The dead of winter...it won't stop snowing...and I miss thunderstorms. So I looked around for people who are dumb enough to strap a camera to their hand attempting to capture one up close. I'm not this dumb, though...

I’m reading Louie Giglio’s I Am Not But I Know I AM, and I’ve come to a point where blogging must commence. The premise of his book encapsulates humanity’s miniscule stories occurring within the greater story of GOD and reminds us of our finite yet life-changing roles from within the story that has already been written and is currently advancing within the script.

Giglio references the story of Moses, wherein GOD reveals Himself as I AM (Exodus 3.14), and portrays the humble and reverent Moses as I am not. Giglio then moves forward to the story of John the Baptist in the New Testament. John, being the forerunner to Christ and already with a following of disciples, is spearheading the way for the Messiah to enter the story. His message was so profound that others were wondering if he was the Christ, but John knew who he was…he was I am not…just like Moses.

And when the Christ becomes the main character in the story, John humbly assumes the minor role in the immediate story saying, “He must become greater, and I must become less” (John 3.30 ESV). John relinquishes his stature for humility—he removes his crown to seat Jesus on the throne because he knew Jesus was the One Who would fulfill the prophesies he had been proclaiming: Every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken (Isaiah 40.4-5 ESV).

The valleys (those who are humble and meek) shall be lifted up; the mountains and hills (those who are lofty and prideful) will be made low…everyone shall be on the same plateau before the Christ who will baptize you either with fire (the chaff) or the Holy Spirit (the wheat). John, according to Giglio, was a “little leader”…a lieutenant manning the bridge before the Captain arrives…a human story within GOD’s story.

Matthew Henry creates this picture with John as the morning star—bright and glorious amongst the darkness—and Jesus as the morning dawn. The sun rises from its horizon and consumes the stars that precede it. The sun cannot be revealed without the stars before it, and John was the necessary precursor to Jesus…not forced to submit to Jesus’ revelation but joyfully relinquished his glory for that of “he who is mightier than I…the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie” (Luke 3.16 ESV).

How essential is the need to make “He must become greater, and I must become less” the driving force of our lives? How more essential is the need when considering our own tiny stories next to the story that GOD is currently unfolding? This epic story is NOT about me. I am not. God is the Great I AM. His great story is advancing.

I can't say whether or not the authorship is legit, but I can say this is well-spoken stuff. I don't usually vomit on the subject of America...but, in my neutral stance on many headlining issues we face, I appreciated what you will read below...
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"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true, given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed, and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence, 2/3's of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What are we so unhappy about?''

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough.

Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provides services to help all, and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens.

They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the President who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The President who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same President who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The President that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?

The Commander-In Chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it...are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go.

They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want, but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds, it leads; and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about "how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way"...Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage.

Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

We are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.

"With hurricanes, tornadoes, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, "Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"

Jay Leno 2007