Archive for September, 2007
Ouch…ever been kicked by a mule…I haven’t but I think I know what it feels like.
I just had the hernia surgery…the pain of the hernia was less than the pain of the surgery. Yes, I know in time it will go away…but wow…it hurts.
God teaches us things during pain. I realize how wonderful a family I have. My wife and kids have been great. Literally waiting on me. My little one, Savannah, always says “Boo, Boo” because she wants to see it. I also realize what a wonderful church family I have. The concern and prayers of others has been very nice. I thank God for the advancements of medicine today. Just to think this would not have been possible in the 1800’s…you would just have to live with it. Lastly, we serve a GREAT GOD…it has been nice to have to sit still. God has ministered to me throughout this.
This past weekend I had an awesome experience. For the first time in my life I stood on the sidelines of a Division I NCAA Football team (KSU Golden Flashes) as their team chaplain. To make it even sweeter they played the University of Kentucky.
It was a great expereicne to see all that goes on behind the scenes in practice and pre game and so forth. The experience is one I will never forget.
I was honored and blessed to boldly proclaim the GOSPEL during the pre-game devotion. To speak to the football team about the game plan for the game and to turn it to the GAME PLAN GOD HAS FOR US ALL> the GOSPEL!!!!!
I don’t know how Kent State will do in football this year…I think they have a good team and have a great shot at winning the MAC. They have great heart and talent. Regardless of win or loose…I will pray for God’ glory everytime the team steps on the field. And I will serve my Lord for His glory and to help this team out however I can.
ROAD TO VICTORY
Recently pastors who subscribe to “Peaching today” where surveyed and asked if they felt they should speak out on politically and culturally relevant topics…99% said yes. One of those topics was the WAR in IRAQ. Up to this point I have only spoken about praying for our nation and leaders and supporting our troops. In this blog I go beyond that.
I preference this that my views on this war are supported by the Bible and the Baptist Faith and Message. I want peace more than anything and I do not for a moment advocate the church take up arms…God gave the government to do that. God and Country do go hand and hand in my opinion. So I pray for peace. But I don’t pray for peace that will lead ultimately to more chaos in our nation or around the world. So I pray for peace by way of victory. My statements below are not polictical. I am not supporting the presidents position because he is a republican and I am not against the democratics position becasue they are democratic or vise versa. I am supporting the path that seems right for the good of all. I am facing this issue from a biblical persepctive…on that will bring peace by way of victory. So here goes.
My last blog was about this same topic…because it is the focus of the American people right now and is higly scrutinized and under serious debate. As a result their are some in my opininon who are willing to compromise national security…that is OUR SECURITY AMERICA, for political leverage, stubborness, or gain.
Let me start of with saying that the President not congress in the commander and chief. We should support his efforts to WIN this war and also respect that he does have a plan and has even demonstrated his ability to reach out to appease those who cry for withdrawal by saying, “Whatever political party you belong to , whatever your position on Iraq, we should be able to agree that America has a vital interest in preventing chaos and providing hope in teh Middle East…so let us come togeter on a policy of strenght in the Middle East.”
I could not agree more. I am tired of the garbage I hear on TV…stuff like this, “The choice is between a Democratic plan for responsible redeployment and the president’s plan for an endless war in Iraq.” People of Broadman…let me make this clear, this is not a republican or democratic issue…this is an American issue. This issue even goes beyond us. This crazy way of thinking and flat out lies that are trying to build on the emotional well being of the American people has got to stop. We must win this war for future generations and we need to stabilize and strenthen the middle east if at all possible. Redeployment or withdrawal is not going to accomplish that…the road to victory is hard, but we must take it to its completion. This does not mean an endless war but it does mean longevity.
Before you read this blog…remember this is my blog. THese are my views. I believe they are biblically and morally solid…but I realize they are highly charged. So don’t read on unless you realize this is my opinion.
It saddens me to watch on 9/11 a congress and many in our republic, especially in the media disrepect men who have fought for our nation and served our nation in the interantional arena all of their lives…why? All becasue they believe the war in Iraq was be seen through to completion.
Somehow we have missed the connection that terrorist hate us as Americans…they believe we are a Christian nation…despite our distance from the God of Scriptures biblically and morally. However, this is how the world of terror views us…we are infidels and need to be killed off the face of the earth.
I think we need Genreral’s like Petraus (sorry about he spelling)…he reminds me of tough leaders from our past that stayed the course in our nation. He is like Grant in the Civil War and Abe Lincoln. He is like Swartzkoff…like Mcarthur and others. Perhaps we could debate if he will go down in history like these men…but there are similarities. He is facing the enemy dead on…he tells it as it is…he stands to take this to victory…even at odds with Congress….I like this guy!!!
All of us want out…no one wants war. THe Bible tells us their is a time for war and peace. I like peace too…but will no war spell peace? I don’t think so. I believe leaving now will only bring more terror to the world, even to our own soil. So I ask can we afford to surrender? Can we afford to loose? Can we afford to not stay the course? This is not about who is right or wrong about the war or its origins…it is not about being a republican or democrat…this is about doing the right thing. Will some politicians please stand up and declare a victory cry and get behind this war. Will someone dare to say the will of the people is peace but the only way we can do that is to present a peace plan which means bringing this war to a proper finish. We have only one option…VICTORY.
I pray we see victory, not retreat, surrender and failure.
Some of you will be able to relate to this story others won’t. This true life stuggle illustrates that God wants us to expand our horizons and serve Him regardless of our personal opinnions.
Many of you know that I have been blessed to be a part of the pastoral team serving the Kent State University Football team. It has been an awesome and exciting experience. This weekend KSU plays Kentucky. Many of you would say so what. But to me this is a big game. I was raised a Kentucky Wildcat from birth. I have never cheered against the wildcats. It fact the idea of it sounds almost sacreligious. But for the first time ever in my life…I am saying no to big blue!!!!!!! And yes to the ministry God has called me too!
Don’t get me wrong I am still a wildcat at heart,(but not for this game)my ministry takes priority. Ministering and pulling for the Golden Flashes has proven to be something exciting. It has proven to be a very different kind of ministry and I praise God for this opportunity. Going to Kentucky to play the wildcats is going to be an awesome experience. First to be back at Kentucky in the football staduim will bring back many college and boyhood memories. But secondly and most importatnly it has and will be a way in which God expands my horizons. Being part of this team is something new…a new ministry and a new adventure. Being part of a NCAA football team is exciting for sure. It will be something I will remember for a lifetime. And playing the wildcats and cheering against them will be a memory I will never forget either.
Go Flashes for the glory of God.
