How do you live your dash?

A gentleman stood up to speak,At the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates in his obit,From the beginning till the end.

He stated, first, the date of birth,Spoke the ending date with tears.

But, he said what mattered most of all,Was the “dash” between those years.

For the “dash” represents the span of time,Our friend spent, alive, on earth.

And only those who knew him,Know what that little “dash” is worth.

For it matters not how much we own.The cars… the house… the cash.

What matter most of all in life,Is how we live our “dash”.

Think about this long and hard,As you live and love and laugh.

Is the something you would like to change,About your epitaph?

Can we be less quick to anger?Show appreciation more?

And love the people in our lives,Like we’ve never loved before?

So, greet everyone with a friendly nod,And present them with a smile.

For your “dash” may only last you,For a precious little while.

And when your eulogy is read,And your life’s work is re-hashed;

You’ll be proud of all the things they say. About how YOU lived your “dash”.

Just a thought!

A POSITIVE THOUGHT ?
If God had a refigerator, your
picture would be on it .
If He had a wallet your photo
would be in it .
He sends you flowers every
spring, and a sunrise every morning.
When you want to talk, He’ll listen .
He could live anywhere in the universe and He chose your Heart.
What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem ?
Not to mention that Friday at Calvary .
FACE IT, He’s CRAZY ABOUT YOU !

How do I remain calm?

Some of you have seen me recently. Some of you only know me through this page. My emotions recently are quite high! I am EXCITED! I am trying to stay calm but it is very difficult. We will be adopting a newborn next month. There is a lot that could happen that would hurt our plans of bringing home this child. Currently...we have a commitment from a mother to have the child be raised by us. We have a baby room with crib, baby changing table, dresser, rocker and decorations. So our status is excited but scared or scared but excited! Our emotions are going crazy. We want to remain calm in case there is an incident (like she changes her mind about us, she runs away, medical issues or even death) that hurts our chances of bringing home the newborn.

We have much support (with or with out a child). But part of the excitement are the people that support us. They are anxious as well! They have been through this adoption journey of ups and downs with us! I am anxiuos to be a Father! I am actually looking forward to changing diapers. Cleaning my shirt from drool. Keeping a wandering eye on a climbing infant. Going to the store late at night for more diapers and formula. Basically......I am anxious to share my life with he or she!

“Killing them with Carols” and other thoughts on the Christmas season!

I had a job at a major clothing retail chain where they specifically hired me to work the most unholy day of the year, a.k.a. “Black Friday.” I’ve always found the concept of Black Friday kind of strange. To most, it represents the first shopping day of the Christmas season, but I’ve never been one to celebrate Christmas so early. It’s seems so crazy that we give ourselves one day to reflect on what we’re thankful for, while the very next day we jump start into Christmas by maxing out credit cards and fulfilling someone else’s lust for high def T.V.’s or designer unnecessary needs. However, I wasn’t planning on shopping that day, so I was always available to work.

Working retail on Black Friday isn’t so bad. For one thing, employers always over compensate for the rush, so it’s not like the store is understaffed, and despite the news reports of people being trampled by fellow Black Friday hellions, most shoppers are courteous, friendly people just trying to get some shopping done. The thing that bothered me the most was the amount of Christmas Carols that were pumped into the store throughout the day. I know it makes me sound like Scrooge, but you know there’s at least one Christmas song that you rather never hear again (there’s a good chance it’s The Little Drummer Boy, but there’s an even better chance that it’s Jingle Bells).
My problem with the overplayed Christmas songs played at work isn’t with the songs themselves, (accept for “Santa Baby,” which I think should be renamed “The Anthem of Marilyn Monroe”). I just don’t see the point in trying to play Christmas songs all day when there’s only been 20 of them ever written. Sure you can play a few different versions of the same song, but it’s still the same song we’ve been singing since the virgin birth. How is it that it’s been over 2,000 years since the birth of Christ, but there have only been a handful of Christmas songs written since then? Needless to say, while at work I’ve heard “Winter wonderland” sung by Judy Garland, Dean Martin and Annie Lennox all within the same hour, and frankly, I’m tired of that song.
The overplay of Christmas songs at the mall isn’t the only reason I’ve developed a somewhat negative attitude towards them. It also has to do with the number of holiday themed slapstick comedies coming out every year that use these wholesome songs as background music for elaborate and unrealistic blunders throughout the movie. Think about all your favorite scenes from Jingle All the Way, The Santa Clause, or Home Alone. If I remember correctly, While Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern were being tortured by a resourceful little 8 year old, there was a heavenly chorus of angels (or Bing Crosby) joyously accentuating their plight with a beautiful Christmas song.
Now, I know playing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” while Arnold Schwarzenegger Sumo wrestles Sinbad in the middle of a toy store is supposed to make that scene seem lighthearted and slightly ironic, but now every time I hear that song I’m convinced something really bad is about to happen, and most likely Christmas décor and a comedic actor will be involved. Those movies have brought on a whole new frightful feeling when I hear Christmas songs. When I was working over the weekend, “Jingle Bell Rock” came on, and I was positive that any minute now, Danny Devito was going to crash through the storefront in a red convertible while wearing a Santa suit. At the very least, someone was going to get trampled by a herd of reindeer.

There is one thing I love about Christmas that no retail store or big box office hit can ruin for me: The Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack. No matter how many times I hear the opening song, “Christmas Time is Here,” I instantly feel at peace with the holiday season. It’s jazzy. It’s youthful. It’s perfect, and somehow, it embodies everything I love about Christmas. I must have heard that song 20 times this weekend and never got sick of it. I probably never will.

You know, Charlie Brown is just awesome in general. Sure, he gets stressed during the holidays, but who doesn’t? Plus I like the fact that he’s probably the most self absorbed cartoon character ever made, yet he’s still a cultural icon. if he would’ve written a book chronicalling his social anxiety during “the Christmas tree fiasco,” I definitly would’ve read it.

Before you comment.....I already know that I look a lot like Charlie Brown.....That is a curse that I am willing to live with!

“Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?”, maybe we should be asking, “Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people?”

The biggest question with evil is, "Why doesn't God prevent it from happening?" If God is really an all-good and all-powerful being, why doesn't he do something?
I bring this subject up because I reminded of my human nature to doubt purpose or reasoning. I know of a college student that survived a nearly fatal accident. I have a neice going through a staph infection on her legs that can not be treated with medication. My mother is dealing with more leg problems and a rash that seems to be spreading. Give me time and I am sure I can mention other issues that people I love are going through!

First of all, God does not create evil; he allows it to occur. When he originally created the world, he created all things good. He created people, however, with the freedom to choose. This includes the freedom to make right and wrong choices. Often those wrong choices bring about consequences that end up hurting ourselves or other people, sometimes innocent victims who didn't deserve it.
As a high school student, I went through a series of tests due to an incident that occured because of the choices I made and eventually had a pacemaker installed. God did not do this to me to punish me or necessarily teach me a lesson; I can blame no one but myself.
Of course, God could intervene and control everything about our lives--the good and the bad--but then we would merely be robots and not truly free. Basically a BORG for those Star Trek fans! He could even force us to love him if he wanted, but then forced love isn't true love. He gives us the freedom to choose or not to choose him, the freedom to live and enjoy life, and the freedom to make right and wrong choices. Unfortunately, we are left to deal with the consequences of our own and other people's actions.
Author C. S. Lewis said that 80 percent of suffering comes from the moral evil of mankind. So what about the other 20 percent? There are some things we will never truly understand here on Earth.
There is good news, however. First of all, the God of love is also a God of justice. For all those who make wrong choices, hurt innocent victims, and get off scot-free, a time is coming when they will face the consequences of their actions. God is the Ultimate Judge, and in due season, God will judge everyone for all their deeds. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:13). Please do not send me email proclaiming a God as a judge with anger....I still view God as a compassionate fair and loving judge! This may date me a bit but I loved the old Andy Hardy movies and always pictured Judge Hardy as mimicing what I think represents God as a Judge.

Second, God often uses the trials of life for a greater good, often to develop our character and makes us stronger through the experience. And we are able to help others in similar circumstances ( I could not have dealt with some opportunities without the experience). I have been able to reach out to disabled students (after my character was changed from complacency to compassion!). Trials also force us to see what is important in life, and often drive us to God when nothing else will. We see the importance of faith, of love, of caring, and of family and friends.
Third, God has provided a way out. A time is coming when there will be no more suffering. In heaven, people will enjoy a paradise beyond imagination. God has created a place of eternal glory where there will be no more crying, pain, sickness, or death; a place where people will share his joy forever.
Finally, God does care! He never promised life would be problem-free (how boring would that be?), but he promised to be with people. Jesus himself felt love, compassion, and sorrow, and was drawn like a magnet to those who were hurting. God, in his love, wants a relationship with us. "For God so loved the world, that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).