Doug In a Bottle

"Everyone is a theologian, its just that some are very bad at it." - Paul Washer

"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." (Matthew 10:16) I've   always loved this verse. "Behold, " Like a flare in the night sky. The Creator of the universe, the One who spoke it into existence with less effort than it takes you to breath the air He's given you... is about to say something important. We' would do well to listen. "I am sending you out as sheep" Okay, I was raised in the bible belt, we're sheep and Jesus loves the sheep. I got it. Well, do I? A couple things about sheep. They aren't smart or graceful. The shepherd doesn't need them... they need him. Put that on your coffee cup. I know this isn't a popular idea in most circles but God isn't under the impression that you've got something to offer. He's not in need of you. See, this doesn't make any sense if you think love is this compelling ...

Yesterday I did something terrible and yet the world kept revolving on its axis. The sun came up this morning. My lungs filled with God's air. The sky was even blue. I... deactivated my facebook *Gasp!* How does it feel? ... Good , actually. Contrary to what some might suppose I'm experiencing no withdrawals. In fact, without the distraction of that ridiculous little blue and white icon it seems as though I'm a lot more productive. I think its a con. A big fat con. Its the promise of relationship, communion, and community with none of the follow through. The final straw was laid upon that camel's back with the revelation that everything I did was observed by everyone. Every little talk. Every little post I make. Every little conversation. See, here's the thing about me. I love dialogue. I love to understand. I love interaction with people when it might lead to something fruitful especially if there is the chance of sharing Christ with them... but...

I am a God fearing bought by the blood adopted Son of God. I am a husband and soon will be a Father. I am a Texan. I remember the Goliad and the Alamo. In case you were wondering about my stance on firearm restrictions here it is. I do not and will not ever support any legislation that strips the American people of freedom  especially with only the hollow promise of security as a trade off. The federal government not only has no right to infringe on our rights to defend ourselves (from all enemies foreign and domestic) but any effort to enforce unconstitutional laws is at least criminal and at worst treasonous.    Remember folks. The second amendment protects the first. If you don't care about firearms that's fine but don't strip us of our ability to protect you .

I sat down to work on the new website. Started to make a page called "About Us". Then it hit me, "Why should I make an About Us page?" Should I call it simply "About"? Whats the purpose of this page? Ah... there we are... Purpose ... I remember this. Years have a way of taking their toll on on you. Anyone still in their teens who happens to read this would do well to take note but if memory serves... that ain't in the cards. You've got a long way to go, I hope, and someday you'll look back at the person you once were. In that moment you will respond in one of a handful of all too common ways. See, humans are predictable. Don't let 'em tell you any different. We're all built the same yet amazingly diverse in our idiosyncrasies and yet we, time after time, go to the same watering holes of habit but I digress... that happens when you get old... So this handful of ways that you'll invariably use as a l...

Guess what America's leading cause of death by injury is. Suicide... That's right folks, your number one violent killer in this country isn't some nut that got a hold of a rifle... your number one threat is... you . Why? Look at how many people are on psychotropic medication. Feeling sad? Here's a pill. Does it hurt? Here's a pill. Is life really hard? Here's a pill. Is your current medication not making the sadness go away? Here's a pill. When I was young I went to a psychiatrist for some hard stuff I was dealing with. I said "I don't want pills, I want help." After hearing my story for 45 minutes what kind of help did he offer? Pills. I never went back. I'm not walkin' on crutches just because it hurts to walk. I'm gonna walk and maybe it'll get better, maybe it wont, but by God's grace I'm gonna figure out how to live life. The problem is that this solution trains...