Blog Has Moved

Hey folks.  My blog has moved over to WordPress. It is about 90% complete.  I think you'll like it.  I know I do.  Anyway, thanks for reading.  To see the new site go here.

Let's Not Forget

You are going to re-live the 9/11 terrorist attack this weekend over and over.  On the TV, on the internet, on the radio, in the newspaper...everywhere.  And it should be that way.  Because it's good for people to remember, God is a big fan of His people remembering.  But we usually forget. So at least for a weekend...let's not forget. (Better quality if you watch it Here)

What Eating Peaches Reveals About Us

I remembered hearing this young boy (where?... I have no idea...the park, the store, standing line at the zoo...fill in the blank because it is not really germane to the story anyway) say something that didn't strike me as odd or sad or pathetic at first.  But eventually I realized it was all those things and more. And it was really not even his fault.  So..what did he say?

It was how he reacted toward a piece of fruit.  "Hey, this tastes just like a peach!", he exclaimed loudly as little children do in public places to the chagrin of their parents.  As I glanced over, curious at what it could be, I think I smiled, because he had just taken a bite of...a peach.  Maybe he was too young to know that a peach was what he was holding or maybe he wasn't paying attention, being distracted by a dog or a clown or a firetruck.  Who knows?  He continued to spout excitements about his discovery.  And I continued to eavesdrop. 

Eventually, as the sun rose on this horrible fruit truth, I realized now seeing fully, that the boy had never eaten a peach.  Not an an actual peach that fell off an actual peach tree.  He had only had peach-flavored ice cream or peach-flavored candy or peach jelly or peach fruit drink...flavored of course, but never the genuine article.  Difficult to fathom, at least now the kid had enjoyed a real peach.  It is a bit understandable..I mean enjoying real peaches is difficult.  It's hard work.

Think about it...First of all, you have to get them in season, then you have to pick through a pile of peaches to find some good ones, then you have to be sure to wash them off (because nothing ruins a good peach experience like insecticide), then after all that work they may not even be very good.  And man!..Peaches are messy! There is no polite way to eat a ripe peach. (Personally, I consider that a plus...but that's me) And if you don't eat them in time they go bad.  It's just so much easier to substitute with fake peach products.  They fit in so much better with our busy 21st century jet-setting lifestyles.  Just like God.

It wasn't until a few days ago I made this connection. How eating peaches is kind of like our relationship to God.  In our culture we have so much God-flavored stuff.  Christian music, Christian books, Christian dating sites, Christian movies, websites, schools...blah, blah, blah ....  How easy in our busy schedules it is to forget and actually enjoy the real thing. God Himself. 

So, as you're blasting your radio driving down I-95 singing along with some Chris Tomlin or Toby Mac, or watching Fireproof with your spouse (or VeggieTales with your kids) for the 3rd time, don't forget that God, the real God from the real heaven, who really loves you, wants to fellowship with you and show you why no God-flavored thing can ever properly substitute for the real thing.

Sunday Wisdom

Say this to yourself about 10 times, than let it soak in. Happy Labor Day.

~ Keith
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"If worship bores you, you are not ready for heaven." AW Tozer (The Purpose of Man)

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"Live By The Life" Moving To Wordpress

Hey there Lifers...can I call you that? Just want to let you all know that I am beginning the transition to a self-hosted Wordpress platform. After 8 months of stumbling my way through the labyrinth of the Blogosphere, I feel it is time to move to the next level.  As much as I enjoy writing this blog, I think there are multiple pros and almost no cons to making the move to WordPress.  My reasons below:

1.  Many more options for creativity.  Throughout the year I have gotten more and more ideas that don't fit well into the blog format.  I have pages and pages of "stuff" that I really can't use. My goal is to add more pages to find places for that "stuff".  Look for pages like "The Wall of Wow",  "Faith Links", and maybe even my own De-motivational Posters.  Heck, I may even do a page on serious theological topics.  The sky's the limit and I'm excited.

2. Aesthetically, WordPress offers better themes and a more attractive platform, which makes for a more positive user experience. While I've enjoyed being a Blogspot blogger, I want people to be wowed by my site.  While that may take some work, I have a better chance of getting the "Wow"affect with WordPress.

3. Better SEO (Search Engine Optimization).  My site has a much better chance of getting seen by like-minded believers with WP, than Blogspot. Not to mention my domain name is now www.livebythelife.com. Take a look see if you want to follow the construction process.

4. Ease of use.  Initially, this is not true as I have to re-learn a new host.  But, eventually, it will be easier and a more positive experience for me.  So, I get to keep my hair, now?

I will make an announcement when I pull the switch, not sure when.  It could be 2 days or 2 weeks.  I'm new at this, so please be patient. If everything goes as planned, all my content, RSS and Feedburner feeds will be transferred from Blogspot to WP, so you, my loyal readers, won't have to do anything different.  Best i can tell, I must leave my Blogspot blog intact  for some features to work in WP, so if you go to http://livebythelife.blogspot.com/  and no new blogs are showing up, try www.livebythelife.com. 

Thanks.
~ Keith

My Inconsiderate Driver Fantasy (Warning: Large Guns Involved)

A few months ago, I was driving home from my mandatory 8-hour gauntlet of pain and suffering, that I am very thankful for because it makes me appreciate the remaining 16 hours so much more, when a car raced up behind me faster than a jack-rabbit on espresso.  I was in the left lane, but was keeping up with traffic, so in my now-a-bit-angered-but-controlled mind, I felt the aggression was unwarranted.  So what did I do? The  rest of the story in a few minutes.  First, a fantasy sequence.

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[Begin dream sequence] When I find myself in these situations usually my first instinct is to slam on the brakes, cut the wheels fast and hard, and in a slow motion, rubber-squealing, spinning U-turn with sparks and smoke (and worthy of a John Woo movie- think Face Off and Mission Impossible II), I grab the wheel with my imaginary 3rd hand because I need the other two for the guns (they do it in the movies I can do it in my fantasies).  I pull out two ridiculously huge automatic, military grade, 50-caliber weapons, usually reserved for tanks, but now about to be employed on this inconsiderate driver, and smile menacingly.  At him.  Because he is about to get what he deserves.  

Before he realizes just who it is that he has unwittingly offended, I pull both triggers simultaneously, unloading a barrage of smoking lead welcome committee on his Chrysler.  The sound of the round casings hitting the 75-mph pavement are like the chattering teeth of the grim reaper.  The smoke coming from the barrels of my now red-hot, Iron Punishers is like incense to Rage.  Every round that punches a nickel-size hole in his pathetic excuse for a machine is a lesson in manners.  And as the firing pins run out of "messages" to deliver, the offending party now humbles himself and backs off of my more-manly SUV.  A defeated foe.  [End dream sequence]. 
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I think this is normal alpha male behavior. Right?

So after my dream sequence is done (it happens in my mind in about 5 seconds) I do what I am sure all passive-aggressive Christ followers do who prefer not to "do time", I take my foot off the gas.  And pray he doesn't hit my rear end. But then, glaring at me in the rear view mirror, is my sticker Conscience...my lil' Christian window sticker, NOTW, which shouts to the 4-lane world "CHRISTIAN ON BOARD, TAILGATE WITHOUT FEAR OF RETRIBUTION!", and I move out of the guys way.  Not gladly.  And as he passes me going about 90, he swerves over as to sideswipe me, (narrowly missing me because I have cat-like reflexes) and I noticed that he too has a lil' Christian bumper (not window) sticker.

I am immediately convicted because if I had not been reminded of all the eyes on me and my identity in Christ via the sticker, I could easily allow my angry reactions to take over just like him.  Allow road rage to take over.  And bring humiliation to the name of Jesus.  "Just another Christian hypocrite", would be the thoughts of the other drivers.  Just like they may have been thinking about that guy.  He was talking, but not walking.  And it's the walking that makes or breaks our reputation.  Our testimony.  Do that enough times, and though Christ will forgive you, the world will not.  

There was a low period in my life where I was angry all the time. But seeing the ICTHUS fish on my car did not bring conviction and I eventually realized that I was continually offending Christ's reputation, because I was an overly aggressive driver. So, I took it off.  That was a low point for me, but now looking back, I believe it was the right thing to do.  Eventually, I made it through to the end of that tunnel, and now anger doesn't control my life (my kids do).   I guess my point is that the world is watching us, and I believe they desperately want to believe in a God that forgives them, that loves them, who is merciful, benevolent, and kind.  If all they see is His people react in sin every time they are offended it is like "another brick in the wall" to Christ and eternal life, to miscast a Pink Floyd song.  Maybe just better to take the sticker off for a while.  
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Question: Anybody struggle with anger?  How did you deal with it?  Do you agree with this?  All opinions welcome...

Every Child Should Have A Mom Like This

This is a Facebook post from a college friend, Ethel.  I wish I could take credit.  Short, sweet, and chocked full of Awesomeness!

"My promise to my children:I am your parent 1st, your friend 2nd. I will stalk you, flip out on you, lecture you, drive you insane, be your worst nightmare & hunt you down like a bloodhound when needed because I LOVE YOU! When you understand that, I will know you are a responsible adult. You will NEVER find someone who loves, prays, cares, & worries about you more than I do! If you don't hate me at least once in your life, I am not doing my job properly."

Amen.