Living on the East Coast of Florida, having gone through two hurricanes in September: Francis and Jeanne, it seems like playing in the sprinklers compared to the distaster that is unfolding before us in Asia.
Not to belittle the experience of going through four hurricanes but I still hear people complaining and blaming their current lethargy, moodiness on the hurricanes. Look! Before us is a devastation far greater than 14 dead. Over 100,000 people are dead in Asia! Disease and destruction of entire communities stares many in the face.
Let us Americans rise up and thank God for our blessings and the small trials with which we have faced. Let us also set aside any discomfort we think we are experiencing from hurricanes that hit 3 months ago and pray for another part of the world in much greater need. Let us "do unto others as we would wish to be done unto us". Pray and Give.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
The Beast within the Man
Well, this is the beginning of my “morning pages”. I am taking a course called “The Artist’s Way”. It is a course to help creative people unlock, unblock, revitalize their creativity. So, every morning I must sit here and write out whatever comes to my mind. I must not hold back or be concerned with spelling, grammar or whether what I am writing is boring, personal, vulnerable, etc. It is a gushing forth of my current thoughts, emotions. It is a release that helps to get the stagnation out and the flow of my artist's brain pouring forth from me. I am looking forward to this 12 week course. I guess "course" is not the right word. That sounds too much like school work that you are required to do.
Two nights ago I was at the Oaks, a local movie theater. As my wife, Becky, and I were leaving we saw some youth congregated outside and there was another group of older punks that were trying to pick a fight with that group. One kid threw a punch and “boom!” I was off and running. I have this killer, intense bear like beast within me that rises up, like a Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde, that becomes enraged and instantly manifest when it sees injustices.
I lept forward in rage and pointed out the other older boys who were bullying the younger group and told them to get the hell out of here. I used my beast voice. I have always believed that a display of 100% madness and a 100% rage is a must in backing down the wolves. Show no fear. Give them no chance to assess whether you are sane or not. My large eyebrows and inset eyes, large physique give me that edge to be convincing enough to send the wolves scurrying off with their tails between their legs.
But I fear that my natural rage will get the better of me someday and that maybe this is not the best approach to keep the wolves at bay. I had another unfortunate encounter a few weeks ago with another group of adults at the Palm Bay Christmas Parade. I said some things in my anger that I should not have and after 20 minutes of conviction from God I went and apologized to one of the individuals my anger was directed towards. He was not very receptive but he did accept my apology. Now I believe both parties were at fault with the other party initiating the conflict and me responding in anger. There was no remorse for their part but that is not a requirement for me to humble myself and admit my error.
The one thing that has stood out to me was what the man told me when I asked for forgiveness. He said I needed to be careful who I showed anger towards, because I don’t know who they are and what they might do, suggesting something extreme like pulling a gun on me. He had a point. Plus, the Bible does not speak well of having a hot temper, which is one of those areas that I am fighting to submit to God effectively.
There might be some situations that a stampeding giant is necessary to chase off the bad guys but we must be as crafty as a serpent and as gentle as a dove, the Scriptures advise us. Ferocity is not always the necessary action, maybe words spoken with authority and calm would have been just as effective. I hope I have the opportunity to try it out sometime and learn.
Two nights ago I was at the Oaks, a local movie theater. As my wife, Becky, and I were leaving we saw some youth congregated outside and there was another group of older punks that were trying to pick a fight with that group. One kid threw a punch and “boom!” I was off and running. I have this killer, intense bear like beast within me that rises up, like a Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde, that becomes enraged and instantly manifest when it sees injustices.
I lept forward in rage and pointed out the other older boys who were bullying the younger group and told them to get the hell out of here. I used my beast voice. I have always believed that a display of 100% madness and a 100% rage is a must in backing down the wolves. Show no fear. Give them no chance to assess whether you are sane or not. My large eyebrows and inset eyes, large physique give me that edge to be convincing enough to send the wolves scurrying off with their tails between their legs.
But I fear that my natural rage will get the better of me someday and that maybe this is not the best approach to keep the wolves at bay. I had another unfortunate encounter a few weeks ago with another group of adults at the Palm Bay Christmas Parade. I said some things in my anger that I should not have and after 20 minutes of conviction from God I went and apologized to one of the individuals my anger was directed towards. He was not very receptive but he did accept my apology. Now I believe both parties were at fault with the other party initiating the conflict and me responding in anger. There was no remorse for their part but that is not a requirement for me to humble myself and admit my error.
The one thing that has stood out to me was what the man told me when I asked for forgiveness. He said I needed to be careful who I showed anger towards, because I don’t know who they are and what they might do, suggesting something extreme like pulling a gun on me. He had a point. Plus, the Bible does not speak well of having a hot temper, which is one of those areas that I am fighting to submit to God effectively.
There might be some situations that a stampeding giant is necessary to chase off the bad guys but we must be as crafty as a serpent and as gentle as a dove, the Scriptures advise us. Ferocity is not always the necessary action, maybe words spoken with authority and calm would have been just as effective. I hope I have the opportunity to try it out sometime and learn.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
These Aren't Real Tools...These Are Toys!
Ah, it was great this morning! What a wonderful Christmas morning with my wife, son and daughter. They are my most treasured possession (not that they are objects to possess).
Luke was making me laugh. Some of the things he says cracks me up. To start with, we were sitting at the kitchen table eating our traditional Christmas breakfast of cinnamon rolls and eggnog. What a delight! I know what you are thinking "All that fat!", but instead think about the magic of such deliciousness. Anyways, as Lucas (my son) is chomping on a cinnamon roll he turns to me with a twinkle in his eyes and says, "Hmm...I have Christmas in my mouth!"
I died! He makes me laugh so hard sometimes and that's not all. Luke has been wanting "real tools with a real tool belt" for months. So, naturally we went to Toys R Us and found, for a great price, realistic looking tools with a tool belt made by Home Depot. You couldn't get closer to the real thing.
As we are opening presents around the tree Luke is excited to discover underneath the wrapping paper "real tools with a real tool belt". He loved them! He was playing with his new tools for awhile. I had gotten a screw driver from out of the garage to open up the battery compartment of anther toy and mindlessly set the screw driver down near where Luke was working away with his "tools". He noticed the screw driver I had abandoned and picked it up. He had one of his screw drivers from his new tool set in the other hand. He began banging the "real screw driver" against the other real screw driver and became alarmed and declared, "Hey! These aren't real tools! These are toys! I wanted real tools!"
It took awhile for me to convince him that he would enjoy playing with his new toy tools but not before trying desperately to not laugh out loud.
Luke was making me laugh. Some of the things he says cracks me up. To start with, we were sitting at the kitchen table eating our traditional Christmas breakfast of cinnamon rolls and eggnog. What a delight! I know what you are thinking "All that fat!", but instead think about the magic of such deliciousness. Anyways, as Lucas (my son) is chomping on a cinnamon roll he turns to me with a twinkle in his eyes and says, "Hmm...I have Christmas in my mouth!"
I died! He makes me laugh so hard sometimes and that's not all. Luke has been wanting "real tools with a real tool belt" for months. So, naturally we went to Toys R Us and found, for a great price, realistic looking tools with a tool belt made by Home Depot. You couldn't get closer to the real thing.
As we are opening presents around the tree Luke is excited to discover underneath the wrapping paper "real tools with a real tool belt". He loved them! He was playing with his new tools for awhile. I had gotten a screw driver from out of the garage to open up the battery compartment of anther toy and mindlessly set the screw driver down near where Luke was working away with his "tools". He noticed the screw driver I had abandoned and picked it up. He had one of his screw drivers from his new tool set in the other hand. He began banging the "real screw driver" against the other real screw driver and became alarmed and declared, "Hey! These aren't real tools! These are toys! I wanted real tools!"
It took awhile for me to convince him that he would enjoy playing with his new toy tools but not before trying desperately to not laugh out loud.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Brautwurst
Deep in my cube I am sitting here eating two Brautwursts and drinking a St. Paul's Girl. Not a bad lunch to be having at work. Our company fired up the grill and brought out the wine and beer. Beer. I think it goes better for this kind of grilling; hamburgers and hot dogs. Wine just seems too sophisticated for accompanying a hotdog.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)