Insights From The Rocking Chair

Here we are on the brink of a New Year. What will it hold for you and me? Will it be the same old same or will you and I strive for something better? It is tradition to examine one's past in order to make promises to ourselves to do more or less depending on the issue. We resolve to do____ you fill in the blank. I have resolved to loose the weight I gained in 2006, which was all the weight that I lost in 2005. I am sure I will loose some but we will have to wait and see on the all. These are some of my hopes for the new year. I hope to become more consistent in my prayer life. I am learning that it is the ONE most important part of my Christian walk. I hope to become more patient with those around me. I hope to become deeper in my spiritual walk. I hope to become bolder in my witness for Christ I hope to set all my priorities weighed on God's Word. I have used the word hope instead of resolve. To resolve would mean that I would be promising to do these things. I cannot, but I...

One of my favorite Christmas songs, and I have many, is "The Way He Came" recorded by Truth many moons ago. I don't know who wrote the song and if I did I would give him the credit due here but here are the lyrics for you to read and reflect on. The Way He Came Just to think such royalty would come the way He came In a dusty little town Born in such humility upon a bed of hay Certainly He lay His glory down Who would think this little child would be the Promised One? Would the Messiah really come this way?/ Certainly this was no birthplace for the son of God Isn't it amazing how He came Isn't it amazing the way the way He came? No crown, no throne, no big parade There were no fanfares played, no jubilant display Isn't it amazing how He came? Can't believe that I would be the reason why He came Can't believe He left His mighty throne He became a pauper so that I could be a king Denied Himself to make my heart his home Isn't it amazing the way the wa...

One of my favorite things to do at this time of year is to attend Christmas Cantatas. To hear and see the pageantry of the birth of Jesus is moving and a reminder of the reason we have the Holiday in the first place. I never grow tired of the Greatest Story Ever Told. This year marks the third Christmas since my nephew died. For his Mom and Dad Christmas has lost some of its zip. Well if truth be told life has as well. I hope that in the not so far future that it will be easier for them. He will never be forgotten, but just maybe a little easier. There are countless others who will be without loved ones this year. For some it will be for another year, and for some this will be the first and worst. Some have been taken by war and some taken by wrecks, and yet others through suicide and natural causes. It doesn't matter how we loose our loved ones the lost can be unbearable. Enter Jesus. Jesus' birth into this world was to fulfill God's promise to provide a blood atonement fo...

I don't know about you, but Christmas has always been a special time for me. Like most children, I always anticipated the gifts. In my early years there weren't many but we received some. One year, my sister was particularly aggravating. So much so that my Dad wrapped a huge empty box and told her that was all there was because of the way she acted. This was pretty funny because we have always opened our presents on Christmas Eve. Well, on Christmas morning she had a brand new bike in the living room. The point had been made. After I married my wife and I merged many of our different traditions for our children. What we did different was we opened two or three presents on Christmas Eve and then "Santa" came on Christmas morning. Usually way to early after being up all night putting things together. But the expression on their faces and the excitement was always worth any lost sleep. Now I am a grandfather. We have had two Christmas's now and this will be the third...

Much has been said about Evangelicals in the recent decades, mostly in political terms. Now there is a new evangelical on the scene. Their belief is not in God but just the opposite. Their message is disbelief in God. They are not new. I have known one or two in my 52 years and seen some on TV, so, what is going on? Well they seem to be spreading their message with new fervor. Taking their lead from the Gay lobby these minority citizens want to use the media and other avenues to change yours and my mind on the existence of God. In short, you must become an atheist. I do not hate atheist. I don't hate anyone. I don't like some people because of belief and personality differences but hate is a different and very strong emotion and is destructive to all involved. But, I cannot and will not give any validity to their point of view because it is contrary to the word of God. The end! If you do not believe that the time of this earth is drawing to a close then you have not read or stu...

All week I have been praying for the rain to hold off until late today. We need to get the roof on our addition to the house. So far it looks like God will answer that prayer. He has answered the one for those folks on the coast the storm as lessened in strength and will be just a rain make. To God be the Gory!

In one paragraph, Armstrong Williams challenges our faith in a comparison with terrorist. "Radical Islamic terrorists believe that one way or another, Allah is being offended and it is their duty to set things straight. Sadly, the faith of many of these terrorists is stronger than that of many Americans; misguided, though it may be, it is powerful. How many Americans are willing to lose their lives over what they believe? While their methods are despicable, these terrorists’ faith is respectable. We can use this example as a standard for our own religious convictions, to truly examine our faith and belief systems to make sure they are sensible and worthy of devotion. That being said, religious radicals could obviously learn a thing or two from us as well."

Where is God? We have all asked that question in one way or another. Typically it is asked when something tragic occurs that takes the lives of a youngster or someone who is perceived as doing good with their lives. All of us wonder, all of us. We all have dark times. Some last longer than others. I have had to chuckle a little as I listened to the media make a really big deal over the release of portions of Mother Theresa's letters to her confessor. I admit that I had some immediate reactions as an evangelical Christian, but thought I might explore and think on this for awhile. First, let me say that her expressions of emptiness and not feeling the presence of God at times is common with believers. Sometimes it comes from sin that is not confessed to God, sometimes from a tragedy around us, and sometimes when we are seeking for more of God's presence in our lives. I admit that my first reaction was that Mother Theresa had not had a personal experience with Jesus. In other word...

One of the issues in most local campaign's is school prayer. Now they say voluntary, but it is school prayer non the less. I too have in the past been for returning prayer to the school. After all, it was there when I was in school, it couldn't do any harm. Today, I am not convinced there could be no harm. Before you go off the deep end, let's think this through. If we had school prayer what would it look like? In today's politically correct environment what prayer would be espoused. Whose religion would be chosen? Are you OK with a Muslim prayer in your child's classroom? What about Hindu? Is it the school's responsibility to train my child or grandchild in prayer? Because I am a Christian, I don't want any other influence on my child but Christian. If the school is to be "fair", then they will be exposed to other influences and thought that go against my Christian beliefs. There is plenty of that without adding religious instruction contrary to ...

I just finished watching the movie, "The Greatest Game Ever Played". It is not the first time I have seen it, but I find it inspiring each time I watch it. I have always been drawn to movies that feature an underdog beating the odds to come out on top. I watch several movies over and over for that reason; "Mighty Ducks", " Remember The Titans", "Facing The Giants" to name a few. Lots of times, these movies are based on actual events and that makes it better. Most times, the heroes in these movies not only reach down and find that one more effort to push them over the top, but inspire those they compete against to become their greatest cheerleaders. I know that real life doesn't always happen that way, but it does sometimes and should always. We just completed our political primaries here and there were winners and losers. Some beat all odds others were considered shoo ins from the start. As I think about the presidential elections in the upc...

Could we survive as a country if we had a truly anti-war president? A president that would never engage a threat to our survival from outside or even inside forces? Can we really successfully be passive in every regard? YOU WILL HAVE TO DECIDE!

I haven't written in awhile because of vacation and family time and various other reasons, but watching the news coverage of the sports "scandals" causes me to get sick. This time I am really not ranting at the news, but at organized sports and "athletes". I am old enough to remember when men of integrity played the games as professionals. Oh, I know there were always bad apples, but the conferences had more control over behavior. Now with player unions you can even "dis" a coach and get away it. There seems to be no respect for authority. When a player is paid more than the coach what can you expect? Now I am about to say something and no one is to read between the lines because there is no hidden agenda. We all know that a lot of our current pro athletes are from very poor backgrounds. By living in that socio -economic background, where the kinds of activities we are seeing today are common place, they have to take some if not all of that with them. ...

Cal Thomas has once again hit the nail on the head. Read it here . I just could not say it any better than he does.

Salinas said in a statement that she would cooperate with the investigation. She said, "I am confident that when all the facts are analyzed it will be clear that I conducted myself in an appropriate way."(Fox News) This is the answer to a question about ethical behavior and whether she comprised journalistic ethics after having an adulteress affair with the mayor of Los Angeles. Am I alone or is something backwards here? I think the mayor's wife got it right, she filed for divorce!

Mark one down for the people of this country. When push really comes to shove they will speak up. Speak up they did on the immigration bill that was about to be forced down our ever loving throats. Here in my great state we had one senator(Thad Cochran) against the bill and one(Trent Lott) for it. Trent made several bad comments like talk radio was a problem. He said something to the effect that his state knew he would do what was best for them. The problem was he turned his volume off and didn't listen. There were many on radio and even a petition brought to his office expressing our displeasure in his stance. I am not against legal immigration. I don't know anyone who is. I am against anyone breaking the law whether they be citizens or illegals. What I would like to see is the laws on the books enforced to the letter. The strain on the economy of states and the feds is surmounting our abilities to sustain. Many of the elites say talk radio defeated this bill and should be con...

This morning I am sitting in a campground looking out over the water. A gentle breeze is blowing and cooling off the already humid air accumulating today. The birds are singing and the geese are honking and water is rippling from the breeze. I love mornings like this. It helps you forget some of the issues that we face in life. Here the war seems distant and the politicians irrelevant. Here you can be and are reminded how great God is. He is seen in everything around us. Look there is a red headed woodpecker, over there the geese are gathering at the camper next door where the lady is feeding them corn. Even they have a pecking order. It has been a difficult week here in my little world. Last Sunday we said goodbye to our son-in-law as he heads off for his deployment. The plus here is that he is not headed for Iraq but his mission is important just the same. He is joining with other American and NATO forces in keeping the peace in another country. This experience has softened me quite ...

Dear Son:(We think of you that way even though you are our son-in-law) The weeks of waiting for a specified leave date has finally come. The day that we all have dreaded will be here soon. Before you go I wanted you to know some things. I have been watching you these last few weeks. The amount of love you have poured into living your life, dedicating every free moment to spend quality time with your wife and your son, has been amazing to watch. You've used every opportunity to let them know how much they mean to you, and how much you love them. I know that their well-being weighs heavily on your heart, and I won't tell you not to worry because that won't do much good. I will tell you that they will be just fine. Maybe not at first, but they soon will be able to function and will wait anxiously for the day they can wrap their arms around you and hold you close again. You made a commitment to your family, to keep them safe from evil and you have kept it. Now you must take...

The Sojourners sponsored a debate to give the Democrats an opportunity to "explain" their faith. Hmm. I did not watch but caught the sound bites. In viewing those sound bites I have never seen folks so uncomfortable as they were taking about their faith. Could it be they really don't have any, because their statements did not convince me. Neither did their body language. I don't see how some of these folks sleep at night knowingly deceiving people about some faith they really don't aspire to. There is no evidence in their public life to show me this. And don't go there with that tired argument that faith is personal and private. It is not. Nowhere in the Bible does it say to hide your faith. And these folk hide their's until it is prudent to let someone know that they even think about God once a year or so. I don't buy this attempt by the liberals to show they have what a lot of "faith based" voters base their vote on. Living by faith is a da...

Anybody here feel really bad for Paris Hilton? Come on raise your hand. I know someone out there is really upset at her re-incarceration. Because she is crying for her mommy she should receive compassion? You really think she is getting a raw deal. You bleeding hearts think crime should go punished with a slap on the hand. The rule of law should pertain to one and all. Hollywood has, to date, given the impression that if you are a "celebrity" you deserve special treatment. Robert Blake, Mel Gibson, O. J. Simpson, ZaZa Gabor to name a few and the list is way to long to finish and I am really to tired anyway. No one, no one is above the law. Even Moses found himself punished for breaking God's rules. What will one of these nut cases have to do to receive the proper punishment. We already know from two of them they even get away with murder. When I was 15 and starting to drive my dad sat me down and laid out the rules. Actually, only one rule that really stuck with me. My ...

As a first post on this site, I want you to know that we will look at a lot of different topic. Religion, politics, family and general life issues. I am pretty ticked off that we have begun the Presidential campaign so soon. But now I figure since I won't be able to completely turn them off I might as well sound off. So much will be talked about in the media so we will try to look at it with honest and maybe humorous eyes. At least I hope so. Honest for sure. It will be hard to be humorous sometimes even though I find some of the talking points down right dumb. I'll be back soon with more as I tweak this site.