Waxing on The Love of Music

This past Sunday afternoon my daughter, Jordyn (second on the right in red) won first place in the instrumental competition sponsored by the Hopewell/Prince George Lyons Club. Jordyn competed against 15 other pianists and the competition was very tough. The students amazed me with their composure, performing their selected pieces without written music while being judged partly by how correct they played according to the written score. Jordyn played Moonlight Sonata (my favorite classical piece). She was flawless! I know, I know...spoken as only Dad could but hey, she won! I am very proud of Jordyn, win or lose, but I am thankful that she was rewarded for her hard work. I am also thankful that I was reminded of the simple love of music on Sunday. The contest was 4 hours long and all I had to do was sit there. That is an odd place for a Pastor and it was a good time for me to stop and listen...just listen. Just enjoy the gift of music. It was pretty sweet.
Jordyn and I both love the movie, "The Pianist" and before she went up to play, I encouraged her to remember the movie's main character, Polish Pianist, Wladyslaw Szpilman, forced to hide from the Nazis as a Jewish refugee, and when he was finally able to play piano again, he played not for the crowd, or for money but just for the love of music.
I didn't know if Jordyn was paying any attention to me and wondered if I only added to her nerves but when she began to play Sunday, I believe, that by the grace of God, Beethoven himself would have stopped to listen to his masterpiece...it was just one of those moments.
She deserved to win and I am glad she did but I am even more pleased that she has been given the gift of music appreciation. She loves music and I do too! She told me on the way home that she did think of Szpilmanand imagined that she was all alone, just playing for the love of it. We got home Sunday night and I flipped on the TV. "60 Minutes" was on, as a story was beginning about Nathaniel Ayers. A homeless man in L.A. suffering from Paranoid Schizophrenia. Once a Julliard Academy music student, he has long since left Julliard, and suffered through shock therapy and other failed attempts to help him. He now lives in the streets, with thousands of other mentally ill people but he still has a love for music. He sits in the park, or on the street playing the Cello, the Violin, or the Trumpet, not for money...but for the love of music.
"Music is saying, you know, life isn't that bad, you know?" Mr. Ayers explained.
I would have to agree with Mr. Ayers and even take it a little further. Life is not that bad... as a matter of fact, life is good!
Thank you Lord for life and thank you for the gift of music!

Waxing on No More Worries

Like most people, the problems America is facing have concerned me lately. Many different specific problems that I could go on and on about but the major issue being an obvious moral collapse. Of course this has led to economic collapse and because the corruption in our government is more apparent everyday (AIG), real leadership has been scarce. As our nation continues to be at war in 2 countries, and threats from China, North Korea and Iran are commonplace.
As the United States faces a new Russian Empire that is showing off its latest War Ships in the Caribbean...as be-headed victims of the Mexican Drug War are discovered ever closer to the US border and illegal immigrants continue to flood, unchecked, into our country... as the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, declares enforcement of Immigration Law to be "un-American"... as unemployment rises and the stock market falls...as America falls further and further into the abyss of confusion and a seeming inablility or lack of desire to do anything to change our course... stories of American citizens arming themselves to the teeth...protesting in increasing numbers...becoming more and more angry at our leaders, are heard daily. As all of these problems face us, we look to the President for leadership...for a "sense of purpose"...or a "clear direction" and "focus on the task at hand." You know all those little cliche's and catch phrases we hear during the campaign? Promises of vision and change.
The American people are looking for leadership and good news America... it is official! All is well!
President Obama knows College Basketball! That's right, don't worry about losing your home or your job. Don't worry about Gitmo Terroists being released and Mexican Drug Cartels kidnapping US citizens. Don't worry about Kim Jong Ill. Don't worry about that madman in Iran steadily enriching uranium and daring anybody to stop him. That seems harmless enough. Maybe we should sit down and chat with him! Maybe talk some basketball, or camel racing! Wonder if they have a tournament? Don't take seriously when he says stuff like: “Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation's fury,”. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Don't worry. All is well. Our President can make serious predictions for the NCAA Basketball Tournament! I saw him do it on ESPN! Yes! It was so neat how he revealed his knowledge and love for the game. He apparently follows it closely and he should! What else should he be doing? I mean, come on...give the guy a break! And if that doesn't put your national worries at ease, The Prez will be on Jay Leno's show tonight! Cool! Wow! What were we worried for? Thanks Mr. President!

Waxing on More Madness in The News

Monday's are very reflective for me as I look back on a weekend of ministry. I am very thankful to the Lord for His mercy that allows me to be in ministry as a full-time pastor. Today I was able to get some house cleaning done while Becky and Jordyn were in Richmond for Jordyn's weekly humanities class. I was also able to spend some quiet time reading and had a couple of uneventful phone conversations...so today was mostly serene....then I turned on the news.
Now I need to vent. I am sure that venting is the main purpose of my blog but if someone out there actually reads this and it helps you feel a little better (or worse) let me know. I would love to hear your comments. So what is it that made me so steamed?
Here's the rundown of what I see as another day of absolute insanity:
1. President Obama spoke to representatives of small-business owners today acknowledging that small businesses were the "heart and soul" of the ecnonomy providing at least half of all jobs. Seems like I remember hearing something about the importance of small business during the Presidential Campaign...from the other party...but anyway, that is history. The important thing is now the President has a plan to save small business jobs...you know that provide half of all employment in our nation.
Here are the two reasons I think the plan is insane:
a. More debt is never the answer.
b. If you actually think that debt is the answer (as Obama apparently does) and you actually believe that small business is the "heart and soul" of the economy, why then would you think that a paltry 15 billion dollars in loan guarantees would do anything to solve the problem when hundreds of billions of dollars have been given to single corporations.
AIG received 150 billion from the federal government and small businesses who are the "heart and soul" of our ecnonomy will receive 15 billion. Don't misunderstand me...again, I personally do not think that government loans or loan guarantees are the answer to any of our economic problems but how ridiculous is this whole thing? 150 billion to AIG!! And oh yeah, at his small business speech today, the President said he was going to get "his people" working on doing something about the 165 million in bonuses that AIG execs got from the bailout money! Yes, after AIG lost billions and the Bush Administration took our money and gave it to AIG, they had the audacity to pay there execs bonuses! Bonuses for what? Their extraordinary ability to lose money? I mean I know I am an uneducated kind of guy who learned most of his economics from working as a meat manager in the grocery business but even us simple-minded types knew that if we did not earn a profit we NEVER got a bonus! Here is another good piece from today's news:
2. Bernie Madoff's wife will probably get to keep her 11 million dollar Florida home...if she files for bankruptcy protection!! Yes, let's protect the stolen money!! Absolutely!
3. And speaking of protecting...while our Armed Forces are repositioned in extreme conditions in outposts in Afghanistan, with no electricity or running water...building protection fences with their bare hands...the International Red Cross released a report today of their serious concern for how the CIA treated suspected terroists leaders.
The admitted mastermind of the USS Cole bombing. The self-declared "architect" of the 911 attacks on our country and one of Osama Bin Laden's Chief Operatives were not treated "fairly" by the Bush Administration. They suffered extreme temperatures, sleep deprivation and "water-boarding." By the way, the awful act of waterboarding is credited for foiling the plot to blow up The Brooklyn Bridge. Investigators found explosives and detailed plans for the operation after the successful interrogations. Yeah, I know, not much news on that...the media would rather report on the horrors of CIA operations and mistreatment of people who include in their daily mantras, "Death to America."
So today's top stories include:
The President's plan to do little to nothing for the "heart and soul" of the ecnonomy.
AIG execs receiving millions in bonuses of our tax dollars for their great ability to lose billions.
Bernie Madoff's wife will get to keep (through bankruptcy protection) an 11 million dollar mansion in Florida, paid for by the worst swindler in US history.
The International Red Cross is still "concerned" that mass murderers and self-proclaimed master minds of terror and haters of America and Israel, bent on the destruction of both, were not treated "fairly" by the Bush Administration.
Maybe we should get a comment from Vice President Biden...uh-oh...better turn the microphone off first!
It would be funny if it were not so serious. My venting does feel good but my real peace remains in Christ. I am very interested in the news and I am very aware that corruption and ridiculous leadership is the "order of the day" but I do not fret as one with no hope. Let us remember, brothers and sisters that according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13).

Waxing Surreal

I went outside tonight (barefooted in shorts) quickly closing the door to keep the bugs out and it hit me; exactly one week ago it was freezing outside and snowing heavily. Becky and I went for a walk last Sunday night (she loves snow) and our faces hurt from the bitter wind and driving snow...and tonight there are no snow flakes to be seen in the light, rather I see moths and other assorted winged creatures gathering around the glow. It just feels surreal.
Yesterday afternoon I was washing the car (pretty surreal in itself) and a huge bullfrog came hopping across the driveway! It has hit 80 degrees for 2 straight days! I am certainly not complaining just making this surreal observation.
I guess it is really not that rare for weather to change so drastically, it just feels abnormal...no adjustment period. Climate shock. The change is just too drastic to ignore.
I started thinking about other observations that I have made the past couple of weeks that are quite surreal as well. Unfortunately they have a much greater impact than the weather....just a few:

1.Our Federal Government is budgeting...budgeting mind you...to be 1.9 TRILLION dollars in debt THIS YEAR! What insanity is this? Is this implosion by design?
2. I saw "Christian" television selling "financial blessings" for $900.00 donations! What? Is there no fear of God left? Not even on "Christian" television?
3. A woman called 911... 3 times... because McDonald's did not have "Chicken McNuggets!"
4. The owner of a Muslim TV Station in Buffalo that was reportedly started for the purpose of promoting the "understanding of Islam" and to "break stereotypes of extremist behavior" in America, beheaded his wife! He cut off her head! In Buffalo NY! And get this...most of the American media ignored the whole thing! And in a related story, number 5....
5. Chris Matthews of MSNBC referred to Pro-Life activism as "TERROISM!" You can't make this stuff up! He called people who do not believe that the mass slaughter of unborn children is a good thing, TERROISTS!! By the way, this was in the context of discussing the Presidents latest Cabinet Appointment. President Obama said that his choice for Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius was a person of "unquestioned integrity." The fact that Pro-Life Activists had the "audacity" to notice Ms Sebelius record of consistently supporting the radical pro- abortion agenda (including late-term abortion and no parental notification) made them "terroists" in Mr. Matthews opinion. What exactly is "integrity?" What exactly is "terrorism?" Is this the "Twilight Zone?"
6. And today, a man walked into a Church in Illinois and shot the Pastor to death in the pulpit!
Shocking...surreal...sad...sobering.

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly!
They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel,
you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
(from Isaiah 1, the warning of God to His people Israel)

Waxing on a Great Weekend

This past weekend was just one of those very cool times of life. Beck and I took Jordyn up to Aylett to hang out and do some Bible Study with some of her friends from CBS and Humanities. The couple that holds the study live in an old Plantation style house and their property is just beautiful. We dropped Jordyn off, praising the Lord that our daughter chose to go to Bible Study on Friday night, and went to eat at a "suggested" restaurant....the place certainly looked nice enough and I imagine the food was good but when we looked at the menu we both just started laughing.
The place was just way out of our price range so we quietly slipped out and laughed all the way to the car. We then went to the same place (Hound's Tooth Cafe) we ate at the last time we were up there and had a great meal at a reasonable price.
Then we went back to pick Jordyn up and that is when the unexpected blessing occurred...I stepped out of the car and looked up...stunning! Amazing! I stood completely enthralled at the sky. It had been quite a while since I had been out in the country on a super clear night. I really could not get over it! I know that may sound simple but when is the last time you could really see the stars with no artificial light affecting the view?
So anyway, we came home Friday night, had a great day Saturday just being together and making final preparations for today.
Then Saturday night, Beck and I finished our two-night Valentine Date off. Today, worship with our fellowship of believers was sweet as always. God is good. He really is! Money might be tight and the luxuries that we enjoy may dwindle but His blessings...the simple, but rich gifts that He gives, are the best anyway.
Next time you get a chance, look up and marvel at the incredible artistry of His creation...and look at your family and praise the Lord for His priceless gifts.

Waxing on Civil Liberties

Pro-life protesters, peacefully demonstrating, are arrested in Maryland. Street preachers, lawfully practicing free speech are issued citations in Richmond. Virginia State Police Chaplains are forbidden to pray in the name of Jesus. The Governor of Colorado signs into law, legislation that effectively makes the distribution of Bibles illegal.

Meanwhile, a Multanomah County Judge in Washington State throws out a charge of nude bicycling stating that it is a "well established tradition" and understood as a "symbolic form of protest." Homosexual activists pull off a well-coordinated invasion of a Michigan Church, interrupting their worship service with shouts and expressions to declare that it is "OK to be gay!" And in Roanoke VA, the ACLU has once again, come running to protect anyone from hearing that, oh so offensive name of Jesus as the Vice Mayor of Roanoke is sued for "mentioning" the name of Christ in his prayer.


Also, Tom Hanks declares that anyone who voted for Proposition 8 that protected the definition of marriage (which is a pretty "well established tradition" in this country) is UN-American....so the ACLU protects civil liberties as long as they do not stray from their own ideology and Tom Hanks supports allowing people to vote as long as they vote according to his ideology. Yeah, I know people care what I think about as much as I care what Tom Hanks and the ACLU think but I figure I better blog while I still have the civil liberties to do so...besides it just feels better to vent. I like free speech!

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?The kings of the earth set themselves,and the rulers take counsel together,against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs;the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath,and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”
I will tell of the decree:The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear,and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son,lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,for his wrath is quickly kindled.Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 2

Waxing on Woeful Days

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,who put darkness for light and light for darkness,who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20)
As our nation already begins to see the results of the economic collapse of 2008...as billions of dollars are poured into the same vessel that cannot hold water ...as plans are made to attack this country and the goal of our destruction is announced in public by world leaders while our media cries for the release of our combatants...as Bibles are forbidden in Public School on "Religious Freedom Day" and Christians are forbidden to talk to people in a public park without a permit...as America continues its free fall into the insanity of the moral abyss...the big celebration is almost here!
A 95 million dollar extravaganza complete with all the coolest of entertainers and even a "Gay Bishop!" What a proud day for America! As Gay Activist Groups plan to "party on Inauguration Day" and even have their very own marching band in the Inauguration Parade,the President-Elect promises to do away with any restriction on gays in the military. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" will be changed so that open gay lifestyle can be practiced while one serves in the Armed Forces of the United States of America (that is sure to make us stronger!).

As we see the end result of years of rejecting God, Who made this nation, do we still foolishly think that He will lower His standards to our ideas? Would the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth suddenly become less Holy? Less Righteous? Is God Almighty bound to be "Politically Correct?" Is He influenced by lobbyists, activists and ultra-liberal secular progressives? Is He impressed by the demands of the perverse?
It is beyond foolishness to think such things. In Him there is absolutely no shadow of turning. We can make Him to be anything we want in our vain imaginations but it does not move Him in the least. America has one hope and that is repentance. A mourning of our wickedness and a return to obedience to God. It is not time to celebrate. It is time to repent America.
"Unless you repent, you all likewise shall perish."- Jesus Christ

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
(Romans 1:18-27)