We took care of some things in Naples directly in the morning and then we continued our trip towards Sarasota, FL. The day started with rain and actually it felt cold when the temperature were down at 68 degrees. I might get used to the weather here or then it was cold.
When you drive a car you also have time to listen to music and today I got a chance to listen through the new Lynyrd Skynyrd album "God & Guns". First I thought that it was too heavy and that the old men should take it easy. After listening to the album a couple of times and listening to the lyrics I started to like it. I mean there are still songs that should not be on a Skynyrd album, that are too heavy but there are also some of the best songs I have heard for a long time. I give the album four stars out of five. The message is clear and it is all about living the "american, southern life". The title allready says a lot, God & Guns is what America was founded on. I wonder if this is the truth but I like them for being honest and singing about their personal thoughts. There where also lot of really important stuff that could have been on a Christian album but also the other kind of stuff. I believe in keeping the good parts and skip the bad part. Johnny Van Zant sings about how things have changed and that it was better before. He sings :
"Now there's kids who can't pray in school
$100 dollar tanks of gas
I can tell you right now this country ain't
AIN'T SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE THAT!
NO!
'Cause that ain't my America
That aint this country's roots
You wanna slam old Uncle Sam
But I ain't letting you
I'm mad as hell and you know I still bleed Red, White, and Blue
That ain't us
That Ain't My
That Ain't My America
Hey, when is the last time you sat down and had dinner with your kids?
Talked about what's going on in their lives?
Hey, when is the last time you just stopped and helped somebody out?
I bet you can't remember "
(That ain´t my America)
So many things are true and when he sings that he would trade all experiences in life to one day as it used to be I think about that I could really do that trade for a day where I get a chance to make sure I am allright with the Lord before the time is over here on earth.
"Well a lot of people are sayin'
"We're changing for the better"
Well that don't interest me
I like the simple life
The way it USED to be
We left our doors wide open
We didn't need no key
I've been around the world
Seen all there is to see
I'd trade ALL THOSE memories for ONE MORE DAY
How it used to be
I like the Simple Life
I wanna get up Sunday mornin'
Go fishin' with my boy
Watch the sunset kick back in my yard
Take my Harley on a real long lazy Sunday drive
And do a little more nothin' once in a while
Yeah Maybe kick my feet up
Watch a little re-run on TV
Laughin' with ol' Barney, Andy and Aunt Bee
Everything's going by so fast
I swear sometimes we just can't see
So caught up in where we're TRYING to get
Life as we know it, could be gone in a minute"
(Simple Life)
This album is the true American album of the year and it is really worth listening too. I wish we could have seen Skynyrd live while we were in Galveston, Texas earlier on this trip when they were playing there while we were there but you cant get everything. I am happy that I got myself a copy of the album and I will definitely listen to it again.
On our way to Sarasota we stopped in Punta Gorda. I dont know why I turned off the interstate here but I am so glad we did. A wonderful little town right at the sea and we got to walk around and look at the wild birds and the fish jumping in the bay. So wonderful and so real. We dont have big birds like this at home and the sea here is so beautiful. We also walked around in the Fishermens village and to me it looked funny to see a christmas tree together with the palm trees. I am used to have snow around for christmas but I believe it wont snow too much here. Even if we met Santa Claus I cant really say that I am waiting on christmas. It have become too commercial and not too many people realise that Jesus is the reason for the season. Well, I guess we have to deal with at least one more christmas before HE returns.
We had a wonderful day together and again and I am really enjoying this last leg of the trip so far. I love Florida and I love my son. I miss my wife and my daughters and I wish they could be here with us. I have a dream and that is to one day move here. May be my dream can be true when I am older and it would be the perfect life to live in Finland 6 months while it is hot and live in Florida the rest of the year when it is cold, dark and ugly in Finland. I mean the winters are not what they used to be. Not too much snow and it is dark and dirty. Everything is i Gods hands and we are looking forward for serving the Lord tonight and minister in Auburndale, Florida.
God Bless and Remember that the sword of the Spirit is our Gun!
Pontus
