This is so very moving ...

h/t: Powerline

Humbly grateful

I have come to be grateful and appreciative, the more time I have with my son when he's really lucid, aware, and not buried in (by) his autism. Sometimes it seems he's really growing up and maturing (or at least developing his own sense of independence and personality, which is a good thing too). It's humbling and gratifying to witness. God has blessed me with this boy He created and I strive to remember to not worship the creature, but to stay focused on worshiping the Creator for his handiwork.

Often, I am blessed just to be in his company, and to watch him. He’s not the same person he was a year ago, and, God willing, will not be next year who he is now; and, progressing even more, one hopes.

Yesterday evening was one of those amazing times. We were at the Honda dealer for a half hour, with him looking at one model, then off to the next one, while he provided a running commentary of differences and benefits of the “many features” of each model. Funny thing is, he really is aware of the differences, and is accurate in reporting them. Later, at Wal-Mart, he was very serious, earnest, really, in explaining why some new headlight bulbs would benefit Deb while driving at night; he explained how the performance numbers on the packaging (he believes them to be accurate, doesn't yet understand the nuances and dishonesties of advertising) separated the average lights from the ‘high-performance’ ones in a very grown-up way.

It was difficult to hide the tears, but I succeeded. The lights were expensive, but worth the cost just to give us a process and goal which he could be a big part of, and feel really successful in having done something "super-important" for Mom's safety. The look on his face when he saw the results of the new headlights was phenomenal – he was so proud and excited at having completed this project. And I was so proud of my son, grateful that I can be there for him in ways my dad never was for me.

Sometimes, being a Dad is humbling, sometimes it's hard, but the rewards are amazing.

Remember

A vague bad feeling that you are a crummy person is not the same as conviction for sin. Feeling rotten is not the same as repentance.

So we're told the recent Chilean earthquake influenced earth's axial spin. Ok but how does that news influence your faith Colossians 1:18 comes to mind...

Remember built-in intercoms in homes in the 70s? So funny that now my wife (who never liked such trappings) & son use their cell phones like an intercom.

Ok God, its true that being obedient to you is the better way. By following you, you put us in touch with someone who is hungering for more of you and searching

Bias? What bias?

You've heard about the Episcopal church's liberal direction, right?

It's hard to miss when the media praises the "inclusiveness" etc., ad nauseum, of the Episcopal church.

Well the American branch of the Episcopal church has about 2 million members, and with the frequent (and fawning) news coverage of the ordination or promotion of yet another liberal and/or gay person within the American church, you'd think the Church as a whole is in decline...

But did you know ...

Recently the General Conference of the United Methodist Church voted against rules that would liberalize the church and set in place more of a pro-gay agenda.  Didn't hear about it in the New York Times or Newsweek, did you?  That's because there was no coverage...  Apparently the U.S. liberals are angry at the growing influence of African and Asian church who (are you ready?) actually believe what the Bible says.

Read the article.  It's fascinating, and encouraging.

Is there an appropriate response to sinning against God?

Yes, there is. It is brokenness; brokenness and repentance.  Those of you who listen to
James MacDonald know of his meme "me in the dirt, and God on the throne;" though not
specifically the same as brokenness, having a right relationship to the Creator of the Universe
does require humility and the acknowledgment on our part that we are completely
dependent on Him for our being and salvation.

Contrary to popular culture, we should be broken when we sin.

Voddie Baucham delivers an hour-long sermon split up into six ten-minute videos that is one
of the most moving sermons I have heard.  I encourage you to listen/watch also, and share
your thoughts.

The sermon is at http://thefoolishgalatian.wordpress.com/2009/06/23/voddie-baucham-brokenness/

God's blessings,

Lawrence

Experience

We should be careful to get out of an experience only the wisdom that is in it— and stop there; lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove-lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove-lid again— and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore.

— Mark Twain

Less of a man

I felt sad and lonely,

old, worn out and

somehow less of a

man than before I'd

began

To be together last

night for

companionship was like

looking at a shell of a

man: somehow still

alive and yet,
not so much

a total lack of

one might expect

from a friend who

accepted your help and now

had no gratitude

no awareness there

might be give and take (usually),
not just take

this

sounds harsh perhaps,
and yet, sadness rushed in

because his friendship

I miss

and now

I feel sad and lonely,

old, worn out and

somehow less of a

man than before I'd

began

Interesting question: does having more people praying for healing (for example) going to see result in a different outcome than only one or two people praying?

Some humor this morning

Enjoy some laughs at the new "Real-time polling" technology . . .

New Live Poll Allows Pundits To Pander To Viewers In Real Time

Words of Wisdom . . .

So I said to him, "Barack, I know Abe Lincoln, and you ain't Abe Lincoln." You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves. ...Abraham Lincoln

Car design parody video

Hello,

The below link points to a YouTube video that is a parody of the government's efforts to direct the car industry's work. 
It's rather amusing and perhaps a bit too prophetic, given how things appear to be headed.  Enjoy!

The 2012 Pelosi GTxi SS/RT Sport Edition Vehicle 

Prayer is like a walkie-talkie

Pyromaniacs: What prayer is and isn't [requested classic re-post]

Fascinating article defining prayer as "you talking to God;" nothing more, nothing less.
The points of view mentioned (along with apparentl biblical references for substantiation)
is a new one to me and challenging ... your thoughts?

Pyromaniacs: Sister... show mercy! (Annual repost #2)

Pyromaniacs: Sister... show mercy! <i>(Annual repost #2)</i>

Incredible advice and wisdom. It is difficult to defend against what Dan supports, but if you can do it,
I really want to hear from you. Just ... read the article!

Set Apart

Do not be afraid to stand apart from others if others are following the world's ways. Following God often means not following what's popular or what the majority wants. Peter speaks to this in 1 Peter 4:4

When you stand apart, but in God's will, you will appear beautiful to those around you. Maybe not always welcome, but beautiful in the aura of obedience to God.

Think about it.

If you have a relationship with a fellow believer, being open with him/her is much easier than with someone with sion you don't have that relationship.

Shut Up!

It is interesting, really, to notice that people who call themselves Christians often are the ones must unable to cope with the reality of suffering by others in their congregations. You know, the ones who always respond with that beautiful smile as they say, "fine" when asked how they are doing.

But what about the people in church who are suffering? To whom can they turn? Shouldn't church be the first place you would turn when you experience a crisis, or need to talk about how you want to cheat on your spouse, or how to process the awful news you just heard?

Instead, how many of us turn to gossip, judgment before its appropriate, backbiting and just mean selfish behavior instead of helping someone stuck in sin?

My friend Anne Jackson has put up an interesting post asking what things people wish they could say in church... take a look - you may see yourself in the list.

Solitude and Reflection