North Florida Writer - Blog

SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN: Why Do We Suffer?

1/20/2019

Ash Wednesday Storm, 1962, Nags Head, NC

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. - 1 Peter 5:10

Why do bad things happen to good people? It is a question that man has had since his creation and we all at one time or another have asked it. Why do young children sometimes die horrible deaths? Why do disasters happen and destroy everything that we have worked so hard for? And the questions can go on and on with seemingly no answers.

When we ask ourselves such questions, maybe it is a good time to sit down and read the Book of Job from the Old Testament. Job, a God fearing and righteous man, lost everything he had. God had been good to him, yet he lost his fortune, his children and his health, and even his wife who remained with him said he should curse God and die. Even his good friends also told him that he needed to pray for forgiveness for his sins, yet despite his anguish, Job told them he had not turned on God and had remained righteous.

In the end, God returned to him his health and his wealth and he was exonerated in the eyes of his friends. But Job suffered terribly, yet he never turned from the Lord. He stayed true through his anguish. He had been brutally tested about his faith and passed the test.

Job teaches us that suffering is not always because of something we have done. Sometimes it can be because of pride or even just because God wants to test us to see how strong our faith is. Using today's standards, many would howl ane say "that's not fair," but it is not for us to question God's reasoning, for only He really knows what it all means. But if we have faith, we will stay the course come what may and learn from it and be a much better person because of it.

As the scripture at the beginning of this blog states, even though we might suffer and be tested rigorously about our faith, God will redeem us. And remember, suffering builds strength and strength builds character and the ability to have faith. And the only way to meet the ultimate goal of this life is to have the faith to believe in Jesus Christ, for He is the only way to reach God who is our lifeblood. So whatever we face and whatever doubts we have, turn them over to God through faith and they will be handled. And the outcome through our belief will be heavenly because of His love and grace.

Dear Lord: We know that you love us and have given us life as a time to learn and mature in ourselves and we thank you for it. But we also know we are weak and cannot meet the standards which you set for us without your grace. Have mercy on us, help us to open ourselves to the Light of your Love and live by it always, come what may in this world before us. We ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

OUTER BANKS: WHAT'S IN THE NAME OF A BRIDGE?

1/19/2019

Replacment for the Oregon Inlet Bonner Bridge shown here almost ready.

Back in probably my favorite place on earth, North Carolina's Outer Banks, the bridge shown above is soon to disappear as the new, improved and much larger one is almost ready. The Bonner Bridge has taken a beating since opened in the early 1960's, subject to the harsh weather and conditions so often prevalent along the area often referred to as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. And while I have many feelings in my heart of sadness with the degree of development that has taken place since my boyhood, I know that when this old generation of folks with Outer Banker blood in DNA are replaced by younger folk who have different views of heaven on earth than my generation. It's just the way things are and the process goes on.

But now with the new bridge almost a reality, the local governing body, the Dare County Board of County Commissioners, has asked for suggested names for the new bridge. Many want to keep it with old name, a man's name. That is probably the largest number so far. Others have been suggested as well. But I, in my humble opinion think it should be given a very special name to support some of the bravest souls on earth who have been linked to the Outer Banks for a long, long time. So, here is my suggestion exactly as I submitted it to Dare County government today, January 19, 2019. This is my proposal and I'm sticking to it.

NAMING THE NEW OREGON INLET BRIDGE

I hear that Dare County is looking for input on the naming of the replacement for the Bonner Bridge over Oregon Inlet. I always wonder why we name things for individual people, particularly since most were politicians elected by the people to serve them and living well at least in recent time, which they should, for the rest of their lives. But why not name it for a group of people, people who through their lives showed the Spirit or the Outer Banks and how they represent that Spirit in what they did. My suggestion is "The Coastie Oregon Inlet Overpass," honoring all those who over the ages served in either the Lifesaving Service or the Cutter Revenue Service, two organizations that were combined in 1916 to create the United States Coast Guard. No organization is more appropriate to be honored by Dare County and no organization did more in the way of sacrifice to protect the lives of the Outer Bankers, many of whom served with them as well. Now, I know no one will take this seriously, but to my way of thinking, this name, or a close derivative therefrom, is the most appropriate. i was a military man, but not a "Coastie" but am proud to say: Semper Paratus. What say you?

Have a wonderful day, everyone.

A Coast Guardsman Who Truly Witnessed the Power and the Glory, Indeed!

1/17/2019

At sea in winter on the turbulent North Atlantic (courtesy Nat Geo)

A cold January day always brings to mind my childhood and when my Uncle Burr (1920-1983), would come to visit his big sister, my mom, at our home in Newport News. Burr was a career Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer who, like my mom, grew up in Wanchese on Roanoke Island, part of the North Carolina Outer Banks. He served in some rough spots, mostly on sea duty and not right along the coast. In World War II he delivered Marines to Guadalcanal when the Japanese still controlled the skies and then was moved to the Aleutians which were expecting an invasion. Now that was some climate change to get used to in a hurry, from the tropics to Alaska.

Later, after I was born and was old enough to appreciate and enjoy his visits, he was on winter ice patrol in the frigid and turbulent North Atlantic. When a Scandinavian vessel went missing, he and his shipmates were on search and rescue in sixty foot seas, an effort which quickly changed to recovery since survival in those conditions was impossible for long. When his ship came in for liberty, it was to his home port on the Elizabeth River since she was assigned to the First Coast Guard District, headquartered in Portsmouth, just across from Norfolk.

I remember my dad went down to the ferry dock to pick him up as he walked off the ferry from Norfolk. He arrived at our home dressed in winter Coast Guard uniform, complete with the traditional pea jacket. When it was removed, he had a chest full of medals which I had many questions about and over the next few days of his visit he patiently answered them all. He had a tough time with balance, for after extended duty in waters with huge waves, it took time to readjust to a non-moving surface.

The morning after arrival as he sorted out his sea bag, he surprised me with a pea jacket and Coast Guard cap that was just my size. I was so excited I wore it wherever I went for quite some time. I also rushed home every day after school (I was in first grade) and sat on our enclosed sun porch with him while he relaxed in an easy chair and watched Westerns on TV. He loved them, especially Gabby Hayes. Uncle Burr also told me about fighting those big waves and how his duty as Damage Control Chief kept him busy in weather like that.

I also remember asking him about the war and he just looked very sad. He showed me on our globe where he had been but would comment no further. Even a little boy could understand that he didn't want to talk about it. And while he was very strong and courageous, he was a small, but wiry man who spoke softly. It was clear that he and Mom were really close and my dad liked him a lot. I looked up to him as a hero.

As I got older and he finished his service, we didn't see him very often as he moved to Texas and became part-owner of a shrimping business with a couple of older brothers. But on the occasions that he came to visit his homeland on the Outer Banks in the summer, we'd see him again and he would tell stories about growing up with Mom. They have made great memories and taught me a lot about how Mom had been quite the tomboy.

So, here's to a great Coast Guardsman, an American patriot and a man who was as brave as ever I've seen. And I'm proud to say that this Man of the Sea, who would always carry out his duties fully and with expertise, regardless of the conditions, was my uncle. May you Rest in Peace, Uncle Burr, and always have fair winds and following seas in the hereafter. Semper Paratus!

SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN: Do You Have the Right Road Map?

1/13/2019

Are you following the road map to heaven?

Have you ever started out on a lengthy trip without a good roadmap? As long as you stay on the interstate things seem to go fine but once you get on state and local roads in a strange place it gets much more difficult. Even with an electronic tracker for directions, they often use outdated sometimes. If you are like most of us, at some point you just get lost, yet you don't want to admit it and the farther you go the worse it gets.

Eventually frustration sets in and if you find yourself in a dangerous neighborhood or on a lonely rural stretch, things can get much worse. If it is in a big city, all the streets look the same and you wonder if you will ever get out. In the country, you backtrack and lose track of the path you followed to get you to the point where you finally realized you are lost. In both cases, there are no directional signs pointing toward where you are trying to go.

This has happened to most of us at some time or another and if we learned from the experience, we would never repeat it. We would always put a good road map or a better directional finder in the car before starting on our way.

So what is a good roadmap? Well, it's one that is current and accurate, one that you can trust. You can count on it getting you to your destination if only you carefully follow the map. Follow it and you get where you want to go reliably. Don't follow it and you end up in the same sad situation as before.

The roadmap of the Highway to Eternity is much the same. It will guide you as you traverse your life and when you reach maturity where the choices are great it will help you go in the right direction. After all it was created by the master mapmaker, God in heaven above. The roadmap He provides is the Holy Bible and we learn from it with some its assisting guides, known as prayer and the communion with other believers. Put them all together and the roadmap will safely lead you to the Eternity at the end of the most important Highway of Earthly Life. It adds the most important element to life, an element which will let you live forever if only you believe and follow it.

Think about it. Life is filled with all kinds of possibilities as well as all kinds of difficulties. And God has given us free will to make those decisions that we face, and they can be quite complex trying to find our way through detours, closed lanes and heavy traffic and frequent accidents. But if we refer to God's roadmap for the Highway to Eternity, the Holy Bible, it will guide us in our decision making and help us find our way. The trip will become more standard, although still with potholes along the way, but at it's end we will find the ultimate destination to be divine as we will be welcomed to the Kingdom of God, our Eternal Home.

Want to try it? Well, it's readily available. Pick up a Bible and read it, open a conversation with Him through prayer and join others in the community of believers in the Lord to celebrate the wonderful roadmap that can be ours through Him. And one thing will be sure, you'll never get hopelessly lost on the Highway of EarthlyLife, you'll now find yourself in the fast lane of the Highway to Eternity.

HAPPINESS IS.......Finishing a Draft Manuscript of a New Book!

1/11/2019

It looks like toil but it's not if you love it.

Recently I completed the first smooth draft of my new book, "The Long Road Back," the first in my "Coastal Carolina Series" about a young man returning from the Civil War to his native North Carolina to forget the pain and suffering of war. He was coming home to begin a new life on the Carolina Inner and Outer Banks. It's a fictional story based upon a historical background and it is designed to bring those times to life for the reader. It's been an ambitious undertaking and the feeling I have as a writer seeing all the parts come together in written format creates a natural high that only another writer can appreciate. The work, however, is far from over as I must now complete my first comprehensive review with changes as needed and that has already begun. Then there are the multiple spell checks and additional proofreads and tweaks before turning it over to the "murder board" of my editor. When that's done, there is the layout, the cover design and, finally, the final product which provides even a bigger high as it finally is published and I see it in print.

So, some often ask why do I do this kind of work? Why do I spend so much time and labor on something that isn't a sure bet with the reading public? They are good questions but I simply say that I do it for the love of writing. There is something about having an avocation that affords the opportunity to escape from the sometimes hum ho, sometimes hectic and stressful atmosphere that surrounds us in real life. When I write, I am in my own world, seeing the story clearly in my mind as it unfolds on paper and when it is all done, it gives me a form or self-satisfaction that I really can't describe adequately.

Do I want to see my work do well? Or course I do and the longer I write and the more practice I get, the more successful my works become. Writing is like anything else that one might want to excel at doing, it takes a lot or practice and work. But like the marathon runner who finally gets his second wind, at some point writing is no longer work, it becomes a joy. That's where I find myself today.

This current work will likely take up to two months to be ready to publish, but now at the point where I know my efforts will soon get me where I want to be with it, my joy will keep me on track until the finished product is done. And then what will I do? Well, I'll take a little break, start self-marketing my work and before long I'll be at it again. After all, I've got a series to finish.

I'll let you know when "The Long Road Back," the first book in my "Coastal Carolina Series" is available on both Amazon Prime (paperback) and Kindle Unlimited (ebook). In the meantime, my current book, "Summers at Old Nags Head" is still available in those same formats and if you love nostalgia and the beach, you'll love it for sure.

WRITING: ONCE IT GETS A GRASP ON YOU, YOU JUST CAN'T STOP.

In Today's Social Mayhem, Find an Avocation You Love

1/9/2019

Hobbies are great to expand your life beyond the realm of a sometimes crazy world.

Sometimes the world around us seems to be spinning out of control, particularly with the dismissal of so many social norms and frequent social meltdowns being seen in public. We Americans need an outlet other than the boob tube to escape into our space during some of our personal time and just do something we enjoy for ourselves. Avocations, or hobbies, are a perfect outlet for busy people, a set aside of time where businessmen and women, workers of all types, even stay at home mothers and even those no longer in the active workfrorce can display their talents in an endeavor that gives them relief from the tedium or the stresses and strains of modern life. It can be almost anything, maybe some of those in the visual above (music, painting, sewing and writing) to athletic activities or home woodworking or whatever strikes our fancy. And for those or us who are retired and sometimes with time on our hands, it provides relief from inactivity and keeps the mind and body active to both enrich and improve life.

My own experience shows just how things change as we get older. From my late twenties to my early forties, my favorite pastime was exercise in the form of distance running. I never competed in the real long stuff, but I loved 5 and 10Ks wherever I lived. I would train by running longer distances, usually eight or nine miles after work, setting up courses along the water, through wooded areas and anywhere the scenery was enjoyable. I'd plug in a little headset and listen to the tunes as I ran, taking my mind off the cares of the world at least for a time. But, alas, when I neared the ripe old age of forty-five, I started having some orthopedic problems so I had to slow down and walk instead as long as I could find the right footing.

From running and power walking the hobby switched gears and moved to the care and enjoyment of animals. Being married to my wife, Charyl, who I call affectionately both "Doctor Dolittle" and "The Horse Lady," a woman who is amazing with animals and loves all kinds, it became a natural. After all, animals are an important part of her life. Now, I always had pets, but the exposure I've received and the things I've learned are awesome and without her I would have never experienced the joy of walking into a barn in the beautiful early morning hours of the day and listening, watching and enjoying nature in many different forms that are truly amazing.

When I retired a few years back, I looked at my future and knew I needed something added as well. My work with animals had, at that point, been accomplished in my spare time after my day at work was done. I looked forward and knew I needed more to fill my days and keep me motivated to also keep my mind very active. So, I chose writing, starting with this web page and blog site, to make me write regularly. I always wanted to write, but in my working years always made excuses about there not enough time being in the day. So, I took an extensive writing course and from this blog I soon moved on to write my first book. Now, years have passed, my writing has improved significantly and the process of writing has gone from being tedious to a joy and I know I should have started a long time ago.

Each of us are different, we each have our hopes and dreams, but there's one thing I know for sure. Choosing an avocation, something we do for ourselves in our own free time adds satisfaction, turns boredom into productivity and definitely adds to the quality of life. So, let's get up and get busy and do something that challenges the mind and/or body. Dump the excuses and just do it. We all have a whole lot of living left to do. Make the most of it.

Monday, Monday, So Good to Me: What a Great Song Says to Me Years Later

1/7/2019

The Mamas and Papas (Courtesy MN Public Radio News)

On this and every Monday morning I always think of the song "Monday, Monday," a hit back in 1965 while I was a freshman at the University of Arizona. It was on a dreary and damp, drizzly Monday in late November that a group of us with a day off from classes decided to ride motor bikes in the desert. There was a small rental facility on the outskirts of Tucson which catered to college students and we thought a wild and free day out on desert trails would be a thrill. And on the way to pick up the bikes was the first time I heard the Mamas and Papas sing that song. It fascinated me with its upbeat opening which, however, turned quite blue as it went, the story of a man in love with a woman that he didn't think he could trust.

The bike riding was fun but thankfully no one was hurt, for sometimes when out in the desert and not paying attention you can get more attention than you want. First there was a bull in his open range pasture charging for us where leaving the hard desert road would lead to disaster. Then again, the cactus and thorns didn't bother the bull as he had a good angle on one of us but, luckily, we were able to throttle up and leave him behind. Then there was the straightaway cruise with not a care in the world when we came upon an unexpected hard paved road to cross and failed to see the approaching tractor trailer traveling at a high rate of speed. At the time of the crossing I was the closest to the truck and I can still hear the loud horn as I dodged that speeding bullet. Having fool's first time luck, however, I avoided what could have been a disaster and finally realized it was necessary to pay attention.

As we returned to the rental facility, the skies opened and beautiful, warm desert late fall sunshine showed itself. We turned in the bikes, jumped in the car and headed back toward Tucson. Turning on the radio, there was that same song playing, "Monday, Monday," practically taking off where it was left at the beginning of our ride. I didn't know what to think of it, so I just assumed it was a good omen and have remembered it ever since.

So, what does this little story have to do with starting a new week on Monday? Well, here's what it means to me. Being young and foolish, I could have very easily met my demise that day. But for some reason, God said it wasn't my time and the fact that the song played on as soon as the radio was turned on perhaps was a sign to me, or at least I think it was. I can, however, say this much with certainty. Every Monday morning I am reminded of that song and it tells me to be upbeat and happy and to praise God for giving me Monday morning and every new day. Life is a continual learning adventure on this earth. We must learn from our mistakes and use them to make the most of every day.

Happy Monday, everybody.

SUNDAY MORNING COMING DOWN: Rain Yesterday, Sunny and Bright Today

1/5/2019

One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! - Matthew 16:1-3 (NLT)

We have had excessive rain here in Florida lately, so much so that in many places the ground literally moves like a giant sponge when we walk on it. Now rain in Florida is, of course, something that is commonplace and much needed due to the high use of water, but after another very wet summer and fall, the time which usually dries us out some is now here. And the rain keeps coming.

We finally got a two day break and yesterday it was forecast that we'd receive a brief shower, but that brief shower turned out to be a twenty minute deluge, followed by several hours of light rain. The water was again standing high in parts of the pasture when, in the distance, came the lighter skies which turned bright red through the clouds as the sun descended. Just like the above scripture from the Gospel of Matthew, the red sky at night indicates sunny weather is coming.

Sure enough, this morning we awakened to a gorgeous sunrise and a bright and warm sun shining down on us to warm the chilly air and start a drying out. Today, the weatherman is predicting a full week of gorgeous weather with nice days and cool, but not icy nights. But since this weatherman is the same one who thought earlier that yesterday would only see relatively light rainfall, I must confess skepticism. It also reminds me to listen to the counsel of God in His Holy Book, for only He knows what will really take place and we must trust Him.

Isn't it funny how modern man thinks he can tell us what the earth will be like in one hundred years when he can't accurately account for tomorrow so often. Only God knows and He will reveal it when He is ready. Perhaps we need to get ready by listening more to God than to mortal man. That, however, is up to each of us individually. Take the time to prayerful determine where you will put your trust. It's a life changer.

Dear Lord, We thank you for the sunshine and the rain for we know that both are important to our ability to sustain life. Help us to always understand that you do what you do for a reason and to be patient as we develop the discernment we need to understand. In the name of Jesus this prayer is offered, Amen.

What is Real Freedom?

1/4/2019

Real freedom brings peace and tranquility, but where do you find it?

Freedom. It's a word that is bandied about often. People claim they want it, yet their actions sometimes tell us otherwise. One of the reasons, however, is that most of us think we are naturally free yet the world around us tells us otherwise. Here in America, we claim we want freedom from the government yet we time and time again elect and re-elect politicians who spend their time in Washington, state capitals and county seats and municipal city halls continually creating more and more laws restricting us when laws are already on the books that are never followed. It sounds more like madness than freedom when we pay and pay and get more and more "stuff" and rules which makes us dependent on the very bodies that we complain about.

That is really just the tip of the iceberg, folks, for whatever we think of our freedom in a political sense will mean nothing in the end. The politicians will die as will we and then find that real freedom in the secular world was just a temporary and fleeting thing on the timeline of eternity. We will also find that real freedom is something that can be found by opening our hearts to what is within us. That is the first step. So, let's take a moment to look at what that real freedom is.

We mortal humans are very weak. We start out with good intentions but something comes along that attracts us and we decide that we want it. It becomes an obsession if we aren't careful and we find ourselves gradually making that something the most important thing in our life. It might be money just for the sake of having it, never satisfied in our quest for more and more in an endless spiral. Maybe it's "stuff," material things that are expensive that, of course, costs money such as big homes, fancy cars, jewelry, the list can be endless. It can be almost anything that we can crave as an addiction, like immoral living, gluttony, drugs and alcohol and, last bur certainly not least, power for the sake of having it. Look at so many long term politicians who start off with good intentions, then over time become addicted to having power over others and the personal advantages that provides here on earth. It's certainly not limited to politics for big business and big anything can, if we allow it, convince us to do whatever is necessary to reach that level of secular success or even in the church as we've seen in some horrible examples. Corruption is just a manifestation of sin.

The key point to understand about personal weakness and resulting obsessions is that when someone gets to that point he or she has literally made it a godlike goal. It's no different really from the ancient days and image worship and it means that the worshiper is now easily susceptible to the wiles of the evil one who flits about as a spirit looking to make us slaves of sin. Make no mistake, those obsessions or addictions have then captured us and sin is now our principal goal. God becomes an afterthought at best.

In the big picture of life, both here on earth and after earthly life is done, the only way we can ever achieve real freedom is to be free of sin. The only way we can start to attain that is by letting the Holy Spirit within us take charge of our heart, put us in touch with our heavenly mediator and lead our navigation of life. Oh, we'll make some mistakes along the way because we are mortal, but if we strive with the strength that He gives us, we will finally attain real freedom when those chains of sin are broken, ultimately when we accept God's reward for being faithful and He grants everlasting life. Think about it. It is the only real hope for any of us. And then each of us who is successful will find "peace in the valley" or maybe on the shores of an eternal sea.

For 2019, Don't Procrastinate the New Year Away

1/2/2019

2019: 100th Anniversary as a National Park

So, 2019 is now here and for many of us, just the sound of it is a reminder of how impossible it seemed when we were younger that such a far off time would arrive. Well, it has and with it comes a big challenge to those of us who are prone to procrastinate and it begs the question: Will we sit back and watch the year speed by or will we get in there, get involved and live it to the fullest. The choice is up to each of us but we must remember that life is short and we never get a year back when it is gone.

The time is now, not later, to start really living 2019. If you are a procrastinator, it's still not too late to make a resolution to stop procrastinating and do the things you want to do within reason. Then follow through. Obviously, we may have physical limitations or financial ones that keep us from doing some things we dream about, but that's not what I'm talking about. No, I'm talking about the things that are doable that we still put off. Sometimes we can be surprised by just how doable things can be when we plan for them.

Now I put up the picture of the Grand Canyon since it is a very popular destination and is on many bucket lists. 2019 also represents her centennial celebration as a national park and we are all blessed that this gorgeous site is saved from ever becoming a condo development overlooking the Colorado River below. No matter how beautiful it looks in the picture, when you see it up close and personal, you will be glad you did and cherish the memory. So, perhaps a trip within your budget is something you want to do.

Here's another thing that doesn't cost anything but time and the desire to do it. What about that good friend or relative that we had a falling out with and have been too stubborn to try and renew? Why not pick up the phone and at least make a call? At least we will have tried and even if it didn't work, the attempt should ease our minds. If it works, an important person in your life is now back in it before it is too late.

Maybe we have something special we want to accomplish, like a big project that we keep putting off or an artistic endeavor that is one of our dreams. Just do it and don't worry about how it turns out until we get there. I, for one, enjoy writing nostalgic books and the first one I wrote was like pulling teeth to get it done. Now, a number of years later, I write one or two a year and the joy I get out of putting those memories on paper is something money can't buy. When someone else actually purchases it and expresses their enjoyment with it, the natural high it induces in my spirit is also incalculable. I enjoy it and it truly keeps me young at heart with a mind of the same category.

Lastly, here's one that we need to make sure and do every day of every year. It's about not taking those most important people in our lives, our family, for granted. Don't let a day go by without telling those special loved ones how much they are loved. Life is too short to ever take the chance that something could happen without those words from our hearts being current.

So, get off the couch or turn off the boob tube and get a move on. It's 2019 and let's make the most of it. It's a great day and a new year. Live it.