Bail me Out!

One of the new catch phrases of the day is 'Tipping Point'. The point of no return.

Recently I was reminded of a tipping point in my life. A time when a decision had to be made that would change me forever.

When I was a teenager I ran away from home. No, not like that. I ran away from home to go to college. OK, to be honest I didn't run away to go to college, I ran away to just get away. I had dug my self into some pretty big holes back home. I needed to get away and have a new start.

Within a few months I was over 500 miles away, on my own, in total control of my destiny, everything I ever wanted....except for sitting in this jail cell.

A 10 minute drive to the police station is plenty of time for a million things to run through a man's mind. Making a bail call is a hard thing to do. I was initially set on just waiting my time for the next day and hope I'd be let go. Sharing a cell with someone I saw on CrimeStoppers the night before changed my mind quickly.

The call had to be made. It wasn't so hard. "Hello? It's me. I need a favor. Can you come bail me out? Now?" The call was made and answered.

The cell I put myself in for the next few days was even worse. I had myself on trial. In this case I knew right away who I needed to talk to to bail me out. The call was made to HIM. HE answered. I was easily convicted...thank God.

I tipped...my new life began. I returned home. I had a plan. I got my life straight. I married the girl with the red hair and the big black hat. We have two wonderful boys. We have a wonderful home. I've decided to put a little money aside just in case I receive a call late one night from a friend in need.

Bouncy Seat

I have had a pretty stressful last few weeks at work. I have been thinking that I need a consistant way to blow off some steam before interacting with anyone I care about.

As I sit here watching my four month old I realize the perfect thing. An adult size bouncy seat.

Something I could crawl up in, strap myself in and just throw my arms and legs around every which way. I don't need a fancy one with a built in vibrating massager. I don't need things hanging from an overhead bar, like a steak, or remote control. All I need is something to thrash around in and possibly even drop off into a short little nap in from time to time.

It might be too big for household use, so I may have to engineer some and rent them out of a retail store front somewhere. There might be big money in this.

Just like riding a bike...

This year I have been working with my oldest on riding the infamous two wheeler bike. It only took about 20 minutes for him to be up and pedaling on his own. He has already mastered pedalling around the blacktop at his school, and the nearby bike trail.

He really only has one major hurdle...He can't start on his own. My job, as father, is to steady his bike and hold the seat until he has planted himself with his feet on the pedals. After that, he is off on his own.

Watching him ride off has been a little bittersweet. There is going to be a time when I am going to get ready to let him go into the world as his own man. I'm not going to be with him all the time to make his decisions.

The best I can hope to do is steady him, point him in the right direction, and trust he will remember what he has been taught. However, there will never be a time when I'm not watching and waiting for a moment when I might need to shout out a little encouragement, or be prepared to run and pick him up when he falls.

Every once in a while we all need to be brushed off, asked if we are ok, then steadied once more for another try.

Is this cutting the pork?

I recently ran across an article on ABC News (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1512232). Is this a good way to spend the American tax dollar? Can I get one to put in my office?

What makes a great man?

I find it interesting what some non-believers say about Jesus. Mostly they will say something to the effect that Jesus was a "great man", or "charismatic philosopher".

What do we know about Jesus from non-Christian historical accounts? The Romans and Jews of the first and second century had many writings about Jesus. However, most of these accounts just verify the basic facts about a historical man named Jesus, who was a Nazarene. These accounts tell of his trial before Pilate, His crucifiction, the "eclipse" that coincided with this event, and the sect that sprang up claiming His resurrection. Many of these accounts also call Jesus a great man. (Josephus even calls Jesus the messiah).

There is nothing in these basic facts that make Jesus a "great man". These historical records are widely accepted in the non-Christian world, eventhough the writers take for granted the existance of a man named Jesus, and the fact that he was a great man.

Christianity is more than a philosophy or teachings. It is about a real man who existed in history. What made this man great? The typical standards for accepting writings as 'valid history' can be applied to the New Testament accounts. This is the only place where you will find what makes a great man.

Where have you been looking?

I Love Lucy

There have been a lot of times when I have felt just like Charlie Brown trying to kick that football. I've experienced the feeling of having it pulled out from under me, right when i was going to kick it.

However I have also been in Lucy's place. I guess it is one of my guilty pleasures.

Sometimes I'll drive side by side another car, who I know is in a lane that closes or must exit and start laughing at the thought that they are going to either put on the brakes, or miss their turn. I love the sound of the "AAAAAAAAAUUUUURRRGG!" I imagine them making (or worse)

I'm glad Lucy never let Charlie Brown kick that ball. Its a funny sight to see someone laying flat on their back and thinking "I did that"

I didn't say it was right...I said it was funny

Directions

This little boy was waiting on his mother to come out of a store.
As he waited, he was approached by a man who asked, "Son, can you tell me where the Post Office is?"
The little boy replied, "Sure,... just go straight down the street a couple of blocks and turn to your right."
The man thanked the boy kindly and said, "I'm the new Preacher in town and I'd like for you to come to church on Sunday. I'll show you how to get to Heaven."
The little boy replied with a chuckle, "Aawww, come on, you don't even know the way to the Post Office!"

What it's about

I saw something yesterday that has really stuck in my mind.

It was a scene I have seen several times, but I never really thought about it.

Yesterday during church I looked across the auditorium. There I saw a friend of mine with his son sitting on his shoulders during the service.

What an unbelievable image. A father lifting his son up while worshiping God. Isnt' that what we are all there for? Lifting each other up (figuratively for the most part), encouraging one another, and raising our children in His presence.

How far will you get

Its January 4, are you up to date on your daily bible reading? Many people choose January 1 to begin to read through the bible in a year. Not a bad resolution.

How far do you usually make it? Leviticus? Numbers? Do you skip over the begats?

Wouldn't it be better to set aside some time to read a single book in its entirety and understand the context and implications that you had read? Or maybe spend a few hours working on a memory verse?

It hasn't been a week yet, how far will you get this year? Do you understand what you have read so far?

How much time passes between Genesis 1:2 & 1:3? How many people were created before Adam and Eve? How many people left the Garden of Eden? Who was Cain afraid would kill him?

This is going to be a LONG year.

Church Sign

Saw a funny church sign driving on vacation this holiday season...

"SIGN BROKEN, MESSAGE INSIDE"