We're Not Alone

>"Our destiny, in my opinion, and we might as well get started with it, is [to] become a part of the planetary community. ... We should be ready to reach out beyond our planet and beyond our solar system to find out what is really going on out there."<
Edgar Mitchell, retired US Astronaut, member of 1971 Apollo 14 moon mission

I'm all for space travel. I was one of those kids who always imagined traveling to other worlds... never crossed my mind that it might not happen in our life times. As an adult, it would be no problem to come up with a quick list of folks who either a) act like they're from another planet or b) might be better off living in a distant galaxy!

Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Matthew 4:17

I believe in His Kingdom... very near... all around us, within us... I believe in Jesus. Don't know what's "out there." Do know that today, April 20, 2009 is the anniversary of the Columbine killings. Know that life is hard for people in the community we live in... probably in your community as well. I'm certain that as exciting a call Ed Mitchell makes to "reach out beyond our planet," I'm thankful God saw fit to reach out to us with His Son, Jesus Christ and plant His Kingdom within our hearts to prevent the anger, violence and killing that springs up in the heart of people. I think we've got a load of work to do right here on planet earth, in love, right now.

Words like repent don't seem relevant any longer- they repel us -but if we're looking for change, why look to the skies? God's given us His Kingdom- not "pie in the sky" but the opportunity to love, serve and share right now, right here, today.

Space exploration and serving in love aren't mutually exclusive- I'm all for both -just want to make sure that before we start exporting values to other galaxies we make sure we've got love covered, or are at least giving it our best effort, here and now. But if the opportunity should avail itself- take an alien to lunch -one more opportunity to break bread and make friends in His Name.

blessings,

Eric

found a nickle!

I love finding money on my runs- I stop, pick it up, jam it in my pocket and run off with a smile. Getting home, I'll set it on one of our cars, one of Debi's knick-knack boxes, rarely do I put it with my change... there's something special about found money. Don't think I'd like to find a $20- or more... I'd feel bad for whoever lost it. Once found $120- in an envelope on the side of the road... it had an address and we were able to find the sender and return it. I've found numerous wallets, credit cards and so many other random pieces of life left on the side of road. But spare change is my favorite still, makes me smile, feel like an elementary school kid.

I've noticed that many people consider change a pain- they'll do anything, donate towards whatever cause, leave a cheap tip at Starbucks just to rid themselves of it. My generation had coin jars- coin bottles- usually old 5 gallon Sparklets water bottles where we kept our savings. They easily held in excess of $1,000-, I know... been there, done that. Change was an invitation to hope: a trip to Europe, someday a downpayment, a car, it represented possible, positive, change... in simple change.

It's a lost legacy. Maybe that's what makes me feel just a little thrill when I find a nickle, dime, quarter... or even a penny on the road. Debi already put the one I found today in her money jar... hope... change... who knows, maybe my Christmas present!?!

If I were king of the world, or in charge of a world that holds change in disdain, I'd invite everyone to empty their pockets of change each day and hurl it towards the gutter. Soon the gutters would glitter with hope, kids could pick up a little piece of purpose just walking down the road, no one would need to panhandle and me... my runs would take forever... I'd never make it home but our coin jar would always be filled and it'd be hard not to start every day with a smile.

I found a nickle today on my run, put it in the little change pocket in my running shorts and thought of world of change... what a bargain! It's a change in thinking, give it a try. If you enjoy change- pick it up, look at it in wonder and leave it somewhere around the house. If change isn't your kind of thing- empty your pockets and throw caution to the wind and let the gutters glitter -someone's waiting for a better day, a shiny nickle of hope. It might be me.

Tune in to the song of the day on the side bar - Ben Harper, singing about change
Click to hear music file

Do It Now

I understand why we put things off- we hope life, and it's challenges, will resolve itself without forcing us to make a decision. Decision making can be tough. Decision makers live with the consequences- good and bad -we forget that the penalty for indecision can profoundly change our lives, our world even our existence.

The photo's of Greenland, melting away, while the world continues to heat up at a faster pace then anyone imagined. There's a great article on Greenland's meltdown on cnn at: http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/06/06/greenland.warming.reut/index.html.
100 years ago my grandparents were in the first years of their marriages, enjoying the blessings and dealing with the struggles all new parents face. Computers, microwaves, telephones, television, air flight, space travel, atomic bombs, ipods... well the list is rediculous really... were all the fruit of decisions yet to be made, they had no clue what the world held for their grandchildren, they lived for today.

We have a clue of what the future holds for our grandchildren a century hence. Even with inventions, creative thinkers and a world of discovery that we, like my grandparents 100 years ago, can't begin to imagine, it's important to remember a simple truth from God's Word - "Earth abides." There's a great old science fiction book from the '50's that takes it's title from the verse (think I'll find it on Amazon.com and buy a copy to read again). The Word says Earth abides... not the world as we know it. Life, civilization, society and our interactions with our living planet is in a constant state of flux. It's a truth we can depend on. It's a reminder to each of us: do it now!

Riverside's probably not going to have beach front property any time soon, however, the world our grandchildren live in will be radically dependent on the decisions we make today. Every little issue that come's up- every earth shaking glacier that drops into the sea, should be a reminder to us: Do It Now! Don't let another day slip by. Love someone, help someone, worship God, create, share, say hello, encourage a stranger, embrace a friend, tell your family you love them, make a decision to be a better person, be exactly who you dream of being, live! Be a great steward of the earth, ride share, ride a bike, get a hybrid, care. Do it now.

The ice is shifting. The water is rising. Today is our only day to be exactly who God created us to be. In a world that's rapidly melting away are you living a life to make your children proud, to leave a legacy to your grandchildren? Do it now!