Getting Better All The Time

Well, now it's been two weeks since my shoulder surgery, and I'm actually starting to get better.  After my visit to the ER last week, I wasn't sure what was going to happen.  What my family doctor, Dr. Nancy Griffith, found out, was that the medicine that my surgeon put me on after surgery, was causing an allergic reaction.  He put me on Loratab, so Dr. Griffith put me on Tramadol, a different kind of painkiller.  So far, it's made a HUGE difference.  I'm not living in a cloud, I've stopped swelling up, and it takes away the biggest part of the pain.  

Unfortunately, I have been experiencing some depression.  I was starting to go through some depression for about a month before my surgery, but I just tried to pretend it wasn't REAL depression.  I'm usually happy-go-lucky and try to find the sunny side to things, but this was really starting to affect me.  Since the surgery, it has started getting worse, probably due to the Loratab.  Since I've switched meds, it's a little better, but not gone.  Again, I believe there is a reason for everything that I go through.  God will take care of it, whether by divine healing, or some form of medication, whatever He sees fit to do.  I trust Him.

I've been to therapy three times now, and it's starting to loosen up the shoulder, although it still feels like somebody has beat me with a baseball bat most days.  The therapist says that I've got really good range of motion for this soon after surgery, so that's good to hear.  I'm supposed to go back to work on March 22nd, so I hope this thing heals pretty quick.  I've missed church for the last two weeks, due to the pain, and the mess I was going through last week.  I'm going to try to make it next week.  I'm really missing it.  

Things are starting to look up for me.  Thank You God.  You are Good.  All the time.

BORING! BORING! BORING!

Well, it has been one week since I had my surgery.  Actually, it will have been one week as of 12:30 today, but who's counting?  I thought it would be a straight-forward surgery, in-out, 6 weeks recovery, and back to work.  Not so much.  

Two days after I had the surgery on my shoulder, I was going to the ER because of excessive swelling in my abdomen.  Over the course of two days, last Tuesday and Wednesday, I gained 14 pounds.  Needless to say, I was concerned.  When I got home from the hospital Tuesday, I didn't eat or sleep until late Wednesday afternoon.  Then on Wednesday, I had two small meals.  Not enough to gain 14 pounds.  Due to the swelling, I had pressure in my abdomen/chest, making it hard to breathe.  Because of this, I was getting light-headed. We contacted our family doctor, Dr. Nancy Griffith, at home, and she said to go to the ER to be evaluated.  That was four hours I'd like to get back.  They made me wait for 2 hours in the waiting room.  After they took me back to the actual ER, they took blood, did an EKG, ran tests to check my pancreas, liver, kidneys, and heart.  The doctor told me all the tests came back normal.  When he was releasing me, he told me to stop weighing myself, as if that was my problem.  He made me feel like a hypochondriac idiot.  Four days later, I don't feel much better.  I have dropped about 3 of those pounds, but that's still not normal.  I went to my family doctor yesterday, Monday, to let her check everything out, and she was concerned, and very upset at the ER doctor.  She gave me water pills to take for 3 days, and then I go back to her office to be weighed, and have blood drawn to run more tests.  I'm hoping everything turns out ok.

Back to the boring part.  Since the shoulder is still throbbing, and my stomach is killing me, I'm not doing much more than sitting around the house, mostly on the couch.  This is where I'm sleeping for now also.  I am supposes to sleep sitting up so I don't roll onto my shoulder.  This is not my ideal way to sleep, of course, since I enjoy sleeping next to my lovely wife.  I told Carolyn that I know things are bad, because I actually can't wait to get better and back to work.  

I am trying to comfort myself with the fact that everything happens for a reason, even illness and pain.  I am confident that once I get through all of this, I'll be able to look back and see that it was all necessary.  God has a plan for my life, and I trust that He knows what's best for me, and will work ALL things out for the good.  To God be the glory.  Amen.

Surgery And Such

Well, tomorrow is the day for my surgery.  I am having surgery on my left shoulder.  It seems a bone spur has formed on my shoulder bone (?), and is rubbing against muscle and such.  It causes my arm to go numb, and causes a dull, constant pain throughout my arm, down into my fingers.  It causes me to wake up a lot at night.  It's also very irritating.  So, I am having it taken care of.  I will be off work for about 6 weeks. 

I am really, really dreading this surgery.  I trust the surgeon, Dr. Rolston, but all surgery holds any number of unforeseen risks.  I am praying, a lot, and trusting in God for His perfect will to be done.  

I think the paperwork, and waiting on approval of Short Term Disability payment, is just as irritating as the surgery itself.  In some ways, even more so.  I only stand to receive a little over half of my regular pay for the next 6 weeks.  I guess the fact that I'll be saving all that money I usually spend on gas for the car, is slightly satisfying.  

We're looking at ways to cut back on spending.  We are going to get rid of our Dish Satellite TV.  We have hooked a computer tower with a WI-FI receiver, to the TV.  We'll be able to watch some TV shows, and other things, on our TV now.  We also signed up for Netflix.  That will cost $9.99 a month.  So, we are doing pretty good, so far. 

My one consolation in all of this, is the fact that, hopefully, after 6 weeks of healing and physical therapy, I'll be able to start getting more use out of my left arm.  I'm hoping by summer, I'll be as good as new.  After all, God is in control, not me.  Whatever happens, I can rest assured that He will see me through it.  God is good, all the time.  And, all the time, God is good.  To Him be all the glory, and honor, and praise, for ever and ever.  Amen.







 

My Daily Prayer

My Father in heaven.  Your name is special and sacred to me.  Set apart from all other names.  As I long for Your kingdom, let it be in me today.  Let me live out my life on this earth, as I will live it in Your kingdom.  Focusing completely on You.  May Your perfect will be done in me, as it is done in heaven.  

Please provide the nourishment that I need today, both physically, and spiritually.  Help me to rely upon You for my needs Father.  Everything comes from You.  

Please forgive me of my sins.  Help me to forgive those that do me wrong, as completely and unconditionally, as You have forgiven me.  

Please let me not give into Satan's temptations, but deliver me out of the hands of the evil one.  

To You belongs the kingdom, and the power, and all glory, forever and ever.  Amen.

It's CHRISTmas Day!

It's another CHRISTmas day.  It's funny, but I enjoy the idea of CHRISTmas less each year.  What I mean by that is, I dread the idea of HAVING to buy presents, and expect presents. When I was younger, of course, I LOVED getting presents.  And, I've always LOVED to give presents, too.  But as there are more and more years behind me, I see the reason for the holiday is being lost in commercialism.  It saddens me so much to see people spending money they don't have, on presents that don't matter, and giving them to people that don't appreciate them.  Not REALLY appreciate them, anyway.  

I miss the old days when you bought a few gifts for a few people, and you enjoyed it.  I miss hearing the scripture read everywhere, describing the scene in the manger.  The swaddling clothes, the wise men, the gifts.  I miss the respect people gave the holiday.  Now, they're afraid to say the word CHRISTmas.  Happy Holidays.  Season's Greetings.  So sad.  

I want a CHRISTmas where we shut things down.  Stores, restaurants, all non-essentials.  That way, everybody would HAVE to stay home and enjoy their families.   You would have to wait a day or two to go spend your gift card.  Imagine that.  

We need to enjoy the day, the IDEA of the day.  Remember that it is about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  A gift given to us by God Himself, that we might believe on the name of Jesus, and be saved in the name of Jesus.  Without this gift, we would all be lost, and bound for Hell.  

Spend some time with your family.  Go to church.  Read God's Word.  Give of yourself.  He has given you a marvelous Gift.  Give the Gift away.  The world needs this Gift more than any other.  One size fits all, and you'll never have to return it.  

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  GOD BLESS US ALL!

A Box Of Stars

My post today is a poem I wrote back in January of this year.  I wrote it as part of a poetry exercise.  The exercise was to look around and find an item in the room, and write a poem about it, without much forethought.  I was sitting in my bedroom at the time, and looking around the room, I saw the box on a shelf that contained a folded flag.  It was the flag that my wife received when her adoptive dad passed away.  When I saw the flag, the first thing that popped in my head was, a box of stars.  I wrote the poem in about 15 minutes.  It's kind of a sad poem, about death, and loss, and loneliness.  It is one of my favorites, mainly because of how it came to be written.  Enjoy.

A box of stars
A single rose
Marble squares
In single rows.

Sad goodbyes
Wiping tears
Asking why
Sad despair.


A quiet house
No longer home
No longer loud
Voices gone.


Get out of bed
A life to live
Look ahead
So much to give.


One day, then two
They're all the same
The life you knew
Is like a dream.


You'll heal, with time
God makes a way
You'll soon feel fine
But not today.

Today Is My Birthday!

Every year on my birthday, I am always surprised that I have made it through another year.  When I was younger, I never imagined myself living past the age of 40.  I just assumed I would never see 41.  So, when I did make it past 40, I didn't know what to expect.  Every year I think, will this be the last birthday for me?  I know it sounds odd, but when you've thought something was going to happen for so long, it just gets stuck in there somewhere. 

Today, like every day, I thanked God for another day of life, and in this case, another year.  He has really changed things for me and Carolyn in this last year.  I try to imagine what He will do in the coming year, but I can't go there.  I don't even know if I'll be alive tomorrow or not, much less another year. 

All I do know, is that I am 52 years old, I have a wonderful family, a wonderful and blessed life, and God loves me.  When I finally do leave this place, I have a much better place to go to.  Living for all eternity with my Heavenly Father, and Jesus, His Son, sure beats living here any day.  I will live here as long as God wants me to, then I will go home.  What a day that will be.

The Fast

The fast, much more than a day without food
Does do both the soul, and the body much good,
It clears the mind of its' earthly things
And makes way for answers, that God may bring.


Once desire for meat is set aside
And gnawing hunger pangs have died,
Our time's best spent reading God's Holy word
And silent, sweet fellowship with Almighty Lord.


Though the bond between spirit and Spirit be weak
Our healing begins with the bending of knee,
And while we are promised, His love and His care
True closeness may be found, through fasting and prayer.

A Better Day

The sun rises on a beautiful Monday morn, bright
With the hope of new tidings, unforeseen 'til now,
The happenings of Sunday, can shed on us, no light
For in the rarity of this day, nothing familiar can be found.


How the wind may blow, where the mind may go, who can know
It's a present, waiting to be ripped open,
What's inside, will decide, how the whole day will flow
It's enough to make one spend the entire morning hoping.


Hoping and praying, for a better day than others
So many in the past, are not worth being mentioned,
Today could be the best day, from breakfast on through 'til supper
The sort of day that, when it’s done, keeps us up at night just wishing.


Wishing for another day, just like the one we’d had today
But how could one improve upon perfection,
For sixteen hours, we’d had it all, at least it had felt that way
Let’s give thanks to the Lord, for one good day, but pray for repetition.

Ringing The Bell

Carolyn and I did something today that I have never done.  We helped ring bells for the Salvation Army.  Granted, we only did it for an hour, but the experience was pretty cool.  I've always seen the volunteers standing out in all kinds of weather, ringing those bells, and I always wondered who they were.  Where did they come from.  Well, they are me.  I am them.  Anybody can volunteer to help collect money for the Salvation Army. 

The cool part for us, besides being able to help people, was getting to stand with our friends, Karen and Brook Evans.  They are friends of ours from our church.  We also got to talk to several people going into, and coming out of, Kroger.  I was surprised by the amount of people who just automatically stopped and dropped money in the bucket.  The little kids who put every individual coin in one at a time were my favorite.

I am a people watcher.  I am not a stalker, I just like to watch people interacting with each other.  You can tell alot about a person by how they react to the public.  I like to go to the mall on a busy weekend night during Christmas shopping season, and just watch people.  It's better than any TV show I could watch. 

I have attached a link to a little video I took of Carolyn, Brook, and Karen while they were doing their volunteer duty.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw3Kn4c_1FA

God's Love

This is a poem that I wrote today.  I thank God for the words He gives me.


I am in this world
Susceptible to pain, grief, and failure
But I am not of this world
Accessible to grace, mercy, and forgiveness


The world knocks me down
But the Hand of God picks me up
The darkness of the world leaves me cold
But the light of God fills me with warmth


I am bombarded by hate all day long
I gently extend a hand of love
Temptations attack me from all sides
God’s love surrounds me like armor


The world says to hold on to all it has to offer
But my hands are open, to receive all God’s blessings
The world says that I can’t do it
But God says nothing is impossible for Him


I appreciate the home God has given me here
But I have a better home waiting, not built by human hands
The world says this is it, no Heaven or Hell to worry about
But I believe there is more to this life, than what my eyes can see


Light and peace, or darkness and fear
To me, of course, the choice is clear
I would rather live one day, in the presence of God
Than live a million lifetimes in this forsaken world


Come quickly Lord Jesus, take hold of my hand
And lead me into that faraway land
Where my eyes will never more close in sleep
And all that You have sown, I will evermore reap.

September Sun

This is a poem I finished today. 

A slight chill is in the air,
Soft crunching underfoot,
As leaves finally break free
Of the tight grasp of the stubborn trees,
Lined along the sides of the streets
That run back and forth near my house.

The sad, bare branches
Become more evident every day
As they prepare themselves
For the inevitable winter
That is slowly creeping in,
And making its’ presence known.

The September sun shines brightly,
Throwing shadows in places
That July would never imagine.
Once again, getting our minds off summer,
And bringing forlorn thoughts
Of long sleeves, and sweaters.

God has His own special way
Of making us ready.
Like using autumn to gradually prepare us
For coming cold weather.
And allowing aches and pains
To soften the blow of old age.

As I sit and watch the children play,
My thoughts turn to earlier days.
When that was me, hiding in a pile of leaves,
Waiting for the chance to jump out
And scare my friends.
Then we’d laugh and run, and run, and run.
All the while, ignoring the September sun.

Sick Day

I have had allergy problems for awhile now, like alot of others I'm sure.  So, yesterday I had enough, and went to WalMart to buy some medicine.  I don't like to take most over-the-counter medicines, but I was desperate.  I bought a generic version of Sudafed 12-hour medicine, and took one last night at 7pm.  It wasn't too bad, at least for the first couple of hours, anyway.

We went to bed at 10pm, and I was hoping the medicine would give me a good night's sleep.  I haven't been able to breathe well at night because of the allergies.  Well, less than an hour after I went to sleep, I was jolted awake, with my heart racing a mile a minute.  My head was spinning, my breathing was shallow and rapid.  It really scared me.  After rolling around in bed, trying to get back to sleep, I finally got up to walk around, hoping to get tired.  I ended up staying up, pacing back and forth in my bathroom, so I wouldn't wake Carolyn up. 

Long story short, I was up until after 3am.  I was supposed to get up at a little after 5am. to get ready for work.  I made the decision to call in.  I really hate to do that, for several reasons.  One, of course, is I don't get paid for not working.  Two, I get an absence on my attendance record.  Our attendance policy is pretty tight, so I can't get too many.  I would hate to lose my job because of attendance, after having worked there for almost 19 years.  The last reason I hated to miss, is because so many people call in sick in my department, and I feel bad for my supervisor.  He tries to keep things running smoothly, with the people he has, and I think he does a good job. 

I went to bed after calling in, and, of course, I laid there unable to sleep for about a half hour.  When I did finally go to sleep, I was awakened by Carolyn's alarm at around 7:30am.  I have been up ever since.  It is now almost 11am. as I am writing this.  I know there was no way I could have made it at work, but I still feel bad about the whole thing.  Such is life.  As a Christian, I know that EVERYTHING happens for some reason, sometimes known only to God Himself.  I will trust that He will take care of me, no matter what.

Cellphone Venting

This is going to be a very short post today.  I am going to make a prediction.

If I am ever killed, or hurt, in a car accident, it will be because someone was talking on their cellphone and driving.  I was coming home from work today, driving from Rushville to New Castle, and I saw so many incidents of people swerving, driving WAY too slow, and almost hitting things, while talking so calmly on their phones, I thought I was going to scream.  I had to ask God to help me, and forgive me for my angry thoughts. 

This country better hurry up and pass a law, banning driving while talking, or texting, on your cell phone.  It has gotten to be an epidemic.  I almost hate to get on the road every day, mainly because of this. 

Thank you for letting me vent my frustrations.  God bless you, and may God help us all.

An Open Letter To All TV Networks

This letter is in response to the programming you have been showing over the last couple of years.  I used to watch more of your shows than I do now.  Apparently you now have the right to say pretty much anything you want to.  Which brings me to my first point:  Just because you CAN do something, doesn't necessarily mean you SHOULD.  I know you like to be edgy, so you can compete with the cable networks.  But, if I wanted to watch cable, guess what, I would go watch cable. 

I want to watch a decent, entertaining show, without seeing so much skin, and hearing things I don't need to hear.  You used to be able to do that, so, what happened?  I can tell you what happened.  You got lazy.  Very lazy.  Your writers haven't come up with any new ideas in years.  The only thing you've come up with, is to throw more profanity into the mix, and see what happens.  I'll give you a hint.  It's not working.  We are turning away from your edgy, hip, programming in droves.  When you do come up with a decent idea for a new show, you have to load it down with so much profanity and filth, that we can't watch it.  You apparently know this, because you run a show for about a year, and yank it off the air.  Nobody wants to see that kind of junk, week in, and week out.  Get a clue.

It's obvious that you don't know how to come up with new ideas, because all you do is put more, and more reality shows on the air.  Seriously?  You throw a bunch of people into a volatile situation, and film it.  Wow!  That's exciting.  No, really.  Whatever.  I would come closer to watching somebody's old home movies, than another reality show.  Give me a break.

I really miss the old days, when you put some thought into what you were going to show on TV.  Exciting dramas.  Funny, clean, family comedies.  Great, entertaining variety shows.  And everybody had ALL their clothes on.  And nobody used profanity.  Sure, it may have been implied every now and then, but it wasn't shown.   I really, really miss those days.

Lastly, I know I don't fit into your demographics.  You are targeting young, middle-class males.  You think they are the ones spending money on your sponsors' products.  But, in case you haven't noticed, most of those young guys either can't find a job, or they just don't want to work.  So that leaves us older guys to go out and spend our hard earned money.  And, if I don't like your shows, I probably won't see your sponsors' ads.  Sorry to hit you with reality, but there you go.  It doesn't look very good on a chart or a graph, but it's the simple, right-in-your-face, truth. 

Now, please wake up, and start making shows for all of us old-fashioned, money-spending, adults.  PLEASE!!!    I am about THIS close, to just giving up on TV, and going back to reading books, and playing board games, or doing crossword puzzles.  SOMETHING!!!  I am just sick of paying good money to the satellite people, only to be offended every time I turn on my TV. 

I am now done ranting and raving.  for now anyway.  i think.  maybe.

My Right To Say No

I am a person that loves to help others, whenever possible.  I have always been that way.  I have to say, that it makes me feel good inside, knowing that I have made someones life a little easier.  That being said, I think I am about to turn over a new leaf.

We just recently started going to a new church, and we love it.  I have never been one to just go to church and sit in a pew.  I need to be doing SOMETHING.  So, when we started going to this new church, we looked for things we could do.  We love to sing, so we joined the choir, and also, the Praise and Worship team.  We love it.  Carolyn then heard about the Wednesday night children's program, AWANA, and wanted to join that.  She did.  Suddenly, we have very little free time left.  I, for some reason, love to have free time to get things done around the house, or just be little lazy.  It always makes me feel selfish when I want some time to myself, but I make time for it anyway.  This is where the new leaf thing comes in.

I am going to start making myself say no to things that I just do not have a passion for.  I am still going to help people, I can't help that.  But I am going to have to start saying NO every now and then.  I don't want to, but there are so many people that just expect you to drop everything and help them, no matter what, or when. 

It's always been mine and Carolyn's nature to help people when asked, it's how we're wired, I guess.  But I am going to have to just start saying no, thank you.  sorry.  can't do it right now.  booked solid.  not going to happen.  can't help you.

I have talked to God about this, and I will do whatever He tells me to do, of course.  But unless I feel Him leading me to do something, I am going to start being a little more objective on what I decide to do, from now on.

Not a very exciting post this time, but something that is weighing heavily on my mind. 

My Own Day Of Salvation

Yesterday, (Sept.1st), was a very important day for me.  It was on September 1, 1993 that I asked God to forgive me of my sins, and He saved my soul.  It's hard to believe it's been 17 years.  It's not always been easy, and sometimes, it was downright hard.  But one thing has never changed, He has never left me, nor forsaken me.  I have not always been that faithful to Him, but He has always been faithful to me.  Whatever He said would happen, did.  He has always kept His promises.  

In those 17 years, He has sent us to 3 different churches.  The first one was Charity Baptist Church (4 years), the second was Smyrna Missionary Baptist Church (12 years and 8 months), and the most recent one, First Baptist Church (4 months). 

I have also lost a few friends because of my conversion, but He has blessed me with MANY more friends than I have lost.  He is so good.

I don't know what He has in store for me in the coming years, if I even have years left, but I know that whatever it may be, it will be exciting. 

A Prayer For Today

Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us as a people and, as a nation, for where we have sinned against You.  Forgive us for the abominations, the immorality, the filthiness in all our media, and the corruption in our government.  Forgive us for allowing other 'gods' to be worshipped in our country, that our forefathers never knew.  Forgive us for allowing Your Name, Your Son's Name, and Your Holy Word, to be removed from so many things, all because they are 'offensive' to those that don't believe. 

Forgive us for what we have allowed our children to become.  We have turned them into little adults, but without the conscience, or mental reasoning it takes, to be an adult.  We have allowed them watch whatever they want, listen to whatever they want, read whatever they want, all so we don't damage their little self-esteem. 

Father, please continue to pour Your mercy out upon us.  We need Your mercy Father.  It's the only reason we are still a thriving nation.  We thank You for Your new mercies, every morning Father.  You are far better to us than we deserve. 

You are so faithful, when we are not.  You are kind, and gracious, when we are not.  You are so forgiving, when we are not.  Why You still love us as much as You do, is a mystery to me.  Thank You for being God, and that there is no other.  You are the one, and only, true, living God.  Creator of all the universe, and all that is in it. 

Thank You that You are still in complete control of all things.  Thank You for every breath that You give us.  For the food that we eat, the clothes we wear, and the shelter that You give us.  

Father, please open our eyes to the truth.  Help us to see that we need to repent of our sins, and turn from our wicked ways, and turn to You, before it is eternally too late.

Thank You Father, for hearing, and answering our prayers.  We praise Your Holy Name.  We love you.  We pray this in Your only begotten Son's Name, Jesus.  The name that is above every name.  Amen.

On That Day

I was reading in Luke chapter 17 this morning, and I noticed something rather interesting, at least it was for me.  I have read and re-read this chapter several times, trying to figure out some of the things Jesus was talking about.  Starting in verse 22, Jesus is beginning to talk to the disciples about the end of days, when Jesus would come back.  I always find this topic very compelling.  I think everyone should, because it concerns all of us.

In verse 24, He says, "For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day."  Everyone will see Him when He comes back.  In verses 26-27, He says, "And as it was in the days of Noe (Noah), so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all."  Noah had warned the people over and over again, trying to get them to understand that this devastating event was going to happen soon, but no one would believe.  They thought he was drunk, or crazy.  They went about their everyday lives, eating and drinking, getting married.  It was said that every evil thing a man could think of, was being done .  They believed they had all the time in the world..  Noah knew better.  He had heard God, and believed.  Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

In verses 28-30, Jesus says, "Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."  If you'll remember, Sodom and Gomorrah was overrun by homosexuals and perverts of every kind.  This verse says, as in the days of Noah, so it was in the days of Lot.  They were going about their everyday business, taking care of their lusts, and all their stuff.  In verse 31, Jesus says, "In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back."  He says that when He comes back, you won't have time to worry about all your stuff.  None of it will matter anymore. 

The next verse says it all, I believe.  Verse 32 says, "Remember Lot's wife."  Period.  Lot's wife was told to leave Sodom behind, and not look back.  She missed her stuff, and her life back in Sodom, and turned around for one last look.  It was the last thing she would ever do.  She was turned into a pillar of salt.  Why does Jesus mention her right here?  I believe part of the reason is, you have to make a choice between your way, or His way.  There are dire consequences if you make the wrong choice.  Lot's wife made the wrong choice, and paid for it with her life.  In the same way, if you don't choose Him, you will spiritually pay for it with your eternal life.  Jesus says in the next verse, "Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve (or, save) it." 

Lastly, in the two descriptions of what the day of the Son of man will be like, the people are doing all sorts of everyday, mundane things.  But, two things they are not doing, are, watching and praying.  They are taking care of all their physical and fleshly needs, but they are ignoring their spiritual needs.  We are told to always watch and pray.  We don't know when this 'day of the Son of man' will take place, so we should ALWAYS be watching FOR Him, and praying TO Him.  And, as in Noah's case, we need to be telling others to get ready for that day.  They will think we're crazy.  They'll roll their eyes, and maybe even laugh, but we still need to tell them.  We have found grace in the eyes of the LORD, so let us show grace, and mercy, to those in need.  There is a lost and dying world that needs to hear that there is a God in Heaven that loves them. 

Revelation 22:12-14 says, "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.

The World Today

When you hear the word 'propaganda', what do you think?  Do you think of Nazi Germany, or the U.S.S.R.?  I think of Hitler, and how he used everything he could use, to fool the people of Germany into believing that everything he was doing, was for their own good.  I'm reading a book called 'Small Wonders', about how the Volkswagen came to be.  Ferdinand Porsche came up with the idea for a small, dependable car, that the everyday, German citizen could afford to buy, and afford to repair drive.  Hitler, a car buff, heard about it, and wanted to build it to use for propaganda efforts.  He told the Germans citizens that he cared about them, and wanted them to have good things, like the other countries have.  He also was using Porsche, and other car designers, to build fast race cars, so Germany could become known in the racing circles.  Both efforts eventually worked. 

The whole point of this, though, is as I read this book, and saw how Hitler operated, I noticed a scary similarity to how our own government is operating today.  They jumped in and started telling the banks, and car companies, and Wall Street, how they were, and were not, going to do things from now on.  They come on TV and tell us things are turning around, and how THEIR WAY was the RIGHT WAY.  Propaganda is alive and well on our TV's and the internet, as we speak.  As if TELLING us things are okay, MAKES everything okay.  I wasn't born yesterday, and I have been a very patriotic citizen of these United States all my life.  Something has got to be done to slow down the rate of deterioration in our country, and it has got to be done NOW.

Let me tell you, honestly, I LOVE Muslims, Mexicans, etc., but we have got to stop allowing ANYONE, from ANYWHERE, to just waltz into our country, and start demanding we stop what we're doing, and take care of them.  We have gotten so 'tolerant', (I get sick when I hear this word), that we, our government anyway, actually stop and say, "ok, what can we do to make you happy?".  We have become the cash cow for anybody that hates their country, and wants to go take advantage of the new, tolerant, happy, smiley, kumbayah, take-whatever-you-need, America.  I would say, United States, but our states aren't very UNITED these days.  Look at Arizona, California, and the few states that have allowed homosexuals to 'legally marry' each other. Ugh!. 

But, anyway, I digress.  Before this new government took over, we argued about what we have always argued about in this country.  Republican or Democrat.  Left or Right.  Rich or Poor.  Now, we've gone outside the box.  We are no longer concerned about taking care of our own, we want to make sure EVERYBODY likes us.  We don't want to be seen as exclusive, but ALL inclusive.  And even though every other house, on every block, in every county, in EVERY state, is empty, because of foreclosure, we are being told that this is the 'Summer of Recovery'. We are doing GREAT!  HAH!  Tell that to the family that can't afford to drive their Japanese car down to their local Saudi Arabian gas station, run by some guy from India, (who, by the way, is probably not having to pay taxes, like you and I have to).  Again, and seriously, I mean it, I am so NOT racist, or bigoted, in ANY WAY.  This is not about color, or nationalities, or languages, or anything like that.  It is about RIGHTS!.  Whatever happened to our RIGHTS as American citizens? 

I don't know.  Maybe it's just me.  Maybe I'm WAY off base with this.  But I hope not.  I would like to think that there are about 300 million others in this country, that want it to be like it used to be, before we got so smart, and likable.  I want the America that I grew up in.  When we used to fly our flags on our front porch.  When we watched out for each other, and cared about each other.  Now, there's so much fear, so much distrust, we only look out for NUMBER ONE. 

If you are not already, PLEASE START praying for this once great country of ours.  We have turned so far away from where we started.  We used to be a God-fearing people.  We used to be United.  We used to care what happened to each other.  The Bible says that in the last days, the love of many will grow cold.  Guess what.  It's already started.  I believe we are in the LAST of the last days.  Jesus said that the returning of the Son of Man would be at a time when we would be like in the days of Noah, and the days of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.  In the days of Noah, any evil thing that a man could think of, was being done.  Sodom and Gomorrah was overrun with homosexuality, and all sorts of perversions.  Sound familiar?  Watch TV.  Read a newspaper.  It's here.

We are told to WATCH and PRAY, for the appearing of the Son of Man would come like lightning in the sky.  QUICKLY and very suddenly.  Are you ready?  By looking at the condition of the world we live in, I doubt very many people are ready.  If you are not saved, ask God to forgive you of your sins, and turn away, or repent, from you wicked lifestyle.  Believe that Jesus IS who He says he is, THE Son of God.  Be ready.