Sunday, May 8, 2011

My Mom. Missed...But Not Missing.

I have warm, inspiring & thankful thoughts of my mom today. She made it to 85 yrs & and went home to be with the Lord 3 yrs ago. She told her 5 boys at age 60, "If you don't see me next year -- you'll know where you can find me." Isn't that a great line?! Well, today I find her in a multitude of unforgettable memories.

Memories that now make me smile. My life perspective has largely been shaped by her love for people and life. It shaped my faith in God as well, as year after year I would watch her begin each day in the Bible and four different devotionals.

Through the years I've heard people remark that I'm pretty high energy. I've got news for ya -- next to my 80+y.o. mom, it appeared like I was moving in slow-motion! That lady had serious ENERGY!

And what a lady she was -- such style...flair, and a love for life. In many ways, she was ahead of her time. And now...she lives with the "Timeless"! More alive than ever.

You see, Alzheimers didn't take my Mom in 2007. The Lord took her, painlessly & peacefully.

Yep, no doubt - one day, I know where I'll find her. I can't wait to see her again.

Peggy Mitchell. What a lady! And this man is so thankful for her. This Mother's Day -- and every day!

Monday, May 2, 2011

Thinking About: The Osama bin Laden Mission & an Unwanted Eternity

Amazing sitting here blogging today. Usually I write and speak about “life”. Eternal life… Living life to its fullest… making the Rest of your Life – the Best of your Life, etc. But today, I write about… death. as headlines around the world proclaim... Osama bin Laden is Dead.

As a Christian and US Citizen, my emotions are varied. As a Christian it’s hard to take pleasure in the death of anyone who is destined to spend a dark, anguishing, ETERNITY outside of God’s Presence – in Hell! But as a proud citizen of this country, to know that Navy Seals swooped into bin Laden’s 18’-wall-fortified compound, and successfully completed their assigned mission to “take out bin Laden at all costs.” The 44 minute mission was a “surgical strike” that occurred without American casualties. Talking about PROUD!!! I felt like one of those 45,000 fans in Philly Stadium for the baseball game last night who read the news of bin Laden on their cell phones and began chanting “USA – USA – USA… “ throughout the stadium. I got goose bumps and shared in their pride.

This past Sept. 11th I was in New York City where the terrorist attacked occurred. I was there for radio interviews, to share the Gospel, etc. I was emotionally struck by the deep block wide holes in the earth where the World Trade Towers once stood. I met and spoke with some who had loved ones trapped in the towers when the airliners hit them 9 years ago on that world changing morning.

What I’ll never forget was the silent sobs from many of the thousands around me that came to honor all the innocent whose lives were needlessly taken due to the diabolical –and demonic– scheme of one man to strike terror into the hearts of millions. The man – Osama bin Laden.

Bin Laden was successful. Yesterday, the US was successful. “Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword.” Matt. 26:52

May those who lost loved ones, sleep more peacefully tonight. And may we as a church -New Venture Christian Fellowship - and as a nation – double our efforts to spread PEACE around the world. Peace… begins with JESUS!

Be blessed. … … USA! … USA!