HARMLESS THOUGHTS

I have always wondered where James Cameron received his inspiration for that scene in Titantic. You know the one I am talking about, the "flying" scene. "Oh Jack! I'm flying!" I always knew that I would find the inspiration for that scene one day. And tonight I did, while I was reading books to my boys. Nothing like reading curious George James.

God, the one and only-- I'll wait as long as he says, Everything I need comes from him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I'm set for life. How long will you gang up on me? How long will you run with the bullies? There's nothing to you, any of you-- rotten floorboards, worm-eaten rafters, Anthills plotting to bring down mountains, far gone in make-believe. You talk a good line, but every "blessing" breathes a curse. God, the one and only-- I'll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not? He's solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I'm set for life. My help and glory are in God-granite-strength and safe-harbor-God. So trust him absolutely, people; lay your lives on the line for him. God is a safe place to be. Man as such is smoke, woman as such, a mirage. Put them together, they...

It is Thanksgiving Morning, and I am already contemplating the Thanksgiving spread. I am beginning to envision this table spread out with the turkey, the stuffing, the mashed potatoes, the sweet potato casserole, mom's homemade noodles, and the endless number of pies. I can see it spread out before me. It is one of the best meals that I will eat all year. And I am planning on savoring every bite of it. But as I contemplate this meal, I start thinking about those without. I am not talking about those without a thanksgiving meal. Though that is a great cause, and one that is much needed, that is not what I am thinking about right now. I am thinking about those who have decided that their own way is better than God's. I have been there before. I have been down that path. And it only leads to despair, destruction and a fleeting happiness. God knows this. And when people go down this path he beckons us back. "He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious...

I am going to take some time off. If you are at all interested in when I start up again, just enter your e-mail address into my notify list and I will let you know when I get er goin'.

A new friend of mine just posted a great story. I heard him tell this story in person, so I was happy to see him actually post it on his blog. It is a worthwhile read, and drives home an excellent point. Read it here .

pet peeve n. Informal Something about which one frequently complains; a particular personal vexation. I can't tell you how many times I have gone to the grocery store with my wife, and we decided that it would be best if I just dropped her off at the door so she could just run in and get the stuff. We don't always do this, but when there are only a few items to get and the kids are in the van with us, it is just quicker to wait in the van for her. When I do this, I will usually circle the parking lot for awhile, then I will pull up along the curb and wait. But just really bugs me when I see people come to the store by themselves and just park their car on the curb and walk inside. It is one thing when there is someone in the car to keep it running, and to move it if it is in the way, but it is a totally different story when you just park there... in a no-parking zone! Who are these people? I know what they are thinking. "I am in a real hurry, and I ...

In case you were wondering, I think that the chapel service went well. It seemed like all of the students were paying attention. There was laughter when there was supposed to be laughter, and there was silence when there was supposed to be silence. I couldn't have asked for much more.

pet peeve n. Informal Something about which one frequently complains; a particular personal vexation. You know what I hate? You know how some parking lots have the one-way lanes? It is usually pretty easy to tell the lane is one-way because of the giant white arrow painted on the ground ! The normal person will usually decide to go the same direction as the arrow. But every so often there will be this one driver, who obviously doesn't understand the giant white arrow painted on the ground , that will go the wrong direction down the one-way lane. And to top it off, they will look at you with disgust, like you were doing something wrong, when in fact it is them! I really hate that.

Well, I get to talk in my very first Shannon Forest Christian School Chapel tomorrow. I have always enjoyed talking in a "preaching" type of situation. My first experience preaching was at Edgewood Baptist Church in Danville, IL. I can still remember what I preached about. I can also remember which people dozed through my main points, and which people remained focused to the end. In fact, my attention on the audience has always been one of my weaknesses. I really, really want the people that I am talking to, to be interested in what I am saying, and if they aren't, I either want to stop talking, or do something drastic to wake them up. I feed off of the audience. I call it a weakness because it shouldn't be my primary focus, but sometimes I think that it is a strength. I have listened to too many preachers that were so boring, that I could hardly take it. And for the longest time, I have felt completely guilty for my own lack of attention. But is this...

When I was about 6 or 7 years old, I was attending children's church at Edgewood Baptist Church, and I told my teacher that I wanted to be saved. I don't really remember this moment all that well, but I do remember that it happened. I remember going into a separate room, and praying "the prayer" with the teacher. I remember saying that I was a sinner and that I believed that Jesus died on the cross to save me. But I wasn't saved. I can also remember growing up and always having that moment to look back on. For the longest time it was my assurance, even though it was only that moment. Through my junior high and highschool years I wasn't that bad of a kid. Oh sure, I was a trouble maker from time to time, but I wasn't all that bad. And when I felt that there was something wrong, that maybe I wasn't right with God, I thought that maybe I just needed to pray again. That maybe I hadn't really, really meant it the first time, that maybe...

It is official. I have posted over 200 times, but have I really said anything? I'm not sure.

"Sing to the Lord, you saints of his;     praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment,    but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night,    but rejoicing comes in the morning." --David (the psalmist) I have been reading through the Psalms again, and I love it when I find a verse that I have marked in my Bible. I usually float back to my past and wonder why I paused there; why I underlined that, or why I made that little star next to that phrase. Sometimes I remember, sometimes I don't. I can't remember the exact reason why I marked this verse in my Bible. I can remember when I marked it. So I can imagine its significance at that time, but I will say to you now that it is so good to know that God's anger is momentary. If it wasn't, then there would be no hope. Praise God that his mercies are new every morning.

Some might read that title and start imagining complex systems of equations and such, but that is not what I am going to talk about. There is a little speech that I have prepared, and I give it to my students every chance I get. I know that some of them get sick of it, but I give it anyway. It is a lesson that I truly believe has great value if they can grasp ahold of what I am saying. And I know that it is my cue to begin my speech when I hear something like this, "... oh man, when are we ever gonna use this?!?" And my response to this age-old question is, "You might never use this again." I know, I know. Newton, Gauss, Euclid, Pythagoras, and several other historic mathematicians just rolled over in their graves. But I don't stop there. What I am teaching goes beyond the math. The reality is that I am doing my best to help them be spiritual people. Let me explain... It is easy to say with your mouth that you are a Christian. Anyone can do tha...

That's right. I would like to say that I cast my ballot today, but there was no ballot to cast. So instead I will say that I touched my touch screen. It is great to see technology increasing and making things easier. I am just happy that they are still handing out the little stickers.

I know that today is election day, and I should probably pitch in my two cents somewhere, but I just haven't been able to think of anything to say. Besides, there are plenty of other blogs out there that can cover the election and the issues in a much more knowledgeable way than I can. In fact, as I was surfing to find some good election coverage, I noticed that there are several major websites that have added blogging to their array of coverage. I knew that blogging was getting big, but now everyone is getting into the act! CNN even has some insight into the election blogosphere , and is running two election day blogs of their own. Crazy stuff. Here is my only rant about the election: I have been totally surprised at how many "christian" blogs have supported Kerry. Call me naive, call me silly, but it doesn't change the fact that I am shocked by this. I know that not every christian is a conservative, that is not what I am saying. But it seems like t...