The Good Sa-Martian

On my way home from work today, I made a pit stop at QuikTrip for a drink. As I was leaving, a little old lady, probably in her late 70s, was trying to leave as well. She was carrying to drinks, two hot dogs, and a bag of chips, and was struggling to get the door pushed open. I quickly scooted around her and got the door for her. I headed toward my car and as I opened my door, I saw her struggling with the same dilemma as she stood at the driver's side door of her car. Her husband, who looked much older and quite sickly, sat waiting in the passenger sit. I shut my door, hurried over to her vehicle to assist her again.

I share this story not to pat myself on the back, but because of what the lady said through her open window as I walked away. The lady first just simply said, "Thank you." I turned around and replied, "Your very welcome, ma'am." It was what she said next, that stuck with me all the way home. She asked me in a half joking tone, "What planet are you from anyone? Nobody does stuff like that anymore."

All I could think about from that point on was what has happened to our society that would make an incident like this such an anomaly. What I did wasn't difficult. It took very little time, maybe 45 seconds. It didn't cost me anything. However, it did cause the lady to exert extra energy when she turned her straight face into a smile. It did cause me to feel a great deal of joy knowing I brightened a complete stranger’s day. More importantly than bringing a smile to someone's face or giving you a warm fuzzy feeling, we please God when we go out of our way to help others.

The apostle Paul spoke to this in his letter to the Galatians. So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone - especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 (NLT)

I would like to think that this lady is just a pessimist. I would hope that what took place in the QuikTrip parking lot was not an isolated situation, but took place in thousands of locations around the world today. I would expect that if someone saw my grandparents in a similar situation would do the same thing I did, and not just get in his car and drive off. But I can't shake the fact that she may be on to something.

Hold the door a little longer to let a few extra people through. Give the guy sitting on the street some spare change. Help the neighbor lady take her trash out to the curb. You might get a smile, or you might not. You may or may not walk away feeling any different. But I guarantee that your Heavenly Father will notice and He will smile, and that makes it all worth it.

The Word Is Alive

I haven't bought a CD in a very long time, but a little over a month ago I bought Casting Crowns' "The Altar And The Door."  Much like most of my purchases, it was an impulse buy.  "Slow Fade" was playing on KLOVE as I exited the truck and I finished singing the song in my head as I walked to the back corner of Target to get a trash can.  As I headed toward the front of the store, still singing in my head, at least I hope it was confined to that small space, I took a quick detour through the music aisle.  I found the CD with my new head tune on it, and began looking at the rest of the tracks as I headed toward the cashier.  I recognized two other songs I liked as well, and they conveniently were all in order, tracks 2, 3, and 4.  Perfect!  As soon as I got into the truck, I put the CD in, skipped to track 2, and started listening.

It took several days before I moved past those three tracks and branched out to the rest of the album.  Little did I know, there was a gem of a song waiting patiently in the number 5 spot, "The Word Is Alive."  It is not the greatest song on the album musically, there are far better guitar riffs and drum solos in the other songs, but something about it just spoke to me.  

As I listen to that song, I can't help but wonder how many people believe the title, "The Word Is Alive."  Hebrews 4:12 says it best:

"For the word of God is alive and powerful.  It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.  It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." (NLT)

The Bible is not just an old book that is full of great stories and words of wisdom.  The Bible is alive and powerful.  It may have been written 2000 years ago, but it still speaks and it still changes lives.  It is as simple as moving the words on the page from your head, to your heart.  It is just as relevant today as it was when it was written, and it will be just as relevant in another 2000 years.    

In my last post, I made some statements about the Royals.  I received a few comments telling me that I was wrong, and I admit I might be.  But this time there is no argument.  The very words of God spoken to 40 different men, from kings to a fisherman, so it could be revealed to us, so that we might know God and his amazing grace.  

The Word is Alive!  The question is will you allow it to live in you?  

So long football

As the football season is drawing to a close, we in Kansas City have a lot to be grateful this year.  There is the fact that after two decades of a failed monarchy, King Carl has been dethroned.  Herm Edwards is gone as well.  We have a very good pick in the draft this year, it is a shame that all the good QBs are having too much fun in college.  We also have a roster full of extremely young talent with a lot of potential.  But the best thing about the football season drawing to a close is that Royal's baseball is just around the corner.  

I have never been so excited for baseball season to get here.  The Royals have made some good moves in the off season.  Locking in Zack Greinke to a 4 year deal is probably at the top of the list, but bringing in Coco Crisp is a very close second.  Also the signing of Mike Jacobs, although we have an abundance of players capable of covering first base, will hopefully help to improve our infield.  There is a lot to be optimistic about this year if you are a Royals fan, but this isn't the first time I have felt that way.  

In 2003 I was extremely exited during late winter and into Spring Training.  And as the season opened, the Boys in Blue didn't disappoint.  They started off with a 9 -0 run, and led the Central Division for most of the season.  However, as hopes of playoffs in Kansas City started becoming the talk of sports radio, the Royals began a downward spiral that ended up with me and my friends talking about the upcoming football season.  This year will be different.

Since we are down to less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Surprise, I figured it is time to start looking at this seasons Royals and determine what the 2009 team will look like.  Here is my dream lineup for this years team:

1.  Coco Crisp (CF)

2.  David Dejesus (LF)

3.  Mike Jacobs (1B)

4.  Jose Guillen (RF)

5.  Billy Butler (DH)

6.  Alex Gordon (3B)

7.  Mark Teahen (2B)

8.  Miguel Olivo (C)

9.  Mike Aviles (SS)

I'm still up in the air about the whole Teahen at 2B, but he is to good of talent to just be a utility/fill in guy.

'Til next time.

So it begins

I begin this blog one day after we honor a hero who inspired millions with his speech, "I Have a Dream".  I begin this blog on the very same day that a man who has been an inspiration to millions of Americans, becomes the 44th President of the United States.  I begin this blog today because I have been inspired.  My inspiration came not from one as famous Dr. King or President-elect Obama, but from an average man from Kansas.  

I received an e-mail from my pastor last week inviting me to read his blog.  It was filled with his usual wit and humor, some interesting points, and some Biblical insight.  Shortly after reading his post, it became clear to me that I too have so much to say and so few who are willing to listen.  Therefore the only logical conclusion was to put my thoughts out there in the vast wasteland known as the Internet(Thanks Al Gore!), for all who have nothing better to do to read.

I will try to my best to make a post every few days, and there will likely be no common thread continuing through any of them.  I plan on touching on a broad range of topics like my thoughts on TV shows like "24" and "Lost", the Royals (by the way, why in the world did the just extend Jimmy Gobble's contract?  I thought we were trying to get better!), politics, and occasionally I might get deep and go theological.  I hope you enjoy what lies a head, because I guarantee I am.  I had better end this now because I don't believe I am a professional blogger quite yet, and I am now getting paid to sit here and type.  

I'm out