Leaving America

So, I'm going to Korea for a year. Those that know me know there is a lot of crap going on in my life . . . mainly a divorce with a nasty child custody battle. I love my kids and hate to be away from them so long, especially knowing what I know about the whole situation. In that light, I have mixed emotions about leaving. On the one hand, I'm going to miss my kids terribly. On the other hand, I'm glad to be going just to get away from my ex.

I tried to get this whole custody issue settled before I left but she wasn't willing to cooperate. Now, everything is up in the air for another year. No healing can take place for either of us. Not true healing anyway. It's like a scab you just keep picking at. Only this scab is going to be there for a whole year. Everytime I call to talk to the kids or see her on webcam or hear her voice or anything else remotely related to her, I will remember that the divorce isn't over, she won't settle, she's trying to take my kids away from me. Picking at the scab. Making the wounds worse. Deepening the resentment. Widening the gap. Driving a wedge. Pick your cliché.

So, I'm happy to be going just to get away from her.

So, I'm disgusted with her attitude.

So, I'm going to miss my kids.

I'm leaving America and I won't be back for at least six months. I thank God that he loves my kids more than I do!

What is a hero?

I've been thinking about this for a week now. What does the American culture say a hero is? Do we look to the Football quarterback with superbowl rings; or the basketball superstar with multiple MVP awards; or the golf pro with seemingly hundreds of titles under his belt; or the UFC champ that pounds his competion in to submission; or the movie star with Oscars in her trophy case; or the singer with platinum hits; or the multi-millionare with investments around the world, the politician with the silky voice and "grand" ideas? We idolize these men and women, put them on a pedestal, call them hero's, and worship the ground they work on.

What do these men and women that we idolize have in common? They are champions, they have led their teams to victory, laughed in face of defeat, invested wisely, practiced for hours on end, trained their entire lives, demand respect, encourage the fame, hide from the public, diet endlessly, give interviews, take pride in themselves, spend freely, go under the knife to make themselves look better, get bigger boobs, cut off the flab, tighten the butt, tuck the tummy, remove dimples in the thighs, get Botox, fear getting older, fear loosing the icon status, fear loosing the "look", fear loosing the talent, gear failure, fear being anonymous, fear being average, common.

Why do we look to these people for our hero's? Yes, they have done some amazing things. Yes, they are pleasing to the eye. Yes, they are rich and famous. But are these things worthy of our affection, trust and followership? Do they exemplify the ideals, morals, and values we hold dear? Do they give wise advice, want us to follow their lead, want to be honored? Sometimes.

The people we should be looking to are the ones who don't seek the spotlight for their actions, don't flaunt their fortunes, don't think of themselves first, don't want the fame and fortune, put others first, sacrifice of themsleves, give up life or limb, save lives and limbs, donate to charity, train their children "in the way they should go", pursue righteousness and justice. Firefighters, police, military, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, doctors, nurses, and religious leaders are some of the first ones we should be looking to. But we judge their actions to determine if they are worthy of hero status. As Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Judge the quality of their character". But we must be careful to judge only the actions and quality of the character not the intent. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the divison of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" Heb4.12.NASB. Only God can judge the true intent of the heart.

I encourage you to seek men and women that are worthy of your affection, trust and loyalty.

I saw two movies in the last week or so. The first was "Book of Eli" and the second was "Legion". Both movies are box office hits, have recognizable actors, great special effects, and deal with religion. That's where the similarities end.

"Book of Eli" is about one man's faith in God. "Legion" is about God's faith in man. The differences between these two movies exemplify the dichotomy of American culture and thought. One one hand, a large segment of the American population believes in a just, faithful, loving God that loves His children and wants the best for them. On the other hand, the rest of the population either believes there is no God or if there is a God, he has left us on our own.

What do these two movies say about our culture? Does one tell the truth of what Americans really believe and the other attempts to destroy that truth? Seems likely to me. "Book of Eli" is about the faith of man while "Legion" is about God's lack of faith in us. The "lesson" taught in "Legion" is that God is feckless, unfaithful, fickle and it's a pointless endeavor on man's part to try and change that.

I don't believe that God is unfaithful. He has never been unfaithful to me. He is jealous. He is just. He is mercyful. He can also squash you like a bug if he wants. And He has proven that He will do just that when pushed. But He has provided a way of escape from His wrath. That escape is Jesus Christ.

What this blog is

Welcome! These are my thoughts on America - what She was, is, should be and can be. I will not be politically correct. I will not pull my punches. I will speak truth, whether you like or not. I will tell you like I see it - even if you don't agree. I don't care if you don't agree. That's one of the things that makes America great. We can disagree and still be friendly, brotherly, honest, and genuine about our feelings for America.

I am open minded, considerate, empathetic, caring. I will endeavor to treat everyone with respect and expect the same in return. I want the best for America, Her citizens, Her neighbors, Her weak and weary, Her poor disheveled masses.