Lock-n-Load baby

So it's been forever since I've blogged, but for some reason, today's the day. I've been thinking this morning about 2010, and what it may hold, and the entire new decade in general. Will I live till 2020? Heck I don't know. But I'm not really obsessed with it either. All I ever really have is today. And I'm not even guaranteed breath long enough to see nightfall really, none of us are. So if I want to spend what could be my last moments making a difference, what does that look like?

As I view the landscape of all the people in my life, they all come to life in vivid Technicolor waves. I see my friends, my family, and those whom I love, or once have loved. I see my enemies, my tormentors, and those whom I just simply can't stand. But then there are those whom I hold dear, and deeply love, and as I look at them, I understand why I am even alive.

It is for those people that have been overlooked, judged, condemned, labeled worthless good for nothings, screw-ups. For anyone who has ever had their entire life turn its back on them, and felt the sting of rejection and abandonment. You are not just a face, a name, a statistic, an inmate number; you are my very soul and reason why I live. I am just like you. I am you.

I have an arsenal of words, meant just for you. Not mere words, but truths that your heart is longing to hear. I know the truth about you, and am not afraid to speak it, yell it, or gently whisper it, into your ears. Truth is never what you think it is.

If you've ever felt the razor blade on your wrist, the cold steel barrel placed at your temple, the violation of a stomach pump, my words are for you. If you cannot forget the humiliating restraint of the handcuffs, or the view of your world through bars and barbed wire, I know what your heart is longing to hear. If you know the crushing blow of a fist, the sting of the whiskey, the twist of the knife, or the terror of the chase, I have a battery of soothing words just for you.

Pain, humiliation, shame, terror, fear, is not a definition of who you are. You were created for so much more. My words flow for you. I sit at my keyboard, open a vein and bleed for you. If you are reading this, and think your life is great, and that you have no problems, just keep on truckin' my friend. I don't have time for you. But if you are reading this, and you know deep inside that you are not all right, you have just connected with someone who knows, and exists to help you. Just take it. I have the words that you need to hear, that you long to hear. You will not find the answer in a bottle, in a pill, a joint, a needle, a crime spree, a XXX movie, no matter how hard you look.

You will never know condemnation or judgment from me. I accept you, where you are, whatever you have done, no matter what. Your life does not have to feel this way. There is hope. You matter to me, and I have so much to tell you. And what you hear may just change your life, if you let it. Lock-n-load, baby. My arsenal is ready for you.

The Noticer by Andy Andrews, Book Review

Written by the best-selling author of The Traveler’s Gift, The Noticer is an amazingly moving tale of the influence of a man named Jones as he floats in and out of the community of Orange Beach Alabama. Mysterious and elusive, Jones seems to encounter residents just as they are privately facing some of life’s most personal challenges, and inevitably, they leave the encounter a different person for life.

Written from an auto-biographical angle, Andrews shares the darkest time of his life with readers, as a hopeless and homeless young man, and how his encounter with a man named Jones changed the course of his life. The author’s story is so well crafted that it left me wondering if it was fiction, or non, but no matter, it is an amazing story of the possibility and potential of each life. Potential that will grow and flourish if watered by the love of another, or dry and wither if ignored.

The thread woven throughout the book is that in every situation, there is a new perspective waiting to be had. It certainly left me pondering certain situations in my life that I need to take a harder look at, and also prompted me to notice the lives around me, and ask myself who I can be a “Jones” to today. Thanks to Andy Andrews for spurring me think, and act, and influence.

Personal Psalm

Recently, a friend encouraged me to read Psalm 91, really read it, and personalize it as if it was being spoken just to me. I read it in several translations, and then wrote this intimately personal version that has become a huge encouragement to me. It is my hope that it brings encouragement to you as well. May these words speak to your heart today.

Psalm 91
For Sarah Leslie from her loving Savior

My dearest child, determine in your heart to always remain in the shelter of my love; forever rest in the shadow of my protection. Boldly declare that I alone am your refuge, your true place of safety, and proclaim your trust in me.

For when you faithfully do these things, I promise I will rescue you from every hidden trap, and shield and protect you from deadly disease. My powerful outstretched arms protect you— under them you're perfectly safe; my arms will fend off all harm.

You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the evil plots and slanders of the wicked that fly as arrows by day, nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.

Even though others succumb all around you, and drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. You'll stand untouched, watching from a distance as the wicked turn into corpses, and crumble into dust.

All this shall come to pass because you have chosen me as your refuge, and purposed in your heart to call the One True High God your very own home. Evil can't get close to you, no harm or plague or pestilence can enter your door. You are perfectly safe!

I have ordered my angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they'll catch you; for it is their job to keep you from falling. You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick them from your path.

If you'll hold on to me for dear life, I'll get you out of any trouble. Seek and know my mercy, love, and kindness--trust and rely on Me, knowing I will never forsake you, never! I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me. Call me and I'll answer, I’ll be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then honor and celebrate you. I'll reward you with long life, and give you my salvation!"

A porn bailout??!!

Today Hustler publisher Larry Flynt and Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis will request that Congress allocate $5 billion for a bailout of the adult entertainment industry. Their argument is that the state of our nation is so poor that Americans are just too depressed to be sexually active, and their industry has suffered and “It's time for congress to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America!”

Now I realize this may be a half-witted attempt to jab congress for the recent bailouts, but COME ON! They go so far as to tell CNN that porn is “cherished” in this country as much as the auto industry. Porn is CHERISHED??!!! YOU”VE GOT TO BE KIDDING??? RIGHT?? Sadly… no… I think they are right. We have become a porn nation.

I consider myself a radical activist against pornography. I know the damage it can cause to your soul, and I have the scars and divorce decree to prove it. It shreds relationships, marriages and reputations. Lives are never the same. It doesn’t matter if you are the porn actor, the porn addict or the porn injured spouse (such as myself) it is a life destroyer. And anytime I encounter anyone who is working to free themselves, I see them as a warrior, a true hero in my eyes, for breaking the chains of porn in their lives. But those brave souls are the exception, many never break free… because they don’t want to.

I’m taking Flynt and Francis on… It’s my nation too… I have a voice and I’m going to use it!

The Parable of the Weeds

I have been reflecting upon the parable found in Matthew 13 of the weeds. Evil came in while everyone was sleeping and sowed weeds among the good seed, and though the farmer knew it was an act of the enemy, he knew that pulling up the weeds would harm his wheat. So he had to wait until harvest to separate the wheat and the weeds.

In verses 37-42 Jesus explains the meaning of this story, that the good seeds are the sons of kingdom and the weeds are the sons of evil. The harvesters are angels who will weed out all sin and those who do evil and cast them into the fire allowing the righteous to "shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

There have been times in my life when I have felt surrounded by evil, and been the target of others ill intended deeds. And in the moment it is hard to remember that one day I will be permanently separated from those evildoers for eternity. The pain they caused me will be a pale memory at the edge of my awareness as I walk with the one who saved me.

How I look towards that day and crave that peace that I know is waiting for me. Until then, I live among the weeds, the briers and the brambles with their sharp thorns tearing my flesh and bruising my soul. But the harvest will soon come. And I will be plucked from this evil earth forever and never again know the pain that my enemies bring.

Welcome!

Welcome to the premiere post in A Timely Word. Words have had a profound impact upon my life, both good and bad. It is my hope that my words can be used to inspire and heal those who are hurting. I will be writing about different topics that we all face in our lives and share my insight and thoughts with you, hoping that your spirits may be lifted by my words. So may you find this a place of encouragement and hope. There is always hope in this life, because this earth and this life is not all there is. There is much much more waiting for us in eternity. Thanks for joining me in my daily walk towards hope.