Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. It was December 24th, 2000. I have a (quirky) tradition. I do not buy any Christmas gifts until Christmas eve. I know, it’s crazy, but it has become fun, in a morbid sort of way, over the years. I was driving on a road where the posted speed limit is 50 mph. I was in the middle lane of a three lane road traveling west. As I approached a four-way intersection, cars from the opposite direction were turning left (South) with a green light, but not with an arrow (in other words, they did not have the right-of-way). One car, then a second. I began to slow down because the second car was cutting it awfully close and then I noticed that the third car was going to turn left right in front of me. I slammed on my brakes and veered to the right (South), trying to avoid a collision with that car that was now right in front of me. I managed to avoid hitting the car in front of me, however, I slammed into the driver side door of a car that was sitting at the red light on my right, waiting to turn West onto the same road I was just on. I probably hit her doing about 40 mph. The impact threw her into the passenger side of her car. I remember getting out of my Explorer and going straight to her vehicle to check on her. As best I recall, she said that she was OK. I remember then walking over to the curb and sitting down in the grass. The next thing I remember is where things got interesting. Keep in mind, things were fuzzy and I experienced blank spots throughout this entire experience, but I remember an old man who appeared to be at least in his 90’s, quite possibly even older than that, leaning over me and asking if I was OK. He had long gray hair down to his shoulders, a worn, wrinkled face and he had a cane but didn’t seem to lean on it or really need it for support. I remember a sense of calm when I looked at him. I told him that I was OK and it was as though I blinked and then … I have no idea how much time had lapsed to this point, but the next thing I remember there were a number of police, fire trucks and ambulance on the scene. I had a fireman, what seemed, right in my face asking me if I was OK. It was almost like coming out of a dream-like state. It sort of caught me by surprise. I replied, “Yes. Where did the old man go?” He gave me a strange look and asked, “What old man?” Trust me when I tell you, this guy could not have gotten far on foot. He could not walk that fast. I replied, “The man I was just talking to.” The fireman seemed to chuckle, as if I had a concussion or was in shock. He said, “Sir, there is no ‘old man’ anywhere nearby.” I don’t know that I’ve told that story to more than two or three people in my life. Was I in shock? Did I sustain a concussion? I was never diagnosed with either, but did have physical therapy for three months. I am convinced that I had an experience with an angel on earth. Was he my “guardian angel” or some other angel? I don’t know, but I do know that I had a very special experience, one that I will never forget. Hebrews 1:14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Whether you believe it, think about it or know it … there is a spiritual realm all around us. In this realm, there is a constant battle going on for your salvation. Many of you have experienced something like this … I was driving down the highway and dosed off. Right before I was about to veer off the road and strike the rail (fall of the road, etc.), I woke up. And many of you would attribute that to being “lucky.” I tell you, there is no such thing as “luck.” Almost everyone has heard the saying, “Everything happens for a reason.” Well, if you truly believe that, then logically there is no such thing as “luck.” I tend to lean on a faith-based understanding that in the aforementioned example, you were saved by an angel. Daniel 4:17 This decision is by decree of the watchers, and the sentence by the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets it over to the lowest of men. So the next time you think, “Man, I was lucky today,” stop and think about it. If you truly believe in Christ, take a minute to thank Him and let Him know that you want to thank Him and that it WAS NOT “luck,” but Him, who was responsible and that He was the real reason for your “luck.”

You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain It has been a while since my last entry, but with college football right around the corner, I figured now was a good time to kick start my blog again If you follow football or sports in general, you are no doubt aware of the Riley Cooper controversy regarding his use of the N word as a racial slur. Before I even get started, please understand that I in no way condone what Riley said. It was flat out wrong. That being said, lets take a look at this from a biblical point of view. What has me scratching my head is how racially sensitive we have become in our country, the greatest country in the world, but we have lost sight of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. It sickens me to hear the Lord’s name in vain. And it just seems to be so common a word today, no different than any other word … it has been desensitized. If you watch sports week after week, year round, it’s hard to see any sporting venue without someone shouting out G.D. Furthermore, it baffles me how the FCC has approved the use of the G.D. word, yet will bleep out ass hole or shit head. The FCC (along with several other politicians) considers the team name “Redskins” racially offensive, but it was announced in April this year that the FCC is considering the use of full frontal nudity and the use of the F word on broadcast TV! What happen to our core values that made us so great? Ezekiel 39:7 And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy one in Israel Another aspect of this ongoing story that has me perplexed is how I have only been able to find a few players on the Eagles roster that have publicly (yes, I realize that behind closed doors there may be a different story) had anything negative to say about the situation. Furthermore, when I googled “Eagles player reaction to Riley Cooper comments”, I found this article (http://articles.philly.com/2013-08-02/sports/40966978_1_riley-cooper-jeremy-maclin-eagles-training-camp) which is captioned “Many Eagles teammates say they forgive Cooper”. I encourage you to read the story for perspective from his teammates. Pay particular attention to the Jason Avant comments regarding his faith. Michael Irvin, another athlete (former NFL player), recently had an interesting comment on the subject, “We’re making millions of dollars off of saying it, and everybody’s saying it and then we turn around and get so mad that someone else says it.” He then goes on to comment on how he would like harmony, particularly for his sons, “because I want harmony for my sons. I want us to be able to live together in harmony and I think that’s what we all should work towards. And maybe we should start looking at that.” How beautifully stated. So, for me, it begs the question … Is this story still being reported a week later because it’s news or is it news because it is still being reported on? It’s sort of the, “which came first” question, the chicken or the egg? Leviticus 19:12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord When I read this verse, I hear an angry God. Never forget that God, our Father, created us in His image and, therefore, like us, He has emotion. While we naturally visualize a loving God who cares for us as His children (and He does), He demonstrates His anger with us many times in the bible. The same people that so casually use the Lord’s name in vain want to pray to our Father for blessings of material things and complain when they don’t receive what they want. The same people that so casually use the Lord’s name in vain complain about our government … a government that has lost its connection with the bible, passing laws that are contradictory to the word of the Lord (homosexuality, abortion, etc.). It’s no wonder we have lost our standing in the world of economics, education, finance, etc. The bible has at least five more references how we are not to use the Lord’s name in vain. To me, any time He repeats Himself more than once, it’s pretty clear that it is important. In summary, the saying, “talk is cheap” is wrong in so many ways. Words can hurt. Throughout history, words have had the strength and ability to start wars. It was NOT OK for Riley Cooper to use that word. It is offensive and inappropriate in so many ways. But it would be my hope that the next time you hear someone use the N word or any other racially sensitive word that is inappropriate, your first thought would not be how mad you are at that individual. No, your first thought would be to forgive them and thank the Lord that they did not use the Lord’s name in vain. For, if the Lord considers His name in vain a guilty offense, which to me, in my human understanding means, He can block you from your heavenly realm, that individual needs forgiveness more so than your anger.