Self-Control In America

Galatians 5:22-23...But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Titus (New Testament)-2nd chapter talks of self-control
Titus 2:1-2...You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
Titus2:4-5...Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure...
Titus 2:6...Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.

Obviously the Bible speaks often of self-control...I truly believe if more people practiced self-control our nation would be in a better situation. I know what you are thinking, easier said than done...but, it has to start somewhere. Think about it...
If we have control of our finances we, as a nation, would be in a better situation. If we didn't spend money we didn't have-If we spent money on the things we need instead of just the things we want. I heard a statistic that said the average American is $20K in credit card debt...that's crazy!
If we have self-control of our health. I know there are things we can't control, so I am speaking of the things we can...excess smoking, drinking, eating...Just think of the money spent on cigarettes, alcohol, food...not to mention the consequences of these things. Just with excess eating can come diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc...and medicine is often needed to correct these things.
(If we had more self-control in our health...this ignorant health care reform agenda would not sound as appealing)
If we had self-control when it comes to our jobs. Most people in America are capable of doing something. Why have we, as a government, rewarded those who don't contribute. Now don't take that to the extreme...there are legit disabilities and things that prevent people from holding down jobs...but what about the young, healthy people I see sitting on the front porch when I am headed to work everyday. Most of them already get free food, free health care, etc...self-discipline and self-control is needed to show them responsibility. It isn't right to mooch off of everyone else.
There are tons of places in our lives that need self-control...whether it be sexual immorality, addictions (could be anything from drugs, drinking, food, sex, porn, etc). If we as a nation could learn to practice more self-control...to be content with what God gives us...we would be a better nation!

Disaster...Health care reform

I realize that there is a portion of the public without healthcare. Although I honestly think a big percentage of this population could afford some sort of insurance if they wanted (example...I know people who have upgraded their homes, drive the nicest SUV's, but think healthcare is too expensive so they forgo their opportunity to have it.) On the other hand, my heart goes out to those who have lost their jobs and healthcare or truly make good decisions and still can't afford healthcare. Although something needs to change to help some of these people, change isn't always beneficial. This CHANGE of health care that Obama is trying to rush and push through will be a disaster!
I have not heard one person from another country praising their Socialized Medicine system...not one. If this passes...there will be no more "second opinions" in medicine-->how many times have we heard stories of wrong diagnoses or experienced it in our own families. Although doctors are brilliantly smart, they are human and make mistakes. It happens all of the time...but this part of medicine would not be allowed.
Another issue...surgery. Just two weeks ago we went to the ENT doctor on a tuesday and she got tubes in her ears two days later on Thursday. I realize this isn't a life or death issue, but we were able to get surgery as soon as the doctor could do it...we didn't have to get put on a waiting list or thrown into some national system to wait for her ears to continue to get infected, which could have had associated hearing loss.
Doctor quality...let's face it, everyone likes incentive to work harder and better, including doctors. If this passes, you will have less incentive for good doctors to do their best.
Government programs are already in place...and they dictate which medicines those participants can have. If there is a medicine available that could positively benefit my health, I don't want to be told I can't have it. That already happens with medicare and medicaid. These formularies already "tie" doctors' hands when it comes to practicing medicine...they can't always give what is needed because of what the government allows.
Serious Illness...there was an example of a Canadian woman on tv who was losing her eye sight. The Canadian Socialized medicine would not do anything about it and told her she would have to wait to get tested, so she came to the Mayo Clinic in the US. She was tested and found out she had a tumor. When she took her test results back to Canada, they told her she would have to wait once again (having a tumor, she obviousy didn't have time on her side). So, she paid for her health care in the US and had surgery...US health care saved her life! Literally...I have heard numerous stories like this, so why do we want similar health care as Canada.
Oh yeah...to go along with this...I just heard a statistic that men in Europe are 4x more likely to die of prostate cancer compared to men in the US...I wouldn't want my chance of dying to be 4x greater...that's stupid!
I am sorry for ranting and going on so long...but this is serious! Your elected officials are making it sound like the health care they are offering will be of the same quality that is available now. That is bull...get educated on this people. Our future and children's future are at stake...this unfortunately is a life or death issue.

Intersection: Faith & Politics

I know there is a certain amount of the population that says religion and politics don't mix...but if your faith is a part of your life style, that is impossible. It's also hard when the government is making decisions that can have a direct effect on how we are able to express our religious beliefs.
Today I heard about two different ways that the government is wanting to or has passed laws against scriptural sound doctrine.
The first...did you know Obama plans to include "free" abortion in his new healthcare reform? Obviously I do not agree with abortion, but especially not if I have to pay taxes and do not have a say so on how my money is spent. Obviously I said free, but it will be at taxpayer expense. Not only that, but let's be realistic...the majority of women who abort their babies have had sex out of wedlock. Therefore, the only reason they are in that situation in the first place is due to sexual sin. (I realize this is not 100% of the time, but it is a majority) So because there is no self-control and self-responsibility, we are supposed to pay for their consequences.
Second...when we elect a president, we are giving him responsibility of appointing a Supreme Court Judge if needed. This person has the potential to push laws through, enforce them, etc... they have great power. The current female up for this position, Sonia Sotomayor, has ruled against Christian influence. In New York, a pastor has spent money on billboards...the only thing on these billboards were Bible verses. That is it...she ruled that these verses must be taken off the billboards even though this money came out of his own pocket. Obviously according to her, freedom of speech only applies to non-believers.
You may not think this is important, but our government is making vast steps at eliminating the voice of the people...especially Christians.

Temporary...

As Americans, we may not always agree with our government and the direction it is taking us...but, the Bible talks about those things.
Romans 13:1-->Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
I admit, it is hard to sit by and feel like you are not able to do anything...especially when decisions are being made that not only affect our future, but will also affect the future of our children. That being said, Earth is not meant to be perfect. There will never be Heaven on Earth...it is impossible after the "fall of man" with Adam & Eve. That's what gives us whom have received Christ hope; we have a perfect eternal life waiting for us. Heaven is what is yet to come...
Obviously this situation doesn't strictly relate to government alone. People often have problems understanding tragedy...loss of loved one, loss of finances, etc. Let's face, there is a lot of people out there going through difficult times. That's what we have to hold on to...this life is temporary...there are better "eternal" days ahead!

POURING RAIN...

Pouring Rain...i copied this blog from another blog of mine (it was too much to write again)

So have you ever heard the expression-WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS?
That is what our last several weeks feel like...but it is so encouraging to me to be able to smile about it all. These last two weeks have truly been a blur...but I am so glad they are over and hopefully life can get back to normal, or somewhat normal. THURSDAY Two weeks ago Dakota got an ear infection (we went to the doctor and got antibiotics), then we drove to Illinois, FRIDAY we toured in Illinois, SATURDAY we headed back to Memphis with a minor stop along the way (not to mention severe weather), TUESDAY Dakota went to the ENT to see about getting tubes (she had another ear infection in the other ear), WEDNESDAY she was so sick the day after that I had to stay home from work (she had a fever and threw up several times that day), THURSDAY then she got tubes the following day (we were up at 5 that morning to get the day started), that same night I got a phone call about my dad's dwindling health, FRIDAY the next morning I had to pack to go to Alabama (as I was packing I burned the crap out of my hand...trying to get sippie cup lids out of the bottom of our dishwasher), I had to drive to Alabama with ice on my hand & an ace bandage (just Dakota and myself with a painful, burning hand), we got in Friday afternoon (it took me 3 1/2 hours to get to Jasper) and then went straight to Tuscaloosa (1 1/2 hours from Jasper), SATURDAY we went back to Tuscaloosa to be with Dad, SUNDAY we went back to visit Dad and say "good-bye" to him (so it was a very emotional day), then we (Dakota and I) had to drive back to Memphis, I had to finish my paper work from the previous week, MONDAY I worked about an hour from Memphis & got the phone call about my dad that afternoon, I then had to run a few errands and start packing, TUESDAY we drove back to Jasper, had to go to the funeral home to make arrangements, pick out casket flowers at a florist, etc, WEDNESDAY my mom, dakota, and I went shopping in Birmingham for funeral attire (Brad had to drive to Memphis that morning-go to class-and drive back to Jasper) (Dakota started running a fever)(I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THIS WAS ALSO OUR 3 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY...so we went to a whole-in-the-wall place to eat), THURSDAY we had visitation from 5-8 (the family time started at 4, but we got there about 3:30 to set things up), FRIDAY we had the funeral at 11 (so we had to be there about 10 for early visitors), the burial ceremony was about 20 minutes away following the funeral home, SATURDAY should have been a day of rest but Dakota wasn't feeling well (Brad had to leave about 4:30 that morning to be back in Memphis for class), Going back to Dakota's fever from the previous days...she had a huge sore on her bottom also, which was giving her a lot of pain and discomfort, after calling a pediatrician we realized she had an infection which required warm compress to the area-then we tried to mash the puss out, which was not fun for us or Dakota, SUNDAY (TODAY) Dakota, mom, and I drove to Memphis early...took Dakota's temperature upon arrival-it was really high, so we took her to a pediatric walk-in clinic...and had her abscess drained from her buttox (her temperature was 103...it took 4 adults including Brad & I to hold her down...they pushed the blood & puss out...did blood work...opened up the wound a little more to push more blood & puss out), then we went to the pharmacy for proper antibiotics, then to eat...AND NOW, WE ARE HOME! I am obviously waiting for the rainbow to appear now!

Good-bye...

My father passed away this afternoon...it is crazy to think of life without him. Death just makes it so final...sounds crazy to say that, but after all of the travel to Tuscaloosa to visit him over the years, it is weird to think we won't have to do that anymore. It is going to be hard remembering my Dad the way he used to be...those are the memories we want to hold on to, not the last 4-5 years. (We didn't realize what was going on part of that time, but his dementia definitely started before we knew what was going on).
My Dad truly was an amazing father...he was so supportive of me. Sports consumed my life throughout high school & college...and he was always traveling to watch me play ball. At least he was able to enjoy those days, since he loved watching me...Luckily, he was also able to walk me down the isle on my wedding day (which will be 3 years on the 15th...this week). I can't thank God enough for that blessing!
In the end, there are soooo many more blessings to this occasion...the fact that his mind was the part that left him (he didn't realize what was going on), the fact that he served in Vietnam (that allowed him to have access to the VA, which has been wonderful), because of the VA nursing home he had good care and had people who knew how to take care of him (we didn't know where to turn a few years ago until they accepted him), the fact that he was a believer (always makes death a celebration), the fact that he has a lot of friends and family (it will be a reunion of sorts later this week)...
the bottom line...I will miss my Dad and love him always!

Drawing near...

So tonight I received a phone call about my dad, who is in a VA nursing home. Although he is in his early 60's, he has been suffering with Alzheimers for several years now. A few months ago we (my aunt, mom, and I) decided that a DNR (do not resuscitate) was the best option for him. We also agreed not to go forth with a feeding tube. Those decisions are always tough to make, but especially since I have power of attorney and am an only child.
The positive...as my dad's mind was starting to change, I think he realized that something was going on. Luckily during those early times, he started going back to church. (Although he was raised in church he quit attending for several years) One day while driving my dad, I asked him if he knew he were going to heaven...he said yes. I will hold dear to those comments for the rest of my life. That is what gives me peace about this whole situation. Although I have known the end was drawing near, I am still not ready. However, I do have peace about eternity. That is my biggest request for whomever is reading...please make sure your family and friends know for sure where you will go after death. There is only 2 options...heaven or hell. Heaven only comes through a personal acceptance and relationship with Jesus Christ.

Government Dependence & Personal Responsibility...

Why are Americans becoming so dependent on the government? Over the last several months the government has been involved in the car industry, bank industry, health care industry, global warming/energy, marriage and relationships, religion, etc...do you not think the government is getting too big for their britches?
On the flip side, why are Americans starting to turn to the government for answers? My answer, because we have not taken responsibility for our own actions...you have too many people living outside of their means (buying expensive houses they can't afford, cars they can't afford, etc)...as far as health care goes, in most cases, the same applies...people aren't willing to give up things that cost money for necessities like health care (I am in a lot of doctor's offices with my job...I see it all of the time: patients dependent on the government who are not willing to give up the cigarette habit, etc...or people who buy the bigger house with the swimming pool, but yet complain of not having health care)
I realize that this isn't the case for every single person, but I do think it is the case for a majority of people out there. Instead of taking responsibility ourselves, we look to the government...that being said, what the government is doing is ridiculous...nationalized health care will be a disaster, the economy is continuing to go down the drain, jobs are not being created, car businesses are still going out of business, etc...obviously the government is not the answer! When will people wake up and smell the coffee?
Last but definitely not least...there is only one who can give us hope and bail us out...Jesus Christ! He is the only one with answers, but we have to put Him ahead of ourselves. He is faithful and will never go against His own words. He is the one we put our trust and dependence in!

One-Way...

We've all had friends that just don't seem to hold up their end of the friendship...and in some cases we may be that friend. Luckily for me, most of my closest friends are similar to me...they need and hold dear to close conversations, etc. However, those that don't have the same standards for returning phone calls, returning texts, returning emails, and so forth can often rub me the wrong way. I'm not saying I am correct in having resentful or bitter feelings, BUT it brings me to this...
How often are we like this with God? I truly think about this...I get frustrated when I don't hear from someone, but yet I do this with God all of the time. He wants to hear from me every day, yet I don't always follow through. I don't always hold up my end of the relationship. After all, are we really close if I don't want to share everything with Him? If I don't want to talk with Him?
God desires to have a personal relationship with us...He doesn't want us to do all of the talking. That's why he gave us His word via the Bible...so we can hear what He has to say! I encourage you, don't let it be a one way street with God.

Traveling & Creation...

I feel like I get so much out of traveling. Not only is it sometimes about relaxing, learning, sight-seeing, etc...but, I feel like I get to see more of God's creativity. This may come in many forms. It may be natural beauty (like visiting Hawaii or the Grand Canyon), or just from watching different people and cultures (like a mission trip to the Dominican Republic...I specifically mention the D.R. because when I went there several years ago, they were the most physically beautiful people I had ever encountered). Honestly though, you don't have to go far to find God's imagination and creativity...on our short trip this past weekend we drove through ALOT of farm land (and I see this alot with work too)...how pretty are endless fields of corn, soy beans, milo, cotton, etc? This is definitely something I would have never appreciated growing up, but now I have a better appreciation for them. That's my challenge...try to look at things in a different way...in the way God created them.

FAITH & SUFFERING

Faith can be difficult at times...we as humans want to do things our way most, if not all, of the time.
If you are a Christian, faith can also be refreshing...realizing that as long as we give God control of our lives, He will take care of us and direct our paths. After all, if He wants what is best for us then He will not lead us down the wrong path...right? (That would be contradictory) This is not to say that he will not allow us to go through difficult times; only then are we truly able to show our dependence on Him.
Hebrews 11:1-->Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:3-->By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Romans 5:3-5-->Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love in to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Let this be encouragement during tough times...although we may have tough roads ahead, having faith that God will pull us through should be comforting!