Ron Silver

I'm saddened that one of my favorite actors Ron Silver has passed away from cancer on Sunday. Even though he was a democrat, 9/11 changed all of that. He switched and stood up for George Bush. Even though "The West Wing" was more of a liberal show, Ron Silver appeared on it frequently. He got a lot of ribbing for it. Also, because of his change in politics, it cost him a lot of work in Hollywood. Go figure. I remember him best in an old Jean Claude Van Damme movie, "Timecop." I still fond of that movie to this day. Of all things, Ron Silver played a crooked politician running for the presidency. Although I don't know more about him personally, there was something intriguing to me about his acting. He was sixty-two. I'll sure miss his acting.

Kate Or Juliet?

Juliet

I find it amusing in a way that my friend Cindy's daughter doesn't care for either Kate or Juliet on "Lost." This is a side note, but why are women so hard on other women? I've noticed this most of my life.

Kate

Okay, I'm doing what Cindy does and talking about fictional characters now. I know, I know, they are just characters. But people read novels all the time. And...TV and the movies are the "new" stages that actors use to perform with compared to the ones of old where the actors performed before live crowds.

From one guy's perspective here's my take. Of course my view may be entirely different from others. I like them both. Both of them have qualities that endear me to them for differing reasons. I love Kate's adventurous side but I also like Juliet's focus. In my experience in the dating realm I've seen many personalities. I don't know why, but I always seemed to end up with the Kate's in life. The outgoing, spur of the moment kind. Those types were more daring like the cheerleader girlfriends I was with. I wondered why? I do have this "wild" streak in me that only a very few have seen. Maybe it's that they brought out the "life" in me.

Conversely, though, it seems too, that I am drawn to the Juliet's in life. The focused, stay on course and stable ones with a purpose in mind. With men and women there are as many personalities as there are people. I could write a book on experiences. I think back to some with joy, some with sadness and one in particular that stays in the deep recesses of my heart.

Sure, it's a show. Really, even with dating aside, let me hit one more angle. Aren't we all looking for connection in life? People that we can love? Friends, family, co-workers, all of us, wants to be accepted. I think all of us in life are looking for a few of the most common things. Acceptance and love would be the top two. I know "Lost" is a show. But, it does touch on the human condition. I would venture to guess that everyone we rub shoulders with on a daily basis has that inner need of being accepted, loved and appreciated. Today, that is just food for thought. Be well.

Fox And The Ratings

Well, from February's ratings, Fox News ranked number three. YES! For all of the lefties, let that be a lesson that normal everyday folks prefer Fox over CNN. Okay, I'm done ranting. But even with that said, can the news be more foreboding?

I get up, grab my glass of water, down my vitamins and turn on Fox. Now, I like Fox but they have to report the news. And these days, there's not a lot of good news to be found. After about thirty minutes I've had about enough. But, really, are we seeing the beginning of the end?

I'm in alignment with my friend Joel. I'm still pre-tribulational, but I wonder how bad things will get before God calls us out before the great and terrible day of the Lord? This new administration is all over the place and the guy has been in office less than 50 days. The auto makers take billions of dollars and still report losses greater than what they took. People can't get elected to the cabinet because of unpaid taxes? C'mon! And, they are governing us? I could go on, but you get the drift.

Well, it really boils down to this. It's easy for me to sway off target and look at the mess and get discouraged. But, my GOD is still GOD. I really don't know how people make it without him. Even in our uncertain days, our Lord is still residing in us through the power of the Spirit. May I not ever lose that focus. Be well.

Praise Unspoken

I've laid my head upon my pillow
Late at night so many times
With a song unheard by others in my heart
Caught away in all your goodness
How the tears of joy would roll
My unspoken praise ascending
In the stillness, in the dark




That's the second verse of Gordon Jensen's song, "Praise Unspoken." I'm up early. Well for me anyway. As I was checking my emails I had Gordon's CD "Tuesdays and Thursdays" playing in the background. Then, this song came on. I had to stop typing for a few moments as the song overtook my thoughts and feelings. I found myself reflective. Actually I've been this way for over a few days now. Today's post might not have any continuity to it. Just some rambling thoughts on a Tuesday morning.

It's easy for me to get disgruntled in traffic, to get impatient in a grocery store line and let the little insignificant things bother me at times. Certainly I could blame it on the fast paced society in which we live. But, really, it could be that I haven't settled my spirit inside me for the day ahead. That's where the song comes in.

Over this past weekend, my brother Terry, my sister Julie and myself were going through some old photo albums at Dad's house. Dad wanted us to go through some of the old photos and take some of the ones we wanted for our collection. It should have been a happy time. And...some of the pictures brought back some very good memories. However, some made me incredibly sad. Mom passed away seven years ago next month. As I looked at some of the older photographs it reminded me of how much she sacrificed for her family.

On one hand, I felt gratified that she cared for us and also led my brother Terry and me to the Lord. For all the home cooked meals, clean clothes and love that she lavished upon us. On the other hand, I felt guilty! My mind the past few days were of thoughts: "did I thank her enough for what she did?", "did I tell her I loved her enough?" So, when I popped in the CD this morning and that Gordon Jensen classic started playing I was overcome with tears.

Why is it that it's so easy to grumble and complain about things? Why is it that I don't praise God more and complain a lot less? All I know is that for a few moments I just thanked God for his goodness. I thanked him for my mother and my father. A set of parents that had it hard but raised a family anyway. Then, I had to ask the Father above to forgive me for not praising him enough.

I do know in my own spiritual life I need to be in an "attitude of gratitude" a lot more than what I do at times. Okay, so a car cuts me off in traffic, the clerk at the store was in a foul mood, whatever! God has been so good to me. As I looked at those old photographs it just reminded me of how God has brought me through. It's like the old hymn, "God Leads Us Along." Some through the fire, some through the flood, some through the waters, but all by the blood! How true.

So, this morning as I had to repent for my lack of praising God, I ended up praising him! Oh, Lord, how I need to do that more. Gordon and I have known each other since 1979. We've been able to communicate over the past six months and catch up on things. I could never thank him enough for songs that have gotten me through some pretty rough times in my life. So, as I end this post today, I thank the Lord for his goodness. I give him my unspoken and yet at times, my spoken praise. I know when I focus more on the Lord and less on what's around me, a gentle peace comes over me. It seems everything reminds me of a song. I think of the old one, "Wonderful Peace." As I close, listen to the first minute or so of this classic by Gordon. I hope your day is filled with the peace of God!

Praise Unspoken

Sawyer Speaks About Time

Obviously my favorite show is "Lost." Well, for those who don't follow the show I'll have to improvise at this point. The bottom line comes down to a question. Sawyer has a friend who's worried that the woman he is with doesn't forget her old husband who died from three years ago. He asks Sawyer about it. Sawyer gives his answer in this clip:

Sawyer Speaks



Well, maybe in some cases that is true. Later though, Sawyer gets a glimpse of the one he loved: Kate. We'll have to wait and see what transpires next. My take? In some ways time does erode memories to some degree. Other times, they don't. I can tell you this much: There are those that have loved so deeply it will take a lifetime for them to ever forget what that person meant to their life. We all are different that's for sure. Closing thought: The scenes with Sawyer, Jack and Kate are the best ones on "Lost." I love most of the characters but those three really hit home with me in a special way. Sure, its a show, but it can also mirror real life at times. Have a good Thursday!

The Seventh Sola

Today's post will be quick and to the point. For as long as I can remember I have posted Joel Griffith's link to his blog, "The Seventh Sola." Of course the five solas are Latin phrases that emerged out of the Protestant Reformation. Since seven is God's perfect number, we have, Joel's "The Seventh Sola." If you stop by my blog you'd do yourself a favor by stopping by Joel's blog. This man has a great handle on the exegesis of the Word of God. You'll get no "spin" from Joel. You'll get the truth. Also, check out www.Contender.org. Kevin Johnson is a well-versed theologian and you will learn a lot from what he has to say. I have the privilege of knowing Kevin as a friend as well. You can count on a true treatment of God's Word. Have a great day everyone.

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me." This verse out of John 14 should be a comfort to us. Especially in these troubled days in which we live. Just today I talked with a friend that is fearful he may lose everything he's worked so hard to get. I also talked with a technician at my doctor's office that is concerned her husband will be laid-off from work.

Also, when we look around us we can definitely see the a lot of things in crisis. Wall Street taking a dive, housing is down, the auto makers wasting billions, and the list goes on. These are times that we need to remind myself that we are God's. He has taken care of us in the past, I need to trust him now as we live in uncertain days.

Of course the historical context of this passage was where Jesus was comforting his disciples. He knew what was ahead. He told them to not be troubled. He had to go away. He also said he would go and make a place for them. Then, he would come back and receive them unto himself. Jesus wrapped it up by saying he is "the way, the truth and the life."

Now from a inspirational perspective, I think it would be good for us to remember that we can rest in him. He will come back and receive us unto himself. We don't know the day or the hour he will come. But, rest assured, we have that hope, we have that promise, he will come again. In the meantime we can put our faith, hope and trust in the one who called us unto himself.

I've written nothing new today. Nothing that hasn't already been written so many times before. At times though, we need to be reminded of simple truths. Well, I know that I do. I think when John the Beloved was on the isle of Patmos and saw all the things that was to come upon the earth, I'm sure it must have been amazing to see into the future. But, as he finished the book of Revelation, he leaves us with the words: "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." That's where my faith is anchored. There's no better place to be than in the arms of our Lord! Be well.