Signs from above

First of all, I haven't posted anything in a while but given the events of the last couple of days, I feel that I must. So, here it goes:

1. Two nights ago, I wrote a couple of notes to myself. At the top of my list was "Call Cox" (as in the cable company).

2. The next day, a little after 8am, my wife called me and told me that a six year old girl had died from a gunshot. Her last name was "Cox" and she was enrolled in our daycare center a few years ago.

3. At the post office later in the day, I ran into a lady that used to work for Cox and met a Mary Kay rep with the last name of Cox (not related to the little girl).

4. This morning, I heard a big boom around 11am. I later learned that it was 2.5 magnitude earthquake - the first in Benton County History!

5. I'm currently watching the movie "Crash". The three most powerful scenes are:

a. The rescue of the woman by the officer that had previously fondled her.

b. The Persian man shooting at the Latino man just as the latter's daughter jumped into his arms. (that's a "tear jerker" for sure).

c. The rookie cop shoots and kills the "country music listening, ice skating (and hockey) loving, car-jacking" young black man after giving the latter a lift. The rookie cop had saved another black man's life earlier in the day but just couldn't reconcile what the young man was saying with the apparent physical evidence, e.g. muddy shoes, something shiny protruding from his pocket, and his overall appearance.

This touched a nerve for me because I've hung out in the hood in LA, listened to a lot of country music when I used to drive between Ft. Campbell, Kentucky and Little Rock, and probably enjoyed my one visit to a pro hockey game more than any other college or professional athletic event that I've attended!

OVERALL, THIS IS A BRILLIANT MOVIE!!! IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, YOU NEED TO.

6. And then, just a few minutes later - - a young man and son of a friend appeared at my front door selling coupon books. I quickly wrote him a check for $20 for the book because I remembered my struggles selling candy as a kid and was impressed that he was out there in the first place because his parents are fairly wealthy. This kid lives in what could almost be classified as a castle and probably could just ask his parents to write a check for this particular fundraiser!

In a nutshell - life is complicated, many signs are appearing, and we need to all count our blessings and get our lives together from a spiritual, mental, and physical standpoint!!!

CAGE FIGHTING FOR KIDS

Without question, this is morally wrong and reprehensible and yet another indication that we are in the "last days' on this planet. As you we all know, "last days" could mean years, decades, or even centuries. Also remember that "Apathy Kills"!

The Evil will reap what they sow!!!

Though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be eternally destroyed.
But You, LORD, are exalted forever. Psalm 92: 7-8.

Easier to find a gun than a tomato

In Harlem in New York City (2008)

A woman has to travel 20 blocks to find a fresh tomato. I doubt if she would need to travel that far to find a firearm, drugs, or other contraband!!!

A Prophet will Rise

"Moses said, 'THE LORD GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BRETHREN; TO HIM YOU SHALL GIVE HEED to everything He says to you. Acts 3:22

Grow Up

Brothers, don't be childish in your thinking, but be infants in evil and adult in your thinking.
1 Corinthians 14:20

True Victory

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

State of the World - 2008

We are barely into 2008 and have already had several brutal single and mass murders in America. It is apparent that the economy, war, and pervasive "diet" of sex and violence in the media (TV, movies, music, and video games) is having an increasingly negative impact on many - to the point where some feel that the only "way out" for them is to commit murder or other heinous crimes!

When will this stop? When will this nation return to the path of dignity and righteousness?

Tough questions - yes, I know. I also know that now is the time for every man in America with a "backbone" and a measure of common sense to stand up for what is right!

Now is the time to make a stand against graphic media sex and violence, hard-core and child pornography, child abuse, drug abuse (to include prescription drugs) and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now is the time to control the proliferation of weapons on our streets and in our homes.

The future of our nation and civilization is at stake!!!

Apathy Kills

"Had I interfered in the manner which I admit, and which I admit has been fairly proved (for I admire the truthfulness and candor of the greater portion of the witnesses who have testified in this case), had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great, or in behalf of any of their friends, either father, mother, brother, sister, wife, or children, or any of that class, and suffered and sacrificed what I have in this interference, it would have been all right; and every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment." quote from a famous American in the 19th Century.

Question: When are we going to stand up for our children, the elderly, and the innocent? When are we going to take a stand against wickedness?

Come with Me

Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters. Matthew 12:30

A Message to All Snobs

Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the day of the LORD'S wrath; And all the earth will be devoured In the fire of His jealousy, For He will make a complete end, Indeed a terrifying one, Of all the inhabitants of the earth. Zephaniah 1:18

Crime Deterrent

Another state has banned the death penalty.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/13/nj.death.penalty/index.html?iref=topnews

Whether you support that move or not, the fact remains that crime is rampant in America and is affecting people from all walks of life. It's not just "their problem", it's our problem as Americans.

Don't wait until you, a family member, or friend is a victim of crime. Take a stand now.!!!

Omaha

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Yet another senseless tragedy in America from another lost, neglected, and troubled soul. The price of helping someone like this is far cheaper than the aftermath of that person's potential destruction of innocent life. If you know someone like this, please help them.

Treat Others Fairly

When it is in your power, don't withhold good from the one to whom it is due. Don't say to your neighbor, "Go Away! Come back later. I'll give it tomorrow" - when it is there with you. Proverbs 3:27 - 28.

The End of the Age

So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will go out, separate the evil people from the righteous, and throw them into the blazing furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:49-50.

Fear God

Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

Be Alert

Remember therefore what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. But if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come against you. Revelation 3:3

I am An American

Do you remember the TV Ads that appeared after 9/11 that featured Americans of different colors and creeds from around the country? It served as a very unifying theme for America in that time of crisis. As we move closer to election 2008 - it might be time to reintroduce that Ad or a similar themed campaign to help unify this nation.

Time to March

A few weeks ago, people from all over the nation marched in Jena, Louisiana. While I understand and empathize with their reasons for marching, I long for a day when people of all races, backgrounds, and political affiliations will "hit the streets" to protest child abuse, pornography, drug use, violence, and other societal ills.

Keep Your Head Up!!!

Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Don't stifle the Spirit. Don't despise prophecies, but test all things. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every form of evil. Thessalonians 5: 16 - 22.