My Response to Editorial (yes I did send it in)

Article- Kathleen Parker:Religious right threatens Republican Party's future


Sacramento Bee Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008 | Page 15A

Religious right threatens Republican Party's future, how painfully true.
“Armband Religion” is killing the GOP. When religion is an “Armband” it becomes tasteless and sickening to those it is presented to. It is this that offends more than the religion itself. Leave the “Armband” at home not the religion.
Kathleen Parker says “conservatism and the Republican Party – eventually will die out unless religion is returned to the privacy of one's heart where it belongs.”
If ones religion exists in the heart it cannot be left at home, it needs to beat through every belief, every action and every reaction. If ones true religion is left only in the heart and not allowed a way out, the stench will be deafening. If your religion is left at home your religion will useless and empty, merely a mask.
If one is truly a believer in something greater than oneself, how is it left at home? Leaving religion on an “Armband” and not on the heart has tainted the GOP. They say they have faith without showing their works. It has stripped the Party of it’s power and has become so obvious to all except those still wearing the armband.

Economical Mess

Forgive me for seeming naïve, uneducated or just plain dumb.

But it seems to me there is still the same amount of money, cars, houses, gas, oil, electricity, real estate and stock as their was when the economy was flourishing. So what really has changed? Is it all emotional?

Could it be that greed and fear have driven us into our holes afraid to let go of our nickels, dimes and quarters? Afraid that we may not have enough to go around or spend on the latest gadgetry, video entertainment or vacation.

What would happen if we gave it all to some reputable philanthropic organization which in turn would purchase goods for the ones without nickels, dimes and quarters? Could it be that it would stimulate the world’s economy? I think we know that it would. We are just waiting for someone to go first.

1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NLT) ...people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.
10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Earnest Expectation and Hope

Paul writes this from prison!! (I write this from the chair in my office)
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my "earnest expectation and hope" that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body

What an attitude!!
From prison Paul has an earnest expectation and hope!
Christ will be magnified in his body...

Whatever happens to him in his physical circumstance will bring

glory, honor and attention to Christ (He will be magnified)...

I should have such an attitude in my sickness. What when and how can my situation be used to magnify Jesus Christ? What do I do and how do I act so that Jesus is magnified?
This should be my earnest expectation and hope.

Out in the Wilderness II

I live in a real busy world.
No shortage of gadgets or things all a whirl.
How did we live, even lacking it all?
IPOD cell-phone, desktop
and laptop, that list keeps on going,
and that's not even it all.
They must all be synched or we're not having a ball.
I wondered what life would be like without,
crazy you call me I must be some lout.
Lout is a word if you care,
Would you take me up on the dare?
Merriam says... Lout is a noun
It means I might be awkward or even a clown.

Maybe it's better or maybe I'll cry.
Doing without I must give it a try.
How did the pilgrims and pioneers ever get on?
No GPS, IPOD or a Cell phone,
It's real amazing they ever could find,
Their very own way through this no mans land.

So I must find a space without people.
Far enough, without a church steeple.
Shut off the radio, cell phone and PC.
It's really hard but I just have to see.
If I really am hooked on this electronic stuff.

Out in the Wilderness

I spent 24 hours count 'em 24 without radio, IPOD, CD's or any electronics.
No cell phone or headphone, no GPS. No people , no appointments, no interactions of any kind. I went to a campground and got a spot away from traffic. I brought a sleeping bag, a pad, a couple of blankets and my bible. I brought three oranges and two apples and some bottled water, some firewood and newspaper(I didn't read it! Really!) to start the fire.
I tried to boil this down to just me and God. No agendas, nothing to accomplish.
Just 24 hours without really anything but me and Him. Not looking for the burning bush or an answer to prayer. But just to wait and see what would be what without a distraction or chore to be done. Here is the chronicle in some silly rhyme. Give me a while to finish it all....