Saturday, October 18, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
cynic?
I never have really thought of myself as cynical, but that is starting to change. I have always followed politics pretty closely because I believe it is our duty to be well-informed voters. I think it also has to do with the fact that I am pretty competitive as well. Over the past few years, I have begun to look at the political arena in a much different light. I have never considered myself to be Democrat or Republican. Let me explain that. I have seen far too many people that pre-determine that they are going to vote for the Democrat or the Republican nominee for President even before they know who they are or anything about what they believe. I do not fall into a neat little category for the parties to manipulate. I refuse to be defined by a label of Democrat or Republican!
However, there are a few things that I hold dear and that I believe whole-heartedly. I believe that there is a creator who loves us and has a plan for us. I believe that life is precious and it deserves protecting. I believe that government ought to be there for the individual, and that the individual ought to be there for the country. I believe that people ought to do everything they can to provide for themselves, and that the government ought to help those that are unable to do so. I believe that many people take advantage of the system, but that shouldn't be an excuse to do away with helping those that truly need it. I believe that people should be free to live their lives without fear of the government as long as they are not negatively affecting others.
My problem with the political arena in America 2008 is that for so long we have been completely divided. When are we going to see this country come together, and is it possible? I have become sceptical, and maybe even a bit cynical about the possibility. It seems that whatever party is in power does whatever they can to retain power while the opposition party does everything they can to see that the power gets transfered. When the Republicans control the White House, the Democrats do everything they can to make sure that nothing good happens because after all, there is another election in 4 years. It is exactly the same when the Democrats are in the White House. It seems that there are always enough opposing politicians that they are able to defeat whatever good might have come about so that they can whine about it and maybe regain power in the next election.
Both parties have allowed themselves to be controled by the special interest groups that constantly bombard them with their own opinions about America. I long for a day in America when we actually do set aside the politics of power so that we can accomplish the things that need to be done! When will we ever have a President and congressional leaders that care more about doing the right thing than who gets credit for it? When will we ever have strong leadership that is not constantly being undermined by the opposition party? Why do the parties have to disagree about everything while we in America suffer?
The rhetoric out of both of the conventions sounds great until you read between the lines. I have come to fear that no matter who gets elected we are in for more of the same. There are politicians on both sides of the aisle with noble ideas and important improvements for America and our world, but I fear that we are in for many more years of fighting and arguing at every turn. It's time to put aside the party loyalty and politics of power and failure and work together for the American people. I'm still going to vote, because it is my right and it is my duty, but I wish that I really believed that something good was about to happen!
However, there are a few things that I hold dear and that I believe whole-heartedly. I believe that there is a creator who loves us and has a plan for us. I believe that life is precious and it deserves protecting. I believe that government ought to be there for the individual, and that the individual ought to be there for the country. I believe that people ought to do everything they can to provide for themselves, and that the government ought to help those that are unable to do so. I believe that many people take advantage of the system, but that shouldn't be an excuse to do away with helping those that truly need it. I believe that people should be free to live their lives without fear of the government as long as they are not negatively affecting others.
My problem with the political arena in America 2008 is that for so long we have been completely divided. When are we going to see this country come together, and is it possible? I have become sceptical, and maybe even a bit cynical about the possibility. It seems that whatever party is in power does whatever they can to retain power while the opposition party does everything they can to see that the power gets transfered. When the Republicans control the White House, the Democrats do everything they can to make sure that nothing good happens because after all, there is another election in 4 years. It is exactly the same when the Democrats are in the White House. It seems that there are always enough opposing politicians that they are able to defeat whatever good might have come about so that they can whine about it and maybe regain power in the next election.
Both parties have allowed themselves to be controled by the special interest groups that constantly bombard them with their own opinions about America. I long for a day in America when we actually do set aside the politics of power so that we can accomplish the things that need to be done! When will we ever have a President and congressional leaders that care more about doing the right thing than who gets credit for it? When will we ever have strong leadership that is not constantly being undermined by the opposition party? Why do the parties have to disagree about everything while we in America suffer?
The rhetoric out of both of the conventions sounds great until you read between the lines. I have come to fear that no matter who gets elected we are in for more of the same. There are politicians on both sides of the aisle with noble ideas and important improvements for America and our world, but I fear that we are in for many more years of fighting and arguing at every turn. It's time to put aside the party loyalty and politics of power and failure and work together for the American people. I'm still going to vote, because it is my right and it is my duty, but I wish that I really believed that something good was about to happen!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Geoffrey at ribbon cutting ceremony
Friday, August 8, 2008
The week
Well, it has been a good week at Vacation Bible School. We averaged just over 60 kids per night, and several made decisions for Christ. Now comes the hard work of discipling these new borns in Christ.
This weekend we are heading to Summersville, WV for the kick-off of campmeeting 2008 and singspiration. All 3 of my teens wanted to go back and be a part of this great tradition. Then next week we will get in on as much of the East Ohio District Family Camp as possible. I am looking forward to hearing Norman Moore and Gary Bond in WV, and Nina Gunter and Chic Shaver in East Ohio. What a week it should prove to be!
This weekend we are heading to Summersville, WV for the kick-off of campmeeting 2008 and singspiration. All 3 of my teens wanted to go back and be a part of this great tradition. Then next week we will get in on as much of the East Ohio District Family Camp as possible. I am looking forward to hearing Norman Moore and Gary Bond in WV, and Nina Gunter and Chic Shaver in East Ohio. What a week it should prove to be!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Sick Day
Well, it doesn't happen very often, but I have found myself not feeling well enough to do much of anything today. I have been sitting here for the last several hours working on Sunday's message on the life lessons from the life of Abraham. I have arrived at the passage where the promise is finally fulfilled and Isaac is born to Sarah. Over the last few months of her pregnancy, there may have even been some that were worried about her because it seemed impossible that she could be having a baby, but she has been growing over these last few months. Now, the baby is born and it is clear that God is a God who keeps His promises!
Just as He kept His promise to Abraham and Sarah, He keeps His promises to His people today. God will be with us and will bless His people. He answers prayer, and He provides for our every need. What an awesome God we serve!
Just as He kept His promise to Abraham and Sarah, He keeps His promises to His people today. God will be with us and will bless His people. He answers prayer, and He provides for our every need. What an awesome God we serve!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Things I love
I have been doing some of the things that I love to do in recent weeks. Last week I went golfing for the first time in several years. I went again today. It was as much fun as I remember, and although I am not much of a golfer, it sure has been great to get back out there! I have also begun to spend more time riding my bike. I have always enjoyed exercising by riding a bike, but have not spent the time necessary to get my bike working adequately. I finally decided that I was going to do it, and it is working much better than it has in years, although I need to make some more adjustments. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting back out there.
I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to Geoffrey as he goes to Mt. Vernon in about 3 weeks, but I am glad that he is going to a great Christian school. I am just not looking forward to beginning this new phase of my life as the family starts to move away. But, you can't stop progress, and I am proud of my kids and all that they are accomplishing.
Lynea will be participating in One Audience at Trevecca Nazarene University in October. She was selected as the winner of BLAST at Mt. Vernon to go to the national competition. She is really excited about it, and I am excited for her. It is a great opportunity!
I am not looking forward to saying goodbye to Geoffrey as he goes to Mt. Vernon in about 3 weeks, but I am glad that he is going to a great Christian school. I am just not looking forward to beginning this new phase of my life as the family starts to move away. But, you can't stop progress, and I am proud of my kids and all that they are accomplishing.
Lynea will be participating in One Audience at Trevecca Nazarene University in October. She was selected as the winner of BLAST at Mt. Vernon to go to the national competition. She is really excited about it, and I am excited for her. It is a great opportunity!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Good Day
Today was a good day at Church. This morning the worship was inspiring and encouraging. Lauren sang a beautiful special, and I continued the series of life lessons from the life of Abraham. This morning we looked at Genesis 16 and the story of Hagar. It is so vital to keep God's will at the center of all we do--not getting ahead of his timing or confusing what is right with what seems expedient at the time.
Tonight, I finished the series on the Lord's Prayer. What a powerful prayer! Praise the Lord for a great day!
Tonight, I finished the series on the Lord's Prayer. What a powerful prayer! Praise the Lord for a great day!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
A new day, a new challenge
I have not blogged for quite awhile, as you can see. But I found a new little gadget that lets me blog easier, so I think I will be doing it more often. Of course, as you know, we now live in Cambridge, Ohio. God has blessed me to be able to be the pastor of a wonderful group of people here in Cambridge. We are making our way through the summer months and can't wait for everybody to be back from their vacations. I will be going to the hospital later today in Columbus to see a man from our church. God is healing his body, and we give God all the glory! God is truly good, all the time!
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