Author: Rev. Charles Pugh

It is finally raining in many places of the Eastern USA that have desperately needed it!  Water can help the vegetation to WAKE UP or if splashed in someone’s face, can help them be startled to sudden alertness.  Of course, too much water, like recently in places in Florida, can actually lead to tragedy.  Sometimes, if it is a steady, rainy day, it can also lull you into a state of sleepiness.  Regardless of how water may effect you, and regardless of what tragedy you might face, you and I need to WAKE UP!

Tragedy can help rouse you to consider things that are more important in life.  If you focus on what you have or have had and what you can learn from any tragedy, you can get a perspective of things that have greater meaning, even things that are eternal (see my 04-26-08 “Perspective” Blog or really many of my other Blogs).  The problem is that we all tend to get into routines and become acclimated to the patterns of life.  Sometimes it takes a tragedy or great change to get us to WAKE UP out of the sense of sleep that we tend to settle into.

Dear reader, I trust that you are AWAKE to life and to eternal life!  Your spirit first needs to be AWAKENED (see the Gospel tab above and/or Ephesians 2:1ff).  Consider just a few of the Bible verses that speak of being AWAKE:   Ephesians 5:14 says, “AWAKE you who sleep” to get light to know what is right.  1 Corinthians 15:34 says to “AWAKE to righteousness” because some still need to have the knowledge of God.   Romans 13:11 says that “it is HIGH TIME to AWAKE out of sleep” for our salvation (deliverance) is closer than when we first believed.

Are you complacent to the things going on in our world?  Are you apathetic or just discouraged by the evil that you see?  Would it take a tragedy to WAKE YOU UP?  I trust that this Blog will help rouse you to remember things that are important and be ALERT and AWAKE to what GOD wants you to do with your life!  I believe I have been AWAKE (the above verses have been theme verses in my life) and am even moreso since the VT Tragedy and my own ongoing personal tragedy (that I trust will begin to change with an important court date this Thursday–08-28-08).  I trust that this website will help you to WAKE UP and stay ALERT and useful for much good!

By now, most reading this have surely paid some attention to the 29th Modern Summer Olympic Games that will be concluding this coming Sunday.  There are many incredible stories, including the most publicized story of the amazing US swimmer, Michael Phelps, who won a record 8 gold medals in this 2008 Olympic Games.  The best athletes in the world are competing in their various sports, trying to achieve the status of the best in the world in their sport.  Now, what might this have to do with the theme of this website?  There are many lessons to be learned from what it takes to be an Olympian and lessons we each can apply when facing the tragedies of life.

Sports are an important aspect of our lives (sometimes even more important than they should be).  It is true that sports can rally and unify people over a common event.  If too competitive or undisciplined, it can also bring disunity and even fighting.  After the 04-16-07 VT Tragedy, many were inspired and unified through the avenue of sporting events (just as was true after 09-11-01).  The VT Football Team (the most widely known VT Sport) was able to bring encouragement, unity and even healing to many.  The NY Yankees even gave $1 million to the VT Memorial Fund and later came and played an exhibition game with the VT Baseball Team.  Even on the 04-16-08 anniversary, there was a memorial baseball game that people could watch.  Sports are only helpful when the athletes and observers maintain being a good sport, regardless of the outcome of the event.

Sports can be helpful to at least gain broader perspective when facing life’s tragedies.  It is an encouragement to see a team (especially if considered the underdog) work together to overcome odds and win an event.  Normally, this is only possible when the inferior team plans and works especially hard to win the competition, or when the superior team fails to plan and work as they are capable of doing.  Whether it be a team sport or an individual sport, as in many of the Olympic Games, disciplined training and whole-hearted effort are essential for victory.  The same is true in other areas of life.

Many Scriptures could be cited to illustrate these things (even using Athletic and Olympic analogies), including 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Philippians 2:16, 3:11-14; 1 Timothy 4:7-8; 2 Timothy 2:5, 4:7-8; and Hebrews 12:1ff.  The main point in these passages is that it is through disciplining our minds and bodies to yield to the Truth of Scripture, we can prevail through the tragedies of life, be successful in the eyes of the ultimate Judge and win rewards that we can offer back to him for what HE has done for us.  Consider that it is only through exercise in the Word of God (Scripture) that this “disciplined training in righteousness” is possible, allowing the one following God to be mature and equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

So, remember, ‘Be A Sport” regardless of how things turn out in any competition, and more importantly, “Be a Spiritual Sport” and be diligent in this most important “sport.”   Oh, and make sure you are qualified to even be in this most important sport–if you have questions there, you should check out “The Gospel” tab above.

If you have read several of the blogs on this website, you may have noticed a key theme:  What we think about and focus or meditate on will have a direct effect on how we feel and how we view the tragedies of life.  If we focus on the positive and the promises that GOD gives us in the Bible, we will be able to prevail through any circumstances in life.  The key is having a focused mind…

Philippians 4:8 tells us the type of things to focus our thinking on.  When we focus our eyes, as well as our mind, we are exercising and doing what is necessary to improve our vision (even peripherally).  The object of sight or thought becomes clear, as do the surrounding things (though not focused on).  The superior object of thought is the revelation of GOD–particularly in the Bible.  The superior object of faith is to focus on the Person of Jesus Christ.  HE gives purpose and meaning to everything and puts it all in perspective!

You may have noticed the tab at the top right–“Battle of the Mind.”  That is a sermon I gave at the graveside service of my brother, Jonathan Franklin Pugh, who lost his focus and took his own life back in 2004.   He wanted to be a teacher, and there is certainly a lot that can be learned from his life–good and bad.  I urge you to take a look at that message (and even look and listen to the video and audio of it).  There is much to learn from this and much to learn about focusing–especially focusing your mind.

Do you remember the movie, “What About Bob?” and the Vacation Therapy that was suggested there?  It was, “Take a vacation from your problems!” 😀  While you can’t escape the reality of tragedy and the realities of life, it is not a bad idea to take a break from the intensity and closeness you have to any tragic event or sad circumstances of life.  When there is a tragedy, you will find yourself focused on it for days, weeks, and maybe even longer.  Just be careful not to take a vacation from your mind and what will really help…

Thanks to the generosity of some family members, I was just able to have a few days away from the trials in my own life.  I enjoyed the time away with family and the wonderful Creation of God at the beach.  There are so many lessons to learn just from observing the ocean and all the creatures in it, along with the waves and treasures on the seashore.  One relevant one to share now is how the waves of the ocean (circumstances of life) will cause you to sink in the sand if you remain positioned in the same place.  You have to keep moving and you have to adjust your position to not be overwhelmed by the waves or just sink in the sand.

Another important lesson is to make sure that any time away is not simply mindless entertainment.  Life still goes on and a great way to get perspective is to see a larger picture than what you are facing, but to also focus on the Creation of GOD!  There are so many lessons we can learn from all of the creatures HE has made!

So, enjoy some time away from the immediate circumstances of life or tragedy, but be sure to not vacate your mind from the Truth and the reality of Creation.  Other mindless things will certainly fill it.  Remember, the Battle is in the mind!  Just check out the tab above (the graveside service of my Brother, Jonathan) and the other blogs on this site (like the 04-15-08 Blog “Battle of the Mind.”).  Take a vacation from your problems, but not from GOD!

There is nothing funny about tragedy, yet life is full of humor, if one is able to see it. It is important that despite any tragedy in your life, you do not allow yourself to remain so angry or sad that you become bitter or discouraged. There are times to cry and times to laugh. In fact, the Bible (before the Beatles 😉 ) speaks about the different aspects of life and times that are appropriate for certain emotions…

Solomon (the wisest man who ever lived) wrote in Ecclesiastes 3 that there is a time and season for everything. The New Testament Apostle Paul spoke of the paradox that exists when facing tough times and even tragedy. You can still maintain faith and hope! He said, “We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed, perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Cor. 4:8-9).

How is it possible to find humor in life? How can you keep a positive attitude despite the trials of life? Check out the other blogs and information on this site. Look up the most recent poem: “To Be Free.” You can have JOY regardless, even when facing trials and going through tragedy. I do, even with the trial of my life scheduled for tomorrow! 😀