“Coward!”, “Chicken…bak, bak, bak”. Those are fighting words for any boy from the 3rd grade on up. As boys get older to be young men all it takes is a disrespectful word, glance or gesture that can send our blood pressure to the moon and we are ready to jump on the back of Goliath. There are times when this quick overreaction can get us into a lot of trouble (e.g. see the sports page for the latest brawl, fight, or altercation with our professional athletes). However, there are times when this tackle Goliath, “you talkin’ to me”, attitude rises up for a noble cause…the defense of liberty, democracy, family and our nation.
This is Memorial Day weekend that includes a time of reflection, respect and honor given to those courageous men and women who have given their lives for the freedom, the prosperity, the democracy we enjoy today. From the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, knowing full well that they might be signing their own death certificate, to the sacrifice of lives in WWW I and II, in Korea, Vietnam, and presently in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of men and women have risen to the call of our nation to “go”, “defend” and “fight” for us, and they paid the ultimate price with their lives. Thank you.
I treasure the religious freedom we have in our nation. To worship without government opposition, regulation, and persecution is a privilege that a great number of Christians world wide do not have. There are brothers and sisters in Christ who face persecution, beatings, imprisonment, and even death for gathering, teaching and living in Christ’s name. I am thankful for our nation’s forefathers to establish this right for me and my family.
As we have always known the freedoms, rights and prosperity within our nation, we can easily take for granted the life we enjoy. This Memorial Day let’s pause, reflect, and honor the men and women from all walks of life, of all faiths who fought in unity under the freedoms we cherish as the United States of America and remember that Freedom isn’t Free.
This Memorial Day I remember Lt. Col. Fred Koetitz, and his distinguished service as an Air Force pilot, and I am thankful for the past and current military service of Grandpap (Bob Lofstrom, Navy & Army Air Corp), Dad (Jerry Koetitz, Air Force), Clyde Fuller (Father-in-Law, Navy), Drew Foster (Brother-in-Law, Navy Submariner), and my little brother, 2nd Lt. Jon-Mark (C-130 Pilot, Air Force Natl. Guard). Thank you and no one can ever call you "Coward" or "Chicken" for you have shown your courage in action by your service.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
My Friend Fonz
There are those individuals that God brings into our lives where we share a special connection. Our lives intersect by what seems at first to be circumstantial, but in hindsight God gifted us with someone we cherish and call a close and personal friend. Those handful of individuals outside of our family that we share life together in a natural, flowing way, with a connection that runs deeper than 99% of all other friendships. Along my life journey living in numerous states, I have had the privilege of calling a few men my closest of friends. I remember my High School best friend, where we awkwardly flirted with girls, played the trumpet and basketball side-by-side, my college roommate in Santa Cruz where we still awkwardly flirted with girls (somehow it worked with Charlene), my deep connection with my life-long Dazbog friend in Greeley, and with close friendships developing today in Damascus.
Today, however, I remember one special friend, Fonz Garza (1965-2010). On May 10th, as he was driving his UPS truck in San Antonio, Texas was hit head on by a semi-truck and died instantly leaving behind his precious family. In our seven years in Utah, as Charlene and I just married and starting our family, Fonz showed up one day in our church plant in Kaysville. Fonz stationed at Hill Air Force Base was one who shared his life in an easy going, affable, and joyful manner.
We primarily shared our life together through sports. On the basketball court, at Salt Lake Community College (where I worked) we would challenge younger, taller students to pick-up games and show them that a couple of “old” guys, 30ish, could still bring game. Our summers were spent on the Softball field in the church, co-ed league, with Fonz as the outfield captain and in some games when undermanned, he covered left and center field by himself. At the end of one such game, with his outstanding play, the opposing team congratulated him in his awesome fielding. He taught me the game of golf and gave me my first set of clubs, and in return I taught him how humorous it was to golf as he chuckled each time I swung. Whether it was on the court, on the field, or on the golf course, Fonz was an all-around athlete who embraced life with friends, family and God with the same enthusiasm and joy.
In our small church-plant in Kaysville, Fonz was dedicated and committed. He could laugh off the difficulty of meeting in a mortuary, and brought joy and enthusiasm into Celebration Chapel – kid’s ministry, with the young guys in sports and adults. His love for family was revealed in his deep pain expressed in the death of his 3 month-old daughter, Kaelyn, which I would suspect left an open emotional wound on his heart. With his friends, he was engaging, open and willing to do anything for a friend in need. I feel privileged that Fonz called me his friend.
Today, I am reminded to treasure those who allow me to be a close friend to them. Today, I am reminded to not take for granted those special friends, and to nurture new close friendships as well. Today, I am reminded that it is God who brings together potential life-long close friendships for joy, encouragement and strength along life’s journey.
Fonz thank you for your friendship and someday we will share the competitive joy on Heaven’s fields and courts together.
My heartfelt prayers to Deloris, Jordan, Marcos and Arianna – May God flood your heart and soul with His peace, comfort and counsel today and each tomorrow.
Today, however, I remember one special friend, Fonz Garza (1965-2010). On May 10th, as he was driving his UPS truck in San Antonio, Texas was hit head on by a semi-truck and died instantly leaving behind his precious family. In our seven years in Utah, as Charlene and I just married and starting our family, Fonz showed up one day in our church plant in Kaysville. Fonz stationed at Hill Air Force Base was one who shared his life in an easy going, affable, and joyful manner.
We primarily shared our life together through sports. On the basketball court, at Salt Lake Community College (where I worked) we would challenge younger, taller students to pick-up games and show them that a couple of “old” guys, 30ish, could still bring game. Our summers were spent on the Softball field in the church, co-ed league, with Fonz as the outfield captain and in some games when undermanned, he covered left and center field by himself. At the end of one such game, with his outstanding play, the opposing team congratulated him in his awesome fielding. He taught me the game of golf and gave me my first set of clubs, and in return I taught him how humorous it was to golf as he chuckled each time I swung. Whether it was on the court, on the field, or on the golf course, Fonz was an all-around athlete who embraced life with friends, family and God with the same enthusiasm and joy.
In our small church-plant in Kaysville, Fonz was dedicated and committed. He could laugh off the difficulty of meeting in a mortuary, and brought joy and enthusiasm into Celebration Chapel – kid’s ministry, with the young guys in sports and adults. His love for family was revealed in his deep pain expressed in the death of his 3 month-old daughter, Kaelyn, which I would suspect left an open emotional wound on his heart. With his friends, he was engaging, open and willing to do anything for a friend in need. I feel privileged that Fonz called me his friend.
Today, I am reminded to treasure those who allow me to be a close friend to them. Today, I am reminded to not take for granted those special friends, and to nurture new close friendships as well. Today, I am reminded that it is God who brings together potential life-long close friendships for joy, encouragement and strength along life’s journey.
Fonz thank you for your friendship and someday we will share the competitive joy on Heaven’s fields and courts together.
My heartfelt prayers to Deloris, Jordan, Marcos and Arianna – May God flood your heart and soul with His peace, comfort and counsel today and each tomorrow.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Devotion
The bow of the Portland Spirit cut through the glass surface of the Willamette River as the cool evening wind swept over the ship. In the fading light, the city buildings and bridges emerged further up the river as we wound our way past mansions, houseboats, country clubs, fern covered rock cliffs and even a small amusement park. I spotted the quaint, historic Pioneer Chapel where I had the privilege of bringing together two couples under God. The dinner cruise created an enchanting evening to celebrate the 20th Anniversary with my lovely bride.
As I reflect upon our life together and God’s special helpmate that he entrusted to me, I am simply grateful. When I solemnly repeated those two words, “I do”, the course of my life was forever altered like two mountain streams merging to create a bubbling brook meandering through the sunny valleys and dark forests. Looking back on our twenty years together I feel I have learned a few life lessons on marriage and relationships, with some (or maybe even a lot) learned the hard way. One key word to offer would be “devotion – the state of being ardently dedicated and loyal”, Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary.
Along our life journey things change, we change, our hopes and dreams have changed, I have changed and my bride has changed. When I look at my wife I see more than her lovely face and embracing cool blue eyes, I see devotion. A devotion to our family expressed from the moment she arises and cares for our family and me, till the sun fades and all are asleep. A devotion to fight for the unity, peace and love within our home. A devotion to the spiritual, emotional and physical intimacy between a husband and wife. A devotion to me.
Likewise Christ defined us (followers and believers) in his parables as his bride (John 3:29, Matt. 25:1-13). John’s revelation describes how the Bride has been prepared for the Bridegroom (Rev. 21:9, 22:17) and Isaiah gives this figurative expression of rejoicing and devotion in his prophetic blessing over Israel.
As the Bride of Christ how is our daily devotion? Do you arise each morning ready to serve, love and live in ardent dedication? Are you loyal? Do you find the time each day to share life together or has the busyness of the day dissected the intimacy he craves with you? Have you allowed other things, people or activities to steal away your affections, desires, time and devotion? Tough questions…but as we celebrate our anniversary from the day we said “I do” to Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior and Bridegroom, may we also be reminded of our merging of lives and allow Him to guide the new stream of our future and be fully-devoted to Him.
As I reflect upon our life together and God’s special helpmate that he entrusted to me, I am simply grateful. When I solemnly repeated those two words, “I do”, the course of my life was forever altered like two mountain streams merging to create a bubbling brook meandering through the sunny valleys and dark forests. Looking back on our twenty years together I feel I have learned a few life lessons on marriage and relationships, with some (or maybe even a lot) learned the hard way. One key word to offer would be “devotion – the state of being ardently dedicated and loyal”, Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary.
Along our life journey things change, we change, our hopes and dreams have changed, I have changed and my bride has changed. When I look at my wife I see more than her lovely face and embracing cool blue eyes, I see devotion. A devotion to our family expressed from the moment she arises and cares for our family and me, till the sun fades and all are asleep. A devotion to fight for the unity, peace and love within our home. A devotion to the spiritual, emotional and physical intimacy between a husband and wife. A devotion to me.
Likewise Christ defined us (followers and believers) in his parables as his bride (John 3:29, Matt. 25:1-13). John’s revelation describes how the Bride has been prepared for the Bridegroom (Rev. 21:9, 22:17) and Isaiah gives this figurative expression of rejoicing and devotion in his prophetic blessing over Israel.
You will be called the People God Loves,
and your land will be called the Bride of God,
because the Lord loves you.
And your land will belong to him as a bride belongs to her husband.
As a young man marries a woman,
so your children will marry your land.
As a man rejoices over his new wife,
so your God will rejoice over you. – Isaiah 62:4b-5, NCV
As the Bride of Christ how is our daily devotion? Do you arise each morning ready to serve, love and live in ardent dedication? Are you loyal? Do you find the time each day to share life together or has the busyness of the day dissected the intimacy he craves with you? Have you allowed other things, people or activities to steal away your affections, desires, time and devotion? Tough questions…but as we celebrate our anniversary from the day we said “I do” to Jesus Christ as our Lord, Savior and Bridegroom, may we also be reminded of our merging of lives and allow Him to guide the new stream of our future and be fully-devoted to Him.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
This Means War
Get on your knees and fight like a man, was the rallying cry to men in the 80’s Christian Rock song by Petra. Yes, I am showing my age and my musical tastes, but I have fond high school memories of slipping in my Petra cassette tapes in my boom-box and rockin’ with my air guitar and invisible drums all alone in my room. In the early age of Christian Contemporary music dominated by female vocalists like Evie, Amy Grant and Sandi Patty, it was awesome to have a little testosterone laden Christian music…and from my point of view, Petra rocked.
Today, May 6th, is our observed National Day of Prayer, and I think it would be fitting to pull out those old Petra cassettes and rally to the most effective tool we as Christians have…to engage the enemy in spiritual warfare through active, fervent, and effectual prayer.
On this day we are called to get on our knees and fight like a man. Fight for the defense of your heart and mind from self-centeredness and worldly wisdom, fight for the physical and spiritual protection of your family, fight for health and vitality of your church, fight against the strongholds of sin upon your family, friends and co-workers, and fight for God’s Spirit to lead and direct our state and national leaders…fight for your country.
Get on your knees and fight like a man
You'll pull down strongholds if
you just believe you can
Your enemy will tuck his tail and flee
Get on your knees and fight like a man
Under the gun you've got no place to hide out
Backed in the corner on your own
This is one storm you are destined to ride out
One way to leave the danger zone
You've got the backbone to fight this tide
You've got the will to survive
You've got the weapon, it's at your side
You've got to learn to confide - Bob Hartman, Petra
Today, May 6th, is our observed National Day of Prayer, and I think it would be fitting to pull out those old Petra cassettes and rally to the most effective tool we as Christians have…to engage the enemy in spiritual warfare through active, fervent, and effectual prayer.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. – 2 Cor. 10:4 (NIV)
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. – James 5:16 (NLT)
On this day we are called to get on our knees and fight like a man. Fight for the defense of your heart and mind from self-centeredness and worldly wisdom, fight for the physical and spiritual protection of your family, fight for health and vitality of your church, fight against the strongholds of sin upon your family, friends and co-workers, and fight for God’s Spirit to lead and direct our state and national leaders…fight for your country.
Get on your knees and fight like a man
You'll pull down strongholds if
you just believe you can
Your enemy will tuck his tail and flee
Get on your knees and fight like a man
Under the gun you've got no place to hide out
Backed in the corner on your own
This is one storm you are destined to ride out
One way to leave the danger zone
You've got the backbone to fight this tide
You've got the will to survive
You've got the weapon, it's at your side
You've got to learn to confide - Bob Hartman, Petra
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