Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays.  Even as a kid I loved Thanksgiving, which is probably kind of strange.  Most kids probably look at Thanksgiving as the letdown holiday within the year, but I always loved it.

There was no trick-or-treating.  There were no presents exchanged.  No egg-hunts.  No fireworks.  But something about Thanksgiving always appealed to me.

Maybe it is the Thanksgiving story that fascinated me.  How a group of people who were persecuted for their beliefs left all they had behind to seek freedom together in a new land.  How they worked together with the Native Americans to create a new life, and then celebrated the blessings they were provided in communion with one another.

Sometimes in life, especially when you are struggling, it can be easy to forget the blessings that have been poured out upon you.  There are too many times we focus on those things we don’t have, and lose sight of the gifts we do have.  One thing I have always believed in though, is that happy people don’t have what they want.  They want what they have.  Today, I want to take a few moments to give thanks for the blessings that God has bestowed upon me.

First, I am thankful for my God.  Though I have never done anything to deserve His love and affection, he calls me his son.  He forgives me, and makes me new every day.  He shed his own blood for me, even when I was a mere sinner.  He walks with me through the good times and the bad.  He is faithful and trustworthy at all times.  I know that He is good, and that He will never turn away from me.

I am thankful for my children.  Katie and Patrick are the greatest joy of my life.  I don’t think I truly knew what love is until the first time I saw Katie in the hospital where she was born.  She was so beautiful I couldn’t take my eyes away from her.  Patrick as well was such a gift.  Though he was born so early, he was a healthy baby boy.  They make me laugh every day.  The way Katie hugs me, or the way Patrick gives you his mischievous smile fills me with so much pride that my heart can’t contain it.  They are the greatest gifts that I have.

I am thankful for my mother and father.  Without them, I would not be the man I am.  They took the time and effort to raise me, to challenge me, and to love me.  They are my best friends and my mentors.  I could not have asked for better parents.

I am thankful for my brother, my sister, and my adopted sister (for lack of a better description).  Michelle is such a devoted sister, mother, and daughter.  Watching her turn into the person she is today is such an inspiration to me.  She loves so much, and is so fiercely loyal to those she cares for.  Shane was always that pesky little brother who made you laugh so hard you could never stay mad at him.  But he was also someone who could be counted on at all times.  He is a true friend.  I am so proud of the man he has grown to be.  Tia is an amazing blessing to our family.  She has helped my sister raise her children as if they were her own.  She can always be counted on, even when she has to deal with the infamous McCoy tempers.  She is steadfast and loving.

I am thankful for my church.  I have a pastor who demonstrates Christ’s love and inspires me with his words.  I have a group of friends who encourage me daily in my life and in my walk with Christ.  I learn from them every time I get a chance to talk with them.  They are examples of faith and love that I hope to follow.

I am thankful for the close friends that God has placed in my life, especially for Joe and Terrence.  I don’t think I could have chosen two men who could be trusted any more than I trust them.  I am thankful for those who I can trust with my innermost thoughts.  I am surrounded by people who care for me. 

I am thankful that I was fortunate enough to be an American.  To me, this land is exceptional, and will continue to be as long as we hold dear the values of freedom and liberty that this land was founded on.  Are we perfect?  Far from it, but I know that we live in a free land that gives me the opportunity to be the best man I possibly can.

I am thankful that God has blessed me with many talents, and has provided me with many blessings.  I have never lacked for a roof over my head, or food for my table.  In times where I have struggled or my life was in danger, he has always been there by my side to comfort me.  I trust that He will continue to bless me.

I am a truly lucky man to have the things that I have.  I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving Day.  I hope that anyone reading this would take a moment to count their blessings and give thanks for the gifts in their lives.

The Man Condemned To Die

He trudged along the cobbled road
The taunts aimed at his head.
His body shattered, his head hung low,
Knowing that soon he would be dead.

The crowd was merciless and cruel
They hurled insults without shame.
And on his back they made him carry
A cross that bore his name.

As I watched the scene unfold,
I could not help but wonder why.
Why this man so pure and innocent
Was condemned by them to die.

And when they reached the Skull,
The soldiers held him down.
They drove nails in his hands and feet
And thorns became his crown.

I cried aloud, "Who did this deed?
I will revenge this man I swear!"
Then out of heaven came a voice,
"It was you who nailed him there."

Then I remembered my every sin,
The evil through the years.
I knew the voice from heaven was right.
The truth brought me to tears.

It should be me upon the cross
And out of shame and grief I cried.
But then I heard him speak out loud
"Father, please forgive them,"
He looked toward heaven, then he died.

Never have I seen such love
Till I looked upon that tree.
He gave his life to cleanse our sin,
This Jesus died for you and me.

What is Your Legacy?

When I served in the Army I was deployed on three combat tours.  As part of the process we went through a series of administrative checks to ensure that we were ready to deploy.  We received dental and medical screenings, reviewed our military records, were issued equipment, and received deployment briefings.  Among the more macabre details of the Soldier Readiness Checks were the appointments to update our SGLI (Soldiers' Group Life Insurance) and wills. 

The last thing I did before each deployment was to write letters to my family to say my last goodbyes if I did not return from combat.  That simple task of writing those letters was one of the most emotionally challenging things I have ever had to do.  These letters were meant to not only say goodbye, but also to impart one last piece of myself to my loved ones.  To create my final legacy.

What would your last words to your loved ones be?  What would you want to impart to this world when you die?  What do you want people to say of you when you die?

At work, we recently participated in the Stephen Covey "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" workshop series.  One of the first steps is to Begin With The End in Mind.  In this step, we are asked to identify our most treasured values and develop a personal mission statement for the roles in our life.  The idea is to create a compass that guides our steps.  Once you identify what is truly important, you can begin to put first things first. 

I have taken this to heart and began trying to craft my own personal mission statements for each of the major roles in my life.  I found that due to some major personal struggles in my life I was unable to do so.  I had writer's block because I think I had wandered from what was most important to me for such a long time.  Today I would like to take time to complete those mission statements and get back on track. 

First and foremost, I am a Christian man.  I will always cling to the knowledge that I am a sinner, and that through my own actions I can never obtain any measure of righteousness.  I will depend on God's grace daily.  I will hold myself accountable and seek God's forgiveness when I stumble.  Yet I will dispense forgiveness to those around me.  I will continually seek God, and try to grow with Him in my daily walk.  I will try to help others in their walk, and will not be afraid to witness to those around me whenever a door is opened.  I will try to serve others through my vocation, my words, my friendship, and my time.   

I am a Father.  I will take the time to mentor my children and instruct them in my faith, in my values, and teach them the skills they need to be successful in life.  When they err, I will be patient but stern.  When they need encouragement I will give it.  I will love them and will let them know in no uncertain terms that they are loved.  I will help them pick themselves up when they fall.  I will move mountains to provide for them. 

I am a Patriot.  I will always fight for my country and for the values that it was founded on, and I will pass those values on to my children.  I will be an informed and involved citizen.  I will hold my government accountable, even as they hold me accountable. 

I am a Leader in my company.  I will develop a world-class team who puts the patient first every moment of every day.  I will invest myself in my team, and develop positive relationships with my customers.  I will demand excellence of myself, and constantly strive to improve. 

This is who I want to be.  When all is said and done, this is how I want to be remembered.  God help me to be that man. 

The Power of Holy Communion

On Thursday mornings I usually try to attend a men’s Bible study group from my church.  Each week we study the text for the upcoming Sunday services based on the liturgical calendar.  Each week a group leader is designated.  The group leader sends out two questions regarding the text, and then we all answer it in our own way and discuss our answers.  It’s a great group of guys and we have some outstanding discussions and oftentimes provocative questions. 

Today we studies the following text:

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.  This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” 

Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.  For my flesh and my blood is real drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.  Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.  This is the bread that came down from heaven.  Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”  John 6: 51-58. 

My pastor, who happened to be the group leader this week, asked this question, “What does Communion mean to you?”  Today, I felt the need to publicly answer this question. 

In a way, communion is a throwback to the Israelite system of sacrifices.  Under Mosaic law, a person who had knowingly sinned, or who sinned and realized it later, would offer a Sin Offering or a Guilt Offering, respectively, in order to atone before God of that sin.  This was a spiritual cleansing to purify someone before they could commune with God.  They could then, if they chose, offer a Fellowship offering.  A Fellowship Offering involved an animal that was sacrificed to God, and then eaten in a communal meal. 

In the Middle East, eating with someone was the highest form of relationship with that person.  It expressed love and close relationship.  I believe that Communion is modeled after that.  The difference is that in this case instead of us offering a goat or ram as a sacrifice for our sin, God has offered himself.    

This is only an academic background though.  This doesn’t give the real significance that I feel that Holy Communion has for me. 

Every Sunday, before Communion we go through the confession and absolution.  It is a generic confession.  We then read the Communion liturgy and bless the bread and wine.  I was raised to believe, and do believe, that once we bless the bread and wine, that the bread and wine becomes the true flesh and blood of Jesus Christ.  This is my belief, and I understand that there are some denominations that may not agree. 

Once the words of institution are pronounced, there is usually some time before the ushers allow me up to the altar to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  This is when I use my time to make my own specific confession. 

I think of all the thoughts that I shouldn’t have had, but did.  I think of all the things I shouldn’t have said but did anyway, as well as all the things I should have said but didn’t.  I think of all the things I shouldn’t have done, but did.  I think of all the things I should have done, but didn’t.  I confess all these things.  It is humbling, and to be frank, I feel disgusted and ashamed of myself. 

But then, the usher taps my shoulder and it’s time to go up to the altar to receive communion.  And the one thing I focus on is that I am receiving the true body and true blood of Christ.  God is manifest and physically present, here and now, with me regardless of my sins.  Despite my sin, He allows me into His presence, in fact invites me to be in His presence.  The body and blood that He has shed washes away my sins, and He communes with me.  He communes with all of the believers with me at the altar.  He communes with all of the believers through all the centuries that have accepted His grace.  It is overwhelming to me.  It puts tears in my eyes.  Right or wrong, that is what Holy Communion means to me. 

Refuting the Arizona Checks and Balances in Government Initiative

This morning I was approached by a man attempting to obtain signatures for a voter initiative being considered here in Arizona.  The voter initiative was the "Checks and Balances in Government" initiative (see http://checksandbalancesaz.com/for more information).  He explained to me that this initiative would basically amend the state constitution to allow citizens of Arizona to nullify those federal laws that they had determined to be unconstitutional.  

While I share his frustration with a federal government that seems bent on overreach, I informed the man that I would not sign his petition as I did not believe in his cause and sent him on his way.  At the time I knew I could not and would not support this initiative but I didn't quite have the words to express why.   I would like to take a few minutes to offer my rebuttal now that I have had some time to think about it.  

I would like to preface my argument by saying that I am a staunch conservative.  I know that the term conservative is a loaded term fraught with many meanings nowadays, so I will define what I mean by conservative.  My definition of conservative is any person who strictly adheres to the clear meaning and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.  

What does this mean?  This means that I believe in a federal republic.  This means that I believe in system of checks and balances crafted by the Founding Fathers.  This means that I believe that when questions of the validity of a law arise, they are to be settled in a lawfully  defined manner, namely to take it to the courts or to amend the U.S. Constitution.  

That being said, the Constitution is my measuring stick, and by my understanding of the Constitution, this initiative doesn't cut the mustard.  

Let's first look to the reason the Constitution was written.  Immediately following the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers passed the Articles of Confederation.  The Articles of Confederation were drafted in 1776, ratified by the states in 1781, and was in effect until it was superceded by the Constitution in 1781.  

These were the laws that governed our nation during the Revolutionary War and immediately thereafter.  They were horrendous.  George Washington saw firsthand the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.  He found that the Continental Congress had no power to coerce the states to provide for the regular army.  Rather, he found himself relying on the mercy of a few supportive governors who provided the vast amount of supplies to the Army.  After the war, the states had no ways of paying their debts, they levied taxes and tariffs on each other, attempted to engage in treaties that would provide local benefit but would divide the union of the states.  

Hence, in 1787 George Washington and delegates from the several states convened the Constitutional Convention that drafted the system of government that we now follow.  The Founders drafted a system in which the national government held broad, but enumerated powers of the state governments.  I challenge any supporter of this initiative to read not only the Constitution, but the Federalist papers to understand the context in which the Constitution was written.  

The Founding Fathers made it clear that the national government is the head of the state governments.

"The Congress shall have the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or any particular state."  -- Article 4, Section 4, U.S. Constitution.  

This is not to say that the states ceded absolute authority of legislation to the federal government.  The powers of Congress are clearly enumerated in Article I of the Constitution, and this limitation on the power of the federal government is reinforced in the IXth and Xth Amendments.  

Supporters of the Checks and Balances movement would have you believe that the IXth and Xth Amendments authorize the states to nullify federal law.  No where in these two Amendments does it say that a state has the right to ignore federal law.  

Rather, the Founding Fathers vested judicial powers in the Supreme Court and the various courts that Congress ordains.  Judicial power is the power to interpret and apply the law as it is written, and to determine how the law is to be applied in matters of dispute.  

Short of taking a case to the courts, we can also amend the Constitution, or pressure our legislators to strike down a law which has been previously passed.  These are the appropriate forums for challenging a law which seems to violate the precepts of the Constitution.  

Passing this initiative will not solve the problems with the federal government.  What we need are informed, vigilant citizens who are willing to keep abreast of the issues and participate in the system.  We need to understand our system of government, keep an active dialogue with our elected officials, order our state officials to challenge contentious laws in court, and above all else vote.  

To those who are considering whether they would or would not support the Checks and Balances initiative, I would ask you to be very cautious of what you sign.  I too am frustrated when the federal government overreaches the powers enumerated within the Constitution.  But you can't argue for the supremacy of the Constitution by circumventing the very system that it lays out.  You can't advocate for the rule of law by destroying it.  

Honor Your Father and Mother (Part 2. . . Pa)

Mothers and fathers are two sides of the same coin.  They usually possess differing strengths that added together, form a complementary whole.  My mother and father were no different. 

While my mom was the loving nurturer, my dad was the disciplinarian, the instructor.  This is not to say that my dad didn’t love us.  Both my parents loved my sister, brother, and I; there was just a difference in how that love is expressed.  For it was out of a great love for us that my dad took on the role of disciplinarian and instructor. 

As a young child, dad was the heavy hand.  If we got into “real trouble” it was usually dad who handled it.  He was the one who dispensed the spankings for big time offenses.  He delivered the lectures.  He was the one who grounded you.  When I was little, there was no greater threat that could be delivered than the infamous, “You wait till your father comes home!!!”  I think that phrase probably sends shivers down the spine of every child. 

So at a very young age, he was the one who taught us that our actions have consequences.  We learned in a very simplistic way what was right and what was wrong.  If you do right, you avoided negative consequences.  If you did wrong, there was hell to pay.  Choose rightly young man. 

As I got older though, the disciplinarian mixed with the roles of coach and mentor.  In middle and high school I had big dreams, but not really the skills or motivation to achieve them.  It was my father who pushed me harder than any person could.  When I slacked off, he pushed me harder.  Sometimes it made me hate him.  Why can’t he let up?  Why does he have to push ALL the time?  He drove me to frustration.  He was a hard task-master at times.

 He was relentless when it came to my grades, my sports, and my life.  I remember coming home every day from school and having to go through the inquisition.  The daily litany of questions:

“What did you do at school today?”

“What did you learn in class today?”

“How was wrestling practice?”

“Did you run when you got home?” 

“Did you talk to so and so?”

There seemed to be a million questions.  It was frustrating.  He was always there. 

Then again, he WAS always there.  Every karate tournament, every wrestling match, every volleyball game, every report card.  He was hard on me often; he pushed me; he was lean with praise.  But he was always there with tips and advice on how to get better, to hone that edge.  When he did dispense praise, it truly meant something.  There was no higher honor than to hear my father say, “I’m proud of you son.”   

He also had another side to him.  I remember growing up, hearing all my dad’s funny stories about when he was a hot-headed young man, more focused on partying than pushing himself.  While they were hilarious stories, they had a message.  Learn from my mistakes son.    

When I wasn’t sure how to achieve my goals, he helped me figure it out.  He took the time to discuss values with me, and explain to me why they were important.  In time, I grew to have the skills to achieve what I wanted, I learned to motivate myself rather than depend on others, and I learned how to make decisions and live my life directed by values and not whims.  These things became my own.  I learned to be the master of my own life, and accept responsibility for it.  Choose rightly young man.  But if you fall, learn to pick yourself up and move on.

Then, when I became a young man, out on my own, his role again changed from the hard-driving coach to a valued and trusted friend.  He was there when I was a young man at West Point, or a young officer, or a young father.  He leant me his ear whenever I needed it.  He received calls more than once at 2am and heard me out on something that was bothering me.  He received letters from war zones.  Sometimes he just listened, other times he offered his advice, other times he encouraged or chastised as I needed.  Choose rightly young man.  But if you fall, learn to pick yourself up and move on.  Either way, your dad loves you.

Now as a father of two young children, I look to him for advice and his example. 

What was it that dad did that was so extraordinary to me?  He loved me enough to take the hard way over the easy course.  He did the uneasy job of teaching me and passing on his values, despite my stubbornness.  He pushed me when I didn’t want to be pushed because it was the right thing for me. 

I look back on my life and the accomplishments that I have made to this day.  I am overwhelmed with pride at what I have achieved, and where I am today.  Looking back, I realize that my life bears the unmistakable fingerprint of my father’s teachings.  I couldn’t be any more proud of who my father is, and the example that he has laid before me.    I can honestly say this:  that if I grow up to be half the man my father is, I will have become a good man.  Happy Father’s Day Pa, I love you. 

Honor Your Father and Mother (Part 1. . . Mama)​

This time of year I am tempted to look back at the two individuals who have done most to shape who I am today.

Lately, I have been struggling mightily in my personal life, and in doing so I have turned inward to examine myself, who I am, and who I want to be. With Mother’s Day recently coming upon us, I have taken the opportunity to examine someone who best exemplifies who I should be. Many of the best things about me, are a direct result of the guidance and example of my mother.

Mothers are incredible people. There is no better example of unconditional love on this earth than to see a mother with her children. My mother is no different.

Growing up, my mother was a busy and hardworking person. When I was born, my parents didn’t have much. Much of my life, I grew up in childcare. It’s unfortunate that so many children nowadays have to do so, but that is part of the reality of the life we live. But I was fortunate because I feel that I never missed a step with my mother.

My mother was a hardworking, busy person. She put in a full day in her career, doing all she could to help contribute to the family. But she was a full-time mother as well. Although, she was probably tired she nearly always prepared a home-cooked meal for the family. She maintained the house. She made time to drive my brother and me to extra-curricular activities. She found time to read to us and pray with us at night.

In doing so, she created so many special moments that to this day I treasure, far beyond any material gift I have ever received.

I remember when I was four years old and got chicken pox. My mom took off an entire week to care for me. We did puzzles all day, read stories together, played with my blocks and other toys.

I remember when I was twelve years old and my mom would drive me to various activities such as karate or church youth group, how my mom and I would speak with each other about anything and everything that a young boy has on his mind. Other times, as I am introverted, I would spend long moments in silence, thinking. My mom would just hold my hand, letting me know she was there for me and loved me.

I remember singing together in church.

At other times as an adult, when I thought my life was falling apart, she was there for me at five in the morning when I was pulled over at the side of the road, overcome with grief and anger. Only she had the words that could soothe me, providing gentle advice to put me back on the road I needed to go.

You can’t put a price on moments like that.

Jesus speaks of love. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” I have no greater example of this in my own life than my mother. She always set herself aside to be the mother we needed. It was moments like the ones above that taught me what love is.

I look back on some of the ways I have failed in my own personal life, and see my mother’s shining example of unconditional love. And I realize who I should be to my own family.

The other great gift my mother gave to me was my faith. As a young child, my mom was the one who brought my brother and sister and I to church. She was the one whose example I followed early on, who taught me who Jesus is both through the written Word, and through her own personal examples, that led me to a faith in Christ. She was the one whose example even brought my father back to the family of Christ. I can never repay her for the gift of faith she passed on to my brother, sister, and I.

I want to be that same example to my own family.

Mama, thanks for being such an inspiration. Thanks for loving us even though we probably made it tough to do so often. I just want you to know what you mean to me. I love you. Happy Mother’s Day to my Mama.

Why We Should Be Mad As Hell . . .

In the movie Network, Howard Beale delivers the famous speech exhorting others to take action by saying, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!”  It’s time we take up this crusade against an out of control government that has forgotten it's role and who it serves.     

The recent revelations of financial abuses by the GSA are what prompted me to speak my mind on this occasion.   In 2010, the GSA hosted a bi-annual conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, spending over $800,000 dollars on entertainment.  Senior directors of the GSA racked up over $2000 dollars for hotel parties held in their suites.  Perhaps the most disturbing thing about this event were the ridiculous videos created by GSA members during working hours which mocked the waste and abuse rampant within the organization, even taunting the Office of the Inspector General's ability to target this behavior.  Employees who took part in these videos received iPads and various other frivolous gifts as prizes for these videos which make a mockery of the average taxpayer.  The event planners for this wasteful event received bonuses.  All of this horsing around was at the expense of the average taxpayer.  

Further investigation into the GSA seems to show that this is just the tip of the iceberg.  Most recently, several members of the GSA were authorized a five day trip to Hawaii to perform an hour's worth of work.  All of this makes the public wonder what other kinds of shenanigans had been going on in this organization leading to such a widespread culture of corruption.  

I wish I could say that this kind of fraud, waste, and abuse was atypical, but unfortunately, throughout the years news item after news item has shown me that this kind of behavior is rampant throughout our government.  

It saddens me greatly to hear of these scandals.  Let me explain why.  

I grew up believing in American Exceptionalism.  I believe in this concept for many reasons, but the one that I will articulate here is that our government was the first in history to be created to serve the people.  I know that is a grand statement, but allow me to explain.  

The European governments from which we broke away from had a totally different genesis than the one in which the American system of government was founded.  European government started off as feudal states.  After the fall of the Roman Empire, Western Europe imploded on itself.  Warlords who had the money and land to hire armed thugs bullied people at the tip of a spear into obedience.  These warlords created counties where they taxed their subjects to finance their own lavish lifestyles.  The feudal system was born.  Eventually these systems evolved into the European nations we have today.  Admittedly, these nations are much more liberal than they were 1500 years ago, but one thing remains:  Those governments were created to rule, not to serve.  

The American government on the other hand had an entirely different start.  Middle-class men fought for their freedom from an oppressive government and won their independence through the blood, sweat, and tears they shed together.  These men came together and crafted a Constitutional Republic wherein the government was specifically designed to serve the people and limited to ensure that power remained with the people.  I challenge you to read the Federalist Papers and the Anti-Federalist papers.  This government was truly created for, by, and of the people.  Admittedly, we created inherent mistakes in the initial drafting of the Constitution (allowing the institution of slavery for one), but we have striven for over 200 years to allow those same principles apply to all.  

But seeing where we are today, makes me wonder if that American Exceptionalism will continue.  We have allowed our government to forget who they serve.  Congressmen and Executive bureaucrats spend taxpayer dollars as if it were theirs, and not loaned to them by the American people.  They enrich themselves at the expense of the blood, sweat, and tears of hard-working people through fraud, waste, abuse, and tax evasion.  

Well, its time we hold them accountable and remind them that they are servants of the public trust, not masters.  They need to learn that if they don't hold that in sacred regard, they will squander the public trust.  I urge people to stay informed, write their Congressmen, make them accountable.  If they don't, then take up the chant of Howard Beale.  We once fought for freedom against a tyrannical ruler that felt he was entitled to squander our lives and possessions.  Don't be so complacent to think it won't happen again.