Patriot Day

Where were you on this day 7 years ago? This might make you feel old, but I
was in 2 period math my Senior Year in high school. Two mornings prior, I
sat in a computer lab and filled out my selective service card. I was
nearly 18. I remember hearing it walking to my classroom, "Someone just
crashed a plane into the World Trade Center!" came an exclamation from my
friend George as we rounded the corner to our classroom. My response was
"No way dude, shut up, who would crash a plane into a building?".

Shortly after we turned on the TV in our classroom to CNN where they were
showing Live coverage. We tuned in just in time to see plane number two
barrel through the second tower. Suddenly there was a beep over our PA
system, and our Principle, and ex-Marine began to explain the events that
had occurred. We stayed in that classroom for most of the morning, and our
school went on lock down. The only way I can really describe it is surreal.

Now we call this day Patriot Day, and as well they should. Many Americans
lost their lives, and many New York Police and Fire rescue officers gave up
their lives to save others. Since that day, we have not experienced another
terrorist attack on American soil. For that I am grateful. I'm grateful to
the men and women who serve in our armed forces. I'm grateful for the
decision makers who knew that acting fast was our only course of action.
I'm grateful that we instantly took the war away from our homes and family.
I'm even grateful every time my bag gets searched at the airport. I spent
some time this morning praying for our men and women in the armed forces,
and thanking the Lord that we have been spared from further terrorism. If
you haven't today, I encourage you to pray for the men and women in our
armed forces who serve us in the worst of conditions. If you know someone
who has served be sure to thank them for their service. If you are someone
who has served, there is nothing that can be said that is worthy of your
sacrifice and service, so please know that you are more valuable to the
American people and me personally than could ever be said. Thank You.

If we forget September 11, 2001 or loose it's impact on our lives, then our
gratitude is empty. The best thanks that we can give is to always remember.

Have a Thankful Patriot Day.
Copyright 2008. Joe LaClare.

He Who Controls the Remote....

I don't know what it's like in your house, but in most homes "He who holds the remote control, holds the power". That's a pretty common phrase in my home, and as you may have guessed, I do not have control of the remote in my home. That's right, my loving and capable wife "holds the power" in our home. Now don't misunderstand, it's not that I can't hold the remote, it's simply that she's a lot better at controlling the TV than I am. She's got the knack for it, and she's also had years of experience using the hi-tech remotes her dad employs at home. I can admit, she really is a lot better at controlling the TV than I am and so she gets the power.

Now I'm pretty good at recognizing my wife's remote control savvy. but sometimes I wonder if I'm as good at recognizing God's skills. You see, when I start to try and figure out what I need to be doing, it's like I'm taking the remote control from Him. Now I am fully aware that He is much better at "holding the power" but still I will not let him. I have to be honest, I take the remote from God daily, and it only breeds discontentment and further confusion in my life. Luckily, my wonder woman of a wife is really good at taking back the remote when I take it. She's also very talented at making me give it back to God when I take it.

So how about you? Do you have to have the "power"? I encourage you to relinquish the remote that controls your life to the person who is most capable of using it. I guarantee it will increase your viewing pleasure.

On a practical note, the easiest way to do this is prayer. When you find yourself reaching for that little black box with the buttons that could change the channel of your life, pray. If you commit your decisions to prayer, then you're automatically asking God to pick the channel for you. It works really well.

Belinda Waited

Belinda was going into her senior year of high school when I started pastoring the small youth group at a church in Running Springs. She was a great girl with lots of life and a beautiful smile. But she wasn't all personality and a pretty face, she had something that increased her cool factor a lot. She had made a commitment not to kiss anyone but her husband, and even then not until her wedding day. It was a bold commitment and boy did she take it seriously. Shortly after graduating high school she started to date a guy named Chris. Tall and ruddy, Chris had a smile almost as bright as hers, and had a great head on his shoulders. He was diligent and a good man. He and Belinda both had a strong relationship with the Lord and their relationship seemed to magnify that.

Sadly, I had to move away from my life there shortly after they had started dating. While I was gone, they fell deeply in love. Though they were in love, they always made sure to listen to God's calling on their lives and follow him first. In fact during their relationship Belinda traveled abroad to study. I kept in touch through reports from friends and the occasional contact which I have gotten less of lately. but I do remember one summer day, when I went back to visit the area, Chris told me he was going to ask Belinda to marry her. I can't tell you how happy I was to hear that. Before I knew it, I received an invitation to their wedding and then the day came.

I remember putting on my one suite (sometimes referred to as a "marrying and burying suit") and thinking, I can't believe someone from my youth group was getting married. I mean, i had just gotten married the fall before! It was a little weird. As we ushered into the chapel, I greeted my old friends with excitement and anticipation for the moments to follow. Then as I took my seat and the room got quite the Groom and his men took the stage. The music began to play, and the doors opened. She was beautiful and radiant, just the way a girl should look on her wedding day. She marched down the isle, confident and full of joy.

Towards the end of the ceremony, my heart started to beat a little faster, for I knew what was to come. And in that moment when the Pastor said, "Chris, you may for the first time Kiss your bride", he grabbed that girl, dipped her back and planted one right on her. It was perfect in every way. More importantly, it was the first time either of them had kissed anyone. Right there on that alter, they shared their first kiss ever, with each other, as husband and wife.

As a Youth Pastor, I often times I am asked the question "How far is too far?", or "When can I start dating?". Honestly, I have never been able to answer that question. I think it's far to personal for me to just give you an answer. For some 18 is too early and for others 16 is perfect. For some, kissing is too far and for others anything above the neck is fair game. So I have two answers to these questions that I think work 100% of the time.

To the question of how far one can go, my response would be to shift your paradigm. What if you looked at it as how far away from sex can I stay until I'm married. But a good rule of thumb is this:
If mom and dad decide to have Jesus over for coffee, and they're all sitting in the room with you and your bf/gf, how far would be too far? You can derive an answer from there.

To the question of when to start dating my answer is this. One should never date without a purpose. If your purpose is to figure out the kind of mate you would like to have, then there's no reason you can't date in bigger groups or go out to public places with family and friends. If your purpose is to see if you could marry this person, you should be ready for marriage in two or maybe three years.

Whatever you decide, remember that you are always loved by God, and he's always there for you in a crunch. If your desire is truly to be close to Him, everything else should fall into line pretty nicely.

Until Next time: Don't get dead.