A Soapbox Moment

If you'll allow me a moment on my soapbox.

As many of you already know, an attack occurred yesterday at a high school in Colorado. The attacker, a deranged man between the ages of 30 and 50, held six female students hostage for over 4 hours. According to one report on FoxNews.com, the attacker may have sexually assaulted some of the hostages.

After police lost communication with this sicko, (which was done via hostages, not the attacker), they made the decision to storm the classroom. After a brief barrage of gunfire, the attacker then killed a 16-year old student before killing himself.

Granted, I probably don't have all the information on the exact details of this situation, BUT, I have a big problem with what the police/sheriff's department did or did not do.

If you've already discovered the problem, then good for you. If not, then let me point it out to you.

4 hours.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, 4 hours.

4 hours that the attacker used for his own pleasure.
4 hours that he could've killed every one of his hostages.
4 hours that the police had communications with him via the hostages.

Now I don't know about you, but 4 hours is way TOO MUCH TIME! Forget negotiations. We're living in a time where negotiations no longer work with psychos. Negotiations ended the moment the gunman used hostages for his communications. The sheriff, or whomever was in charge, should've sent men in from the beginning.

Sure - it's easy to point out deficiencies after the fact. But after Columbine, there should be no excuses why this went down so badly.

Poor Sportsmanship

A clear mistake was made by the PAC 10 officiating crew during the Oklahoma-Oregon game on Saturday. However, mistakes happen and Oregon won the game 34-33. Just think of all the mistakes that were made before instant replay.

I believe in good sportsmanship and a positive attitude even if I lose or my team loses. But the reaction from the University of Oklahoma, and their fans, is very poor at best.
Excerpt:

University of Oklahoma president David Boren sent a letter Monday to Big 12 commissioner Kevin Weiberg, saying the officiating problems was beyond an "outrageous injustice," and asking him to pursue having the game eliminated from the record books and having the officials involved in the game suspended for the remainder of the season.

Not only this, but the instant replay official is receiving death threats for blowing the call. Death threats for making a mistake!

I wonder if this poor display of sportsmanship and attitude would be the same if a blown call were made against a smaller, less known university. A university that simply appreciated just playing the game of football.

Multiple Styles

John Vesia, over at Martial Views, has an excellent post on multiple martial art styles and why we should consider them after we've been grounded in a particular style.

I used to be a huge proponent of just one single style, i.e. Daito ryu. After studying Daito ryu for eight years, I branched out to other styles such as Aikido, Kendo, Judo, and now Tae Kwon Do. No single style is the best. The each have their own benefits.

Respect

Respect is given - Respect is earned.

I could go into a tirade detailing how people have forgotten this lifelong lesson. However, ashamedly, there was a time in my life when I was the same way. What happens that we lose the will to give respect?

It is the same as our struggle with sin. We simply choose our sinful nature, then our life in Christ. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 7 his struggles with sin. He has the capability of doing good, but his sin overtakes him:

"I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time." (The Message)

I recently posted my disappointment with young martial artists and their lack of respect at a large tournament. I am reminded by Christ himself how easy it is wander away from Him. We tend to put character away in the closet, for a while, and then let it back out.

So, what do we do? Here's Paul's answer:

"I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?
The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different." (The Message)

First, get right with Christ and, second, remember to be respectful to all.

Diabetes and Sin Short Story

"Blood Sugar and the Gospel" by Owen Sallee

Great story from the perspective of struggling with sin and with diabetes.
Excerpt:

However, given the options, I've found life in place of what was killing me. As I continue to walk this path I'm reminded of Jesus' words: "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."

As I've mentioned before, Jesus understands the challenges and struggles in our lives. We must keep persevering to "finish the race".

John Eldredge News

Normally I don't do this kind of thing, BUT, this is a matter of importance. I received an Intercessor email over the weekend stating that John Eldredge was thrown from his horse. John has been and will always be a huge inspiration in my life. His books are excellent. Here is an excerpt from the email dated September 3rd:

Earlier today John was thrown from his horse and landed pretty hard. At the moment here's his status. His nose is fractured in two places and may, intime, need surgery. His left wrist has a "minor" fracture, his right wrist is severely fractured... at the moment, as I'm typing, an orthopedic specialist is hoping he can set some of the bones... surgery may be needed (not sure about whether it'll be an immediate need or in a couple of days)... this is the most serious and painful of his injuries. John was knocked unconscious but the cat scan shows no head injuries. His right foot is in pain and yet to be diagnosed. Obviously, we're asking Christ to heal, protect, guard, restore and comfort John.

Please keep John Eldredge in your prayers.

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

More Updates...

Okay, so I've been out of the blogsphere for over a month. Why? Here's what is goin' on...

My wife and I have gone through a number of wonderful changes. God has a way of pouring out a bucket of his blessings when he's ready, not us. In the last 4 weeks, we've purchased and moved into a new home (we're still unpacking). My wife is now a kindergarten teacher at a local Christian school (she loves her calling!). Our boys attend the same school (they love it!). I began a new job in downtown Atlanta with wonderful people. I am now taking Tae Kwon Do and successfuly tested for a green belt. (yes, this old dog can learn new tricks...) And, my diabetes is doing excellent. Praise God!

ALL IN 4 WEEKS!

God has a way of throwing you a ball and seeing what you're going to do with it. Remember the parable of the talents? We are living proof that you must hold strong to your faith, through the uncertain times, and live your calling with passion. A big, "Thank You", to all of you who have kept in touch, helped us through the desert, and prayed for us.