A Tale of Three Topics

Greetings, readers! My absence had gone virtually unnoticed until a close family member mentioned that I've been neglecting my blog... SO here I am BACK again and I have been given 3 obscure blogging topics to cover in this Comeback Special blog post. 

Now, since there are three topics, you may decide to ration these exceptional thoughts throughout your day. I suggest bookmarking this page. OR, even better, just keep the browser open on your laptop/smartphone/iPad or whatever. OR, if you won't be near a computer, print my blog out and staple it to your pants. That's the smartest way. 

1. Performance Enhancing Drugs in the Workplace

We're not talking about COFFEE here. We're talking the good stuff. The stuff that's already "illegal" but still used in the sports world. C'mon, if professional athletes can make good use of drugs to progress their careers, why can't the the rest of us?

Let's be honest - at first, this sounds like a GREAT idea. Imagine an office where the mail guy runs 20MPH and can throw mail over 200 yards. Think about a staff that could answer phones, withstand brutal meetings all day and still be able to unload the office supply truck without the aid of dollies and hand carts. 

Imagine just being able to type faster than 30 words per minute! (I just googled and learned that 40wpm is considered average... now I feel slow)

Sounds like a super productive work environment, right? Just a few performance enhancing cocktails to go with the doughnuts and you have yourself a thriving hyper-competitive business.

But think about it; the job market is already saturated with inexperienced college grads who are having a tough time making use of their (VERY) expensive education. Thousands fail to jump into the workplace because there aren't enough jobs to fit their years of training. 

Do we really want to make the workplace MORE competitive? Do we really want to make it MORE difficult for a poor college student with zero experience to obtain an entry level position with a company? Well, if everyone IN the workplace is nearing superhuman capabilities, that's precisely what would happen. 

The job market would be completely run by the few elite, highest performing, enhanced workers while the plain college kids suffer in unending misery. This would ultimately yield a collapse of civilization and result in our next topic...

2. Comparing Socialism and Zombies

At first glance, you would think these two things have NOTHING in common. However, nothing could be further from the truth. With the threat of impending social collapse due to steroid abuse in the workplace, it's only a matter of time before one of these events take place. Here's a point-by-point comparison and how to prepare.

• Both seek to destroy free thought
  
  Socialism and zombies both aim at the same weakness - the brain. Zombies tend to devour human brains (that's where the highest concentration of fats are) while socialists simply stifle ANY thought or expression contrary to (insert current dictator here)'s wishes or desires. The socialist numbs the brain with propaganda and mind-altering mantras. The zombie numbs the brain with rancid botulism foaming from its mouth...
  
  The way to fight against zombies and socialist mind control is to USE your head. DON'T go out where zombies are - DUH! And don't let some socialist sway you with fancy arguments about the people's rights. It sounds like social justice, but give a warped individual power over you and you forfeit your individual rights (NEVER trade your responsibilities as a human being for pleasure offered by the Devil), freedom of thought and expression being among the first to be ripped from your cold, dead, zombie hands...
• Hordes
  
  The same thing that is horrifyingly true of cockroaches is true for these two groups - If you find one, thousands are nearby...
  
  Zombies tend to propagate in groups because they turn from civilization to undead hungry, brain suckers. Socialists gather in groups due to similar means.
  
  In all seriousness, socialism exists for the sole purpose of making more socialists. The weak build their living off the backs of the strong. Those who work have their earnings ripped from them and it's redistributed to the poor, lazy and those who fancy themselves "in charge." It's tyranny reborn.
  
  Combating each group is, again, the same tactic - single them out. You cannot take on an entire zombie horde. Every comic book, movie, and poorly done webisode shows the most effective way to survive a zombie horde is to bottle-neck them and single them out one by one! You can do the same thing for socialists; get them away from the chanting mobs and challenge their logic and lines of thought until they crack and see the errors of their ways.
  
  *Note, it is almost as difficult to turn a socialist back into a human as it is to turn a zombie back into a human...
•  PersistenceIt doesn't matter what you throw at zombies, they will still persist until you wipe them out with nuclear force. Same goes for socialists.
  
  Ummm... if the solution didn't seem clear from the description, you have to use nuclear force with either problem. 

3. How Creating the BORG Could Benefit Society

My sister is already in the R&D portion of creating the Borg. While she endeavors on this eventuality I'll butter up the public so that her creation can be accepted by the masses. Here's my reasons why the Borg would benefit society:

• They could wipe out our zombie/socialist problem
• We could use them as slave labor
• They could build the Enterprise and research warp coils
• Learning would be a thing of the past! We could just connect to the hive mind and download all known information (kinda like on the Matrix, but faster)
• The iPhone would FINALLY have 4G speeds
• They make better doctors - HMO costs CUT!
• Resistance would be futile
• The world could stop worrying about currency since everything was done by the Borg
• With no currency, we could ALL just enjoy life through moral betterment and soul searching
• Everyday would feel like Halloween
• There'd be no need for violence (unless futile resistance was made)
• Bunnies
• War would be at an end
• Peace in the middle east
• Efficiency in the workplace would go up 10 million percent.
• Did I mention - Resistance is futile?

Hope you enjoyed this blog. Also... hope you didn't read it all at once. That's a bit of a dose of CRAZY!

Four Reasons why Christians Shouldn't Cheer for the Olympics

As Christians, we are called to walk on the side of Truth in EVERY situation. To that end, I've compiled a short list as to why we shouldn't be raising our voices to cheer on America in these 2012 Summer Olympics. 


ONE

The whole concept of the Olympics has become a remnant of barbarism amidst these modern times. Look at what's been going on through these sports in the past few years; enhancement drugs, speculations of cheating, doping and what not. Not to mention those poor athelets. In some cultures, they pick prime candidates from children and train them for their entire lives just to compete in the games. That's their whole life. Unending practice, no social life, strict penalties for slacking off when national pride is on the line.  


This is not exactly something that Christ would condone or cheer for. 


Then there's the flailing morals of the atheletes themselves. London has supplied thousands of condoms to the participants in the games. After competition is complete, the olympic village might as well be called a brothel. Do you think Christians should really be lifting up a cheer?


TWO

The fact that this is a competition represents the sad fact that there will be other countries that will feel inferior due to their lack of medals. As of the 2010 Olympics, 80 countries have yet to win a medal in the olympic games. Eighty! That's a large number. All those preparations and training, all those atheletes who have spent their time and energy to compete, after all that, they still haven't tasted victory. 

It's a sad testament to Christian values, which strive to embolden and build people up, when Christians support and cheer for an organization which, by its very nature, ensures that humiliation is heaped upon those countries who can't perform as well. They must endure their shame as they watch victors being adorned with precious metals and applauded for their accomplishments.


Christians shouldn't make themselves a part of something so degrading to the human spirit. In order to lift someone up and allow them to claim victory, someone must be torn down and allowed to experience defeat and humilation. Destroying self-confidence and nullifying years of hard work and training. 



We shouldn't be supporting anything or anyone because it might be taken the wrong way from these countries. We shouldn't rub our greatness in their faces.




THREE

Simply cheering for America presents its own problems. Forget the fact that the rest of the world has a particular disdain for our Country, and by cheering for the US of A we solidify and cause ourselves to become in opposition with our fellow nations. When Christians cheer for America, we entrench the notion that American = Christian. 


The world has cause to double hate American Christians. Go overseas and you will still find people upset at the whole Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades. I mean, c'mon. We have to stop the hate somehow. We can't become associated with this because it only fuels hatred from countries that desperately NEED to be shown Christian love.


FOUR

 This whole cheering for the olympics yields nothing productive for the kingdom. SO just don't do it. Jesus would probably condemn the way we sit idly by the television waiting to see our champions claim victory when there's work to be done, souls to save, people to love. We must do better.




CONCLUSION

False: Sorry, readers. I couldn't help myself. I don't agree with anything I have just written. There is nothing wrong, biblically, with enjoying sports, rooting for your favorite team, or anything like that. This farce was inspired by this guy's blog where he uses a similar (loosely based) biblical logic to explain why the church shouldn't have supported Chick Fil'a. You can check out his blog HERE and see if you agree with his lines of thought.

I don't believe that Christ wanted us to love others at the cost of supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ. I also don't think that God ever wanted us to chicken out on doing the right thing and standing for the principles of holiness, righteousness and redemption just because it might be taken the wrong way by observers or other people. 


Go, GOD! Go, AMERICA! Go, DAN CATHY! Continue to stand up for what's right amidst the onslaught of nay-sayers and critics who only want to slow down the advancement of God's kingdom.

I Hate Hate (Hypocrit)

It's about as polarized as they come. On either side there is a bitterness that cuts through any sensible logic or argument. Valid points lost amidst a fury of deeply rooted resentment. Insults hurled back and forth as trenches are dug deeper and deeper and the fight for the last few straggling followers who are yet undecided escalates to a frenzy. 


I'm talking, of course, about the continued "dialogue" between the Homosexual rights activists and those who hold to Biblical Truths and morals. What probably started out with the best of intentions as a civil discussion quickly took a bathos turn and has now erupted as one of the biggest Hot-Button issues in our nation. 


Why am I talking about this topic, you ask? Well, like everyone else, I have thoughts on this subject and even though my opinions are rarely popular, I am told that I am still entitled to share it at liberty.


So here goes. 


There is one issue that I haven't quite been able to wrap my mind around. Maybe some of you can help me understand, and correct me if I'm WAY out of line in my perceptions on this thing called "Reality." But I saw, not too long ago, that the homosexual community strongly desires the right to marry. The right to have unions between man and man, woman and woman, stand on equal ground as that between man and woman. That's a whole can of worms in and of itself, and since I'm a Christian, I don't think there's any point in going into what I think on that aspect of this subject. BUT what I do want to comment on is the comparison the proponents had made about their quest. They said that their fight for equal rights is no different from that of the Black community searching for civil liberties.


Again, correct me if my powers of observation are lacking. 


I understand why this comparison could be made. Both minorities lacking representation. Both groups feeling oppressed. Both groups desiring something that they do not have. But I think the comparison ends there...


Does anyone remember way back when, during the first thoughts about homosexual rights? Back in the late 80's early 90's? Anyone? They began talking about homosexuality as the "alternative lifestyle." This phraseology indicates a choice. Then they began to express that this was about "sexual preference." Again, a phraseology that seemed to indicate choice. 


THEN, suddenly the phraseology changed. It's NOT a choice. Homsexuals are BORN this way. It's NATURAL. It no longer became about freedom of choice. They changed the rhetoric to say "We have no choice in who we are. Are we not allowed to express who we are?"


Now, I'm not one to say that homosexuals are or are not born the way they are. I'm not an expert on DNA, I cannot with any certainty deny or validate that claim. The thing is, neither can they; nor any expert in the genetic field...


But, from my particular viewpoint, I'm willing to concede on this point in this capacity - I believe that there are people who are born with the capacity and propencity to be attracted to members of the same gender. That assertion does not disagree with biblical teaching at all. But it also doesn't help the homosexual proponents' argument and this misplaced comparison either...


See, the whole point of the civil rights movement was to say (in a nutshell), "We ARE the same (HUMAN BEINGS) as you, and should be treated as such even though we LOOK differently." The crux of the argument for civil rights (and I should say, aptly supported by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.) was that people are people. We are the same despite color or outside appearance. The segregation and treatment of colored people during that period was grossly wrong and detestable. And our nation was made to see the light on that issue. 


The whole point of the homosexual movement (in a nutshell) has been, "We are DIFFERENT, but we demand to be treated the SAME." All you have to do is look at the rhetoric leading up to the current time to see this is true. 


But, even if someone is born with a predisposition to homosexual tendencies, that does not mean that people are born homosexual. Someone is homosexual when they engage in sexual activities with someone of the same gender. From the biblical perspective, EVERYONE is born with a predisposition to sin. Gay, straight, whatever. And sexual sin is a common one. You're not an adulterer until you engage in sexual activity or lust towards a woman who is not your wife. 


All I'm saying is that even straight people have to deal with the sin nature given their apparent orientation. 


This is precisely why, given my biblical perspective, I find it so wrong that the homosexual community has made this comparison. Black people truly have no choice. They are born with their color. And simply because of that, they were mistreated. That was wrong. 


Homosexuals may be born with a predisposition to be attracted to members of the same sex, but they (like everyone) have the choice to act on those impulses or not. I find it distasteful to liken the fight for equality in sexual preference to the fight for equality of a truly persecuted people group. 

At this time, many states that have had laws against sodomy have looked the other way, or removed those laws. It's not illegal to be gay. There are no segregated washrooms for homosexuals. They are not second class citizens. They cannot be fired based on sexual orientation. They cannot be refused being hired either. Seems to me that they have the civil rights in the bag. The only thing they desire is this redefinition of marriage to allow them the same rights for what has been reserved solely for union between a man and woman. 

Disintegrate the integrity of marriage based on sexual preference, and you open up the possibility of other, far worse, things. I know people have gone off the deep end and say, hypothetically, where will it end? People can get benefits for marrying animals? Who's to put a stop on love? More legitimately, what about people who decide that polygomy (something we have already taken a clear stance on as a country) is their sexual preference. That they simply have too much love for one man or woman? 

What it boils down to is this; if you break the integrity of marriage on the weak argument for sexual preference which is hiding behind this call for "equal rights" then you may as well shatter the whole thing. It'd only be a matter of time. If 3% of the population is all it takes to make this change, then a million polygymists will push for their cause. Will we make an exception for them too? If they holler loud enough will we yield to their cry for equality? What if two hundred thousand who practice beastiality make a march on Washington, will we allow for animal lovers to receive similar benefits? Sexual preference... Equal rights... same thing as the Civil Rights movement? Maybe only in their resolve, definitely NOT in essence.

That's my two cents. Whether or not they're worth anything, only time will tell. 

Both Sides of the Coin

They say that if you flip a coin enough times, it will land on either side 50% of the time based on the laws of probability. The outcome simply has to do with chance. But, you could take any set number of times and get some extreme results; like having 20 times of landing on heads.

This is interesting because it doesn't negate the law of probability, it just shows that there are circumstances, due to odds and other factors, that allow for this random and spectacular event to take place.

But if I were to see someone flip a coin and have it land on heads 50 times, I would begin to doubt that there was another side to that coin...

Sometimes, I think this is how people look at God. We focus on the love of God, his promises, his Justice, His grace and mercy. We concentrate on the things of God that make us feel good and fuzzy. We look at Jesus as this smiling guy approving all of our actions and are comforted by what we believe he stands for - acceptance and forgiveness. And, indeed, he does stand for that.

But as we read the gospels, many of us forget the flip side of the coin. We forget about the jealous God of Israel who loves us with such an incredible passion that his rage has burned against whose who had turned against him and rejected him. We forget that God punished with unabashed intensity those who place themselves as enemies of God. We neglect the fact that God's expectations for us are beyond what any of us can accomplish on our own. We fail to realize that failure is not an option...

Our perspective of God is incredibly important. A flawed perspective causes us to cast our own insecurities and incorrectly assume who God is. All through the Bible, it is GOD himself who reveals his attributes and character. He is the Loving Creator, the Provider, the Sustainer of life. He is the Lion of Judah, the Great "I AM." He is the Mighty God, a Jealous God. He is Sovereign, Omnipotent. He is the God of Justice. He is Holy. He is the Beginning and the end. He is Ruler of all.

To just look at half of God's qualities is to commit the sin of myopic perspective. When we only focus on what we determine to be God's predominant attributes (love, grace, mercy, etc...) we skew who God is. He is storing up wrath for the day of judgment. Jonathan Edwards had it right when he wrote "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."

But wait! How can God be full of love AND angry at the same time?

People, He is BEYOND our understanding. He is God. He is able to contain every emotion, express them in complete Holiness at the same time. He is not flawed, nor does he express the petty and corrupted type of emotions that we humans experience. Just as his thoughts are higher than our own, I believe that if we were able to grasp even a taste of the intensity of God's emotions, our brains would explode.

All I'm saying is that for us to deny God the expression of who HE is by putting him in the poorly constructed and shabby box of emotions that we understand is a travesty. God is perfectly capable of revealing who He is.

Anytime I hear someone say "I don't think God is like that." or "I don't think God would do that." I cringe on the inside.

HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW?!? Are you resting on your own thoughts of God? Have you not allowed HIM to reveal His character and likeness to you? Have you sought Him? Have you even read His word? Do you not know that our God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow? He has already revealed who He is...

It's the "think" that irks me. It signals to me that people are either unsure of who God really is, or they are so lost in the specifics that they aren't letting God speak for Himself. They're determining who God is based on their own understanding... Not good enough.

My challenge to anyone still reading - Stop! For just a minute, stop trying to place God in the box of your own understanding. Stop trying to fit God into your perception of the universe and life philosophy. Stop imagining God as the soft and fuzzy omnipotent father of love. (Not saying that's not part of who he is) But let GOD show you who he is.

This is the difference between having a God we can relate to and understand; a God we're comfortable with and experiencing a God who is beyond our understanding. A God worthy of our respect and awe. In fearful wonder we can approach his thrown and humble ourselves before the Lord God Almighty. Letting God show us who He is will break your world. His power can, then, fully be expressed in your life. His word will wreck your understanding. His will destroys your pomp and destroy the vanity of your intelligence. All this happens when we abandon our preconceived notions and allow God, and His Word, to correct our flawed ideas of who He truly is.

Let God be God. He is beyond even our highest concept of Him. That is much more terrifying than our lack-luster conception, but it is also far more comforting to me.

Brainage Drainage

Umm... I have no excuse. I've had so much on my mind and have simply neglected to post my thought on the blog so so many wonderful (and anonymous) people can read them at will.

...

Sometimes I find that thought disconcerting. Who are you people? Why do you read my blog and don't post a thought or comment? Do you even read it?!? What if peope just click on the page because the title seems interesting and then skim the first line and declare "BORING!" and skip to the next blog?... The potenitality for judgment frightens me... oh well. Who cares?

Anyway,  these past few weeks have been a blur of events and a whirlwind of adventure and responsibilities. If you've made it this far, I'm guessing that means you're interested in what's been up. Here's what's what!

Massive preparations have been happening for District Youth camp here in Florida. On Monday, over 70 students fom across the Sunshine State will assemble for a retreat from the culture and civilized world they are used to. I'm responsible to make sure everyone has paid, gets registered and that all the cool things (t-shirts, waterbottles, give-away-ables, etc.) are present and accounted for. Also games and activities. Lots to be coordinated. 

That, on top of making sure all my bases are covered for the week I will be gone. On TOP of making sure all my bases were covered this PAST week. I was in Tampa for a conference with all the Wesleyan Pastors in Florida. What a wonderful... uhh... what's the opposite of vacation? 

Whatever that word is, that was it. Stuff to be taken care of with different people at that conference. Driving here and there. I love driving. Got to put an extra 600 miles on my car that week. JOY! Was drafted into the worship team for two nights of celebration during the conference. A few hours of practice filled my afternoons. It was a distinct privilege to share that responsibility, but also very taxing (I'm not THAT great a musician. I'm just good at pretending).

BUT! My best friend in the whole world flew in from Wisconsin just to see me for that week. It was good to see her. She and I have been friends for the past... 15-16 years which makes her the oldest surviving participant in the craziness that is my life. She should get a plaque or something, seriously. 

Wait, you're wondering why my best friend happened to be down for a random conference? Oh. Well on Friday of that conference, I received my full credentials as an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church. A fairly big deal. My friend and LOTS of family and church family came over to see that service for this occasion. It was heartwarming. 

So, this week, I've been pushing to get all my ducks in a row for this youth camp. In the wake of such an eventful week, I'm feeling very weak. There's a billion and a half things that need to be done. Details that need to be finessed, loose ends to tie and I'm just hoping that everything is in place so that things don't crumble like a house of cards. But in my frantic last-minute time frame, I'm slowing down and losing ground in the energy department. Even now, as I sit, sipping some iced coffee at Starbucks, it's all my body can do to stay awake and alert enough to finish this blog. This blog post that has been serving as a distraction and short break from the work that is a necessity for me to finish! AHHH!

Pressure.

These are the weeks that breed hardened and tested endurance. I will relish the fact that a vacation will not be far away after all these things have been accomplished. A chance for relaxation and restoration will be available. Fresh breath can fill my soul again. My mind and muscles can be rejuvenated. My batteries can be recharged for another go. I can hardly wait. 

Thanks for reading, by the way. If you have in fact read this far, you are truly a fan. I've said nothing of consequence, but you've obviously developed an interest in my life because you are still devouring my words and thoughts that simply express my comings and goings. Why are you still reading? It's time to comment, let me know that you have been here, leave YOUR mark. Express your thoughts so I can read and enjoy them. 

Tell me, what pressures YOU most in your busy weeks? Is it work? Family? Friends? Unforeseen crises?!? How do you relieve yourself of that stress and make it through?

Openminded Myth

The more I delve into the philosophies and ideals of the world around me, the more I become irritated at the weak thoughts that take root and flourish in people's minds. See, from my position as a devout, conservative Christian, I can see may things others cannot. However, many folks in this enlightened world of ours tend to take my position as "close-minded" because I have settled the questions of many things in my own mind. 

They (and I use the term loosely and towards no individual in particular, just generally) say that open-mindedness is the way to go. That there are so many options and ways of life that need to be considered when choosing how to act and believe in this world. That no one religion or society can have it right. 

This appears to be wisdom, but it's lunacy in its purest form. And here's my problems with this "open-minded" philosophy.

First off, this philosophy poses to be considerate of all types of ways of life, but it is very selective of which parts. Christianity, for example, and the wealth of wisdom and prudence in its traditions and Scripture is hardly taken for any sort of value. Even the teachings of Jesus (which are mainly directed towards God's Kingdom and the Body of Christ; i.e. Christians) are overlooked or disregarded even though so many hold Jesus in high esteem as a "great moral teacher." The fact that even considering Christianity as a viable source for philosophical and moral guidance is off the table for most who claim "open-mindedness" disintegrates the integrity of their position. But there's more...

Second, there is a myth that open-mindedness and considering all sorts of ideals and philosophies enhances one's life, opens options. And the more options, the more enlightened a person can be, and the better off they are. This is a perspective issue. "Open-minded" people seem to think that all these various, competing philosophies are laid out in the giant thought bubble of life. People who just choose one, are at a severe disadvantage because more is better. So why not take a few, be open-minded. Consider all the possibilities. Embrace all the different thoughts and ways of life. Why not?

Because the concept of all ideas being laid out and being able to choose more than one does not allow the reality to be acknowledged. Philosophies are not hinged in space like an intellectual buffet, these ways of life are paths. You know what a path is, right? It's a road that leads somewhere. It takes you places. 

Open-minded people contend that all paths lead to the same place. For the most part, they're right. There are a billion paths that are not mutually exclusive because they all lead to ultimate destruction. There is one path that is mutually exclusive from all the rest (that Jesus one that the open-minded fail to consider) and is the only one that leads anywhere good.

Near as I can figure, that's the main reason why Christianity is attacked by such enlightened, "open-minded" individuals and groups. They can't wrap their mind around a religion that purports to be the ONLY way. 

The fallacy of being open-minded is that eventually you have to walk one path. It really doesn't matter which one you walk, if it's not the True path, then they WILL all lead you to the same place - destruction and death. At least they're right about that. They've just been lied to about the destination.

Open-minded people cannot and will not consider these words at all. They are in love with choices and don't want to deal with the possibility of being wrong. Their comfort is in believing that there is no wrong road. So they rarely every come to a decision about anything. They don't realize that indecision IS a decision (and what's more, it's the wrong one...). 

The myth of open-mindedness is that it offers ultimate freedom. But the reality is that they are shackled by their own ignorance. The more "knowledge" they gain, the more they believe they are enlightened. But the more they are bound by indecision. They lose their identity. They lose the ability to make a moral decision. They lose objectivity. They are bound by emotion and feelings and every thought that comes into their mind. 

I have chosen the path that yields freedom, true freedom. Making a choice is not the same as being closed-minded, it simply means I considered the options and MADE a decision. When you find the right answer, you don't need to go around considering the plethora of wrong ones.

Crises

Sirens are blaring. People are screaming. Gun fire sporadically punctures the air like thunder. Your best friend is lying across your knees, blood is spilling out of his chest. The only question that can be asked is "WHAT DO YOU DO?"

Would you weigh your options carefully and implement a plan justified by the situation? Or would you just freak out and scream like a baby who just had its thumbs ripped off?

Truth is, some people are vastly more equipped to handle crises than other people. If my first few sentences made your stomach turn and your thoughts freeze with "how terrible!" then it's quite likely you're missing the standard package of resolve to deal with such situations. 

But if you share whatever virtue that seems to be in me, your mind would immediately assess the situation and you would calmly and deliberately be able to take action. Keep your head, overcome, survive, save, whatever was required. 

Personally, even though my personality and training makes me most adept at handling sticky situations, I would rather NOT deal with them. I don't know if everyone who is gifted like me shares the same sentiment. Perhaps there is some brave soul out there who THRIVES on the crisis moment. Maybe there's someone seeking to throw themself into the flames on a daily basis. Waiting for that perfect moment of unexpected tragedy. I guess this describes firefighters, EMTs and police officers... and even our service men but how many of them actually enjoy it to the point of hoping for it?

I hope few do. 

While I like the fact that IF something comes up, I can handle it, I would much rather see events happen according to a well oiled, predictable manner. Is that boring? Maybe. But when you have to deal with the consequences of the unexpected, boring becomes far preferable. I like taking risks, don't get me wrong. But risks don't always yield crises. And when you take a risk, you still make a conscious choice, you expect the outcome to be either good or bad. You're braced for the worst case scenario. When a crisis happens, you're not prepared, not braced, no choice. You face it or let it knock the wind out of you. 

Not a fan of being knocked down by circumstance. Maybe it's that fighting spirit that makes me so well equipped to deal with whatever life throws into the mix. 

Just a few weeks ago, I crashed my car. Walked away from it, joked with the officers at the scene, EMTs, bystanders. Handled. No biggie, everyone's alive and safe. Could have died. Sucks, car is gone. No problem, I'll just get another. The lesson I learned - Takes much, much more than a car accident at 55mph to knock me down. That and God is definitely protecting me. 

The other night, a girl at youth group tripped, smacked her forehead on a piano bench and got a huge gash under her eyebrow. This happened in the first 10 minutes of church... No problem. Get some napkins, get pressure on it. "Bad news, looks like you're going to live..." Called the parents. No worries. Twelve stitches later, she's alright. Church went on as normal once she left for the hospital. Life carried on. Crises are meant to be handled and then life goes back on track.

Why is it like this for me? I don't know. Does this tend to serve me well when theser events happen? Yes, and for that I'm grateful. I would have been out of luck if, at any time during these situations, I would have been the type of person to break down and cry from the overwhelming chaos and disruption of normality. 

Maybe I'm just suited to be in those situations. Maybe it's absolute normality that I can't handle well. 

What's the biggest crisis YOU'VE ever handled well?