do you need crisis counseling?

Tags

drug wars, economy, Faith, government

There is a lot happening in the world right now.

Drug wars on the border, a struggling economy, a culture war, lost faith in our government and war.

In these times, many people struggle to find answers.  How am I going to find work?  When will it end?  What the heck are our leaders doing now?

Some people have answers and seem to know exactly where to turn when ever something comes up.  I call them the “green grassers”.  This is a small group of people, but a very important group.  They tend to help the rest of us get out of our crisis mode and deal with our problems.

If you are a crisis mode person though, it can take several forms:

Panic

Increased activity (working around the problem)

Over analysis of everything until a solution is found (this is where I fall)

A strong turn towards faith (where I should be) or

Simply neglecting that  a crisis exists.

I am sure there are many others because the last thing I am is a psychologist, but this looks like a decent start.

Here is what I want to know……

Where do you fall and how do you deal with crisis?

Separation of Church and State is NOT in the Constitution

Tags

Constitution, Danbury Baptists, Faith, First Amendment, government, Spearation of Church and State, Supreme Court, Thomas Jefferson

My biggest pet peeve of all…

Separation of Church and State and the belief that it is part of the Constitution of the United States.

TEACHERS, POLITICOS, PEOPLE, PASTORS, AND ANYONE WHO CARES …

The Separation of Church and State is not in the Constitution and not part of the First Amendment like a lot of people claim.  And before you send me hate mail, I believe in the doctrine and when exercised correctly, think it is beneficial to the societies in the US.

I will how ever tell you where it comes from.  I truly believe if you make a claim you should at least back it up.

The Separation of Church and State was formed based on a letter by Thomas Jefferson to the President and his constituents and thus created into a doctrine.  It is often referred to as “The Wall of Separation Letter”.  It has however, become a political point over the past couple for decades and thus misrepresented.  And like many things, when heard enough, people start to believe it.

Here is the letter from Jefferson.

Mr. President

To messers Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

Gentlemen

The affectionate sentiments of esteem & approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. My duties dictate a faithful & zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more & more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state.  Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect & esteem.

Thomas Jefferson
Jan.1.1802.

Now, before you all copy me on the First Amendment and what it says I will save you the trouble.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I know many will also state this has been part of interpretation of many suits by the Supreme Court over the years and thus mandated into being part of the Constitution.  Well…NO.  It does not work that way.  We do not mandate things into our Constitution.

Separation of Church and State is part of our legal system based on Supreme Court filings and letters of doctrine, not based on the Constitution. It is there for live and well and the center of a ton of controversy throughout the US.

I challenge you to stand on your Political Platform and scream it from the top of your lungs if you wish…just make sure your facts are straight before you use the megaphone.

I have said my peace.

Now, what are your Pet Peeves?

Writers Block

Tags

Education, Faith, Obama, Politics, Religion, Writers Block

Today I sit and wonder, what do I write.

My friends will tell you that I am not usually short of words, but today, nothing.

Nothing about politics, the war, other friends blogs or my kid.

Nothing about Hockey, although a great win last night, Titans or BCS Championship.

Nothing about church, faith, or a whine about what I like to call bad Christians.

Why is it that sometimes we are just at a loss for words?  We are always thinking and moving even in our sleep.  We always have opinions about politics, religion, schools and friends.  We are really always wanting to share something.

So how can it be that with all of this, nothing to write about today.

Ideas?  Throw them my way….but please do not get me started on the BONE HEADED appointment Obama has made with Secretary of Education….and they say he is not part of a good ole boy system?????

My Letter To Pastors, Priests, Ministers and Reverends

Tags

Baptist, BCC, Catholic, christians, church, David Perez, Faith, Methodist, Ministers, pastors, Priets, Reverends

I have thought about writing this letter for a long time but feel that now the time is right.

I am a Christian.  I attend an amazing church in Nashville, TN regularly and give.  Our church has an amazing staff and Pastors that really care about our community.

I am not perfect by any stretch of imagination but try very hard to do right by others and make sure that I represent my church and family well.

I believe that the wealth I am given is a sign of God blessing me and trusting in me to be a good steward of ultimately what is his.

Here is where I am going to shift my tone however…you have now had a glimpse into my life, my beliefs and my church.  I am now going to give you a view of what I see in some (not all) of you.

On a daily basis I read and see where you are destroying the amazing gift that has been given you.

A pastor in Australia faked his own illness to promote an angenda.

Priests for the past two decades have been acused of abuse.

Reverends go on the news and use race as a political tool.

Ministers are caught steeling from their congregations and having affairs with other members.

Pastors go on TV and raise millions of dollars that only goes to provide them luxuries and never help anyone but themselves.

Churches become hipocritical and exclude people from coming into their house of worship because of past failings.

And finally, an entire church community travels all over the United States to protest the funerals of fallen war veterans.

This disgusts me.  This hurts me.  This angers me in that you do not represent even 1% of our faith but your acts are viewed as a representation of all Christians and we are labeled because of your greed, hypocrisy and irresponsibility. 

If taught properly and true to the bible, our faith teaches us to love, give and forgive.  It teaches us to encourage, teach and lift.  It teaches us to include and provide hope.

For those Pastors, Priests, Ministers and Reverends who have done so much to damage Christianity, I pray for you and ask you to stop.  It is time that we as Christians begin to tell the world what we are really about and the above is not it.  I firmly believe we all make mistakes and that we should forgive, and I do forgive.  I just do not want you hijacking our amazing faith any longer.

For your members, leave and find a place of worship that is a good place, a Godly place that lives by a strong set of ethics and values.

Thank you to those Pastors, Priests, Ministers and Reverends who do the right thing.  Those who go out and spread hope and love every day.  Although you are not perfect, you admit it and use it to teach.  Within your teaching, you open your arms to everyone and your congregations prosper.  You are what Christianity is all about and I pray that you are on the front lines of what is being printed in the newspapers, on the news and viewed by others all around the world.  Thanks for letting the imperfect thrive and learn.

Please take a moment and let me know who your amazing Pastor, Priest, Minister or Reverend is?  What Church and Where?

I’ll start…Bellevue Community Church, Nashville TN.  Pastor David Perez.  Awesome and loving place!

Sincerely,

Joseph

How Do You See God?

Tags

Faith, Fall, friends, Starbucks, Tennessee Titans

I have a lot of days where I drive.

In fact everyday I drive, a lot.  And this gives me a lot of Joseph time to think.  Now, I know this can be good or bad depending on your point of view, but for the most part it is fairly harmless.  Although I do come up with some really good inventions now and then!

Today, I had stopped by Starbucks (surprise) and heard two guys talking.  I couldn’t help but overhear one state that through consciousness, breath, life and feeling that he knew God was real and alive in his life.  He went on to explain that there has to be a greater power at play to allow us these gifts or we would just be a planet full of unconscious and unfeeling people.

Interesting.  I began to think to myself….How do I see God?  When do I see God?

These can tend to be dangerous questions but today I looked a little closer than normal and here is how I saw God.

I saw God in the beauty of the changing colors of the leaves.

I saw God in the laughter of children at the first school I worked in today.

I saw God in the great conversations I had with close friends while I was driving.

I saw God in the beautiful Fall day he had given us here in Nashville, TN.

I even saw God through the amazing and fun sports radio discussions on our undefeated Tennessee Titans….had to throw this in because if the Titans are 7-0, God must be a fan.

What I realized more than ever, from a simple overhearing of a guy at Starbucks, is that God is everywhere and in everything.  How amazing….and how it changes a simple view of the normally monotonous.

How do you see God?

A Great Mentor Is Priceless

Tags

business, Faith, mentor, Philanthropy, success

I am at a point in my life where I am in need of a great mentor.

I many eyes I am successful in the business world.  I have a strong marriage and great family.  I have solid philanthropic ties and for the most part have a really incredible life.

But now I am faced with a big challenge.  Finding a great mentor.

Why?  Because I think we all need mentors.  People who can guide us to the next level, challenge us when we become complacent and high five us when we achieve the next goal.  People who can challenge our faith and beliefs with new views or more advanced views and help us link our faith journey and business/personal lives.

So, how does one find a new mentor?  I am struggling with this right now and am open to suggestions. 

I have had someone for years and ironically have fallen in a position now of being the mentor instead of being mentored…

But enough about me…here is what I would like to know from you… who mentors you?  Why do you have this special person and how has it changed your life?

Competition- Are You Scared Of It?

Tags

Competition, Faith, Olympics

OK.  Time for one of my editorial rants.

I read an article in USA Today the other day and also saw this on ESPN and it just bewilders me.

There is a 9 Year Old Pitcher who has been told he cannot play Little League any more because he pitches too fast.  The story goes on to say that it is because it is a developmental league and that the team has been disbanded to other teams because of this pitching phenom.

When the kid was asked what he thought he replied “I feel sad.” “I feel like it’s all my fault nobody could play.”

So where is the damage here?  Is it the league who will only see this kid pitch every 11 games or so, or the kid who has just been crushed and told even though he has an amazing talent he should not use it?

Life is all about competition.  So why beat down the talented?  Are we jealous because we can’t so God forbid this person excel?

We compete not only on the sports fields but also in our careers and lives.  It is our competitive edge that keeps us fighting in times of financial trouble, struggles with faith and rough times in our marriage.  It is our competitive edge that keeps us working hard for good grades, to lose weight or get a promotion.  In is our competitive edge that puts us back in the kitchen when we burn our dinners (this happens to me a lot

Personally I think we are getting too soft.  Don’t get me wrong, I thing being soft at times is perfectly OK, but I don’t think you deserve a trophy if you do not earn it.  You do not get an Olympic Medal if your are not one of the best.  Can you imagine if every athlete that went to the Olympics got a medal for just coming?

What are your thoughts?  Do you think that our society is becoming soft?  Do you think that competition is a good thing?  Do you think people should be rewarded for just participating or rewarded for success?  And finally, do you think the competitive live a more complete life that the non-competitive?

Hi, My Name Is Joseph And I’m A Blogaholic

Tags

Blogs, Bring The Rain, David Foster, Faith, Hockey, HockeyBuzz, Joe Case, leadership, Pete Wilson

OK.  I have to admit it.

I love blogs and blogging.  In fact, I am addicted.

I have been known at times to get lost in it and look up to realize it is no longer 15 minutes to 9pm but pushing 10:30pm and I am screaming at the rumors being posted on Hockey Buzz.

So is this a healthy addiction?  Should I get help or just enjoy the fact I have some good reading ahead of me?  Am I going to wake up one morning with the shakes and a bunch of family members standing around me ready for an intervention?

I think these are healthy and not just dribble from the Internet.  You decide.

Here are my favorites:

Pete Wilson’s Blog withoutwax.tv, Hockeybuzz.com, Joecase.com, Davidfoster.tv, Boredagainchristian.com and Angie Smiths Bring the Rain at audreycaroline.blogspot.com

It is a good mix of laughter, faith, friendship, leadership, music and of course…hockey.

Now, my question to you….are you a Blogaholic?  What are your absolute favorites?  Am I looking at an intervention in the foreseeable future?

People Watching- The Happy and Sad

Tags

Faith, people

While on my recent business trip to Indianapolis (Very Hostile Football Country I might add), I got the unique pleasure for some ultimate people watching.

The workout room at the Hyatt Regency overlooked the street where tons of commuters walked by.

I was a little like a fish in a fish tank as I trucked through my 45 minute elliptical workout, but I really started to notice something….peoples emotional state at the time.

I was amazed at how I could pick out who was unhappy with their jobs or stressed about the day.  Those who were walking with their significant others and how their relationships were going at that moment in time.  I was especially impressed with one couple in particular who really seamed to love life and each other.

Now and then I would also witness the interactions of homeless men and women with the commuters and how some helped quickly and the others just ignored and kept walking.

Every once and a while I would smile and give a slight wave to a passer by to see if they really could see me in the fishbowl and if so how they would react.  One lady smiled big and waved back but most looked at me like I was a freak…..really funny though because I could tell I made them uncomfortable.

What I could not figure out however was who the faithful were…who were searching for a relationship with God or who had questions about faith.  Well, all but one couple who had the “shirts” that had something about a mission trip for their church.

Why is this?  Is it that we are so consumed by our world that our beliefs do not show outwardly or is it that everything around us drowns it out? edit….(I am wondering this only as curiosity and based on emails, lots of emails, not based on anything else)

So, here are my questions….How would our world be if everyone showed their faith outwardly?  Would our world be a better place to live or would it create more conflict?  Would we be happier in our day to day activities?

Let me know what you think…

A New Direction For My Blog

Tags

Change, Christianity, church, Faith, Hearts In Hispanola, Pete Wilson, volunteering

Well.

It has been a few months since I began writing on this blog and reality is, it has not been as rewarding as I thought it should be.

Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE to post.  But I also feel that there could be more to this than me just babbling about, well, junk.

So, I am changing the direction of the site……I am going to focus on life from a “Normal” Christian’s perspective.

I say “Normal” in quotes because everyone thinks they are normal.  What I am trying to get across however is that I am normal because I live in the Real World, do Stupid Things and make Real Mistakes.

If you are curious as to why I am doing this….here is the answer.

Last week I sent a small donation to an amazing mission heartsinhispaniola.blogspot.com which began to make me take a closer look at myself.  This along with reading one of my favorite blogs www.withoutwax.tv and seeing some amazing work that Pete is doing in the Dominican Republic.

I realized from this that I am missing something in my life right now from the faith side.  I am not doubting my beliefs, but feel I need to do more.  No offense to my amazing church, but I am bored.  Completely from my own doing.

My second realization is that I need to get out and volunteer more and get involved.  There are a ton of people out there that can use a hand and I need to be one of the ones to help. 

Next I realized I need to be more of a positive influence on people.  I try and do this consistently, but it now needs to shift on being a focus. 

I finally realized that too many people view Christians as the extreme and do not know what “Normal” Christians are all about.  That is where the blog comes in.  I want to simply share with anyone who will take some time to read, what it is all about.

Christians are not about protesting funerals, judging personal choice, looking down on others or condemning people for their actions.  Christians are about living life, helping others and loving all, plain and simple.

My goal, to show you, my “Normal” perspective on anything and everything….and for those of you who know me, it will include Hockey.  I really do think Hockey was God’s personal gift to me!  OK, and 17K other fans that go to the games with me….but psst…still think it was just to me

Lets see how it goes and please let me know what you think as we go along.

Enjoy.