Commander and Chief

With the three Presidential debates completed and many of these United States already voting we are at a rapid pace toward Election Day. We all have the ability to smile and laugh at various things throughout life. I have found some moments in this election that has caused me to not only smile and laugh by have also put me in moments of shock and disbelieve too. Funny moments for me are discovered in just simply watching the candidates. Now I enjoy people watching on a busy street, at an airport and even at church dinners. How folks interact, move about, what they are observing are all interesting. In this election cycle I have thought about the fact we love to witness expressions made by children. The more intimated the better we enjoy them, but let one of these candidates smile at the wrong time and we clearly have them marked as insensitive, rude, and we some individuals could ‘Facebook’ for days. I am someone that likes to smile. I love this journey we call life, I enjoy not only the moments created, but I enjoy the seconds of last moments too. Learning to cherish time is important and learning how to experience the time we have could be the toughest learning curve in a lifetime. I witnessed a great moment in time the other day that put my mind to thinking about how we experience time is important. I was listening to a real “gripe session” and one individual in particular was really worked up. I witnessed this other individual walk over and it looked like he was moving a piece of thread or something off this guy’s shoulder. As I looked closer I noticed he was ‘flicking’. Finally after a couple seconds of standing there with his hand at this guy’s shoulder the fellow asked, “what are you doing?”, which the reply was, “knocking this chip off your shoulder”. It was a funny moment and for me and others there it was a reminder of what is really important and a reminder of appropriate ways to use up your energy, and this being one that should be tabled. Listening to folks talk about their opinion and what they believe is right can be enlightening, and challenging. Sometimes we need to be reminded of things we’ve already been told, just as we need to sometimes hear what has never been spoken before. You may have heard it a hundred times that Jesus Christ loves you, and it could be that this is the first time you’ve ever heard of Jesus, If you’ve heard of this guy before I would point out that He hasn’t gone anywhere since you first heard his name and were introduced. He is as solid as a rock and is not afraid to be your friend no matter what is happening around you. If this is your first introduction, then let me just say this. You may discover or conclude that Jesus Christ is not someone you want as a friend, but if you never give Him the opportunity to demonstrate His love and plan for you then this fact will remain forever true. You missed out not only on a great friend, but a real Commander and Chief. Until then

Count Down to Election

Not sure if you have ever consider the role of countdowns but they play an interesting part of our lives. The biggest countdown worldwide surely is the New Year Eve countdown. We all love watching the countdown and watching the ball drop in New York City from an American point of view certainly. Countdowns that play a role in our lives include so many things, all from various perspectives. Educators love counting down the days until fall break, or Christmas break. Seniors in high school their big countdown comes in May when they are looking forward to graduation. Expecting parents have countdowns. It maybe the hours waiting could be called an add up moment, but it is really a countdown to the arrival of what the Bible says is a “blessing of the Lord”. Life offers us as individuals so many different countdowns. For folks who love religion there have been plenty of countdowns including the big religious countdown set to arrive on December 21, 2012. Yes, the Mayan Calendar will have its final day and religious folks and such are preparing for the world to fall off her axis or worse on that day and will continue to worsen thereafter. (Not sure if there is a worse condition if the earth does fall of her axis, but seems like some individuals, organizations, and groups are predicting that possibility and believing it quite strongly-just saying) What prompted my mind to countdowns was the wishes and hopes of so many as they countdown to the Presidential Election of 2012. Yes, Tuesday-November 6, 2012 cannot arrive fast enough for some. This countdown actually began on November 5, 2008. That was the day Barack Hussein Obama was elected as the next President of the United States of America. After nearly three decades of Republican control and leadership in the White House, the election of a Democrat as President began this particular countdown. After watching the first Presidential Debate I watched and listened reaffirming my personal point of view. There are many serious issues facing not just our country but the world, and political sound bites are not the solution or answer. With countdowns the one aspect that we all are looking for is an end to the countdown. On this fast approaching General Election Day 2012 I am now reaffirming my personal point of view for the second time in a single column but this time with a resolution for my next step. After this Presidential Election, some will be so excited with the outcome and others will be upset and mad. For many folks their disposition will be closely tied to their individual political party affiliation. As a Christian I have a responsibility to pray for our elected leaders. One of the things I have learned from praying is that it is hard to pray for someone and be mad. It is also hard to pray with a genuine heart and not want to help people success. My resolution is simple. No matter who is elected I will be praying for our President, and our Country. There is a countdown that we should all be aware of and it is the one countdown that we want to talk about the least of all countdowns. Our individual lives are number according to scripture from the Holy Bible. We each have an opportunity to give and make a difference. We all have seen folks born and die. We may not agree about what happens after death, but one thing should be clear. Life is ticking and there is a countdown we should be alertly aware of. Don’t get overwhelmed with all the issues, do your part you are responsible for and help encourage others in their role as we each look at and watch our own countdowns in life. Until then