The Confessions Stand

Last week I ventured with my wife and 2 boys to a local pet store. I actually went willingly this time. The kids were as excited as if they were inside a candy store having a sugar rush just from googley eyes. I have to admit I was enjoying myself also.

The boys locked eyes with one particular puppy and one of the store attendants rushed over to accomadate their wishes to play with the puppy. Of course there was the grand motive of kids with puppy may lead to quick sale. I knew this old chinese proverb well.

The whole family was ushered to a play area. Actually it was an area where it felt like we were a bunch of sardines in a can. Nevertheless, the boys had a blast and the parents enjoyed watching them. Yes, we were the parents on this glorious day. While the puppy activity was in high gear I leaned over and whispered in my wife's ear that I am sure this cuddly ball of fur was propbably at least $500 bucks. So much for me being Mr. Estimator. That fur ball was a whooping $999.00 dollars.

After the boy's tired of playing with puppy number 1 they decided they wanted to check out some others. That is when I went into quick thinking on my feet mode. I diverted the boy's attention to the rabbit and hamster area. They gleefully obliged. I gleefully was relieved. Me and my wallet relished in survivor mode.

Then it struck me. The cost of rabbits and hamsters were a small price for the avarage bargin shopper. I told my wife let's treat the boy's to a few hamsters and get their minds off that fuzzy thing. That really expensive fuzzy thing. So we did and they did--get really happy with the idea.

While at the cash register I became even happier after seeing the savings I had created. I was in hamster heaven. Two of these little "fuzzy" guys--I guess they were guys--saved me $879.00 dollars ON THIS GLORIOUS DAY.

After a week at home the new additions to our family were adjusting and the boy's loved their new pals. But suddenly a problem arose. One of the fuzzies named Fuzzy took ill. I never knew something like this could happen to a hampster. My wife said it is called, Wet tail.
Fuzzy apparently was dying before our eyes. Man, I never knew a grown man could get so emotional over a pet hampster. I felt for Fuzzy and for my boy's. I felt for our whole family. I felt sad and disappointed.

I watched as my wife Charlina loaded a weak Fuzzy into a small cardboard box that was used to bring the hampsters home. Outside my home office door I could hear my 3 and 4 year old praying for Jesus to heal Fuzzy. What child-like faith. Tears came to my eyes. I had a gut feeling that Fuzzy was preparing to check out. Then the thought came to me. I wonder if there is a hampster heaven. I guess the little boy in me started to come out.

I can't answer the question about whether there is a hampster heaven or not--but I do know that Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you." God's word is clear. The last enemy to be conquered is death. Jesus added, "I have come to give unto you eternal life." What a wonderful promise!

God Bless Fuzzy!

I was speaking with my brother Rick on the phone this morning and he was sharing with me about some concerns involving one of our family members. He stated that he had recently told this person that they needed to take some time and step outside their body and have a serious discussion with themselves. I thought to myself when I heard this what a cool concept. Nice way to express the need for someone to have an important conversation with themselves. Our
mental health therapists call this "self talk".

Since we can't literally step outside our bodies at our self awareness beckoning; I have an idea that can solve this restrictive process. Are you ready for some magical wisdom from the master guru himself? Go find a mirror in the house and let's get started. Well, what are you waiting for?
I didn't stutter--go get it a mirror. This is a guaranteed way to have an out of body expereince.

You've heard the ole saying, what you see is what you get. So once you have that perfect image of yourself squarely focused, you can relish at your very own presence. The secret is that once you run out of steam from all the relishing--then sit down and start a truthful conversation with yourself. Notice I said to have a truthful conversation with yourself. Be honest about how your life is being lived. Agree to the positives and negatives. Be real about your addictions, goals, dislikes, fears, and what makes you tick. Besides, honesty is the best policy if we ever want to live a satisfying and fulfilling life.

Hey, if the image in the mirror remains silent and never speaks back to you--then life may be lived in a most miserable way. It is here that silence gives consent. If any of us wants to have an out of body expereince where honesty and self talk merge, then the reality for positive changes in our lives can begin.

See you at the mirror!

Today I began the journey of taking a look at my physical health. Of course I don't just wait for an annual check-up, as I try to watch what I consume and make regular attempts at exercising. However, today was selected as the time to visit our family doctor for a renewal of check this and check that. There were the obvious seminar of questions, updates, and yes a favorite of mine--the dreaded needle--my personal bloodletting.

While the routine physical was being conducted I couldn't help but notice one solitary rubber glove and larger then life toothpaste like tube budding up next to the glove. I thought oh boy let's get the party started. Then came the drum roll and the magical question all guys my age hope for. "So when was the last time you were checked for your prostate?” the doctor asked.
I replied, about a year ago I think. As soon as I said it I felt like repenting for lying. Suddenly, I wasn't sure if my date was accurate or not. I looked at the doctor and he looked at me. He looked down and I looked at the glove and his friend the tube. They both seemed to have this devilish smile about them. It was then I knew I was really delirious and having a moment of temporary non-bliss. Not the glove I said to myself.

Well, at least for today I avoided the dreaded glove. In retrospect I have avoided much worse things over the course of my life. I am reminded of one of the oldest hymns of the early church titled, Count Your Blessings. Count your blessings name them one by one, count your blessings see what God has done. Count your blessings...name them one by one...count your many blessings...see what God has done.

Today, it may be a rubber glove or tomorrow it may be waking up to see another day. Whatever you may be facing, remember counting your past blessings can help keep you walking through those valleys of shadows of death. God promised, though you walk through the valley my presence will be there with you and I will comfort you.

Go ahead! Start Counting!

I know it sounds like I just took a page out of the magazine Runners World. The truth be told things didn't happen that way. Actually I was sitting in my home office this morning meditating upon the biblical version of "Lord teach us to pray." Did you notice I said sitting in my office? Though my mind was running in various directions when I rolled out of bed, I felt an immediate urging to get to my private zone to listen to God's voice gently encourage me about the value of praying.

Once inside my designated spiritual closet I knew there was a stirring inside my heart and soul. A hunger to listen to the Holy Spirit (which is God's way of speaking to us) was evidenced by this intense longing I felt. So I sat, listened, prayed, worshipped, and listened some more. It's amazing to me how God who is unseen can be seen spiritually through the avenues of His presence. Even without a physical glory cloud hovering over our heads.

Today was a caring reminder how prayer becomes transforming only as we move from a desire to pray regularly, to the actual discipline of praying, to ultimately entering the delight realm that brings us to God's presence without us being pushed or pulled against our own will. Prayer is something we as Christian believers are called to--rather then something we just sprinkle along our driveways. Prayer is our assignment. I am not talking about something like a job or school assignment. Rather we are given the privilege to be assigned to a "heavenly connection"--thus taking a prayer run on a daily basis is like eating spiritual wheaties.

For the next few blogs I will be sharing some revealing insights that hopefully will spark us all into raising the temperature of our daily prayer lives.

So what is at stake here? Know you not that they, which run in a race, run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) We are challenged to take a prayer run on a daily basis because there are "prizes" (rewards) in the spiritual realm that will help us move forward in the physical realm.

Will you be one to run?

I can be tempermental or should I say occassionally temper-bent when things are not going smoothly. Moments ago I came across a women's magazine article that kicked me in the seat of the pants and got my undivided attention. I am humbly certain that there are some other men (and yes women) that deal with a nasty five letter word--ANGER.

After reading this article I couldn't feel alone in dealing with this inward force the Bible says to keep under wraps. I knew there had to be other companions who deal with "justified rage" (out in blogsville) who are, well lets just say--just human. The Bible says to put off and away...ANGER. Oh me! Oh my! Something in me (us) has to die.

Check out this article titled Anger Management. It can save/change someones life.

Hey here I am back at you for another day. Like I stated 2 blogs ago I wanted to visit the idea of prayer. I have to admit that this is a unique subject since I have noticed how often people say things like...I am praying for you...you are in my thoughts and prayers...I will keep that in my prayers. The real question is what does this really mean. What in the world is this prayer business all about?

I have spent a lot of time praying in my lifetime to an unseen God. He has heard me pray from my car, in the shower, in my office, in hospitals, at church, in meetings, and so many different places I can't even count. I have prayed silently to myself and out loud; with or without anyone else present. I have prayed while I was feeling good, bad, and in between. Can anyone out there relate? So what is up with praying?

All I know is praying has been a journey for me for much of my life, yet it still remains a mystery in the sense that it is a mystery in itself. There are people that pray to a different god then I do. I wonder how much their praying is a mystery to them also. Now for all you Bible-Thumpers don't go throwing stones at me for calling praying to the God of the Bible a mystery. 1 Timothy 3:9 reads, "holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience."

My prayer journey still remains a mystery to me in the sense it is wrapped up in the following defintion: Prayer is the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with Christian believers, which are hidden from unbelievers but plain to the godly.

In laymans terms I believe in prayer because I am a believer. I pray daily and often. I have had hundreds of prayers answered and some unanswered. When I am not prayin I find myself leaning toward mis-behavin. Meaning whatever you think it should mean.

Praying matters! Praying makes a difference!

When I met my father (knowingly) at the age of 12, I realized there was a serious problem between us--no communication. If there was something said, it normally was a one way street--with dad blasting me for my youthful failures. All I can remember is that I could never seem to do anything right or to please him. Due to the dynamics of our relationship I became a withdrawn and wirthered up kid. I lived on a daily basis afraid of talking with my dad about anything.

I am so glad that my relationship with my heavenly father doesn't make me re-live my past. According to the Bible we have 24/7 access to God. Speaking of this access check out Psalm 25 and you will find some interesting things we have been given permission to pray for.

--We can pray for protection
--We can pray for direction
--We can pray for rememberance
--We can pray for forgiveness
--We can pray for deliverance
--We can pray for preservation

Isn't it cool to know that as we live in such a "heated" world we can talk to God if we want to.

So go ahead and start personalizing such a great opportunity that has been given to us.

You can talk to God if you want to!

Today I was reading some AOL headlines and came across this Associated Press report. It made me wonder if God cares about His name on some coin. If I remember right Jesus instructed some early believers to render to Caesar those things that are Caesar’s, and to render to God those things that are Gods. In my radical thinking I can't imagine God being concerned what name is on the money flowing through banks and cash registers. I can't see him wanting to supernaturally strike down those who work at the U.S. Mint Company. I cannot even fathom God wanting to use heavenly lasers to burn holes in the pockets of those who end up with coins without "In God We Trust."

Maybe you think it is a sinister crime to possess money without God's name on it. The last time I checked God seemed more concerned about writing His name on the hearts of Christian believers (disciples), who would bear His inscription to the world in earthen vessels. That would be our bodies and minds--our actions and attitudes.

We are called to be the light of the world!
We are not called to worry about inscriptions on money!

PHILADELPHIA (June 19) - It looks like the U.S. Mint has struck again - or not struck again, depending on how you look at it. New dollar coins featuring John Adams are missing edge inscriptions including "In God We Trust," according to the Professional Coin Grading Service, a rare coin authentication company based in Newport Beach, Calif.
The company said people have found hundreds of Adams dollar coins without the edge lettering, repeating a previous mistake. In March, an unknown number of George Washington dollar coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint without "In God We Trust," "E Pluribus Unum," and the year and mint mark inscribed on the edge.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Mint said the agency is looking into the reports.

After the Washington "godless dollars" were discovered, the Mint pledged to more closely monitor the striking process. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press.

The older I get the more I realize that not everything in life goes off as planned. Hitches are more then for pulling trailers if you know what I mean. Each day when our eyes pop open to the sunlight gazing through a window and our ears hear the birds harmonizing--our minds race to line up all the expectations we have for the day. Some of these expectations are what some may call give me's. These are the things that are pretty much the "givens" when it comes to what will occur almost on a guaranteed basis. Things like getting out of bed. Shaving or showering. Having a cup of juice or coffee. Getting dressed. Yelling at the kids to get up and dressed. Having some sort of breakfast or no breakfast at all. By now I am sure you get the picture I am trying to paint. Most of these things are rituals and routines. Each are expected most every day--just like clockwork.

But then comes the "unexpected." The unforeseen challenges. The-out-of-the-ordinary circumstances. The things that become difficulties we never planned for and we certainly cannot appreciate. Know any days like this? Are you facing a day like this? Are you hoping this kind of day will disappear quickly? Ever hear the statement...easy come easy go. Well we all know that the negativity from a gut wrenching unexpected moment or moments can become emotionally deliberating.

I hate to be the bearer of such profound news. The unexpected can always be expected. This is why I can't rely on myself to always be Mr. Brave Heart. Jesus said, through his presence (the Holy Spirit) that we can be more then conquerors in this life. That in this world we would have tribulations (I guess that would mean unexpected events that often shatter our world and mess up our biological rhythm). The ending reads--be of good courage because I have overcome the world and so can you. (A little randyology was added for emphasis).

If you feel like you are at the end of your rope. By all means do not just try to tie a knot and hang on. Ask God to help you make some new rope in spite of your present circumstances.
Ask Him to prove His presence for your every day needs.

Get your new rope today!