Bring back Bela... not Bella

Can I just break in here and just vent about something that has me just a little worried? Now I don't mean to get all "old school" on you here and sound like some old "kill-joy"... but... I'm just a little worried about this fascination over vampires and the whole undead thing.


Remember the old vampire movies? Remember when the vampire was the villain and it seemed to resonate with the whole "good vs. evil" concept. Remember when Abbott and Costello faced off against Dracula? Those where the good ole days! I can remember when Bela Lugosi was thought of as evil personified, but you knew that it was all just Hollywood. It wasn't real. We could all differentiate between reality and fantasy. I'm not so sure that's the case today.


Everywhere you look there is some new book or movie out or some new television show out about vampires. And these media's glorify them. This worries me. Now bare with me for just a moment while I get into my preacher tights and cape.


You do understand that vampire-ism is completely satanic in nature don't you? It involves everything from murder to demon possession. And portraying these characters as hero's "with a dark side" speaks volumes to people today. Folks began to think it's okay to have a "dark side" and subconsciously, people become desensatised to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and unable to emphatically see the slippery slope they are on. I know it makes for a great love story and good drama, but isn't that just how satan works. Our decline as a society didn't just happen over night. Satan slowly, methodically, and gently pushes us away from God until we one day wake up and can't see Him at all. Sure, you may be able to remain in reality. But what about those who don't have the spiritual foundation some of you have been blessed with?


This flirtation with occultism is going to bite us in the rear end one day. The twilight series of books and movies, now coupled with a TV show called "Vampire Diaries" are rising quickly in popularity. And it's not just the world that is getting swept up into it. It's church people too. I wonder how many have read the entire Twilight Series but never pick up the bible between the Sunday's? Just food for thought... Now let me get out of these tights... man I need to slow down on the fried foods and cake.


Whew... that's better. Oh, and one more little rant! Why do you never see a fat vampire? I mean... do all vampires have these washboard abs and strikingly good looks? Not bloody likely!!! (said in my best Seinfeld voice) Just one more reason to wish Bela was back.

Blessings,
Heavy D

Letting Go

One of the coolest things that ever happened to me was becoming a "dad". I remember it just like it was yesterday... well, maybe a week ago yesterday. My wife and I were just 22 years old, married less than two years, and we were in the delivery room watching this monitor as the contractions became more frequent. I remember how nervous I was... was I ready to be a daddy?

I also remember it was on a Saturday, which meant college football was on and that birthing room was equipped with a really nice recliner and at least a 37 inch TV. I no more sat down and turned on the game, hoping it would take my mind off the fact that my life was about to change in ways I couldn't imagine, when the nurse announced, "She's ready!!" She may have been... I wasn't.

I fell in love with a little girl that day. She was perfect... and beautiful! But that goes without saying.

I thought, "This is awesome! I wonder how soon we can have another one!" Well, apparently the answer to that was almost eight years. That's when the "littleman" came along.

But now, almost 21 years later, I'm nervous again. The older she gets the harder it is to let her go. I firmly believe that she needs to have the latitude to make her own decisions. It's just not easy for me to accept that some of those decisions will turn into mistakes. I've made enough of those in my life. I don't want my kids to have to go through what I did.

She still lives at home and goes to college, but now home is just the place where she sleeps and occasionally eats. I miss the days when I would come home from the office and she would greet me at the door with open arms yelling "daddy, daddy"! Now if she happens to be home when I come in I'm lucky to get a "hey". And then it's, "Dad! Tell me you didn't wear that to the office." Yep, that's my girl!

I say all this because I know some of you have children or will have children one day. Whatever you do, don't get tired of them wanting to sit in your lap. Don't overlook the butterfly kisses. Don't despise the times you have to lay down with them while they go to sleep. Man do I miss those times.


Blessings,
Heavy D

When Words Just Aren't Enough

Being a pastor is a privilege that is hard to put into words. I get to see the best of people... and the worst of people. I get to be there when new life is brought into this world... and when mourning the loss of life. To say pastoring has it's "ups" and "downs" would be one of many ways to describe it.

Recently we have had several families in and around our church that have had family members pass away. I have to say that this is one of the things I struggle with the most in my ministry because I'm just not sure how to respond in a way that would actually bring comfort. Sometimes I wonder if the family I'm trying to minister to can look into my eyes and actually see the inner battle I'm go through as I'm scanning my limited vocabulary to find the perfect words that would bring the most comfort. I feel like a failure most times.

We say things like...
They're in a better place now... - or -
Our loss is heavens gain... - or -
God will heal the pain...

Though all these things may well be true, it just doesn't take the pain away. I've come to realize there are no words that are comforting enough to remove the pain and make it all better.

But let me tell you what I have found works best. I minister to families like this best when I don't say anything. Most times I just find myself welling up inside (which turns on the water works on the outside) and just sitting with them as they mourn. The bible speaks of this. Remember Job, after he had lost everything, his friends came and found him sitting wearing torn garments, and ashes on his head. So they did the same thing and just sat there for days with Job. This was probably the greatest sign of support they could have shown for their friend. Where they messed up was when they opened their mouth. That's when stupidity began to flow.

Now I understand some of the guys that read this will poo-poo this idea because they feel it may be a bit less than manly to actually shed a tear in front of others. But the manliest man I have ever met is Jesus Christ, and He certainly wasn't afraid to show emotion.

Understanding this has really helped me overcome my feelings of complete inadequacy. Now I just feel somewhat inept! Quite the improvement.

Hope this helps you.

Blessings,
Heavy D