Life is a Place of Service

"Life is a place of service, and in that service one has to suffer a great deal that is hard to bear, but more often to experience a great deal of joy. But that joy can be real if only people look upon their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness." (Leo Tolstoy)

Where You Are

I strode along the downtown streets of my city late last evening and happened upon this quote in the window of one of the little shops that that line the way:

"The lure of the distant is deceptive. The great opportunity is where you are." (John Burroughs)

Many a searching soul has left our rugged region with the thought that more will be gained by leaving than by staying on and finding that life-altering opportunity right here in Hometown USA. I have come to understand that distant shores are often just dirt and sand on someone else's home turf.

I'm glad that I can carve out a place of commerce and comfort by seizing the opportunities that present themselves to me each and every day. Truly, the lure of the distant seems unworthy of the journey required to get there and back again.

Hand in Hand We Walk

"Come on, Grampy!" she said. "Let's walk."
And so we walk.
She chatters on and on about rocks, cars and lollipops,
While I cry about hard partings, missed moments, and silent longings.

Saying goodbye to granddaughters is dreadfully painful.
I was not made for "See you soon's" and "We'll Skype more" promises.
I'd rather have skipping contests in the driveway
And sandwich kisses before bedtimes.

But farewells come and grandchildren go
And I must adjust one more time
And grudgingly accept that life is a series of greetings and partings
Until we say our best hello in the Sweet By-and-By in the someday-soon's of Tomorrow.

"Come on, Michal!" I say. "Let's walk."
And so we do.
Her hand in mine and mine is hers.
Until we meet again in another place and time.

Francis Chan's Viewpoint

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnrJVTSYLr8

It's Worth a Read

http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/love-wins-a-review-of-rob-bells-new-book?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+challies/XhEt+(Challies+Dot+Com)

Adirondack Day

Open window, mountain breeze.
Floating curtains, steady rain.
Cool caresses, welcome shiver.
Summer morning, Adirondack day.

In Defense of a Righteous Killing

In response to those who decry the taking of Osama Bin Laden's life because he would go to hell:

"How can you defend one who took the lives of 3000 innocent people so that they wouldn't have opportunity to repent and receive this same Christ you wanted him to embrace?

OBL was a robber, a liar, a fanatical murderer, and held to a belief system that would NEVER include embracing the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Hey, he enjoyed killing Americans because Americans defended a Christian worldview!

OBL's death was justified and I continue to celebrate the righteous taking of his life.

On another note, as one has said, "Pacifism works well in peacetime but is a terrible belief system in war."