My sister Doris

http://www.news10.net/news/education/teacher/video-player/teacher-of-the-month.aspx




I must say: I am proud of my sister.

She loves what she is doing and is making a difference and making a case for teacher of the year.

Way to go sis! Very proud and love ya.


Gordon

STARING AT THE FACE OF EVIL

WARNING: THE CONTENT IS GRAPHIC IN NATURE REGARDING GENOCIDE

God forgive me for being a fat American.
So rich and having very little of what it means to be in 'travail'. Complaining about the speed of my internet and the traffic.

That's what I thought when I heard a very difficult news report on 60 minutes about the rape of women in the middle of genocide in the Congo. More than 5 million have been killed...but worse is the method of war that is ravaging the Congo. Rape is being used among the troops to such unspeakable evil and extent that no girl, or woman is immune.

It is pure evil. And the world turns while 45,000 die per month.

The goal is pure evil to destroy the woman's soul, the husband's courage is decimated when he's is helpless, and an entire village is shamed and battered to no end with the forced imagery of watching village women getting raped multiple times.

When I heard this I was crying for Congo, the people and the women.

It was depressing to such a degree I've not felt and can only describe it as evil and darkness. What a lost world without God.

I forced myself to listen to the whole news segment. This is the world we live in.
It's also a need to pray for God's intercession and the healing of this land.

We must not turn our comfort zone back to soft and pampered America, but we must stare at evil and let that resonate in our hearts to what we are called to do. Being comfortable isn't what I feel we are called to - we are called to action and make a difference in this world.

In the end, the women who were victims sing of heaven, where they will find healing. Anderson Cooper said it best, "In the Congo, there isn't any healing, or hope."

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edward Burke

OOOH boy

We're flying on SouthWest, and it might be our last time we fly SouthWest or AMerican West.

My favorite pastor - Mark Driscoll - calls it smelling like a 'Honey Hut at the county fair'.

Michele is going to love it: 3 hrs on a flying toilet.

We saved money, and that's the only consolation, and the other one is that the FAA recently slapped a multi-million dollar fine on SouthWest for not fixing their planes on schedule. In other words, they skipped out on maintenance. Niiice.

So a few weeks ago, SouthWest grounded 41 planes. Hopefully, one of those planes won't be ours.

Michele and I've been praying for a good trip, and it's apparent it's a good thing.

Strengthening your marriage

This really got me thinking - heard it on a radio program.

We really should put our vows up on the wall to remind us of that solemn, and profound event that binds a man and woman in holy matrimony.

"Leaving all others and loving one another through sickness and health until death separates."

One marriage counselor said he believes marriages struggle because we forget our vows, in front of God, to our spouse. Unfortunately, people make that vow in the height of emotions and forget the the price you must pay to keep those vows. Even when you 'feel' like your marriage might be struggling one day, you must remember to love your spouse. When your spouse pulls the barf bag and didn't shower yet, you must still love them.

Michele and I talked about watching our wedding video once a year to rekindle, and remember our vows.

***

Our anniversary date is coming up, so to make up for it, we cracked ourselves up watching CMT's REDNECK WEDDINGS. It was hilarious. We had fun watching it - people are peculiar, but it does show you at times true love. This one cowboy living in California (as crass and crazy as you can get - dug his wife's present from the dumpster, picked up a keg of beer from the local corner market) revealed an intelligent poet in him. He surprised his wife with a card before the wedding.

Reading the card made her cried.

It was actually a poignant moment and I couldn't deny despite the entertainment value - he did love her.

Great times

Easter.

We were granted the pleasure of my in-laws vicar for the annual Easter dinner.

An Ethiopian named Ebasa and his wife Hana. There were a pleasure to be with.

We had your typical Easter early dinner with Michele's family - and it was a delight. A few facts of observation.

a) Told Ebasa with the manner my mother in law cooks, he'll be a FAT Ethiopian.
b) Ebasa is a very sincere, and passionate man about his faith, and is open to breaking down barriers
c) Ebasa and Hana gives a interesting view of a Christian with African heritage at the plight of the problems in the inner city - it's the same for everyone - strong family, education and a centrality of moral values where daily life evolves around it
d) My mother in law cooks way too much

Ebasa and I had a great conversation about the challenges facing the church today. The church where he is helping out - honestly is dying out. We both don't agree making "mega-churches" is the way to go. Unfortunately, alot of churches grow because of discontent from other Christian churches. What I appreciated about Ebasa is that he's forward thinking - he tests the current establishment of thinking and see if it works. He sees the world and considers how he can apply new principles.

Hana is a very sweet woman. I liked her immediately and she's a great wife to Ebasa; it was a hoot watching them talk of how Ebasa WILL NOT get out of changing the diapers when they have kids.

All in all, a great Easter of meeting new people, and enjoying their company.

Maybe that's why I am happy

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,340869,00.html

God blessed me with a beautiful woman.

A new one

Been awhile since posting.

Lots on my mind...came across this video, reminds me to get focused.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KlKhw_o6kzE