Someone stop her! She's growing up too quickly!

When I was a kid, one of the things that I used to hear my elders talk about was how suddenly time seems to pass, usually in the context of how quickly I was "shooting up" . Now that I am an elder to others [personally, hard to believe and quite humorous], I can honestly affirm what my elders countless times told me. Wow! Time sure flies!

It seems like just weeks ago that Lindsey and I were going to doctor's visits while she was pregnant with Imogene. Now, it's hard to believe that our second contribution to the population and the Church - Aidan - will be nine months old in just days, while Imogene is a whopping two years old.

Just the other day, Imogene wanted nothing more than to be held all the time. No, wait! Those days have been gone for about a year now! [Now, she often goes to her room, shuts the door, and plays by herself for half an hour.] No, just the other day - in reality -, Lindsey and I converted Imogene's crib into a bed. Sure, it still has guard rails [I guess that's what I'm supposed to call them.], but it's a bed, nonetheless. In other words, she can get up in the middle of the night and walk back to our bedroom to climb into bed with us. Yikes! She's getting too old too quickly! [Lord, please slow her down.]

Memorial Day

(above: Arlington National Cemetery)


Happy Memorial Day!

In the past few days, I have found a couple of particular things to be of some interest:

1. The first thing that has held my interest is that many - possibly, most - people really seem to have no idea why we celebrate Memorial Day. They know it's related to patriotism, freedom, and the military, but they aren't quite sure how it's distinct from Independence Day or Veteran's Day. However, on Memorial Day we particularly remember those brave heroes who have given given their lives in combat for their country.

* NOTE: My sermon yesterday was about the three things we do - and I believe are biblically called to do - on Memorial Day. We remember. We give thanks. And we celebrate.

2. The second thing that has held my interest is that too many people - often Christians, regrettably - simply can't let holidays be what they are. Now, on this issue, I want to be cautious, for I do honestly want to think as Christianly as I can.

Before I begin to say what I have in mind, let me illustrate what I mean. A few years ago during Advent, I saw a Church marque that read something to the effect of [I'm paraphrasing here.]: sure, we all like the little Baby lying in the manger, but most don't like the Savior hanging on the cross. Now, though my wording is not precisely accurate, I am not stretching what the sign said [Please trust me.]. Now, why would a Christian feel the need to make such an insensitive jab - or "drive-by" remark - at folks?

Okay, what does this have to do with Memorial Day? Well, a couple of days ago while surfing the web, I was invited by an add to read an essay written by a Christian concerning "the two kingdoms". This invitation was unabashedly made as a challenge to our typical thoughts at Memorial Day, and the essay was essentially making the point that we can either be true to America - a kingdom of the world - or to Christ - the King of THE Kingdom. And so, I entered into a bit of dialogue (which I hope to continue, if I find some time) with the writer.

The problem I have with such challenges is not about the fact that they are challenges or even that they are a bit controversial. In fact, I enjoy challenges and sometimes even find myself to being somewhat controversial. About some things, I know I am controversial; about others, I have been known to deliberately inspire controversy. The problem I have, though, is that we - particularly, again, as Christians - too often feel the need to make our snide remarks about everything. We can't simply let things be what they are and celebrate them in their undeniable truth and goodness.

Please note, I am not saying that we are never to be critical. We are certainly called to have critical minds, even judging all things. However, the writer of the said essay was painting a picture of two kingdoms that are diametrically opposed to one another - as if the Church and America share nothing in common and are always at odds. He even went so far as to imply that military service would be inordinate obedience to another "king", though I couldn't get him to plainly say so.

If I might be frank - not the person, but the adjective - as best I can tell, the Gospel is only hindered by such assumptions. Though America is not without its flaws - some quite big and ugly -, it is truly a virtuous nation that stands for life, liberty, and "the pursuit". Thank God for these! And thank God that there have been many thousands throughout our history who have fallen that these might continue to be America's principles!

God bless our nation! And God bless our troops!

"Happy birthday!"

My little princess (who happens also to be a rock star) turned two on Sunday...



And my little prince (an up and coming rocker himself) was there to help celebrate...

just a thought concerning homosexual marriage:

To be honest, I haven't yet given much serious thought to the issue since last week when the California Supreme Court determined a publicly chosen CA policy opposing homosexual marriage to be unconstitutional, thereby making homosexual marriage at least temporarily legal throughout the state. However, one thing that quite immediately came to my mind went as follows -

The argument I have repeatedly heard used in favor of the legalization of homosexual marriage (in general and in relationship to the CA case in particular) is based upon equal rights. "How can we say that homosexuals don't have the same rights as heterosexuals?" Again, this is not fully thought out, but my initial response would be that such an argument is entirely ungrounded, for neither homosexuals nor heterosexuals are believed (by the former policy and that of most other states) to have the right to marry someone of the same sex. In fact, any person has the same rights as any other person by which he or she may legally marry within those guidelines as determined and protected by the state.

[possibly more to come...]