Sunday, September 26, 2004

Be Strong and Take Courage

My first post on this blog was about being courageous enough to face your fears and to make things happen. Things have been happening here in Vegas, that's for sure.
This morning in church, Pastor Paul read from Deuteronomy & Joshua. The scriptures he taught from talked about facing our fears and how God goes before us. HE makes a way for us. We don't need to fight the battle, its already been done, we just have to claim the victory and walk in it.
We live in a weak society. Everyone is looking for the easy way out.
The Bible clearly states that obedience is better than sacrifice. God may tell us to do something that we don't want to do, in the end, if we are obedient to His will and His calling we will be blessed abundantly.
We need to stop looking for the easy way out. Nothing is free, and anything worth something is worth stepping out in faith for and obeying for a moment or two of discomfort. I for one would rather be uncomfortable for a few months or years, rather than living a lifetime of regret and what ifs.
If you feel that there is something telling you to make a change or to step out in faith, do it. Stop making excuses, face your fear. It may turn out to be the greatest opportunity of your life.
A true leader recognizes the next step, and courageously pushes on. Are you a courageous leader?
"Courage is what we do with our strength. It's doing the right thing rather than doing what's convenient."

Sunday, September 12, 2004

Remembering Those Worth Remembering

When I think about that morning, it feels like it was just this morning. There was a knock on my bedroom door. And I yelled, "I'm up!" -As is my custom, because I hate to wakeup, so somehow yelling that I'm up makes me feel like its okay or justifiable to keep my lazy but in bed for another five minutes. I heard Carolyn yell through the door, "Get up! We've been hit! Get up!"
I immediately became filled with fear. My emotions were running rampant. I didn't know what to think, or what to say. I ran out of my bedroom and into the living room. I sat there on the couch, in awe and utter silence. I cried uncontrollably. I kept my eye on the TV at all times. I made sure that when I left for work I knew what was happening. I listed to talk radio all day and the news all night. Hoping. Praying. Thinking to myself, "We have to do something, but what?"
The next few days were a blur. I remember saying things that I normally would not say. I remember mustering up the courage to tell someone that I loved them and could not live without them. Thinking, "What if Phoenix is next? Will they know how I feel?" Suddenly I was right with God, and right with everyone I knew.
I thought to myself, and I prayed to God. I thanked him for sending us a leader as wonderful as George W. Bush. The right man for the job. The one who would stand up and protect us.
As we near the election, I get tired and I get fed up and I think, I just want to go home. I want to see my family, I want to see my friends. Then I remember those worth remembering. The thousands that died on September 11th. The millions that died at the hands of Saddam Hussein. I cannot think of a better reason to get to the polls on November 2nd and make sure that George W. Bush is re-elected than those men and women that fight on daily to make sure I have the freedom to vote. He will make sure we are still a strong and protected country, at least for another four years.

Friday, September 03, 2004

Here Buildings Fell, Here a Nation Rose...

As I sat in my office watching Governor Pataki make his introduction last night, I thought to myself, "This is by far the most moving moment since 9/11." Governor Pataki praised the citizens from around the country that had rallied together in a time when the Nation needed them the most. The unity was breathtaking and awe inspiring. There are few times when we can actually use these words truthfully.
Last night would be one of those nights that would render this to be truthful. I saw a man full of character walk out onto a stage, and look into an audience of people, and into a camera speaking to millions and almost pierce the very being of those watching because of how humble he is.
There is never a question of George W. Bush's intentions. He wants to be President for another four years because he believes that he can do great things for a great nation. He knows that this world needs a strong and decisive leader. He is those things and so much more, including kind, caring, and humble.
John Kerry cannot be described by any of these words, nor should they ever be used in the same sentence as his name. Here is a man that stands for nothing, and falls for everything. He shallow and shady. As Dick Cheney said today, "More shifts with the wind than just the wildfire." And he is right. Depending on who Kerry is talking to, you will get a variation of answers. Nothing is definite, nothing is final.
Thinking back to the days after the Towers fell, and the Pentagon was hit, I remember the unity that was felt. The sense of Pride that we as Americans took. I remember how we would do anything for a neighbor we had never talked to before. Suddenly things that were not important passed away.
It is time for America to become united again. To realize that without a strong, steady and decisive leader we may have many more September 11th's to come. Its a scary thought. When it comes down to it though, these are the facts we have to face.
In President Bush's speech last night at the RNC Convention, he said, "Since 2001, Americans have been given hills to climb, and found the strength to climb them. Now, because we have made the hard journey, we can see the valley below. Now, because we have faced challenges with resolve, we have historic goals within our reach, and greatness in our future. We will build a safer world and a more hopeful America — and nothing will hold us back."
It is our job as Americans, as citizens that have the RIGHT to VOTE, to do just that. We live in the greatest country on Earth. We have freedoms that most people could never even dream of. If you want to keep those freedoms, and not have to worry about waking up one morning and having to learn to speak Arabic, I suggest you vote wisely. Although the War on Terror is a tough battle, we must never forget the price of freedom. As it is inscribed on the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. "Freedom is Not Free."
Men have shed their blood, given up their lives and died for us. All so we could have the very freedoms we take for granted. I am a patriotic American. I do think that America is the greatest place on Earth. I also believe it when I hear the words of Tony Blair, "A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in...And how many want out." Take pride in our country. Take pride in your rights and freedoms. Vote to keep them.