God and My Politics

While eating lunch on Sunday Jess (my wife) and I were talking about the “Health Care” vote and how abortion was becoming one of the defining issues.  I indicated to her that Congressmen Stupak was holding out a block of votes to get anti-abortion language in the bill.  As it turned out today Stupak did sell his soul tonight for an executive order (nothing in the bill) that has no effect on the law that he would enabled to pass.  All the piece of paper accomplished was to give him and several weak politicians a little bit of cover that will not hide them from the retribution of their voters in the fall.  (But I digress) As the conversation progressed Jess said that she never thought she would hear me being against abortion.  This is an issue that we have never agreed on prior to me coming to Christ.  Then it occurred to me that if you look at politics with a pure political prism or if politics is your religion then your views are remarkably different.  Now that I look at politics as a Christian I now have a different take on several issues.

For instance as a conservative I find what happened with the Health Care vote despicable.  As a Christian I have peace in my heart that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior that’s all that matters.  There is not one other thing on this Earth that is as important as accepting Christ.

As a conservative I am outraged by the fact that in violation of the US Constitution a law was just passed that requires me to buy something.  As a Christian I have peace in my heart that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior that’s all that matters.  There is not one other thing on this Earth that is as important as accepting Christ.

As a conservative I am outraged that our representatives voted yes in direct contradiction of at least 55% or their constituents (more than the 51 needed for reconciliation).  As a Christian I have peace in my heart that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior that’s all that matters.  There is not one other thing on this Earth that is as important as accepting Christ.

As a conservative I am disappointed that so many people in this country are not engaged in the political process.  As a Christian I have peace in my heart that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior that’s all that matters.  There is not one other thing on this Earth that is as important as accepting Christ.

As a conservative I am outraged by the fact that if not repealed my insurance company will be driven out of business.  (How are they supposed to compete with someone who does not have to make a profit and can print money?)  As a Christian I have peace in my heart that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior that’s all that matters.  There is not one other thing on this Earth that is as important as accepting Christ.

As a conservative I am outraged by the fact that 219 representatives voted to spend $1,500,000,000,000 dollars of taxpayer money without reading the bill.  As a Christian I have peace in my heart that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior that’s all that matters.  There is not one other thing on this Earth that is as important as accepting Christ.

I think you get my drift.

My politics have always been conservative and a large defining part of my life and identity.  At every point in my life up till now I would have described myself as an American first and foremost above all other things.  But all that has been pushed aside by becoming a Christian.  It is a huge change that has occurred and one that really just occurred to me today.  I will always be passionate about my politics, but now I just see that larger picture.

So tonight even though things did not go my way politically I will still say a prayer and have peace when I sleep.  For I know that all things on Earth happen in accordance with God’s plan even though it may not be my plan.

Father God

Please forgive me where I have failed and trespassed against you this day.  Thank you for allowing me to be born in the most amazing, free, and blessed country on your Earth.  As a Christian first I want your will to be done in all things.  Please give me the discernment to know when to fight, to know when to pray, and the continued opportunity to share you with the world.

It is in your son’s precious name I pray Amen.

Quotes

Just some random dogs quotes that I have saved to post.

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

-Will Rogers

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.

-Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.

-Josh Billings

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.

-Andy Rooney

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made.

-M. Acklam

Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate.

-Sigmund Freud

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.

-Robert Benchley

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.

-James Thurber

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.

-Mark Twain

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’

– Dave Barry

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

-Roger Caras

If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them.

-Phil Pastoret

Quotes

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent.  It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.

E.F. Schumacker

A little trouble getting in the Spirit

I have to admit that this year I have had trouble getting in the Christmas Spirit. Not with the true meaning and spirit of Christmas the birth of Christ but just with I guess the secular Christmas stuff you might say? I am having trouble expressing this thought so before I twist this around to where no one can understand it let me just say it this way

The birth of Christ our savior I am good with.
The spirit of giving this time of year I am good with.
Everything else large and small in between I am just kind of blahhhh.

I can’t really explain why I have been blah this Christmas.  The blessings that my family and I have received this year are truly too numerous to count.  Maybe I am just tired and really need the next 13 days that I have planned off we’ll see.  (but back to the point of the post)

Then we get to today, when I received the video below in an email today from a friend.  It just made me smile and just kicked me out of my Christmas Blah.

So if you are experiencing the Christmas Blah this year I hope it does the same for you.

Thanks Kathy Smith for yanking me out of the Christmas Blah.

A surprise in a Christmas Card

While opening the mail today I received a little surprise. In the Christmas Card from my Uncle Phillip and Aunt Delores they stuck in this old picture.

Me & Trigger 1981

I can not tell you the last time that I thought about Trigger the horse in the picture. He was kept on my grandfather’s Farm in Jackson County.

Thanks for the old memories and bringing a random smile to my face today.

Quotes

“All man’s troubles come from not knowing how to sit still in one room”  Blaise Pascal

“In God we Trust; all others must bring data”  W. Edwards Deming

Quotes

This particular quote comes from me.  After I said it last Sunday night Jess stopped, wrote it down, and told me I needed to add it to the website.

“Sometimes you just have to shut your cake hole and know your blessed”

Jake Stapleton November 11th, 2009

and no the context will not be shared