One Second After – Book Review

Alright so I recently finished the book “One Second After” by William Forstchen.  I must say this was a gut wrenching read.  Not that that book was bad…but because of the possible reality it could definitely hold.  As a kid you would have nightmares about monsters only to wake up and have your parents tell you monsters aren’t real.  Growing older we realize that maybe the monsters in our dreams weren’t real but there are absolutely monsters in this world that are real.  Terrorist, rogue governments and dictators, murders, rapist, thieves…this world is full of monsters.

This book called out my monsters of adulthood.  Terrorist or a rogue government acquiring nukes and detonating them over the US.  I’ve always thought that if we are ever nuked the bright side (pun intended) is that their is a quick annihilation and its on to Heaven.  I’ve only recently become to understand that nukes detonated above the earth…roughly 25 miles up would cause an EMP.  Electromagnetic Pulse is basically a result of this blast frying ALL electronics within line of sight.  Sounds fun right?  Effects electrical grid, car electronics, right down to the electronics in your wrist watch.  This would throw us back to the mid 1800s only worse.

That is basically what this book speaks to…the end of the United States as we know her.  It’s not about a quick end but a slow, prodding, heart tearing death.  Our society is so dependent on electricity.  I mentioned that it would throw us back into the 1800s only worse.  People in the 1800s actually knew how to survive without electricity.  They understood how to provide for themselves.  The population of the US was sustainable without our modern conveniences.    I definitely wouldn’t consider myself an alarmist…I’m actually skeptical when I encounter people like that.  Reading this books has made me ask some tough questions about a fictional book that actually could become  a reality.  Maybe its time we put down our video games, and ipads long enough to learn how to actually take care of ourselves…because one day the Jiffy Mart just may not be there.

PS – Oh yeah and all the Zombie Apocalypse people…alive, desperate, hungry people can be way more dangerous.  But I’m glad to know that the CDC is putting out Zombie Apocalypse survival guides…because all this EMP stuff is just stuff of bad dreams right?

Once and For All

I found this over at Church Creatives…its an interesting Love Story of sorts:

Clock Opera – Once And For All (2012 Album Version) from Clock Opera on Vimeo.

Competitive Nature

This is my outline from a talk I gave at ReBoot 2012 in Tifton Ga. today to a group of about 200 youth and children’s leaders.  It was an amazing chance to hang out with an inspiring group of leaders.  The worship was lead by Finding Favour…it you don’t know them, they are worth checking out.

Competitive Nature: Scripture references Jeremiah 12:5 / 2 Corinthians 10:12 / Isaiah 14:12-14 / 1 Corinthians 3:1-7

A)  To Compete is to Deplete.

• competition between ministries deplete strength
• competition between ministries deplete joy
• competition between ministries deplete true motivation
• competition between ministries deplete relationships

B)  Competition in ministry has a way of hijacking us silently.

C)  Competition almost always results in Isolation at some point.

• We become critical
• We become paranoid
• We can overextend because we hate to say NO.

It was an honor to share with these leaders today.  I am encourage at the quality and passion of these people to serve in youth and children’s ministry…many with any pay at all.  I am blessed to know them.

Seryn…these guys are amazing

Gun Collectors – Not Soldiers…The Elephant Room

Home Sweet Home

The day after Thanksgiving we moved into a new house located on the church property. We are definitely enjoying being closer. Here is a picture of the house.

Rednecks? More like Redfaced!

Ironic

I feel that Facebook, FB for short, is the platform of choice for passive aggressive commenting. Basically you just throw it out there and hope it hits the intended person without ever having to own up to the comment. I am sure this is exactly what Jesus had in mind when he said…let your yes be yes…your no be no…and all your FB posts shall be cryptic. Naw I guess I missed that one. It’s annoying, childish, and divisive. If you claim to have any kind of a relationship with Jesus at all…please think before you post. And you know who I’m talking too!!

My Favorite Patriotic Movies

• Rocky 4
• The Patriot
• Saving Private Ryan
• Red Dawn
• Glory
• The Green Berets
• Clear & Present Danger
• Men of Honor
• To Hell & Back
• Windtalkers

I am sure there are a few more that I could add…even some I haven’t seen yet.  My list is growing.

 

 

 

 

Beautiful People

This morning I had the opportunity to spend sometime with the residents of Magnolia Manor. Magnolia Manor is an independent and assisted living care facility in Richmond Hill. I got there a little early and looked around a bit. The property was a beautiful place. I was shown to the chapel for the morning devotion time. I sat and talk with several residents as they entered to find a seat. As we opened the devotional time we sang from the United Methodist hymn book…it reminded me of the old Church of God red back hymnals. We sang #367, a Bill Gaither song, “He Touched Me”. We also sang #368, “My Hope Is Built”. After that we took a look at the John 14:1-3. We talked about 2 ideas from this passage, Togetherness & Permanence. At the end of the devotion time, a woman in a motorized chair took me on a guided tour of the entire place.

Now on the ride home I was struck by the grace and beauty I found there. Yes, the home was beautiful and keep extraordinarily clean. And the furnishings were comfortable and inviting. But that’s just stuff. The real beauty came from the people. They were not young and attractive by Miss America standards. Some of them struggled to navigate the hallways. Some couldn’t walk at all. The singing would not have won us any contracts from American Idol. The place was absent of the usual youthful accessories: Blackberries, Iphones, Ipads, HD LED TVs, Xboxs or any other gadget.

It was simple. It was beautiful. It was beautiful because of their smiles, their stories, and their grace. They talked with me about their grandchildren, about fishing trips, and about a journaling group that allows them to tell their stories. It was simple. I have been blessed today to meet them.

Photo Posted is of George & Mezzo Davis, my grandparents. I love and miss these beautiful people.