Don't Give Up...

...is a tired, overused phrase. As parents, we tell our kids, "Don't give up". As an employer, we tell our employees, "Stay the course, don't give up". As a pastor, you tell your congregation, "You can do it, don't give up".
The reality is, there are plenty of instances when we should, well, just give up. Still trying to hide that bald spot with a comb over? Give it up, brother. Still trying to count yourself as a viable political figure, despite your indiscretions and ultimate disgrace? That ship has sailed. Still looking for beauty by spending enough money on a plastic surgeon to feed a third world country? Just let it go.
Don't give up? I say, phooey! Give it up and try something different. Your embarrassed family and friends will thank you.
Trying to write a blog tonight that makes sense? I give up...

Being Angry With God...

...seems to me to be a Christian's greatest secret. Why? Because you should always praise him through any adversity in your life, right? And just who are we to question Him, anyway? Well, perhaps that is true, but equally evident are the prayers of several men of God who were pretty angry and had a bone to pick with their heavenly Father.
Read:

• Psalm 13:1-3
• Psalm 22:1-2
• Jeremiah 12:1
• Habakkuk 1:2-3

A friend in our bible study tonight summed it up best by saying, "No one can handle your anger better than God". What it means to me is this: No, it's not right to be angry with God, but it is right and just to express every emotion in your heart to the Father. Even that type communion is welcomed by your Creator who longs to hear you lay out all parts of your heart. There's a benefit to being "real" in your prayer life, I think, in that even expressing the tough emotions can ultimately bring you closer to Him. And by getting closer to God perhaps we can shed some of the anger and move in a direction toward praise.

I'm not being Pollyannish in my thoughts on the subject. Anger toward God is real and probably more common among Christians than people will admit. However, expression of that anger to God is a powerful and surprisingly welcomed thing if from the heart. If being real with each other is important, how much more so that we keep it real with Him?

Surprises...

...are not always good. Tuesday morning, I read about a 38 year old man who was jogging down the beach in Hilton Head and was hit and killed by a small plane making an emergency landing. Apparently, the plane had lost a propeller and glided onto the beach. A wing caught the jogging man from behind (he was listening to his iPod as he ran), killing him instantly. Now that is surprising and tragic.
Today, I learned that the man killed by the plane was a GSK employee whom I have know for 13 years. Bob Jones was a terrific guy who leaves behind a wife and two small kids. Not to mention countless friends with great memories. He worked in our Oncology division for many years, was a great contributor to our business and a fun, joyful coworker.
No. Surprises are not always good.

Finding A Place To Serve...

...in this world is sometimes not as easy as it sounds. For one thing, even though there are millions of ways to get involved in helping others, not all of those ways are right for everyone. Leslie and I found it particularly important to find something that our entire family could participate in. And in the searching, we found such a place.
The general definition of respite care is the provision of short-term, temporary relief to those who are caring for family members who might otherwise require permanent placement in a facility outside the home. Our church, Saxe Gotha Presbyterian, offers such a program which caters to the needs of families with young children with special needs. Twice a month, we have the pleasure (and I do mean that in the most sincere way) of spending time with wonderful children, most of whom have been diagnosed with autism or other developmental challenges. And through this time, we as a family have grown to love these kids and in some way through the process love and appreciate each other a bit more.
The one thing that is always clear from the parents of these children is gratefulness. Gratefulness for the program, for our time and for a break in the week. As thankful as they are, I'm even more thankful to spend time with these unique and loving children. The Green's are the grateful ones. Thanks for allowing us the opportunity.