Church the United States flag and a Cross

I sat there unsure what to do. All I know is that I felt like getting up and walking out during Saturday night’s church service. I found it hard to concentrate on the sermon because of a very big United States flag hanging behind the church elder giving last weekend’s sermon.

All I could think of is what was the message our church was giving out. Our church does not have a permanent cross in sanctuary instead  they project on the side screens a cross during communion. Yet, last weekend a visitor would see a flag where a cross should be hanging. Before the sermon it started off with a prayer for our nation’s leaders then for us to remain a Christian nation. The sermon stated off with US history lesson before it got to the true message of the sermon. I sat there wondering if in away we were worshiping our nation instead of God. I am thankful they did not ask for the veterans to standup during the service. The last time they did this I did not want to standup, but those sitting around me kept on telling me standing up. I feel uncomfortable having such attention pointed at me.

When I drove home all I could think of was maybe it was time to find a new home church. I am extremely thankful for living in this country, but I am beginning to believe that we need to remove politics and in a way our nation from our churches. It is like they are becoming one.

I just am not sure what to do right now.

Thomas

Happy Birthday America!

Happy Birthday America!!

May we not forget where we came from.

Giving a shout out to GovGab

Almost a month ago I mentioned my disappointment with GovGab. I now need to give a shout out to them. They are trying to find new ways of  getting information out to general public. These two video are a one of the ways they are reaching out to public.

I hope after watching these two videos that you will stop by and let them know that they are doing a great job.

Thomas

7-2-09 Random thoughts from learning guitar to 4th of july

I figured that it would take some time to learn to play a guitar, but I never figured that the tips of my fingers would hurt some much after practicing.

A couple of weeks a go I decided to begin journaling after reading my bible. I have found it hard to journal about Leviticus. I find it hard to relating to animal sacrifice to atone for my sins. One of the things that has been reinforced to me is that I need to be holy because God is holy.

One of the reasons why I am journaling is because of my song writing class I am taking. The instructor has continuously said that we need to write five to ten minutes a day with one to three serious writing that are thirty minutes long. The writings do not need to be songs they just need to be some sort of writings. This way words will become your friends.

Tuesday I was so happy because I wrote my first ever song lyrics . The song structure was verse chorus verse chorus bridge chorus. See I was paying attention Miss Owens. Today I think that my song sucks and needs to be shredded.

My friend Amy’s blog is hosting a Nothing but Ghost Party. They are running a contest based on how many books sold. Stop by Amy’s blog read about the Nothing but Ghost Party and make sure you check out the book Nothing but Ghost.

I want to say Congratulation to Jeff and Martha. It was great wedding and I am truly humble and thankful for you asking me to part of your wedding. I wish and pray that God will bless your union.

I am so looking forwards to this three day weekend. I need the sleep.

I hope that you all have a great weekend full of love and laughter. Stay safe and I enjoy the 4th of July fireworks.

Thomas

Wordless day: Letters from War: Mark Schultz

It ran from joyous times to serious times.

It surly was a very intense weekend. It ran from joyous times to serious times. Last weekend one of my closest of friends got married. I was honored and humbled that he asked me to take part in his wedding. This allowed the “gang” to get together. Six of us guys have been friends for over twenty years with some of the friendships being over thirty years. The grooms mother, who calls us her adopted children, pointed out how unusual that 6 people who were friends as children are such strong friends so many years later. I thought about what she said and I said it must be a God thing. Only God could have held our friendships together. We have seen the best and worst of each other. We have lived with in a mile or two of each other and we have lived half way across the country from each other.

It is this friendship that allowed one of the guys to tell me how I am wasting my life doing what I am doing. He pointed out how a college graduate should be doing something that paid more then what I make. He told me that I was in rut, I was playing it safe. I was meant for more. It was hard to hear this. Am I wasting my life doing what I am doing? My job pays squat. There is no security in my job. How ever, ones value should not be based on pay. God never promised us job security. I just know that he brought up some valid points that I am still thinking about even today.

If someone other then one of these guys had said what he had said I would have probably would not of listen to what they were saying. They would not have the standing the trust as I have with these guys. I know that the comments were made out of love.

I have been blessed by these friendships. They are more then friends they are family. I might never be rich with monetary wealth, but I am rich in ways that most people might never understand.

Thomas

Bring a gun to church.

If I was a member of this church, I would have to leave this church and join another. Maybe this church should be more concerned about God’s truths and teaching them to it members then worrying about constitution.

I wonder?

I wonder why smokers feel the need to flick their ashes, hold the cigarette out a open window even during the winter, and throw their cigarettes butts out of their car while sitting at a stop light. If is so disgusting to them, why are they are surprised by non smoker reactions to their actions.

I wonder what the true reason why the government feels the need to collect citizen pictures of their fourth of July celebrations. Or is it as they claim to be?

I wonder if anybody is truly surprised about the outcome of the Iranian elections and the reaction of the Iranian government to protest of the results of the election?

I wonder if I am ever going to be able to play a guitar at an expectable level.

I wonder way Michael Vick got a longer and harsher prison sentence than Donte Stallworth?

I wonder how bad the economy would be if the government did not spend all the money on a bail out plan?

I wonder when the press is going to stop worshiping President Obama and begin to examine if his policies are good for this country.

I wonder if the Chicago Cubs will ever win a world series.

I wonder if God would allow hell to freeze over if the Cubs won the world series.

I wonder if you have  ordered Ginny Owens new album Say Amen.  If you have not ordered it, I wonder why you have not ordered it yet.

I wonder if wondering about wondering is bad

Thomas

wordless day: “Awakening” (Switchfoot)

The best new album of the year.

I do believe that today is the official release date for Ginny Owens album Say Amen.   If you have not ordered it yet, you need to stop everything you are doing and order now.  Otherwise you might  forget to order it and you will miss out on the best new album this year.  Stop reading this post and order Say Amen!!

Thomas