Friday, March 12, 2010
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Football and God
When I was a kid, I thought football was stupid. I couldn't understand why anyone would be interested in a sport where, as a spectator, you couldn't follow the ball. And it absolutely appalled me how, on running plays, the running back ran right into a pile for little or no gain! I would watch 2, 3 plays at the most, then walk away from the television thinking, "what a stupid sport...". But, this is quite ironic if you know me now. It happened when I was 13. I began to really appreciate football. Soon after that, I began to LOVE football. Today, it is my absolute favorite sport to watch live or on television! The sports being played between January and August are just filler until football season can come once again.
What was the "it" that happened? I think I know. You see, I had no understanding of football. I didn't know how to watch it in a manner that would allow me to follow the ball. I didn't understand that the reason the ball carriers ran to piles a lot was because that was the direction in which the play was designed to go. If the play only got a minimal gain, then it simply meant that the defense had it sniffed out, or the offensive line failed to execute a proper blocking scheme. And those were just two aspects of the game that helped give me an appreciation for it, that soon turned into a love for the game.
You know, there are lots of things like that in our lives. Sometimes it takes allowing ourselves time to understand something before we can appreciate, like, or even love it.
God is in this category.
As a child, I sat on a pew each Sunday hearing about God, and his unfailing love, but I didn't really understand it. So away from church, I never took the time to seek Him. But as the years went by, something happened. I can now say with confidence that I love God. (Although, I don't show it like I should all the time). So what happened? I came to a better understanding of who God is and how He loves us. I gained this understanding in several ways. First, I began attending Sunday school regularly. Secondly, I started honing in on what my pastors were saying from the pulpit. Lastly, but this is the most important, I started taking the time to read God's Word, the Bible. And I can still improve on that last one.
Are you having trouble understanding who God is? Then pick up a Bible and just start reading. But don't stop there. Find a good Sunday school class with a dedicated teacher, at a Bible-based church with a pastor who has a heart for the truth and for people. You'll begin to understand Him. You'll soon appreciate Him. Ultimately, you'll LOVE Him!
What was the "it" that happened? I think I know. You see, I had no understanding of football. I didn't know how to watch it in a manner that would allow me to follow the ball. I didn't understand that the reason the ball carriers ran to piles a lot was because that was the direction in which the play was designed to go. If the play only got a minimal gain, then it simply meant that the defense had it sniffed out, or the offensive line failed to execute a proper blocking scheme. And those were just two aspects of the game that helped give me an appreciation for it, that soon turned into a love for the game.
You know, there are lots of things like that in our lives. Sometimes it takes allowing ourselves time to understand something before we can appreciate, like, or even love it.
God is in this category.
As a child, I sat on a pew each Sunday hearing about God, and his unfailing love, but I didn't really understand it. So away from church, I never took the time to seek Him. But as the years went by, something happened. I can now say with confidence that I love God. (Although, I don't show it like I should all the time). So what happened? I came to a better understanding of who God is and how He loves us. I gained this understanding in several ways. First, I began attending Sunday school regularly. Secondly, I started honing in on what my pastors were saying from the pulpit. Lastly, but this is the most important, I started taking the time to read God's Word, the Bible. And I can still improve on that last one.
Are you having trouble understanding who God is? Then pick up a Bible and just start reading. But don't stop there. Find a good Sunday school class with a dedicated teacher, at a Bible-based church with a pastor who has a heart for the truth and for people. You'll begin to understand Him. You'll soon appreciate Him. Ultimately, you'll LOVE Him!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Doing the Right Thing
This is another one of those articles that help to restore your faith in people:
http://arkansasvarsity.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=992976
http://arkansasvarsity.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=992976
Thursday, August 06, 2009
The Lady of the House Has Left the Building
I once heard her referred to by Stanford Lewis as "That tall, thin lady of music." And a lady indeed she was. Always poised, always in control, and always ready to handle any situation, Mrs. Annette Hall was the queen of the castle that so many of us called home on the UAM campus. That home is the music building (and yes, it really does look like a castle); and it will never be the same without her.
We lost the Lady of the House today. Mrs. Hall succumbed after a long battle with cancer. She now resides in a much bigger house. And while I am saddened, I could not be happier for her. She kicked cancer's butt on more than one occasion over the course of the past 20 years plus. But today, God told her to come home and rest with Him, and so she did. No more fighting. No more pain. Just the rest that she so richly deserves.
Ms. Annette was a staple on the UAM campus. She arrived there in 1972. She became head of the music department in 1984. My affiliation with her began when I became a freshman music major in 1986. As an undergrad, I could always count on her to answer any questions I had, or solve any problems that arose for me. But I wasn't special. You see, Mrs. Hall did this for every music major, then and now. For the past three years, I have had the privilege of working with her. As well taken care of as I felt as one her department's majors, I was in even better hands as one of her teachers. In fact, I would not even be at UAM in this capacity were it not for her. She gave me a chance to proof myself. So, not only do I owe my degree to her, but I owe my professional life in academia to her as well.
As I entered the "castle" today, I paused outside Mrs. Hall's office. I will never be able to pass by it again and hear, "oh...how's it going today?" I will never be able to pass by it again and see her diligently pouring over some file or report. I will never be able to pass by it again and see her welcoming smile.
The lady of the house has left the building.
We lost the Lady of the House today. Mrs. Hall succumbed after a long battle with cancer. She now resides in a much bigger house. And while I am saddened, I could not be happier for her. She kicked cancer's butt on more than one occasion over the course of the past 20 years plus. But today, God told her to come home and rest with Him, and so she did. No more fighting. No more pain. Just the rest that she so richly deserves.
Ms. Annette was a staple on the UAM campus. She arrived there in 1972. She became head of the music department in 1984. My affiliation with her began when I became a freshman music major in 1986. As an undergrad, I could always count on her to answer any questions I had, or solve any problems that arose for me. But I wasn't special. You see, Mrs. Hall did this for every music major, then and now. For the past three years, I have had the privilege of working with her. As well taken care of as I felt as one her department's majors, I was in even better hands as one of her teachers. In fact, I would not even be at UAM in this capacity were it not for her. She gave me a chance to proof myself. So, not only do I owe my degree to her, but I owe my professional life in academia to her as well.
As I entered the "castle" today, I paused outside Mrs. Hall's office. I will never be able to pass by it again and hear, "oh...how's it going today?" I will never be able to pass by it again and see her diligently pouring over some file or report. I will never be able to pass by it again and see her welcoming smile.
The lady of the house has left the building.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
God's Biography
I try to read Our Daily Bread devotionals, published by RBC Ministries, each day. They are all good, but every once in a while I read one that I really like a lot. Today's was one of those.:
http://rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/08/01/devotion.aspx
http://rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/08/01/devotion.aspx
Saturday, July 11, 2009
The Battle
God loves me and He is ever present. I KNOW this.
God sent His Son for me so that I can live with Him forever and ever. I KNOW this.
Those two facts alone should provide me with enough joy to overflow for my lifetime. I KNOW this.
What I DIDN'T know, until about two years ago, is that I struggle with depression.
Oh, I don't struggle to the point that I believe I need medication. I don't struggle to the point that I entertain thoughts of suicide. But I know that my depression is real. Well, given the things that I KNOW, my depression really puzzles me.
Why do I bring it up? Because today is one of those days. I smile and laugh and talk with whoever is around, but inside, I don't feel so...up. So right now, although there are 5 other people in the building, (I'm in the MBSF, if you want to know WHAT building), I'm sitting in a quiet corner, pondering on the gifts from my Father and writing this blog. I don't like my personal battle. But God didn't put me here to have it easy everyday. This is another thing that I KNOW.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for who You are to me. I thank You for all that I have and all that I am due to You, for I know EVERY GOOD thing comes from You. Father, grant me Your strength and Your wisdom, that I may endure the battles. For I KNOW that in you, I WILL win them. I pray it in the precious name of Your Son Jesus. Amen.
God sent His Son for me so that I can live with Him forever and ever. I KNOW this.
Those two facts alone should provide me with enough joy to overflow for my lifetime. I KNOW this.
What I DIDN'T know, until about two years ago, is that I struggle with depression.
Oh, I don't struggle to the point that I believe I need medication. I don't struggle to the point that I entertain thoughts of suicide. But I know that my depression is real. Well, given the things that I KNOW, my depression really puzzles me.
Why do I bring it up? Because today is one of those days. I smile and laugh and talk with whoever is around, but inside, I don't feel so...up. So right now, although there are 5 other people in the building, (I'm in the MBSF, if you want to know WHAT building), I'm sitting in a quiet corner, pondering on the gifts from my Father and writing this blog. I don't like my personal battle. But God didn't put me here to have it easy everyday. This is another thing that I KNOW.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for who You are to me. I thank You for all that I have and all that I am due to You, for I know EVERY GOOD thing comes from You. Father, grant me Your strength and Your wisdom, that I may endure the battles. For I KNOW that in you, I WILL win them. I pray it in the precious name of Your Son Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
The Soundtrack to my Life
Forget about the weirdness. Forget about the facial changes. Forget about the court cases.
Michael Jackson was one of our world's most influential and important artists. Yes, ARTIST. He was an artist in the truest since of the word. And I will miss him. Just as the title suggests, he helped to write the soundtrack to my life. You hear people say that about their favorite artists all the time. But the cliche' is true. Give me a Michael Jackson song title, and I can tell you where I was the first time I heard the song, or something significant that I was doing while it played on the radio or on my cd player.
As I type this, I'm not ashamed to say that I'm tearing up. Michael and his music meant something to my life. Watching him perform with his brothers as a member of The Jackson Five when I was a little boy, he inspired me to dream. I can still remember holding my mom's dinner bell hammer in my hand as a microphone while lip syncing to Dancing Machine. As a solo artist, he inspired me to be a better musician. My sister and I analyzed Off The Wall until no instrument or vocal part was left unturned. That album is the reason that I can pick instruments out of an ensemble today. And I could cite more examples.
So you see, this is no small deal to me. His death leaves a very real hole for me, as though he were a family member. And I know that I'm not the only one.
Incidentally, Prince better live SEVERAL more years. I'm not sure I could take it.
Michael Jackson was one of our world's most influential and important artists. Yes, ARTIST. He was an artist in the truest since of the word. And I will miss him. Just as the title suggests, he helped to write the soundtrack to my life. You hear people say that about their favorite artists all the time. But the cliche' is true. Give me a Michael Jackson song title, and I can tell you where I was the first time I heard the song, or something significant that I was doing while it played on the radio or on my cd player.
As I type this, I'm not ashamed to say that I'm tearing up. Michael and his music meant something to my life. Watching him perform with his brothers as a member of The Jackson Five when I was a little boy, he inspired me to dream. I can still remember holding my mom's dinner bell hammer in my hand as a microphone while lip syncing to Dancing Machine. As a solo artist, he inspired me to be a better musician. My sister and I analyzed Off The Wall until no instrument or vocal part was left unturned. That album is the reason that I can pick instruments out of an ensemble today. And I could cite more examples.
So you see, this is no small deal to me. His death leaves a very real hole for me, as though he were a family member. And I know that I'm not the only one.
Incidentally, Prince better live SEVERAL more years. I'm not sure I could take it.
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