Hopeless? Nope!

At no point in human history have we been closer to the End Times.  Let that sink in for just a moment.  Literally and linearly, of course that is true.  With each day that goes by, we are one day closer to the end.  But I’m going a little deeper than a linear time line.  From a prophetic perspective, we are so close to living out the events leading up to the Second Coming of Christ as laid out in John’s Revelation.

The Book of Revelation speaks of political unrest, wars, lawlessness, moral depravity, natural disasters, and more.  Have you watched the news lately?

If the events of the past several months don’t point to each and every one of those things, I don’t know what does.

Hurricane Sandy has just been the latest of a run on natural disasters that we have experienced in the world.  I don’t deny the existence of the “Climate Change” or even the passe term “Global Warming” and don’t deny that our misuse of the earthly resources for many years have contributed to this circumstance.  That only serves to prove the claims in Revelation that we have used this world up, and need a New Earth, following the Second Coming.

Our society has become the perfect microcosm of the rest of the sinfully man-made characteristics of the end of the world.  Would you say that this past week’s election has shown more than its share of political unrest and divisiveness.  This nation has not been more divided at any point in its history, I dare say, since the Civil War.  Our political system is broken.  No longer are our political leaders servants of the people – they are serving their own interests, and do whatever they need to do to ensure they remain in power.

The world has been ravaged with war, both conventional and unconventional.  Nations don’t trust each other, and appear ready to fight whenever pressed.  The impact of terrorism on the world is felt throughout the world.  The world is also in economic upheaval and this contributes to the fragility of the world’s societies.

This fragility in our world, climatically, economically, and socially has allowed the enemy to prey on the world.  Moral depravity appears to be running rampant with things that have previously been socially and morally unacceptable, not only becoming acceptable, but encouraged through their legalization.  Sexual immorality, Violence, Drugs, etc., are now so prevalent in society that you can’t turn on television or engage in social media without being inundated with its imagery, and face being called intolerant if you speak out against it.

I know that I just spent 435 words talking about how bad things are, and you may think that I find things hopeless.  NOTHING could be further from the truth.  I have hope in the One who is to come and because I have faith in Jesus Christ, I know that whatever happens on this earth is temporary.  I am living for eternity.  I have many friends who have fallen into a hopelessness and feel like throwing in the towel on our society and its future.  I am here to say, don’t give up!  The world needs you.  We are to be a light in the darkness; to be the salt to the world, providing flavor and to act as a preservative to the things that need preserving.

I will end this where I began – At no point in human history are we closer to the end of the world than we are now.  I don’t know when that end will come.  God only knows!  He makes that clear in His Word.  What I do know is that I am going to take the time that I have in this world and work to make this world ready for Him to return.  I am going to do all that I can to make sure that my family and friends have the opportunity to know who Jesus is and what He has done for them.  And by God’s will, my children will have the opportunity to not only know Him, but do their part to extend His kingdom to their family and friends, until that day when He does return and welcomes us all to a New World where there is no more suffering, no more despair, no more hurting; only Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace.

Until then!

An Open Letter to My Friends

Dear Friend,

I’ve been meaning to talk with you for some time, its really been weighing on my mind. I wish that we have been able to talk more recently and that the busyness of life wouldn’t have gotten in the way. So here goes…

We’re friends, right? And friends care about one another; what happens in their lives, how their family is doing, what makes them happy, what they have been struggling with, and so much more.

If I were to ask you to describe me and what I’m all about, what would you say? Would you say that I’m a family man, that I am a devoted friend, a Colts fan? Would you say that I’m a Christian; that I am a follower of Jesus Christ and that I believe that He has not only forgiven my sins, but by dying on the cross, paid the price for those sins, and because of that, I will share eternal life with Him? (Wait, don’t stop reading, please…)

This past Sunday at church our pastor (Chet Martin), identified several people in the congregation based on where they have placed their allegiances and how they have shown those allegiances. He identified me and several others as Colts fans, others as Bear fans, others as Vikings fans, etc., etc., etc. He knew that I was a Colts fan because I sometimes wear my jersey to church on Sunday, and that I often post on facebook about the games, etc. His point was just this, what do show and tell others about who you are?

I hope by the way I choose to live my life, and the things that I’ve said and done, that you might see me as someone who believes in God and that I follow Him. That doesn’t mean that I’m perfect, or a do-gooder, or anything like that. What it means is that I’ve made more than my fair share of mistakes, and that even with all of my faults, I have a God who loved me (and continues to love me) enough to send His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to come to Earth and pay the ultimate price for my faults.

Without a relationship with Jesus Christ, it is not an exaggeration to say that I would not be where I am today. My life would be markedly different in just about every way. You may recall that the past two years have been especially difficult for me, and I have learned to rely on God more and more through this time. I can share anything with Him, and no matter what I’ve done, or how I feel, He is there and has helped me.

And here’s where it comes back to you. God wants you to know Him too. He loves you so much, and no matter how far away you think you are from being able to have a relationship with Him, its not too far. I have been praying for you recently, just hoping that one day you might open yourself up to the opportunity to get to know Him. Sure you have doubts, and you have questions, but God is bigger than any doubt or question you have. I know that you have struggles, and that you may have even had things happen in your life that you might blame God for, or at least question whether or not God exists, because if He did, that circumstance would not have occurred. The question of “Why God lets bad things happen to good people,” is a difficult one, but one that can be answered if you are open to listen.

It is never too late to reach out to Him, He is reaching out to you. He’s already done most of the work, you just need to let Him finish it. As your friend, I want nothing more for you than for you to know His love, peace, mercy and grace in your life. I am here for you if you have questions (I may not have all of the answers, but we can work through them together). I am here to pray for you. I can’t make the decision for you, but I am here for you if you need me.

(If you are wondering if this letter was meant for you, if you have any question about that, I only have one more thing to say – Yes it was)

Deflecto Exhaust Venting Project

Reblogged from Deflecto Home and Office Products, Air Distribution, Bellhorn, Rit Dye:

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Recently our sister company, http://naptownetching.com, purchased a new laser, giving them the ability to almost double their output and ability to service their customers.  As the workshop had been piped for only one exhaust vent previously, this presented a challenge for us to solve in getting both lasers vented properly.  Our solution was to use Deflecto duct materials and accessories to connect both lasers to the same exhaust vent.

Read more… 359 more words

This was a fun project we did at work. Check it out.

Dad ToDo Today – Creating an ‘E-free’ Zone in Your Home

Dad ToDo Today – Creating an ‘E-free’ Zone in Your Home.

#chuckstrong – it means so much more

Over the past few days, following the recent win by the Indianapolis Colts over the Green Bay Packers, I have heard a number of people making comments about the #chuckstrong movement, and wondering why there seems to be so much attention given to the coach of an NFL football team who has been diagnosed with leukemia and has begun his battle against the disease.  Some have made reference to the fact that all the attention trivializes other people without the high profile who have fought leukemia or other forms of cancer.

I could not disagree more, respectfully.

My opinion, for what its worth, is that anything that brings any awareness to this disease is a good thing.  The more people can rally around the cause of cancer (leukemia), whether it be through money raised for research or prayers and support for people battling the hateful disease, the better.

Chuck Pagano is no different than any other person who is fighting a battle against cancer (or has fought).  He is no different than my mother-in-law who lost her battle with leukemia ten years ago.  He is no different than my mother who has battled cancer and is a survivor.  What is different is that he has chosen to fight his battle in public and because he has a platform through his job as a head coach of a National Football League team, he can do it publicly.  He could have easily resigned his position “due to health reasons” and gone away privately to begin his treatment, but that was not what he chose to do.  He not only shared what he was going through (which is no one’s business but his own), but he also said that he was going to beat it, and that he would be back doing the thing that he loves the most.  And God willing, and with the help of great doctors, and the support of his family, friends, football team, and community he may just do that.

#chuckstrong is a battle cry to never give up.  It is a battle cry that his team took on this past Sunday.  Against all odds, and after falling behind 21-3 to the Packers, the Indianapolis Colts who won only one game last year, did not give up – they fought back, all the way back and won the game in the last seconds.  Football is just a game, and in the scheme of things doesn’t matter a bit, but the narrative of the comeback cannot be lost on anyone and may just become a metaphor for their coach’s comeback.  The box score isn’t finished on Coach Pagano’s struggle with leukemia, and he may be behind on the scoreboard, but there’s still plenty of time on the clock for a comeback.

This is just the latest of any number of sports vs. cancer stories that have taken the “Never Give Up” mantra by the horns.  I remember Lance Armstrong and what has become such a great story of his fight against cancer and his LiveStrong Foundation that works every day to raise awareness for cancer research.  Every year, sports fans are reminded of Jim Valvano (Jimmy V) and his fight against cancer.  We remember the speech he gave at the Espy’s where the Jimmy V Foundation was born, and has raised millions and millions of dollars for cancer research.  ”Don’t give up, Don’t ever give up”

Their message is one of encouragement, of strength, of togetherness that has touched countless people who have been diagnosed with cancer and battle it every day.  Their message and their profile does not diminish any one else’s battle but rather enhances it, and gives it a public face and a public voice.

For information on the #chuckstrong campaign and its efforts to raise awareness and money for leukemia research go to http://www.colts.com/fanzone/chuckstrong.html

For more information on the the LiveStrong Foundation founded by cancer survivor Lance Armstrong visit http://livestrong.org.

And for more information on the Jimmy V Foundation in honor of Coach Jim Valvano go to http://jimmyv.org

DIY "Are you my 'mummy'?" Halloween Wreath

Reblogged from Glitter In The Air:

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The fall is my absolute favorite time of year: Everything pumpkin, golden leaves, an excuse to wear sweatshirts and cardigans all the time... the list goes on. But my absolute favorite part is the crafts!

I have a lot of crafts half finished right now, but one I just finished, one that was quick and easy and may I say, is…

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What a cool idea from one of my favorite crafting bloggers! Thanks Heather!

Remember the old adage “Sticks and Stones?”

I came home from work last night to a son who was very happy to see me.  He told me that he had something to tell me and that we needed to go sit down on the couch and talk. He then said, “Don’t worry dad, I didn’t get in trouble at school.”  He told me that at lunch today, one of his friends told him that I was too big and that if I needed to have two of the seats at the lunch room table, and that if I sat down there I would probably break the table.  As Elliot shared this story, tears started to well up in his eyes, and then he said several times that he was sorry.  I asked him how he responded to this, and he just told his friend that it wasn’t true because I’ve had lunch there lots of times and have always sat on just one seat and it never broke.  But the emotion of it was too much for him and he just cried the rest of lunch and didn’t finish eating.  He had several friends that tried to console him, and tell the other boy that it wasn’t nice, and eventually the boy apologized.

I knew that this moment was a moment that I could use to bring to deliver a message that would help to grow my son as a young man, and something to learn from.  (Note that I too had my feelings hurt, and the human side of me wanted to teach my son the following phrase, “My dad may be fat, but your stupid and my dad can go on a diet.” – but somehow I knew that wasn’t the direction I needed to go).

I talked with my son about the fact that sometimes people judge other people by outward appearances, and often say things that are hurtful about physical differences between themselves or others.  I told him that daddy knows that he is overweight and that it is something that I have struggled with for a very long time, and that I was sorry that sometimes that is the first things someone notices about me when the meet me, but that when given a chance to actually get to know me, they would find that I’m a pretty cool guy.  I switched the script a little bit and I talked with him about his words and that he needs to be sure that the words he chooses are used to build people up, not to tear them down.  Words have meaning and can hurt.

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

We also talked about forgiveness, and the need for my son to forgive this young friend.  It is that forgiveness, when freely given that will give my son the peace to not only move on from this circumstance and leave the hurt feelings behind, but it will also open himself up to receive forgiveness himself for things that he may have done.

I am grateful that my son felt that he was able to share this with me, and that we were able to see the messages of God’s mercy and love through this experience together.  It probably hurts my feelings more that my son was so upset by it, than by what the boy said about me.

I have been struggling with the biblical concepts of the “sins of the father, being visited on the son” lately in working with my son on some issues where I see him having some of the same emotional need challenges I have had (but that’s another blog for another time).  This is just another way that my son is bearing the burden for my sin of not taking as good a care of my body as I should and for being overweight and out of shape.  Yes, to me, it is a sin that I’ve committed time and time again over the course of my life to not treat my body as one of God’s special gifts, and have eaten to excess, not maintained a healthy lifestyle, etc. and now my son is dealing with a consequence of that sin, and that is something that I have asked for his forgiveness for, and am working on forgiving myself for.

I do praise God that I can see His work in the smallest of circumstances in my life and is giving me opportunities to be a man after his own heart, and try to share that message with my son.