The President, Race Relations and Beer

Well the president had his much anticipated gathering with the professor, the cop and the beer. What I find interesting is that the media covered how the beer was served as much as what was said at the summit. It was as if the event could not take place unless they were all enjoying (as my sociology professor used to say a little Colorado Cool-Aid). Now before I go any further, let me say that I am not opposed to people making the choice to drink. But what bothers me is the message this event sent to our youth. That message being: in order to ensure a successful event, you must serve alcoholic beverages. As I read the hop by hop description of the beer, I was reminded of an event that I went to as a college student. I had signed up to take the state department test for possible employment. When my name was called, I was taken into a room where I sat with a very nice young man who asked me questions about my knowledge of the world. He then began to ask some personal questions. After answering those, he looked me straight in the eye and asked me what I like to drink? "Coke" I answered. "No" he said "I mean what do you like to drink?" I looked at him, saying "oh you mean alcohol?" I confessed to him that I was not really a drinker. "I am sorry" he said, "but since you do not drink, the state department can not use you". He went on to explain that drinking is so prevalent in almost all cultures through out the world, that it was important that state department employees drink as not to cause incidents. From that point on when ever I read an article or see footage of an important national or international event, I always look for the bottle or glass being used to celebrate that event. Guess what? Eight out of ten times: I see or read about the glass or bottle included in that event. I challenge you to join me in my little game. The next time you read or hear about an important event here or abroad, look for the glass or bottle. And we wonder why our kids are confused by the mixed messages we send them when it comes to alcohol.

Sometimes What You Do Not Know Is A Blessing

About a month ago I was rear ended. The details don't really matter. The impact from the accident had me going to get message therapy. The therapy was not doing what it should have normally done: help me feel better. So they referred to a Chiropractor. On my first visit to him, he took X-rays of my back and shoulder. Yesterday I went back to talk about the X-rays and treatment. I won't bore you with all the results; but what really caught my attention; he asked me when I broke my neck. "I never broke my neck", I replied. He went on to show me the X-ray which showed a fracture line in my neck. After I left, I got to thinking, how would I have lived my life differently, if I had known that I had broken my neck. Would I have babied myself? How many Roller Coasters would I have not ridden on if I had known that I had once broken my neck? The point is, I believe that I have lived a happier life because I did not know that I had once broken my neck. We live in a age where we as people want to know everything about everyone, including our selves. We cry, "I have a right to know"! But do we? Sometimes I wonder if we would be a little happier as people, if we did not know everything about everyone. Sometimes God limits our knowledge like a loving parent. protecting us from ourselves. Because He wants us to live the best life possible. And you know what, after yesterday, I'm okay with that.

Summer Cleaning

Someone once wrote that life gets in the way of all the things that you want to do. When it comes to this blog, that is how I feel. Everyday for the last couple of weeks, okay for the last couple of months I have thought I should write a blog entry. Then comes life! I go do life and the blog becomes like my hairline a memory. You know when it comes to our relationship with Christ, I am so thankful that life does not get in the way of Him looking out for us. He is always there for us when ever we need Him. So my promise to you gentle readers is that I will blog a least once a week, maybe twice. But let us settle for my musings to you guaranteed once a week