Saturday, June 11, 2011

Tragic Doesn't Mean Gross

As the Casey Anthony trial continues to progress it amazes me at how captivating it is to the public.  Anthropologically humans are an interesting specie.  It seems that violence, bloodletting, and death sing to them an inescapable Siren's song.  The deeper the depravity, the deeper human interest plunges.  In the wild of nature death and decay are the ruthless laws of survival.  But, aren't humans assumed to be further along in the developmental process that that?  The Casey Anthony trial has, sadly, proven humans to be closer to their Serengeti dwelling neighbors than to some higher order of civility.

Don't misunderstand my thought.  I'm not agonizing over news coverage of the trial.  The tragic lose of a precious, young girl deservers attention.  Young Caylee Anthony could have been the poster child for being cute and lovable.  I'm not even agonizing over all the media attention per se.  Since mid-2008 the Anthony family has been the subject and, often times, the guests of talk shows on all major networks.  Casey and her parents, George and Cindy, have been scrutinized intensely by the media over the past three years.  All in the pursuit of justice...right?  Right?

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

CAPA...Graduation Day



If you take time to reall dig into the life and ministry of Christ you'll see an incredible diversity of ministry methods and opportunities.  He spoke in large, prestigious synagogues and he preached to crowds on hillsides in the middle of nowhere.  He ate in the homes of the rich and famous as well as on the beach by a campfire.  Jesus had nothing, yet He had everything.  Jesus met the needs of people where they existed.  Diversity was the defining theme of Christ''s approach to touching hearts, replacing loneliness and despair with hope and purpose.   Christ did it all and diversity was a common thread.  The word diversity also defines another great ministry.  It defines the Clergy And Police Alliance of the Fort Worth Police Department.

The Clergy And Police Alliance, or CAPA, is an alliance of local pastors with the Fort Worth Police Department and have as its goal helping to inject calm into chaotic circumstances.  CAPA performs a ministry under the guidance of the Fort Worth Police Department that is itself widely diverse in its scope and reach.  Further, I am honored to have been accepted into CAPA and recently graduated the training program to become one of its newest members.

The concept of CAPA is really very simple.  Since a CAPA member isn't an employee of the city of Fort Worth they can do and say things an officer can't.  It isn't the job of CAPA to interrogate victims or perpetrators, or in any way act as a sworn officer.  CAPA members are not trained law enforcement.  They are, however, trained instruments of help and healing.  CAPA members answer the call no matter the time of night or day to bring the calm of God's presence permeate those who are facing the hard realities of life.  CAPA members also count building lasting relationships with officers themselves.  To do this CAPA members are encouraged to spend as much time riding in patrol cars and being out on the street with officers as much as possible.

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Sunday, May 1, 2011

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Lucy, you got some "splainin" to do!

The 50's sitcom I Love Lucy was all about the Ricardos, Rick and Lucy. When one of Lucy's schemes would backfire Ricky, in his heavy Cuban accent, would shake his finger at Lucy and say, "Lucy, you got some 'splainin' to do!" This web site isn't a scheme but I do want to take a minute to "splain", or rather, explain what it's about.

I have hosted a blog site for some time now. Muscular Madness was born out of my desire to give my creative mind an outlet wrapped around my interests and hobbys.  Muscular Madness, as its name suggests, focused primarily on physical fitness and body building and had much of the same content as this site, but on a much different format.  In many ways it was a direct reflection of my life as it was at that time.  But, times change and so do our lives.  Mine changed in a big way a little more than a year ago.

A little more than a year ago my Mom died.  It's still difficult to even write the words but that is the inescapable reality that stares me in the face as a hallow, expressionless figure.  February 13, 2010 was the day that changed my life.  Despite that loss life continues and there are a myriad of things to live and be thankful for.  However, I cannot deny that my focus has shifted and there has been a paradigm shift for me that has rattled me to the core.

This site, I Am Screaming, reflects that paradigm shift.  I wanted a domain name that reflected how I felt and what I wanted to say.  The emotions and sense of loss since Mom died has, at times, been overwhelming.  One of the things I needed to do was give an outlet to my grief and emotions.  Thus, you have what's before you.

The difference between this site and Muscular Madness is that the focus has shifted from the external to the internal.  The areas that will receive most of my attention are Mom, Panic & Anxiety, and Thoughts.  I Am Screaming will reflect a much deeper, more personal introspective revelation of who I am and what makes me what I am.

Please browse around.  Leave comments, but mostly I want you to know that no matter what the storm is you may be facing at this moment there is hope and there are brighter days ahead.

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