Al Gore/Global Warming - Jesus/Forgiveness & Love

When it comes to the weather, any condition honestly, there is one name and one phrase. Al Gore and Global Warming. I don't know a single adult who doesn't have an opinion on the subject of Global Warming and Al Gore regarding this topic. I was recently talking about this issue of Global Warming with a group that is from the current teen generation and I was amazed that they didn't even realize Al Gore was the former Vice-President of the United States. When I got to thinking about it, 1993 was 21 years ago, so maybe that fact of history has been lost in all the discussion about this issue of Global Warming. Amazing to me what happens when time passes and we become singular focused on one thing. For former Vice President Al Gore it is climate change, environmental issues, that include the entire cross section of issues and not just toxic waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Agree or disagree with his position, the fact is that since 1977 when he was elected to the United States House of Representatives he has been involved in the discussion. His freshman year in the House began his public work and his efforts have never ceased on the issue. Good or bad, believe or not believe in the issue of Global Warming, I respect his "stick to it" attitude. I believe there is much to be learned from such a determined and resolute position. What we say about people and the manner in which we talk about them for the causes they support, advocate for, or defend says a lot about us as individuals too. I became a Christian in 1974. I have not always been an avid, staunch, clearly identifiable follower of Jesus. There have been many times I should have spoken up, stepped out, and clearly identified with my beliefs but I didn't. Oh, if I could have received awards and honors for my position that sounds positive and absolutely count me in for that, but to be criticized, have my thoughts openly discussed, and perhaps be personally made fun of, please I'd like to stay away from that negative situation. I think no doubt, the majority of you reading this column would agree. Joining positives things is a good decision and staying away from the negative makes perfect sense. However I am not sure that this is the best decision to follow as a ruling guide in our lives as Christians. Consider just the fact of who Jesus went and had dinner with. In Matthew 9:10 he went to Matthew's house! He was a tax collector and at this dinner particularly, Matthew had invited his other tax collector friends to come and meet Jesus too. Eating dinner with sinners what was Jesus thinking?...that is the same question that the religious Pharisees asked too. Friends and who we associate with seem to be for some a defining statement. For Jesus people certainly had an opinion about this decision Jesus made. Thinking about today's climate, I have friends that are totally loyal democrats they are blue all the way. I have republican friends that are red all the way. I could joke and ask why would anyone want to be a donkey or an elephant? Jesus paid no attention to the thoughts of others or to the comments others made about Him. In Luke 11:38 there was a question raised about Jesus and Him not washing His hands before a meal. There was after all a ceremonially act of hand-washing and the Pharisees were so upset that Jesus had not performed this Jewish custom. Allow me to share that this dinning experience invitation had been issued to Jesus by a Pharisee. This invitation is proof that even an expert in the law can be curious to learn and discover for himself what Jesus was all about. Inviting Jesus to dinner was certainly a great way to accomplish this goal. Nothing like first hand encounters and first person testimonies. If you ask me my position on Global Warming I can certainly say it has been 'cold as ice' and there is a relationship between warming and cooling. If you ask me about Jesus Christ I can say without a doubt that He is the one and there is a relationship between forgiveness and love. Until then

Roller Coaster - 2014 Recommended Attitude

Now sure how positive you are in your attitude about 2014, but I am interested in hearing your thoughts. You could be one that is expecting 2014 to be a great year or a more productive year than last year. You could someone that is not sure what to expect so you are bracing for the worse of things in hopes of just surviving. Either way I am confident we've all done a little of both. I am sure about several things in life. For some, they had high hopes beginning in 2014 and already they are facing their nightmare, unemployment. Returning from the holidays to discover the company has taken a different direction, or that your services are no longer needed can be heart breaking. I know a lady who has enjoyed her employment with the same company for many years. Before Christmas she heard of lay-offs and possible terminations. She step forward went to her supervisors and said with a severance offer I am willing to go and begin my retirement now. Even a decision like this described, while voluntarily can be challenging too. The best possible way to enjoy 2014 is to have the roller coaster attitude. If you dislike roller coasters than I am pretty sure there is nothing about this example you are going to like. This however could also be the the key to success. Riding a roller coaster use to be simple. You would sit down, a bar would fold over your lap and you would ride a rail on a wooden track and within a minute or so the ride would be over. Today, there are still wooden tracks but the design of the roller coaster has changed drastically. On some roller coasters you can stand the entire time. Yes I wrote stand and this includes going upside down while you are standing too. I am still not sure how my feet remained inside, ok I understand "G" forces but still yet it is amazing that when the experience of going upside down, and around, and back over, and upside down again, and I have remained inside the apparatus that I've was strapped into is still holding me...I am a pretty happy guy. The experience of a roller coaster ride that seems to be pushing and pulling, your hips going from side to side in the seat, your head bobbing forward and backwards, the thought of raising your hands up into the air seems totally crazy. My first roller coaster experiences were death grips on the bar in front of me. Holding up my hands was totally out of the question. I can remember thinking if you did that there would be a great possibility that something would hit your hands and "off a limb" would go. Not sure what it was that moved me to let go of the hand rail and the safety rail, but for whatever reason I gradually did let go and now I can ride with my hands up in the air nearly almost all of the rides experience. There is something that must be said for letting go and trusting not only in an amusement park ride, but in life too. I am writing this column because I know what it is to hold on to things, jobs, titles, positions, places and even people. The struggle to let go even if we are strapped in can be a challenge. Riding in a river boat with a glass bottom is an experience and walking out on an overlook over a canyon or mountain bluff that has a glass floor can be not only scary but truly frightening. I get it, when I write I understand. I've been there and done that too. Our attitude about 2014 sets not only a pace but maybe more importantly an expectation. There is no way to predict what is going to happen or even where you will be in 7 months from now. We can anticipate, plan and expect to be where we want to be, but no guarantees that we will find ourselves there when that time arrives. Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. Born in a manager and yet his parents had to fear for His life immediately. In the temple as a young boy Jesus found himself at home asking questions and learning but His parents would again be fearful when they realized they were traveling and He had been left behind. Fear again when Jesus began his public ministry and while others embraced Him, others would begin to plot how to destroy this one that some were calling the Son of God and the Savior of the World. Unanswered questions often leave us wondering. Peace is the only answer and I've discovered that comes through a relationship with Him. Until then

Loaded DOWN or Loaded UP

Happy New Year! 2014 is off and running and quite honestly I feel like I am in a horse and buggy race and I wasn't in the buggy when the race started! There is absolutely nothing like trying to participate in the race and trying to run and catch up to get in the buggy seat. If you are feeling exhausted with me already, please allow me to say thanks for feeling my pain. With all the planning that I do and organizing of events and activities I do plan for down time. Traditionally it is called a vacation but I prefer to simply call it my time! Yes I do turn the phone off, I do not answer emails, no texting either. The only thing I can say for certain is that I will take a lot of pictures. With the creation of the digital camera and the ability to just delete, I am a picture taking crazy man. With the exhausted feeling that has arrived so early in 2014 I am confident that I will need to fall back on my 'old rules of life'. One of my 'old rules of life' includes two full weeks of vacation and three weekend getaways. I have often been told that with my travel schedule, road and highway miles I am on vacation all the time because I am seeing different sights all the time. I understand that line of thinking and I appreciate all the sights I get to see. The down side is leaving to drive somewhere in the early AM and then returning just as late as your early leaving hours can really zap your energy. Not exactly my idea of a vacation. I understand the value of seeing new sights and I am well know for stopping on the side of a road for a photo. Capturing the beauty of life and then sharing that photo is a practice I enjoy. Rivers, mountain views, railroads, old houses, fences, cars, rocks, stacks of wood, road signs, courthouses, trees and statues I appreciate. Trying to run full speed to catch back up with life where it ran off and left you, is never any fun. I have heard folks say it is ok if you lag behind or need to catch up. They suggest all that is necessary is to sprint full speed, catch back back up to the group and all will be fine. In theory, the practice sounds like a plan that works. My experience has often been that when I sprint full speed ahead attempting to regain my lost ground, I find myself totally out of breathe, gasping for air, and then falling even further behind because I couldn't keep up with the pace even though I was able to regain the pace for a short time. I first shared my exhaustion by giving the example of knowing I should have been sitting in the buggy seat when the race started. If we are honest, no matter how hard we try, without a miracle, or at least the horse stopping to let me climb aboard, it is highly unlikely this situation ends good. I believe there are many moments in life where situations create an ever so gloomy outlook and the prospects of turning things around might appear to be hopeless. I have already said that I feel this way already so the only question to ask is what is the answer? The answer is just the opposite of what the common perception or tendency to believe would be. Running full speed to only exhaust yourself is not the answer. The perception that you would need to work harder, fight to get ahead has merits, but that concept alone is full of failure too. The tendency is to do whatever it takes to regain your position or status in the race. This too will leave you empty, along with exhausted and frustrated because of the lack of accomplishment in achieving your goals. The answer is to reconsider your plans. Maybe competing is not the proper way to view your goals. Maybe you should be considering the concept of perfect timing in all things. "Keeping up with the Jones Family" has never been a healthy choice. Giving yourself permission to run the race at our own pace would be a wise decision. Having participated in marathon events, my goal from my beginning preparations have always been to simply finish the race. No, God will not put more on us then we can bear. It is we that load ourselves down and not him. Until then

Joshua D Howard - Joe Harris, Citizens Making the Difference in 2013

It is always considered to be a wise decision to review and the end of a year certainly would qualify for a time to look back and consider all the events and happenings. 2013 has been a year of many events. Politically there were many moments on a national scale to talk about. For me, instead of looking back at specific events the activity I am reviewing is citizen involvement. There is no substitute for actively involved citizens! This past year in America we have seen many different groups actively engaging their members to become involved in speaking up about issues. Everything from gun control, health care, privacy issues, to religious rights. I am always amazed at the number of Christians who have opinions-yes, but involvement-no. There is no way to make a difference with just your opinion unless you are sharing your thoughts, vision and direction ideas with someone that is going to run with those opinions and attempt to make a difference by getting involved or lead the conversation. State issues also have filled the historical timeline of 2013. The biggest single issue in Kentucky has been coal. Some might believe the problem was just created in 2013, but the forefront discussion has just recently finally received the attention from elected officials that has pushed the discussion to a new level. Joshua D. Howard, an attorney who ran unsuccessfully for State Representative in the 87th District of Kentucky presented in his campaign the idea that all Coal Severance Dollars should be returned to the counties that produced the revenue to begin with. That idea was captured by others in the State Legislature in Kentucky and today there is real conversation taking place about changing the formula and returning those dollars. Another Kentucky resident, a private citizens Joe Harris created an event "Hand of Coal" that began in Bell County, and has since been repeated throughout the coal fields of not only Kentucky, but other states too. Getting involvement clearly makes a difference from just these two examples alone. Locally, cities and counties have been struggling to re-adjust budgets, dealing with deficients, and trying to collaborate with others to re-create their approach to employment issues, education and mental health conversations that include poverty, crime, and resources. The biggest creative discussion that have been taking places deal with advancing the local economy through tourism and attractions. This untapped resource remains the second greatest asset with we the people holding the number one spot. Thinking about this past year, how would you describe your spiritual life. What challenges or issues have you faced? This is another area where I am often surprised by the involvement or lack of involvement by individuals. I often hear people say they want God's help, or want a relationship but beyond that initial statement, there is no action on their part to take the next step. As I review 2013 spiritually speaking, I have experienced weddings, funerals, laughter, crying, gained new friends and accepted new roles of responsibility. Each of these has brought about new learning opportunities about what God's plan is for my life and in these mentioned experiences and others, I have also learned about his Love and how that applies to my life. One of the ways I have survived 2013 is by establishing what I believe about God. For instance: I know he loves me just as I am. I know that bitter tears are a part of the highway of forgiveness and renewal. I have been reminded that God is still in the business of opening up opportunities and that He wants to use your life experiences to help others find their way. Exposing ones-self is not what anyone wants to do, but this is a part of the spiritual process of healing that is not just a onetime experience, but this will be repeated over and over again. Growth is never easy. Change is often difficult to embrace. Looking back at this past year might be one that you'd like to forget or that you thought was awesome. Either way, 2014 has arrived and this is a new opportunity. Until then