Clint Johnson - A Rich Man

"who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began" 2 Timothy 1:9 (New King James Version, www.BibleGateway.com)

Last night we went to the visitation for Clint Johnson. The line to get in the church was over one block long standing 3-4 deep. He was truly a unique and special young man that had won several honors and scholarships and was an Eagle Scout.

While standing in line I eaves dropped on conversations around me and heard many loving comments about Clint. It was obvious that he made friends easily, considered no one an outcast and made everyone feel very special. As a result, everyone that met him loved him and he will be missed by all of his friends and family.

If it is true that "a man's riches are his friends and family," then Clint was one of the richest. We can only aspire to be as "rich."

"Giants" of Faith and Character - Part 3

From Paul Berry an...

Paul Berry was one of the most faithful, sharing, intelligent and interesting people I have ever known. Not only was he one of my very best friends, he was a friend to Cheryl and Cory. I got to know Paul living in Hutchinson, attending the same church, serving on church committees together and having children close to the same age.

Even before he moved across the country from me he became my personal minister and confident. After he relocated he continued to minister to me and many others via email. I could always rely on Paul to deliver an apt message for each holiday and numerous messages for Lent and Advent. Many of these messages I still have and use.

Paul had many life experiences and many of these he shared. At one time he had a ministry around the Grand Canyon that was accessible only via airplane; he had High Tea with the Queen of England (of course there were many others there, but that was unimportant); he had a great love of books and art.

I know that Paul will be waiting inside the Pearly Gates with our Saviour and he will be ready to volunteer to show me about.

"When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with
Him in glory." Colossians 3:4 (Nelson's NKJV Study Bible)

Missouri Amendment 2 - Vote NO!

To my Missouri friends...

You have an important vote coming up in less than two weeks. Amendment 2 allowing embryonic stem cell research will be on the ballot. Expect one brief paragraph describing the sections of the Missouri Constitution that will be changed. The actual Amendment is five (5) pages long. You need to read the entire Amendment prior to going to the polls.

There is a lot of miss-information being broadcast on television. The type of stem cell research that is being voted on is embryonic stem cell research. In order to do this an embryo must be killed or the embryo must be "cloned." Proponents claim the Amendment bans cloning, but when you read the fine print it doesn't ban. In fact, the fine print makes it illegal to do anything that discourages embryonic stem cell research!

Of course, a lot of this will end up being worked out in the courts. That means for you that your taxes will be paying for much of this.

I'm writing this because I am a stem cell transplant recipient... my own stem cells not embryonic. There has never been any person who has been cured by embryonic stem cells. There are no therapies or "trials" using embryonic stem cells. The cures, therapies and over 1,000 trials are from adult stem cell research.

As a Christian there is no way I could ever accept or approve of killing a human embryo. I hope you agree with me and vote NO on Missouri Amendment 2.

Bobby Bowden

"I would rather be spiritually correct, than I would politically correct." Bobby Bowden, Head Football Coach, Florida State Seminoles

And in the end...

From a recent email:

And in the end...

Ready or not, some day, it will all come to an end. There will be no more surprises; no minutes, hours, or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass on to someone else. Your wealth, fame, and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear. So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses, that once seemed so important, will fade away.

It won't matter where you came from or what side of the tracks you lived, at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So, what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered, or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many people will feel lasting loss when you're gone. What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom, and for what.

Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a loving life that matters. Lovingly open your eyes to the abundant possibilities, and dive gently into this beautiful moment.

9/11 Commission Report

Several posts ago I commented that the 9/11 Commission recommendations needed to be adopted/enacted by Congress. It's political season. Tuesday morning it was reported on local news that Kansas Congressman Dennis Moore has called for the same.

Republicans have made a big mistake in not enacting these recommendations. Democrats have made a big mistake by not making the recommendations a political issue.

Are our Congressional representative really working for our protection?

Fall in Kansas City

The weather if Kansas City has finally acknowledged that fall is here... beautiful, crisp, cool mornings. They say we may have a light frost later this week. We have light showers and north wind this morning. I'm sure that in just a few weeks I will rue the cold and desire warm weather once again. The trees have slowly started to turn and drop. I'm sure the weather this week will speed the process.

"In all their afflictions He was afflicted,
And the Angel of His Presence saved them.
In His love and in His pity He redeemed them;
And He bore them and carried them
All the days of old." Isaiah 63:9

"But now, O Lord,
You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand." Isaiah 64:8
(Nelson's NKJV Study Bible)

"Giants" of Faith and Character - Part 2

Leonard Hinkle was one of those truly nice and upbeat people that was such a joy to be around. He was always interested in others and their lives. He was one of those people who led quietly, politely and through strength. He showed is love and trust of Jesus Christ and encouraged other to do the same. Even in his final days on earth he was upbeat and positive to me and expressed his love of Jesus Christ. He was an inspiration and a true example of a "man."

"And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him." Acts 8:2 (New King James Version, www.BibleGateway.com)

"Giants" of Faith and Character - Part 1

Cheryl is not only a "giant" of faith and character she is the love of my life, my wife, my companion, my champion, my partner, my smiles, my tears, the mother of my son, Grandma to Reilee, a success in marriage, mothering, Grandmothering, business and life. Her word is gold, her faith true and strong, and her attitude is always positive. She is a woman who knows who she is, an inspiration to all those who know her and respected by all. If all that isn't enough she is beautiful, fiery, thoughtful and kind. No wonder she is a "giant" in my life!

Yom Kippur

"...In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and you shall not do any work ... For on that day he shall provide atonement for you to cleanse you from all your sins before the L-RD." -Leviticus 16:29-30

Judaism 101: Yom Kippur (http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday4.htm)

sunset October 1, 2006 - nightfall October 2, 2006 ~ Yom Kippur is a complete, 25-hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day.

The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone for the sins of the past year. Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and God, not for sins against another person.

Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath; no work can be performed on that day. It is well-known that you are supposed to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur.

Messianic Jews

Friday afternoon I went to pick up Reilee at the day care so she could spend the night with Grandma and Papa. Wondering around looking for the day care I found a Messianic Temple. I don't remember not knowing that there are Jewish temples all over Kansas City, but I am unfamiliar with "Messianic Jews." So, I had to do some research. I went to: http://www.menorah.org/mjews.html. Take some time to visit this site; it's informative and interesting.

The way I understand Messianic Jews believe in the Torah and it's teachings, but also believe in Yeshua (Jesus). This brings a question to my mind... Will the 144,000 come from the Messianic Jews?

Revelation 14:1

"Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads." (NKJV ~ Biblegateway.com)

Something I agree with that was in an email I received today:

Regardless of your feelings about the crisis between Israel and the Palestinians and Arab neighbors, even if you believe there is more culpability on Israel's part, the following two sentences really say it all:
If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence there.
If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel there.