Search This Blog

Friday, June 26, 2009

The King has Died (The King Lives)

Late 1970s, the headlines read that The King has Died... Elvis Presley.
June 25, 2009, the headlines read that The King has Died ... Michael Jackson.

Circa 30 AD (depending on which calendar you trust), the people alternately chanted and mourned: The King has Died.

Newspapers for the last 30 years have had "Elvis sightings." No doubt there will be "MJ sightings."

But Jesus appeared to more than 500 people AFTER his death and resurrection. No Photoshop retouched images.

Go ahead and mourn your "king." Mine is alive!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Fathers, Past... Fathers, Present ... Fathers, Future


It seems like I blog in bursts and then sit on my haunches for long periods of time. Much like the rest of life for someone who is very intense. So, it is with great pleasure, fear and trepidation that I delve into where that intensity originated.

Fathers Day. My dad was 24 when I was born, just shy of 35 when going into the Air Force as a chaplain, and is "pushing" 80 now. But he never slows down. Well, maybe slows, but doesn't quit. He is still out there visiting in the hospitals, feeding AIDS patients, preaching at his home church and at the Alzheimer's unit, and cuddling babies that come to church for dedication. Yep, that's the public dad that he is.

Fond memories include camping and also my 18th birthday, when Dad took me on a "date" to a country kitchen type place where you drink out of mason jars. He bought me a small amber colored glass pitcher to commemorate the time, and that pitcher still sits by my front door.

If you boiled it all down, I think I got my "life by points" mentality from Dad. Do, do, do. I'll let that settle in a bit. And a bit of the schmaltz as well. But all that doing doesn't allow for getting into someone else's skin and seeing what's going on.

Present: Even though there are no longer kids under the roof that are our dependents, I'll still call Mark the "Fathers, Present." He stepped up as a father, at the age of 25, also without having the best recollection of what a father should be. His dad died when Mark was 16, and was busy, busy, busy - like my dad. And fairly tight lipped about personal life - like my dad. Makes for interesting communication in the next generation, I'll tell you.

But Mark has worked, and read, and done his best to be the dad he felt the kids needed. Yes, communication styles vary and come across in a double-minded way sometimes, but he loves those kids! We often talk about wishing we really were independently wealthy, and start Elfstrand Enterprises, and hire all the kids.

Future: Ah, it's good to see the next generation take the past and remold it so that it comes out much better! Better communication. Better parenting styles. And giving us grandchildren that are being brought up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Pain included. The fathers they are becoming are so rewarding.

If God so chooses, may their quivers be full! And if not biologically, then may their influence on fathers be spread around the globe.

Happy Fathers Day - past, present, and future!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Up with UP!

If you haven't already seen it, you really must go see the Pixar movie, UP. They have masterfully crafted a story and animation that will make you laugh hysterically and weep (if you're not careful, you may sob). 3D version is not necessary, but when the DVD comes out, I'll be in line to get it.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

They Call Truth "Hate" because they Hate the Truth

This is on a t-shirt and refers to the "hate speech" legislation up for review. I think I'll buy one.

What a weird and warped country we live in, because people have not understood, nor have they cared to understand, the founding fathers' intentions on free speech. Nor do they understand, nor care to understand, sin.

Scripture says that "they call evil 'good' and good 'evil.'" We've reached that day.