Memorial Day

The freedom we enjoy comes with the price of sacrifice. To all in the armed sevices, you have my deepest gratitude. I hope the freedom you provide will allow us to experience the greater freedom that can only be found in the ultimate sacrifice of God's Son. Knowing Him, now that's freedom, and eternal life. "This is eternal life, that they would know the one true God and Jesus Christ who you sent." -John 17:3

Photo Friday: Symbol

South Carolina Palmetto and a messy desk.

Blah

I left the house @ 4 am and took a group of missionaries to the charlotte airport. I made it to work by 9 and piddled until about 1:30. I've been in my recliner since then, minus some time taking out the dog, fixing some food, and taking care of normal body functions. I just popped in The Aviator. I feel like a useless sponge. I could have done so much today, but I minimalized myself utter laziness. I haven't even played xbox. Tomorrow will be much busier. I don't know why I can't enjoy rest.

Life?

A serious side hits me hard this morning. I got a call Friday morning to go to the ER. A 32 year old mother of 2 had a stroke and is hanging on by a thread. The Dr's have done all they can. Since Friday, some good signs and bad ones, but it's still just a wait. I deal with families in crisis often and know what to say, how to pray, and try to comfort. It's all real, I've never seen it as a job. But this is different. My wife turned 32 a couple of weeks ago, and we've been in and out of the hospital with various issues, but I can't imagine what I'd be going through if I were in Brent's shoes. Brent is the husband, we grew up together. His 2 children are so young. I haven't seen him in 15 years, but I have heard about his life through his parents who attend my church. Great, loving, dedicated people. I don't know if "knowing all the answers" helps in a time like this. I know God is in control and His will is perfect, but that only offers intellectual comfort at least and at most offers no comfort at all, only anger and guilt for not wanting God's will if it's contrary to ours. We can agree with others that God's will is for healing, but do we pretend to know the vastness of God's will? I can't make that assumption. I HOPE it is and I KNOW He can, but I honestly don't know what will happen. Instead, I pray for strength, peace, healing, and comfort that comes from beyond ourselves. I do know that God's will is to be with His children in their pain. I can remember times I wanted to give up when He filled me with just enough to make it through another minute. Audria is a fighter, from what her family tells me, and Brent is a man of God. I pray for more than healing. I pray for friends and family who will stick together to rely on each other to comfort, strengthen, encourage and cry. If prayer is like knocking on the door of a neighbor in the middle of the night, we'll bang as long as it takes, begging for a full recovery. And when all is said and done, I can guarentee answers won't be what gets this family through. The love, comfort and peace that goes beyond our intellect will hold this family together no matter what the outcome. If you pray, please say one for Audria and her family.

Photo Friday

Photo Friday: Green

Star Wars

I'm not into a reviewers mood today, so this is all I'll say right now. Went to the opening of starwars last night. A LOT of action and some very interesting people in the theater. Acting was a little crappy. I believe Natalie Portman was the best next to yoda, but he's cg. Go see it, it'll be worth your while. For all the non-starwars people, see at least the 2nd, 4th (which is actually the 1st Starwars made back in the 70's) and 5th (Empire Strikes Back) before you see this one. I think you'll like it.

New Toy!!!

OK, so I lost Vonage and had to go back to POTS (plain old telephone system) because of ADT issues, but a new gadget has amazed my tiny little brain. Our cable company has offered 3 free months of DVR. I think it's just like Tivo. It's been around for a while but it's new to me. I can see why they offer it for free. After less than 14 hours with it, I'm already hooked. This thing is incredible. Pause a program, go to the bathroom or to get some p-nut butter nilla wafers, hit play and start where you stopped. During the commercial, hit the "live" button and go right back to real time. SUH-WEET! I love it