Testing

This past week the emergency sirens went off near our building. It was a cloudy windy day with a chance of rain, but I had not noticed any threat of severe weather being posted on the Weather Channel. The sirens sounded for a minute or two then stopped… I listened for an announcement of some kind hoping for “this is a test…” but nothing. Later on in day I discovered that the city was just testing the emergency warning system and they were making improvements. Note to city: First improvement – tell us what you are doing! I wonder how many people heard the sirens and headed to a safe place in their home or business and just spent the day hoping everything was alright outside.

On a serious note, it is good I guess that the city makes periodic test of the emergency warning system. It is good that they have a desire or goal to give the public as much warning as possible when severe weather is near by our community. The real question is this – When you hear the siren go off, what do you do? How do you respond to the signal that your life could be in danger? Some of you (hopefully most) take cover and await instructions. Some of you go outside to see if the warning is real and if it applies to you and your family. Some of you do nothing. Some of you just go on about your business as if nothing is happening.

I know a man who ignored warnings to leave town when a hurricane was coming his way. He thought he would just “ride it out”. Well, he rode it out alright by clinging to a tree for over 24 hours after his house blew apart. He said, “Next time I’ll listen to the weather man and leave town. Probably a good idea.

During your life time you are warned about a good number of things: smoking is bad for you, drinking too much could lead to alcoholism or a shortened life, talking or texting on your cell phone while driving is dangerous to you and everyone driving around you, eating too much fast food and fatty foods is bad for your body, eating processed foods is unhealthy, the list just goes on and on. The question is what do you do about the warnings?

Jesus warns you and I about several things that can cause us to struggle in our walk with him. He warns us about loving money too much, loving stuff and material possessions too much, worrying about tomorrow too much, thinking about yourself too much, and the list goes on. The question is what do you do about the warning? The key of course is to keep yourself focused on Jesus Christ and God the Father putting them first in your life. As a matter of fact Jesus said if you keep him first in your life then all the other stuff that your worry about will take care of itself.

So when the real crisis of life arise (and they will) keep your eyes focus on Jesus. Helen H. Lemmel put it this way, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

Love God. Go Love Others.

Be Mine

Here we are again, it’s Valentines Day. Wikipedia has the following to say on the subject: “Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs, Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD. It was deleted from the Roman calendar of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, but its religious observance is still permitted. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The day first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.
Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.”
In short, it’s just like several other special occasions of the year that have been taken over by the Greeting Card, Candy, Balloon and Jewelry stores. As a matter of fact for some stores this one day of the year is bigger that any other shopping day. I know men who will buy flowers, candy, jewelry and a card. Then they will take their sweetheart out to a nice restaurant for the evening and they may even include a movie. It really is amazing to see how much money some couples spend on this one day of the year to express their love for each other.
I guess it is a good thing over all to have a day to remind couples to celebrate the love they have for each other. Too often the expression of love is only limited to the merchandise which is purchased for each other. True love is expressed on a daily basis and it is seen in the little things of life that bring joy to the hearts of the ones we love. True love is what happens beyond the chocolate, the flowers and the card.
You see it does not matter a whole lot what you do on Valentine’s Day if love is absent the other 364 days of the year. So the question on this February 14th is not what are you doing for your special Valentine today, but rather the question is this: What are you going to do the days, weeks, months and years that follow. The best gift you and your spouse can give your children is an undying love for each other. Live out your love for each other daily and truly be in love forever. Now to find just the right card….
Love God. Go Love Others.

Jerry's Big Party

103,219 That is the number of people who officially attended Jerry’s Big Party AKA Super Bowl XLV. I will admit that I watch a good part of the pre-game which is something I normally don’t do, but since it was in our back yard I was curious as to how big a deal this really would be for Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys, North Texas and the NFL. I know the weather put a damper on most of the days leading up to the big event, but I thought the last couple of days went off pretty well. The crowds looked to be huge and everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun and the word was that the money was flowing. It was by all accounts a very successful Super Bowl and most likely we will get to host the event again sometime in the future.

Just one question, who was there? When I heard about the ticket prices I asked myself, “who could afford to attend the game?” Then I heard that the NFL price and the price some people were re-selling their tickets for was really amazing. A average size family could easily spend $3000 - $5000 to attend the game and that did not include the $15 popcorn or $25 hamburger. The people I am really amazed at are the one who stood (stood) outside the stadium (outside) and watched the game on big screens all for the low, low price of $500. WOW!

What a party. I’m glad it went well for everyone and I’m glad it’s over. There is another party coming up that we are all invited to. It’s the biggest wedding ever and you can be a part of the bridle party and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to be rich, you don’t have to be a super star or entertainer or politician. You just have to know the Son of the Owner. That’s right; the Son can get you in and has already paid your way.

It is going to be quite the party. Everyone is invited, but few will actually choose to attend even though they claim that they would hate to miss it. No one is a guest, but everyone is family. It really is a one of a kind event. It has never been held before and it won’t be held again, this is a one time opportunity. Don’t worry about sitting. The last will be first and the first will be last. The good seats will go to the ones who least expect it. The invitation list will include people from all walks of life, but will only include those whose life was spent walking with Jesus Christ.

So what do you say.... Ready to party like never before? Consider this your invitation. See you there… I’ll be the one who is trying to explain to host why I still can’t dance.

Love God. Go Love Others.