple of years I have been attacked, lied about and the department has suffered. The citizens have suffered. I have been in public service for 28+ years and have for the most part enjoyed going to work every day. Now my joy for the job is damaged. I know I shouldn't let people get me down but sometimes I do. People run for public office for different reasons, some do it to make a difference while others who may start out that way get consumed with the attention they get and end up doing a dis-service to those they were elected to serve.

I am going through a difficult time right now and I ask for your prayers. Also, pray for our community, state and federal leaders. Pray that they will serve in a way that is pleasing to God.

We do not need politicians; we desperately need good leaders!