Go Ahead and Remember....It's OK

The other day I heard part of this song while I was in my car. The song is by Toby Keith and it is about his relationship with Wayman Tisdale, a former NBA, Olympic, and University of Oklahoma star. While on the Bonnie Hunt show, Keith said that Tisdale was as close to a perfect human being as he had ever met. Last May, Wayman Tisdale died at 44 of cancer.

I think we've all had people in our lives that have gone to meet Jesus face to face a lot sooner than we would have liked. But few of us could write a song about it. I'm guessing if you just sit back and close your eyes you might just reconnect with that special person once again. It's ok to let your emotions go. It's ok to remember. Special people are, well, special. And that's why they are allowed to hold that tender place in our heart.

What Are We Going to Do?

I'll admit it. I hate crime. I'm not real friendly with criminals until they get behind bars either. But in the midst of those two words, crime and criminals, is an age old question, "How do we keep people from doing crime and becoming criminals?" As a Christ follower, my solution is the Gospel of Jesus. If you follow Him and live by the words written in red, crime won't become a part of your life. That's a bit simplistic, but it is true that if one gives their life over to Jesus, the other stuff more than likely won't have room to operate. There are certainly many stories of people who have gone astray, but for the most part, if you really are a child of God, you will be too busy living out a life that reflects the love of Christ, instead of the love of other peoples' stuff.

So what do we do? First we stay. No more picking up and leaving. No more flight. Second we get to know our neighbors...not just the ones next door, but the ones down the street. The ones with the noisy kids and the loud cars. Third, we let them know we exist and acknowledge they do as well. Fourth, we find reasons to go over to their home. And fifth, we invite. They need to know why you are different. They need to know Jesus. Maybe you will need to give them a ride. I don't know, there may be more steps, but at least do these five. I'm tired of using the word neighborhood to explain what is going downhill in our city. It is people. Folks just like you and me. For some reason some of our neighbors and/or their kids have found life to be so meaningless and hopeless that they believe it is a viable alternative to risk their freedom for a drive in a car to shoot up homes and streets, rob banks or sell Meth.

I'm afraid we have more Christians praying for Jesus' return than for His grace to return His lost to Himself. It's got to change and it starts with us. Is it a monumental task? You bet it is. Is it a task that Jesus is behind? If you said "correct" you'd be right again. But the cool thing is we don't have to do it all by ourselves. Each person, each street, each church in each city. It's time folks. Really it is.

So You Had a Bad Day

This is from Todd Ruth, my oldest son's blog, "Live a Revolution Everyday" which is a really insightful blog. But I couldn't get my comment to work, so I stole his picture. I think there was a fight and I gather this guy never gave up. Admirable. He has more guts than me. One of my grandson Carter's favorite songs or maybe even his very favorite is "So You Had a Bad Day" by the Chipmunks and it seems to kinda fit for the fighter. But hey Carter, this one's also for you little buddy! Enjoy and Daga Goodayyyyy!