Legislating christian marriage

So the debate that has been stirred in America most recently is GAY Marriage. So I have felt that I needed to not just listen to talking heads, politics, or the internet. I felt that if I was truly going to make a decision about what I believe in Gay marriage, I was going to my moral barometer, the bible. The old black and white of the written word. So here is what I have found that Jesus Christ, the one I model my life after had to say about Homosexuality and Marriage.

1)

2)                                             

3)

So after Rereading all of Matthews, most of Mark and Luke, and finally diving into John, I found all of these verses in which Christ, my model for life, had absolutely nothing to say about homosexuality, marriage, and how Christian believe should be enforced at the state level.  I couldn’t find a dang thing. Yet , I have had many people try and convince me that Gay marriage is a religious atrocity, that their god demands that we keep marriage a holy and sacred institution.

                Now I am in a happy, loving, and sacred marriage. I understand the commitment I have made to my wife, my God, and myself to hold this relationship in the highest of regards. I understand the bond that I have committed to. What I don’t understand is why someone who has been divorced and remarried multiple times is trying to tell my how SACRED marriage is (Rush, Newt, Regan ßya). I am only going to be married once in my entire life, I understand the sanctity of marriage. I know many families who have been married for multiple decades. They have earned the right to tell me the sanctity of marriage. Yet none of them can put it in a biblical context for me. No one is able to accurately quote my lord and savior against gay marriage. Mainly because he had nothing to say on the matter.

                Instead I get men holding signs saying God hates Fags, and women holding signs saying save traditional marriage. The only verse of course to back this up would be Leviticus 18:22. Well if they get to pick and choose bible verses to support their beliefs maybe  I, a middle of the road, grace centered human being should do the same. For all women not wanting to let “the Gays” get married as an abomination to the sacred bonds of matrimony I humbly request you attention to 1^st Timothy 2:12.  As for men who think that god hates fags please take a quick peek at Matthew 6:1.

                As a matter of fact, throughout my exhaustive search only found one direct connection to marriage and Jesus. Christ told us that if a Man and Woman or divorced they are not to remarry for it is nothing more than adultery in the eyes of god (Matthew 19:7-8).

            So here I stand on the wrong side of the cross looking at the words of my lord and trying to figure out what my heart and mind believe about this divisive issue. I find myself at the feet of Christ in humility realizing one thing. That God does not bless the self-righteous for they have gained their reward.

The Parable of the Two Sons Matthew 21:

²⁸ “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’²⁹ “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.³⁰ “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.³¹ “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”“The first,” they answered.Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. ³² For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

It is not what we say in this world but what we do. When we preach the sanctity of marriage but divorce is at 60%. When we as Christians ask for peace, grace, and humility but tell others that their sin is greater. When we start Legislating Christ, we have truly lost our way. I understand in my heart the purpose and need I have for marriage. It isn’t a joke to me, it isn’t something to be casually kicked around, and it is important to my faith Journey. What it is NOT is a political weapon. I believe that our government should legislate marriage. If you want to be married go to a CHURCH. If you want tax exemptions, visitation rights, and power of attorney, go to the government. Please don’t legislate my church. I understand some people don’t want Gay marriage because it is against their religion. I bet Muslims don’t want you to eat pork and Hindus don’t want us eating cow but that is not the job of Government. Religion asks us to live holy lives not force our righteousness onto others. We are given the key to the door, we were not given the right to force others through the door. Do I support Gay Marriage?  I am not sure 100%. I believe in equal rights and treatment. Do I think it there should be laws condemning it? Absolutely not! Christ calls me to compassion and love. Telling others that their relationship is completely invalid or a blasphemy is not Christian. I will support and love those who find love in others. That is Christian. Acting for love when others breath hate, acting with compassion when other bread contempt, and demanding justice when others bring devastation. That is a Christian life, one that fights what the social order demands. Even if that social order claims to be Christian. I will fight like Jesus fought, against what the religious hierarchy demands be the norm. Man is flawed and twists God to meet the needs of what makes them feel Yucky. Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day were no longer preacher God’s message but their own. Much like the political machine is no longer preacher God’s message but their own agenda. Christ calls us to understand the heart of God which is Love, Compassion, Humility, and Relationship. Hating a group of people because you think they are yucky makes you nothing more than the people in the Good Samaritan parable, and NOT THE SAMARITAN. Please world, let us be more like the Samaritan. Let us understand that our government shouldn’t be in the marriage business and the church shouldn’t be in the legislation business.

Sorry for the long post.

Just God or A Just God

IF you didn't know, on Thursday January 19^th 2012 I was assaulted outside of the Englewood Library after getting off of the light rail. I was coming from the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention and was exhausted from a long day of continuing education. A man I have never meet before asked if I had any money so he could get something to eat. I have felt called by my mission to be more like Christ to reach in my pocket take whatever I have and give someone in need......sometimes more than I should. So I gave the man a 20 dollar bill and pointed him to the Qudoba/Quiznos across the street. He then started to regale me with his tale of woe, which I listened to intently. After about two minutes of his story/,  a black guy (I say guy cause this jerk was no gentleman) runs at me full speed and socks me in the right ear as hard as he can.  I fall to my knee but quickly get back up because I have taken harder hits in RUGBY then this guy could dole out. I attempt to look at him to get a good face shot but I am a little to rattled. What I do notice is his fist in the air like he is rocky and a "WOOO" shouted back at me. Apparently hitting a white guy is like winning the Special Olympics to this moron. (No offense to those brave guys and girls who strive for excellence in the special Olympics.) He didn't take my wallet, phone, or cash. He just ran off. The young man I was talking to did take my phone, but he didn't run. He Dialed 9-1-1 and put it on speaker mode and set it down in front of me.  He and the nice Mexican fellow I was chatting with on the train stayed with me till the police arrived and then they went on their way. I was bleeding from the ear but no real damage was done physically. Actually I was lucky he didn't punch me in the nose which I recently had surgery on and had two huge splints tucked safely inside.  Emotionally I was a little bit of a wreck but that is why I have this Blog right..

Now to the title, I have been thinking about the balance in the world. Some people call it Karma, balance, the universe’s equilibrium, and other God’s justice.  I found myself hoping that something comes around to kick this guy square in the ass. I want to believe that Karma will get him or that the Universe will do evil to those who do evil to others, but I am a Christian and I believe in a living and active God. So is it wrong for me to hope that God will bring swift JESUS JUSTICE down on a man who emotionally and physically violated me?

Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

SWEET! If this guy believes in God or Christ he will be in HOSED-Ville. God will detest him and make it so that he is never fit for the work of God.

But then I remember  that if a man strikes you in the Right ear turn also to him your Left. (Luke 6:29)WELL CRAP. What am I supposed to do - - -  hear GOD!?! I mean I am violated, wronged, embarrassed. I rock rolled like a kid on a playground. Now you tell me to shake it off and not let it affect my ministry. I can’t even drive up an off ramp, see man or woman with a sign and stop myself from thinking “sorry last time I helped I got a fist in the ear! You better try the next car.” This isn’t the life God called me to.

So is he JUST GOD or is he A JUST GOD. I have been struggling with the idea that God doesn’t call us to vengeance or anger so how can we bring justice to the world in which he doesn’t bring justice to a guy who gets punched in the head. If he is JUST GOD and hangs out and watches what's going on without bringing what I would call balance to the evils of the world, why do I need to bring change when God doesn’t bring change. IF he is A JUST GOD, then what is all the talk about turning the other cheek? All the talk about Eye for an Eye is no longer the law.

So here I am on the wrong side of the Cross , literally asking God for VENGANCE against a man who wronged me. This time I do feel I am wrong though. God has called us to do the impossible from the beginning. Whether it be building a giant boat, leading a people out of Egypt, or leaving our nets and boats to follow him. So I step forward with forgiveness in my heart. I should have looked at the man who struck me and ask what he needed and how could I help. God Calls us to do the impossible. We are called to ship out into stormy seas. The world will always push down those who try to lift the world. The world will persecute those who call the world to stop persecution. The world will fight the Christ I know even while I fight for my Christ! The words that have brought me comfort in these last days I have to thank Dave Jarvis for…

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The world will have tribulation, frustration, and complications. But take heart for Christ have overcome the world and the world will never be the same for it. 

"Evangelicals"

So I was watching Religulous the other day while I was a little restless in bed, and I found myself looking at what my definition of “Evangelical” was, mainly because I belong to the “Evangelical Lutheran Church in America”. So after taking a good look at the Erik schematics this is what I have come up with.

To be Evangelical in America is usually connected to the four guys that stand outside Sports authority field at Mile High shouting through their mega phone the love of Jesus. That he came to save our souls which are in dire need of saving. Or it is tied to a man/woman in a very nice suit on Sunday morning yelling at me through my television in-between sports center and Batman:the brave and the bold. And after watching Religulous I can understand the frustration in this country with “Evangelicals”.

Personally I am not a huge fan of those kind of Evangelicals. I understand that they are doing a very positive ministry. They are sacrificing their self comfort to preach the name of Jesus Christ and I respect them for it, but I have never found that type of ministry to be appealing. This can easily be explained because when people have to shout at me through a mega phone they give the cliff notes bible and I have read the whole book. This might be the only book I haven’t used cliff notes on when I have to study. So this small taste of Christ must be an acquired taste because when you get a cookie it will make you feel good for a moment but I have always been a meat and potatoes Christian. When you get the good news, when you shout “praise God” at a youth gathering, when you feel love and connection in huge moments those are the delicious cookies and treats God gives us. But when all you hear are those little treats, you can become a little sick to your stomach just like if your diet consists of Twinkies, ding dongs, and Girl scout thin mints. That is why people who have a meat and potatoes faith sometimes have a hard time with this “Go Jesus Go” evangelical because of the fact it is fluff and no stuff.

Yet when I was trying to put this thought into perspective, one of my Kids from youth group reminded me of my passion and adoration for one TIM TEBOW. So how on earth do I reconcile my distaste for people who have to shout JESUS at me, but my love of how Tebow can share his faith on such a national stage? After looking through a couple of Tebow’s interviews on the YouTube I have realized what makes him different. When I see someone telling me I need to love Jesus and believe, I feel pressure on myself. That, I need to do something for God to love me and I need to change isn’t anyone else’s responsibility but mine. Tebow is the shining star that is proof that a relationship with God is between a person and their God. Tebow has never told me that I need to believe. Tebow has never told me that I need to be saved. All Tebow ever talks about is his love for Jesus Christ, and his relationship with a loving and companionate God. Yes he wears his faith on his sleeve by praying before and during football games, but he will never tell you what you need to do. He brings light to the phrase “preach the Gospel at all times and use words only when you need to.”

THAT IS A TRUE EVANGELICAL. Not a person who tells YOU what YOU need to do, but a person who actually leads by example and is unashamed by that fact! A person who can be completely open and honest with what they believe without acting like they are ashamed of it.

So here I stand, perhaps, on the wrong side of the Cross looking back at those telling me that an Evangelical is one who tells people THEY NEED TO BE SAVED, and saying that isn’t what Christ calls me to. Christ calls me to be an Evangelical by what I do and what I believe. An evangelical is one who shares their story of the love of Christ without telling others what they HAVE TO DO. Coming to Christ is a choice. A deeply personal and private choice, and to think it is my responsibility to MAKE others come to Christ seems very, well, Unchristian. Christ calls me to a life of humility. (which I know is something ironic to put on a public blog) So through the jokes of “Tim Tebow” is the second coming, and “OMG Tebow is the too much of a Jesus freak”. I look at him as an example. An example of what an evangelical in America should be. He says he love Jesus and you can tell his sincerity in his statement. Hey doesn’t shout at YOU TO LOVE JESUS, he love Christ and that enough for him. He is evangelical in his actions by building a hospital in the Philippines, visiting sick kids in the hospital and praying with them, and being a clean player in the NFL which is more rare than a white guy at the Apollo. So for those people who share the good news I thank you, but we could use some more Tebow and less Scream-o. An evangelical is Christ in the world, not telling others to be more like Christ. 

The Countdown

So I have offspring bursting into the world sometime at the end of October 2011. I feel now is a time to vent all the things that have been swirling around my head about me, ERIK WILLIAMS, having a smaller goofier version of myself.

The first thing that scares me is the realization that my brother and I are at least 3 to 4 times funnier (or have a more sick sense of humor) than my parents. What is terrifying is the thought that my child will have 3 to 4 times the sense of humor I have. Now I admit I am not that funny, my bread and butter is dick and fart jokes, but from time to time a witty quip comes from my cortex.  Yet if you have talked to me for more than five minutes what I really do is movie quotes. If I tried hard enough I could have an entire conversation using nothing but movie quotes. I have already seen this reference ability in my 3 year old nephew. He has already started quoting his Thomas the tank engine movies with, “mom look Mickey is so close to…. (pause for dramatic effect)… THE EDGE”. Proving once again no matter how funny a parent is the child is probably funnier. So I am at a seven on the funny scale making my child an 8.5, I’m sorry if your daughter decides to date my son, hopefully I can teach him that there are no fart jokes at the dinner table, but I can promise nothing at this point.

Second, I have found myself getting ready for the adventures we will have. After putting up my son’s picture frames full of backpacking, cabin, and mountain photos all I could think of is how much fun we will have hiking and adventuring in the mountains. This is one of the major reason I am having a kid so young. It’s because I want to be able to get out and still do whatever they want. The idea that someday in the future I might have a night were it is my son and I, out under the stars, by a campfire, just talking life. Either his questions or mine, but being able to wax idiotic about whatever is in our universe at that moment. Having the ability to show my son there is more in this world than Call of Duty, School, Girls, Sports, Girls, Television, Girls, and Movies. God has blessed us with an abundance of things to see, touch, and smell right outside our door. Show him how God isn’t just in a building with a steeple and bells, but is in the world blowing through the trees and rushing through the rivers.

This brings me to the thing I am excited for the least. Am I going to be a good role model of Christ for this 10lbs poo producer? Am I going to be able to take the lessons Christ gave me and have him fully understand and take to heart what Christ wants us to be in this world? Will my kid love like he is loved? Will he be patient like those around him are patient with him? Will he be able to pull off the perfect pull my finger? That question might belong in the second paragraph... Moving on, as a youth director I understand how to kids long for something to drive them, something spiritual to guide them, and someone to be that example for them. Yet this is MY CHILD, and I don’t think the easy path is what MY CHILD would like to chose.

So here I stand on the wrong side of the cross asking how do I open the door to my child without the standard, “Here are the rules, follow them blindly says the lord”. Too often there is a sense of you have to go to church because its good for you.  I believe the best thing I can do is give God as many opportunities as possible. I can’t change this young person’s heart, nor their mind. God on the other hand can mold and sculpt in God time that I will never understand. The hardest part for me will be the whole, “we are going to church, you can either sit with us in church or have fellowship in the nursery.”(i say fellowship in the nursery, because play in the nursery makes it sound like God isn't involved).  I have never been a big, force to do anything, kind of guy. I know that Sunday school isn’t always the most fun event but without an educational understanding of the writing our faith is based on their cannot be growth.  Then I have to transition after confirmation to positively reinforcing that Christ can change their heart, even if they don’t know it is happening. Reminding them, every week if necessary, that church is a safe place where they can grow and become the person God calls them to be. Then I have to remind myself that church IS a Safe place where I must grow and become the parent God calls ME to be.

P.S.  a special thanks to all the parents at LCHS that are shining examples of the parents the God calls us to be. Thank You.

Double Standard on Music

I was listening to a little music today, and by music I mean “garbage” according to my parents and a lot of people in the world. I was jamming out to a little ludicrous, Eminem, and even a sprinkling of Kid Rock. This Music has negative undertones, foul language, and even suggestive themes. This music doesn’t always lift my spirits but reminds me that when I’m down, I’m not the only one who gets down.

I once had a long and deep conversation with a parent who said that they don’t want their children ever listening to that kind of music. (First I support every parent in their choice to have their child listen to positive music. It is their responsibility to help their kids understand the choices they make and their effect on their life.)  But something caught me rather odd.  I asked if there was any non-Christian music that they were ok with their kids listening to. They responded, absolutely! There is a ton of music that is out there with good music and a good message. So the next obvious question was, ok, who do you like?

This is where I just sat back and chuckled a little; Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Toby Keith, Johnny Cash, Brad Paisley, and John Denver.

Now it isn’t the names on the list that make me laugh. I have been known to live on a prayer, as well as remind people that it is, in fact, my life(Jovi). I am also a fan of not missing a thing and I hate it when I see a dude who looks like a lady (Aerosmith) . I also believe sticking a boot up a terrorist’s @$$ is the American way(Keith). I am a big fan of Cigars, and I have said Hey, Hey Mr. Police man (Paisley). If you didn’t know me I am a big fan of feeling that rocky mountain high(Denver). Yet the one that got me most was the Johnny Cash reference.  I asked if it was ok to listen to Johnny Cash why wasn’t it ok to listen to Eminem? That is when I think I went too far. The parent who was apparently a huge Johnny cash fan said “how dare you compare one of the greatest folk/country musicians of all time to that hate spewing rapper.                                                                 

This is where I got upset. I asked who wrote the song about a battle inside a man’s inner conscience.  The parent said Eminem, which was correct. Who wrote a song about going to jail for killing a man in Reno. The parent said Johnny cash, which was correct. I said which artist wrote the song about getting high on Cocaine and killing a woman. The parent said Eminem, and that time the parent was wrong! That’s right it was Johnny Cash in a song called Cocaine Blues.

“Early one mornin' while makin' the rounds
I took a shot of cocaine and I shot my woman down
I went right home and I went to bed I stuck that lovin' 44 beneath my head”

I think there is a misconception in the world today about what music is “Christian” and what music is ok for kids to listen to. I love Christian music and I love hard core, dark, rap songs. Well I started listening to K-Love out here in Denver, a Christian focused, radio station. Filling my car with love, joy, and songs of the redeemed, and it made me feel great. It lifted my spirit, got me excited for the day, and reminded me of the joy I feel. My only problem is after a while I couldn’t take all that happiness. I couldn’t listen to another song about how awesome our God is. Is that Weird? Am I a defective music lover because I have a limit on an entire Genre of music?

Of course not it just means I feel a lot of different emotions and music can help me channel how I am feeling. I believe this has the same effect  on kids but to even more extremes because they emotions are all over the place. So is it our responsibility to completely cut them off from certain music?  Of course not.   It is our responsibility to help guide kids to music that is there for when we are happy and music for when we are bummed out. I don’t think ANY music is inherently bad; it is the way that music is accepted by who is hearing it that makes it bad. If a young child, who believes anything an adult says because they are an adult, listens to Eminem someone messed up. But if a teenager, who understands that people say things to get them off their chest, because they are angry, or even because they say things to keep up a persona, hears a song, they can break it down better. I believe it is a parent’s responsibility to their children to help guide their music choices, but not make up the kids mind for them. Once you shoot down the music a kid connects with, to them, you are shooting the kid down.

So when you say that Rap, Metal, Death Metal, ScrEmo, or any other type of music is terrible but the music you listened to is just fine, go back and take a second look at some of your favorites, because I think you will find that your favorites said a lot of the same things they are saying today. They just sang it softer and with more savvy than today’s musicians.

Inner Conflict

So if you live in the same cave he did you might not have heard yet but Osama Bin Laden is dead, and at first I was really excited. All I could think is AMERICA! Yet as I go through my day and start flipping through facebook posts, a conflict starts to arise in my heart, and here are some of the things that started me down the path of conflict.

"I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live." Ezekiel 33:11

^:38 [Jesus said,] “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;

“an Eye for an Eye leaves the whole world Blind” – Gandhi

I understand that Jesus preaches peace. I want to be a peaceful person. Christ ask the world to come together and create a kingdom of Heaven here on earth. I want to be a bringer of peace. I want the world to be unified. Yet in this world there are those who have no purpose but to bring pain.

So I took a moment to find out what God had to say about protecting ourselves, our land, and our people from those who’s will is to do us harm and I found myself on the wrong side of the cross again. Starting in Ezekiel.

 ⁶ " 'But suppose the guard sees the enemies coming. And he does not blow the trumpet to warn the people. The enemies come and kill one of them. Then his life has been taken away from him because he sinned. But I will hold the guard accountable for his death.'⁹ "But suppose you do warn that sinful person. You tell him to change his ways. But he does not do it. Then he will die because he has sinned. But you will have saved yourself.

People who say God doesn’t think that Osama deserved to die by the hands of man haven’t taken the words of Genesis to heart.

Genesis 9:5-6   ⁵ And surely your blood, the blood of your lives, will I require; At the hand of every beast will I require it. And at the hand of man, even at the hand of every man's brother, will I require the life of man.  ⁶ Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: For in the image of God made he man.

Do I think this is a sin against God, of course not. Do I think that because of these actions God will no longer favor America with the glory and honor he has in the past, Absolutely! If God is willing to withhold glory from his favored king, King David, you can bet your life will do it with us.

1^st Chronicles 22:7-8

⁷ David said to Solomon, "My son, with all my heart I wanted to build a house for the Lord my God. That's where his Name will be. ⁸ But a message from the Lord came to me. It said, 'You have spilled the blood of many people. You have fought many wars. You are not the one who will build a house for my Name. That is because I have seen you spill the blood of many people on the earth.

Spilling blood will always be something God has to look down on. Yet does he completely give up on King David. Does God want us to stop fighting in the world. NO, because God knows the truth, and the truth is that people will always attack people. So instead of bringing his wrath down on those who must spill blood he separates the people. Those who must spill blood can have no place in the building of a house of God, yet those who spill blood are welcome into the house of God.

1^st Chronicles 22:9-10

⁹ " 'But you are going to have a son. He will be a man of peace. And I will give him peace and rest from all of his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon. I will give Israel peace and quiet while he is king. ¹⁰ He will build a house for my Name. He will be my son. And I will be his father. I will make his kingdom secure over Israel. It will last forever.'

While our Generation must fight this battle, while our generation must shoulder the burden of war, while the weight of God’s distaste must rest on us, WE MUST NOT BE ASHAMED. I refuse to believe that the celebration of a great victory is unchristian. I refuse to believe that God frowns on the taking of an evil life. When I look at MY GOD I see a powerful leader who know that when the lambs have been scattered and killed, there are two steps that must be taken. First you gather the flock back from the hills and second you Kill that which scattered them.

Jeremiah23:2

² Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the person who scattered my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the LORD.

So there is really only three things I have left after this volcano of personal emotions.

1) I love Jesus

2) I love America

3) I am glad the world is just that much better with him gone! I don’t feel sorry, I wave my flag, I thank God he won’t be able to hurt people again.

Moments that Remind ME who I am… Part 1

Driving in my car this morning I had a moment that helped me remember exactly who I am, a moment that, in its simplicity, showed a portion of who I am as a whole person. I think there are moments in our lives that truly reveal a little about us. Most of these moments go completely unnoticed until we allow ourselves to evaluate what we do on a daily basis, or allow other to lift up the good and bring to light the bad.

I am a believer that God calls us to take these moments and to use them to make ourselves better. The only way to become more Christ like is to examine ourselves in these moments that define us. I have taken some time to evaluate my moments, and to be honest some of them have scared me. Some are because I haven’t realized the bigger picture and others because in that moment I realize the uniqueness of my life. I have decided these are the moments that will define ME, and that is the scariest thing of all.

When I started to evaluate my moments the first one that came to mind happened extremely recently, A moment were a youth, who has no idea her impact, made my slap myself in the face. As a faith community we were attempting to talk our way through a conflict situation. Asking the tough questions like how do we change the hearts of those who hurt us? How do we make them more loving people? How to we let them know that they are hurting us? When this youth person said, why don’t we start by not tearing them down behind their backs! Like a brick to the head I almost fell over! She was absolutely right, and even I was looking at the problem the wrong way. How do we change the hearts of THOSE… How do we make THEM … How do we let the THEM!!! She made me realize I have to change my heart to change the hearts around me. If we want people to become more loving we have to be able to LOVE first, and loving someone who hurting you is the greatest charge Christ has ever given us. (At this point I want to thank that young woman for opening my heart and my eyes. Thank YOU) I realized this moment is one that will make me someone who focuses on my heart, to love, forgive, and encourage the change in others hearts. It makes me think of the TV show Heroes. Save the Cheerleader, save the world…. Change your heart, change the world!

The other moment that came to mind, was when I was driving in my car on the way to work. Now you have to picture a silver Pontiac Vibe, a long haired large man wearing Aviator sun glasses on in a dress business shirt, bobbing his head as if to some rap song with a strong beat. At least that is what I believe the woman in the car next to me saw when we caught eyes under the Santa Fe overpass. When we caught eyes, she had already had her window down, and i believe she thought we were listening to the same radio station, because when I rolled my window down BLASTING Baby by the BieBs I have never seen a woman laugh so hard and spit coffee all over her dashboard before in my life. Because nothing says Pop Sensation Justin Bieber like a 25 year old professional business man in a Pontiac vibe! I don’t think she stopped laugh until we his Broadway almost a mile away.  Long story short, I will always be completely awkward and unpredictable, and I am so glad God has blest me with the Unique style because if he didn’t I might be too boring for my own good.

Finally, this moment that truly sits in my heart like a rock. It was a cool New Years Eve evening.  It was a long day of snowboarding at Monarch with at least 13 inches of fresh powder. I was laying tracks like Dr. Dre lays beats and it was a perfect day to snowboard. My Girlfriend (at the time) had the worst day of riding in her entire life. Her board wouldn’t slide she was stuck on the mountain, she fell more than usual and ended up spending half the day at the bottom drinking hot coco alone because I had no idea where she was. (This isn’t to speak against me not wanting to be with her, I just ride a little harder/faster and so we know we spend time on the hill apart and that is ok.) So when we do meet up at the end of the day she is frustrated and I am exhausted but we head back to a beautiful place called Rainbow Trail Lutheran Camp to celebrate new year’s with some of the staff from the previous summer. Right around sunset we are sitting on the porch of and I am about to do something that would change my life forever when one of the staff named Eric comes out and sits with us on the porch. No I have to remind you this girl and I are sitting on the most romantic spot I know, at sunset, and I am about to do something that will change my life… AND SOMEONE IS WITH US! So every time a car pulls up the road I tell Eric, hey man you should go see who that is… trying to shew him away as nicely as possible. Luckily for me, he thought I was just being a Jerk and decided to leave. After a few moments I stand, turn around and look at this amazing young woman. She looks up at me and ask “Oh, Are we Done?” and I responded “God I hope not.” I then got down on one knee and asked Kelly Anne Fritz to marry me. I realize that moment forever I would be that more than just myself, I would forever be and US. Thank God for the US!!!