Stumbling About for Truth

It was my son, Chris' birthday on Saturday and we traveled to Norman, Oklahoma to watch the season opener game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Utah State Aggies. We have some friends that live in the area that have tailgate parties at every home game and we were fortunate enough to be able to join them again as we did last season 3 times. Chris is a rabid OU fan and we had great seats for this game - 3 rows up from the field in the home end zone. Both he and I made some memories there and I don't think either of us will forget that game and what it felt like to be so close to the action. When DeMarco Murray broke open down the left sideline for one of his touchdowns (63 yards on this one) he was running right at us. It was awesome! Chris was going wild! It was well worth the extra funds we spent to get the seats. There was another blessing though that will make this trip memorable. My wife Trudy and other son Zachary came with us to the Norman, but were not planning on goi...

A few years ago I posted a story about Kim Phuc, the little Vietnamese girl pictured in the now famous photo running down the road after being Napalmed in Vietnam. The naked girl in the video is Ms. Phuc. Here is some video of the same event. The consequences of war are harsh and unforgiving even to innocent children. BTW: Here is a video of Kim telling her story. Here is another one of forgiveness.

"Well Hi Jesus! How are you?" "Fine, fine. I am blessed," Jesus said. "So what do you think? How are we doing? We have worked hard, made shrewd investments, taken care of ourselves... I mean... pretty good huh?" Jesus said, "Yes. Yes. Very impressive. You have done quite well for yourselves. You are a great country. I have admired you from afar."

As Christians (or the church as we're sometimes thought of) we're suppose to be a group for those looking for refuge. You know, a place where those in need come to find help. We're suppose to care about others before ourselves right? There's no greater way to show your love and care for someone in need than to give of yourself to them. Jesus said we should follow His example and love one another as He loved us: sacrificially and unconditionally. I recently found that a friend of mine experienced the opposite in her hour of need. I don't know all the details. But then again, I don't need to know them. What I do know is that she found no refuge when she needed it. She found only that those she thought would walk with her were too busy to stop and listen and realize that she was hurting and in need of their friendship and compassion. This is not good. If we can't slow down enough to care and be the refuge for those we say we love, then what good are we to God o...

Ahem... La La La La... Mi Mi Mi Mi... okay I'm ready... I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the father except by me... and if he's a republican... and only if he's pro-life... oh wait! No gays either. They're an abomination. And they must be American patriots. No sissy pacifists either! Also, he better have voted for "W" and he'd best not have voted for that heathen Obama! And low taxes! he's gotta believe in low taxes! Also, if you're a woman, you need to know your place if you want in to my kingdom - no woman leaders allowed in my kingdom! My peep Paul said it straight and he meant it! And you must be pro-israel. Screw the muslims! They are eeeeviiiilllll!!! You help a muslim, forget it. You're not getting in. No catholics either. They follow some guy in a big white shiny hat. They're idolaters. They ain't allowed! Hey God... did I miss anyone. You think them Americans will be happy? What was that? Socialists? Oh! Ye...

While I was walking tonight, I had an almost hour long texting conversation with my daughter. She is in Wyoming (though texting from Salt Lake City where she is visiting) and I am in Texas. She is coming back to Texas and the heat in a few days though and we are excited! I thought there was something special about the convo, though I am not sure what. Our conversation consisted of the mundane, the seriously spiritual, and some memories all wrapped up in a little humor. I don't know... Maybe it was just that we were sharing our lives with each other without the weight of the baggage that has been plaguing our relationship the last few years. Anyways, send me your thoughts after you read it... Note: I kept the bad grammar and punctuation as it appeared to preserve the essence of the brevity of texting. We still did some good communicatin' though! Dad: What doin? Dad: Huh? Dad: Huh? Dad: Huh? Dad: Huh? Dad: Huh? Dad: Huh? Dad: Huh? Dad: Huh? Dad: Huh? Dad: Well? Dad: ....

"The ascended christ reigns over the church and all societies but in different ways. In truth, the only "Christian nation" is the body of Christ as it is dispersed throughout all peoples and in all times. Confusion on this point has resulted in far-reaching consequences." Read more here .