Feel Good, Feeling...

The first letter written by Paul to the Thessalonians instructs us to lift one another up in spirit. 

"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (Biblegateway 2015 NKJV)

The spirit may be lifted in a number of ways, and the imperfect Christian had his spirit lifted in a couple of ways this past week. 

From current and former players and students, to your own children, or your employer it's good to know you're appreciated. 

As a friend it's great to hear, "It was great seeing you," or "I hope to see you again soon!"

Hearing, "You know out of all of my coaches, I had the most fun on your team," is a true blessing! If the imperfect one only teaches them one thing he hopes that the first understanding is respect. Respect for self and others, then understanding how that respect and self discipline leads to success, which in turn leads to fun.  Which leads the imperfect one to think as a child first...

As a child it's great to hear, "You've matured into a great man, I know your mother is proud of you!" 

As a parent it's great to hear, "... you're a great daddy!" It's the best coming from your child, but it's also uplifting hearing it from a parent that you look up to. Therefore, the imperfect Christian would like to take time to thank the parents that take time for an imperfect papa. The imperfect one would also like to thank his baby (who's no longer a baby), and his grown children for loving an imperfect papa enough to not just tell him, but eager enough to show him as well, and he loves you all back, beyond measure! 

The imperfect one ran into all of these people last week, and some today. Now his endeavor is to see the One that he celebrates today in remembrance of ultimate love. His endeavor is to hear that One say, "Well done my good and faithful servant." 

Thanks for the inspiration, you all know who you are. 

Until the next one... 

Peace, blessings, and joy... 

That real PB&J!

Where'd You Go?

A single mother walks the ridge line alone. The sun is dropping, and preparing to set in hues of oranges, and reds. The night sky follows the sun until it pushes it out of sight. The sun is out of sight, but it's not forgotten, it's just not seen anymore in this day. 

"I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments." Psalm 119:176 (NKJV Biblegateway 2015)

She walks alone and watches the sunset, and she misses it as it gets darker. She knows that for this day, that for this season that the sun is gone. However, she knows that tomorrow brings a new sunrise. There's the possibility that the sunset reminds her of a few things. She may be missing her child(ren), or the touch of her father's gentle caress against her cheek. She may miss her lovers embrace, and be lonely, but she knows that tomorrow is a new day. The commandment of the rising sun is like that of the commanded rising of the Son, there will be another rising of power. She too, must rise for her sake, and the sake of her loved ones. 

A mother/father is missing her/his child today. A lover is missing his/her helper, and earthly provider today. A child is missing his/her father today. Where are we? Are we helping to ease that pain? Are we His hands, and feet?

Some of those missing are not there by choice. The decision was made, and the absence stings. 

Some of those missing are gone by divine choice. 

The thought of hearing his/her laugh. The stories you can no longer share. It's painful to have to accept that kind of absence. 

You drive down a stretch of highway and think to yourself, "Remember when you sang that song about Snoopy, and we laughed until we cried?!" 

Then you think, "They used to sit in the seat right next to me, sat in my lap from time to time, and now I do not have that opportunity. You do remember, but the one you shared that with is gone. You can't tease them over Thanksgiving dinner about the time they sang that silly song, or when they farted at your in-laws house and blamed it on the dog. They are now just memories. So in my cutting up, let me turn back to seriousness to close, and encourage you not to be selfish, and please do not embrace recklessness, or carelessness. Share with all of your loved ones that you can. Share with blood family, and inherited, or blended family, because we are not promised one day to the next. However, as you are blessed to see another day, rejoice and be glad in it, and share that joy! 

On the flip side, you may have a loved one that needs a break from you. Go share with another loved one. Even a lapdog desires a break from you from time to time, so spread the love!  Whatever you do, and with whatever LOVED one; share, and make lasting memories that you can be thankful for. 

Peace, blessings, and joy... that real PB&J 

Reading Old Love Letters

Photo Courtesy of Israels DSS Collections

"Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, 'How does this Man know letters, having never studied?'" John 7:14&15 (NKJV)

Sometimes you just have to R.O.L.L. (read old love letters) with it. What if... someone had read or written a copy of the ultimate love letter to Curt Cobain? Would Courtney Love Cobain be a widow right now? 

What if an authoritative figure had read the love letter himself, would he have been so compassionless to have said, I won't lose sleep over them, I'd tell them to go ahead, I mean if someone's going to truly kill themselves you can't stop them, they'll eventually find a way.

What if that's his child one day? Does that restless night come then?

Curt was sincere, and Curt found a way. 

I don't ever want pretend to care or just say that I do. I want to be blessed to help, or blessed to never cause anyone else pain.

Lord let me be sincere, before someone else is sincere in showing that they realize that others were not. Amen. 

Love is just a word until someone shows up and gives it meaning. ~Paulo Coelho 

Missing a spirit of compassion may cost you dearly one day. Don't forget to be kind, loving, and understanding. It may help save a loved one, one day. Something's are worth missing a few hours sleep over. 

Peace, Blessings, and Joy... One last real PB&J.   

Statistically Speaking

Photo courtesy Apple Inc.

Statistically Speaking:

What if you could bet your life on something? What would it take to make you wager? What would be a great enough gain to make you take the bet? If you're smart you don't gamble, but you especially don't gamble when it comes down to your life. So let's look at the compliment of that. Let's say that there is only one way to preserve your life, and that is to take the wager. Would you be more apt to bet if that was the circumstance?

The imperfect one likes to consider himself a critical thinker, but he also enjoys simplifying. So in simple, but critical thinking, here's my conclusion on believing in something greater than myself.

If the imperfect Christian doesn't believe in God, and there wasn't a God then he's ok.
If the imperfect Christian doesn't believe in God, and there is a God, then he's not ok.

If the imperfect Christian believes in God, and there was no God, he's still ok. (Even lived a good life helping others).
If the imperfect Christian believes in God, and GOD is, then he's more than ok!

Therefore, 3 outta 4, or 75% (that's really 100%), are odds that the imperfect Christian will put his money/life on. The imperfect Christian is not the greatest statistician in the land, but he is smart enough to take the better odds, and 75-100% out class 25-0% any day.

Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J.