GOOD NIGHT

It is after 11 p.m. where I am, yet I am sitting outside on my deck. I am enjoying the chorus of night creatures (crickets and whomever else is around), the air conditioner kicking in and out and an occasional "bump" as some flying "somebody" hits the light bulb under which I am seated.

As I am sitting here, I tried (to no avail) staring beyond the light and into the darkness - both the darkness that covers my backyard and the darkness shielding the sky. There were no stars around when I first sat down. I asked the clouds for company and a few minutes later they gave me the moon and one star.

The moon looks full and rich. It popped up over my neighbors roof and is now hiding behind a tree branch. The star is tiny and twinkling, but holding steadily to its position.

I am amazed at how the moon just hangs there at times, and then starts walking across the sky. Who commands it? Who hangs it? Same questions for the stars. I know who does, and I say a big thank you.

I think I will sit here for a while and soak it all in. I placed an "x" in the sky. When the moon kisses this "x", I will say goodnight.

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers-
The moon and the stars you have set in place-
what are mortals that you should think of us?

(Psalms 8:3-4)

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Most of the times I drive the same way to work - Tesson Ferry -> I270 -> I44 -> Kingshighway and on to my destination. So programmed is this route, that whenever I get on I-270 from Tesson Ferry, I usually exit on to I-44 even when this is not the route to my destination. I generally get a strawberry-mango-banana smoothie from work. Again, that's just routine for me.

However, I have decided to do somethings differently. Instead of taking the same route to work, I am going to take at least one different route each week, and find a route I have not yet travelled. I have already addressed the smoothie issue. The other day I had a cappucino/yogurt smoothie and today I am having a banana/mango/yogurt smoothie. It is awful, btw.

I am sure changes are good. If my life did not change and I did not change my attitude about a lot of things, I would not be the person I am today. Stagnation doesn't bring about growth. I have not yet figured out how exactly a change in smoothie taste or travel route will bring about growth. However, changes and being intentional about changing is an attitude I wish to embrace with more strength.

SOMETHING NEW THAT IS OLD

I am posting from a linux blog client...this is just a test

LIES, PIES AND TIES

For several years during Lent, I “gave up” something. I do not think of it as giving up something for Lent, but rather giving up something. Whatever I decide to give up, usually gives way to a lifestyle change. I gave up chocolate one Lent and and since then, I have severely cut back on my consumption of M&M’s and Hershey's chocolate bars. In another case, I gave up sweets and have cut back on my consumption of candies and use of sugar/sweeteners. During these times of Lent, I allow myself room to err. If I fall off the track, I summon my discipline to get me back on line.

So what does this have to do with “lies and pies and ties”? This year I couldn’t decide what to give up. I wanted it to be like the other years – where whatever I gave up, will become a lifestyle change. Three days into Lent, I figured out what to give up. It’s called lying. Now before you go asking what did he lie to me about, ask what was the last lie you told (me), and when.

In my opinion, a lie is an intentional act to deceive.  I pay no attention to the degree of a lie (a little lie vs a big lie  etc.) – it is still lying. To not lie is hard. Think about it. Have you ever told someone that you were “feeling OK”, when you were not? Have you ever distorted the truth because candor would or may cause hurt? Have you ever pretended you were having a good time so as not to appear ungrateful? Have you ever answered the phone and taken a message for yourself (so the caller wouldn’t know they are talking to you)? If you said yes to any of this or anything similar, then you have told lies. I have.

Now, what about the pie? Here it is. I am going to approach this effort as if I am eating my favorite pie. I actually don’t care for pie (the truth), but since “pies” rhymes with “lies”, I’ll pretend (lie?) that I am eating a pie. The pie is sitting there. I cut off a little piece and eat it. It tastes delicious, so I cut off a little piece more, and a little piece more and a little piece more. Eventually, and in most case sooner than I plan, the entire pie is gone. Then I stare at the now empty space and say, “I never realized how much of the pie I was eating”.

Now to tie it all together. Each day, as dictated by occurrences, I will take a piece of the pie of lie and “give it up”. This will require that I act intentionally and deliberately, hence holding myself accountable. I am not sure how long it will take for the pie to disappear, or even if it can disappear. However, what I do know is this: the same discipline with which I eat the pie, is the same discipline I will use to get rid of this pie of lie – one slice at a time.

I pray I am not lying to myself about this. Lol

Proverbs 6: 16-17…these six things the LORD hates; yea, seven are an abomination unto him: a proud look, a lying tongue…

Proverbs 12:19…The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

WHAT'S OLD IS NEW - AGAIN

Old love seems to burn brighter when it is rekindled. Sparks fly and the flames dance in celebration.

An old flame has returned to me.

I have re-discovered the joys of sitting with a book in my hand and getting lost in reading. I even renewed my library card and returned a book that was due from 2008.

Ecclesiastes once said, there is nothing new under the sun. (The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Ecc 1:9).

I believe him.

PREPARING TO WAR

Doubt can be defined as the state/space that exists between certainty and uncertainty; the point at which there is enough evidence or strong belief to question the truth/fact/situation, but not enough evidence or belief to totally disbelief.

It's in Theology (agnosticism), law (burden of proof) and in science where many scientific advances and current knowledge can be attributed to doubts of older theories and hypotheses.

However, one thing is certain (interesting choice of word): in war, doubt can be the biggest enemy. It may lead to fear and ultimately to self conviction. Once it sets in and becomes convicting, it is then easy to lose hope as faith and trust goes out the door, rendering you vulnerable. So powerful is doubt in a war, that if the enemy seizes it, they can win against you, without using any other strategy/weapon. If I can convince you to doubt your might, then I may be able to convince you that I will destroy you in a war; you might think twice about provoking me.

Since I cannot literally touch or see "doubt", how can I war against it? My suit/weapons of choice:

1. Truth
2. Righteousness
3. Peace
4. Faith
5. Salvation
6. Sword of the spirit
7. Prayer
8. Vigilance

I carry many weapons, none of which is a burden.

Eph 6:10-17

HAPPY NEW YEAR

My New Years Resolution

1. Make God the center of my life

2. Do a daily devotion/meditation

3. Volunteer in my community

4. Learn to play the piano

5. Pay my bills on time

6. Stop rushing

7. Travel to a state I have never visited