Hot dogs can be life savers. I remember years ago during a particularly long period of time when our electricity was out, we boiled water on our wood burning stove and boiled hot dogs to eat. The kids were amazed that we could fix these delicious meat products without the use of the microwave oven.

I have very fond memories of the Skyliner, a chili cheese dog with our without onions at Skyline Chili. 3 years of college gave me the appreciation and appetite for all things Sky.

And here in GA, you just can not visit the Varsity without having their version of the chili dog. I would have to choose Skyline over Varsity, but one does what one must do. We have the Varsity, and we have not a Skyline.

July is national Hot Dog month. And I know I am very early to be celebrating, but I wanted to give a shout out to a new kid on the block. This will be a special category, since it is truly NOT a hot dog, but a sausage. I really like the Quick Trip (gas station chain in North GA) jalapeno and cheese sausage. I rarely use a bun. I add no mustard or ketchup. I just eat them plain, naked as they say at the Varsity, and enjoy every bite. Jalapeno bits and cheese bits are midst this self contained meat product.

I must say, it don’t take much to float my boat. But I have always found that the simple things in life are most times the most rewarding and enjoyable. Not certain how rewarding these very high calorie, high sodium and high cholesterol clogging dog really is, but darn…they really taste good.

Don’t hate…just help me source how I can find these gems in the local grocery stores. The combo of cheese and peppers is not quite as common as I would like. I have found them one time only. Soon spring will be here and the grill will be fired up and I hope I can treat you to a very special self contained meat treat–one dog at a time.

Fortunately the weather has cooperated and that ice and snow is staying far to the north, leaving us here in GA with 60 degree weather, even if it is a tad rainy. So being outside has not been too painful. It makes me appreciate those times sitting at my desk, even if for just short periods of time. But I am not complaining–I am blessed and appreciate the opportunity to work.

So for me, I am back in the saddle again. And I am glad to be back among my fellow associates whom I respect. I appreciated the well wishes for me as I came back to work. It was good to be missed. However now it is time to buckle down and do my job.

My next goal is to see if I can get back on my bicycle. The last thing I want to do, is to have a set back, so I am going slow. But soon I will hear the call of the road and trail to ride. After all, to be truly back in the saddle, means that bicycle saddle too. One day at a time–one step at a time–one pedal turn at a time.

OK, in the name of full disclosure I have used this web site for some awesome opportunities to find out some very important information. It is usually to look up exactly how old that actor is who is guest starring in one of my favorite TV shows. Or I use it to often check to see if I have been set up as a page in the Wiki world. No such luck at this point, but you never know.

Or if I am dying to find some miss-factual information on a particular subject to build a blog topic around. You know the saying, “Don’t confuse me with the facts” well in Wiki’s world, it is “If you read it on the internet it MUST be true.”

So, I will suffer through this boycott and try to be more sensitive to their concerns about internet censorship. But if the truth be known–ouch ouch this boycott really hurts–NOT.

And then—oh joy! For he was there: the huge Lion, shining white in the moonlight, with his huge black shadow underneath him.
But for the movement of his tail he might have been a stone lion, but Lucy never thought of that. She never stopped to think whether he was a friendly lion or not. She rushed to him. She felt her heart would burst if she lost a moment. And the next thing she knew was that she was kissing him and putting her arms as far round his neck as she could and burying her face in the beautiful rich silkiness of his mane.

“Aslan, Aslan. Dear Aslan,” sobbed Lucy. “At last.”
The great beast rolled over on his side so that Lucy fell, half sitting and half lying between his front paws. He bent forward and just touched her nose with his tongue. His warm breath came all round her. She gazed up into the large wise face.
“‘Welcome, child,” he said.
“AsIan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.”
“That is because you are older, little one,” answered he.
“Not because you are?”
“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia The Chronicles of Narnia (1951, this edition Harper Collins, 1994) 141.

How big is your God? In Hebrews we see just how big God is in relationship to how much He cares for us. We have just passed the Christmas season where we remember the birth of Jesus. But did we miss the significance of exactly who the babe was and just how big He could be for us.

Hebrews 1:1-4 (NLT)
¹ Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets.
² And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.
³ The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.
⁴ This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.

God communicated to us in various ways, but most importantly through Jesus. Jesus is the Son…the Inheritor  of all that is God. Jesus the creator who gave us life. Jesus radiates or exactly reflects all that is God in His relationship to us. In Jesus we see the character, power, redemption and honor of God.

And it is that name that we praise.

Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT)
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The more we grow in Christ; the more we find just how big God is.

Sometimes we look around us and just can’t figure out what is going wrong. Maybe we are out of a job or out of control in our spending and it is causing us to feel abandoned and solutions appear hopeless. Maybe we are struggling with relationships or a lack of real relationships and desire to figure out exactly what is in store for us tomorrow and beyond.

I heard a message this past week at church which spoke to our need to find balance in our lives. That begins with a commitment to God has the focal point of our lives. Jesus words in Matthew:

Matthew 22:37-40 (NLT)
³⁷ Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment.
³⁹ A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
⁴⁰ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

As we examine all the clutter which is overtaking our lives and zapping the control from us, we really need to re-focus on Jesus. Do you remember when Peter was challenged by Jesus to step out the boat and come to Him via walking on the water. Talk about being out of control. You know it is impossible to walk on the water. Add to that the wind, the rain, the lightning, the darkness, the clouds obscuring what light the moon could have provided. Get the picture. If I had been Peter, I would have ask Jesus to come just a few feet closer or at best tried to remember those swimming lessons as a child. (If I remember right, those did not go as I planned either–but that’s another story for another day.)

Peter, in faith (lots of faith) slowly steps out of the boat. And this is no little row boat. This vessel would have placed him a few feet above the water. Perhaps even twenty or so, depending how bad it was rocking in the storm. So maybe he jumps out, hits the water, holding his nose and wham…he is just standing there, going up and down with the waves–walking on top of the water. He begins to move forward, ignoring what control he has just given up with what little science he knew. He sees Jesus; He sees the eyes of Jesus and Jesus sees him. Locked onto those eyes Peter makes his way towards his Master.

The battle ensues in his brain. This can’t be happening. The battle continues in his soul. This is actually happening. His brain wins out. He looks around. He feels the wind and rain. He sees the boat in the distance. He begins to sink. But he cries out and Jesus listens and responds and reaches out for Him. Together they walk back to the boat.

When you begin to feel that circumstances are taking over your life and you are losing control, remember where to find the balance in your life–as Paul puts it in Hebrews:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

God wants us to give Him the control. Let Him lead and we will follow. When we ‘let go and let God’…life gets a little brighter and the future just a little less scary.

John 3:16 has been in the news lately. Only once did I hear news reader actually read the verse and then they only read the first part. Perhaps they assume everyone certainly knows what it says or maybe they are afraid to quote it for fear of not being politically correct. It is a common verse; a simple verse; at least until you really dissect it to open up its vast truths.

1. God loves us. This means God has a relationship with us and desires us to have one with Him.

2. The “us” is the world. Not just Americans, but the world–everyone.

3. He gave. God gave the ultimate sacrifice in Jesus his Son. This is the same Son referred in other scriptures as the ONLY way to the Father God.

4. Begotten Son. Jesus is no ordinary teacher. He is God’s Son, born of virgin, died at Calvary, resurrected in body and spirit and ascended to heaven in sight of witnesses.

5. Whosoever…Yes who ever, anyone, open opportunity for all to come to Him.

6. Believes, that is trust Him, accept Him and follow Him.

7. Shall not perish or never suffer the second death. Yes, we all have two destinations–heaven or hell. Jesus is our path to heaven.

Yes, the news media will continue to put forth Tebow in a light which focuses on him and not his message. They miss the point. But to their credit–it is not their job. They report the news and occasionally offer opinions.

But what should our reaction be? I think we should be praying that somehow, someway that God will use this witness to reach people for Christ. Hundreds are watching…and you just never know who may be led to really read this verse and make a commitment to Jesus.

NEW SERIES STARTING JANUARY 8TH

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You Are My King

Today is Eli’s birthday. Hope he enjoys all the gifts and well wishes today. Because come this weekend…well the birthday boy will be overcome by the Dirty Birds and Matt Ryan. Go Falcons.

The year was 1893 and the now “Never On Sunday” rule came in to effect. It was a Sunday and parade organizers were concerned that the horses tied up outside local churches would be bothered by the parade noise. Apparently the concern was not that it would disturb the worship activities or that those in church would miss the parade…no it was a concern for the horses. 

So now 119 years later and we continue to follow the tradition. But change could be on the way. After all, since many are now able to purchase their alcohol now on Sundays…perhaps when the Rose Parade rolls around again on Sunday in a few years we will see a long standing tradition fall. But don’t count on it. 

Also, in case you wonder. The football game or Rose Bowl football game is called the Grand Daddy of them all. Well that first kick off was not till 1902. 

Have a great 2012.