Birds are Singing

This morning I am sitting on my back deck and all seems right.... at least for the moment. The sun is shining, 60 degrees, the birds are singing, and the setting is beautiful. Even the coffee is good this morning. Peace and tranquillity are the dominating factors. I'm even sitting in a position where I cannot see the tree that is dying..... our expensive tree. We don't have the heart ot cut it down yet.

That tree is a lot like me, though. Over the past year or so it seemed that a slow death was gripping my soul. The life was going out of me. The days were becoming a drudgery. Events were happening in my life and work that were shaking my faith to its very foundation. I actually began to question the existence of God. And if God did exist, did He really care about me.

Then I read the book of Job and saw the woes that he went through. Trials came to him, not because God did not care, but because God did care, and Job was able to prove himself in the most dire circumstances in life. He lost most of his wealth, He lost his health. He lost his family except his wife who told him he should curse God and die. He did not lose his friends, but they contended with him trying to convince him he did some great wrong and therefore this was God's judgement. Although he could not see Satan, Satan had stripped his life of all that is good. Yet, in all that Job did not sin and curse God.

We know the story of how once the trial had passed, God blessed Job once again. Job became not only richer in wealth, but especially richer in his relationship with God.

Well, although Job did nothing to bring on his calamities I cannot say the same of myself. There were poor choices, acts of rebellion, stupidity, and yes.... sinful thinking. Loneliness, anger, fear, frustration, and futility invaded my soul.

It reminded me of the time I was in Hawaii swimming in the ocean. I had noticed that shore was getting further away so I decided to swim directly toward shore. After a few moments I looked toward shore again and discovered that it was even further away. The current was moving faster than I was swimming. It took a great deal of energy. I swam harder than I had ever swam before to get back to shore. Finally I was able to ride a large wave into the beach.

I believe that I was caught in a negative current of life that was carrying me out to sea where I would eventually perish. A couple of weeks ago I sought God for help, confessed my sins, and asked God to take control. Life has not been perfect since then, but the shore line seems a lot closer. Then I read the Book of Job, and although not uplifting, it helped me to understand God's love and how He can guide us through trials in life. It also pointed out to me the importance of being faithful to God, even during the bad times of life. I think I am about to reach the crest of the wave that will carry me safely into shore.

This morning, instead of a troubled heart, there is peace and tranquillity. Instead of trying to hide from God I am trying to be open with Him. Instead of covering my sins I am finding that His love covers a multitude of sins. Instead of dealing with the guilt of my past, I find that He removes my sins from me as far as the east is from the west, and He remembers them no more.

And to my wife, who has endured these trials with me and has been a great example to me with her faithfulness to God, even during the worst trials of her life: I thank you, I admire you, and I love you. You are the greatest gift God has ever given to me and I will cherish that the rest of my days.

It just might be time to cut that dying tree down and plant a new one that has life!

Now, would someone please pour me a fresh cup of coffee while I sit here and listen to the robins chirp? :)

Getting Closer!

With recent world events I am convinced that our planet is getting closer to Armageddon. In the Middle East, among Arab nations, there is a real shift taking place. As their revolutions are taking place and some of these nations are overthrowing their governments, the United States has had to choose whose side they are on. We have put pressure on existing governments to give in to the will of the people. This has meant turning our backs on existing Arab governments, who happened to be our allies.

Lest you think I am critical of the Obama administration, I am not. I don't think there was a right or wrong decision as far at the US well being is concerned. Supporting the revolutionaries, who want freedom and democracy is a right decision. However, it has resulted in alienation of existing Arab leaders, who have been our allies. We, must remember that not all of these revolutions will be successful and that will leave us on the wrong side of those who are in power. And, too, some of the revolutions that are successful will not be, in the end, allies of the United States. We already see signs of this happening in Egypt.

It is my opinion, that in the end, we will have very few Arab allies. In large part because of what is mentioned above, but there are other contributing factors as well. Our friendship with Israel is a stumbling block, although it is the right thing to do. Our war on terror is also a stumbling block. Arab nations say they are against terror while they have camps training terrorists. Killing Bin Ladin, their hero in terrorism will cause Arabs to secretly seethe. Pakistan knowingly harbored him while saying they were looking for him.

Last, but most important, in the last times Arab nations will unite against Israel. Those supporting Israel will not be allies of the Arabs. The USA will have a choice to make.

Mad at Apple

Most of you who know me know that I like Apple products. I have bragged about them being possibly the best run company that I know of. I still believe that, but now they have done something that concerns me deeply and makes me mad. It might possibly cause me to never buy another Apple product. What did they do? The installation of a tracking device in their iphone that enables them to know my whereabouts at all times. As I understand it, the phone regularly transmits my location back to them. This is supposed to help them with marketing, but I believe that it has much deeper implications.

First of all, it is an invasion of my privacy. I do not believe that they have the right to know where I am at all times, regardless of how badly they want to market to me. I consider my life private so long as I am breaking no laws.

Secondly, this same technology can be used to read your/my computer from a remote place, which means that the police or anybody else with the right technology can sit outside your home and scan your computer and steal your information.... all of this without reasonable cause

or having a warrant. Your financial statements can be read by the guy sitting in the car outside your home. This makes me wonder how secure my financial world really is.

I have heard it said by several people that it doesn't bother them that all this information is readily available to the police because they know they are breaking no laws. So, just don't break any laws and you are okay. Not so fast. If the police can obtain this information, so can others. Beside, I resent the idea that the police can look over my shoulder in the cyber world without a probable cause that I may have committed a crime.

Have you ever read Tim LaHay's series of books, LEFT BEHIND? This is fiction based on scripture about those who were left behind at the rapture of the church. With today's technology in focus, I believe that these books would be much different. These books present the idea that those left behind, who now want to be Christians, can hide from authorities, fly around the country, drive around, organize and have secret churches, etc. Not if they have an Iphone, have a MacBook, or and Android. These devices are just like GPS units and will lead the authorities right to you.... fast. You won't be able to buy or sell without scanning your own personal bar code. Cameras along the highways, in super markets, super market parking lots, and many other locations will betray your location. Sorry folks, at that time it will be a police state.

We are being led along like a bunch of lambs without our knowledge. The Bible says, "like sheep to the slaughter." In fact, we, society as a whole, is embracing this concept because we like all the electronic gadgets that will eventually betray us. You can think I am a nut if you want to, but watch how things will unfold over the next several years.... if there is a next several years.

Life is Good

Here I am sitting in a nice soft chair looking at the sunrise through a large plate glass window. The clouds are covering the sun but the view is still great. So is the music and the atmosphere. I'm enjoying a great cup of coffee while I'm waiting for the stock market to open. The internet is fast and the morning is very relaxing. Yes folks, I'm at Starbucks. It's not alway all about the coffee.

I have two appointments today, so far. I'm prepping myself for the day. I've had a good night's sleep, which was badly needed, and my mind is clear today. Life is good!

The Greatest Preacher

The greatest preacher I have know is.... I don't know his name. Well, yes, I do know Jesus but he is God. I am thinking of someone contemporary and I just met them. Yes, them! Well, I didn't actually meet them, I saw them on TV. I don't know their names..... they are Mennonites. Here is why I think they are the greatest preachers.

I'm sure you all remember Hurricane Katrina that slammed into New Orleans five years ago. Well, the Mennonites have sent hundreds of workers there to help rebuild homes that had been destroyed. Today they are still sending hundreds of workers. They are still rebuilding houses. On the news I saw several women in their skirts installing metal roofs on homes. Drills in hands, bent over they were bent over installing the screws that held the roofs securely.

These servants of Christ might be old fashioned in their dress and in their speech. But their tools were modern and their love of Christ is current. The news reporter asked them their names and they refused to give them. They did not like the attention and the publicity. Their attitude is that they are servants of Christ serving their fellow man in humility. There was none of...."look at me folks! see what I'm doing for Jesus!" They were just simply loving their neighbor in a meaningful and tangible way. And their sermon was strong.

Recipients of their labors of love were impressed. They did not know the names of the people who worked on their homes but they were amazed at their commitment.

I often think of how we build up individuals who do something for God. Even when we do something for God we tend to want to be recognized. This has always bothered me. I believe our true reward will be when we stand before God, Himself and give account of our lives. Of course, He will already know.

I really don't care to hear who did what, who sacrificed this or that, or who gave X amount of money. I do care about what I do, but I don't need it advertised. Recognition makes me uncomfortable. I really want my reward to come from God.

So the greatest preacher I have heard about in recent times is these unnamed Mennonites who are humbly serving the God they love without recognition or fanfare.

Friends to the Homeless

There are certain places that are friends to the homeless. They are friends whether they choose to be or not. I know. I see what is happening.

In early morning I am often at a McDonald's or a Starbucks. I am one of the first customers in the morning. But almost always when I arrive there is some homeless person already there who has staked out his place where he can be warm and rest. They usually buy a coffee, but not always.

They usually try to find a place out of the sight of the workers so that they are not so noticeable. And they usually stay as long as they dare.

Only once have I seen one of these establishments ask them to leave, and that was with a homeless person that was a little disruptive. They are not allowed to sleep, though some of them do fall asleep. One man that visits my local Starbucks often falls asleep while standing.

The life of the homeless has to be harsh at times. These establishments have made it a little easier for them. These people have learned how to survive.

Pardon me while I drink coffee next to my homeless friend.

Hello Again

Yes, It's been a while since I've written anything. Aw shucks, huh? Well it's mostly because I didn't have anything worthy of writing. Well, I did, but just didn't get around to writing it basically because I was of the wrong frame of mind. I missed blogging, but, hey, I'm back.

I really don't know what direction my blog will take from here but I am afraid that my irony may show through. Hey, folks, that's just me. I'm not asking you to like me..... or my blogs. It's not my intention to make enemies.... or friends on this site. If you don't go to my funeral, well that's okay, too. I will never know. I'll let you off the hook now.

When I started this blog two days ago I thought I had something worthy to write about, but I got distracted and now I have forgotten. It couldn't have been too important. I'm sure none of you are like me, though.

Anyway, I'm happy that summer is on its way! When I first moved to Colorado I thought they forgot to have winter here. But now I'm spoiled and glad that this winter is finally coming to an end. If I was a skier I might think otherwise. I didn't buy my snow blower to actually blow snow, I got it to scare the snow away. I knew if I made that expensive investment I would probable never have to use it.... which is okay with me. Basically, the only reason it snows in Denver is so the car washes can have some business and to make you late for work.

Oh, did I mention the wildfires we're having? A couple of them are roaring now and it is only March. These are at Left Hand Canyon and at Golden. High winds are fanning the flames today. I hope no homes are destroyed.

Well, I've had my Starbucks and its time to go.

Have a great day!