Decision 2014 - The Fourth Quarter

The last quarter of a two-term, US presidency I suspect can be the most perilous. As a president, I imagine one is not only tired, but with nothing to lose but one's legacy, one might put all his chips on 44 black, or something. By now a president knows who his friends are. By friends, I means those who wouldn't push him off a cliff for the sake of maybe keeping their jobs.

The GOP's sweep may actually do more harm than good for the party. Now they actually have to do something rather than just be against something. I think they would have been better off saving their powder until 2016. Still, I do believe that bipartisan government is the ideal for a people as counterintuitive as that may seem. Some of my best teachers in life have been folks who's world views are opposed (anywhere from degrees to miles) from mine.

The GOP have an opportunity. If they use it well (unlike 2010), they could make a compiling case for the White House in 2016. It can even be gimmicky, say 20 bills (the people care about) in 16 months. Imagine that?

Unfortunately, hope is easy and change is hard. The older you get, the harder change is.

Mayor Menino: Ubiquitous

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I heard the news about the passing of Mayor Menino, this evening on NPR, as I drove by Boston City Hall.

The first and second times I encountered Mayor Menino were in the same day. Back when my nieces were graduating from middle-school in Cambridge, I was surprised to find Mayor Menino speaking at their graduation, giving some simple words of encouragement. He couldn't stay long due to his scheduled, and apologized for having to run off.

Later that afternoon, I happened to be at Madison Park School in Boston, when in the gym I saw...Mayor Menino! I was flabbergasted. I marched up to him, and blurted out, "You were just in Cambridge this morning!" True to Menino's nature, he humbly replied, "Yeah, I get around."

MICE Was Nice

In my busyness I neglected to rave about this earlier this month. The Massachusetts Independent Comic book Expo was once again the best show on my tour (short) schedule this year. Its smaller size and cost of admission (free) made it a no-brainer for this comic fan / parent. It is also the most unique combination of styles I have seen in one place considering its scale. They also had a great collection of panels and workshops for adults, kids, and artists alike. Can't wait until next year.

Some Things I Learned About The Secret Service While Visiting The FDOTUS

It is much more diverse than I expected, in every demographic, except gender. The veterans appear to have the keen sense of how to put folks at ease, while switching gears depending on who and what situation they are addressing. They know more about The Whiite House than The History Channel. Even Bo Obama is safe.

We Can Be Heroes

Raw sermon notes:

Sermon: We can be heroes (of #faith)

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and 
let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1 KJV)

Joseph: 

When life isn't turning out the way you planned, don't give up on your dreams. 
Don't give up.

Don't give up on your dreams...

1. Even if you don't start off well.

2. Even if those close to you don't support you.

3. Even if your journey is full of surprises.

4. Even if it takes a long time to realize it.

Read Joseph's story.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to 
them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 KJV)

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and 
not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not 
tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just 
shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:3, 4 KJV)

1. Focus what happens in you not to you

What I'm I supposed to learn from this?

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing 
this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her 
perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you 
lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and 
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:2-5 KJV)

2. Your response to offense will determine your future 

And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for 
you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, 
as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:19, 20 KJV)

3. Every dream has tough times but God is with you.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch 
forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall 
save me. The  Lord  will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O  Lord , 
endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. (Psalms 138:7, 8 
KJV)

On This #911anniversary...

Remember to be grateful.
Remember to love someone.
Remember to forgive someone.
Remember what's important.
Remember what probably shouldn't wait until tomorrow.
Remember what to hold on to.
Remember what to let go of.
Remember you may be where you are for a good reason.
Remember right now.

Hope For A Better Tomorrow

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We all know in the news there is always more bad news than good. However, it has been more grim than usual this summer. IS[IS|IL|whatever], Ferguson, Boko Haram, Ebola, Gaza, Ukraine, etc.

It is really easier than usual to just say $cr@w it and stay in bed, or worse, run down into the panic room. To be sure, there are serious issues of global proportion out there, and sometime they hit home in ways we never see coming.

There are also those issues that are local and even personal. It is not too hard to give up.

A youth pastor I know revealed that one of the biggest complaints teenagers confided about the adults in their lives, is that they've got a bleak outlook on the future. Their point was that why should they even bother looking towards adulthood when the adults closest to them are all doom and gloom.

My kids are all still in their single digits, and I still see all the joy and hope in their eyes as they enjoy this life. We must give their generation something worth looking forward to.