A huge dose of perspective.

I just found out one of my best friends on earth lost their oldest son to suicide.

Please pray for the family.

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Posted by Gary in Personal

The Power of Your Name

I’ll get back to Jordan’s questions this afternoon but for now something has been on my heart and mind for a few days.

My friend has been after me to get Lincoln Brewsters new CD Today is the Day. A couple of weeks ago I got it. Wow!

In the interest of full disclosure I am a guitarist. I love screaming guitars and Lincoln is one of the best alive today. I first heard of him when he played on a Hosanna Music CD titled The Smithton Outpouring, He also played on Daryl Evans earlier CD’s. I bought his first CD titled simply “Lincoln Brewster” when it came out and proceeded to wear it out. He has a number of releases in between however for reasons beyond my explanation I never bought them. I am so glad I got this one.

This new album is the complete package. Of course the guitar work is second to none but the writing and collaboration has grown so much. The song I can’t shake and have played dozens of times is cut number seven “The Power of Your Name”, here are the lyrics:

Surely children weren’t made for the streets
and fathers were not meant to leave
Surely this is not how it should be
Let Your kingdom come
Surely nations were not made for war
or the broken meant to be ignored
Surely this just cant be what You saw
Let Your kingdom come, Here in my heart

I will live to carry Your compassion
To love a world that’s broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give with the life that I’ve been given
and go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of your name

Surely life wasn’t made to regret
and the lost were not made to forget
Surely faith without action is dead
Let Your kingdom come, Lord break this heart

Your name, is a shelter for the hurting
Jesus Your name, is a refuge for the week
Only Your name, can redeem the undeserving
Jesus Your name, holds everything I need.

Here is what I have been thinking. Until His kingdom comes in our hearts, get beyond religion and be His hands and feet. Until we start living like their is power in His name, surely nothing will change.

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Posted by Gary in Faith, Worship

America’s True Genius

By Alexander Benard & Anthony Dick on National Review Online

I am thinking about a couple of ideas that will definitely start a discussion. In the meantime; heres a primer.

There are those who argue that the principles of the founders are woefully out of date — that our old ideals of limited government and individual liberty need to be revised and updated to accommodate the sweeping government intervention that the complexities of modern society demand. But Americans have always believed that our founding principles are not merely the product of a particular society or point in time. The principles are universal and inalienable or, to quote the Declaration of Independence, they are “self-evident truths.” These moral truths have not weakened over time, but rather have been strengthened by our national experience and our advances in social and economic understanding. Free-market capitalism has led not to the oppression and misery of the working class, but to a record of prosperity and a standard of living that are the envy of the world. Our conservative Constitution, skeptical of change and rooted in respect for the tradition of ordered liberty, has not made us inflexible but has rather safeguarded us from the turbulence of political fads and the temptations of radicalism.

Be sure to click through and read the whole thing,

America’s True Genius By Alexander Benard & Anthony Dick on National Review Online

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Posted by Gary in Civics, Politics

Anyway

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives’;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and
some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it man never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

By Mother Teresa

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Posted by Gary in Faith

Oxfords top 10 most annoying phrases

My personal favorite “anyways” didn’t make the list. Maybe next year.

The top ten most irritating phrases:
1 – At the end of the day
2 – Fairly unique
3 – I personally
4 – At this moment in time
5 – With all due respect
6 – Absolutely
7 – It’s a nightmare
8 – Shouldn’t of
9 – 24/7
10 – It’s not rocket science

Oxford compiles list of top ten irritating phrases – Telegraph

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Posted by Gary in Just for fun

Log on and watch Kim

Tonight Kim will be hosting the citizenlink webcast.

You should watch tonight. I promise it will be more fun the watching CNN or FOX.

You might even see me walking around acting like I know what I’m doing.

Now go and vote and then come home and watch.

CitizenLink.com

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Posted by Gary in Personal

Ten predictions (absolutes) no matter who wins the election.

*Taken from Grace Lutheran Church email”

 
1. The Bible will still  have all the answers.
 
2. Prayer will still work.
 
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
 
4. God will inhabit the praises of His people.
 
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
 
6. God will still pour out His blessings on His people.
 
7. There will still be singing of praise to God.
 
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
 
9. Jesus will still love you.
 
10. Jesus will still save the lost.
 
ISN’T IT GREAT TO KNOW WHO IS STILL IN CONTROL?

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Posted by Gary in Faith

Now only prayer

As you all know the nature of this space has been very political over the last several weeks. Today it’s done. I have said all I know to say and now only prayer is left.

I have been praying and engaged in the arena of ideas. Trying to explain why I believe a straight Republican vote is the best thing for this country. I am weary from the fight and if I’m honest I’m  hopeful but a bit discouraged. Regardless of who wins; a number of my friends and acquaintances believe this country is something vastly different than what I believe it is. That saddens me.

As Christians we must always pray. Only in prayer are things really “Changed” and only in prayer is there authentic “Hope”. So now I have done all I know to do. I voted early on Thursday. Stood in line for two hours for the privilege of voting. Thankful I have a voice.

Please do whatever is necessary to get out tomorrow and vote according to what you believe is best for the country and how you believe would please God. Yes He cares and it matters.

I will be back but for now I’m done.

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Posted by Gary in Personal

When Life Begins

Robert P. George on National Review Online:

I cannot add anything to this it’s spot on! the money quote:

A recently published white paper, “When does human life begin? A scientific perspective,” offers a thorough discussion of the facts of human embryogenesis and early development, and its conclusion is inescapable: From a purely biological perspective, scientists can identify the point at which a human life begins. The relevant studies are legion. The biological facts of are uncontested. The method of analysis applied to the data is universally accepted.

Click through and read the whole thing,
When Life Begins by Robert P. George on National Review Online

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Posted by Gary in Faith, Politics

If your a college football fan.

The giggle of the week, You just have to click through and look.

Excuse me while I compose myself….

The Best Big 12 Related Costume You’ll See Today – Nebraska Football

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Posted by Gary in Just for fun