Trailer for Courageous

Music Video from Courageous

Cowboy Ethics - Live Each Day with Courage

Photo from emints4.purdy.k12.mo.us

Live Each Day with Courage

Live each day with the courage to persevere; to stand by your convictions; to do what is right no matter the cost or how difficult the task may be.

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)

“A Christian is always in danger, therefore should ever be on the watch. He should be fixed in the faith of the gospel, and never desert or give it up. By this faith alone he will be able to keep his ground in an hour of temptation.” (IVP New Testament Commentary)

“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:13-17)

Live each day with courage; persevere to obey God and live according to the statutes the Lord has commanded unto us.

                                                                

Young Universe Video - Answers in Genesis

Young Universe Video - Answers in Genesis

Video clip featuring Dr. Jason Lisle speaking on the Young Universe.

A man has to have a code, a way of life to live by.

Photo by David Sutton

John Wayne once said "A man has to have a code, a way of life to live by, no matter his job."

The Case for Nothing

It was Tuesday, December 7^th, it was snowing and most everyone was staying indoors, the streets were quite, it looked as if it was going to be a slow night. My partner Frank just finished making coffee.   "Why don't you come by the house Joe for Christmas dinner? You know, all the trimmings: turkey, cranberry sauce, celery stuffing.  Chestnuts, all the trimmings, you know. Margie always fixes a plate of relish with them little carrot sticks. You know, olives, pickles, scallions. Most people call them green onions, but they're really scallions. Did you ever notice that Joe?" "Notice what Frank?" "How most people call them green onions but they're really scallions."  "Uh-huh. Scallions." Frank looks up over his coffee mug to see why I seem distracted.

A man just walked in and he looked plenty upset. I thought perhaps it won’t be a slow night after all. “Evening sir, can we be of assistance”.  “Yes, I want to report a crime!” I motion to a chair and ask the gentleman to have a seat. “Tell me what happened.”   “I was accosted!” I quickly thought of several possibilities.  Perhaps a beggar annoyed the man; I’ve noticed several braving the cold looking for charity, not what I would call a crime though.   However, by the man’s indignation attempted robbery seemed more likely. “You were robbed?” With a quick shake of his head the man replied “No”.  I could see Frank’s eyes take on a questioning look. I asked, “Perhaps you could give us the facts?”  For several minutes the man gave us a summary of what transpired.  The man had been simply walking by some shops from the local dinner on his way back to the hotel, when suddenly a small mustachioed man had run out from a shop towards him.  The mustachioed man had quickly asked the man if he died tonight would he go to heaven or hell; stuffed a tract in his hand and then bolted back into a shop.  Not exactly the crime of a century or even a misdemeanor. 

Slightly confused as to why the man was so agitated we inquired further as to why he had come to the station.  “I want that man stopped! Who knows the amount of harm he is causing.”  “Harm?” “Yes, you see there is no God; the universe was created from nothing. Hellfire and damnation are superstitious ideas and an insult to our intelligence.”  Frank and I paused; this was something new. After what seems like several heartbeats, I asked if the man would like to fill out a complaint form, which he did.  We took his complaint, asking several questions for clarification.   Time had passed rather quickly as once he began speaking the man provided an abundance of information that he felt would help us with the case. Having left his statement, the man left to make his way back out into the cold to his hotel.

Frank refilled his cup, sighed and said “Tell me Joe, what do you think?”  “About Christmas dinner? I haven’t decided yet.” “No, about what that man just said, doesn’t it bother you?”  “Last time I checked Frank, the Constitution guarantees the right of Free Speech. He’s entitled to his own opinion.”  Frank and I have been partners on the force for years and I’ve seen the look before that he’s giving me now.  “Okay, Frank, let’s lay it out.” I can see Frank wants to discuss this further and says “What do you think of the small mustachioed man?” “I think his height and facial hair is irrelevant Frank.” “Not the point Joe.” “I think Frank; that he will never know if he ever makes a difference in anyone’s life. He puts himself out there and lets the chips fall where they fall. The Constitution protects his right to free speech same as the next guy. The way I see it is this, everyone has the right to decide for themselves. I figure it this way; to be able to make a choice you first need to know that there is a choice; you have to have something to choose from to be able to make a choice.” “It doesn’t insult your intelligence then?”  “Not at all, how does having a choice insult your intelligence?  Frank nods and asks “What about what he said; about there is no God?”  “When it comes to the question ‘is there a God?’ some folks my say the answer is unknowable. But to say that something is unknowable is to have already answered the question about the nature of knowledge; I prefer to decide for myself.  Perhaps our friend truly believes there is no God, that is his belief, but how does he prove it?”  Frank grins “I had a friend once say that because a premise cannot be proven true, the premise must be false”. It was easy to see where Frank was going, but I had a reply. “Negative proof? Right back at your friend – if a premise cannot be proven false, the premise must be true right? If I say God exists can your friend prove the premise is false?” 

“Okay Joe, what about the quantum vacuum and that the universe started from nothing?”  “Frank, he didn’t really mean from nothing.”  “That’s what the man said Joe, I heard him as clear as I’m hearing you now.” “It’s not what he really means.” “How so Joe?”  “Yes, he did say that they universe came from nothing, but see according to quantum mechanics, a vacuum state or quantum vacuum is not truly empty space, it contains electromagnetic particles and waves that pop into and out of existence. The term vacuum state also means a state with the lowest possible energy, which is what I believe he meant. So while he used the term nothing, it’s not truly nothing.”  “Okay, Joe, I have to say that is confusing.  I wish if someone meant it came from something but didn’t know what, that they would simply say so. So, while it could conceivably be empty, it isn’t should an electromagnetic particle pop into existence at any time.”  “Correct.”  “But Joe, where did these particles come from?” I had to shrug as I had no idea. Still looking confused Frank asked “So, it’s possible for something to come from nothing?”  “Frank, sorry, I can only tell you what the man said. I’m fairly sure he wasn’t a firsthand witness though.” We both chuckled.  “Seems strange Joe.” What’s strange Frank?” Well, if that fellow believes that something can come from nothing, why would it be impossible for God to just be, I mean come from nothing; have no creator that he just existed?” I had to pause before answering this time, as it was indeed a good question. “Frank, to be honest I can’t speak for that man, but I think you touched on something that each person needs to answer for their self.”

I finished typing up our report and walked to file cabinet as our shift was nearly over. “Joe?” “Yes, Frank?” “Did you file the report under ‘open’ or ‘closed’ cases?” I smiled. “Open.” “Margie makes a great breakfast, if you’d like to come over.” “Thanks, Frank but I think I’ll just stop at the dinner then head home for some rest.”

Epilogue:

Stopping at the diner I ordered my usual bacon; toast – slightly buttered and scrambled eggs. I saw my old friend Abram taking sips from coffee while he was writing something on his notepad.  “Morning, Joe.” I nodded to him. “Just going over my shopping list for some last minute items you know, olives, pickles, green onions…”  I interrupted Abram “You mean scallions.”  “Scallions?”  “Yes, most people call them green onions but they're really scallions."   We exchanged small talk and I stepped outside braved the cold. It was time to head home. As I looked down the street I saw a woman standing on the corner waiting for the light to change. As she stood there a small mustachioed man had run out from a shop towards her.  The mustachioed man quickly said something to her and pressed a something into her hands then bolted back into a shop.  I stopped to watch her reaction. The woman looked slightly confused and turned to stare at the shop the man had come from. She then looked at the paper the man had pressed into her hand as if reading it. Then she smiled, placed the paper into her jacket and crossed the street to go her way.  

With acknowledgement to the following sources:

Christmas Dragnet by Stan Freberg

http://freberg.westnet.com/text/xmas_dragnet.html

Little Old Man From Sydney

http://www.c3churchcoffsharbour.com/video/little-old-man-from-sydney

Ray Comfort - Living Waters

http://www.livingwaters.com/

Wikipedia – Quantum Vacuum

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_state

 

Meet Me in the Stairwell

'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye...' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me.

Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor. Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way..... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you . But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

God