I spent the most part of my day yesterday sitting in a courtroom in Virginia Beach. It was the sentencing hearing for the young man who killed one of our church members last May when driving while intoxicated.
This was a very diificult experience. It would have been easier if he had been an arrogant jerk who wanted to blame his upbringing or being bullied in grade school or abused by a co-worker or something. But that was not the case.
This young man was obviously a decent guy who was liked by every body who knows him. He had a great support system but not one witness excused what he did and in fact each of them seemed quite surprised that this could happen with him. It was testified that he was a faithful and gifted employee and trusted friend, a good son, a servant who even the day before the accident attended his friend's wedding and then stayed to help his friend's mother clean up after the reception.
Truly, any anger that one might have had with the guy, began to melt away...well at least it did for me. My heart was crushed with his brokeness and remorse and his unsoothed devastation for the family of the deceased.
Even the judge was moved with emotion as he handed down the sentence...not a slap on the wrist but a response to the law and it's intended purpose in that he gave him five years and a month.
Handcuffs clicked on the young man's wrist behind his back as he was led out of the room. No one wins...no one!
I boldly announced downstairs to the family of the deceased that they had no choice but to forgive this young man as he pleaded for that and believed that they did in fact forgive him. Some in the family had and some had not.
As I was driving back to Moyock the terrible thought flooded my mind..."Would I be able to forgive someone if this happened to my family?" I guess I can't really say that for sure...but after sitting in that courtroom yesterday, I believe by God's grace I could do that. I do hope and pray I will never have to know the answer to that question.
A couple or three beers ...no problem... maybe not for some... but at least for one, it was exceeded speed, missed stop light, collision with an innocent person, death, heartache and five years...No, a lifetime in prison...or at least the equivalent.
Alcohol, is it ever a good idea? Ask Mr. Covington or Mr. or Mrs. Gardner.
I write this because I care!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thank You Mr. Boyce
I remember the time that Robert's daddy had to come to our house and get us out of a locked bathroom. Two young kids probably up to some kind of mischief got locked in the bathroom. My mother couldn't get the door opened from her side and we couldn't do it from our side so she had to call Mr. Boyce.
He came over and in just a few minutes, got the door unlocked, however, I think by then Robert had climbed out the window several times to investigate options that would prevent us from spending the rest of our lives in a bathroom.
Robert's parents were always the cool parents. They were active in church and always involved in parties and programs and so forth. I always loved spending time at his house because his parents were so nice and involved. I had a great home life so it wasn't that I felt unloved or anything, it's just that my parents were older than all my friend's parents. In fact my father was the age of most of my friend's grandfathers. So, there's a lot we didn't do as I wrote in my last blog.
So all my life Robert's parents were always there ... until now. His dad went to be with the Lord last Friday, Decemeber 26th. He will forever be in my memories and I am thankful that he was a part of my life growing up and his influence was a positive one.
He came over and in just a few minutes, got the door unlocked, however, I think by then Robert had climbed out the window several times to investigate options that would prevent us from spending the rest of our lives in a bathroom.
Robert's parents were always the cool parents. They were active in church and always involved in parties and programs and so forth. I always loved spending time at his house because his parents were so nice and involved. I had a great home life so it wasn't that I felt unloved or anything, it's just that my parents were older than all my friend's parents. In fact my father was the age of most of my friend's grandfathers. So, there's a lot we didn't do as I wrote in my last blog.
So all my life Robert's parents were always there ... until now. His dad went to be with the Lord last Friday, Decemeber 26th. He will forever be in my memories and I am thankful that he was a part of my life growing up and his influence was a positive one.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Mark's birthday
Okay, I am really sorry that I haven't written in over a month.
Just in case somebody is kind enough to come back and check, I'll attempt to write a new blog.
Today is December 22nd and is my father's birthday. If he was living he would be 102 years old. He was 49 years old when I was born. So when I was 12 he was 61 which meant we didn't play ball together or go hunting or fishing. We didn't go to ball games or camping trips and I never walked on the beach with my daddy.
So, you may be saying, oh that's sad...well not really, we still had a great relationship. In fact i thought of my father as my best friend. Other's thought he was my granddaddy (which always made him mad) but he was my daddy.
I use to go to work with him...carry shingles on the roof for him and run little errands.
Daddy was an incredible pool player and had in fact played many times with several time world champion Wimpy Lassiter. Wimpy was from our town and in fact lived down the street from us. I asked daddy one time if he ever beat Wimpy and he humbly said he had. But he also said that if you play somebody enough times you are going to beat them occassionally. That may be true, but I never seemed to remember ever beating daddy.
Well, just a tribute to my daddy tonight.
I'll try to write more tomorrow.
I love you daddy and sure wish you could see my girls...you'd be proud.
Just in case somebody is kind enough to come back and check, I'll attempt to write a new blog.
Today is December 22nd and is my father's birthday. If he was living he would be 102 years old. He was 49 years old when I was born. So when I was 12 he was 61 which meant we didn't play ball together or go hunting or fishing. We didn't go to ball games or camping trips and I never walked on the beach with my daddy.
So, you may be saying, oh that's sad...well not really, we still had a great relationship. In fact i thought of my father as my best friend. Other's thought he was my granddaddy (which always made him mad) but he was my daddy.
I use to go to work with him...carry shingles on the roof for him and run little errands.
Daddy was an incredible pool player and had in fact played many times with several time world champion Wimpy Lassiter. Wimpy was from our town and in fact lived down the street from us. I asked daddy one time if he ever beat Wimpy and he humbly said he had. But he also said that if you play somebody enough times you are going to beat them occassionally. That may be true, but I never seemed to remember ever beating daddy.
Well, just a tribute to my daddy tonight.
I'll try to write more tomorrow.
I love you daddy and sure wish you could see my girls...you'd be proud.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Night, 2008
It appears now at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night that the country has spoken. History has been made it would seem as Barack Obama is about to win this election. So, what now? It is clear
that we are to do what we should already be doing as believers and that is to pray for our leadership. That is what I'll be doing. Understand that I am not pleased with this decision our country has made and am more than a little concerned about our future as a nation.
But, I know that no man can be elected unless God allows it and if God has allowed this, he has a reason.
The landscape of America has most certainly changed tonight and we have interesting days ahead.
So, let's pray and continue to serve the Lord to the best of our ability and may God be glorified.
that we are to do what we should already be doing as believers and that is to pray for our leadership. That is what I'll be doing. Understand that I am not pleased with this decision our country has made and am more than a little concerned about our future as a nation.
But, I know that no man can be elected unless God allows it and if God has allowed this, he has a reason.
The landscape of America has most certainly changed tonight and we have interesting days ahead.
So, let's pray and continue to serve the Lord to the best of our ability and may God be glorified.
Monday, October 27, 2008
My Civic Responsibility
Well...it's out of my hands now... I have voted!!
Not much waiting this morning at about 9:00 but there was a good crowd there.
The media sure is doing their best to make me think my candidate doesn't have a chance but I can only hope that the American people will arise to the occassion.
Go vote!
Not much waiting this morning at about 9:00 but there was a good crowd there.
The media sure is doing their best to make me think my candidate doesn't have a chance but I can only hope that the American people will arise to the occassion.
Go vote!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Get it Together
Here are some tips on getting your life in order...
Take responsibility for your own actions ... quit blaming everything and every body else.
Quit playing games with God and relying on his mercy and grace to cover your own stupidity.
His grace is amazing ... but He does have a woodshed...don't believe me...read Hebrews 12:6
Having a bad day and you think that qualifies you to do something immoral or unethical or ungodly or unholy? Wrong...that's when you should snuggle up to God and ask Him to carry you through...HE WILL!
Still asking yourself "Now, let's see, what do I want?" Quit that, instead ask "Now let's see, Holy Father, what do you want from me, for me, in me??"
Quit gazing at yourself and start focusing on the Savior...Let him gaze at you instead...He likes that because he loves you.
Okay, I feel better now...hope you do too!
Take responsibility for your own actions ... quit blaming everything and every body else.
Quit playing games with God and relying on his mercy and grace to cover your own stupidity.
His grace is amazing ... but He does have a woodshed...don't believe me...read Hebrews 12:6
Having a bad day and you think that qualifies you to do something immoral or unethical or ungodly or unholy? Wrong...that's when you should snuggle up to God and ask Him to carry you through...HE WILL!
Still asking yourself "Now, let's see, what do I want?" Quit that, instead ask "Now let's see, Holy Father, what do you want from me, for me, in me??"
Quit gazing at yourself and start focusing on the Savior...Let him gaze at you instead...He likes that because he loves you.
Okay, I feel better now...hope you do too!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
A few rambling thoughts.
Stock market is having some tough days
Politicians have lots to say
Gas is a little less high today
Jesus, I believe is on His way
Radical Islamic threats abound
Morality in the world is down
Lots of negative stuff around
Jesus, I believe is wearing His Crown
Prices are high, quality is low
Some say Alaska is losing it's snow
College graduates don't know where to go
Jesus trumpet is soon to blow
This little poem a reminder of sorts
To think about our eternal ports
Final judgement will not be in court
Jesus loves us and all our warts
So, have you asked Him in your heart?
Have you surrendered all your parts?
Have you received a brand new start?
Jesus, died and rose and thus did His part!
Politicians have lots to say
Gas is a little less high today
Jesus, I believe is on His way
Radical Islamic threats abound
Morality in the world is down
Lots of negative stuff around
Jesus, I believe is wearing His Crown
Prices are high, quality is low
Some say Alaska is losing it's snow
College graduates don't know where to go
Jesus trumpet is soon to blow
This little poem a reminder of sorts
To think about our eternal ports
Final judgement will not be in court
Jesus loves us and all our warts
So, have you asked Him in your heart?
Have you surrendered all your parts?
Have you received a brand new start?
Jesus, died and rose and thus did His part!
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