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9/11 & 10 Years Later

September 11, 2011 in Being Real, Culture, Deep Stuff with 0 Comments

http://www.experttitletips.com/Does anyone remember where they were 10 years ago today?

I remembered driving to high school in the morning and turning on the radio to hear some tunes. All I heard was talking about a plane crash in New York and the host was scared. No way, I thought. This can’t be happening. Then I stumbled into class where all pairs of eyes were glued to the TV screen. The air was thick with disbelief and grief, and I could only add to it with my own. I came home that evening learning my mom was crying through most of the day when she saw people jumping off the towers to escape the inferno. There were no words from my dad and sister.

What about 10 years later?

Today and always, I am thankful to be part of country where firefighters, police officers, emergency workers, and many other brave citizens run into burning buildings instead of away from them.

A blog post is very small and shallow place to express such gratitude, but thank you for those souls who reacted so deeply to these events and even made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

My prayers to the countless people affected by the September 11 attacks.

Albert

My Joyous Life

April 24, 2011 in Culture, Deep Stuff with 0 Comments

The Wedding Feast at Cana

Photo by Nick in exsilio

My joyous life…hasn’t yet come. And it never will. At least on this earth.

Instead, it would be at the wedding feast of the Lamb.
I have no idea what it will really be like, except there will be “no more”.
And I would be finally stand face-to-face with my Savior.

Because God made a way.

–

On Easter Sunday, we must remember that salvation is here and our best life is yet to come. He died, rose from the grave, and we are secured for eternity.

Hallelujah. Happy Resurrection Day!
Al

My Longest Day

April 23, 2011 in Culture, Deep Stuff with 0 Comments

My longest day came in the hospital recovery room after my 5+ hour maxillofacial surgery.

I laid in bed wrapped with casts around my head and the rest of my body was under white sheets to keep me warm. Like a mummy about to be inserted into his tomb.
The drugs kept me from feeling anything, except for a dryness in my throat that seems unanswered.
The IV was the only thing that could sustain me, but it also wouldn’t let me rest (bathroom every hour).

A whole night alone in the dark, cold room.
Couldn’t eat. Couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t feel.
Nobody and nothing to stay with me through the night.

I was alone. Waiting.

–

I remember my longest day (or night) because God was there. He knew his promise of a light to break through.

On Holy Saturday, we must remember the uncertainty and unknown that came after the sacrifice. That even in the longest wait, there would be a rising sun.

Faith arises. Love overcomes.
Al

My Darkest Hour

April 22, 2011 in Culture, Deep Stuff with 0 Comments

My darkest hour came in the bedroom of my home after my disastrous first year in college.

There was some tense drama on my dorm floor, made worse by my insecurity. Friendships were lost.
My mother was battling breast cancer. I couldn’t even be there for one appointment.
My grades were shameful. Let’s just say I wasn’t sure if I could come back next year, let alone graduate.

When the dust settled, I finally made it home. But my childhood walls couldn’t keep out the pain of failure.

I felt alone. My heart shattered. My soul overwhelmed.

I remember my darkest hour because God was there. He knew what it would take to set us free.

On Good Friday, we must remember the pain and suffering that was endured. That in His Son’s darkest hour, there would be change.

Hope is rising. Love is on the move.
Al

Good News, Bad News, and How We Suck

February 9, 2011 in Deep Stuff with 0 Comments

So I’ve been a bit of a blogging break for over a week to handle some more of life’s stuff.

Good news is since my induction as our work group’s co-supervisor in December, I’ve been assigned more responsibilities.  Thus, I’ve been more alert and less likely to cause trouble.  :-)

Bad news is I had to deal with some ministry hiccups, mainly people who dropped communication and exercised irresponsibility that affected many others. Nothing gets me more fired up than people whose poor decisions create burdens on others.

This got me thinking.
WE are ALL fallen people.  I don’t ever claim to be a better person than the brother or sister next to me.
I have done my share of knuckle-headed boo-boos too.

Sometimes the best thing I hope for is that we all admit we suck and just move forward from there.
Jesus didn’t come down to meet up with one dude.  He came for all of us, no matter where we are.

I’ve been a Christian for almost 20 years now, but honestly, I’m still learning how to be one.
Seriously.

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