On Sunday morning, there was a "challenge" that went out to the congregation. I put challenge in quotation marks because this wasn't a guilt tripping session that so often characterizes church services but rather the talk was part of the series of Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Pastor Doug mentioned he had asked his friends how we can tell if we/others love God, because the verse has a disclaimer, that God works for the good OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM. He mentioned some of the responses- if we love others, if we help the poor, if we serve, etc. But Pastor Doug stated that it is entirely possible to love others without loving God, or serving others without loving God, etc, but if we Love God, we can't help but love others, serve others, help the poor, etc. So again, how to we know if we/others love God?
We lifted from Romans 8 and jumped to 1 John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us." Now, I am not going to lie, but at this point, this seemed like a very elementary sermon. I know God loves us, and isn't that all warm and fuzzy. But what Doug began to say started to transform my cynical attitude. When we begin to love God, it is only after we have recognized His love for us. We haven't even gotten to the stage of loving others, but merely recognizing that He loves us. Pastor Doug says we often miss the little love notes God places in our life to remind us of His ridiculous, copious amount of affection he has for us. - A day seemed worthless, but he placed the most beautiful sunset in our path on the way home. Did we notice? The bills are paid, and we have some money left over for a date with our wives - did we notice or take it for granted. The "challenge" was to start taking note of where God has placed a love letter, a little reminder in our day, to refresh our memory of his passion.
So, here are somethings I am thankful for: I love my wife, and she loves me. We are expecting our first child, and while I am scared to death, I am truly excited. God has blessed me with a job I love. I just got a phone call from a friend who was overseas fighting in the war, and he is back home safe. I noticed I am getting stronger in my workouts (petty but reassuring).
There are more, but this simple exercise helped me refocus life. God does passionately love me. I don't know why, but I am sure not going to turn away from His love.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Defense Lawyers and Dentists
Two professions I have come to loathe. Defense lawyers just bother me because they work against most everything I will be doing for a living. They protect the child rapists, drug peddlers, and sexual predators, and barter to make these people serve only mere fractions of their sentences. Not only do they barter for their client, which is what their job is and I an can respect that, but they over look what their client did, and attack every other loophole they can find. Did the cop read them their rights? Was the stop valid and justified in the first place? The list goes on. I just can't imagine how the sleep at night.
But enough about them, let's talk about the other profession I can't stand - Dentists. Never once in my life have I had an enjoyable time at the dentist. These crazy people must have a screw loose to enjoy causing pain to others. This might just be the only legitimate, lawful way, to truly injure others.
I bring this up because yes, today I had a dental appointment, and I hated every moment. They tell me if I floss more, them jabbing a pointed metal, miniature spear in my gum won't hurt. They ask if I am comfortable. Please, I just love the sounds of scraping and grinding coming from INSIDE my head (that is just unnatural). Then they give me the wonderful news of cavities, far too many to count, and one needs to be fixed immediately. So what do they do? They schedule an appointment 6 months down the road to fix that "immediate" problem.
Here's my favorite part. Back when I was in 5th grade - yeah about the age of 10, I had a metal bracket/bar/spacer/piece of junk placed in my mouth. It connected my back top molar on one side, up and around the roof of my mouth to the molar on the other side. Well, my dentist back then retired after he placed that lovely ornament in my oral cavity. The next dentist couldn't seem to find my file so she didn't want to remove it. Next came my high school career and a different dentist, and the same story - didn't want to take it out until he was sure what it was there for. Well, come 13-14 years later, after having that piece of metal become one with my body, I asked to have it taken out. Before they did anything else, the dentist went in with a pair of pliers and yanked the son of a gun out in no more than 20 seconds. Several hours later, to go to the front desk to hear my damage, and I am told that they aren't sure if my insurance will pay for the removal of the bar and that it might cost me $70. SEVENTY BUCKS to take a pair of needle nose pliers and pull that stupid thing out. I would have done it myself if I wasn't concerned about the dang thing ripping out the teeth it was connected to.
So yeah, I don't like the dentist. Never have, and truly never will. I've had enough experiences with these cruel people to know I just don't like them. I don't have to like them. I say, if I ever get a call to go see a robbery at a dentists office, I will just let them know that the criminal was probably stealing something to sell to pay for his medical bill. If in the off chance he gets caught, he'll get a lawyer with nothing better to do than critique my investigation, and keep his client out of jail. The dentist will sue me, and win, and they'll get more money than what ever the value was of what was stolen, and we are back to square one - the defense lawyer will have done his job and gotten some sleep and the dentist will once again make money off of the pain of another.
But enough about them, let's talk about the other profession I can't stand - Dentists. Never once in my life have I had an enjoyable time at the dentist. These crazy people must have a screw loose to enjoy causing pain to others. This might just be the only legitimate, lawful way, to truly injure others.
I bring this up because yes, today I had a dental appointment, and I hated every moment. They tell me if I floss more, them jabbing a pointed metal, miniature spear in my gum won't hurt. They ask if I am comfortable. Please, I just love the sounds of scraping and grinding coming from INSIDE my head (that is just unnatural). Then they give me the wonderful news of cavities, far too many to count, and one needs to be fixed immediately. So what do they do? They schedule an appointment 6 months down the road to fix that "immediate" problem.
Here's my favorite part. Back when I was in 5th grade - yeah about the age of 10, I had a metal bracket/bar/spacer/piece of junk placed in my mouth. It connected my back top molar on one side, up and around the roof of my mouth to the molar on the other side. Well, my dentist back then retired after he placed that lovely ornament in my oral cavity. The next dentist couldn't seem to find my file so she didn't want to remove it. Next came my high school career and a different dentist, and the same story - didn't want to take it out until he was sure what it was there for. Well, come 13-14 years later, after having that piece of metal become one with my body, I asked to have it taken out. Before they did anything else, the dentist went in with a pair of pliers and yanked the son of a gun out in no more than 20 seconds. Several hours later, to go to the front desk to hear my damage, and I am told that they aren't sure if my insurance will pay for the removal of the bar and that it might cost me $70. SEVENTY BUCKS to take a pair of needle nose pliers and pull that stupid thing out. I would have done it myself if I wasn't concerned about the dang thing ripping out the teeth it was connected to.
So yeah, I don't like the dentist. Never have, and truly never will. I've had enough experiences with these cruel people to know I just don't like them. I don't have to like them. I say, if I ever get a call to go see a robbery at a dentists office, I will just let them know that the criminal was probably stealing something to sell to pay for his medical bill. If in the off chance he gets caught, he'll get a lawyer with nothing better to do than critique my investigation, and keep his client out of jail. The dentist will sue me, and win, and they'll get more money than what ever the value was of what was stolen, and we are back to square one - the defense lawyer will have done his job and gotten some sleep and the dentist will once again make money off of the pain of another.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Appreciating Differences
I have never been one to get into politics. For the most part, I don't understand it all, and think a large majority of the people we elect are certainly not living what they are preaching. Far too often it appears that those seeking an election for any office, (Senator, Representative, Judge, Town Mayor) say the things necessary to get elected, things that show they are "for the people" and then push their own opinions once in their desired position. Maybe that is the way it is supposed to be, but is doesn't sit well with me. People who stand up in Congress and read newspapers and magazines to waste time don't deserve my money. People like Al Gore who spend millions of dollars to push a topic he is passionate about - Global Warming - to thus win him the Nobel Peace prize, where he urges us to take colder showers, ride bikes, and use less air conditioning all the while has several houses twice the size of any person I know and refuses to cut back on what he is doing doesn't deserve my applause either.
I look at this presidential race and one person stands out clearly in my mind. I can't possibly see why others would consider the other opponents. I've felt this way for the past two presidential elections that I've had the wonderful opportunity to vote. I see the issues I am passionate about, and have very clear objectives and opinions in, and the other candidates are completely off the spectrum from what I value.
To break the murky waters, I think John McCain is hands down, the best candidate. I think he has talked the talk, certainly walked the walk, and will continue to do so. I don't see him looking for status, power, or recognition. I feel strongly he is running for president to make America the best it can be. I don't for a second think Obama or Clinton don't want what is best for this country, yet I have a very difficult time seeing that they aren't searching for that status and glorification first. Being the first Black or Female president of the World's Greatest Country says something. Your name will be written in history. Does that idea cloud reason or judgement?
I've got a great friend of mine, one of my groomsmen during my wedding, who thinks Obama is the best man for the job. I love my friend and we've been buds for a long time, but I can't understand where he is coming from. I don't know how to appreciate our differences in opinions. I don't even know how to evaluate them.
I fear that people in my age group look at the candidates who speak their language and say the things they want to hear, when in reality the candidate has a completely different agenda to push. Their track record of voting, the people they associate with, and they statements they've said in the past, for some reason never make people look twice. I believe people can change, and everyone has made mistakes in their past, and will continue to do so, but if a person's voting record, lifestyle, and history differ from what is being portrayed now, isn't that cause for concern?
I don't know how to value opinions different from mine. I don't know how to even understand them, or "step in their shoes" because they don't make sense. Yet at the same time, I am wise enough to know they probably look at the me the same way. How do I watch someone get elected, who I fear will change this country for the worse, and not have an "I told you so attitude?"
These are the things I wrestle with. I guess I must do my part, vote for who I think is best, and realize God is in control and he knows what is best for us, either in the immediate, or in the long run.
I look at this presidential race and one person stands out clearly in my mind. I can't possibly see why others would consider the other opponents. I've felt this way for the past two presidential elections that I've had the wonderful opportunity to vote. I see the issues I am passionate about, and have very clear objectives and opinions in, and the other candidates are completely off the spectrum from what I value.
To break the murky waters, I think John McCain is hands down, the best candidate. I think he has talked the talk, certainly walked the walk, and will continue to do so. I don't see him looking for status, power, or recognition. I feel strongly he is running for president to make America the best it can be. I don't for a second think Obama or Clinton don't want what is best for this country, yet I have a very difficult time seeing that they aren't searching for that status and glorification first. Being the first Black or Female president of the World's Greatest Country says something. Your name will be written in history. Does that idea cloud reason or judgement?
I've got a great friend of mine, one of my groomsmen during my wedding, who thinks Obama is the best man for the job. I love my friend and we've been buds for a long time, but I can't understand where he is coming from. I don't know how to appreciate our differences in opinions. I don't even know how to evaluate them.
I fear that people in my age group look at the candidates who speak their language and say the things they want to hear, when in reality the candidate has a completely different agenda to push. Their track record of voting, the people they associate with, and they statements they've said in the past, for some reason never make people look twice. I believe people can change, and everyone has made mistakes in their past, and will continue to do so, but if a person's voting record, lifestyle, and history differ from what is being portrayed now, isn't that cause for concern?
I don't know how to value opinions different from mine. I don't know how to even understand them, or "step in their shoes" because they don't make sense. Yet at the same time, I am wise enough to know they probably look at the me the same way. How do I watch someone get elected, who I fear will change this country for the worse, and not have an "I told you so attitude?"
These are the things I wrestle with. I guess I must do my part, vote for who I think is best, and realize God is in control and he knows what is best for us, either in the immediate, or in the long run.
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