Free Gas

A friend of mine was saying the other day that his wife filled up their Mercury Mountaineer SUV with gas and paid a whopping $0.02 cents total. We’re not talking about filling a hybrid but a huge SUV with the gas tank to match. Of course I wanted to know more, he said that the grocery store that they go to had their monthly ‘shopper card’ promotion and instead of free cookware or free groceries, it was gas points to go towards discounts on gasoline at the store’s specific gas station. Hmmm…interesting.

So why is this really an interesting story? Well, because gas is about $4.00 a gallon in the US except on the West Coast where it’s closer to $5.00. So say that there is an energy crisis around the world is an understatement. In days gone by, many of the smart people just figured that supplies were unlimited so they didn’t care about conservation. Most folks were just out to make that quick buck and the future be dammed. So here we are today fighting between countries that have the oil with the countries that want the oil, and there is no end in sight.

That being said, there is a far greater energy crisis prevalent today. It’s one that Barack Obama or Donald Trump can do nothing about….but we can. It’s a spiritual energy crisis. Yes, this may sound corny, but if think about it, it can make sense. If you are a follower of Christ or not, you have to admit that there is something out there that is far bigger than yourself. There has to be an answer to why this and that of the world. Sorry, I don’t believe we evolved from chimps. So many people find it necessary to fill the God shaped holes in their lives with things that aren’t God shaped things. Whether it’s trying to find satisfaction in the ‘pleasures of the world’ or filling our minds with new age philosophies or self help nonsense, we’re missing the mark. The energy source is there, ready to fill, but we as individuals need to go to the filling station to receive that spiritual fuel.

The greatest part is that there is no bonus card, debit card or credit card necessary to fill this tank. You won’t accrue dividend point or airline miles either. There are no blockout dates or purchases necessary to benefit. There is no cost; however it pays dividends upon dividends if you allow it to. Choice is yours.

But even there, if you seek God, your God, you'll be able to find him if you're serious, looking for him with your whole heart and soul. When troubles come and all these awful things happen to you, in future days you will come back to God, your God, and listen obediently to what he says. God, your God, is above all a compassionate God. In the end he will not abandon you, he won't bring you to ruin, he won't forget the covenant with your ancestors which he swore to them. (Deuteronomy 4:29 MSG)

Peace.

on Osama bin Laden

This morning, Facebook is abuzz on the death of Osama bin Laden. Apparently last night, US military forces stormed his compound in Pakistan and in that action, bin Laden perished.

Today, though, instead of remembering and celebrating the death of one man, I remember and celebrate the lives of the 3000+ people that were murdered in New York City, Arlington, VA and Shanksville, PA. Those are the lives worth remembering.

The death of this man will not bring back those folks and will not provide closure to their families. I doubt that there will ever be anything this side of heaven that will grant closure.

May God grant peace and rest to those who lost their loved ones on September 11, 2001. Also, may God bless and protect our armed forces who put their lives in harm's way to protect the fragile peace of this world.

Peace