Star Trek

Last night, my wife and I had the opportunity to see the new Star Trek film and while I know she went just to spend time with me (love her for that); I went with high expectations of this movie living up to the standards of 'original' Trek films before it. Yes, its true ... I am a Trekkie ... just without the conference attendance and costumes in my closet (hahaha).

Let me just say right now ... this movie was fabulous! The technology was so improved, the cast was a very younger version of the original members and most certainly explained how several things came to pass in years gone by before the original series started. I do believe, that Gene Roddenberry would be proud of this film offering; and this old Trekkie's heart loved every single minute of it. If you have not had the opportunity I would highly encourage you to go see it -- you will not be disappointed. It is an action film, so even if you are not a Trekkie -- there is still something to be enjoyed.

So, with that said I will simply offer you the following:

"I have been, and always shall be, your friend."

Are you ready to hear?

I have been struggling with a lot of different things lately, mostly in the lines of understanding scripture and the relevance that it has to today’s society. To tell you the truth, I have been searching through the Bible looking for any piece of scripture that is irrelevant to today, and to date I have not been able to find one. Sad, isn’t it? Many believers (and even non-believers) will hold to the idea that this verse or that verse somehow “does not apply to me”. Yet, if one takes a long look at the application (surrounding verses included) and not just the words at face value; the understanding becomes very clear that it is all relevant to how we are living today – relevant to our lives immediately.

As I was studying this week I noticed a man named Habakkuk who quite frankly some would assume was just a whiner who needs to hush. Yet, deeper than the words at face value, was his practice of the relationship he had with God. He was a man who focused on who God is, on pouring out his heart before the Father, and then preparing and being FULLY ready to hear what God’s response would be.

That’s an odd concept, isn’t it?

It’s so simple … and yet at the same time, just an amazing concept to grasp. When we come before the Lord, we need to be ready to hear – to hear what God would say to us in a way that He could pour into our lives; so that we would be different. God promises in Habakkuk 2:3, “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” We need to wait on God, understanding that God will not delay, and that everything He says will come true.

Are you prepared to hear from God? What is He saying to you today?

Mother's Day

Mother's Day ...

A day when we traditionally put on our Sunday best, try to fight the crowds to go out and eat, and really try really hard to not give Mom a hard time. Well, I got to thinking while reading over Proverbs 31 today. Why is it, that if God's Word ordains that we lift up our mom's (and wives) on a daily basis, and show them the respect that is deserved, does it become such a chore for us to do the very same thing on just one certain day? Perhaps if we did it more often (like every day), then we could focus on making Mother's Day really special; and do something other than the norm?

I'm just thinking of course ... Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there!

Just another investigation? Maybe ...

Every day I am less and less surprised by the way we treat one another. What is really cracking my skull today is the witch-hunt that is underway against Carrie Prejean because she spoke her mind and answered the whole “traditional marriage” question honestly. Now, the “dirt” (I am speaking directly to the one who has raised it) has risen to surface and continues to attempt to tear this lady down.

So, she posed for a few pictures as a young wanna-be model (see: http://tinyurl.com/cha242). Now, let me be clear and say that I cannot say I approve of the action, but it’s over and done with and who am I to judge anyone? Should she have disclosed that fact to the California committee on her application? Of course … so let’s slap the wrist and move on. But today there is a media whirlwind which has every news station broadcasting live updates from this "committee" that is meeting to determine if she keeps her crown awarded in California. Seriously, is this really breaking news? Or, is this particular nonsense more backlash from her answer to traditional marriage during the Miss USA Pageant? It is certainly worth asking the question, in my humble opinion.

Personally, I pray that her faith remains strong, and they she does not compromise from the pressure of the media; and by all accounts she is staying the course. To that I say, “Well done my sister, well done indeed.”

Surveying the Cross

When I survey the wondrous cross, my eyes can never seem to make it all the way to the top. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever tried to fully understand what Jesus did for you almost 2,000 years ago and never quite get your mind too finish the equation? Consider for a moment all that you have done in your life, good and bad. Got it? Now factor that in with the one single verse which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Because of God’s love for this world, He voluntarily gave His only Son so that at the end of your life, should you accept and believe in Him, you shall be able to spend eternity in Heaven.

Someone asked me once if I could ask God one question what would I ask -- and my question is: “Why?” Why would God love me so much that He would send His Son to take my sins away and die? Why does everything in this world speak against who God is and yet He continues to give us His patience and mercy when we do not deserve it? Why does He love us without condition, even in the midst of all of our sin?

Considering all that God has done for me, I often have to ask what it is that I have done for Him in return. Has my life up till this point mattered? Have I made a difference for the Kingdom of God? Have I told everyone I can about the love of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness that He offers to all who believe? My heart is burdened today for those who continue to turn away; for those who continue to deny who He is; and for those who simply will not see the cross as the only way to Heaven.

Have you called upon Jesus? Do you need too? He is only a prayer away and waiting to hear from you, if you would only admit that you need Him.

An economic jaunt ...

Just some random thoughts I had the other day ...

Many have been discussing the economic status we are in and of course, blaming this person or that. Well .... even with the economy and unemployment rates 9 out of 10 people still have their jobs; but of course we would never see that on the news; only shots of the “job fairs” across the nation and the 20-somethings who really believed that hard-work was another way of saying “give me what I am owed”.

Truly, we have some real uphill struggles in this nation but I dont think it is all going to rest on the President’s shoulders. As a nation, we have to endeavor to take back what we have freely given away. How do we do so? Well, its not the popular answer but returning to the Lord (as in Joel, Chapter 2) would be a nice start. Second to that would be to elect a Congress who is going to fiscally responsible and stop giving themselves a pay raise tagged onto Child Support bills.

Although, I am sure that whole “wage freeze” initiative that the President initiated will somehow not apply to them. Third? I don’t know … but I’ve said it before and I will say it again: Once our lower-class American people stop waving the banner that they are “owed something” and take responsibility for their situations change might occur. Oh … to see the same spirit rise up in America that brought us OUT of the Great Depression.

Rather, we now have, “give me what is mine cause you kept me down, blah, blah, blah.” (I think you know where I am going.) IMO, we have a constant uphill struggle … but to change is really going to take asking oneself, “What am I willing to give up to have a better tomorrow?”