What are we Missing?
November 22, 2008
We’ve probably all heard the story of the rich, young man in the Bible who came to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. After a brief interchange about the commandments Jesus tells the rich young man, “One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (Mark 10:21) The Bible then states that the man went away sad. This rich young man was not willing to give up his wealth to follow the Lord. This one thing kept Him from being a follower of Christ. The last time I read this story I started thinking of what happened after this story. What did this man miss because of his refusal to give Christ everything? We don’t know of everything that this man might had seen if he had followed the commands of Jesus, sold his wealth and followed Christ but we do know the man missed the following:
- Blind Bartimaeus receives sight
- Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem
- The withering of the fig tree Jesus condemned
- Numerous teachings of the Lord
- The last supper
- The resurrection!!!
- The ascension
This is only a list of what he missed up until the ascension. If he had joined the disciples he might have also participated in some of the adventures and witnessed some of the same miracles as those who started the church.
Kind of makes me think, what do we miss when we refuse to give Jesus everything? What blessings do we miss? What miracles do we not see? What teachings of the Lord do we miss? What are we missing? If we’re holding on to one thing, I bet we’re missing a lot – just like the rich, young man.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Title: Sarah Palin
The political arena and much of America is abuzz over John McCain’s recent choice of Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential candidate.
Ever since the announcement I have heard numerous and very different opinions on his choice. Some have called the choice brilliant and Rush Limbaugh is excited by the pick saying “It's a great pick.” On the other side of the argument, Michael Savage has gone so far as to ask if John McCain is throwing the election saying, “Why else would he chose an inexperienced woman, whose only apparent qualification is that she won a beauty pageant in the 1980s?”
Both arguments have some very interesting points.
First on the Rush Limbaugh Republican side there is no doubt the pick has energized some Republicans who have been upset by the nomination of John McCain. Many evangelicals are happy with the choice of a candidate who touts a strong pro-life stance and it gives many of them a reason to compromise strongly held views by voting for McCain.
On the Michael Savage side of the coin we have many individuals asking why McCain would pick someone without much experience after making his experience a major point in his campaign. Michael Savage echoes the ideas of some Republicans and political pundits when saying, “McCain, in defiance of all logic, undermined his strong suit by selecting a political neophyte who waters down his key advantage over Obama.” (http://www.michaelsavage.com/)
My opinion on why McCain chose Palin is best explained in points one and two in an article on politico by Jim Vandehei and John F. Harris who list “6 things Palin pick says about McCain.” The first two things listed in the article (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12997.html) are, “He’s desperate” and “He’s willing to gamble – Bigtime”. John McCain must know he is losing in the polls and is behind in my battleground states, including Virginia which has a recent record of voting Republican in Presidential elections. The authors compare his pick to a “Hail Mary pass in football.” The campaign is willing to take a gamble because they realize there is nothing to lose. McCain doesn’t have time to play it safe. It’s time to throw the ball deep and see if a miracle can happen. Will it work? Personally, I doubt it, but only time will tell.
The best word to describe my feelings on his choice is indifference. Her becoming the Vice Presidential candidate does not change any of McCain’s position of which I have strong disagreements. The Vice President simply does not have enough influence or power for me to vote for John McCain becuase of Sarah Palin. I could not stomach a vote for John McCain if I myself were on the bottom half of the ticket. If Sarah Palin was the Presidential nomination I would have a more difficult time deciding between her and Chuck Baldwin. Sadly, the Presidential nominee is still John McCain and I will not vote for someone I believe will lead the country down the wrong path. I will not take the bait that McCain is dangling in front me.
The political arena and much of America is abuzz over John McCain’s recent choice of Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential candidate.
Ever since the announcement I have heard numerous and very different opinions on his choice. Some have called the choice brilliant and Rush Limbaugh is excited by the pick saying “It's a great pick.” On the other side of the argument, Michael Savage has gone so far as to ask if John McCain is throwing the election saying, “Why else would he chose an inexperienced woman, whose only apparent qualification is that she won a beauty pageant in the 1980s?”
Both arguments have some very interesting points.
First on the Rush Limbaugh Republican side there is no doubt the pick has energized some Republicans who have been upset by the nomination of John McCain. Many evangelicals are happy with the choice of a candidate who touts a strong pro-life stance and it gives many of them a reason to compromise strongly held views by voting for McCain.
On the Michael Savage side of the coin we have many individuals asking why McCain would pick someone without much experience after making his experience a major point in his campaign. Michael Savage echoes the ideas of some Republicans and political pundits when saying, “McCain, in defiance of all logic, undermined his strong suit by selecting a political neophyte who waters down his key advantage over Obama.” (http://www.michaelsavage.com/)
My opinion on why McCain chose Palin is best explained in points one and two in an article on politico by Jim Vandehei and John F. Harris who list “6 things Palin pick says about McCain.” The first two things listed in the article (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12997.html) are, “He’s desperate” and “He’s willing to gamble – Bigtime”. John McCain must know he is losing in the polls and is behind in my battleground states, including Virginia which has a recent record of voting Republican in Presidential elections. The authors compare his pick to a “Hail Mary pass in football.” The campaign is willing to take a gamble because they realize there is nothing to lose. McCain doesn’t have time to play it safe. It’s time to throw the ball deep and see if a miracle can happen. Will it work? Personally, I doubt it, but only time will tell.
The best word to describe my feelings on his choice is indifference. Her becoming the Vice Presidential candidate does not change any of McCain’s position of which I have strong disagreements. The Vice President simply does not have enough influence or power for me to vote for John McCain becuase of Sarah Palin. I could not stomach a vote for John McCain if I myself were on the bottom half of the ticket. If Sarah Palin was the Presidential nomination I would have a more difficult time deciding between her and Chuck Baldwin. Sadly, the Presidential nominee is still John McCain and I will not vote for someone I believe will lead the country down the wrong path. I will not take the bait that McCain is dangling in front me.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Last night (Monday, August 18, 2008) I had the privilege of being a guest on Voice for Liberty with Pastor Terry Hardison. Voice for Liberty is a live television show that airs on the local FamilyNet affiliate in Martinsville, VA. Pastor Hardison asked me to be a guest on his show to talk about Chuck Baldwin’s campaign for President.
I had a wonderful time speaking with Pastor Hardison about Baldwin’s campaign and the issues surrounding this Presidential election. The entire show is just about an hour. You might need a broadband connect to watch the show and this link might not be active forever, but should be active for the new few weeks.
http://www.ustream.tv/swf/4/viewer.16.swf?&loc=/&vid=645566
I had a wonderful time speaking with Pastor Hardison about Baldwin’s campaign and the issues surrounding this Presidential election. The entire show is just about an hour. You might need a broadband connect to watch the show and this link might not be active forever, but should be active for the new few weeks.
http://www.ustream.tv/swf/4/viewer.16.swf?&loc=/&vid=645566
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
My Open Letter to Dr. Dobson
Dear Dr. Dobson:
I have always respected you and looked to your Christian leadership in this country. I have therefore been listening to views on the upcoming election. Your stance on the right to life, preserving the family and willingness to speak out against moral evils has been a beacon of light in a country that seems to grow darker by the day. And I haven’t yet mentioned Focus on the Family which has always been and continues to be a wonderful and much needed ministry. You have always stood for what is right and I know there are countless individuals blessed by your ministry.
I am confused, however, by your recent statement that you might consider supporting John McCain for President. When you first took a stance against supporting Senator McCain you mentioned several reasons including the Senator’s views on embryonic stem cell research and his unwillingness to defend the natural institution of marriage and family. In your statement released to the Laura Ingraham show you said your stance was based on “a matter of conscience.” In your latest statement you said your new consideration of endorsing McCain was based on a "constantly changing political context."
You are correct in saying the political context is constantly changing. What have not changed are John McCain’s views on allowing the ending of human life through embryonic stem cell research. He has not changed his views on defending the family. He has not apologized for refusing to support tax cuts, organizing the gang of 14 to oppose President Bush’s judicial nominees or for limiting our right to free speech through his McCain-Feingold bill.
If your original stance to not support or vote for Senator McCain was based on conscience because of the Senator’s political stances and those stances have not changed, why would you now consider voting for and possibly even endorsing McCain?
Has your position been changed because of a fear of Barak Obama? Matthew 10:28 says"… Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Psalms 56:11 says, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Dr. Dobson, you have always stood strong for what is right and always presented God’s Word and commands regardless of what was going on in the country. I am concerned you may now be allowing a fear of Barak Obama to allow yourself to vote for a man you know is not a true conservative and does not follow the Lord’s commands.
In 2007, you also said, “Polls don't measure right and wrong; voting according to the possibility of winning or losing can lead directly to the compromise of one's principles. In the present political climate, it could result in the abandonment of cherished beliefs that conservative Christians have promoted and defended for decades. Winning the presidential election is vitally important, but not at the expense of what we hold most dear." ("The Values Test," the New York Times, Oct. 4, 2007) We must continue to stand for what is right, even if that means not voting at all or voting for a smaller party candidate. We must continue to stand up for what is right by refusing to vote for those who will not only harm America but ignore God’s laws.
Dr. Dobson, we need you to stand strong in this election. There are so many Christians like myself who continue to look to you for leadership and guidance in difficult times. We need you to continue to remind us that we must follow God and His commands regardless of what our country does. We need leaders like yourself to remind us that when we vote for someone who will allow the slaughter of the unborn to continue (and often paid for by our tax money) that we have innocent blood on our hands.
I urge you to look again at John McCain’s record in the Senate. I urge you to look again at his stance that allows the ending of the smallest human life. Look again at his stance against tax cuts, against allowing a vote on judicial nominees, against securing our borders and against allowing our right to free speech. I know the political landscape is difficult to navigate and always changing. We should not, however, allow a changing landscape to change our God given conscience. For we know the Lord and His commands never change.
Sincerely,
Nathan Rice
Portsmouth, VA
Dear Dr. Dobson:
I have always respected you and looked to your Christian leadership in this country. I have therefore been listening to views on the upcoming election. Your stance on the right to life, preserving the family and willingness to speak out against moral evils has been a beacon of light in a country that seems to grow darker by the day. And I haven’t yet mentioned Focus on the Family which has always been and continues to be a wonderful and much needed ministry. You have always stood for what is right and I know there are countless individuals blessed by your ministry.
I am confused, however, by your recent statement that you might consider supporting John McCain for President. When you first took a stance against supporting Senator McCain you mentioned several reasons including the Senator’s views on embryonic stem cell research and his unwillingness to defend the natural institution of marriage and family. In your statement released to the Laura Ingraham show you said your stance was based on “a matter of conscience.” In your latest statement you said your new consideration of endorsing McCain was based on a "constantly changing political context."
You are correct in saying the political context is constantly changing. What have not changed are John McCain’s views on allowing the ending of human life through embryonic stem cell research. He has not changed his views on defending the family. He has not apologized for refusing to support tax cuts, organizing the gang of 14 to oppose President Bush’s judicial nominees or for limiting our right to free speech through his McCain-Feingold bill.
If your original stance to not support or vote for Senator McCain was based on conscience because of the Senator’s political stances and those stances have not changed, why would you now consider voting for and possibly even endorsing McCain?
Has your position been changed because of a fear of Barak Obama? Matthew 10:28 says"… Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Psalms 56:11 says, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Dr. Dobson, you have always stood strong for what is right and always presented God’s Word and commands regardless of what was going on in the country. I am concerned you may now be allowing a fear of Barak Obama to allow yourself to vote for a man you know is not a true conservative and does not follow the Lord’s commands.
In 2007, you also said, “Polls don't measure right and wrong; voting according to the possibility of winning or losing can lead directly to the compromise of one's principles. In the present political climate, it could result in the abandonment of cherished beliefs that conservative Christians have promoted and defended for decades. Winning the presidential election is vitally important, but not at the expense of what we hold most dear." ("The Values Test," the New York Times, Oct. 4, 2007) We must continue to stand for what is right, even if that means not voting at all or voting for a smaller party candidate. We must continue to stand up for what is right by refusing to vote for those who will not only harm America but ignore God’s laws.
Dr. Dobson, we need you to stand strong in this election. There are so many Christians like myself who continue to look to you for leadership and guidance in difficult times. We need you to continue to remind us that we must follow God and His commands regardless of what our country does. We need leaders like yourself to remind us that when we vote for someone who will allow the slaughter of the unborn to continue (and often paid for by our tax money) that we have innocent blood on our hands.
I urge you to look again at John McCain’s record in the Senate. I urge you to look again at his stance that allows the ending of the smallest human life. Look again at his stance against tax cuts, against allowing a vote on judicial nominees, against securing our borders and against allowing our right to free speech. I know the political landscape is difficult to navigate and always changing. We should not, however, allow a changing landscape to change our God given conscience. For we know the Lord and His commands never change.
Sincerely,
Nathan Rice
Portsmouth, VA
Saturday, August 02, 2008
John McCain and the Second Amendment
McCain is a smart politician and knows that in order to gain Republican support he must claim to be a supporter of the second amendment. Now first of all, John McCain ignored and destroyed the first amendment so why would we trust him to uphold any of the other amendments in our Constitution? As you know the second amendment affirms the rights of individuals to own firearms. Not only does it support this right it even says that it shall not even be infringed upon. So how does the Senator’s record stand on the issue? Well, the Gun Owner’s of America website lists Senator McCain with a rating of ‘F’ for 2006. They justify their rating on their website, http://www.gunowners.org/mccaintb.htm. Senator McCain also only managed a rating of ‘C’ from the NRA in 2004. So Senator McCain does not stand strong for my right to keep and bear arms or have them infringed upon. I therefore have yet another disagreement with the Senator from Arizona and will choose to vote for someone who stands strong in the fight for my rights.
McCain is a smart politician and knows that in order to gain Republican support he must claim to be a supporter of the second amendment. Now first of all, John McCain ignored and destroyed the first amendment so why would we trust him to uphold any of the other amendments in our Constitution? As you know the second amendment affirms the rights of individuals to own firearms. Not only does it support this right it even says that it shall not even be infringed upon. So how does the Senator’s record stand on the issue? Well, the Gun Owner’s of America website lists Senator McCain with a rating of ‘F’ for 2006. They justify their rating on their website, http://www.gunowners.org/mccaintb.htm. Senator McCain also only managed a rating of ‘C’ from the NRA in 2004. So Senator McCain does not stand strong for my right to keep and bear arms or have them infringed upon. I therefore have yet another disagreement with the Senator from Arizona and will choose to vote for someone who stands strong in the fight for my rights.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Originally Posted: June 15, 2008
Title: John McCain: Blog 1
With the upcoming elections I have had numerous conservatives and Republicans ask me if I will be voting for or support John McCain for President. Before anything else let me say I appreciate Senator McCain's military service. John McCain is a war hero and is deserving of our gratitude and respect.
However, as a conservative and as one who believes in a limited constitutional government, I cannot and will not support or vote for John McCain. Our political views are just too different for me to support Senator McCain. In this, my first blog about McCain, I will show two of the numerous reasons I will not be casting my vote for McCain.
Those of you reading this who follow politics probably already know what I am about to say: McCain-Feingold and McCain-Kennedy. If the national Republican party was still a truly conservative party these two bills would have been a fatal blow to the senator's presidential hopes.
Along with many individuals in this country I am concerned with the grossly ignored problem of illegal immigration. So what was the Republican Presidential hopeful's answer to the problem? Get together with one of the most socialist liberal senators and offer the illegals amnesty. Senator Kennedy said of the bill, ""Those who have lived here, who have basically played by the rules, worked hard . . . they, I believe, ought to be able to adjust their status," Am I the only to realize that entering the country illegally is not "playing by the rules"? I am not for amnesty for illegal aliens – John McCain is. Thankfully, after the American people heard and understood this bill the outcry was so loud the bill never became law.
Secondly, McCain-Feingold, The bill that denies free speech and ignores the first amendment, is an accomplishment for the senator. While this bill is disguised in the words of "soft money" and "527-oranizaitons" the bill basically limits some organizations from purchasing political ads within a certain period of time before an election. Evidently Senator McCain believes the government has the right to tell organizations when they can exercise their right of free speech. John McCain believes in trampling on free speech and ignoring the first amendment – I do not.
These two bills alone are enough to have me vow to never vote for McCain. Sadly there are other things and I will look at these on my next blog. Oh – and before I end this I should not fail to point out that both of these bills were supported by President George w. Bush with McCain-Feingold being signed into law.
I look forward to hearing from my conservative friends. Perhaps those of you who support McCain can convince me to rethink my stance. I seriously doubt it, but you can try.
Let the debating begin…
Title: John McCain: Blog 1
With the upcoming elections I have had numerous conservatives and Republicans ask me if I will be voting for or support John McCain for President. Before anything else let me say I appreciate Senator McCain's military service. John McCain is a war hero and is deserving of our gratitude and respect.
However, as a conservative and as one who believes in a limited constitutional government, I cannot and will not support or vote for John McCain. Our political views are just too different for me to support Senator McCain. In this, my first blog about McCain, I will show two of the numerous reasons I will not be casting my vote for McCain.
Those of you reading this who follow politics probably already know what I am about to say: McCain-Feingold and McCain-Kennedy. If the national Republican party was still a truly conservative party these two bills would have been a fatal blow to the senator's presidential hopes.
Along with many individuals in this country I am concerned with the grossly ignored problem of illegal immigration. So what was the Republican Presidential hopeful's answer to the problem? Get together with one of the most socialist liberal senators and offer the illegals amnesty. Senator Kennedy said of the bill, ""Those who have lived here, who have basically played by the rules, worked hard . . . they, I believe, ought to be able to adjust their status," Am I the only to realize that entering the country illegally is not "playing by the rules"? I am not for amnesty for illegal aliens – John McCain is. Thankfully, after the American people heard and understood this bill the outcry was so loud the bill never became law.
Secondly, McCain-Feingold, The bill that denies free speech and ignores the first amendment, is an accomplishment for the senator. While this bill is disguised in the words of "soft money" and "527-oranizaitons" the bill basically limits some organizations from purchasing political ads within a certain period of time before an election. Evidently Senator McCain believes the government has the right to tell organizations when they can exercise their right of free speech. John McCain believes in trampling on free speech and ignoring the first amendment – I do not.
These two bills alone are enough to have me vow to never vote for McCain. Sadly there are other things and I will look at these on my next blog. Oh – and before I end this I should not fail to point out that both of these bills were supported by President George w. Bush with McCain-Feingold being signed into law.
I look forward to hearing from my conservative friends. Perhaps those of you who support McCain can convince me to rethink my stance. I seriously doubt it, but you can try.
Let the debating begin…
Originally Posted: Saturday, May 03, 2008
Title: The Norfolk Tides, Baltimore Orioles and God
I just returned for a Norfolk Tides baseball game and it made me think. As much as I root for the Tides and cheer them on, the Norfolk Tides do not exist to win games. For those of you unfamiliar with baseball, let me explain, and if you don't like sports just bear with me for a minute.
The Norfolk Tides are the AAA "Farm Team" for the Major League Baseball team Baltimore Orioles. Every major league team has an A league farm team, AA league farm team and AAA league farm team. If a player is good enough in the A league they move to AA and if they continue to play well to AAA and eventually into the major leagues.
While I get caught up in the game and cheer for the Tides I often fail to remember that the Norfolk Tides exist for one reason and one reason only: To train players who will help the Baltimore Orioles. If a player is doing great for the Tides he doesn't stay to help Norfolk win games. He is "called up" to play for the Baltimore Orioles and help them win games. The wins and losses for the Norfolk Tides don't really matter. As long as they provide quality players to the Baltimore Orioles they have done their job.
So what does this have to do you with you, me and God? How often do we forget that we exist for one reason and one reason only? We exist to glorify God. Our wins and losses don't matter. Our failures and our victories don't matter. If we glorify God with our lives and what we do then what happens to us doesn't matter.
Jesus Himself realized this. Remember as He knew His time was drawing near to die he said, ""Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!"" (John 10:27-28) He came to glorify His Father's Name. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus said, "…Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Why should we do good deeds? To bring our Father praise and to glorify His name.
We continue in the Bible and see 1 Peter 4:11 which says, "…If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ…." 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
In his letter to the Romans Paul wrote, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus," (Romans 15:5) Why does Paul pray for endurance and encouragement for his Brothers and Sisters in Rome? So they will feel better? No. He says, "so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:6) The endurance and encouragement is to bring the Father glory.
We live in a very me-centered culture. Take care of yourself because no one else will and look out for number one. How often we forget that we exist for one reason – to glorify God. I pray that all my wins and losses glory God. All my pain and suffering – may it glorify God. After all, that is the reason I exist and the sooner I remember that fact the sooner I'll stop worrying about me and will concentrate of what I'm here to do: Glorify my Father.
Just like the Norfolk Tides exist to benefit the Baltimore Orioles and not themselves we exist to glorify God and not ourselves.
May all I do glorify the King!
*All verses are NIV
Title: The Norfolk Tides, Baltimore Orioles and God
I just returned for a Norfolk Tides baseball game and it made me think. As much as I root for the Tides and cheer them on, the Norfolk Tides do not exist to win games. For those of you unfamiliar with baseball, let me explain, and if you don't like sports just bear with me for a minute.
The Norfolk Tides are the AAA "Farm Team" for the Major League Baseball team Baltimore Orioles. Every major league team has an A league farm team, AA league farm team and AAA league farm team. If a player is good enough in the A league they move to AA and if they continue to play well to AAA and eventually into the major leagues.
While I get caught up in the game and cheer for the Tides I often fail to remember that the Norfolk Tides exist for one reason and one reason only: To train players who will help the Baltimore Orioles. If a player is doing great for the Tides he doesn't stay to help Norfolk win games. He is "called up" to play for the Baltimore Orioles and help them win games. The wins and losses for the Norfolk Tides don't really matter. As long as they provide quality players to the Baltimore Orioles they have done their job.
So what does this have to do you with you, me and God? How often do we forget that we exist for one reason and one reason only? We exist to glorify God. Our wins and losses don't matter. Our failures and our victories don't matter. If we glorify God with our lives and what we do then what happens to us doesn't matter.
Jesus Himself realized this. Remember as He knew His time was drawing near to die he said, ""Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!"" (John 10:27-28) He came to glorify His Father's Name. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus said, "…Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Why should we do good deeds? To bring our Father praise and to glorify His name.
We continue in the Bible and see 1 Peter 4:11 which says, "…If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ…." 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
In his letter to the Romans Paul wrote, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus," (Romans 15:5) Why does Paul pray for endurance and encouragement for his Brothers and Sisters in Rome? So they will feel better? No. He says, "so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 15:6) The endurance and encouragement is to bring the Father glory.
We live in a very me-centered culture. Take care of yourself because no one else will and look out for number one. How often we forget that we exist for one reason – to glorify God. I pray that all my wins and losses glory God. All my pain and suffering – may it glorify God. After all, that is the reason I exist and the sooner I remember that fact the sooner I'll stop worrying about me and will concentrate of what I'm here to do: Glorify my Father.
Just like the Norfolk Tides exist to benefit the Baltimore Orioles and not themselves we exist to glorify God and not ourselves.
May all I do glorify the King!
*All verses are NIV
Originally Posted: Monday, November 26, 2007
Title: Not so funny anymore
Everyone who knows me knows I am a big sports fan. As the NFL season starts getting down to the last few weeks of the regular season it seems all the better. There's nothing quite like watching a rivalry game or watching a team trying to make the playoffs. And what's better than watching the Steelers win against the Cleveland Clowns…errr, Browns – excuse me.
However, the one thing that annoys me about watching sports on TV is the insane amount of commercials. If you've ever watched a game on TV you know there are a large amount of commercials for alcohol during each and every game. Budweiser and other beer makers are known for their funny and creative commercials. I've laughed at many alcohol commercials. Lately, however, I've started to be more and more annoyed by these commercials.
So many of their commercials are filled with good looking, young men and women having a good time while enjoying one of their alcoholic beverages. They have a great way of making alcohol look like a drink for a fun occasion and making alcohol seem like it's for the "cool" people of the world. Alcohol seems funny when you are laughing at their commercials.
Why doesn't Budweiser or another beer company show a commercial of a guy with a big beer belly chugging down another drink at the bar while trying to "drown his sorrows"? Or why don't they show one of these situations in their ads…………
- A man whose wife and children left him because he spends every night drinking.
- A family who is going hungry because all the family income is spent on alcohol.
- The tears of a young girl who was just abused by her drunken mother.
- The reaction of a mother who just found out her son was killed by a drunk driver.
- The face of the man who wakes up from his drunken stupor to find out he lashed out and hit the wife he loves while he was drunk.
- The fear in the face of a young boy who is scared of his drunken father.
Or better yet maybe they should get the families together of the 16,885 people who were killed by a drunk driver in 2005. I'm sure the family of these people would be glad to tell you how "cool and fun" it is to drink if they can stop crying long enough. And why doesn't the alcohol company ever mention the approximately three million violent crimes (including rapes and sexual assaults; robberies; and aggravated and simple assaults) that occur each year in which the victims perceive the offender to have been drinking at the time of the offense? I guess that wouldn't be too funny now, would it?
I know many people reading my blog will say, "I only drink responsibly" and "I would never do 'anything like that'". Perhaps that is the case, but I don't ever want to take that chance. I also don't ever want to give one penny to a company that has helped destroy some many lives.
I've seen and laughed at countless beer commercials but when I start looking at the statistics they just don't seem as funny anymore.
Title: Not so funny anymore
Everyone who knows me knows I am a big sports fan. As the NFL season starts getting down to the last few weeks of the regular season it seems all the better. There's nothing quite like watching a rivalry game or watching a team trying to make the playoffs. And what's better than watching the Steelers win against the Cleveland Clowns…errr, Browns – excuse me.
However, the one thing that annoys me about watching sports on TV is the insane amount of commercials. If you've ever watched a game on TV you know there are a large amount of commercials for alcohol during each and every game. Budweiser and other beer makers are known for their funny and creative commercials. I've laughed at many alcohol commercials. Lately, however, I've started to be more and more annoyed by these commercials.
So many of their commercials are filled with good looking, young men and women having a good time while enjoying one of their alcoholic beverages. They have a great way of making alcohol look like a drink for a fun occasion and making alcohol seem like it's for the "cool" people of the world. Alcohol seems funny when you are laughing at their commercials.
Why doesn't Budweiser or another beer company show a commercial of a guy with a big beer belly chugging down another drink at the bar while trying to "drown his sorrows"? Or why don't they show one of these situations in their ads…………
- A man whose wife and children left him because he spends every night drinking.
- A family who is going hungry because all the family income is spent on alcohol.
- The tears of a young girl who was just abused by her drunken mother.
- The reaction of a mother who just found out her son was killed by a drunk driver.
- The face of the man who wakes up from his drunken stupor to find out he lashed out and hit the wife he loves while he was drunk.
- The fear in the face of a young boy who is scared of his drunken father.
Or better yet maybe they should get the families together of the 16,885 people who were killed by a drunk driver in 2005. I'm sure the family of these people would be glad to tell you how "cool and fun" it is to drink if they can stop crying long enough. And why doesn't the alcohol company ever mention the approximately three million violent crimes (including rapes and sexual assaults; robberies; and aggravated and simple assaults) that occur each year in which the victims perceive the offender to have been drinking at the time of the offense? I guess that wouldn't be too funny now, would it?
I know many people reading my blog will say, "I only drink responsibly" and "I would never do 'anything like that'". Perhaps that is the case, but I don't ever want to take that chance. I also don't ever want to give one penny to a company that has helped destroy some many lives.
I've seen and laughed at countless beer commercials but when I start looking at the statistics they just don't seem as funny anymore.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Originally Posted: September 20, 2007
Title: Joy To The World!
Yes, I know Christmas is still several months away, but it made for a good title.
I've been thinking a lot lately about the subject of joy. It seems like most of us, myself included, miss out on a lot of the pleasures in life that God has given to us.
Think about the beginning of the world. After each one of the six days of creation God said "it was good." In Genesis 2:8 it says the trees were "pleasing to the eye" and when Eve was hanging around the forbidden fruit tree the Bible says the fruit was also "pleasing to the eye." If we simply look around at the beauty of the world today we can only imagine the magnificent views and beauty the world had before thousands of years of sin and decay. Now while the Bible doesn't say this and it's strictly my imagination I can almost picture God saying "They're going to like this" as He created the world. From the start of the world our Lord was making things beautiful for us.
In Jeremiah 32:41 God says "Oh how I'll delight in doing good things for them!" (The Message) At the start of God's dialog He says how He will allow Babylon to capture Israel because of their sins, but He then says starts talking about He will restore them and how He will delight in this. I think it's amazing how the Lord, almighty God, Creator of heaven of earth will take delight in restoring His people. And in this verse God says He delights in doing good things for His people!
And talk about doing good things – In Luke 2:10 an angel tells the shepherds, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." God once again comes to the rescue of His people – this time by sending His Son to die for our sins.
Too often I think we miss "love notes" from the Lord. Perhaps every morning when we wake up to the sun shining it's one of God's ways to say "Good morning. I love you." And even when it's raining in the morning, maybe it's God's way of saying, "Good morning. Today I'm allowing your water to refresh and your food to grow. I love you."
Perhaps when we get together as Christians and have fun, when we laugh and just enjoy being together, God is saying, "Have fun together. I love y'all." Okay, so maybe God doesn't say "y'all" but you get my point. Much like a parent who will take his or her child somewhere just so they will have fun maybe God allows us to go places, just to have fun. I believe that just like a parent enjoys watching their children opening up a Christmas or birthday gift and seeing the happiness in their face God enjoy giving us gifts and watching us enjoy them.
So maybe you and I should try to be more receptive to our Heavenly Father's "love notes." Perhaps we should even say thank you every now and then. And maybe we should even say "I love You" back to Him. In fact, I've been trying over the past month to say "I love You" to Him at least once a day. I urge you to try it – It's amazing what it can do.
Title: Joy To The World!
Yes, I know Christmas is still several months away, but it made for a good title.
I've been thinking a lot lately about the subject of joy. It seems like most of us, myself included, miss out on a lot of the pleasures in life that God has given to us.
Think about the beginning of the world. After each one of the six days of creation God said "it was good." In Genesis 2:8 it says the trees were "pleasing to the eye" and when Eve was hanging around the forbidden fruit tree the Bible says the fruit was also "pleasing to the eye." If we simply look around at the beauty of the world today we can only imagine the magnificent views and beauty the world had before thousands of years of sin and decay. Now while the Bible doesn't say this and it's strictly my imagination I can almost picture God saying "They're going to like this" as He created the world. From the start of the world our Lord was making things beautiful for us.
In Jeremiah 32:41 God says "Oh how I'll delight in doing good things for them!" (The Message) At the start of God's dialog He says how He will allow Babylon to capture Israel because of their sins, but He then says starts talking about He will restore them and how He will delight in this. I think it's amazing how the Lord, almighty God, Creator of heaven of earth will take delight in restoring His people. And in this verse God says He delights in doing good things for His people!
And talk about doing good things – In Luke 2:10 an angel tells the shepherds, "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." God once again comes to the rescue of His people – this time by sending His Son to die for our sins.
Too often I think we miss "love notes" from the Lord. Perhaps every morning when we wake up to the sun shining it's one of God's ways to say "Good morning. I love you." And even when it's raining in the morning, maybe it's God's way of saying, "Good morning. Today I'm allowing your water to refresh and your food to grow. I love you."
Perhaps when we get together as Christians and have fun, when we laugh and just enjoy being together, God is saying, "Have fun together. I love y'all." Okay, so maybe God doesn't say "y'all" but you get my point. Much like a parent who will take his or her child somewhere just so they will have fun maybe God allows us to go places, just to have fun. I believe that just like a parent enjoys watching their children opening up a Christmas or birthday gift and seeing the happiness in their face God enjoy giving us gifts and watching us enjoy them.
So maybe you and I should try to be more receptive to our Heavenly Father's "love notes." Perhaps we should even say thank you every now and then. And maybe we should even say "I love You" back to Him. In fact, I've been trying over the past month to say "I love You" to Him at least once a day. I urge you to try it – It's amazing what it can do.
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