Survival vs. Abundance

Real quick…I’m getting tired of just surviving.  Why is there only a little oil and a little flour in the bottom of my jars?  Why can’t I have full jars just once?  It seems to me that God blesses people in different ways and to different degrees.  You can bring up the workers who got hired in the beginning of the day getting paid the same as the ones at the end of the day all you want.  I realize this sounds a little out of line, but I blog to share my thoughts-so here they are.  I guarantee you that Moses wasn’t always happy about his 40 years in the desert.  I haven’t been in the desert for 40 years, but some days it feels like it.  I’m getting tired of the struggle.  I’m sure some of you relate to this.  Some days it’s harder than others.  I’m starting off 2008 hard.  Most other years have been the same way.  God has never let me go hungry.  I’m just asking for a little more.  Perhaps that’s selfish or childish.  Just being honest.

Fred Thompson

Well, my friends, with nearly ten months to go, Fred dropped out of the race.  I was a supporter of his from the beginning and it was disappointing to see the momentum fade as time wore on.  This probably puts him in a decent position to be considered as a VP candidate.  He would certainly complement any of the three remaining candidates.  Given his clear Conservative stance, he would fill in the gaps where the others may be viewed as weak.  Other than VP, he also would make an excellent cabinet choice-State or Homeland Security (although I like Rice and Chertoff).  I would begin the campaign to get him elected as the Commissioner of Baseball, but I’m not sure he wants the job…

Fred, if you ever manage to read this, I’m still a fan and would love to have dinner sometime!

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Democratic Presidential Qualifications

Being black is not a qualification for President.  Neither is being female, tall, good-looking, rich, happy, near-sighted, blond, from the Mid-West, religious, or fashionable.  Please forgive me if I missed any more blatantly ridiculous categories.  Now, to some extent, the election is a popularity contest.  If you’re likeable, that goes a long way.  You also should be intelligent and well-spoken.  Most importantly, you should have a clear, beneficial vision for the direction of the country. 

Many people around me (some have found out I have a blog so this should be interesting) are basing their decision on the “ground-breaking black/female president idea.”  I think it would show a tremendous amount of progress to finally elect a black person or a woman to this position, but let’s not do it for the sake of doing it!  If that’s the way to go, vote for me, because the Italians have been sorely underrepresented these 230 years.  Also, I have facial hair, which we haven’t seen on a president in a long time.  I think I’m in! 

Another Bible verse I have trouble with.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Eph 4:2) I cannot tell you how many times I have failed to do this.  However, I can probably tell you the number of times someone else has failed to do this with me.  I have a tendency to hold on to hurts caused by others.  You may say it’s natural, but the truth is that the core of Christianity is reconcilliation. Either I have to apologize or forgive.  The burden always rests on my shoulders.  That pisses me off.  I constantly feel like I have to follow the rules while everyone else does whatever they want. 

In reality, we act the way we do for any number of reasons (anger and fear immediately come to mind).  I don’t mean to be a jerk-it just happens.  The growth in me, is that I’ve begun to recognize my jerkhood, and in some cases, make amends.  A point I want to make here is that I am, as are all of us, a work in progress.  “The paint is still wet.”  If we did it perfectly, we wouldn’t need Jesus. 

At this moment in my life, the key word of this verse is love.  At the end of his life, John the Beloved’s sermons consisted of three sentences:  “God loves you.  I love you.  Love one another.”  I figure I have about 45 more years left (less, if you factor in my treadmill incident this week.)  Perhaps by the end of that time span, I will have some grasp of love. 

McCain Momentum Momentary

Admittedly, John McCain is surging right now.  However, Conservatives, don’t give up hope.  This is a flash in the pan.  In his third attempt at the White House, he was sure to get some support.  His “independent” record appeals to a broader base of voters.  I’m also sure there have been some Democrats voting for him thinking that he would be an easier candidate to beat than the rest of the field.  This chaos is temporary and will be resolved by Super Tuesday.  Both Romney and Huckabee are stronger candidates who appeal more to the Right of the party.  Don’t forget, McCain was a leader in the “Gang of 14″ and did not support President Bush when he needed McCain’s voice during various confirmations.  Fred, unfortunately, has been languishing in third and fourth place.  He is making a trip home to discuss his future with his family.  Fred is the most conservative candidate out there, and it’s a shame he hasn’t been doing better.  My prediction is that Mitt (probably) or Huck will emerge on Super Tuesday as the clear frontrunner and retain that position for the remainder of the campaign season.  I still have my Fred ‘08 bumpersticker on my car.  It’s going to stay there until January 2009.

I don’t care if my president is pro-life.

As we approach the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I want to make a quick comment.  I’m tired of Christians saying they’re praying for a Christian, pro-life person to be elected president.  I don’t care if my president is pro-life.  Yes, it would be nice if he or she shared my views on everything, but the truth is I want someone elected who will appoint constructionist judges to the Supreme Court.  Roe v. Wade is the prime example of the third branch of our government legislating.  I simply want to exercise my right to vote on this issue.  Both sides think they’re right.  So, let’s put it to a vote.  States where the majority wants abortions, can vote that way.  States where the majority doesn’t want them, can vote their way as well.  The bottom line here is not the philosophical or moral fiber of our president, but the election of a person who understands that Roe v. Wade is a bad decision that needs to be overturned.  Let the issue be decided by the people.

Fred 08

Welcome to my first foray into the blog world.  Or is it blogging world?  What is a blog?  The first thing I would like to say to my non-existent readership is that I am supporting Fred Thompson for President.  This has caused many discussions among my family, friends, and coworkers (one of whom is named Fred and thinks I have a crush on him.)  Over the past several years, I have become a Conservative.  This has led me down some strange roads, as you can imagine.  Given this position, Fred seems to be voicing a consistent conservative stance and is, therefore, the logical candidate for me to support.

What I cannot figure out is why we’ve been listening to this group of politicians for 8 or 9 months!  This is, by far, the longest campaign season on the books.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the debates, but enough is enough.  I’m grateful that Super Tuesday is on the way and the field will be considerably narrowed during February. 

Have a blessed evening and day tomorrow.