Observations from the edge

To many people, I am kind of "out there." I kind of relish that in my own "out there" kind of way. Some folks suffer from insanity while I take great comfort with it! Anyway, here are some more random thoughts from the edge of the fishbowl.

Does anybody, from my Generation on, really understand how we can get excited that the price of Gas has dropped below $4 a gallon? Personally, I believe we would take care of all of our energy needs if we could harness the hot air coming out of Denver this week! Talk about Greenhouse gases and global warming! John Kerry melted an entire iceberg by himself last night.

I have a lot of questions for God. Things that I don't understand, things that I don't feel have been fair in life. Like this one. How is it that at the age of 45 I take up running again, I give up eating after 9:00 p.m., I ran 7 miles last week, starving to death and only lost 4 pounds???? It seems to me that as you age, you should get double credits for anything you do that is healthy!!

Another question for God. Why did you create a fast lane after you created people that aren't smart enough to know what it is for?

Why do we make more gun laws when we haven't rounded up the ones the break the original ones?

If a Train leaves Baltimore, heading to New York at 70 miles per hour, and another Train leaves New York heading to Baltimore at 45 miles per hour, why would a guy in Chicago care?

What's the most unexplained thing in the Universe? The front Church Pew! No one will sit there! And if you remove it, the Second pew becomes the first by proxy and everyone moves back. I think that is how we should end the War in Iraq. Fill it with Church pews and then start taking them out one by one!

Why do Insult Comics get offended by Critics?

Is it really possible for a Critic to give a good review? Aren't they, by definition, going against their very job?

Why is it that I really want to see a Movie that the Critics pan? And why is that I usually love those Movies?

Why is there an express line at the Grocery Store? Have we gotten so out of shape as a Society that we just can't wait to get home and Cook what we have bought?

We really could learn to slow down. We just have to take the time to do it!

Which end is up?

By clicking on the Title link you will be taken to a News Story and a photograph of the Credentialed required to get into the Democratic Convention. The credential shows a picture of Barack Obama and what appears to be a United States Flag. Closer examination will reveal that the Flag is upside down. The Obama Camp refutes that, stating that the flag is just "stylized" to blend in with the shirt Obama is wearing. Apparently, they believe we are all idiots!

It is quite apparent by now that Barack has serious issues with the United States Flag. I have serious issues with that. I'm all for the freedoms that make this Country great but frankly, electing a man that either doesn't understand or simply does not care about the meaning and significance of our Flag has nothing to do with freedoms and would be a travasty of the greatest proportions. I don't care if you are Democrat, Republican, Independant or affiliated with any other Governmental party, a vote for this man is a vote against America.

I don't care what his race is. That has no affect on me at all. I don't care how charasmatic and articulate he may be, "don't tread on me!"

Many of you will recognize that an upside down flag is a symbol of a ship in distress. It is my hope that the ship in distress is Obama's campaign. Vote ANYTHING but Democratic!

Worn out with waiting

31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

I am currently learning some hard lessons. On the one hand, I have a promise from God that we are about to see the results of the seeds planted over the past 7 1/2 years. On the other hand, I see anything but results and I am highly frustrated with it all.

In the middle of all of it, the Church has been through some major stuff and I have wanted to handle things my own way but I keep hearing the voice of God speak to me to "wait."

Waiting has never been one of my strong points. I'm too bullheaded, stubborn and opinionated to wait on very much. (yes, I am confessing my faults) Waiting is something that can be misinterpreted as inattentiveness by others and maybe even weakness to some but yet God tells me to wait. I realize that I am speaking in generalities but yet that very act is part of the "wait" that God has spoken to me.

Although I am worn out with waiting, I have learned a few things about waiting in the process that I would like to share with you all.

1. Waiting puts you into a position where you have to hear from God! Many times we react to situations out of what we know or what we feel, without ever giving God time to speak to us. In this process I have learned that I do that a lot. I hope I learn my lesson.

2. Waiting puts you into a position of complete trust. Sometimes I am as subtle as a brick to the head. One thing I have to constantly be aware of is my tendency to handle things in a "in your face" kind of manner. A "here are the facts, now deal with it" kind of approach. God is teaching me that truth does its own slapping and doesn't need my help in the least.

3, Waiting helps you gain focus. When you are in a season of waiting, you must continually look to God in order to remember why you are waiting. That much time directed toward the Father can only strengthen ones soul and increase ones spiritual focus.

One thing that helps in the waiting process is to remember that none of us are perfect people. In fact, outside of God, I don't believe we are intended to be and even with God, it is a struggle for us all. In every conflict there is a "side" to take. The one thing that those "sides" have in common is that they both believe they are right. Wait on the Lord, take His side and surely your strength will be renewed.