Right Turn - Your Turn

Socialism Crept into America . . . . We Were Warned!

2010-08-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

The Lonely Conservative posted this and I found it to be a great introduction to starting this blog.

I want to go on record that I'm a conservative Christian, and hope to go Back to America: it's faith, it's founders, our one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.

Ronald Reagan’s 1961 Coffeecup speech – full text

Now back in 1927 an American socialist, Norman Thomas, six times candidate for president on the Socialist Party ticket, said the American people would never vote for socialism. But he said under the name of liberalism the American people will adopt every fragment of the socialist program.

There are many ways in which our government has invaded the precincts of private citizens, the method of earning a living. Our government is in business to the extent over owning more than 19,000 businesses covering different lines of activity. This amounts to a fifth of the total industrial capacity of the United States.

But at the moment I’d like to talk about another way. Because this threat is with us and at the moment is more imminent.

One of the traditional methods of imposing statism or socialism on a people has been by way of medicine. It’s very easy to disguise a medical program as a humanitarian project. Most people are a little reluctant to oppose anything that suggests medical care for people who possibly can’t afford it.

Now, the American people, if you put it to them about socialized medicine and gave them a chance to choose, would unhesitatingly vote against it. We had an example of this. Under the Truman administration it was proposed that we have a compulsory health insurance program for all people in the United States, and, of course, the American people unhesitatingly rejected this.

So, with the American people on record as not wanting socialized medicine, Congressman Ferrand introduced the Ferrand Bill. This was the idea that all people of social security age should be brought under a program of compulsory health insurance. Now this would not only be our senior citizens, this would be the dependents and those who are disabled, this would be young people if they are dependents of someone eligible for Social Security.

Now, Congressman Ferrand brought the program out on that idea of just for that group of people. But Congressman Ferrand was subscribing to this foot in the door philosophy, because he said “if we can only break through and get our foot inside the door, then we can expand the progam after that.”

Walter Ruther said “It’s no secret that the United Automobile Workers is officially on record as backing a program of national health insurance.” And by national health insurance, he meant socialized medicine for every American. Well, let’s see what the socialists themselves have to say about it.

They say: “Once the Ferrrand bill is passed, this nation will be provided with a mechanism for socialized medicince. Capable of indefinite expansion in every direction until it includes the entire population.’ Well, we can’t say we haven’t been warned.

Now, Congressman Ferrand is no longer a congressman of the United States government. He has been replaced, not in his particular assignment, but in his backing of such a bill, by Congressman King of California. It is presented in the idea of a great emergency that millions of our senior citizens are unable to provide needed medical care. But this ignores the fact that in the last decade a hundred and twenty seven million of our citicizens in just ten years, have come under the protection of some form of privately owned medical or hospital insurance.

Now the advocates of this bill, when you try to oppose it, challenge you on an emotional basis. They say “What would you do, throw these poor old people out to die with no medical attention?” That’s ridiculous and of course no one’s has advocated it. As a matter of fact, in the last session of Congress a bill was adopted known as the Kerr-Mills Bill. Now without even allowing this bill to be tried, to see if it works, they have introduced this King Bill which is really the Ferrand Bill.

What is the Kerr-Mills Bill? It is a frank recognition of the medical need or problem of the senior citizens that I have mentioned. And it is provided from the federal government money to the states and the local communities that can be used at the discretion of the state to help those people who need it. Now what reason could the other people have for backing a bill which says “we insist on compulsory health insurance for senior citizens on the basis of age alone; regardless of whether they’re worth millions of dollars, whether they have an income, whether they’re protected by their own insurance, whether they have savings.”

I think we can be excused for believing that as ex-c0ngressman Ferrand said, this was simply an excuse to bring about what they wanted all the time – socialized medicine.

James Madison in 1788, speaking to the Virginia Convention said: “Since the general civilization of mankind, I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power, than by violent and sudden usurpations. ”

They want to attach this bill to Social Security. And they say here is a great insurance program now instituted, now working.

Let’s take a look at social security itself. Again, very few of us disagree with the original premise that there should be some form of saving that would keep destitution from following unemployment by reason of death, disability or old age. And to this end Social Security was adopted. But it was never intended to supplant private savings, private insurance, pension programs of unions and industries.

Now in our country under our free enterprise system, we have seen medicine reach the greatest heights that it has in any country in the world. Today, the relationship between patient and doctor in this country is something to be envied any place. The privacy, the care that is given to a person, the right to chose a doctor, the right to go from one doctor to the other.

But let’s also look from the other side, at the freedom the doctor loses. A doctor would be reluctant to say this. Well, like you, I am only a patient, so I can say it in his behalf. The doctor begins to lose freedoms; it’s like telling a lie, and one leads to another. First you decide that the doctor can have so many patients. They are equally divided among the various doctors by the government. But then the doctors aren’t equally divided geographically, so a doctor decides he wants to practice in one town and the government has to say to him you can’t live in that town, they already have enough doctors. You have to go someplace else. And from here it is only a short step to dictating where he will go.

This is a freedom that I wonder whether any of us have the right to take from any human being.

I know how I’d feel, if you my fellow citizens decided that to be an actor, I had to become a government employee and work in a national theater. Take it into your own occupation or that of your husband, all of us can see what happens – once you establish the precedent that the government can determine a man’s working place and his working methods, determine his employment. From here it is a short step to all the rest of socialism, to determining his pay and pretty soon your son won’t decide when he’s in school, where he will go or what they will do for a living. He will wait for the government to tell them where he will go to work and what he will do.

In this country of ours, took place the greatest revolution that has ever taken place in world’s history. The only true revolution. Every other revolution simply exchanged one set of rulers for another. But here for the first time in all the thousands of years of man’s relation to man, a little group of the men, the founding fathers - for the first time – established the idea that you and I had within ourselves the God given right and ability to determine our own destiny.

This freedom was built into our government with safeguards. We talk democracy today. And strangely we let democracy begin to assume the aspect of majority rule is all that is needed. Well, majority rule is a fine aspect of democracy, provided there are guarantees written in to our government concerning the rights of the individual and of the minorities.

What can we do about this? Well, you and I can do a great deal. We can write to our congressmen and our senators. We can say right now that we want no further encroachment on these individual liberties and freedoms. And at the moment, the key issue is, we do not want socialized medicine.

In Washington today, 40,000 letters, less than a hundred per congressman, are evidence of a trend in public thinking.

Representative Halleck of Indiana has said, “When the American people want something from Congress, regardless of its political complexion, if they make their wants known, Congress does what the people want.”

Read the rest at TLC's site.

”

Right Wing Clipped Again When Discussing Diversity

2008-07-26T19:43:00.006-07:00

A study recently released, according to World Net Daily report, was sharply criticized by Muslim groups across UK universities.

"If ignorance and poverty are responsible for the growth of extremist views in the Islamic world, someone needs ask Muslim students, privileged enough and bright enough to attend some of the United Kingdom's best universities, why one-in-three of them endorses killing in the name of Islam.

The report of this finding, based on a poll of 600 Muslim and 800 non-Muslim students at 12 universities in the UK, and conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Center for Social Cohesion, will be released tomorrow as "Islam on Campus."

Among its findings of Muslim beliefs:
-40 percent support introduction of sharia into British law for Muslims
-One-third back the idea of a worldwide Islamic caliphate based on sharia law
-40 percent believe it is unacceptable for Muslim men and women to associate freely
-24 percent do not think men and women are equal
in the eyes of Allah
-25 percent have little or no respect for homosexuals.
-53 per cent believe killing in the name of religion is never justified (compared with 94 per cent of non-Muslims), while 32 per cent say it is.

Read more here.
One quote from this article to ponder:

"There is a wide cultural divide between Muslim and non-Muslim students. The solution is to stop talking about celebrating diversity and focus on integration and assimilation." says Anthony Glees, professor security and intelligence studies at Buckingham University.
Really, is assimilation or integration intelligent here?

Penalized for serving our Country?

2008-07-26T14:57:00.006-07:00

Tenants destined for Iraq served fees instead of our gratitude. Read here.

TexasFred, a good blogger friend of ours, says that this is not part of the agreement that is available through the Texas Apartment Association (TAA), which is in favor of our troups. The apartment complex this couple are leaving doesn't follow the TAA contract which supports military persons who must break a lease to fulfill their obligation to serve the USA. What a sad state of affairs.

Let's support our troups, especially this couple and post and repost our concern. If ever government should actually be supported, and directed to act, this would be the time.

Enjoy the rest of your Saturday.

Do you have a bird feeder?

2008-07-25T23:00:00.002-07:00

Here's an interesting e-mail I got; you may have read this somewhere.
Very interesting parallel.

I bought a bird feeder.
I hung it on my back porch and filled it with seed.
What a beauty of a bird feeder it is, as I filled it lovingly with seed. Within a week we had hundreds of birds taking advantage of the continuous flow of free and easily accessible food.

But then the birds started building nests in the boards of the patio, above the table, and next to the barbecue. Then came the poop. It was everywhere: on the patio tile, the chairs, the table . everywhere!

Then some of the birds turned mean. They would dive bomb me and try to peck me even though I had fed them out of my own pocket. And others birds were boisterous and loud. They sat on the feeder and squawked and screamed at all hours of the day and night and demanded that I fill it when it got low on food. After a while, I couldn't even sit on my own back porch anymore.

So I took down the bird feeder and in three days the birds were gone. I cleanedup their mess and took down the many nests they had built all over the patio. Soon, the back yard was like it used to be . . . quiet, serene and no one demanding their rights to a free meal.

Now let's see. Our government gives out free food, subsidized housing, free medical care, and free education and allows anyone born here to be an automatic citizen. Then the illegals came by the tens of thousands.

Suddenly our taxes went up to pay for free services; small apartments are housing 5 families; you have to wait 6 hours to be seen by an emergency room doctor; your child's 2nd grade class isbehind other schools because over half the class doesn't speak English.

Corn Flakes now come in a bilingual box; I have to "press one" to hear my bank talk to me in English, and people waving flags other than "Old Glory" are squawking and screaming in the streets, demanding more rights and free liberties. Just my opinion, but maybe it's time for the government to take down the bird feeder.

Government Not Listening Again!

2008-07-08T19:59:00.004-07:00

It's really sad how poorly this state legislature group listens*. They didn't even hear this hospital administrator when she elaborated at length about how she contacted immigration, and other official groups, but didn't get help from anyone in government to deport these money-sapping health risks back to their home country. Then, they have the audacity to ask her
"Well did you notify the authorities about this when these illegals 1st came to your hospital?" DUH!!!!

Let's give it to them--let the legislature, representatives, and congress know how angered you are at the money taken away from hard-working legal American citizens, to manage the few leeching on our ever-generous, but surely "melting" pot.

*Unable to find actual source of the group this administrator spoke to but the video shows names listed as "Rep", and this is in Florida, so assuming elected Florida legislature officials.

Let us Not Forget - Patriotic Truck

2008-07-06T21:50:00.007-07:00

A friend of mine sent these to me, and I felt they were extremely appropriate for the season.

Here is the essence of the poem that came with this e-mail:

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
Had no army, yet kings feared Him..
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
Feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.
GOD BLESS
YOU ALL
Larry T. Hedges 1st Sgt U.S.
Marine Corps Retired
Hat Tip to Dawn

Garbage Out--Graciousness In

2008-07-05T18:33:00.003-07:00

Right Truth has another great article about lessons learned in the trenches of everyday life. I love it that those who deal with people all day, every day, like a taxi driver, bring home the simple communication message.
Take a moment to cherish your loved ones, and then take a deep breath, say a little prayer, and turn to each of the rest of them and just smile.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it! Have a blessed, garbage-free day.

Hope your 4th Celebration was enjoyable!

2008-07-05T01:09:00.005-07:00

Hope all of you had a good Independence Day!! People from all over the NW Pacific USA come to this Fireworks event on 4th of July. Our family has been there at least twice.

I just stayed home with our family and celebrated it quietly---well let me rephrase that--loudly and colorfully in our own neighborhood. :)

God Bless America.

Gagged & Chained: Conservative Christian America!

2008-07-01T19:05:00.003-07:00

I'm appalled by the changes being forced in our constitutional rights, just a few hundred miles from my home.

Clearly, as Christians and conservative Americans, we have an obligation to share and encourage each other to be active.

Tonight on the radio, Chuck Colson, from "Breakpoint" discussed this very issue. He explained that for American Christians, our very freedom to worship is actually at stake. There are rulings that have happened in other states, and in Quebec as well, specifying that religious facilities cannot discriminate against homosexual/gender transvites who wish to have local meetings or civil unions within the church or Christian building, even though the very creed the church is founded on, specifically specifies a belief in one man-one woman traditional heterosexual marriage commitment as God-ordained.

In fact, not too long ago, one charity back east ended up closing, when they were told that they could not prevent homosexual "couples" from applying to adopt children from their adoption center. Rather than face contradicting the very beliefs that began their charity focus, they chose to close. In some situations tax exempt status was removed from the facilities who refused to allow all these right activists groups in their facility for purposes of meetings or leadership services, regardless of the prior stated belief system of the congregation or religious sector.

In essence, the very discussions that the ACLU and right activists for GLBT groups are having around lawyers and area court rooms are prelude to persecution of the church, says Colson. By virtue of insisting the Christians are NOT allowed to discriminate against these people when allowing them to participate in functions inside the walls of the church; or by allowing any of these persons to apply to places of leadership within the church body, or face having government remove tax exemption for that facility, is only a start.

As soon as conservative or Christian radio stations, charities, communities of believers are mandated to "accept" these alternative lifestyles or else face being "illegal" in functioning as a religious entity, we have lost our stand in the community, and essentially our say. Whose say is left? Liberal, non-Christian, non-conservative and non-traditional alternative lifestyle groups, who will then quickly take over radio stations, charities, and eventually own many of the churches in America.

Please join me in fighting the self-evident changes that are happening in spurts all over our nation, and even amongst allied nations.

The "free" world is being gagged and chained, and pretty soon tarring & feathering will be common place.

No Obama & Let's Drill for America

2008-06-30T20:24:00.006-07:00

I like this bumper sticker.
It is on the top 10 list of bumper stickers from Shop.WND.com.

Another really good one is

You with me?

Obama now seeking religious strategist

2008-06-28T23:58:00.003-07:00

Obama, apparently feeling that in all the shuffle of religious rantings he's done on the campaign trail, his outreach to "white evangelicals" is poor, has hired a "religious strategist" to sell him in these circles as well.

The article just above this one was about how upset the former President Clinton is at Obama concerning his claim that Bill said something "racist."

Now, tell me, if one of your own party--prior President, and influencial in widespread democratic circles-- isn't supporting you....what hope does hiring someone to smooth out your many religious robes going to do?

I can see clearly now

2008-06-28T23:39:00.002-07:00

Remember the song "I can see clearly now."

Well, today has been one of those rare days, unfortunately with an abundance of heat to go with it, here in the soggy Northwest. Clear, lustrous sky and land.

Once again, while perusing "next" blogs, I came across a blog site, that made me want to sing that song even louder. Apparently, this person focuses on very clear crisp pictures of nature and wonders around the world. I must say that the pictures are so clear, I feel like I could reach out and stick my toe in the lake. Oh, and what I wouldn't do to make that a reality..... reached nearly 103 here today!!!

Next Blog Findings

2008-06-28T01:44:00.002-07:00

I was using that tiny little button at the top of my blog site, "Next Blog" and on somebody's site (sorry lost the link) this adorable funny quote was found:

A lot of people are afraid of heights. Not me, I'm afraid of widths. Steven Wright

Deceptive Decision08: Obama and the Scriptures at Polar Ends

2008-06-27T21:16:00.004-07:00

Below is an exerpt from a comment on OneNewsNow website and I felt compelled to share it here.

"For my fellow Christians who are "on the fence" when it comes to the November election, consider the following:

Obama has been a strong defender of the abortion industry, as demonstrated by his speaking appearance at a Planned Parenthood convention.
He has been sympathetic to the cause of gay marriage. He recently appeared in the gay magazine Advocate.
Obama has said that there are many ways to heaven -- which flies in the face of claims by Christ himself who said He is the only way to God. In a response to Dobson and other Evangelicals, Obama has stated that "folks haven't been reading their Bible." Yet Obama's belief in the "big tent" of salvation (with there being "many paths to God") runs completely contrary to scripture." (Commenter was listed as James L. Lambert)

I can think of many Scriptures that are in total opposition to Obama's leaps of "faith" mentioned above. These are only 3 of his commitments to our nation, and the transformation of America.

Please, fellow believers, THINK & PRAY before you finalize your Decision08 presidential candidate choice.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7: 13, 14 Source: BlueLetterBible.org

News Flash: The Church is Falling!

2008-06-27T20:37:00.004-07:00

Remember the story from your childhood "The Sky is Falling?"

Well, now there is a new story out there, sadly much more destructive than the heavens raining down. We are literally seeing the church falling from the status of bride of Christ, to a warped version of a self-made moralistic crowd rejecting the Cornerstone of our faith. The vote to strike heterosexual marriage commitment from this denomination's governing principals for "ensuring commitment of its ordained officers to the duties of faith" is most certainly in opposition of the Scriptures.

Remember this Scripture?
I Peter 2:6-9
For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and priceless cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame.” So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [italics mine]

Another Scripture, I Timothy 3:16, states "Every Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" [italics mine]

On the basis that God himself inspired the Word of God (known as the Bible), here is a Scripture that would directly contradict this "interpretation" being done by the advisory committee members for this church denomination:
I Corinthians 6:9, 10
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! The sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, passive homosexual partners, practicing homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, the verbally abusive, and swindlers will not inherit the kingdom of God."
To seal the truth of this passage the next verse (I Corinthians 6:11) states,
"Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." [bold, italics mine]

News Flash: We don't have a choice. God determines sin, evil, and unrighteousness; we were made in His image; we are not His mirror image, so we don't get to interpret His Word to "mean" what makes sense to us. May God forgive those practicing under the delusion that they are ordained by God to make those decisions.

Scriptures Source: NETBible.org

HomeCareLink - A consumer Health Resource site

2008-06-26T22:50:00.002-07:00

I've started as new web site, focusing entirely on consumer health education, resources and expert advice. HomeCareLink

My first article is about headaches. Of course, design and implementation is still under construction. Check it out.

Prayers and Condolences to the Families in this Tragedy

2008-06-25T20:06:00.009-07:00

Our prayers and condolences are extended to the families of this tragedy in Henderson, Kentucky. I can't begin to feel your pain, but am praying for comfort and support for each of you experiencing the loss and the shock.

It hits close to home, as my hubby works in a similar industry, as a supervisor, and in the past 12 months this company had an employee altercation, that although without physical injury involved a physical altercation between employee and employee relatives in the parking lot. It was my husband's job to control the situation, being the only supervisor on duty.

It is a reminder that there is evil everywhere, and people need to be thinking about how to protect their loved ones every day. You may not be a proponent of guns for protection, but I have to say that the arguments made by gun users in our country, offer some extremely valid points. Here's a friend of mine explaining his opinion on this matter:

It’s things like this that give the anti-gun cabal even more ammunition in their battle to rid this nation of guns, but their rationale is skewed, guns don’t kill people, people kill people, a gun, regardless of what type of gun, is an inanimate object and is incapable of thinking and acting on it’s own.

I have a rather simplistic solution to gun violence though, let’s try banning insane people from owning or obtaining guns and then let’s try something even more unique, take the gangs and bad guys off the streets and I can guarantee you that gun violence in the USA will drop by 99.99% almost immediately.
An armed nation is a nation of citizens, an unarmed nation is a
nation of subjects.

Which do YOU prefer to be?
SOURCE Hat Tip to TexasFred

Someone on the Internet is Wrong!

2008-06-24T22:13:00.008-07:00

I love this cartoon.

Hat tip to a commenter on Washington Post, who responded to the article there (and added this cartoon link) about Dobson's obvious disgust with Obama's referencing him in a speech, with "...his own worldview, his own confused theology."

Public Enema #1

2008-06-24T21:50:00.002-07:00

Public enema No. 1 - You just have to see it, to believe it.

Who'd want to go to a spa, any spa, after that?

I think some things don't belong in the world of "Art."

What? We are no longer a Christian nation? No!

2008-06-23T20:22:00.003-07:00

Interesting that this one single statement is causing so much internet blogging bustle, as WorldNetDaily reports the ramifications of Obama's comments a couple times about America being the melting pot that we've known about for decades, referencing our religious affiliations. The thing he avoids mentioning at all, is the puritan roots that our country was founded on, and the understanding that in fact, it was the majority of those Protestant, often evangelical Christian conservatives, back in the 1700s who made our country the free and brave USA it is today. Even our national anthem was penned by a Episcopalian "religious" man, who also penned the words to other hymns used across America from the 1800s to current.

How can one separate our heritage from religion as if it is water/oil?

How can one not see the Creator in the works of history in the USA?

CDC contains possible bioterrorism with Duct Tape?

2008-06-23T20:00:00.002-07:00

I came acros this as "breaking news" at WorldNetDaily and being a nurse, it caught my attention. My favorite part of the article, describing yet another unique use of Duct Tape, is one biologist's interpretation of the judgment of CDC:

"I do not believe the CDC would approve this arrangement in a laboratory other than their own," said Richard Ebright, a microbiologist and biosafety expert.

Bikers Conserving Time, Energy, and even Gas...

2008-06-23T19:43:00.002-07:00

Biker balances Eggs going to market. Were they all intact when he got there?
Biker who drank too much milk...
Biker reflecting on his soon- to- be- accident (remind anyone of the 3 stooges or Disney comedies?)....
Is this a biker or a bush?
And the winner is....
Save gas--carry your car while you bike!!!

Couldn't resist posting these gems, after my past commuter biking article.

Commuter Biking - Relief from Gas Hikes

2008-06-22T21:07:00.005-07:00

Here's an interesting article about commuter bikes, used around the world, and just now in the U.S., is beginning to take hold in people's minds as a possible form of commuting and relieving the pocket book with gas hikes daily.

"Though old hat in many European and Asian countries, commuter bikes, which run generally between $400 and $800, are foreign to many Americans. A cousin to the mountain bike in the sense that it puts riders in an upright position, as
opposed to the aerodynamic crouch of the racing or road bike, the commuter bike is more comfortable than either type of sport bike. Its tires tend to be large but smooth and perform better than rugged mountain bike tires on pavement; its
wide seat distributes pressure more evenly than the narrow seats on sport bikes; and its ergonomically designed handlebars are curved back slightly for comfort. Most commuter bikes come with lights and bells, a basket or rack on the back for
a briefcase or groceries, and mud flaps and an enclosed chain guard to protect clothes from grease or tears. Some even come with pedal-powered electrical generators that operate lights."
Source link above.

Have you heard how bad it is?

2008-06-21T22:27:00.004-07:00

Here's an political opinion article which addresses right in the Wall Street Journal, what I mentioned in a prior post. We look at the political atmosphere in America as nearly apocalyptic. We call our current political climate in the impending presidential election "disastorous" and "too far gone." Longingly, we recall prior decades where the leaders of the political climate had the "power" to change the face of the America. But this article reminds us of the fallacies in our theory, and makes us think....did they really have any "power?"

It is not what isn't going right that is a concern; it is what we are doing with what we've learned from repeating history that is of concern.

Say it Like It Is

2008-06-21T21:37:00.005-07:00

I believe this is old material, and not sure source, so forgive me.
Yet, it is appropriate follow up to the last few posts I've done, so I'm boldly posting it for your review. In case you weren't sure, I agree with these statements the Andy Rooney made to a likely surprised CBC station.

Surprised CBS let him get away with this even though he's right!

Right on, Andy Rooney !

Andy Rooney said on '60 Minutes' a few weeks back:

I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers. The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America. Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens...Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.

Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason, which is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts! ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE ?

I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is anopinion.

I have the right 'NOT' to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.

When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling; it is the Law of Probability.

I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English ! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!

My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.I think the police should have every right to shoot you if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word 'freeze' or 'stop' in English, see the above lines.

I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business.

We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations.

I don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor. I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television. That doesn't stop you from watching them.

I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.

It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when necessary, and say 'NO!'

I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries!

I am sick of 'Political Correctness.' I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa ; so how can they be 'African-Americans'? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe .

I am proud to be from America and nowhere elseAnd if you don't like my point of view, tough...I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God.. Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a problem in having 'In God We Trust' on our money and having 'God' in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why don't we just tell the 14% to BE QUIET!!!That about says it all.

Would God own a Blog?

2008-06-21T19:44:00.011-07:00

Today, I came across an article within a God Blog that comes highly recommended in Christian circles. The author of SmartChristian.com wrote about his view of how to engage in politics and keep your Christian character and spirit intact. I thought some of my readers might find this interesting. I'm curious as to your thoughts on his interpretation of Christians blogging and being active in politics. Feel free to comment.

What I did tend to agree with is the following from this article:
"One of the dangers that many Christians seem to often fall into is that we begin to elevate the outcome of presidential elections to an apocalyptic status. In other words, if our presidential candidate or party does not win, we begin to see it as the end of the world. This is what I call the “Y2K complex.”
"When we allow ourselves to understand politics in apocalyptic terms, we at the same time express an unbelief in the sovereignty and Lordship of God over his creation and human history. Yes, elections have real consequences for people, but in the larger scheme of history, don’t worry, no matter who becomes our president, God is in control and will take care of things." (emphasis mine)

Where I tend to diverge is the concept in this article that talked
about as Christians not allowing ourselves to become so immersed in political activism that we give up our identity as followers of Christ. He goes on to say we risk losing the voice we have as believers to illuminate the Gospel.

My belief is that our "identity" as a Christian is inseparatable from our involvement in politics. Essentially our Christian identity is the character of our walk with God. Many of the distinctions that polarize political bents will either fall in sync with one's Christian character, or be contrary. Whatever your label while blogging or expressing political viewpoints, be it as a believer, an evangelical, a Christian, or a conservative it will be your stand in the issues that testifies to your walk as God's child. You are accountable to proclaim how politics affects your walk of faith. See Colossians 3:17 from the Word of God.

In other words, walk the talk, and talk the walk. I have some very good friends in my American Conservative Forum circles who have very clear, often concise and sometimes brusque opinions. They also are God fearing Americans with a heart for God and for America.

It is a matter of owning your own faith in God; recognize your ability to state your beliefs and how they fit in context with the politics you are supporting, and remain steeped, not in the politics themselves, but in recognizing that your opinions will allow another Americans to make a wiser choice in their political decisions. It could result in profound evangelical change but more likely it may simply cause pause, allowing others to view the political scene from a Biblical perspective.

That is what American Conservative Forum is about, it is how my husband's blog is presented, and I fervently pray that Right Turn - Your Turn also demonstrates the love of the Lord, while standing firm on the beliefs I hold in my walk with Christ and yes, even in Politics.

How do you see God and Politics? Or, God and blogging?

For more information on GodBlogs and blogging unto God, see http://www.godblogcon.com/.

Where's the restroom?

2008-06-20T22:13:00.010-07:00

Today's society is being hit hard by a new reality which for conservative Christians are particularly impacted and on a regular basis.

No longer is the question "Where's the restroom?" just a phrase you try to be prepared to ask in whatever language necessary to get around on your vacation. It is a phrase fundamental to determining your own local facilities because of the actions of the GLBT groups (this refers to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender groups).

It is a phrase that frightens and sends red flags up, when considering the ramifications of recent laws and political activism. Read this to get some idea of what our young people face on college campuses, and even in your own elementary schools.

It hit home for me when I read just this one sentence from that article stating, "An article in the New York Times revealed how parents of children with gender confusion are now being encouraged to dress their children as members of the opposite sex. At the Park Day School in Oakland [Calif.], teachers . . . are urged to line up students by sneaker color rather than by gender.” What type of life is that? Instead of saying "I'm a girl", you say "I'm pink and purple sneaker?"

I was particularly shocked when I read about the Colorado ruling recently and learned about the affect on Christian ministries such as Focus on the Family. Additionally, reading more on Focus on the Family's web site, they have been faithfully addressing this since at least 1982. Dr. Dobson and his organization have been continually faced with conflict with media and GLBT groups, because of the persistent faith stand taken in evangelical circles, of which Focus on the Family is founded upon.

What should my response as a Christian be to homosexuality and transgender activism? How do I show love and acceptance of the people while not condoning their lifestyle alone? How do I portray my Christian belief that God's Word speaks directly to the sin of lifestyles separate from male and female genders, yet bring the person to the realization of God's unconditional love for them?

EXODUS International is a web site dedicated to providing the Word of God and hope for those in this environment find freedom & support when seeking God.

I heard Kay Warren on HomeWord today by radio broadcast. She was actually speaking about her experience when God called her to serve and minister among people afflicted with late stage HIV in America and abroad. What struck me most about her conversation with Dr. Burns, was her statement that she had to get over her own tendency to ask "How did you become infected?" and rather ask "What can I do to help [serve] you?" She found Biblically that this was the only way to respond and be effectual in her ministry because Jesus never asked the person afflicted "why are you like this?" He addressed the affliction and the person's faith, not the causes or choices the led them to Him.

I'm really fighting this same issue in my own walk with God when addressing the transgender movement and my response as a conservative Christian American. It flies in the face of all I've ever been taught as a child, a young girl, a women, a nurse (nonetheless, A&P is pretty clear), and now, as a mother facing rearing twin daughters.

So, gone are the days that the frail elderly lady can simply walk in a Womens Restroom and not worry about being met up with someone who has features or possibly actions consistent with public stereotypes of the male sex. Gone are the days when you can say to your child "No, dear, you belong in the "girls" restroom.

Now are the days when your child needs you to explain why "two mommies are kissing in the toilet stall." Now, around the corner is the ever growing worry that someone evil will take the opportunity that society is presenting, and use the freedom of "transgender" orientation or identification to commit crimes to innocent people.

This is where fear and red flags really rear their ugly heads. Yes, it can happen in Christian circles also, no doubt; under the "flag" of evangelical, evil can and will happen. Yet, as clarification, typically evil really wants to run away from places and systems that are likely to see through the "sheeps clothing" and "expose the "wolf" in them.

The Bible does address this situation:

"Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!" Galations 5:19, 20 Soure: NETBible

"Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed in their passions for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. "
Romans 1:22-28 Source: NETBible

Please pray with me that the Word of God will prevail and those who are hooded under the darkness of this sin, will be able to free themselves, and most of all understand the love of God transcends orientation of sex, race, creed or even evil. God does seek to save and to free the lost.

1 Corinthians 6:13 Source: New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
"Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."

"But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness."
I John 1:9 Source: NETBible

No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:37-39 Source: NETBible

National Anxiety Center

2008-06-20T21:45:00.003-07:00

I came across a web site blog that appealed to me, since I'm prone to "worry" about everything - it is a besetting sin. Pray for me.

The National Anxiety Center shares interesting insight into current events in our United States which bring cause to pause about the decisions occurring in our country. While I haven't had time to puruse this site in its entirety, I enjoyed the subtitle which says "The good news is...the bad news is wrong!" Both subtle humor, and truth in action.

It is a simple statement, but strikingly familiar as you study the Bible and realize that indeed, the bad news is wrong. The Good News is onward and upward, able to reach around genders (or indecision thereof), races, religions or beliefs, across political parties, economical events, shifting policies, and corrupt governments. I'm so thankful that indeed Good News supercede's the national crises that we face day-by-day.

Romans 8:37-39
"No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Scripture used from NetBible. See my sidebar for web link.

Government Does it Again--Discrimination of Conservative, Evangelical, Religious Beliefs

2008-06-16T18:53:00.005-07:00

Today Dr. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado commented, "Who would have believed that the Colorado state legislature and its governor would have made it fully legal for men to enter and use women's restrooms and locker-room facilities without notice or explanation?.” “The law makes it illegal to deny a person access to public accommodations, including restrooms and locker rooms, based on gender identity or the "perception" of gender identity.” It goes on to specify in great depth, that except in church buildings, no discrimination in any form-paper, audio, video, blog, pamphlet, letter, book, even advertisement, etc., can be formulated to actually state or infer discrimination against any sexual orientation, nor the accomodations of such.

One of the most frustrating parts of this law is it’s exclusion of the body of the church, meaning those buildings assigned as legal religious bodies. They are able to freely continue condemning this practice per their beliefs. Yet, any point outside the walls of the church can become privy to penalization for breaching this law. This means that in essence,by the very nature of making this law for “anti-discrimination” they have chosen to “discriminate” against evangelical Christians, who are by far the most likely of church groups to “condemn” this practice based on our religious faith and doctrine.

In essence we are entering a new era in the United States of America—it is no longer “The North” Vs. “The South” but rather the “Church” Vs. “All other facets seeking to undermine the Church.”

You can view a PDF file of this law here.

Contact Colorado State Legislatures here: http://www.leg.state.co.us/

Christians and conservatives should be appalled and humbled by the blatant changes coming into our country, literally day-by-day and hour-by-hour, not only undermining our Constitution, but the inherent Word of God. We need to understand that while the law is intended to be upheld, as per Romans 13, still the overruling focus of our values comes from the Biblical teachings of Jesus and the need to abstain from immoral, homosexual, adulterous, and other manners of evil.

My next free few minutes will be spent forming a letter appealing to those government officials to repeal this law. If anyone hears or sees an option for forming (or has already begun) a petition to this state government against this ruling, please let me know. I’d like to post it and encourage all I know to sign it.

Tradgic Court Ruling results in Foreign Prisoners Free inside USA Soil!

2008-06-15T23:52:00.007-07:00

Please read Matthew Continetti's article, and begin praying for our country in earnest. This is like unleasing the Taliban on the shores of Washington, Oregon and California!

We are literally allowing prisoners of war, who have no affiliation let alone citizenship in America, but have sought to destroy our troops, have free reign to "beg" our own courts for "protection" (=freedom from) in the face of being detained as POWs in Gittmo.

I'm no political expert, but yet even I understand the serious implications we face as a result of this. This is one scary situation to a simple USA citizen.

May God forgive us and our leaders for the poor decisions which we've made and limit the damage we will suffer as a result. Woe to America.

More on this here. More Links below:

http://patricksperry.wordpress.com/
http://americanandproud.net/2008/06/12/the-supreme-court-screws-us-again/
http://arkansasgopwing.blogspot.com/

More Clean Christian Joking

2008-06-15T21:35:00.005-07:00

OK so I couldn't resist...Just a few more ;) :

From: Linda Kessler (Linda-Kessler@uiowa.edu)PRAYERAn elderly gentleman passed his granddaughter's room one night and overheard her repeating the alphabet in an oddly reverent way.What on earth are you up to?" he asked."I'm saying my prayers," explained the little girl."But I can't think of exactly the right words tonight, so I'm just saying all the letters. God will put them together for me, because He knows what I'm thinking."
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One day, a little girl is sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly notices that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looks at her mother and inquisitively asks, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?" Her mother replied,"Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white." The little girl thought about this revelation for a while, and then said, "So, Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?" [My mom probably loves this one]
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For weeks, a six-year old lad kept telling his first-grade teacher about the baby brother or sister that was expected at his house. One day the mother allowed the boy to feel the movements of the unborn child. The six-year old was obviously impressed, but made no comment. Furthermore, he stopped telling his teacher about the impending event. The teacher finally sat the boy on her lap and said,"Tommy, whatever has become of that baby brother or sister you were expecting at home?"Tommy burst into tears and confessed, "I think Mommy ate it!"

Taken proudly from Clean Christian Jokes - New Millenium.

Some Short Jokes - Just for Fun!

2008-06-15T21:30:00.003-07:00

A SHORT HISTORY OF MEDICINE:
"Doctor, I have an ear ache."2000 BC - "Here, eat this root."1000 BC - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."1850 AD - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."1940 AD - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."1985 AD - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."2000 AD - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root!"
-------------------
Locked Car Door
A woman was at work when she received a phone call that her daughter was very sick with a fever. She left her work and stopped by the pharmacy to get some medication. She got back to her car and found that she had locked her keys in the car.
She didn't know what to do, so she called home and told the baby sitter what had happened. The baby sitter told her that her the fever was getting worse. She said, "You might find a coat hanger and use that to open the door."
The woman looked around and found an old rusty coat hanger that had been thrown down on the ground, possibly by someone else who at some time or other had locked their keys in their car. Then she looked at the hanger and said, "I don't know how to use this."
So she bowed her head and asked God to send her some help. Within five minutes an old rusty car pulled up, with a dirty, greasy, bearded man who was wearing an old biker skull rag on his head. The woman thought, "This is what you sent to help me?" But, she was desperate, so she was also very thankful.
The man got out of his car and asked her if he could help. She said, "Yes, my daughter is very sick. I stopped to get her some medication and I locked my keys in my car. I must get home to her. Please, can you use this hanger to unlock my car?"
He said, "Sure". He walked over to the car, and in less than a minute the car was opened. She hugged the man and through her tears she said, "Thank You So Much! You are a very nice man."
The man replied, "Lady, I am not a nice man. I just got out of prison today. I was in prison for car theft and have only been out for about an hour."
The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out loud, "Oh, Thank you God! You even sent me a Professional!"
-----------------------
A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss the use of the car. His father took him to his study and said to him, "I'll make a deal with you. You bring your grades up, study your Bible a little and get your hair cut and we'll talk about it." After about a month the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss use of the car. They again went to the father's study where his father said, "Son, I've been real proud of you. You have brought your grades up, you've studied your Bible diligently, but you didn't get your hair cut!"
The young man waited a moment and replied, "You know Dad, I've been thinking about that. You know, Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair...." To which his father replied, "Yes, and they walked every where they went!"

Taken proudly from Clean Christian Jokes.

God's Racist Thoughts On America

2008-06-15T19:48:00.012-07:00

Finally, able to complete my blog thoughts regarding Scriptural references to Ablur's well stated mandates in "You May Be a Racist"

Enjoy.

Interestingly, while researching Scriptures for this I came across a certain publishing company that refuses to allow any copyright of "their" translation (not paraphased) of the NIV Bible in any form. I read their policy/permissions, and was appalled at how blatantly they ignored the obvious fact that this Book in God's own Words:

Timothy 3:16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof,for correction, and for training in righteousness, 3:17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work. (Italics added by blogger)

The good news is that I will have something new to blog about soon. :)

God is at the center of your life or you are choosing not to have life (eternal).

Matthew 6:33 But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Marriage is between one man and one woman with a commitment to endure for a life-time and God is the head of this marriage.
I Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as the weaker partnersand show them honor as fellow heirs of the grace of life. In this way nothing will hinder your prayers.

Choosing to be Pro-Life is a choice, and choosing to be Pro-Death is a sentence to end life.
Psalms 127:3 Yes, sons are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.
Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.

Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.
Matthew 22:19-21 22:19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” So they brought him a denarius. 22:20 Jesus said to them, “Whose imageis this, and whose inscription?” 22:21 They replied,“Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Obey the government in so far as it honors the king (or Uncle Sam), but do not forsake your own faith in God and his ultimate laws.
Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God.
I King 2:3 Do the job the Lord your God has assigned you by following his instructionsand obeying his rules, commandments, regulations, and laws as written in the law of Moses. Then you will succeed in all you do and seek to accomplish,

Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.
Matthew 6:19-20 6:19 Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal 6:20 But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:33 But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Everyone has the right to confess their sins, repent, and choose eternal life. This ensures eternal liberty and solidifies eternal peace of one’s soul.
I John 1:9 But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing.
Romans 10:9-10 10:9because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10:10 For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. Romans 10:13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

God supported the nations who stood up for His precepts and who fought those nations that chose to disobey them. That is what God expects of great nations like America.
Matthew 7:13-14 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 7:14 But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword.

The long term solution to America is placing our trust in the one, true God from where our roots began.
Joshua 24:15 If you have no desire to worship the Lord, choose today whom you will worship, whether it be the gods whom your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But I and my family will worship the Lord!” Proverbs 3:5-6 3:5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. 3:6 Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.

English is the language of America. God chose the Tower of Babel to confuse because the people were not focused on him. Focus on one language for one purpose and on the only God for worship.
Genesis 11:6-9 11:6 And the Lord said, “If as one people all sharing a common language they have begun to do this, then1 nothing they plan to do will be beyond them. 11:7 Come, let’s go down and confuse their language so they won’t be able to understand each other.” 11:8 So the Lord scattered them from there across the face of the entire earth, and they stopped building the city. 11:9 That is why its name was called Babel – because there the Lord confused the language of the entire world, and from there the Lord scattered them across the face of the entire earth.

There is rich heritage in our religious beginnings and schools should teach this part of American history.
Deuteronomy 4:9 Again, however, pay very careful attention, lest you forget the things you have seen and disregard them for the rest of your life; instead teach them to your children and grandchildren.

The American border should be secure. After all, God’s Word says that the way of eternal life if narrow and smaller than a needle-in-a haystack. Why should our nation’s borders be any different? Don’t we want to last for generations?
Matthew 7:13-14 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 7:14 But the gate is narrow and the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Global Climate change has happened before and it will happen again because it isn’t Mother Nature who is in control, but our omnipotent, omnipresent, perfect Lord. Psalms 24:1, 2 24:1 The Lord owns the earth and all it contains, the world and all who live in it. 24:2 For he set its foundation upon the seas, and established it upon the ocean currents.

God mandated to the first human couple to use His resources wisely. Let’s not make the same mistakes they did.
Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move on the earth.”

God firmly instructed the Israelites to keep their business within their own clan, tribe or nation. Perhaps, a hint for America to best utilize our resources?
Joshua 1:14-15 1:14 Your wives, children and cattle may stay in the land that Moses assigned to you east of the Jordan River. But all you warriors must cross over armed for battle ahead of your brothers. You must help them 1:15 until the Lord gives your brothers a place like yours to settle and they conquer the land the Lord your God is ready to hand over to them. Then you may go back to your allotted land and occupy the land Moses the Lord’s servant assigned you east of the Jordan.

The First Amendment forbids government from making laws that infringe on religion. It does not remove religion from anything under the government.
Deuteronomy 29:10-15 29:10 You are standing today, all of you, before the Lord your God – the heads of your tribes, your elders, your officials, every Israelite man, 29:11 your infants, your wives, and the foreigners living in your encampment, those who chop wood and those who carry water – 29:12 so that you may enter by oath into the covenant the Lord your God is making with you today. 29:13 Today he will affirm that you are his people and that he is your God, just as he promised you and as he swore by oath to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 29:14 It is not with you alone that I am making this covenant by oath, 29:15 but with whoever stands with us here today before the Lord our God as well as those not with us here today.

We reject the banning of prayer.
I Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil. [Italics are from translation used-see below]

We need to take terrorist threats more seriously and take steps to eliminate those who are intent on carrying out such acts. God will honor our efforts to defend our families and to save our land, of which we proclaim “in God we trust.”
Joshua 1:13 Remember what Moses the Lord’s servant commanded you. The Lord your God is giving you a place to settle and is handing this land over to you.

In God We Trust. Laus Deo.
Psalms 2:8 Ask me, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your personal property.

Psalms 8
8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth! You reveal your majesty in the heavens above! 8:2 From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries, so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy. 8:3 When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made, and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 8:4 Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them? Of what importance is mankind,that you should pay attention to them, 8:5 and make them a little less than the heavenly beings? You grant mankindhonor and majesty;8:6 you appoint them to rule over your creation; you have placed everything under their authority, 8:7 including all the sheep and cattle, as well as the wild animals, 8:8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea and everything that moves through the currents of the seas. 8:9 O Lord, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth! [Italic font for Psalms 8 done by blog author]

All Scriptures are taken from NETBible.org. Except as noted, all italics or font changes are part of this translation.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T09:11:00.008-07:00

Celebrating Father's Day isn't quite the same for everyone. I wanted to pay tribute to those families that are actually sacrificing on this simple father focused day. Since a majority of our military are more likely to be fathers, and that is how we can count on continuing to have civilian fathers rearing their children in the land of the free, it seems fitting.

FLAG DAY - GOD BLESS & PROTECT OUR NATION

2008-06-14T13:19:00.012-07:00

Above is a photo of one of the United States of America flags that survived on 9-11.

To learn about Flag Day, go here.

To learn about our United States Flag, read here.

To learn about your commitment to our Flag, please review and comment here.

Weary and Worn

2008-06-13T21:50:00.003-07:00

I have to divert from my promised blog until I get a tad more sleep. Yesterday my youngest girl fell on the monkey bars at school, and broke her arm. Today, my son had an allergic reaction and his eyelid got really swollen, and he started to have blurry vision. My husband saw the doctor for another medical probem yesterday, and tonight, my other daughter fell on her hand while racing around the yard, and ended up with a small swollen knuckle. I've been to 4 of our local HMO clinics in less than 24 hrs, and am so tired from travelling around from primary care to ortho to optometry, and back again, I can barely think. I'm responsible for driving a friend to the airport about 5a.m. my time tomorrow a.m.

You'll have to accept my raincheck for the promised blog. May God continue to bless your family, and keep them from harms way. I'm thankful my children are quite resilient, praise God.

Is God Racist?

2008-06-11T23:26:00.004-07:00

I have been pondering the articulate comments from Ablur recently. God led my meditation time, and I considered how many of the statements that Ablur spoke about leading directly back to Scripture. While I'm unable to complete my research and post it tonight, I thought I'd begin to provide my readers with a look at the statements so well-expressed by Some Things Just Need to be Said, and let you prayerfully consider where God's thoughts are on these principles. I think you will find that He addresses in the Bible all of these topics, and in many cases provides specific instruction for us to follow.

Keep in mind--considering the temptation to jump to the conclusion that "God is a racist"--it was God who said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" as referenced here:

Luke 10:27 NIV
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "

What's in a Birth Place?

2008-06-09T22:20:00.007-07:00

Please read Right Truth's blog. Perhaps God is already bringing about the promises in Isaiah 55 (mentioned in my last blog) in relation to this difficult election campaign.
We will have to wait and see where this information on Obama's true birth place ends up being determined in legal circles, but wouldn't it be ironic and amazing if God chose the uncertainty of the world to honor him, this way? Now, there is a reason to yell Laus Deo! [Praise be to God]

I'm growing...s l o w l y...with success!

2008-06-09T21:38:00.014-07:00

I had to share today that I was able to add our CWO (Christian Women Online) blog roll icon onto my Right Turn - Your Turn template for my blog. I did it with just the instructions they provided me and without any help from ablur (albeit help from him is fun and a true blessing). Some of you already know he is my hubby--his web site is Some Things Just Need to be Said. He helped me add the playlist on my side bar. Although I'm not entirely sure it is best to have it be ongoing automatic (it could annoy a few people), I am sure enjoying the music.

I'm excited to be learning little baby steps in the land of HTML design, since my blogspot template is in that format. Feel free to browse around on the websites I provide links to, as you may find some very ingenious, and indelible inspiration for your own web site or blog. Thanks for your patience as I try out new things.

I want to leave you with some inspiration from Scripture that I have pondered over the years. I find all of Isaiah 55 quite appropriate for the current political climate in America--here's some verses on which to meditate:

Isaiah 55: 10-13
10As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
13Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."

Source of quoting Scripture above: Christianity online

Laus Deo

2008-06-08T20:20:00.009-07:00

One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington, D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument .

With all the uproar about removing the Ten Commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument are displayed two words: Laus Deo.

No one can see these words. Most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years; they are perched atop the monument, 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise Be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of theUnited States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo. "Praise Be to God!"

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant .a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise Be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.

On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore;
on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians;
on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphiaquoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise Be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848, deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise Be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy "One Nation, Under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whos e example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Chr ist our Lord. Amen."

Laus Deo!
When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo ", its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)
It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never see this.

Pride as an American

2008-06-08T00:49:00.006-07:00

Why are you proud to be an American?

Here's a man who has eloquently stated his reasons. So much so, he won in an essay contest directed at stating his American pride.

As an American, I am privileged to live in a nation where freedom has flourished for over two centuries. The founders of the United States, following in the footsteps of their ancestors – those who traversed the Atlantic with difficulty for the sake of freedom – established this nation upon the precept of “liberty and justice for all.” Since the founding of this nation, millions of people have trekked from all over the planet – from the open plains of the Dark Continent to the reef laden shores of Australia, from the snow capped peaks of Europe to the steamy jungles of Asia, from the remote rainforests of South America to the teeming municipalities of North America, and from all the valleys and the villages in between – to experience the freedom, opportunity and prosperity offered in the United States. Coming from a host of nations, Americans have blended together like the threads of an exquisite tapestry.
Read the rest here from the author:
2 Worlds Collide

John McCains Son's...

2008-06-07T20:18:00.023-07:00

Below is from an e-mail I received from one of my friends, and I believe it is important to pass this on...let's think about the support of our country when voting in the candidate to lead America next year! Thank you to my friends, Dawn & Kevin, for taking the time to send this to me. I don't know where the original credit for this aricle goes, but if anyone knows feel free to comment and let me know. God Bless America.

Talk about putting your most valuable asset where your mouth is! Apparently this was not "newsworthy” enough for the media to comment. Can either of the other presidential candidates truthfully come close to this? This is just a question for each of us to seek an answer; not a statement.

You see...Character is what is shown when the public is not looking. There were no cameras or press invited to what you are about to read about, and the story comes from one person in New Hampshire.

One evening last July, Senator John McCain of Arizona arrived at the New Hampshire home of Erin Flanagan, for sandwiches, chocolate-chip cookies and a heartfelt talk about Iraq. They had met at a presidential debate, when she asked the candidates what they would do to bring home American soldiers - - soldiers like her brother, who had been killed in action a few months earlier.

Father and son sat down to hear more about Ms. Flanagan's brother, Michael Cleary, a 24-year-old Army First Lieutenant killed by an ambush ... a roadside bomb.

No one mentioned the obvious: In just days, Jimmy McCain could face similar perils. 'I can't imagine what it must have been like for them as they were coming to meet with a family that ......' Ms. Flanagan recalled, choking up. 'We lost a dear one,' she finished.

Mr. McCain, now the presumptive Republican nominee, has staked his candidacy on the promise that American troops can bring stability to Iraq. What he almost never says is that one of them is his own son, who spent seven months patrolling Anbar Province and learned of his father's New Hampshire victory in January while he was digging a stuck military vehicle out of the mud.

Two of Jimmy's three older brothers went into the military. Doug McCain, 48, was a Navy pilot. Jack McCain, 21, is to graduate from the Naval Academy next year, raising the chances that his father, if elected, could become the first president since Dwight D. Eisenhower with a son at war.

I chose to share this with those who I believe will pass it on, to others who will pass it on. We hear so much inflated trash out there. How about a simple act of kindness ... and dedication to others placed above oneself?

Has anybody heard if Barack Hussein Obama has served in the American Armed Services?

This is for all you Barack voters. From Barack's book, Audacity of Hope: "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction." HE DID NOT SAY STAND WITH AMERICANS!!!!!

A Predicament of Religious Opinion and Politics

2008-05-28T21:27:00.004-07:00

An article got my mind assessing the immense responsibility we as conservative evangelical Christians must consider when determining which candidate to endorse throughout the election proceedings. It isn't just about our vote, but how we are perceived throughout in representing our view of the candidates. These candidates are having ongoing discussion about their current or past religious associations. While our own value system and decision in the election process is truly personal, we need to be cognizant that indeed the globe is watching us. Predictions are being made based on religious denominational stereotypes, specific to those religious groups of which the candidates have been in some way associated, either positive or negative. In a world where the boiling point is triggered by religious ramblings, it is important to take to prayer our intake of who we see as a potential and positive candidate to the President of the United States.

Here's the article that put me in this reflective mode:

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/obama.mccain.have.righteous.problems/19075.htm

The Obama Tidal Wave

2008-05-25T21:13:00.009-07:00

I am taking the liberty of posting a portion of an e-mail sent to me by a friend, which some of you may have read before. It bears repeating. I do believe we need to stem the tide of ignorance, apathy, and hopelessness that is breading in America with our elections upcoming. This is just one candidate for which any Conservative Christian, law-abiding, patriotic American would see red flags everywhere!! Thank you to my friend Dawn, and to Helen Rosier, for which I believe the credit goes to this piece.

Some of you will recognize the name of Bill Brown. He is a highly respected retired member of the Billy Graham team. And I am blessed to count him as a friend whom I've known a long time. So I take his assessment of Obama very seriously and for that reason accept his challenge to pass this on. I share his concern about the "rock star"image Obama has and watch with growing concern at the celebrity status the media has foisted upon him.
Helen K. Hosier

We are witnessing a political phenomenon with Barack Obama of rare magnitude. His speeches have Inspired millions and yet most of his followers have no idea of what he stands for except Platitudes of "Change" or that he says he will be a "Uniter".

The power of speech from a charismatic person truly can be a powerful thing. Certainly Billy Graham had charisma and both his manner of speech and particularly the content changed millions.

On the extreme other hand, the charisma of Adolph Hitler inspired millions and the results were catastrophic.

Barack Obama certainly is no Hitler or a Billy Graham, but for many Americans out there feeling just like a surfer who might be ecstatic and euphoric while riding a tidal wave, the real story is what happens when it hits shore.

Just Some of What Defines Barack Obama:

o He voted against banning partial birth abortion.
o He voted no on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions.
o Supports affirmative action in Colleges and Government.
o In 2001 he questioned harsh penalties for drug dealing.
o Says he will deal with street level drug dealing as minimum wage affair.
o Admitted marijuana and cocaine use in high school and in college.
o His religious convictions are very murky.
o He is willing to meet with Fidel Castro, Hugo Chavez, Kim Jung Il and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
o Opposed the Patriot Act.
o First bill he signed that was passed was campaign finance reform.
o Voted No on prohibiting law suits against gun manufacturers.
o Supports universal health-care.
o Voted yes on providing habeas corpus for Guantanamo detainees.
o Supports granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
o Supports extending welfare to illegal immigrants.
o Voted yes on comprehensive immigration reform.
o Voted yes on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security.
o Wants to make the minimum wage a "living wage".
o Voted with Democratic Party 96 percent of 251 votes.
o Is a big believer in the separation of church and state.
o Opposed to any efforts to Privatize Social Security and instead supports increasing the amount of tax paid.
o He voted No on repealing the Alternative Minimum Tax
o He voted No on repealing the "Death" Tax
o He wants to raise the Capital Gains Tax.
o Has repeatedly said the surge in Iraq has not succeeded.
o He is ranked as the most liberal senator in the Senate today and that takes some doing.

If you are like most Americans that after examining what he stands for, are truly not in line with his record, it would be prudent to get off the wave or better yet, never get on, before it comes on shore and undermines the very foundations of this great country. We have limited time to save America or the Supreme Court as we know it. Inaction is action.

Pondering the Utterance..Hee Hee Haw Haw

2008-03-12T01:26:00.011-07:00

I just have to give credit where credit is due. Below, in a bright yellow color, is a quote in its entirety from Bushwacks' Blog, and I was profoundly amazed by the utter (pun intended) truth in black & white, as well as the amount of laughter resonating from my body as I reviewed this skillful writing. I only hope as I continue to enhance my blogging skill (still quite novice), I'll engender this ability to interface wit and provide the reader with amusement while stating the obvious. Thank you Bushwack. I am renewed with new creative blogging juices. HCL

Three Things to Ponder:
March 5th, 2008 . by Bushwack
1. Cows
2. The Constitution
3. The Ten Commandments

C O W S
Is it just me, or does anyone else find itamazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a singlecow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she sleptin the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. Butthey are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around ourcountry. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.
T H E C O N S T I T U T I O N
They keep talking about drafting a Constitutionfor Iraq. Why don’t we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of reallysmart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we’re not using it anymore.
T H E 1 0 ; C O M M A N D M E N T S
The real reason that we can’t have the TenCommandments posted in a courthouse is this:You cannot post ‘Thou Shalt Not Steal,’ ‘ThouShalt Not Commit Adultery,’ and ‘Thou Shall Not Lie’ in a building full oflawyers, judges and politicians…It creates a hostile work environment.

There is NO such thing as Constructive Criticism

2008-03-12T00:04:00.009-07:00

Dr. David Stoop was the guest on the HomeWord radiocast I listened to on the way to work today. He is the author of Better than Ever, one of the newest books he’s written. He is the founder of Center for Family Therapy in California. From the information on that radiocast interview alone, I’d recommend this book. As many of you who know, Ablur (his web alias), who is my husband, wrote an article on his blog about tying knots in the marriage relationship. We have a strong opinion about the ability to communicate as a couple, and to make the foundation of your relationship solid, as tight as a bunch of Boy Scout-ready knots. We have this on pretty good authority given just shy of 16 years of marriage come this May.

FINALLY, after years of arguing this myself, I’ve heard from someone else one of the sentences that I’ve felt should be engraved in any solid communication text: “There is no such thing as constructive criticism." I have thought this many times, while growing up, as a new employee, and even as a parent, dealing with the various people that I face in these environments. From the time I was very young, I was taught “it is important to accept constructive criticism." What I never understood was how someone else, who is telling me something about my own behavior, attitude, or abilities can help me move forward and succeed—no further discussion-when my self-esteem plummets just knowing that there is negative response to my careful, conscientious efforts. I still struggle to find ways to beneficially inform others of certain actions, responses, or attitudes which don’t fit the norm expected (usually by my standards).

Today, I have heard the words from an authority, Dr. David Stoop, stating “There is no such thing as constructive criticism.” Regarding criticism, Dr. Stoop stated,

It is not the sender who can say that wasn’t criticism; it is the receiver who says, “That felt like criticism.” If there is defensiveness, there was criticism. Criticism is an attack, an attack on my behavior and however well-meaning you are, it never works. There is no such thing as constructive criticism.
We are human; so analysis (a nifty synonym by Webster comparison) will happen. We need to learn to focus on ways to explain our “analysis” in a positive way that builds up the other person, so growth can occur naturally. Will we never criticize? No, that isn’t possible as humans.

Dr. David Stoop goes on to tell you about the “Eight Cow Wife” story, [paraphrased]. Apparently a true story in the South Pacific—where the going rate was 1-2 cows for a wife. However, this particular husband paid 8 cows for his plain, ordinary-looking wife. Many years later, she turned out to be one of the most elegant, beautiful women around. When the husband was asked later how he knew to pay that much for her, he said “I didn’t know, but I paid 8 cows for her, and she lived up to that.” This is the attitude that we need to have continually, first in our marriages, in our families, our relationships around us, and even daily in our workplace.

Another part of this radiocast talked about husbands as the leader in the home, with a new twist. Dr. Stoop said (again paraphrased) that when you talk about the role of the husband in the home as leader; many men don’t know how to deal with this. He explains that while submission (of the wife) can be very powerful in the home, in fact, the man in the marriage and home “sets the pace.” He creates the environment in the marriage, in the home and in the relationship.

Now, having been in Christian circles all my life, that is not the general consensus—usually it is considered that the woman is the pace setter. However, through Dr Stoop’s observations as a therapist and experience as a Christian husband, he was led to realize that when the wives do criticize their spouse, it is because they are frustrated, and often because the husband isn’t doing anything. The husband’s inaction, or passive antagonism, sets the pace. Or, a husband can set the pace with goodness, love, and growth. His conclusion is that while the wife is often the one taking daily steps to manage the home, it is the husband that truly determines the atmosphere in the home, and he is doing that no matter what—it’s automatic just by his actions (or inactions).

Dr. Stoop sometimes asks husbands when counseling, “Do you know how to prioritize at work, how to strategize, how to deal with conflicts at work?” Of course, most men immediately say yes. He goes on to say that men have all the skills to make a great marriage; they just have to transfer that to the home. It doesn’t require you to be an executive; you can run a production line in manufacturing, but you are still prioritizing, strategizing, and dealing with conflict in the workplace.

Now, these days, this same line of questioning can be posed to women who work outside the home (I’m one of those) and they also prioritize and plan effectively in their job, but come home too exhausted to .... For example, planning a simple satisfying meal for the family; yes, that’s a personal example of what I have had to overcome to prioritize and focus on my loved ones: they are the reason I work.

Food for Thought for either spouse:

What have you done today to focus away from “constructive criticism” and truly grow with your spouse? Do you focus on what you can’t figure out, or are frustrated with their actions or inactions? Is there something you could focus on that would positively encourage your spouse to respond in kind? A simple tender touch or a firm, meaningful “I Love You” can do it.

Take time to read a web page or watch a TV show together. Maybe do like Ablur & I and simply go grocery shopping together. Or, as I do for him, spend an hour in your husband’s favorite tool shop, letting him browse, and tell you all about the tools he does/doesn't have. While it may not seem exciting at the time, knowing more about your spouse's interest, and a thing or too about some of those funny looking tools can be quite valuable. It doesn’t have to be big; and it CAN fit within your daily to dos, and still win the heart of your loved one. Do unto others…. Wow, are we back to the golden rule again?

Now, for the men: To avoid constructive criticism, being a woman, and focusing on the positive, “What strategies can you implement that will ensure you participate in actions within the home which strengthens your relationship with your wife, and builds up your family?”

“How can you show your family that although you are a bread winner and must keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, your 1st love is them, not the job?”

Again, the ideas are endless, and often quite simple. Put on your to do list, right next to “fill out the report for my boss”, “take my wife’s car in for an oil change”. Or “look at that door knob that she thinks is loose on the patio”. Those are actions, and as has already been stated so simply over and over in many cultures, "LOVE is an active verb.”

Let’s replace “destructive” criticism with active love and analyze the many positive things that happen day-to-day as a result of being married to your most precious human in the universe. I have a running list already I need to do to build up my spouse, even tasks I’m slated to do this week.

It’s a choice, it isn’t easy, and it isn’t going to be perfect every time. However, the first step is simple: Try. Enjoy the passion you will experience as a result of your loving actions.

To Laugh, Or Not to Laugh

2008-03-07T23:58:00.002-08:00

I listened to the Georgene Rice show on KPDQ 93.9 today. It was Fun Friday, and she had me laughing about a few things. For example, she was discussing the media coverage on the Hollywood film and production strikes occurring (or imminent—I didn’t catch the details), and the discussion came up that at some point this Spring, there might be no further films produced in the Hollywood sector. She said (paraphrase--not an exact quote—she actually said it better than me), “…you mean Americans might have no new shows or movies to watch?! People might actually have to play outside [furrowed brow], or even actually take in the current political climate? Perhaps one will have to think through an idea from beginning to the logical conclusion? [aghast sigh]."

It was a breath of fresh air, after I chuckled, having heard this same concern mulled over and over on the American Conservative Forum. The underlying frustration that active conservative Americans face: many fellow Americans spend so much time attached at the hip to the remote, staring at the TV screen or computer monitor, they have no idea how to engender a thought or analyze the current events affecting their lives. So much so, that I must tell about a couple other news items Georgene mused about, which exemplify this mindless wandering we are herded into day-by-day.

Somewhere in the eastern side of the United States recently, a boy was celebrating his 9th birthday at his local Chuck E. Cheese. His mom ruined his celebration when she got in a physical brawl with another mother, after an accusation that one boy was hogging the arcade. The absurdity is that those 2 women are facing a future court date for simple assault & battery, and all because the arcade machine wasn’t free for the birthday boy. What sort of example of maturity was demonstrated for those boys at the party?

In another part of the world, two young men recently started a website “selling” reservations to heaven. Complete with a basic package and the VIP tour, small price attachments were assigned, and the website was born in hopes sorry, mindless creatures would think that their fate rested in a decision to reserve a spot in heaven. Now, in extremely small print, they acknowledge their total lack of authority to sell, reserve, promise, or claim anything about heaven, yet decided this “gag” was a possible money-making scheme. When one pastor commented on this web site the risk they were taking eternally considering the alternative, the boys’ indifferent attitudes were channeled into creating their next website, to “sell” reservations to hell.

If you finished shaking your head, and laughing at the absurdity of all this, start praying. Then, next time you peruse the web for intelligent, thought-provoking, conservative Christian websites or blogs, here are a few I highly recommend (in addition to mine). Feel free to add comments with your own favorites.
Some Things Just Need to be Said
The Kottmans
Clear Evidence
HomeWord
Enjoy!

Mulling over Management

2008-03-07T21:40:00.001-08:00

Did you ever get fascinated watching a hamster racing inside a play wheel? When I was a child, during one extremely short experience as a hamster owner, I was often mesmerized by the little fluffy fella. Seemed like he could go on forever, but never getting any place, and never looking or acting any different afterward. If I were to go on a treadmill comparatively fast, I’d be winded, red faced, hot, sweaty, and basically exhausted. Yet, I’m invigorated, and after a few recuperative minutes, I’m energetic and ready to face my next challenge.

After that hamster gets done, he waddles off of the wheel, heads over to his feeding spot, and then takes a dump (slang, but applicable here), and curls up in the soft straw bedding to snooze. The little hamster looks, acts and is totally oblivious after working that hard.

Now, believe it or not, I originally came up with the idea to write this article this morning while listening on the radio to some story about the extremely slow motion of bureaucracy. In my mind’s eye, I thought of a wagon wheel, with the various spokes. No matter how fast or slow the wheel turns, the stokes just keep going round and round. If it weren’t for the efforts of the rest of the vehicle (wagon, bike, etc) and the driver, nothing would get accomplished. Then, I thought of other senseless round and round motions, and the hamster wheel thought took hold. They aren’t really related, but if you stretch it, they are pretty descriptive of management, anywhere you look.

That’s what working in management is like sometimes. My spouse has been dealing with this at work. He’s middle management currently, and so gets “it” from above and below. He comes home some nights, and I see the exhausted, defeated look, saying in essence, “What was I doing the past 10 hours?” Other days there is a glimmer of hope, and he tells me about an accomplishment, usually in the form of baby steps. Even so, invigorating energy oozes out, and he’s ready to plough into the next work day.

Why is it, that no matter the determination of the superiors or subordinates, or management momentum, things just move in circles? Whether slow or fast paced, actions are like spokes, around and around, and around yet little takes place. Are hamsters the mascot for bureaucracy?

It’s just an interesting phenomenon and I felt like posting on it. I didn’t come up to any fancy conclusions, or resolutions--just statements. But then again, it’s just another spoke in life.

Dollar Decay $$$ $$ $ $ $ ? ? ?

2008-03-06T20:10:00.000-08:00

Remember when you drove your new automobile off the dealer’s lot? A sense of exhilaration, excitement, and the accelerated feeling of being a new car owner! You feel like you’ve been productive (well, except for the three hours of paperwork), and just possibly might conquer the world. It’s a high that lasts a few fleeting minutes, until you discover depreciation. That awful word, which means you just lost an appreciated (pun intended) amount of the worth of your auto, just because you drove it off the lot.

Well, Americans today are hardly ready for the terrible sinking feeling that is going to overcome us, when we realize that the American Dollar is plummeting in value just because we took our eyes off the “lot.” That icon of economic means, stability, and as aptly stated in Resurrect King Dollar, our defense.

Those looking in on America today--be it interested world markets, competitive icons, or just simple neighborhood terrorists—find it hard not to snicker at the apathetic efforts we’ve made in protecting our money. It’s scary to think that in the sense of the American Dollar, we have “driven it off the lot”, down the street, drag-raced, abused, ignored, overused, extended, failed to maintain and upgrade, and basically begun the demise of our prized possession.

Now, we have a responsibility to bring back our appreciation (pun intended) for the dollar, by specifically acknowledging that our very American livelihood depends on our diligence in this election year. We need to do this before inflation, other nations edging the dollar from the global market, and socialists, communists and terrorists stoke the media with the idea that the dwindling $$ equates to America's weakened, defenseless posture.

Do you have an idea on how to make the American Dollar stand TALL again?

Comments, ideas, and American fortitude welcome.

Ref: Resurrect King Dollar

By Lawrence Kudlow

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

See also Some Things Just Need to Be Said and Visit our American Conservative Forum for exhilarating, productive communication to strengthen our America.

Taking America Back

2008-02-15T19:13:00.002-08:00

Dear Fellow Conservative:

As an American Conservative, I have some sad news to tell you today. I also have some good news that I will share with you.

You have probably noticed that your only choice for president, in this election, is a liberal. I know, some will try to claim some modest level of conservatism but a careful look under the cloak of half truths you will find a liberal standing before you. Recognizing this fact and preparing for the inevitable, barring some miracle, will only help us to rise to the challenge. Now is not the time to turn away or blindly thrust your head in the sand. There is work to be done.

Our congress is another disaster. It cannot accomplish a single task and has stalled our nation. This may too fall to the liberals who are so eager for power. They will quickly remind you of their superior intellect and their determination to save the world through the failed philosophy of socialism. They may strive to make some dramatic changes to our great nation and if we sit back and do nothing, they will succeed.

The good news is that there is a chink in the armor of liberalism. Liberalism demands power and dominance and our constitution puts us in charge. Oh, they will try and put you at ease and say they got it all under control. They may even try to silence the critiques of their grand schemes, but as long as we stick together they will remain impotent.

Keeping power is more important to the liberal then their ideals. They will sacrifice any and all who stand in the way of power. They must come back to “we the people” to retain that brass ring. If we turn our backs and walk away from the right to vote that so many have died for, we have let them win.

Now is our finest hour. We the Moral Conservative Majority have the ultimate trump card in our hand. We have the capacity to dethrone them and there is nothing they can do to keep us from it. We have the election process and the impeachment process at our disposal. All we need to do is stay organized and informed.

We have the ability to feed and support each other knowing that, no one of us has all the answers. The liberals in their superior then thou throne rooms have only themselves. It has been measured that conservatives make up more than three-fourths of our great nation. We come in every political bent; Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, Constitutional, Green, and so many more.

Set aside your political affiliation and take a moment to focus on your core conservative beliefs. We are the people of the United States of America and we can set the agenda. Let us start by unifying in conservative locations, both in body and on the internet. Each of us has unique talents and knowledge that can help all of us keep our government in check. If each of us does three things we can make a difference and save this nation. All three of these things are in everyone’s reach no matter your race religion or financial standing.

1. Stay informed of what is going on around you.
2. Share and interpret this information with veryone and any one you can.
3. Write letters and hold your representatives feet to the fire, from the neighborhood watch to the President of the United States.

The first one should be a breeze; you live and work where you are. You know those around you and what goes on where you live. You don’t need to stretch much to make a difference.

The second one will require you to actually act on what you believe and know. No matter your specialty, interpret and report to fellow conservatives what you see and hear. The liberal media isn’t going to help us stay informed. We will have to blog and spend time on forums to pass information along. We will have to spend a few minutes each day getting the word out and taking in what is going on elsewhere that may affect us. Use the knowledge and skill of fellow conservatives to keep you informed.

The third one will be our shining star, reminding the pandering power mongers who is really in charge. They won’t make a move against a unified body of conservatives bent on taking away the only thing that really matters to them, power. They will follow lock step as a bull firmly grasped by the ring in his nose, if we stay engaged.

I would like to take this moment to recommend a place to share and build conservative unity, the American Conservative Forum. This is not just a fun hang out, but a place for serious conservatives who want to take America back and hold our leaders accountable. A place for people who are willing to do their part and use their God given talents and skills to keep our government in check, by informing the rest of us so we can act in mass.

Many of us have become disenfranchised from our government and we have cast our one vote away. It is no longer about one vote. It is about all of us, as one, casting a vote for conservative principals totaling epic proportions of conservative presence in American Politics. We have failed to unify for almost one hundred years and we have been given the government we deserve.

Are YOU ready to take it back?

Take your first step. Post, print or email this message to everyone you know. Join the American Conservative Forum and let’s start restoring America.

Sincerely,ablur

Links:
American Conservative Forum -- http://amcon.proboards99.com/index.cgi
My Web Home – http://ablursspot.blogspot.com/

Mascot for the NEW Conservative Party!!

2008-02-01T19:42:00.001-08:00

I couldn't resist this little guy when he came on one of my e-mail forwards the other day. He's just a clear, adorable picture of what we as Americans need to stand by--Our God, Our Family, Our Country and Our Freedom.

Please see American Conservative Forum and Texas Fred's blog, for more information on the emerging Conservative Party! In God We Trust.

Finally, for more information on the guiding principles of the New C-Party (my witticism for this distinct emerging political unit), please see The Platform of the American People. This is courtesy of the web site American Solutions.

According to the only source I could find, the actual picture came from funnypostcard.com

Is that what it says on the Box?

2008-01-30T20:46:00.001-08:00

I was watching Mythbusters tonight (a repeat) where the scene is Adam and Jamie learning about the force of water and ability of humans to escape a car falling into a lake or other body of water.

In the process of their investigation of this myth they learned about a window breaking tool, invented to help a human escape such an unfortunate event. They tried tapping the driver's door with this specially made hammer, and without any effort or a "second take", the window neatly shattered.

Jaime and Adam just looked at each other, and Jamie said, "Wow, that was easy. Just like the box said." How often does that happen?

I wish we could say that about our political agenda these days (USA), or concerning the way business is conducted for the masses. It seems that we have so many people greedy for their own good that nobody takes the time to see the simple steps in life. What if each of these influential people asked, "Where can I do the most good for the people I affect, in the most unobtrusive manner, while maintaining a pleasant and consistent relationship within those confines?" (e.g. work, home, church, etc)? Instead of "what's in it for me?" could we ask "what's in it for all of us and can it be improved?"

An example of what I'm talking about is the recent Harvard Business Review which talks about a list of Breakthrough Ideas for 2008. Think about some of these titles (I've listed only a few below, so here's the web site if you'd like to peruse the entire article):

How Honest People Cheat
Lies, **** Lies, and Lie Detectors
Sick Transit Gloria
The Cybercrime Service Area
My Blackberry Ate My Accountability
What Good are Experts

..and the list continues.

If you had no idea what this list was about, and just read the titles, would you feel that the goal was to meet consumer needs and promote Business for the common good?

While the article titles draw the reader, and does have some very innovative, challenging ideas, do we have to point everyone in a negative direction to make our point?

Let's just follow the simple, basic instructions on the box:

Use an indoor voice.
Listen when someone is speaking.
Wait your turn to share ideas.
Treat others with kindness.
Follow directions.
The only thing that belongs in your mouth is edible food.
Keep your hands to yourself.
Don't take other peoples belongings.
Say Please and Thank You.
Clean up your own mess
When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together
Play fair

All chalked up again to two basic rules:

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Love your neighbor as yourself.

Believe me, those instructions, albeit rooted in Biblical principles, actually work, the first time, without a glitch. Amazing!

May I please E-mail my Doctor?

2008-01-26T14:39:00.002-08:00

An impassioned health care provider, at Efficient MD, wrote a great article, essentially E-mail my Doctor talks about how helpful working on a global plan to communicate in the health care industry will help patients and providers alike.

Yes, Yes, Yes!! I am a health care professional, who relates to this article fervently.

I work in a health care organization which has an internal “system” of e-mail, of which the user must laboriously register, await a lengthy password ad nausea via snail mail, and then switch the password to something memorable. Finally, the job of trying to utilize the site working around the inevitable flaws, which are difficult to overcome, given limited support site resources.

Let’s face it: Someday, the medical world will be globally connected, and communication between physicians, specialists, health professionals and ancillary staff, as well as our patients, will be seamless. Let’s just start with e-mail, and see how this goes.

My Professional Bio

2008-01-21T20:55:00.002-08:00

I have been a registered nurse (RN) for nearly 18 years, and have worked in a variety of arenas. In inpatient hospital care, I practiced acute care nursing in critical care, medical-surgical, ortho, mother-baby units, and even worked per diem in the hospital, along with being an agency RN for multiple hospitals in the local metropolitan region I lived in at the time.
In long term care (LTC), I've been a restorative nurse educator, resident care manager, and a non-skilled LTC nursing director. I pulled one small LTC facility out of state deficiency in 2 months, had to hire/fire staff, and learned quickly that my love for geriatrics was being squelched by the endless state paperwork trails, rules, regulations, etc. that a nurse in long term care wades through each shift to take care of a few elderly residents.
I did enjoy coordinating restorative care, working with physical therapists and restorative aids, setting up restorative programs for the elderly residents, and helping families support their loved ones.
My next arena was in home health care. I thoroughly enjoyed this, as it allowed for a generous expansion of my nursing knowlege and practice, along with opportunities to educate the community in preventative health care, wellness, and managing acute and chronic illness. I think I learned the most form my patients in this arena. I touched a lot of lives 1:1 and they touched mine.
I then was introduced to ambulatory care, and fell in love with telephone triage services. This has been my true love since around 1992, and I've been doing it regularly since about 1995.
My background in the many arenas which built my career over this time served to provide me with invaluable experience and today I can honestly say, by God's grace, I'm an expert in telephone advice, community health education, and chronic disease management. I aspire to get a Masters in Nursing Education & possibly Health Care Administration as well. Currently, rearing a young family, I'm fulfilling my calling as a mom first, and then I'll will decide if God still has my dream in His sites, and I'll go from there.

Currently, I'm an aspiring blogger, and hope my expertise will help open other's minds about the available resources and guidelines to accentuate one's own health and well-being.

I thought this would prove helpful in outlining my professional background. For a time a few years ago, I served as a health expert on a site then called "AskMe.com". I think it is called something else now, but I certainly found the challenges of this small volunteer experience to stretch me in using all that I've attained in the many arenas of nursing I've been exposed to since graduating with a BSN at IWU. Of course, being a mom of three has stretched me as a nurse as well, as many of you parents can probably relate.
As I develop Right Turn - Your Turn, I hope you will expand my horizons, sharing with me what my readers find most fascinating about health and medical care.

Lesser or Greater Jihad? Evil has no boundary

2008-01-20T22:26:00.001-08:00

After reading this article, you will want to read "In the Presence of my Enemies." You will learn with clarity just how incoherent, illogical and deceptive the practice of jihad is amongst friends and terrorist groups of Osama bin Laden. This is a autobiography of Grace Burnham and her husband's nightmare in the Philippines while spending the year 2001 kidnapped by Abu Sayyaf, a terrorist group with ties to Osama bin Ladan. You will understand after reading this book why the Sacramento parents are so concerned about the history being fed their children. It is extremely important that Americans remember that evil has no boundary, and the jihad has no give-up point.

Marriage-Keep Tying Knots

2008-01-20T17:15:00.002-08:00

Marriage is composed of not just "tying the knot" but rather an ongoing process of tying knots. My husband wrote a wonderful article on this back in June 2006. He writes "Marriage is tying a knot. Every time you do things together you tie another knot. These knots are what bind you together. Sharing in all things can tie a series of knots.... " " The ultimate goal is to tie more knots then those who are diligently working to untie them. You may have a problem if you look forward to doing activities separately instead of together. Subtle things like "Guys/Girls Night Out" or stopping off for a drink after work, slowly work at untying a knot. A subtle positive activity could be as simple as going grocery shopping or taking a walk with your Significant Other--namely your Spouse. The significant part should be foremost in your mind during these minor activities.Relationships are an investment. Your wife/husband is the biggest investment in your life. You put everything into this person from surface stuff to what is deep down. In return this person has invested as heavily in you. The returns on this investment include a partnership built on trust, intimacy, friendship, compassion and loyalty. Each of you will look for ways to please and uplift the other, tying knots and increasing the investment. If you are reading this and think that you are down to your last knot, perhaps you need to step back and think about what you can do to tie another knot. Set up a date with your spouse. Plan a local activity that includes conversation with your spouse. We found a local waterfall as the ideal place to sit, talk and share. We still reflect on this fondly even though we have moved from the area. No need for lavish events that cost vast amounts of money. The goal is to spend quality time with each other. Staying local is also preferred as these activities can be repeated and help strengthen the knot. Local activities reduce planning and preparation and allow you to focus on each other. Share each others past childhood memories and family dynamics. These will help you understand your partner's hopes and dreams and how they became the person you love. Conversations of the past generally come easy and will allow you to build toward conversations of the future. Your daily existence becomes a safe haven when you are working together toward a future that serves your combined hopes and dreams. Does this mean I can't do anything away from your spouse? Of course not. You are free to do things separately but your goal should be to do as much together as reasonably possible. When you do things apart you should share the highlights with your loved one so they gain a better understanding of who you are. Real issues and serious problems may need counseling to work them out. There is nothing wrong with seeking advice; if it really matters, it is worth every effort."

I hope this encourages you to tie one more knot today, and if you find that knot coming undone, spend some more time with your loved one, seeking to "learn how to retie" the bind that holds you together as a couple.

My husband and I work hard to keep the communication flowing. Sometimes this is quite difficult, and as you encounter more outside forces (relatives, children, work and job stresses, moves, defeats, illness or deaths), you will find that having one or more knots keeps you climbing the rope and at the top is the equivalent of heavenly bliss. After all, marriage is the image of God and the Church, His Bride. This is the epitome of bliss--God as our husband, and Heaven as our eternal bliss. To God be the Glory.

Etch-A-Sketch Sin

2008-01-20T16:28:00.001-08:00

I enjoyed my church service today, as the pastor had a unique illustration about God's grace and sin. He established that most of our congregation still remembers the classic toy "Etch-A-Sketch" (still available, but not as widely recognized today), and then said something like this: "Our sins are written as if displayed on an Etch-A-Sketch. You can do all kinds of writing, drawing, doodling on an Etch-A-Sketch. No matter how artistic, how geometric, or how raw the scribble, it remains your own masterpiece [in this example, your own sin, etched in your life].
The devil would like to keep your mind pinned on the sin you've experienced all your life, until your "Etch-A-Sketch is so messy, so scratched up, it ceases to function as it once did. However, God's grace simply turns your life upside down, inside out, and gently and completely erases sin from your life." We call this experience being "born again" or "brand new" in evangelical Christian circles.

I was reminded at how simple it is to God, to erase our sins, yet how hard it is for us to give them up. We are like the little children who stare at the well-worn Etch-A-Sketch, seeing the faint lines from their prior drawing, and wanting it back, after it has been clearly wiped off the screen. We are so stubborn to literally "turn it over to God." Yet, His Grace, is gentle, simple, and patiently waits for us to receive it. It isn't a payment, it isn't a reward, and it isn't even a gift we can give ourselves. Pastor Robinson reminded us today "God's Grace can only be given and received with an open heart." In essence, it has to be chosen by free will.

I hope as you enter this week, you will be reminded of the many times God has patiently waited for your free will, to direct your daily existence, piece by piece. He's faithful and never ever gives up on you.