Disqualified

Disqualified!  

What do you think of when you hear that word?  It depends on how it relates to you.  Last evening I watched the Winter Olympics Short Track Speed Skating.  That sport is just intense.  And the race in particular was something akin to a relay.  Except, it seemed more akin to the model of the solar system my 8th grade science teacher had in his room.  Colored bodies seemed to be rotating around the center of the ice.  Some closer than others....then they would change places.  And what is up with that pushing?

Anyway, at the end of the 3000-meter relay race, the South Koreans were circling the track, their flag held high in celebration.  The Chinese team was doing the same, as was the Canadian team.  The fourth place finishers, the United States, were gathered on the side of the track talking with their coaches.  What the celebrating skaters did not seem to realize was that the head referee was reviewing the video of the race.  The final lap in particular.  See, when the final lap began, and the final change of skaters was taking place, it appears there was minor contact between the South Korean and Chinese skater. View the race here:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UwBA6zfKVo

After several minutes of viewing the video and discussion among the judges, the South Korean team was disqualified.  They went from being on top of the world and receiving the greatest reward to leaving the games empty-handed.  And having the stigma of having been disqualified.  Not only that, but other lives were changed and affected.  The United States team, who had finished in last place with no medal, suddenly were awarded the Bronze.  And because of the actions of one person, the other South Korean team members who had honestly run the race, were disqualified as well.

I began to think of what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24-26:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

The worst feeling has to be having run the entire race, thinking that you not only finished, but actually won, and then finding out you have been disqualified.  One of our primary goals has to be to prevent that.  We need to run the race, not only with purpose, but with integrity.  Every decision you makes impacts more than just yourself.  Consider the consequences of your decisions.  Determine to live your life with integrity.   

Let's Discuss the Issues

This post is going to be about politics.  If you do not wish to read it, navigate away from this page now.

Let me say up front that it is not my intent to offend.  I do know that there are many that follow me here, on FaceBook and Twitter, that subscribe to different political and social views.  Please do not assume you know what I am going to say.  I am no one's lapdog.  I parrot no party's talking points.  I encourage you to read on.  I believe that you will agree with me.

For the sake of full disclosure, I am a registered Independent.  In the last presidential election, I voted for Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party.

I must say that I am disappointed with the state of politics in our nation.  We have left, not just the foundation our Founding Fathers laid, but have slipped down the precipice of party-politics.  Election years in our nation have become a time for mud-slinging and ad hominem attacks, not the time for civilized debate of issues that are relevant to our society.  In the last few days, we have seen a presidential press secretary mockingly writing on his hand, looking little like a member of a presidential administration and more like a bit character on Saturday Night Live.  We have seen the "heir-apparant" of the GOP nomination, while speaking before a grass-roots separatist movement, encourage them to align with her party.  These people have "left" both parties because of policies.  Why would they re-align themselves with one?  I assume because they like her??

My point is this:  no one, especially politicians, talk about the issues anymore.  We know longer call our representatives by that title.  We call them Congressmen/Congresswomen.  Which is just as well since they do not represent their constituents.  When the politicians of today do speak, they rarely discuss issues.  They discuss grid-lock; they discuss how horrible the leaders of the other party are; they discuss how there is no dialogue.  And when they return to their home districts, they dismiss the views of the people as backward, unsophisticated, un-cosmopolitan, and narrow-minded.  What happened to being able to voice my opinion without someone attacking my intelligence?  Attack my logic.  Attack my premise.  Attack my assumptions.  But unprovoked ad hominem attacks are unwarranted and futile.  They get us nowhere.

Why are we afraid of debate?  Our Republic was founded upon debate.  The problem is that many fail to read history.  Re-read the minutes of the Continental Congress.  There was much debate among the Founders of our nation.  We somehow have arrived at the idea that they just came together and magically, mystically, spiritually they were like-minded.  That is simply not the case.  There was vigorous debate.  And we should not be afraid to engage in debate--true debate of the issues--once again.

I believe the current nature of politics has fostered the rise of the Third Parties ( like the Constitution Party) and the separatist movements (like the Tea Party).  Many in these United States have had enough. Many are tired of their voice not being heard.  It is time to discuss--and I mean TRULY discuss--the issues facing our Republic.  We have gotten off the path of a true representative government.  It is time to let your voice be heard....whatever your viewpoint.  I encourage you to write or call your Representative.  They were elected to represent you.  They can't represent you if they don't hear you.

It is time to get our nation back on track.  And we have to start by discussing the issues.

Life is Short

Two nights ago, about two miles from where I sit, a young lady lost control of her car and ran off the road. In just a few seconds, her car left the road and her life left her body.  In just a few moments, lives were changed...forever.  Now, there is a young man left to raise a 9 month old baby alone.

These events gave me pause to think. Or more accurately, think again.  Most of us know these things, but events such as this cause us to ponder.  None of us know when our days will end.  Just because we are young, does not mean that we will live to be old.  Our days on earth are not guaranteed. 

You see, the rest of the story is this.  This young lady exchanged some angry words with her man.  She got in the car, drove just over a mile from her house and into eternity.  The last words exchanged with her love were exchanged in anger.  

I promised myself many years ago that I would never leave my wife's presence without kissing her.  I try my best to live up to this promise.  Seems like such a small gesture, but realizing the frailty of life, it makes sense.  Leaving the presence of the ones we love should be done in a positive manner.  Never leave your loved ones with angry words hanging in the air.  Always leave on good terms.

This young lady, sadly, left this life with relationships strained.  You still have a choice.