July 2008

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”Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin’ you better run”
Well Abe says, “Where do you want this killin’ done?”
God says, “Out on Highway 61.” – Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan. 1965.

Headed on down the highway again, in full blazoning abandon! Can you believe that the time has flown by yet again? My life can be summed up by following the highway. I am a traveling man, or should I say I used to be before my current occupation. Whenever I jumped on the highway, I would feel as I should recompense Jack Kerouac for his adventures. I’ve tried to burlesque but, laud to the Almighty I’ve just never been able to imitate. You just can’t hitch a ride anymore across the country, mercy. Anywho, I’ve had to drive out to a semi-rural area for training for my job. Maryland actually has beauty to it granted, it’s not the Adirondacks but, sometimes in life you have to improvise. I drove through the rolling hills and passed the cornfields, and I regressed back to my childhood running though the mountains with my siblings, and the few neighbors I had. There is nothing quite like being in the wilderness to see God’s glory shining all around you. When I hear the wind rushing through the tall grass I can hear the earth singing His praises in such a worshipful bliss it entrances me, and makes me wanted to join in. So, whether you’re sitting in out in Peasleeville, NY or in Baltimore sit out your front door, listen and join in. God’s glory is everywhere and remember: If you don’t other will.

And some of the Pharisees called to Him (Jesus) from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”
But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” –Luke 19:39-40 (NKJV)

“…Jesus loves you more than you will know.
God bless you, please Mrs. Robinson.
Heaven holds a place for those who pray,
Hey, hey, hey” -Mrs. Robinson, Simon & Garfunkel. April 1968.

I know that these are strange lyrics to start a post but, the chorus sticks in my head from time to time, and makes me think of life in a different time when life was a little simpler. Granted, I was around -15 years old when the single came out on 7’’ vinyl but, some of the fondest moments in my life come from politics and cuckolds (just kidding).

Life is so much different for me and many others now. I am on the edge of the starting line of life, family and career; which in these trying times also coincide with a massive debt, and the illusion that a piece of paper that cost us 40k will help us get any job we desire. I look at all this and I think: Where is God in all of this? And I know the answer: He’s always been there.

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say:
“ The LORD is my helper;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”-Hebrews 13:5-6

God has been there since the very beginning well, technically before the beginning but, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I know throughout my life, I have had many near death experiences, struggles and strife as we all have but, without Him I know that I would be dead. Back then, my faith was massive and unwavering now, I struggle to say: “Lord, help me pay my bills?” Where has my faith gone? It seems that it has traveled and decreased with time and age. As I think of this, I ponder the faith of those who came before us, as mentioned in Hebrews 11 (click to read scripture). These men and women came before Christ came to seek and save us with His grace. If these men and women could maintain their faith before the Holy Spirit was poured out on mankind why can’t I? Where did I loose the strength in my faith? I know that answer to this now after doing some major soul searching, I haven’t lost my faith. As we mature in our Christian walk, we will go through dry periods when you don’t feel like the men and women of faith we are. The answer: Pray on, and strive on!

I will leave you with a quote I heard when I was 13. “Live your life so, the preacher doesn’t have to lie at your funeral.” Koo-koo-ka-choo.