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Happy Birthday Dr Seuss

He wasn’t a doctor at all – he didn’t even play on on TV, but this is one doctor that all of us remember from our youth, and today is his birthday.  Elementary schools across the country – except those out of school because of this latest winter storm – will celebrate Dr. Seuss today.   And here is a fun fact from the first grade teacher who happens to live with me – Dr Seuss was turned down over 20 times for his first book – And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street.

The story of Dr. Seuss is another on of those truly inspiring stories of how sticking with something will pay off.  The same is for your walk today.  Stay with it despite the hardships:

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. -James 1:2-3 (New International Version)

And in honor of Dr Seuss, here a little rendition of the Jesus story Dr. Seuss style.  This was written for a Canadian comedy show called Kids in the Hall and I have a feeling it was written as satire, and to be funny, but it still tells a very important story.

And now for the Dr. Seuss Bible:

(Disclaimer: this limerick does not represent the actual word of God and is purely made up by someone else forDr Seuss laughs only)

One day God said, “This is what I will do:
I’ll send down my son. I’ll send him to you
To clear up this humpity bumpity hullaballoo.
His name will be Christ and he’ll never wear shoes.
His pals will all call him ‘The King of the Jews.’”

He didn’t come in a plane.
He didn’t come in a Jeep.
He didn’t come in a pouch
Of a high jumping Voveep.

He rode on the back of a black Sassatoo
Which is the blackiest creature you ever could view.

He rode to Jerusalem — home of the grumpity Jews
Where false prophets were worshiped — some even in twos.
There was Murray VonMyrrh and Ghengis Vovooz –
The one you could worship by taking a snooze.

Christ spoke from a mound
Which is a pile of ground.
People gathered around
Without making a sound.

Thus he spake:

“Sin in socks
Socks full of sin.
How do we quiet
This Jehovaty din?
Do unto others as they do unto you.
That includes you, young Timothy Foo.”

One pharisee said to another he knew,
“What shall we do with this uppity Jew?”
“Let’s wash him in wine and make him all clean
And into Sam Zittle’s crucifiction machine.”

Twirl the Gawhirl
And release the Galeese
And in go the nails
As fast as you please.

And it is said
That he said as he bled,
“Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.
For they walk throughout life in toe crampity shoes.”

Do you?

Amen.

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Distractions

Today is March 1st, and its a day full of distractions.  The first of March, is it in like a lion or a lamb?  Its the second day of the Hindu holiday Holi.  There’s a full moon.  Its National Peanut Butter Lovers Day.  There’s talk of another big snow event in the southeast. Its almost Spring.  March Madness is right around the corner. And I am sure you can add lots of other things to the day. A day of distractions.

My youngest son turns 10 today.  I still remember being at the hospital and getting a call from a boss at the time.  She was asking me if I could get a report complete and to her by the end of the day. I told her that I was a little distracted at the time, and probably would not be able to accomplish that today .  Finally, remembering what was going on, she realized the ridiculous nature of her request and started apologizing immediately. Distractions.

Distractions from the goal at hand are always present, its our job to filter them out and focus on the goal, the prize.  But boy is it hard some times, I find my self so easily distracted that its absolutely infuriating.  Today’s buffet is a few verses to help you (me) keep your (my) spiritual focus.

24 Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.

26 Make level [a] paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.

Proverbs 4:24-26 (New International Version)


2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2 (New International Version)

Stay focused on your spiritual goal today, and avoid the distractions!

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Snowboarding for Jesus

Yesterday while I was trapped in the imaginary world of all day conference calls, I found a little relief from the drumming sound in my ear to surf the web and check out a few searches.  While doing that I stumbled upon a story about a Kelly Clark, an Olympic snowboarder, and how she stumbled into God one day on the half pipe, and how that has completely changed her life.

(watch the video here.)

In this story she tells of how finding out about the Christ has changed her perspective on life and she says this:

But I’ll tell you, I’ve never had more fun snowboarding, and I’ve never been more free.

What a incredible story of a changed life – changed by the power of Christ to free us up and provide us with forgiveness and purpose.  And check out her snowboard:

Nice!

So, I checked out this entire site called Beyond the Ultimate.  Today or this weekend, take a little time and check it out.  It has  great stories about the lives  -the changed lives -of many Olympic Athletes.  Seeing these high performance athletes confirming where their strength comes from is really amazing.

So, take some motivation not only from their exceptional athletic abilities, but also from their personal stories. And be free – even in the imaginary land of conference calls.

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. –Colossians 3:15-17 (New International Version)

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Work, Couches and a Guest

Wow, its one of those weeks were my mind is so occupied by big design sessions at work that my creativity is zapped.  This morning while still in the comfort of my covers, I found myself- due the the glorious wonders of technology- corresponding with my co worker who was already hard at work in an country where the sun rises much earlier.  Even last night I feel asleep on our Bush Couch ( the couch we purchased by GW’s first money hand out years ago) while thinking about how to solve a “serious software design problem”.  Anyway enough of that. ( but something has to fill this space right?)

Sometimes its better to have a guest blogger and today its David.  That’s right King David and his blog/song we refer to as Psalm 32 about the joys of forgiveness.

Psalm 32 (New International Version)

Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.

1 Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.

2 Blessed is the man
whose sin the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Selah

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD “—
and you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.

7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Selah

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.

9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.

10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD’s unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.

11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Rejoice, your forgiven, that always good stuff.

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Blue Collar Day

Today is one of those Blue Collar Days.  Do you  know what I mean?  No real deep thoughts, no real challenging questions – not even any goofy pictures from the past – just a cold winter day in February.  One of those days that reminds you are still deep in winter, after you been teased by spring.  Its a day that you just get up, and ‘do what you got to do’.

Its sort of like my Facebook status lately – or lack of Facebook status.  Just living life, no cool trips, no out of the ordinary funny thought that will get someone to comment. Its a Blue Collar Status –  “Just Living Life”

So, to check this out this morning, I interrupted my beautiful wife’s morning routine and asked her for her favorite verse. After getting a brain dump on the unit she is going to teach and her lesson plan for the day – as she was deep in thought – deep in just doing it thought.  She said, I don’t have a favorite, but how about Phil 4:13, its something about being content!  How fitting.

10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:10-13 (New International Version)

Get ‘er Dun