More on Global Warming

This says it all....

Searching for Global Warming

Healing

Confession, since the loss of Olivia, I haven't exactly been a fan of God. Comments I have heard from friends lead me to believe that I am a faithful. But, I guess the reality is that I had been questioning the character of a God who would allow such a thing to happen.

Over time, there has been a healing in my heart, but it has been very slow to come and inconsistent in its developing. I would not have, until recently, attributed any of this healing to the intervention of God. Instead, I would have used the standard about time and its tendency to heal. However, recently my attitude has changed and I attribute this change to a set of events that introduced me to William Paul Young's The Shack.

My wife is a member of a study group that had decided to read The Shack and discuss the book. She purchased a copy of the audio book to help her with her study. I was on vacation with some extra time on my hands and a little intrigued by the idea if listening to a book before bed. I had no idea what I had gotten myself into.

The first few chapters were very hard to stomach. The text brought back a wave of emotions that I had felt when we lost Olivia. And, most disturbing was that my current attitude was a mirror of that of Mac, the main character.

You can probably imagine that at this point, I was emotionally drained and ready to put aside this book that placed me in all the emotional places I had no desire of revisiting. The empathy that I had for Mac ran deep. It was as if he and I were in exactly the same place with God. Both were acknowledging his existence, neither were interested in drawing near to Him and his questionable character.

Something made me persevere in my reading. Maybe it was the fact that I have my own "young Paul William," the name of my eldest, and that anything written by someone with that name must be "true." My best guess is that it was the hope that things were about to turn around for Mac and by association for me as well. I thank God that I was able to stay with it because what I was about to experience would become quite an insight into the small way I perceive God.... my limited perception of a limited, uncaring and uninvolved God.

Thank you God for the insights you have given me through William Paul Young. This book has been a blessing. Now I find myself running to God instead of from Him. Thank you, Paul, for being a willing servant. You have brought glory to Him to whom we owe everything.

May God continue to bless His work through The Shack.

"I Believe in Miracles" recorded by Newsong

I never saw a man that walked on water
I never heard a voice that could calm the sea
Raise the dead or feed five thousand
But in my heart I do believe

I was in a desperate situation
Drowning in a sea of my own sin
And it would take a miracle to save me
That's when I reached toward heaven
Felt someone touch me
I looked up and I saw Him

And I believe in miracles
I'm a miracle myself
And I believe the good Lord hears
The ones who cry for help
And after all that He has done for me
I believe, I do believe in miracles

So many people look for signs and wonders
They miss the greatest miracle of all
Well it's the miracle of sweet salvation
That's when the God of heaven
Comes down to live inside of someone's heart


When it feels like my strength is almost gone
And my faith is weak
Lord, You're always there for me
You make it easy to believe

Searching for Financial Freedom

Do you remember the movie "Wall Street" and its main character, Gordon Gekko? Gekko is played by actor Michael Douglas. Douglas did an outstanding job of representing the collective American psyche and its penitent for stuff. You may recall this quote from the movie that really sums up the character's philosophy on American Capitalist Society:

The point is, ladies and gentleman, that greed -- for lack of a better word -- is good.

Greed is right.

Greed works.

Greed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.

Greed, in all of its forms -- greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge -- has marked the upward surge of mankind.

I will leave you with this question to ponder...Is greed inherently bad? Take a look at this clip from "Saturday Night Live" I have posted below and then leave your comments. I would be interested to hear what you have to say.

Looking for Fun

I really enjoyed watching this video. It is fascinating to see such talented kids. Hope you enjoy watching this little one as much as I do.

Finding Peace

It is easy to let the strain and stress get to you.  I'm not sure what happens to those who grow bitter over time.  Maybe they lose a sense of joy, optimism or wonder.

Recently, I attended a gathering for a group of retiring teachers.  To a person, they all seemed bitter and even angry.  It is as if they felt the world had turned against them and the only defense they had was to spew venom in defense.

I always figured that one's outlook on life is a personal choice.  Life deals us many situations that are difficult, painful or depressing.  The question is, "how do you react to these situations?"  Are you a helpless victim?  Do you crave revenge or justice on those who have wronged you?  Or, do you take it in stride and just keep on plugging?

All the bad, evil, negative can consume you, if you choose to let it.  But, if one focuses on what is true, noble, worthy of praise, one can stay positive in difficult situations.

This past year has been a difficult one with the loss of my daughter.  Still, I will choose to keep moving forward, renewing my mind and spirit.  Moving forward by focusing on beauty, love, faith, honor and those ideals that are worthy of praise.