Do we remember?

Like some of you, I have been thinking about the events of September 11, 2001 quite a bit for the past few days. I have looked at the pictures and memories have come alive again. Most of our nation has made the statement, "We will never forget". But do we really remember? In our Youtube and Video game age with quick cuts and new releases around every corner; do we really remember what happened only 7 years ago? I wonder how quickly the vivid memory of Dec. 7th faded from the minds of Americans. Did I make any of you have to think twice about that date? It' the date of the sneak attacks on Pearl Harbor. I have a hard time believing that we truly remember the 9/11 events when many of us can rail on about an unjust war in Iraq. I think that the problem is few of us can empathize without in depth video clips. So since our media doesn't show us pictures of the torture that Iraqi's endured for so many years, or the quality of life that many citizens of Iraq now enjoy, we think that it wasn't that bad and that we should have kept our noses out of it all. How self-centered are we? Every single on of us wanted action on September 11th, because it hit us at home! One of our greatest fears is that the closest Starbucks to us is on the closing list! We don't have to worry if our child will be killed on the way to school, if they were allowed to go to school. Let's not forget the foundation for what happened on September 11th and the people that experience those types of events regularly if people like us don't step up. I thank God for the men and women fighting to defend our country and those who can't defend themselves! Thanks Nate.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,421282,00.html

Go for the Bronze!

Everybody loves Michael Phelps. He's a champion. Everybody usually loves the best in the game. How many people start out in life saying, "I hope I have to scrape by for the rest of my life." "I hope I get all C's on my report card," or "man, I really hope I finish third in that race tomorrow. " Why? Because most of us want the best in every part of our life. Of course, there are always the slackers in life. But for the most part we would all like to be the best at our job, in school or whatever we may be doing. We definitely want the best things or more money. Nobody really strives to be mediocre.
But why do we settle for mediocrity or worse in our spiritual lives? I constantly find myself settling for less than what God has planned for me. I look around and the church is constantly reveling in its mediocrity. Why do we demand so much from ourselves and others in work, school, sports and fun and then settle for so much less in our relationship with the almighty creator of the universe? I think we have forgotten who we are dealing with. In Hebrews 10, the Holy Spirit is trying to pound into our heads the idea that we better take seriously our relationship with Jesus Christ. So often, I think many of us are on the verge of trampling on the Son of God.
The only way to wake ourselves up is to remember who we used to be (Hebrews 10) and get back in God's Word. Renew your love for Him, remember what you used to be without Him, and start really living for Him.

I need a Football helmet.

Oh, the mind of a toddler! I am amazed and puzzled by watching my youngest son. Everything he experiences is new and fresh and full of possibilities. Simple things can be so difficult and yet things that perplex us can be plain and simple for him. A set of steps is a virtual Mt. Everest waiting to be conquered and yet an awkward moment when someone is crying is crystal clear. If they are sad, they need a hug/tackle and a sloppy (open mouth) slobbery kiss.
Sometimes I find myself thinking him silly when he refuses help on a difficult task. I laugh or grow frustrated as he struggles to complete something that seems so easy for me. It's common for me to think how childish and short-sighted he can be. But am I different?
How many times have I struggled through life, refusing assistance from the God who made me and saved me. What was excruciatingly troublesome for me was unbelievably simple for Him. Yet there I was, banging my head against that spiritual wall while my God was there all along trying to help lift me over it.
He is able to see through, over or around any obstacle that comes my way. If only I would just grow up and recognize it. But maybe that's the problem. Maybe I'm too "grown up". Maybe I need that "faith like a child." Because, now that I think about it, my little one is the first to hold up his arms for Daddy to carry him when the journey gets too tough. Hold me Jesus.