Politics...

First of all, I warned you - NO subject is off limits.

Last night I had the pleasure of participating in a political debate.  It was even more entertaining when I found out that one side of the argument was only playing the devil's advocate and pretending to be on the opposing view.  It's insane how passionate everyone is about their political views.

I am no different.  I am very passionate about politics - but I don't really participate in any arguments.  Here is why:

Jesus had an open door to be a political figure.  In fact, that's what many of His followers thought He was!  But He chose not to be.  If He was involved in politics at all, it was as an ambassador for His heavenly kingdom.  I don't need to remind any theologians that Jesus mingled with tax collectors - who were the political enemy of the day - and told everyone (in Matthew Chapter 22) to be faithful in paying taxes - even if the government is one that you do not approve.

But God did give us a political assignment is scripture.  Many of you know one of my favorite scriptures, Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you; to give you a hope and a future..."  But earlier in that very chapter, we are given the circumstances in the midst of this wonderful promise.  God's chosen people have been LED into captivity. They have been carried away as captives of Babylon.  So what does God tell His people to do about this terrible oppression?

"And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace (Jeremiah 29:7)."

In the midst of our heated political debates, let us remember that we live in a country that is blessed to have compassionate people leading us.  That's right...  I believe our leadership is moved to their beliefs out of compassion...  And I believe those who oppose them are moved by compassion as well.  Even on the heated debates such as abortion and the sanctity of marriage.  For example... On abortion, the pro-lifers are moved by their compassionate  for unborn children, the pro-choicers are moved by their compassion for women.  Neither side is going to communicate with the other until they can accept that fact...

I believe there is a perfect kingdom waiting for me.  Until then, I will be more concerned about showing the love of God to sinners - like Jesus did.

I leave you with a quote from one of the most beloved politicians in history, Winston Churchill:

"If you are 20 and not a liberal, you have no heart.  If you are 40 and not a conservative, you have no brain."

Haha.

Too Big a Task for Me

I had some good times on American Idol, but it wasn't all positive.  There were some difficult and emotionally draining aspects as well.  And while I am extremely grateful for the exposure it offered me, you have to admit that American Idol is not the most flattering stage - no matter who you are.  Think about it...  You're singing songs you barely know with basically no monitors so you can be scrutinized by millions of people.  You are terrified and everyone knows it.  And I don't care if you're Kelly, Carry, Chris, or Phil - EVERYONE has at least one bad performance on American Idol.  EVERYONE!

I felt like God had given me a task that was too big for me.

Now, my dad is a preacher.  As most kids do, I learned to block out dad's speaking voice when I was very young.  So he was forced to find new and inventive ways of preaching to me.  I'll never the lesson I learned from him about taking on a task that is too big.

I was 16 when I got a job as a server at Village Inn.  I started working there because all my buddies did, but I was terrible at it.  One Tuesday night, when the restaurant was fairly empty, my friends thought it would be funny to quit and just leave the place abandoned.  I watched as one by one, they fled for their cars, leaving one cook, a hostess, and me to take care of the restaurant by ourselves...

At first it was fine, because no one was there.  But little did we know that there was an Amway convention in town that had been let out.  Within 20 minutes, our store was filled to capacity with a wait in the lobby.

When I saw all those cars pulling into the lot, I called my dad to ask for permission to quit.  There was a pause on the phone before finally, dad said, "Well son, do you want to be a boy, or do you want to be a man?"

I said, "Uh, I dunno...  What do you want me to do?"

"Son, I want you to do what you have committed yourself to do."

I felt like the job was too big for me; that I would screw it all up.  But I submitted my will to my father's.  I jumped on top of the host station and screamed to the top of my lungs, "Welcome to Village Inn!"  Everyone cheered in excitement.  I was fortunate to have a very motivated group of people.  I said, "We are so excited that you decided to join us tonight, but I am your only server.  I will take care of you if you will be patient with me.  Is that a deal?"  Everyone screamed in approval.

This is the best part.  About two minutes later, as I was scurrying from booth to booth trying to get drink orders, the front door opened.  It was my dad.  He walked up to me and asked, "how can I help."

You see, just like my dad, if our heavenly father gives us a task, not only will He equip us with the tools we need to complete that task, but He will also go before us.  He will never leave us high and dry.  He'll be there to help us every step of the way.

I remembered that lesson throughout that season of American Idol.  And in the midst of that enormous task, I never felt alone.  I knew my heavenly father was with me.

Oh - and I made a killing that night in tips.  And a couple months later, I was promoted and given assistant manager responsibilities.  I prospered.  All because I submitted my will to my fathers.

If this story has blessed you, feel free to email your friends with the link pstacey.blogspot.com

Bookmark Me

I created this blog so I had a private outlet to express my views and opinions.  I wasn't planning on actually sharing these thoughts as some of my thoughts have a tendency to offend sensitive readers.  However, if you are willing to acknowledge that I am moved toward my point of views out of love and compassion, then I welcome you to follow this blog.  And feel free to share your views as well.  This is a place where you will not be judged or condemned.  It was set up as a safe place for me, and thus will be a safe place for you as well...

Enjoy.  I'll post here as often as I can.

Atheism

Today I'd like to talk about atheism.  

I have never questioned whether or not there is a God.  It seems obvious to me.  But there is obviously a substantial number of people who have an atheist world view.  Of this population, many of them would agree that there seems to be a spiritual side of life, which is just silly to me.  If we all evolved from a tiny micro-organism floating around in space, a spiritual side could not be justified.  A spirit is eternal and would have to come from somewhere else.

Besides that, evolution in it's current state doesn't make sense.  Okay - so we come from monkeys.  Who nursed the first monkey?  Leave a newborn baby or monkey out in the wilderness and see how long it lasts without it's mother.

Now I understand that there is a specific time table in the bible and that many people do not believe that it is possible for this world to be less than 7,000 years old.  I tend to disagree.  My justification for this is that I believe that when God created Adam, he did not form him as a Zygote.  I believe Adam appeared to be a young man.  I believe He created Eve in this same way.  In short, I believe the chicken came first - not the egg.  If this is true, why couldn't He create a world that appeared to be older than it really was?

But that's just my personal conviction.

Okay, so there is a God.  But does He really listen to every one of the billion prayers that are being offered simultaneously?  I don't know, but He seems to be listening to mine.  My guess is that if there is a God, we are talking about a being who invented time.  One who does not exist by our standards or understanding.  He exists in a place that is eternal - has no beginning or end.  If I were to pretend to remotely understand that, I would be lying.

Welcome to my blog....

It's actually exhilarating looking at the big empty space on my screen.  There's absolutely nothing on it.  It's like a fresh start, which is a good thing, since I have been compelled to this site at 3:30 in the morning searching for just that...  And I believe I have found it.

Welcome to the blog of Phil Stacey.

The timing couldn't be more perfect.  I am a musician who is taking his first steps into the waters of a new format.  It's very exciting.  And as I start this journey, I am reminded:

More than ten years ago, I heard a preacher speak on Psalms 139:23-24, which says, "Search Me, O God and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts.  See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting."  It was a very inspiring message and I decided to make that verse my daily prayer.  

I think it is the perfect prayer of dedication.  And since I first began praying it, I have seen how He has taken my life, which had become accustomed to failure, and blessed it beyond measure.  I hope the stories and lessons I share in the coming days and weeks serves as encouragement to you as you strive to surrender completely to His plan for you.

I should preface this series by saying that I am not perfect.  I am haunted by a dark side, much like the disciple John and just about every other artist I know.  I will forewarn you that I intend to be very candid with my struggles...  But this page is my outlet to write openly about my experiences in hopes that it connects with you on some meaningful level. 

And I truly do hope it does.