Christian Hate

When I saw on the internet that some alleged Christians were attempting a protest at the funeral of Chad Gilliam I became livid. Go to the link at… http://www.westborobaptistchurch.com/written/fliers/20090108_chadwick-gilliam-memorial.pdf to see more.

I am sickened that people call themselves Christians and can show such hatred. This maybe an extreme example of detestable behavior coming from those who say they are the elect of God, but this type of hatred is not uncommon. I do not want to underestimate the good that many Christians are doing today, but I am sickened by the hate and venom I see in much of the Christian community. Over the last few years, my eyes have been opened to the lack of Christlike behavior from those who espouse to be the only ones who know the truth. Yet, I see such pride, prejudice, bitterness and hatred in many of their lives. What happened to the fruit of the Spirit… Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control? Can’t they see their behavior as everyone else sees it? Do they really think that they are Fooling God? Who would want to follow their message of salvation? They are turning people away from God’s message of love. They continue to believe God somehow favored them before the foundation of the world to interpret God’s message correctly and believe correctly. They believe that since they followed the correct path on the Romans Road, they are safe and special. They believe God only looks at whether they followed the correct belief system and in the correct order. They are not concerned with loving actions toward human beings made in the image of God. They believe that behavior such as caring for the sick, dying of aids or feeding the hungry is irrelevant in God’s plan. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel. Proverbs 12:15.

The Puppy

Our family had a rough couple of days. Friday morning was the coldest day in a decade and I was getting ready to take Danae to school. I started the truck to get it warmed up. Danae and I got in the car and started backing up out of the driveway. Unfortunately, I did not know Danae’s little puppy, Phillip, got out of the house and was running after her. I heard the yelp and we both knew what happened. Danae screamed and went outside the vehicle only to see her poor puppy still partially under the wheel. I move the vehicle and got out and picked up the pup. We were both distraught. I knew the puppy could not survive. We both held the puppy and I went inside to yell for Dawn to take care of Danae will I attended to the pup. Dawn quickly attempted to comfort Danae. I went to the bathroom and got a towel to cradle the pup and cover his injury so Danae would not be more disturbed. I knew the puppy could not live but didn’t want him to suffer for long. I pulled out my pistol and put it in my pocket, just in case, I had to do the unbearable. I still remember the gun going off in the background when my dad had to put our dog down when I was younger.  I know Danae will never forget this tragic morning but I didn’t want her to remember a gunshot in the background. Within a few more minutes, however, I could see that little Phillip was not going to live long. I took him downstairs and asked Danae if she wanted to say goodbye to him. I am an emotional man and just cannot stand to see people in pain. Seeing my daughter in pain is unbearable to me. We were both crying when he took his final breaths.

It was not a good day but after a couple of days, things are getting back to normal. I look back on that morning with a lump in my throat because of the emotional pain our family was experiencing. I was also hurting because I could easily blame myself for this misfortune. However, in the midst of our pain, when Danae was crying she continued to say repeatedly to me… “Don’t blame yourself dad, it wasn’t your fault.”

Often when we are sad or angry, we often have a tendency to lash out at the ones we love. We often say hurtful things… using words that cut like and knife… causing wounds that may never fully heal. That morning, I saw my youngest daughter experiencing one of the most traumatic events of her young life, seeing her puppy dying under the car. Yet, instead of blaming God, others or me for the tragedy, her instantaneous emotional response was to ease my pain. WOW! I am truly blessed. Danae lost her cute puppy that morning but she gained additional respect from her father. I am very proud of all of my daughters. They are growing into very fine young women. Dawn and I often reflect if we have been good parents to our children. When I see Danae, Brittany and Destiny, thinking of others, I know we must have done something right. 

Chad Gilliam

I joined the faculty of Lindsey Wilson College in the fall of 2006. I remember how special the pinning ceremony was in Prestonsburg. It was very special to me because the moment was so special to the students, their family and to the community. It was also when I saw Dr. Mary Kloth who was going through extensive chemotherapy. I had only met Dr. Kloth a few months before during my interview as a faculty candidate. Now I have been notified that a graduate student, Chad Gilliam, who was there at that ceremony was just killed in action in Iraq. He joined the Marine Corp after graduation to help pay off his student loans. This is a great loss for his family, Eastern Kentucky and to our Lindsey Wilson College, SPC family. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. For more information see http://www.lindsey.edu/index.cgi?id=17689

Addiction and Weight Loss

As many of you know (or will know soon) I love the Field of addiction treatment. I love to teach about addiction and love to work with individuals struggling with it. I do not believe it is a disease or that we are powerless but a matter of positive strategies and hard work to overcome our difficulties. Well, it is my turn to act on what I believe. I am just plain fat and want to loss some weight. I am currently 225lbs and need to lose at least 35lbs. Therefore, my present goal is 190lbs. I hope to be there by July 1st. 

Food addiction is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, addiction for anyone to overcome. One cannot abstain from food. Food is all around us. Just like drugs, it makes us happy, satisfied, fulfilled, and helps us escape. I need all of the support and accountability as I can get. I will keep everyone posted on my progress.

Ethics

I am preparing to teach ethics this semester. I am reflecting on when I was a younger man, I had all the answers. I knew what was right and what was wrong... and not just for myself but everyone else as well. Now that I am getter older, and hopefully much wiser, I realize how much I do not know. Isn't it funny that as we grow older, we realize our limitations and see the world differently. As a young Christian man, everything was black and white. Now, I can see nearly every side to an argument. I was once very conservative, had no doubts about God, the Bible and believed things were simple and without many gray areas. Now I see the world much different. I am now trying to see the world more logically and with more compassion for people. It is my hope, that instead of falling away from my values and morals, I am now embracing them more fully. Instead of treating people as ungodly sinners, I am trying to see them as being made in the image of God. Instead of looking for the rules, I am trying to live by my principles and values. Instead of looking for what I should do, I am looking for what I should be.