Norman

I just listened to an incredibly beautiful story. It is also a convicting one. If you get a chance, listen to "A Man Called Norman". You may find it on Focus on the Family's daily broadcast for July 22nd and July 23rd. It is a story of God leading one man to look beyond his prejudices and love what the rest of the world calls unlovable. This story is in two parts. You may go to www.listen.family.org/daily and then look for a box on the right hand side labeled "learn more about" and click on recent daily broadcast. Scroll down a bit and you will see the story. Part 1 is on the 22nd and part 2 on the 23rd.

Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone and reach out to those the world calls strange, weird, and untouchable? Am I?

Waiting

Here I am at Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland awaiting the birth of my best friend's second baby. I am very excited to meet this new addition to her family and am honored to be included in this day.

In the meantime, I am also waiting for news on my one of my sister's back in Kansas. She was rushed to the hospital last night and diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. She has swelling in the brain and spinal areas. The currently have her in isolation and on 3 antibiotics.

Two major waiting periods, hopefully with two positive outcomes. Obviously, the baby will be a positive one and I will pray my sister will recover fully.

Ultimately, it is all in God's hands. I wonder if I should feel more stressed out over my sister. I think I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing I can do to change the circumstance. Only God has ultimate control and I must pray to him for all to turn out well. It has taken me a long time to reach this point in my life. Worrying doesn't solve anything, it only expends energy and causes me to focus on things other than Christ.

Making Fun

Well, I wanted something to write about and I got it. My heart is breaking! Yesterday, I heard a clip of a man running for political office in another state. He did not come off as brushed, polished, or articulate. In fact, in listening to his comments, he came off as slightly crazy. I didn't think much of it and even laughed at some of the commentary given about this man. Then tonight, I was watching one of my shows and it showed a video clip of him saying the same things. My heart was pierced. I was not watching some "crazy" man who thought drastic times called for drastic measures. He wasn't a militant, radical, or power hungry person. I was watching a man who truly loved his country and wanted to do what was right. I also saw a man who was broken. We live in a fallen world and it destroys us all. Here was a man who served in our military. Here was a man who loves the Constitution. And here was a man, who, by my experience (and I am guessing) has suffered either psychologically (he would have be around draft age for Vietnam) or cognitively. I saw a victim of the fall and then I saw a victim of mockers. It wasn't just that he seemed genuine (albeit slower then others), it was the knowledge that others were making fun of him. Even a Christian radio host mocked him! Does that not make God grieve? We have been extended such grace from a holy God for the sins we have committed. And yet, we are comfortable mocking a man because he can't speak well and has some strange ideas (they weren't scary or threatening, just odd). He said he served in the Marines. Do we mock our soldiers even if their service cost them and makes is harder for them to reintegrate back into "our world"? Do we mock people with good intentions, even if they seem a little crazy? Perhaps, someone wise and caring needs to take this man aside and gently tell him his strengths may best be used other than running for political office. Since he is running, as Christians, how do we mock him and feel no shame? Something tells me, Jesus would grieve, not for him, but for our sinfulness in treating this man with such disrespect. If the man is sinning, being corrupt, or being a deceiver, I can see openly condemning such things. But this man was simple and seems genuine. WHO ARE WE to judge that which is not a detriment to the church nor an abomination to God?
Please, before you make fun of someone, stop and think.

A Long Long Time

It has been an extremely long time since I last blogged. Typically, I am at a loss regarding what to write. Other times, there is so much going on in my head it is difficult for me to organize it and articulate it.

So, what do I write about? I could write about my feelings on politics today. There is certainly enough information out there to fill up my blog. I could talk about faith and theology. I could talk about relationships and psychology. Perhaps, I could talk about justice, injustice, morality, and ethics. There really is a lot to talk about. It's a matter of choosing something.

If anyone reads this, perhaps, they have suggestions.