Dad and Memories

I was casually searching the internet today and found my dad's funeral picture slideshow from the funeral home. As I looked through pictures that span the years of my father's life, I am again reminded of how much I miss him...how much he is still a large part of who I am. Two of the pictures really stood out to me. One is the last hike we did together in the Smokies in Elkmont where our family was from. On that trip, dad annointed me with the dirt and water from that place, read from his 1970's era FCA Bible, and consecrated me to God for his ministry. It snowed on us the whole way over and as long as I live, I will never forget that hike. The second photo is of us smoking our pipes together. We both loved this as it usually stemmed great conversation. I believe it is just simply talking to him that I will miss the most. But he has gone to a place where I cannot follow...for now. He is now having the "great conversation" with a God that always has and always will continue to speak to his creation. Thank God for fathers, both heavenly and earthly, and thank God that they love to talk to and spend time with their children. Take time today and tell your dad that you love him.

Central High School Shooting and Uncertainty

Well...not even a month outside of a church shooting, some kid made the decision to settle a score that ended in the death of a 15 year old boy. When a commmunity is rocked by violence, I am at a loss as to any explanation or words that provide consolation to all. I am again reminded of the brevity and uncertainty of all life, and how...time holds the unprecedented and unpredictable. Sometimes...I am beginning to think that when God looks down on his creation and sees his children acting in such ways, he must be terribly disappointed with what we have done to ourselves in this thing called life. At the same time, the only place that I do find comfort is in his Word. Psalm 119 speaks of how God is literally every place that humans can go and can't go. He is even in the midst of terrible things like church shootings and school shootings...constantly moving...constantly drawing people to himself in spite of any circumstance. I take comfort in knowing that God is a God of purpose, of love, of mercy, and of justice. This wonderful God that has the ability to take the ugliest events in society, cover them up with the paint of his blood, and start repainting the picture of his kingdom all over again. He never gives up on what he knows is important, and neither should we. Thoughts???