What Drives Your Car?

Is it safe to say that you really haven't driven until you've tackled that Capital Beltway that loops around Washington DC? How about being able to safely navigate around Atlanta, GA, in the "slow lane" going nearly 80 miles per hour? I've had to do both!! Our cars have become so comfortable and stable that we forget the reality of what we are doing...sitting encased in $18-$20,000.00 of glass, metal, fiberglass, and combustible fuel at high speeds. I remember my first car...a 1984 Ford Escort that "pegged out" on the speedometer at 85! It was 4-speed and 1.6 liters of chugging power. Now, today, that same "type" of vehicle registers 110-120 on the speedometer. We've been lulled to sleep by the advancement of technology that puts these vehicles together to the point that we don't "feel" how fast we're really going. What brings this to mind is the most recent news coming out of the Vatican. Are you familiar with their "Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of the Road?" In that document came the "Driver's 10 Commandments." I will focus on one that caught my attention...it's number five which says "Cars shall not be for you an expression of power and domination." Again, that made me think back to the Capital Beltway and driving in the major cities. I have had many occasions where I've actually felt threatened by the driver behind me. I'm sure if they had the assurance that they wouldn't even get so much as a "ding" in their front bumper, they would not hesitate to spin me out or, in NASCAR terminology, "get me loose" to move me out of the way. Many times, I could look in my rear view mirror and become alarmed that I couldn't even see their headlights. "Up my tailpipe" is what I call it. That's why I ask "what drives your car?" Our emotions and demeanor have a lot to do with it. If we will really confess, we must say, at times, that we use our cars to our advantage. We do use our cars to "express our power and domination" on the road. Just think, when we're mad/upset we drive mad/upset. When running late we tend to speed and wish people out of our way. I think we fail to step back and realize how lethal this mind-set of driving can become if left unchecked. I have done an experiment that shows that speeding/driving faster for any trip less than three hours gains nothing. Ok, maybe 2-3 minutes, but that is not worth burning extra fuel and endangering others on the road trying to hurry. Besides, when you add in stoplights, gas/potty stops, and traffic congestion, the 2-3 minutes you gain by speeding are lost...in other words, you end up arriving in the same amount of time had you gone the speed limit. Rational thinking saves more than time and resources...it can be prevention...that one decision that keeps you from having or causing an accident. So, the next time you're on the road...back off, slow down, and leave with plenty of time to arrive at your destination. Don't become a statistic or the outcome of what I usually say when someone blows past me on the interstate when I mumble "I guess they're in a hurry to get to the scene of their accident!" Your car is for transportation and not for expressions of anger, power or domination. Enjoy your next drive in the car...and may the only thing that gives your car "power" be the gasoline!!

What Will Make You Quit?

One of my favorite quotes from Dr. Jerry Falwell is this: "You don't determine a man's greatness by his talents or wealth like the world does, but by what it takes to discourage him." I pose this question: What does it take to make you throw in the towel and quit? Are you easily swayed by intimidation? Do you quickly retreat at the first sign of opposition? Are you soundly defeated when it appears you're outnumbered by the opposition? It has always been said that "The greatest way for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing." It is time for us to stop cowering in fear and allowing the godless to run all over us. Fear is but the ammunition of the terrorist, the chord in which evil uses to choke our message and the noise Satan uses to drown out the truth. When you are tempted to succumb to the fear of threats, opposition, and intimidation of others, remember it is not your battle to fight! As 2 Chronicles 20:15 says, "This is what the Lord says to you, 'do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'" Give God room (and time) to deal with those who cause trouble in your life. As God commanded Joshua following the death of Moses in Joshua 1:9, "This is my command -- be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Don't quit...ever!! Now, take your towel, fold it, and put it back in the linen closet where it belongs!

Marking The Date

Yesterday was May 29, 2007. For some, that marks a birthday, a special occasion or anniversary. For me, this is an extraordinary day as it marks two monumental occasions of my life. On May 29, 1984, I left from the airport in Indianapolis, IN, and soon found myself freshly shaven bald and standing on yellow footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA. There, I began my military career which now spans 23 years. But, most significantly is this same date just four years earlier. At the age of fourteen, on May 29, 1980, I realized that "being good" was not "good enough" to get to Heaven. I realized that sin is what separates me from a proper relationship with God. So, on the cold basement floor in my grandparent's home in Terre Haute, IN, with the guidance of my uncle Don Mallory, I confessed my sinfulness and that my "good nature" was still a "sin nature" and that no matter how good I tried to be, I still needed Jesus Christ. I received Jesus Christ as my Savior that night. I have never been the same since. Are you looking for a change? Are you still struggling in life even despite how "good" you try to live? Could it be that one thing is still missing in your life? Is it Jesus? Only he can fill that "void" that eats at your inner being. Parties and being popular won't fill it. Alcohol, sexual indulgence, drugs, or striving for stardom won't get it either. Only Jesus! Let that statement sink in...only Jesus. If you want to know more about this in detail check out http://www.greatcom.org/laws/englishkgp/. If you will, I can guarantee you'll never be the same again. I've known for sure since May 29, 1980!

In Memory - Jerry Falwell: August 11, 1933 - May 15, 2007

No matter what your thoughts and feelings are towards Dr. Jerry Falwell, I wanted to at least take some time to express my thoughts of this champion for Christ. I had not only the pleasure of attending his school, Liberty University, but also the honor of working for him. As a radio broadcaster, I worked for WRVL-FM. This dynamic station sits just below the Carter-Glass mansion on the Liberty Campus where Dr. Falwell had his office. His parking space was right next to the entrance to the radio station. It always amazed me how up close and personal you could get with a man of this stature. The year I worked for WRVL was the year Jerry went back on the radio world-wide with a show called "Perspectives." I had the joy of helping with some of those programs. I was there when Jerry came in to record his segments and got to see him "as is" with sleeves rolled up and the tie loosened. He had me by over 1" in stature, the hands like the paws of a grizzly bear, a hug that could crack your ribs, but yet a tender heart filled with love. I remember one personal moment we had together before one of the recording sessions...just a simple, uneventful thing...he walked over to me, called me by name (I was literally shocked that he remembered my name) and reached into his pocket. Out came a handfull of change...to which he gave me four quarters...his simple request was "Charles, I'll take a Diet Coke, and you get whatever you want." Many things like that...those little personal moments that probably don't mean anything to anyone else, but me. I had those times with Dr. Jerry Falwell. He will be greatly missed. I am sure, to some degree, Thomas Road and Liberty University won't "feel the same" knowing that he is gone, but I know that it all is in capable hands. What a joy it will be to see Jerry, Jr. and Jonthan, his two sons, carry on God's will for Jerry Falwell in and through these places in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Getting Started

So...you're probably wondering "what in the world is a "F.O.D. Walker?!" Well, it is a military thing. We have F.O.D. walks in the Air Force which is an acronym that stands for Foreign Objects and Debris. In the Army, we called them "police calls." It is a wonderful exercise where everyone gathers as a large group at a specific location to pick up trash and debris. We do this to not only keeps our base clean, but to prevent our aircraft from being damaged. To better explain, I have posted a picture of a "F.O.D. Walk"that was at six in the morning here at Andrews Air Force Base on Monday, May 21, 2007. The annual Joint Service Open House (air show) concluded on 20 May, and we gathered at the air field (with plastic garbage sacks) to pick up all the debris the wind carried off onto the flight line. Butcher paper, cups, candy wrappers, sucker sticks...you name it, the wind blew a good deal of it away from the garbage cans and out towards the runway. If this debris had not been picked up it could have gotten into one of our multi-million dollar aircraft engines and cause damage or failure to the sensitive components. That is why we do the F.O.D. walks...to get rid of things that are dangerous and could pose serious threats or problems to the aircraft. That is why I call this blog "The F.O.D. Walker." I want to make my walk in life pleasing and acceptable to God my Father. To do that, I must walk in a way that keeps the filth, garbage and sin of this world out of my heart and mind so that I do not bring shame, discredit, or defeat into my life, ministry, and witness. It isn't easy and I fail miserably at times, but I praise God for His redeeming plan for my life (and yours) through His Son Jesus Christ. Are you ready to go on a F.O.D. Walk with me? I pray that you will check back regulary for updated posts and words of encouragement. It is my plan (beyond this first posting) to write reflective thoughts and short devotional-styled blogs that can offer you peace, affirmation, and encouragement.