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Random Thoughts & Musings 2017 - Act 1

1. I've been gone for a few weeks - Have you missed me?
2. Funny, we celebrate Halloween, move on to Christmas, and forget about Thanksgiving. Not as much celebrating in giving thanks.
3. Thanksgiving is the day before Black Friday if that helps.
4. Nope, not going to discuss politics today.
5. Ok, I'm a little hypocritical. I will say I enjoyed hearing Christmas music on my Sirius XM starting November 1st.
6. The comic book collection now numbers past 20,000 for those of you keeping score.
7. The Bo Jackson tecmo bowl commercials (for Kia) are pretty darn funny and make me feel old.
8. Sometimes, I fall into the trap of feeling that if I fail at something that I am curtailing God's plans for me and those around me. That I am somehow hindering God's plans.
9. My childhood took a huge beating in 2015 and 2016. Carrie Fisher, George Michael, Alan Rickman, Muhammad Ali, Gene Wilder, and Prince in 2016. Here's hoping 2017 leaves my childhood alone.
10. We might be missing an attitude of gratitude with God. So, many times, we look more at what we don't have, rather than being thankful for what we have received.
11. That's not saying that we shouldn't pray for our needs or accept when life has you down. However, our entire focus cannot be on what we feel we "lack" in our lives.
12. Dealing lately with the feeling of being apart from God. That He is not hearing or seeing me. Logically, I know that's not true but emotionally can be a different thing.
13. Good sports year in Cleveland. World Championship for the Cavaliers, Calder Cup for the Lake Erie Monsters, Indians making it to game 7 of the World Series, and the Browns... Oh yeah right, the Browns.
14. Do you know someone you can be accountable with? To lay out your dreams and desires. Your hopes and fears. Someone who keeps you from going off the rails?
15. Cancer still and will always suck.
16. Forgot how much I enjoyed the old show "The Wild, Wild West".
17. I have noticed in America that people are more swayed by catchphrases, rather than researching and finding out the information themselves.
18. Kind of a laziness that permeates our society.
19. What's next? Hopefully, a sports podcast.
20. Home groups are important for drawing closer to God, for healing, accountability, spiritual growth, and even some fun.
21. Can someone let me know what makes America great? Why it hasn't been great recently? What time period was it great that we have to go back and make it great again? Never have received an answer to that one. Or, is it just a phrase to make us believe something that wasn't true?
22. Determined that there are actually 12 songs that will get me to dance. Or spasm awkwardly on a dance floor. But if we want to call that dancing, I won't disagree.
23. Just because you receive information that might contradict your worldview does not make it fake. Just as information that affirms your view doesn't make it true. But, denying straight up reality is pretty ridiculous.
24. Whatever became of Supertramp?
25. If 2016 proved anything, it proved relying on man and his abilities might be foolhardy.
26. As I get older, the more I realize that I have a lot to learn.
27. God is in the silences as well as in the loudness.
28. The thing I find funny is how many people get upset over people saying "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas", Starbucks cup decorations, people sitting for the National Anthem, or burning the American flag. Yet, crickets when it comes to homelessness, the poor, racism, abuse, or lead laced water in Flint, Michigan? Why such a difference? Easier to rant over the meaningless in the big picture? Are we afraid that if we were bothered by the things that touch God's heart - we may be called into action?
29. Side note: I am going to strive to do better in 2017 as a follower of God, husband, son, friend, and human being.
30. That being said, I am feeling called to not be afraid of pushback to my words and actions. Still going to be loving to others and treat them kindly - but shouldn't be afraid of calling out wrong or worried that others might not agree.
31. I feel that if we preach what is taught in the Word, we are going to see more resistance from fellow Christians than we will the world. Just a thought.
32. Also, because we have an intimate relationship with God and call ourselves Christians does not mean we are superior to others. We have no right to condescend to others who don't share our beliefs, nor to force our beliefs on others. I never saw Jesus do that in the Bible, so my evangelism will not take a form that contradicts His.
33. "Drain the Swamp", "Make America Great Again", "Build the Wall", and "Lock Her Up". Guess saying stuff like that makes you President. Lot of you are gullible.


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