Thank You to all Veterans

We should probably do this EVERY day, because they live with what they experienced every day. Our Veterans served our country in a way the rest of us haven't, but we all benefit from their courage, strength, commitment and sacrifice.  And a special Thank You to the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. God Bless Our Veterans!

Another view of this crazy mess.

Some people have asked me who I am voting for. Until recently, I didn’t know. I knew who I wasn’t going to vote for, but I didn’t know what else. I didn’t want to be a no show, and I certainly didn’t want to ignore the rest of the ballot. House and Senate might be more important this year than the Presidency.

I posted a couple of weeks ago that confusion is not of the Lord. But I was confused. I told my sister over the summer, don’t worry about it yet, its not election day. Then I heard someone say that the way to approach this is with civic engagement. With using your principles to guide your actions.

Vince Lombardi always started off training camp by saying “This, gentlemen, is a football.” Obviously, a guy who is being paid to play at the highest level knows what an oblong, snub-nosed leather ball is. Coach was reverting to fundamentals.  Where did this Republic start? How? What guided it and what defines it. Who defines it? What did the original folks have in mind? I’m not going to have a civics lesson here, but if we’ve gotten away from the original ideas, should we look at enforcing those, first on ourselves, and then on the people we put into office. Not just settling for the better of two evils. In my view, that’s how we got here in the first place.

If you read American History, which most of us got a very misleading presentation of, if not downright erroneous, you know that this mess has been going on since the Roosevelts and Wilson.  Et Al. Yeah, they probably did some good stuff, but their basic view of the American Experiment was that it was all wrong. That they knew better for us than we did for ourselves. Again, I’ll let you investigate for yourself, but this didn’t just happen with Bush. Or Bush. Or Clinton. And certainly not Obama.

This is not a binary choice. Aside from the R or the D, you can vote for somebody else, or not vote at all. I don’t recommend not voting. People died for you to be able to do this. Think of them and their families. Many other countries don’t get this chance. Please though, if you skip the Presidential race, don’t skip the down ballot. Congress and those local elections are still very much in play, and will affect your life more than whoever gets into The Oval.

The rest of this is my view. I’m not trying to convince you of anything. Do what you think is right.Vote for whom you want. If we all prayed and did that, we’d be a lot better off. As our worship pastor said on Sunday, “God is not down to His last two options.” If it weren’t so serious, it’d be funny.

I am looking at this from a bigger view. Yes, this is the most dangerous election ever. However, all is not lost. Maybe the right person wins – whoever the hell that is. Maybe something crazy happens. But if you want REAL change, ya gotta put your foot down. There has to be a re-direction. Maybe the most important thing is to make a decision now that doesn’t manifest itself until 2020. We have been through this kind of thing before. 30s. 40s. 60s. We’ve survived Obama. Barely. We will survive the next one. But somebody’s gotta call time out and change the strategy. Pick a new play. Its risky. But so are all the other options.

I voted for Evan McMullin. A principled conservative independent. He has CIA experience, policy experience with the House, a UN refugee officer, and an investment banker.His principles are listed, and he sounds like he believes them, and knows what to do. Again, I'm not asking you to vote for him. But I believe people like him are the type that belong in office. Not for a career, not for themselves, but for service. To make a difference and not just be on the take. Can he win? Probably not this time. Maybe, if all the cards line up right and the moon is full. I’m not counting on that, but if enough people take action to do the right thing, maybe, just maybe, we can make a course correction. Maybe it only takes 6 degrees.

If you are a Bible believer, there is plenty of encouragement there. The Isrealites survived Babylon. David beat Goliath. Isaiah has a whole book of comfort and encouragement.  If that’s not for you, maybe a Beetles song (Let It Be) or reviewing our history for a view of how things worked out back then. A bit of encouragement, community, thinking of others before ourselves, and just a plain old positive attitude (that’s from my HS Psychology class!). All is not lost. I heard a radio host today talk about a guy from Bangladesh. He’s been here 20 years. He owns a cab/Uber company. 30 drivers. All his kids have jobs. Even as kids. His daughter graduated from an Ivy League medical school and is now employed at one of the top medical facilities in the USA. Doesn't get anymore prestigious than that. And all he can do is talk about how great this country is. How it gave him an opportunity.  Maybe we should just think about how good we have it. Even in all the strife and mess.

Just my thoughts for a quiet evening watching the World Series. Good Night Countrymen.

God Didn't Care...Some Thoughts for Christmas 2015

Gloria in Excelsis Deo. Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth Peace to men on whom His favor rests.

The words of the great company of angels, to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem.

God chose angels to announce the birth of Jesus. To a bunch of rough, unsocialized, outcasts. They were the lowest of society. Not even allowed to testify in a court of law because they were not thought to be reliable. They lived outside the city with the sheep, and were known to not follow the Mosaic Law very well. Kind of old fashioned renegades. But God didn't care.

God chose for Jesus to be born in a manger. We all know why, because there was no room for them in the inn. Bethlehem was a small town, but was crowded due to the census. But it was time for His Birth as well, despite what else was going on. The place was a stable, a barn. Horses, goats, chickens, cows, whatever. It was noisy, smelly, and dusty. The only place to lay the Baby was in a feed trough. But God didn't care.

The Jews were looking for a King to rescue them. They thought they would be freed from their captivity. They thought their idea of the King was right. They thought they knew how this was supposed to work. But God didn't care.

After the angels left, the shepherds went into the city to find the Baby. No, they didn't follow a star, that was the Magi from the east (who were probably Gentiles, by the way, since they came from the east).  The shepherds were curious. They weren't sure what was going on, but a voice inside them said to go check out what the angels said. So they did. Don't know what happened to the sheep, maybe some stayed behind, maybe they just locked 'em up in a corral for a few hours.

The angels described their news as great, and of great joy. It was for all the people, so it was the shepherds job to go check it out and tell others about it. The Baby was referred to as from the house of David, and a Saviour, who was born to you. God didn't care about all the circustances. The time had come, not because there had been a delay, but just because God decided we were ready.

God did care. He chose a certain place, time, and group of people to orchestrate this event. I do not believe that any of these details were random or coincidental. God uses people to do His work. Could He just make it happen? Of Course. But He wants to use us, to give us some skin in the game, and to help make it believable to some others

You may be a doubter, or you may be a shepherd. You may be tuned in to society, you may think you are an outcast. God doesn't care about that. He only cares that you believe, like Mary did when she first found out she would be Jesus' mother, and tell it to others, like the shepherds did.

God did care, and He still does. Today. Right now. For you and me. There is no doubt. Because the Bible tells me so. And the rest of the story comes in the spring.

Merry Christmas to you and yours. Peace on Earth, Goodwill Towards All Men.

Of Lights and Trees, at Christmas Time

Of lights and trees.

At first there was dark, but then there was a light. And it was good. There was a tree, actually many trees, but only one to stay away from. And that turned out badly. There were many years of flickers, clues, distress, dark. Then, in the dark of night, another light appeared in Human form. Light pierced the darkness, and gave Glory to God in the Highest. Some followed the light to visit. And it was good.

The Light grew in knowledge and power, and He spoke. Spoke light into the world. Then he was on another tree, a dead tree, and that was very dark, very bad. Three days later, in the morning, the light came up, the darkness was filled with light, and a Glow shone around Him. He rose and departed to make a place for men of good will. Finally, another tree appeared, called the Tree of Life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, and leaves that were for the healing of nations. No longer any curse, no darkness. The Light shone and his people reigned on earth forever. "These words are faithful and true...
And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book." Last quote from Reveleation 22.

Merry Christmas!!! Find your light...

A Visit to the Border, Where the Action Is

Dateline July 23 2014. This past weekend, Beth and I went on a trip to the border at McAllen, TX. We went with a team of 150 people from Mercury One, which is a charity disaster relief organization. I want to share what I saw, heard, felt; and some observations that might put some of this in perspective.

We first met at a large church, Iglesia del Pueblo in Mission, TX,  that was set up as a staging facility and was serving breakfast and lunch to those in need.  We brought $2 million in supplies, toys, food, clothes. This will last at least until October. There were at least 7 tractor trailers full of goods. There are half a dozen or so other churches that were coordinated with to support. I went to one of the churches on that  list that was taken food along with about 10 other people. It is in a very poor area on the north side of McAllen.

We got a tour of the church grounds by Pastor Oscar. He was very engaging, talkative and sincere. He showed us the church sanctuary, which was packed to the gills with kids and families on the last day of their VBS week. It was loud, hot, busy and very crowded. Good thing the fire marshal didn’t show up. The kids were interactive with the leaders on stage, sang the songs, etc. There was a robustness. It was a good feeling. There were approx 800 people there, three quarters kids. Pastor Oscar told us they were from all over the area, and that the church promotes this through their groups. He seemed to imply that not all were from their church. They were then fed a lunch; we had brought tacos with us- 2 LARGE coolers full. They have a large air-conditioned dining hall that was large enough for all, though it was crowded too.

Oscar explained that they do this event every year, although it is larger this year than before. I became concerned that we were being exposed to the regular residents of the area, instead of the illegals and kids we came down to minister to. Then I began to understand what is going on. Oscar told us that many of these ARE illegals. This problem has been going on for years, 25+. It is not new since the past few months. The issue of the unaccompanied children is new, and is bringing some attention to the whole scene, but this is an old problem. It is a way of life here for these communities. They deal with it and continue their daily lives.  Some have been there awhile, some just arrived. They try to make it on their own up to cities like Dallas and Houston, but can’t. They are on foot with no food or water, so they come back to McAllen. Some didn’t try to do that, but just stayed there. Oscar says that if someone knocks on their door, they do whatever they can to help them.  Not a lot is required, because not a lot is needed. They have generally found a place to live. It might be a shack or vacant building. They need clothes, water, and food. The church provides for that. They get no govt funding. Not sure where all the money comes from, but they are self sufficient in some way.

Here is the part that impacted me the most. It chokes me up just to recall and write about it today. The church has built a school. It is a modern metal building with tile floors, built to what I could see was standard building codes. Restrooms, plumbing, a/c. Rooms for various age groups, including a nursery with bassinets and cribs. Not divided by grade, but by age. From infant nursery all the way up to 17. It is equipped with desks, work areas, etc, just like you would expect. They teach regular core and supplemental subjects. Oscar has a degree in history. I asked him if they teach American History, to teach these kids how the USA works and what our founding and background are. These people are coming here for the same or similar reasons that the Europeans came in the Colonial days. He said they are taught about our history. They are also taught from the Bible. They are taught the Gospel, and that Jesus loves them. They are taught basic principles of respect, self sufficiency, work and service. This is the part that chokes me up and gives me some hope. To work for themselves, be self sufficient, and not be a burden on anyone. As 1 Thessalonians 4:12 says.  A little 800 person church on 10 acres in the thick of the poorest zip code in America is teaching the young generation of illegal immigrants the same principles as our Founding Fathers based this country on. Yes, most of them got here illegally. I want them sent home.  But some of them are here. Many of them are going to stay here. This is a separate dilemma from closing the border.  We have to deal with the people that are here. Either round them all up and send them back (not gonna happen; won’t be able to get them all), or minister to them in love, respect, and how to take care of themselves. Mold them into responsible residents. Citizenship is a separate issue.


One of the other Mercury One volunteers who is from McAllen had a lot of insight. We asked her what the major industries are in the area. She said the big money is in the Mexican factories just across the border, the maquiladoras. Many people on the US side work there. The other major industries are health care and agriculture. Ag is obvious. There are citrus trees everywhere, and irrigation canals. I asked her why health care. She said they are sick. Lots of obesity and diabetes. Obviously from diet. They use cheap but unhealthy ingredients in their cooking. She is studying to be a nurse. This tells me that we should educate these people in how to better take care of themselves, better lifestyle choices, getting off the rat treadmill. That will definitely take time.

Today (Monday) Gov Perry has called up the National Guard to help secure the border. That may be the first real step to getting this invasion stopped. That will help us to be able to deal with the other problems.

There was another discussion in the car going to and from the church. We were all very upset that it seems it was mostly locals we were serving. The breakfast line was huge, and they all seemed to be local residents. Probably illegals many of them, but not the people we came down to serve. We felt disappointed and cheated on. We also wondered, what is it that causes these folks to show up for a free meal. That is the complaint of many of those who bashed our effort. And it is a legitimate concern, but very theoretical. It does not address the reality on the ground.  Here is what came to me on the way back from the church. Remember the parable of the sower? Matthew 13.  He sowed seeds on the rocky soil, the path, the weedy soil, and the good soil. This might be a bit of liberty with this parable, but we are in the weeds right now. Sowing seeds that will grow, among the weeds. Lets not worry about the weeds among us, but plant seeds that will grow anyway, and bring a harvest. We can separate the weeds from the fruit later. That is what Oscar is doing. And what we should encourage and support him and his comrades. Otherwise we will just inherit millions of unproductive transplants who brought their problems here. America is great because America is good. They come here from a bad place; we need to teach them our ways, not because we are better, but because we believe in One who is better. It won’t do them any good to keep the same habits and lifestyle and dependence.

I am praying for our leaders, both Democrat and Republican. We can't win this without God, and prayer is how we communicate with Him. God doesn't care about our labels or agendas. Also for the local leaders, both public and private. For Iglesia del Pueblo, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the one I went to and Pastor Oscar, and for the citizens and residents in that area. I hope you will join me in that. Thank you for your interest and attention. May God bless us all...

For more information and regular updates  --

Mercury One

Mercury One on Facebook

The Waiting is done...

Christmas Eve, my favorite night of the year. The shopping is done, whether it is or not, and its time to gather. The wait is almost over, and we know what is coming, or at least some of it! Sneaky peekers??? Not me.
Its been a crazy year. Some huge celebrations, some terrible losses, and lots in between.. But as the pastor said tonight, we made it. If that was the goal, anyway. We define success by the calendar year, but sometimes its just best to look at the big picture, relish what we have, work on what needs it, and know that there's more to all this than we can touch, but not more than we can feel. Peace. Truth. Hope. Love.

The Advent Wait is over, and its time for a birthday party. All are invited...

A Son is born, a Child is given. Mighty, Counselor. Emmanuel.

Merry Christmas!!!

JFK assassinated today, 50 years ago. BUT...

But did you know that another significant figure also died that same day, November 22 1963? Clive Staples Lewis, more commonly referred to as C.S. Lewis. His writings, both fiction and non-fiction, and all faith based, have been circulating for many years, although the re-introduction of the Narnia series, and the accompanying film, probably got him more attention than in the past. Obviously, his death, from renal failure, was passed over for more significant events that day, but his legacy lives on and has perhaps reached an audience that might not have been expected.

I would be remiss if not to mention JFK on this memorial day. I remember it too well, even though only 6 years old at the time, in first grade. It was a dark day, and the swirl of events and theories abounds. Having visited there with my daughter last summer, it is still eerie.

The discussion around the character, flaws, tendencies, and strengths of John F Kennedy is endless, as are the theories about his untimely passing. If you have ever visited the gravesite and seen the eternal flame burning, you know his life meant something, His presidency was only 34 months, but some of his quotes are also eternal.

• "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
• And the lesser known "My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."

Kennedy's constant message of peace, cooperation, fulfillment, and purpose, whether it be to the moon, or just to the next door neighbor, continues to remind us that we are here for a reason. And the best use of our space on earth would be to find that purpose, and use it for the Greater Good.