WHAT DOES CHRISTIANITY LOOK LIKE?

Floyd Finding Floyd Inspirational Christian writing 12 Comments

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“That blog has got to change”! she exclaimed in jest. “What do you mean”? I asked. She continued as she chuckled a bit, “I think I know Floyd, and that’s not Floyd”! A little surprised I grinned and answered, “Well, it’s who I am in my heart.”

They are a couple who are our very good friends, they are kind, understanding, fun, and generous. My wife and the person I’ll call Theresa went on to discuss my writings, weaknesses, and heart. I really couldn’t hear too much of the conversation as Theresa’s husband I’ll call James went about our own.

A statement like that really makes you stop and think…

I’ve been pretty up front, or at least tried to be in my writings, I freely confess I have many weaknesses that get the better of me from time to time. I struggle to bite my tongue… There was a time I’d struggle to open my mouth to share what I believed about this world, God, and life after death.

Being a admitted A.D.D., obsessive compulsive type of person, I struggle even more to keep quiet now than I did to speak up then.

I’ll only cover a few more highlights of my weaknesses. This is a blog, not a volumed set of books that would be needed to detail all that I lack. OK, a hothead, or what the Bible refers to as quick to anger. Yes, that’s just one of the hats I’m qualified to wear.

Although I don’t beat up people or inanimate objects anymore, I still fight the emotion that invokes rage within me. I have a few buttons that send me from calm to hurricane faster than lightning strikes.

One of these buttons is a lost world, blinded by their flesh, unaware of the spiritual world around them, speaking of science, not actually science, but a theory or hypothesis that has been changing light years faster than their religion of humanism manifested in their belief of evolution.

On the other side of that spectrum are the religious people who think that by following a set of rules makes them somehow closer to God. These are people who know and read the truth and ignore the very teachings of the one they claim as their master, Jesus Christ.

I think many people have the wrong impression of what people who know God should be. There is no perfection on this earth, that means not any person that walks in it as well.

To know God puts us in a constant spiritual battle with our flesh for the remainder of our time cooped up in our soul cages. Many times we lose the battle with our flesh just like every human who’s ever lived on this earth.

The difference is the understanding of grace which means unmerited favor from God. There is nothing that we can do in this flesh in order to be good enough to be chosen by God. It is only His love, mercy, and compassion coupled with that grace that is His gift offered to anyone.

I’ll admit that I’m weak in many ways, not as an excuse, but as a fact of life for every one of us. The key is to understand our weakness and our ultimate need for a Saviour.

In our weakness and the understanding of it is where we find our need, in that need and confession, is where we find our strength. It is not us, it is God in us…

I’m here to reflect and inspire in Christianity, not as an expert, only God is the expert.

I’m here with you, and we’re all in this together.

Perfection is on the other side…

POETIC JUSTICE

Floyd Finding Floyd Inspirational Christian writing 8 Comments

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I’m not big on poetry. It could be I’m just not that refined, a little too rough around the edges they say. Then again, maybe my lack of appreciation for poetry has something to do with the last time I penned poetic pronunciations purposely.

I was in Mrs. Maxfield’s 6th grade English class, the assignment? Write a poem. Come to think of it, I was so rough around the edges it never dawned on me to write anything with serious content.

I have to admit the inspiration for my poem came straight from Mad Magazine cartoons. I used the mental image of the Mad Magazine characters out walking and jogging trying to avoid stepping in piles of dog doo.

While I was amused and the teacher seemed to be, my parents were not. My artistry betrayed by my English teacher whom I misread.

My wife who has a talent for writing and poetry has used it only on rare occasion, usually for milestones in the kids lives intended for future keepsakes. That must be where the little one got her talent. It could also have to do a little with the priorities we’ve tried to set in her life.

Here is one of her poems she did in her 7th-grade English class a couple of weeks ago.

I took a walk yesterday

Just God and I

I went around the block awhile

Praying and listening to any signs

I saw His hand in all creation

The beauty of it all

The vibrant colors of everything

And the glorious sunset, like a curtain fall

I felt so full of awe when

His wonderful works appeared

I felt so transfixed

And I knew that He was near

I might be a little biased, but I thought it was pretty good. We’re proud of our daughters for many things. Their academic achievements, their sports-related achievements, but mostly when they do something that honors God and us, thereby bringing them honor.

Many people in this modern world have given in to the rapidly decaying secular world and it’s magnetic draw of our flesh, similar to my poem as a kid. Our kids and many in this younger generation that I know personally are stronger, displaying much more courage than I did at their age.

Our country could use more strong willed people standing up in strength and honor demonstrating character while the weaker ones and their character evaporate like water poured out in a dry desert.

When I was younger and scoffed at the thought of writing things, especially poetry, I regret not paying closer attention to the details of the lives that God used to change our world. The lives of people of courage in action, not just in battles, but also in writings.

The Founding Fathers of this nation would have been a pretty good place to start. Men and women risking their lives and fortunes who shared their world with us through journals, books, and the Constitution.

Some of these wise men who’s courage and bravery in battle are now our heritage as a people. Those chosen people learned to read and write from what we still have today as a guide. The Bible, God’s word.

Our Forefathers knew better than our generation the great leaders and what defines them. They knew from God’s word and world history that the greatest writer, poet, warrior, and King was the one considered to be “a man after God’s own heart.”

David wrote most of the book of Psalm. In hindsight there’s a good chance if I would have paid attention to the teachings of our freedom and heritage paid for by the blood of heroes, documented in song, poetry, and writing of great men, my poem might have been in the league of my daughter’s.

Or not…

BATTER UP!

Floyd Finding Floyd Inspirational Christian writing 8 Comments

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“Harmon Killebrew has passed away at his home in Scottsdale yesterday.” “Killebrew was 11th on the all-time home runs list.” “In other news, ——” The rest of the newscast faded into the background as I considered the passing of this baseball legend a couple days ago.

My mind went into full speed rewind and dropped me off in the late 60’s re-living in color the first time I ever heard the name, Harmon Killebrew.

I loved baseball… At the time, I was the only one in my family who did. My dad never watched baseball in those days, he mostly worked to provide for us at that time. If my memory serves me correctly, the only black and white TV we had was broken, although the Hewlett Packard console was an integral part of my mom’s tiny living room decor.

My brothers had tried their hand at baseball and weren’t to interested. Lucky for me Bobby’s old mitt was right handed and though worn, flattened, and beat up, worked just fine.

I recall riding on Bobby’s handle bars to the park for Pee Wee League try-outs. I would eventually end up on the Astros where I started my inexperienced career in right field. Right field in Pee Wee League is one move from the bench, the place where the less talented kids played.

Passion, commitment, and fun have a way of changing things. After displaying some potential and commitment for more than three quarters through that first season, I got some of the best presents I’d ever received, better, or at least as good as Christmas.

As a kid although my parents never complained or made a big deal of it, I knew money was tight. There wasn’t any extra for anything other than the essentials.

The word elation falls short of what I felt to have new cleats. Only the rich kids had cleats! Jet black with bright orangish yellow laces about 1/2″ thick. Cool!!! As if that weren’t enough: A new mitt!!!

I remember standing in the store throwing my right fist into the new glove on my left hand as hard as I could imitating a baseball. I also remember saying out loud the name written through the big palm of the glove. “Wow”! — “Harmon Killebrew”!  Then I thought to myself, “I don’t know who he is, but he must be super cool to have his name written across the inside of the coolest baseball glove ever”!!!

I used what started out as an oversized baseball glove that ended up the perfect fit for five more years. I never considered another glove, even when I was using shoe strings to tie the leather laces between the fingers that held the glove together.

Although it was worn to the point where you could no longer see the stamped signature of Harmon Killebrew, I knew it was there. I played like he was there watching me every time I played. Hitting or striking out, fielding an infield grounder successfully or committing an error. Stealing bases successfully or getting thrown out, I always gave 100%.

I carry many names and signatures with me of the influences of my life, like that old glove. You can’t see them, but they’re there.

My dad’s name is written upon me along with my big brothers. Many others as well that aren’t famous, but have had a significant impact on my life.

The signatures I carry with me though faded and unreadable that have had the most influence in my life are the ones who taught me to carry the name that comes first and last; Jesus Christ.

I’ve had an opportunity to have my name written within the hearts of people that have blessed my life as well. Although unreadable by the naked human eye, can be seen and felt by the ones that have the ink of my love written across their hearts.

Like Harmon Killebrew my days are numbered, all of ours are.

The lessons and truth we learned along the way that are encapsulated by the signature of our lives written upon the ones we leave behind is our legacy.

We all get our turn at bat…

“BATTER UP”!

DESTINY

Floyd Finding Floyd Inspirational Christian writing 13 Comments

I was never a huge Star Wars fan, but in this society it’s difficult to escape the impact those movies had on our culture. I’m even susceptible to “The Force,” I sometimes quote in parody from Darth Vader like everyone else in the world.

I’ll use the low drawn out slightly English imitation voice of James Earl Jones as Vader and say to my little one, “Gurm”… “I am your father”! I’ve even on occasion been known to use it on our dog Larry, same voice, same accent, “Lar”… “You are a loser”! I think he likes it, the kids, not so much.

Of all the quotes by the character of Vader the one that caught and still intrigues me is the one spoken to his son young Skywalker, “Luke, it is your destiny”!

Destiny, pretty cool word to ponder, it’s cousin is the word fate with similar meanings. Even non-Christians have some belief in an invisible power that directs and causes events to happen in people’s lives.

How many times have you heard or even thought about a couple, “They were just meant to be together”! Regarding someone’s death we’ve all heard someone say something like, “His number was up.” When we see or know of a person living a dangerous or reckless life, someone might say something like, “They’re tempting fate”!

Many of us believe since we have intelligence and free will we are the captain of our fate, we steer the ship or direct the paths of our lives and whatever happens is up to us.

This subject has tentacles that reach further and deeper, if we chose to go a certain direction in our lives it must have been that invisible power that gave us the desire in the first place… See what I mean?

Many Christians believe in predestination, after all God knows all things, the number of grains of sand on the seashores, the number of hairs on each and every one of our heads, when a sparrow falls from the sky. But, God also says that all people are called by Him and have the choice to accept and believe or deny Him.

I’m puzzled by some people who talk as if God just whispered the mysteries of the cosmos in their right ear. How do we as humans get our mind around the mind that spoke everything into existence including our souls. The One who supplies the very power that sustains all life at this very second.

If our minds were created by God, pretty good chance we have limits far below His. (sarcasm) I believe in the mind and economy of God that He can give free will to everyone and yet know the outcome.

For those reading to young to know what “The Day The Music Died” is, here’s a quick breakdown. Buddy Holly who was one of the most well-known Rock and Roll icons of the 50’s died in a plane crash in 1959 along with up and comer Ritchie Valens and disc jockey turned singer who went by the stage name of The Big Bopper.

It shocked and changed the music world and impacted a nation. I guess you could say it was fate or destiny that they died, Buddy Holly’s bass player pondered his fate for years after. His name was Waylon Jennings and he gave up his seat on the airplane for J P Richardson, the Big Bopper who had the flu.

Waylon Jennings, like his old boss Buddy Holly, had a deep influence on the music world about 15 years later. Maybe it was that same fate or destiny that was responsible 10 years after “The Day The Music Died” for Waylon Jennings to marry a singer-songwriter Jessi Colter who grew up in a Christian home?

Colter who is still in the music business just released her latest, a Christian/Country CD.

Jennings who lived in the southeast valley (of the sun) passed February 13th, 2002. It’s rumored that Jennings at that point in his life a Christian died with a smile on his face.

Destiny? A simple twist of fate?

I’m thinkin’ the hand of God.

What do you think?

SELF CONTROL VERSUS EMOTION

Floyd Finding Floyd Inspirational Christian writing 22 Comments

2011 Horizon Girls D-1 Congrats girls! I’m proud of you guys! You played with honor! There is nothing more important than that…

I’ve done my share of ignorant things in my life, probably more than the average bear would be my guess. At an away basketball game, on a fast break I got fouled by the other team’s point guard, who I stole the ball from, as I was going in for a lay-up.

It wasn’t a ticky-tacky foul, I’m talkin’ about a full blown mid-air body block that sent me flying out of bounds almost into the block wall of the gymnasium. The hometown hillbilly ref swallowed his whistle on the assault and turned an evil eye.

It was clear there would be no justice from the loser ref, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. Self-control versus emotion. Honor was a word I probably couldn’t spell at the time, much less understand the definition of.

With the brain of an alligator, I ran down court never stopping to reason with what small sized brain I had at the time. The kid was standing pretty much flat-footed when I leveled him with a body block, he actually flew through the air and landed on his elbow.

Mr. cheater-cheater-pumpkin-eater ref suddenly found his whistle along with the other hillbilly ref. As I was being escorted from the court into the locker rooms, I saw them walking the other kid I hit out as well. He was holding his elbow, crying…

At the time I felt no remorse, I thought, “Oh, Mr. tough guy can dish it out, but he can’t take it”! I was depressed to not get to play the game I loved. That depression turned to anxiety once I learned after the game that the hometown crowd had turned into an ugly mob and I was considered public enemy number one.

I smiled and waved at the unruly crew once upon the bus as we were driving away. Sticks and stones don’t hurt a bit when protected by the shield of the bus.

The small actions and or decisions made during what seems like insignificant forks in the road are actually much more significant than most of us realize. That decision or action takes us toward what will be our destiny. Our destination will leave what the world and God sees as our legacy. During emotional times we’ll all have to make a decision, that decision will be based on something.

The small actions and decisions made in emotion instead of moral principles may begin by chance or without conscientious calculations. As they become the habit or norm, they begin to define the lives of those who fall prey to the weakness. The weakness we all possess, the thing that we must fight against.

The local girls Lacrosse community was put in an unenviable spot with less than 48 hours before the Division 1 state championship game this week. Mercy, Horizon’s goalie had to have an emergency gall bladder surgery which she is recovering from.

That left Horizon without a goalie, league rules wouldn’t allow for a roster change with less than 48 hours before a game. Enter: One of those life defining moments…

I wonder how the dads and or granddads of the people who voted would have cast their votes? I’m curious if the parents of the ones who didn’t vote would have done the same?

To only allow the less qualified of all choices and select that brave girl to be the opponent doesn’t square with what we all know is honorable. The saddest part for me is the example set for the young impressionable girls…

That simple act will leave an indelible asterisk on this league for the remainder of its existence…

By the way, when we played that team the next time at home I shook the kids hand that I body slammed and apologized.

It didn’t change the past, but it was the right thing to do.

GET IT?