Waxing on Perception and Reality

Heard some more political discussion tonight...the question was "Is there more than just perception or will any of his promises actually translate into reality?" The answer was "Don't forget, in politics perception is reality." Not the first time we have heard that cliche' to be sure but it got me to thinkin.'
Imagine that!
Is perception reality? And if it is how far does that reality go? The mind? Some false sense of security or hope in hope alone? Or can perception change reality? I think in politics, people's perception can actually change reality, at least in the short term because if a candidate convinces the majority that he is and he can then they will vote and elect him/her. That would be a reality. But the greater realities would still remain. The problems would still be unsolved. We would still have to fund all the promised programs while also cutting taxes. We would still have many without health insurance and many who could not afford college. We would still have hate and war and crime and all other sorts of wickedness. That is much more serious and long-term reality.
Of all the world leaders in all of world history, none have been able to solve all the problems. None have been able to deliver to the "have nots" what the "haves" have. Only one leader in world history has done what the prophets said He would do and what He said He would do. And He was far from a politician!
Only one leader gave what no other has been willing to give, His life, and then He took it up again. Only one leader lived a sinless life, died a criminal's death and rose victorious as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Everything He said is true and all that He promises he delivers...now that is reality. And although perception can be deceiving, there is coming a day when the reality of Jesus Christ will be known to all.
2 Peter 3
This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Now that is going to be some Change You Can Believe In!

Waxing on Surprise Home Improvements

Ever seen one of those "home improvement shows?" You know where everybody is smiling and having a great time, this really hip upbeat music is playing and entire rooms are transformed in elapsed time giving the illusion that this is actually possible to do in 30 minutes or something? I have always hated those shows....and now I really hate those shows.
So last week my wife and daughter were out of town and someone graciously offered to help me surprise Becky with some new carpet... while she was gone. While the carpet was a huge blessing to us, I got this bright idea to paint while the house was in disarray.
Well if you know me then you know that doing home improvement is not exactly one of my strengths, to put it lightly... but I was determined! So, with a lot of help from a very good friend (thank you brother!) we managed to surprise my wife when she got home....with a beautiful concrete slab in the den, bare steps with menacing tacks waiting to inflict injury to unprotected feet and furniture in every place but where it was supposed to be. Like I said, I hate those shows! But it did finally get finished yesterday and I think Becky really likes it!

Waxing on Last Week

That is my wife and I at Carolina Beach last week. And me eating one of many hot and fresh "Britt's Donuts." Man those things just melt in your mouth! Our little get away was pretty cool...actually it was pretty hot but hey, it was late July at the beach. Loved it! We stopped in Wilmington on the way home, walked around on the Riverwalk and had lunch at Union Station. That was quite enjoyable!

We had a great time but it was good to back in the fellowship Sunday. We only missed one prayer meeting but man it seemed like we were gone for a long time! Thanks for the help you all (and you know who you are)! We really appreciate you letting us get away once in a while. That picture below is from the terrace at Union Station...Becky loved that place!

Waxing on Showtime

I have been on vacation for most of this week so I have spent more time than I normally do watching TV...mostly news and...yes Sportscenter.
I still like sports alot but I have found it increasingly difficult to tolerate ESPN lately. Why? Is it because they are so anti-Raider? They have always been so that couldn't be it. Is it this whole Brett Favre thing that they seem obsessed with? This week they could have changed their name to the "Brett Favre Channel" because everytime I have checked in, they were giving an update on the Brett Favre situation...but I like Brett Favre, who doesn't?

I think the issue for me is that ESPN has become "the show." Or at least they think they are. I remember when we first got ESPN...man it was like "Yes! We don't have to wait for Monday Night Football to see highlights of Sunday's games! And it is on 24 hours a day!" The game used to be the show....the focus of Sportscenter...and I know they still report on games but the whole thing is just too much. The production has gotten slicker and more hip and is simply the benchmark in sports coverage. ESPN is the best at what it does no doubt but the point still is that if it was not for the game, there would be no ESPN....so what does it matter? Not much really, just something that gets on my nerves...and I will still watch even if I think they have their favorite little darlings that they are obsessed with just like the rest of the major media outlets. I long for the long-gone days of just pure coverage and reporting of events, if it is sports or politics or whatever...but I know what the deal is. Give the people what they want right?
















Keep 'em happy and they will keep watching and let's face it, the show has to get better and better...more, more, more...or the crowd will just go elsewhere...so of course, you know where I am going with this...do we not do the same thing in church? Have we not been so obsessed with improving our performance and presentation that we have forgotten Who the real story is all about? Instead of simply telling the biggest story of all time, are we now trying to impress people ourselves? Do we think we are the show?
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)