Let's Go To The Gasoline Station

I passed the gas station a couple of weeks ago. I called my wife to let her know the price was $3.05/gallon. I called a couple of days later to mention to her that gas was now $3.09 and we needed to fill up our car the next morning. I did so, fortunately at $3.09. A few hours later, I drove past the same station to see the price on the marquis now at $3.19. Four days later, gas at the same station was $3.22. I was getting a bit angry at the continuing rise of gasoline prices. A mere 24 hours later, Wednesday night on the way to work, gas had now been priced at $3.29!

A few years ago when gasoline prices were going through the roof, the media was calling for the head of our President. As if it were his fault the gasoline prices were as high as they were. Then again, it was a liberal media stirring the pot, acting as the driving force to create a mob scene in the op/ed sections of local newspapers. A few months later, when gasoline prices began to decline, the media was much slower to give credit to the same President. I wonder if they finally realized the President / Executive Branch of the US government has little or nothing to do with gasoline prices? I find it interesting the lesson has stayed true. I have heard nothing mentioned from the leftist media to come down on the current President.

Granted, it is not in the hands of the Executive Branch of government to determine the prices of gasoline at the pump. I simply find it amusing, and somewhat sad, at the inconsistencies of the left-wing members of the media.

So, what do we Americans do in the face of rising fuel costs? Do we discipline ourselves to drive less? Do we lobby our congressional leaders for more bio-technical fuel? Or should we already have been drilling at home, utilizing the millions (or should I say Billions) of barrels of crude here within our own borders? I suppose in the short-term, we should discipline ourselves to drive less. Plan our trips more carefully, even across town.

But in the long term, consider contacting your congressional leaders to pressure them to drill at home. We have been blessed with the natural resources to lower the cost of our fuel. We really do not need to spend money we already don't have in order to fill our tanks.

And by the way, have you noticed how fuel prices only rise significantly after the media says it is going up? There are some times that ignorance is bliss! I wonder if that just might affect the sharp spike in fuel prices?

Do You Remember Being Two?

I recently heard a new song. It wasn't just any ordinary song, either. I'm not sure if it has ever been recorded or even written on staff paper or a lead sheet. The song, by and large, is just a cute comedy song ~ that's exactly what it is intended to be. It's author performed it live in my presence, and I laughed. I genuinely laughed.

Beyond the laughter though, I began to think and assess its words. Leave it to a preacher to do that, right? The song simply answered questions about our younger years. Much younger. What's the title of this song? (Thought you'd never ask!) It's Just What You Do When You're Two. What did you think about when you were two? What was your logic at the ripe old age of two? We've heard of those Terrible Two's; the author mentioned an interesting thought as he prepared to entertain us. For those new parents who have yet to experience a three year old child, this is what you have to look forward to: A three year old is merely a two year old with experience! Doesn't that sound encouraging?

Josh Taylor, the author of the song, wrote this about his experiences as a dad of a two year old. Incidentally, the lad is a cute three year old now. He was able to capture and put to music some questions all parents ask themselves from time to time. Incidentally, after you read my blog, feel free to click on the link and visit his site. He's pretty insightful, and insanely funny. Being around him for a few hours, I'm pretty sure he has a serious side to him that could help a person understand the importance of living a solid Christian life. He is indeed an impressive young man.

Now, back to the assessment; the Apostle Paul, in the New Testament, wrote that when we are young, we act young. Sounds profound, eh? Seriously, when we were a child, we spoke as a child, we acted as a child, etc. But when we became a man (or woman, as the case may be), we put away the childish things. Later in the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews (we really don't know for sure who that is) compares a young Christian to a little baby. He says that as young Christians desire the pure milk of the Word, when we grow, we should desire the meat of the Word. We should be constantly growing. We should not be satisfied with the status quo. We should not want to stay merely a child in our faith.

For the more seasoned believer, take some time to think back to your early Christian life. What are some ways you have grown in your faith? For the new believer, stay in the milk and continue to grow daily. For the unbeliever who may be reading this, are you skeptical of all this Christianity stuff? Are you just not sure it is for you? Let me hear from you. I would love to exchange communication with you about where you stand in a relationship with Christ.

A Sea, A Storm, and a Savior

The church I attend is having revival services this week. Doug Little (songwriter, preacher, friend) is the guest speaker. On Monday night, Doug shared with us from Matthew 14 ~ when Jesus walked on the water and encouraged Peter to do the same. We've heard many sermons from that text; many of them having to do with Peter being willing to get out of the boat. I've preached some like that myself.

But Doug caused me / us to think of a totally different perspective. Jesus had just finished feeding the 5,000 and he sent his disciples out in the boat to sea. Jesus went up on the mountain to a secluded spot to pray. A storm began to rage on the sea, to the point these professional fishermen were afraid. Yet Jesus was praying on the mountain. In all likelihood, Jesus saw exactly what the disciples encountered while they were in the boat. Do you think He might have been praying for them?

At just the right time, Jesus went to the disciples ~ walking on the water. He didn't go too soon because they might not have fully realized the complete need for Him. He didn't wait too late, or they might have perished in the sea. He was exactly on time! Are you trusting Him to deliver you from your struggles, at just the right time?

When the disciples saw Him, they initially thought He was a ghost. They were afraid of the storm, and as if that weren't enough, now they have a ghost walking toward them! He quickly calmed them with His words of comfort, "Peace to you!" Will you listen to the comforting words of Jesus to you today? He longs to help you overcome your fears.

As Jesus got on the boat, the storm ceased. The disciples recognized the fact that it was Jesus' presence that calmed their worst nightmare. Their response? They worshipped Him! Jesus is worthy of our worship. He is praying for us, protects us, and His presence calms the storms in our lives. Be encouraged by the work of God. Praise Him for His comfort today. Worship Him for His presence in your life.

If you have never experienced His peace in your life, I'd be happy to share with you through any means available how you, too, can know and experience Him.