Spring Time in Texas!

Spring is rapidly unfolding before me here in Southeast Texas. To those who live in the northern regions this sounds so odd, I know. The trees are blooming, the grass is beginning to green, and the spring pollen is filling the air - Springtime in Texas!

I know it is spring because my neighbor was wearing his cargo shorts last Saturday and his legs are as white as pure snow! I know it is Spring because we went to our favorite place to eat planning on sitting on the Patio and it was full and it was a 1 hour wait to get a table. I know it is Spring because the bees were buzzing me as I sat on the patio at home enjoying some recreational reading - they even wanted to go in my Diet Coke can. I kept telling them they would be disappointed. I know it is Spring because people were letting their dogs run free Sunday afternoon as my wife and I enjoyed a vigorous walk. Every dog wanted to go with us - and who can blame them - it is Springtime!

When I was a kid I would get Spring fever and along with my fishing buddies I would leave the moment school was out and sometimes even slip out a bit early (like half of a day) and head to the river to go fishing. Every fishing trip began with great hopes of catching that big bass or catfish but even if we had only limited success we had a blast.

Spring is the season of new life - maybe you need some new life. Has it been a hard cold winter of discontent for you? Take courage - the seasons of life offer new opportunities to begin again.

One friend told me about a new "Spring season" with his son. They had not spoken in several years and so he began writing his son a few months ago - he wrote 5 long letters with no response. The other day his Son called him and said, "Hey Dad, want to go fishing?" They have a day of fishing planned now. New beginnings - new hope.

Is there someone or something in your life that could benefit from a season of new beginnings? I encourage you to get "spring fever" and plant a seed and pray and hope for newness in those important relationships in your life.

Just thinking, Steve

Crazy Stuff

Sometimes when I see and hear some interviews on television I just want to scream, "Don't do it - don't talk - run away - you sound crazy!" The latest Charlie stuff is that kind of scene. While others want to crucify this guy, my heart goes out to him. His lifestyle of drug abuse, sexual chaos, and all the rest has him living in an alternate universe! He is crashing and burning and sadly he does not even know it. When I heard his delusional thinking and bizarre answers my heart ached for him and for all those his life touches.

Instant media has the power to destroy people in seconds. A few words - an odd look (which is real easy for me) - and you can be history.

One of my favorite writers was the late Dr. Lewis Smedes. Smedes made the mistake of going on a national television program to talk about his life of faith and service to others. It all seemed like a good opportunity. By the time his words were edited and manipulated, the sound bites that were the end result of a 45 minute interview did not even resemble the conversation that took place. Smedes received hate letters, threats, and almost lost his job as a Professor at the University where he had worked with passion for more than 20 years. The media regularly destroys peoples lives and it is scary. We have created a monster. The Internet, with all it's potential for good, is the most dangerous bit of technology to enter our world in a millennium.

Poor Charlie sounds so strange but I have no desire to watch a 10 second sound bite and then decide to brutalize him. I decided rather to pray for him. Just me, but I hope when I sound kind of odd and from another planet someday, someone will show some compassion and lead me back to my padded room. Give me some Chocolate milk and cookies and I will be fine.

Just thinking, Steve