against the dying if the light!

Today has been a sad, melancholy, blissful and exciting day for a few people I know. A dear, longtime friend of mine lost her father. I cannot begin to imagine the pain, suffering and feeling of loss that they are experiencing. Another friend has come to the realization that they are designed for a greater and more driven stature than their current position. For them I am excited and ecstatic at the possibility of someone staking their claim in this world. 

Both of these stories have impacted me in such a way, that I have realized two things in which we all deny daily. One is that our time, no matter how much we fight to prolong it, is ultimately running out. Secondly, that we should never settle for less than greatness. We all have a way of getting caught up in our day to day routines. However, what is your place in this world? Are you happy with your current state of affairs? What is the "unicorn" that keeps escaping your grasp? 

The elephant in the room, so to speak; is none other than Desire. Have you accomplished all you desire? I would hope that the majority of you look at life through the same slitted, determined and steadfast eyes as I. I look at the clock as these words fall onto this virtual page, and think. I, myself will not as Dylan Thomas says; go gentle into that good night. My prayers are that each of you, look deep into the chasms of your abysmal souls. Then determine where you want to stop on this ride. When you make that hat decision, do not be afraid to put in the work, blood, sweat and ultimately tears that propel us forward. To quote Thomas again, I want you to " Rage, Rage against the dying of the light".

Cleanliness is next to Godliness!

Cleanliness is next to Godliness! We have all heard this saying before. The correlation between these two acts, is two pronged. First, one could draw the following obvious relationship, whether religious or not. That the statement is referring to the purification or rebirth of a person who takes the moral high road as it were. The scripture refers several times to the baptism and washing away of sin, or the old person. Secondly, to this writer, there is a underlying reference that when most persons go in public to a place of worship or just amongst their peers, the generally attempt to impress. For me going to church is one of the times I am able to wear a suit or blazer and no one second guesses it. In my youth my father would always wear impeccable suits to church, and to me the entire process of getting ready as a man was a fascinating one. From the shaving process, the shining of shoes to the seemingly impossible feat of tying a necktie. Both of these ideals are rare at best in these modern times. Keep in mind this is not an attempt to force religion on anyone, just a statement that for me the two ideas of being a gentleman and church are married together inseparably.  In church the band was playing and  singing the following lyrics, from a Hillsong song. During this I couldn't help to think whether or not, our modern culture of men could use a baptism or rebirth of their collectively, lackadaisical presentation of themselves. A washing away of the old dirty jeans and wrinkled tee shirts. These lyrics represent the two pronged idea,  previously mentioned. 

"I see a generation

Rising up to take the place

With selfless faith, with selfless faith

I see a new revival

Starting as we pray and seek"

So again, will you join me in this revival, it doesn't matter to me which prong you choose as either one will ultimately better you. Whether it is cleaning up morally or just cleaning up your appearance.  Of this I am certain.  

A hillbilly's history of bourbon

Just west of Bath County, in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, lies Bourbon County. Once a mighty and royal piece of land that consisted of some thirty odd counties, had been traded and handed down from the French to the State of Virginia. When this  terra firma was part of Virginia it was named for the House of Bourbon This name was taken from a European family in an attempt to give praise and accolades to Louis XVI, for his assistance to our blue blooded American Revolutionaries. Without which, the shaping and forming of this nation, against the wishes of King George and his Loyalists would have; most likely not been successful. During these times of trouble, conflict and birth anew of this land people were in thirst. Being my great state was an agrarian one, there were farmers who struggled to navigate the daunting mountain passes when trying to sale their crops at market. Corn whiskey was initially made in attempt at using crops to make a product that was easily transported without worrying about spoilage. This spirit native to the bluegrass state, was eventually marketed and sold to the rest of the country. This business is how it came to be known as bourbon. In those days, goods were transported by boat down rivers, mostly down the mighty Ohio. During this slow, rolling journey the corn whiskey was contained in good ol Kentucky oak barrels. This packaging would then lend itself to creating the mellow oak taste and rich brown color, that came to be indicative of Kentucky corn whiskey. In an effort to distinguish itself from Pennsylvania rye whiskey, the barrels were stamped with "old bourbon", again paying homage to the geographical origins of what has became known as America's native spirit. In a 1964 resolution Congress stated:  "Bourbon whiskey is a distinctive product of the United States and is unlike other types of alcoholic beverages, whether foreign or domestic; and whereas to be entitled to the designation 'Bourbon whiskey' the product must conform to the highest standards … and whereas Bourbon whiskey has achieved recognition and acceptance throughout the world as a distinctive product of the United States" . This excerpt was taken from the Regans' " the book of bourbon". Point being its been written an argued about for years and probably for many more to come. As for this writer, nothing evokes the pioneering and enterprising past of this great nation and my beloved home state, quite as well as a glass of Woodford Reserve or a Maker's Mark Old fashioned in my table as I craft this writing. Both sides of my family hail from the bluegrass state. If after reading this you have a taste for some Old Bourbon corn whiskey. Then saunter on over to http://kybourbontrail.com/ and sample some of the finest, traditionally distilled bourbons the commonwealth has to offer you. Cheers! 

..and thy neighbor as thyself.

Some few little pieces of dreariness have been brought to my attention today. These are sins we are all guilty of; until declared innocent by ourselves. In some reading today I have stumbled plainly upon a subject that usually we strive for but never put forward; Recognition. How often have you whether at work or in your personal life felt badly because this was not received? The bigger and better question is simply; how often have you paid it forward? I have my self been guilty of Old Abe Lincolns philosophy of " Do not worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition". The opinions of others have never held much water in my life. On the contrary I have realized that not revealing my opinions of other to them sometimes leaves folks on an unsteady ground. Proverbs 25:27 says " It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory". My point to be made in this is: Do not worry yourselves if you do not receive recognition, for our works should not be based on such a lowly goal. Work as you would appreciate being done for you. It has been my experience that in such times of crisis, certain people work only for recognition, while other work tirelessly towards others receiving the glory, knowing that there is great personal satisfaction in knowing that without their hard work and assistance the goal would never have been achieved. I am not always this full of selflessness, but I strive to be. The concept of being a part of a bigger picture is great when you understand that you might only be the film. A similar concept is that an Olympic runner may win first place, but the persons who designed the shoes they ran in are just as much a part of the victory. In this world we have all gotten caught up in the race for "I", Individuality, Personal Gain and Recognition. Never once stopping to think that this very thing we thirst for cost nothing of us to quench another’s thirst. Pay it forward, let someone know that you appreciate them and the things they do. For as it is written in Luke 10:27 "And he answering said, Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself"

Dew on the Pines

After this long day, I am in my driveway under the moon and my mind is enveloped in thoughts. I am pondering the upcoming events in the next few weeks. First off, I  can smell the dew on the pines and this time of year I am constantly reminded of the birth of my darling daughter almost 6 years ago. It takes me to a place of self discovery and wonderment at how these times and years have molded her into the wonderful young woman she is becoming. Innnocent and pure with a thirst for learning. I am beyond words at the humbleness I feel in her presence. I am glad to be able to see her angelic face in a few short hours. Second, I am nervously confident at the prospect of marrying my true best friend and partner in this world in a couple of weeks. These last almost two years have molded me and shaped me as clay in a potters hands into the man I was born to be and created by God to strive towards becoming. With all the perilously paved roads my life had travelled these paths I follow now, are with purposeful stride and unwavering endurance. That said, I could not have succeeded on this road without the guidance, steady hand and support of my bride to be. Third, I have seen the benefits of my struggles most nearly in my life blossoming into the gorgeous rose that is my stepdaughter. Surrounded by thorns but opening to the world, she has fallen many times but with this guidance and structure she has most definitely come into her own. Fourth, I have seen the grace of God in my immediate familys lives. I see the struggles and tribulations turning themselves into a tightening of bonds and a closeness never before seen by these eyes. This fall is a transformation from the old to the new. A dying off to what was before and preparing for the hard roads ahead. I must confess that it is with slight trepidation that I tread these ways in front of me. However knowing that I have the devotion and helping hands and wondrous spirits of these mentioned previously, I will succeed. I am victorious and heads above the rest. This charmed life I lead is my reward for endurance and fortitude. You see what you conquer, survive and put out into this life is brought back folded, compounded and overflowing. I stake hold of my claim and set guard against its place. The needles are blowing and my eyes fall heavy. Blessed be all of you who have entered, left or stayed in my life.

In Between

In between the break downs and fake sounds
I can hear the growing of nothing and it's silence
In between the heartbeats and nights sleep
I can feel the pounding the war drums and foot thuds
Hard against my will and softly eroding my demeanor
This pace I'll keep marching and this battle is hard won
My faith in this righteousness, is what keeps me holding on
Though storms, weakness and famine shall come
I'll stand tall and endure
I'll see this life done

Iron sharpens Iron

Be strong and courageous, is what the verse says Try and fall, rise and conquer Leading my family down the hard road Having faith in the things we can't see This is my calling, this is my flag I will be strong with my God at command I will not falter for my quiver is full Surrounded by lions deep in this den Surrounded by the wages of iniquity and sin Stand up all you who hear this bold call Stand up and be counted we cannot stumble or fall The city on the hill, the light in the dark The sword in the stone, well finish what we start "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:24 This is our motto, our creed, our call This is our defiance as the world falls Reach out to your brother and stand fast hand in hand. Lock shields with your brethren and fight to set free our land. Iron sharpens iron and the same goes for man. We were saved together when the spike pierced the hand Of the God who called me his Son Of the man, the Father, the One