Playing for the Man Upstairs!

Legally Rambling (January 10, 2010). Ok, so it's Sunday and I'm going to do what I really like to do - discuss the Gospel. Yes, I know if I wasn't a lawyer ... the thought of seminary had crossed my mind on more than one occassion. I feel that God is so active in my life that he's with me at all times and it's a good thing! I am very blessed!

A few weeks ago I was out with my father-in-law and brothers-in-law (well ex)[but it doesnt feel right to say ex and never will to me], at WinStar Casino. The guys were playing black jack and I was watching. Honestly, I had just taken a few hundred dollars out of a slot machine and I was not going to give it back!

Now at times God speaks to me with such clarity and in so many simple worlds that they appear to hang in air with a yellow highlight around them. It's kinda cool. Really.

As the guys were playing black jack, the dealer made a comment - "we are all really playing for the man upstairs." Sure I know what she was talking about - eyes in the sky and all, but the meaning was much greater to me. At that brief moment in time, the words just hung in the air suspended by the Holy Spirit for me. Was I really playing for the man upstairs? Wow!

My honest answer was at that moment - no! I was slacking! My scripture reading was down, witnessing was down, ... heck I was taking a holiday! Like the spike in the tree, I was being reminded of the words of Matthew 28:19: "therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Do the Lords work ... play for the man upstairs! I have alot of work to do.

If you read this ... at this moment in your life ... are you playing for the man upstairs? Ramble On!

Quiet Wonder

Legally Rambling (January 9, 2010). I sit in the Wright Library another night. Cold. Quiet. Still. At 42, I am full of wonder, but tired after a five hour partner meeting. Looking forward to the blank screen. Kinda like the blank page - full of possibility!

I am at my heart a natural Jeffersonian. I always have been since my youth. Captivated by books, art, cooking, conversation, the stars, animals, gardening ... the greater world around us. I remain amazed by God's creation. Even with evil in the garden, you have to admit that it is still truly wonderful. An amazing and beautiful place. I still believe its a world filled with angels and miracles. I have witnessed a great many.

I have been collecting books since I was a little kid. And, one of the benefits of my recent divorce is that I now have my book life back. Time for reading and quiet reflection. And recently, I have been doing a lot of thinking about miracles and the gift of prophecy. Perhaps it's my Italian roots calling to me or an echo of a gift my mother possessed. But, on some level it reminds me that God is here active in this world. Still moving through the garden. Whispering to those who are willing or called to listen.

I have been a student of Jefferson since a little kid. However, one of the things that always disturbed me about Jefferson was the Jefferson Bible. My grandmother and I would often debate this book. If you are not aware of the Jefferson Bible, it begins with an account of Jesus’s birth without references to angels, genealogy, or prophecy. Miracles, references to the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus, and Jesus' resurrection are also absent from the Jefferson Bible. I know why he made the edits and I know it was never formally published during his life, but it also makes me sad even if it's a pure moral code.

Why does it make me sad? Because Jefferson took out all the wonder and for me the hope. Case in point, the Jefferson Bible ends with the words: “Now, in the place where he was crucified, there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus. And rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.” Think about it - it ends there! No miracle, no resurrection, no hope for the future. He missed it - the main point, he missed why Christ was sent and what it was all about! The true miracle!

The book never sat well with me, because even as a young man I have been witness to extraordinary things. I always wondered was Jefferson not blessed with these experiences or did he intellectually try to explain them away. For the great gardener was God active in his world or not? And, for all of his immense gifts was he missing the most important one of all!

In this life and in all things ... Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam and Ramble On!

Ramble On!

Moving Day

Legally Rambling (January 3, 2010). I sit in the Wright Library tonight using a desk that has to be over one hundred years old, a gift from the greats (grandfather, aunt and uncle). Ultimately delivered to me by my father – another great! My old desk another victim of the legal process called divorce. Listening to Switchfoot!

Now despite having gone through the legal process, I still don’t believe in divorce. While I realize from a legal and scriptural standpoint I have every right to a divorce in my case, I must state to my children if you read this in the future, I did everything to avoid it. I quite strongly am a peaceful follower of Christ, believe in marriage, and, if that makes me an extremist under the eyes of the system. Well, then I strongly state that - I am!

So now you know where Legally Rambling has been – involved in a high conflict (not on my part) divorce for the past several months that at this point is over. In fact, without going into the facts of the case, I believe my fellow Divorce Care (offered through Watermark Community Church) participants enjoyed my presence each of the thirteen weeks (when I could attend) of the class because my stories made them feel better about their divorces. They certainly supported me during mine – still praying for y’all! Mine was that bad!

I have to state a big Thank You! to the Christian Community of Watermark Community Church for your prayers and for supporting a Catholic guy through one of lifes worst experiences. They prayed for me, with me, offered to clean my house, watch my children, provide security for me … and on … and on … and on! As a follower of Christ they literally had my back! More churches could follow your example of Christian Community! Also to the Wimberley Bible Study Group - they did all of the above and more – A lifetime of Thanks!

So yesterday was moving day - the day where the major property was exchanged. It was quite a day from an emotional standpoint. I feel like a guy standing in the middle of Dresden after its bombing during World War II by the British Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Force. A historical note, the resulting firestorm destroyed 39 square kilometres (15 sq mi) of the city centre. What an experience!

You know, property may have been moved around yesterday, but my faith remains strong and unmoved and I am amazed by my family. The strength my father exhibited even after losing my mom at the start of all this was awe inspiring. He is still my hero! The advice provided by my brother Patrick is a true testament as to why he is a gifted family lawyer and my sister-in-law Sheri provided so much help I can’t list it all! And, the Wimberley family standing for what is right - a true Christian example!

The only real thing of importance that was moved yesterday was my heart. I am humbled by everything my family has done for me over the last several months. You all have my love and a lifetime of my thanks! I am proud to call you all family and Praise God for you in my life!

Ramble On!