Image by my_new_wintercoat via Flickr

This post has some really bad news and some potentially really good news.  I’m hoping you’ll think about the good more than the bad.  I’ll start off with the bad.

The bad news.

I’m not going to say much about it because, well, I can’t do anything about it and I don’t want any kind of repercussions from it.  So, here is the bad news…quickly.

Some of you know, most of you don’t.  Thirteen days after my surgery, the boss at work wanted to meet with me.  After 11 years of service, through some good times and through some not so good times, I was informed that I was not going to be going back to work for my, well, previous employer now.  Yeah, I was fired.  Wasn’t happy.  Still ain’t and for so many reasons.  They were nice enough to continue my insurance and disability until March.

Not sure what’s going to happen come March.  Especially seeing that I’m not well enough to work yet.  And still having tests etc.  But, it’s going to be just fine.  I’ve complete faith in God.

The good news.

I’ve written several posts about going back to school and getting my education in Bible or ministry and also being a counselor.  That word, ministry, is such a broad area that I can’t pinpoint which direction I’m going to be going, but I’m really feeling lead to be in the pulpit.

I’ve mentioned taking online courses at Liberty University and I got pretty far into that process, but with my back being the way it is, I put it on the back burner on simmer.  Well, there is a good possibility that I’ll be taking it completely off the stove after tomorrow.

This past week I went to the church offices and had a good long let-it-out session.  By the end of the session we had pretty much determined that this was just God’s way of closing one door and opening a window, somewhere.  I had thought that myself and to hear him say it only made it even more real, if you know what I mean.

I thought my next step might be to get a job and that’s not necessarily so.  I had to decide what I was/wanted to do.  Since it’s been on my heart for so long, getting into ministry is what I want to do.  Education will be my first major step and there is no better time like the present.  That’s what I’m praying for anway.

After the decision was made, my minister since then has made some phone calls and we have a meeting for 9:30 tomorrow morning with an adviser, maybe a professor at David Lipscomb University in Nashville.  Then, we’ll just see where God leads me from there.

I do have some things going through my head as far as income goes.  Got insurance to worry about and that sort of thing.  And of course, there is the whole issue with the back that’s ongoing (no word on an MRI yet).  But, tomorrow, the meeting is my first step and a huge leap of faith.  I couldn’t be more excited.

Because of HIM

SC

Image by Denis Collette...!!! via Flickr

As most of you already know, during the P.M. service on Sunday 9/27/09, I was given the opportunity to share The Word of God with my church family here in my home town.   That’s exactly right…I preached for the Lord!

I had done this in the past.  Back when I was a teen, 20+ years ago, we were given the opportunity every so often to lead the evening services.  We being the youth group.  I had preached several times but my last sermon that I gave was horrific.  Horrific because I didn’t prepare…at ALL. I was only given a month to prepare too!  Ugh!

Talk about embarrassment.  My talk may..MAY have lasted 3 minutes and the subject that spoke about was “Not Being Prepared.”  I was able to throw that together in about 2 minutes.  The subject was appropriate considering.  I learned from that experience, no doubt.

I felt like such a failure after that and vowed that I wouldn’t preach or even head down that track, period.  How could I ever show my face in the pulpit there again?

Fast-Forward to a Wednesday at beginning of September, 2009 and I receive a phone call from our minister.  He left me a voice-mail which I promptly returned….on Friday.

When I returned his call,  it was then that he asked if I wanted to preach the following Sunday.  We both decided that I wouldn’t have enough time to prepare.  We did, however, set a date of the 27th for me to preach.

I don’t remember hesitating when he asked if I would want to.  See, I’ve been praying for this door to be opened and I didn’t miss it when it was!

I was nervous, but it was an excited nervous.  Not like nervous as a teen before presenting my lesson.

Needless to say,  I had 2 or 3 weeks to prepare and did I ever!  I had been thinking about fear for quite sometime and had even written a post, Faith and/or Fear, about my on-going thoughts on fear.  I was also able to talk about fear and experience fear at the same time, while I was speaking. 

I fulfilled one vow that I had made as a teen.  I didn’t show my face in the pulpit.  Nope.  I preached down on the floor, closer to the folks that were there.

While I was speaking, it didn’t take long for the nerves to settle and this feeling of the Spirit taking over enveloped me.  I had heard it talked about, this Spiritual takeover, but this was the first time I had experienced it to this degree.  It was so amazing, so awesome, so…there are no words to describe it.  Blessed is all I can say.

I felt as comfortable standing up there delivering my message as I have ever felt doing anything.  That was one of, if not the, most rewarding experience of my life.

Oh well.  If I think of anything else I’ll do another post on it.  But what a blessed experience that was!

I’ve included a link to the audio if you are interested.  Just take it easy on me.  Remember, it’s the first time I’d done this in 20 years.  It will take approx 20 minutes of your time.

I welcome comments questions on the post and also on the sermon I presented.

Because of HIM

SC

Fear

Image via Wikipedia

Have you ever felt a huge need for something and prayed for it?

Have you ever had a pain that hurt constantly and prayed for it?

Have you ever had a sick family member and prayed for them to get well. Let’s make it a little more specific, maybe it wasn’t JUST a family member, let’s say it was a child or a parent. That might make you pray a little harder huh?

During these times, a large portion of  your time spent with God was probably telling God how much you needed, wanted relief, or really wanted your family member to get well.  Right?

There might be a hint of  guilt, feeling selfish, or lack of hope as we humbly, with all our might, pray for this situation to work out in our favor.  We ask our family members to pray.  Our friends to pray.  Our ministers to pray.  We do all that we can so that this issue gets “fixed”, but we want it in our favor.

That need that you were thinking of, after all the hard work you put into praying for it, did you get it?  If you didn’t, how did you feel?

How’s the pain?  If you’re still hurting, are you upset or maybe thinking you didn’t do something right?

This is the one that hurts; did the family member get well?  If that child or parent didn’t recover after all of your hard work trying to let God know your hopes, who did you get mad at or upset with?  Still hurts doesn’t it?  Some might still be questioning God and his decision to let this one pass.  You’re not alone.

In my opinion, if your heart was right, you did exactly as you should have.

A phrase struck me like a ton of bricks during my devotion with God this week.  It came from a man after God’s own heart.  I can’t get enough of reading about David.  All of his trials, his failures, his blatant sins and I still admire David.  I think even more so now.

A little bit of build up.  After David had committed his sin with Bathsheba, had her husband Uriah killed, and Nathan brought some sense back into David, it was time for him to receive his punishment. His punishment was not his death, but the death of the child that was born to him by Bathsheba.

After the child became ill, “David pleaded with God for the child.“  Here are some other things he did. Fasted, slept on the ground, and when the members of his house asked him to get up or to eat, David would have nothing to do with it.  For seven days he didn’t eat, slept on the ground, and he didn’t bathe.

Seventh day the child dies. We then see David moping around, wondering why this happened to him and Bathsheba.  He was more depressed and hurt than he was before, right?

NOPE!

He got up, washed, put on lotions, changed his clothes and then went to worship God.  Afterward he finally got him a bite to eat.  I gather from my reading that he totally confused the folks around him.  They were afraid to tell David that the boy had died because they were afraid “He may do something desperate.” As if.  Then they questioned him about why in the world was he acting the way he was now, and I want you to see David’s response:

²² He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ ²³ But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”-2 Samuel 12:22-23

David thought, “Who knows?” Almost see David rolling his eyes as he says “Who knows?”  He didn’t know, but he had hope, and though the hope was dashed he didn’t let that lead him away.

Don’t stop praying for whatever you want.  Don’t stop praying for the pain to go away.  Don’t stop praying when a family member is sick. Why?

Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to you and give you what you are asking.

If he don’t, then don’t let that cause you to lose your faith.  God still loves you and will do great things through you.

Because of HIM

SC

Image via Wikipedia

I’m still hanging on.  I’m still getting through this mess with my back.  I’ve got an appointment on Wednesday (May, 13th (which is also my son’s birthday)) to see a pain management Doctor.  It’s an exciting time, I think that’s the right term to use.  It’s also a bit frustrating because this sounds like putting a band aid on a broken arm.  It might cover it up, put it’s still broke.  I keep telling myself though that anything that can be done to keep me from taking this pain medicine will be a relief in and of itself.

Even through it all, how have I managed to keep my sanity about me?  Some may say, “Well, Scott, that’s debatable.” and I would tend to agree with you.  Maybe I’ve never had my sanity about me?  Maybe sanity is not the appropriate word, maybe the appropriate word is keep my Christianity about me.  My answer you already have determined, I’m sure, but just entertain me for a bit will ya?

Persevere

– to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly

It’s a word that I’ve heard so many times throughout my life, but haven’t really understood it to it’s fullest.  Also, over the last bit it’s been one of those hot topics that everyone that I’m around seems to be talking about.  You know how that is.  You hear a word one day then the next everyone is using it.  It’s been etched in my brain and I guess that’s part of the reason that I’m still on the right track through this.

I have been thinking of some examples that I can compare myself with. Compare, to see how they persevered through their rough times. Persevering is not just about getting over a painful situation though, which is what usually comes to mind when I hear that word. I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know though.

A lot of times when I think of a person in the Bible who was a great example of perseverance, I think of Job.  Poor guy was just enjoying a meal with some family one day.  Then, with God’s permission, Satan started tearing Job’s world apart.  Just reading the first chapter of Job can usually make me feel better about what I’ve got.  But God knew the faith of Job and just as planned Job didn’t let him down.

Throughout the book Job deals with death, sickness, and friends trying to “talk some sense into him”, or so they thought.  But good ol’ Job persevered through it all and in the end, He was blessed with twice as much as he had before (Job 42:7-16). I invite you to read the entire book.  He really is a great example of perseverance.

The book of James, one of my favorite authors in the bible, tells us a lot about why one should persevere. Instead of repeating it, just go read it for yourself. I think it is a very inspirational book on perseverance.

Obviously the greatest example of perseverance is Jesus. He is the example that I hope I am being. I’m sure I’m failing a lot, but I’m trying.

Karen emailed this to me this week and I’ve just got to share it with you.

The Faith to Persevere

“Because you have kept My command to persevere ” (Revelation 3:10).

Perseverance means more than endurance—more than simply holding on until the end. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, “I can’t take any more.” Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God’s hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
–My Utmost for His Highest – Oswald Chambers

High Fives

I’m going to brag on someone here.  I’m going to give this person a pat on the back.  That person is myself.  Through the pain I can’t remember a time when I said “I can’t take any more.” I can’t recall a time when I’ve said “Why God? Why the pain?” I’ve never given up the ONE who will see me through this. I’ve persevered through just by hanging on to Him and all of my brothers and sisters. There have been times in my life where the complete opposite would be happening right now.  I see God working through each of my friends and it really is a blessing.

So now, I give you a pat on the back.  I’m going to brag on you.  If it wasn’t for you guys and gals helping me stay focused I really don’t know that I could have made it this far.

I know, don’t count your chickens before they hatch.  I’m still fighting the pain and it does appear to be getting worse.  But I’m persevering and I will persevere because “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him”

You too can persevere.  “Every successful person has to start somewhere” is a quote that I read sometime over the last week.  Every successful person has had to persevere. In what ways have you persevered?

Because of HIM

SC

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. – Mathew 5:16

As my son and I traveled back from Talladega on Sunday, there wasn’t a lot to do except just notice things.  Somethingin particular caught my eye and I had an A-HA moment.

I’m guessing it’s a state law in Alabama to have your headlights on while driving if it is raining outside, regardless of the time of day.  No, it didn’t rain on us unless you count the huge bugs that covered my windshield.  It might as well have been raining, but I digress.  The reason I say it must be a law is because of one particular road sign that I saw:

“Lights On When Raining”

I guess to some that should seem fairly obvious.  It is a bit safer to have the lights on so that others in front and behind can see your vehicle better when it’s raining.  Some/most vehicles any more even have daytime running lights that are always on.  I say always, I think they may go off when it gets dark, but are replaced with the normal headlights.

So, this sign got me thinking.  It wasn’t long until I had come up with my own sign that I am supposed to have visible at all times:

“Lights On When Reigning”

As a Christian as I drive through this world, make that ride through this world, I’m responsible for letting my light shine.  I’m always wanting God to be reigning over me so I’m given the responsibility to have my light on all the time, for safety. This light is not the daytime running light, this light is the same light all the time.

It helps you when my lights are on to see me better during your time of darkness.  Just like we sometimes judge our travels by the taillights of the vehicle in front of us, if my Christian light is on, you can follow me and be assured of a safe travel through this life, on to the final destination.

Here is my issue.  I have a light switch for my Christian light.  I sometimes turn this light off and do whatever I was wanting to do.  When I’m finished, I just turn the light back on. I don’t know who is following me, who is behind me, but I know someone is.  Someone is counting on me, my example, to follow and get them through this world and on to Heaven.  When I suddenly turn that light off, those following are in danger of a serious accident.

It’s a tough lesson to learn. I’m still trying to learn it.  God is always reigning. I always need to have my light on, for your convienence.

Because of HIM

SC

UPDATE: When I use the term “Follow me” I mean it as Paul meant it in 1 Cor 11:1:

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

“I’m going to move forward with the crazy thought that I’ve had in my head of becoming a professional counselor.” – me

“Making action more of a necessity.” – me (in reference to fixing past mistakes)

“This may not be a milestone but on February 25th I am going to give up another vice of mine.  Smoking. ” – me

“I’m wanting to do it to fill a hunger.” – yep, me

Look at all those “things I’m gonna do” items up there that I have written about in the past. Many of them were items that I felt God was wanting me to do.  Do you know how many of them I have done?  I’ll give you a hint, it’s a round number.

When I wrote those things in my posts, I was as sure of doing those as one could be. Today as I look back and think about each one individually, I still have a “want” to do those things.  It’s just that the deep emotional ties to each seems to have dissipated.

Where does that tie go?  Were they really ideas set in motion by God, or some crazy notion that my mind had come up with on it’s own?  Is there a set amount of time that we have to act on ideas before they become reality?

When I wrote them, I wasn’t writing them to be self-righteous, or to seem bigger than I really am.  I wasn’t writing them to get an atta boy from you guys.  I felt very strongly about each one.  I felt a need to accomplish each one.

Am I lazy?  Am I being led astray by thoughts, not of God, but of man?  I’m confused, for sure.  It’s this area in my life that brings back memories of the old drunken me that would say I was going to do something, then not even think about it any more.

Needless to say, Iwill be praying for direction and clarity. I would like your prayers as well, as I go about questioning along my way.

Because of HIM

SC

photo by faeryboots

I became aware of it early this time.  I could feel the sting of hurt and pain and just an emotional rift sneaking up on me this morning.  It felt good to catch it before it became a mess.

I began my work as I usually do and it didn’t take long before I was sitting there in silence working and my mind started trying to do it’s own things.  The rift started in the place I would normally think it would start, right in the center of my chest.  Just a weighty, useless, feeling of yuck and mess.  Yet, I felt it early and I reacted quickly.

You know that feeling you get when you are trying to scare someone and you know they are trying to scare you as well, but you scare them first?  Well, that’s  how it felt to become so quickly aware of what was happening.  Immediately I cried out to God for help.  I also cried out to some friends to just pray.  I couldn’t tell them about what because I didn’t know what it was exactly.

I got up from my desk and went outside and just stood looking into the heavens and just started talking to God and thanking him for everything that I had.  I thanked him for everything that my eyes saw.  For the trees, the grass, the houses, the sky, the clouds and I asked that he take over this before it becomes too much for me.  I knew at the same time I was praying others were praying for me as well. I looked down at my hands and then I felt it….

My son and I have this thing we do at night at bedtime when I tuck him in.  He runs down the hall and jumps into the bed and lands with his head on his pillow with just the biggest smile you can imagine.  He knows what is next as I stand beside the bed, sheet in hand.

He tucks his arms under him as he lays there on the bed still smiling with as much as excitement as he had when he saw his new bicycle.  Then, without warning, I then WHIP the sheets over his body and let them gently fall and surround him as he lay there.  They envelope him and rest on him  just so that I can see the outline of his body under the sheets.  He is at peace, covered in the love that was transferred from me to him, through the sheets.

I’ve heard about it from others but I can’t say that I’ve ever experienced it so richly.  As I looked at my hands this smile came across my face.  It felt so good finally.  It felt so AWESOME to jump from where I was into the arms of God as he whipped the blanket of peace over my body.  He transferred his love to me in such a way that my body was surrounded by it, and I knew it, and I could feel it.

It was still a bit of a rough day none the less, but it sure was nice to carry that blanket with me all day.  I talked to him often.  He covered me often and you know what?  I don’t think he ever got tired of WHIPPING his blanket of peace over me.

Because of HIM!

SC

It was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters. – Ezekiel 31:7

It's a struggle

Look at it.  In order to make a difference this poor, some would call bad, thing had to persevere through growing between asphalt and brick.  Just a little crack was all it needed to begin it’s life.  But if you look, you’ll notice how tiring a trip it must have been.

It’s arms appear to be sprawled out seemingly from having  to push itself up through the crack.  Arching over as if it too has back problems after such a feat.  There seems to be  just enough moisture there to allow it grow.  Its leaves are already starting to wilt from the heat of the asphalt.

No matter.  It accomplished what it was set out to do.  Through the struggle of growing it has become a beautiful dandelion. Vibrant and full of color.  No less color than it would have had its seed fallen on the richest soil.  It lives, if only for a while.  But to live, it struggled.

I know, some of you are saying, “Um, Scott.  It’s a weed.”

To which I say, “No, it’s a dandelion.  It has a name.”

I feel like the dandelion, a lot.  Not that my growing was really all that tough.  I had a good upbringing.  My folks taught me the difference in good and bad, right and wrong.  They taught me who God was, who Jesus was, and they tried to instill in me the value of the Church.  No, not the building.  The building isn’t worth two cents compared to what the Church is.  Anyway, It was I who chose what I did and I chose unwisely, a lot.  I learned life the hard way.  I became and sometimes still feel like a weed.  But you know.  I’m not a weed.  I’m me. I have a name.

Look at me now.  Though I am medicated due to back pains and apparently getting older by the day, I still feel as alive and as beautiful as the dandelion.  (Is it ok for a guy to call himself beautiful???).

Sure, I could have picked better soil (lessons) to learn life through, but I’m not sure I would have been as beautiful and as full of hope as I am today.

I still feel like a weed at times.  But thanks to my God and my Saviour, I know that is not the case.  Jesus changed me from a weed to a very useful being on this earth.  He has made me more important than the earth I walk on, and I thank him daily.

Because of HIM

SC

UPDATE: My friend, Steve (@SteveGarufi) made an excellent comment in a tweet that I wanted to share here:

A weed to one person is another person’s flower!

photo by neosnaps

So, I was sitting around the house one day early last year (2008) and a thought occurred to me that my life was spiraling out of control.  I had to do something.  So what did I do?  The same thing we always do when we have a decision to make.

One day during one of those hangovers, I was talking to myself and I said, “Self, what is going on with you?  Is this really how you want to go down in the family lineage?  What do you want to do? What do you need to do? Where is Scott?”  So many questions came flooding in. The hows, the whys, the whens.  You know, the typical questions that come along.

Well, I finally found a starting point.  Who was I going to talk to?  Turned out, the only answer I had to that question was my dad. So, off I went.

I wish I could remember everything exactly the way it happened.  I think this was the time that I went looking for my answer by  looking for him.  I’m pretty sure this was when I called him on the phone and asked him to meet me either at his house or my house.  At any rate, I told him that I needed help quitting what I had asked myself for.

As “luck” would have it, he knew exactly which door I needed to open.  I’ve blogged about this in the past I think.  He knew someone that had gone through rehab.  He said he would get me in touch with him and get the process started right away.  Give me some comfort as far as what to do, what to expect, and just to get my spirits lifted a bit about rehab and after rehab.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long after that, that I was speaking to one that was going to assist me in getting my life turned back around.  I will say, I had no idea just how big of a turn around it was.  That’s for a previous story, or future.

This has got me thinking about how this process is the very same process that we should use when we ask God for something that we need or want.  (NOTE: I say “want” hesitantly, that too is for another day)

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. – Matthew 7:7

This isn’t a verse that tells us 3 different ways to get what we need in life.  This is a verse that tells us the one way to get what we need.  It’s my opinion that all three steps must be followed in order to receive.

(I’m horrible at this.  So, this is one of those, “don’t do as I do; do as I say do” posts.  (Sound like my folks there, sorry))

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m really good at asking God for things I want/need.   My prime example, my desire to become a counselor.  I’ve done a really good job asking God to help me with that.  So, why have I not went further?  Why am I still in the same place that I was the first time I asked for help with this from God. Why?  After the asking, I don’t seek and I don’t knock, so I don’t get.

For me to get sober, I had to take the first 3 steps:

• Ask Myself What I wanted
• Seek the Solution
• Knock on the door of opportunity

We don’t have to do anything more or anything less, to get what God desires for us.  What say you?

Because of HIM,

SC

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

But did God have to?

“Demonstrates” is the one word in that verse that brought on this thought.

Why couldn’t he have done like he did with Abraham?  Abraham showed how much he loved God by willingly taking his son, his only son, and prepared to sacrifice him to God.  But…

8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

There is no mention of thoughts, expressions, feelings.  Abraham’s last words to his only son was going to be “God will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”  Not I love you Isaac.  Not I’m sorry Isaac.  Not, “Boy, be still! It’s for the best!” His words in my mind are calm.  Unemotional.  Did he question anything?

Wonder what was going through Isaac’s mind during all of this?  Did he squirm?  Were there tears streaming down his face as he lay there bound on top of a pile of wood?  Did he beg and plead for his life even though he knew what THIS was?  Even though he knew God was in control?

Fast forward a few years.

God’s only son was being beat.  He was being, not killed, but slaughtered.  My minister used that word in such a way that it has stuck in my mind.  Jesus wasn’t murdered.  That would have been a blessing to have just been murdered.  No. He was slaughtered worse than any lamb had been slaughtered.

I think we know what was going through Jesus’ mind during this time.  He was scared even before he was seized.  Scared bad.

And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.     – Luke 22:44

Did he feel betrayed?

About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” – Matthew 27:46

Even during all of his cries for mercy, God could hear every single word that came from Jesus’ mouth.  He could hear the cries of anguish and pain. He could feel the pain pulsating through Jesus’ body. He heard the last loud cry (hear that..it was a LOUD cry.)

Unlike with Isaac though God didn’t cry out “JESUS! JESUS! CALL IT OFF!” But could he have?

Sure, I think so.  I mean, he is God.  But we would have never heard the words…

…IT IS FINISHED…  – John 19:30

With those three words, for us, it has only just begun.

I have a son.  I would give my life for my son.  How hard would it be to give my son’s, my ONLY son’s, life for you?  It is unfathomable.  I’m glad that it is finished.

Because of HIM

SC

I didn’t answer the question. I left it open for your comments.  I would like to hear your answer to “Did he have to?”