The President

As my family (or anyone who reads previous blog entries) knows, I did not support the President for his office when he was running last year. I disagree with his policies and the various changes he has already made in that office. He is leading our country away from the republic it has been to a far left government, destroying our freedoms and our country in the process. Nevertheless, he is the President and leader of our nation, therefore, he deserves our respect. He is my President even though we are at opposite ends of the political spectrum.



Well, after reading about my President's visit to Japan this weekend, I am about ready to cast aside all respect for "our leader". First he BOWS to the leader of Japan. Mr. President, you don't bow to anyone! My LEADER does NOT bow to anyone. Even I would not bow to the Japanese leader.



Then, when asked about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II and whether the United States should have done that, our President did a soft shoe dance around the issue and, essentially, apologized once again for our nation. How dare you, sir! Why did you not remind the Japanese that we were ending a war THEY STARTED.



Mr. President, I want to respect you even if I disagree with you politically. But I do not respect those who walk around and consistently embarrass our nation and apologize for our actions of years gone by. Mr. President, check the cemeteries in Europe and see how many Americans are buried there, dead from fighting to preserve that continent. Mr. President, visit the memorials in Pearl Harbor (your very home state) and across the Pacific and see the testimonies of brave Americans who gave their lives for our freedom by fighting back the very Japanese nation to whom you cowered this weekend. My relatives fought on both of those fronts, sir, and I am proud of their service.



Mr. President, with all due respect, your actions and words put our nation to shame. How dare you, sir! Our nation deserves and demands a better leader and spokesman than what we are receiving.

HR 3962

The Health Care bill (HR 3962) passed by the House of Representatives this past Saturday evening is huge both in its size and its potential impact to our nation. I have not read the entire bill; very few have. But I have read comments posted by those who have read it. I have gone to the sections of the bill referenced by such comments to verify what they are saying is actually in the bill. Despite the legalese, I am convinced enough of what the commentators are saying about the bill is true and that we need to do all we can to prevent this thing from ever becoming law.

First, I am providing a link to the bill itself here.

Second, I am providing a link to an excellent summary of concerns written by Besty McCaughey for the Wall Street Journal here. She is a former Lt. Gov. of New York state.

I am personally convinced this bill is very dangerous and must be stopped by the Senate and/or any subsequent conference committee. You may read the above information and draw your own conclusions. If you agree with my conclusion then I urge you to contact your Senators daily (phone and e-mail) and tell them you do not support such health care reform legislation.

Thankful

I'm sitting in my classroom at the Troy/Wentzville campus of Missouri Baptist University watching my students take an exam in New Testament History. I decided to make some use of my time by jotting a brief post in this blog on some reasons why I am thankful. It is that time of year, isn't it?

Certainly these are not exhaustive. But they are the ones that came to my mind without any thinking whatsoever. Perhaps as I reflect over my many blessings the next couple of weeks, I will post further entries on the subject. But, for now, here is my list in no particular order.

1. I am thankful God chose to save me, Jesus chose to die for me, and the Spirit chose to work a work of grace in my life over 36 years ago. What a tremendous difference the Lord has made in my life. I realize there are many moments when I fail to show to others the changes He has made to me, but, when I look back over the past several decades, I can see the Spirit's work very, very clearly. For example, at my high school graduation 41 years ago, who in their right mind would have ever thought I would be a regular church goer, let alone a Bible teacher and a pastor? Not me, that's for sure. Praise God for what He has done. I can never thank Him enough, even if I have all eternity (and I will!).

2. I am thankful for my wife, Debbie. Next to Christ there is no question who has had the greatest impact on my life. Debbie has always been so supportive of me, always so caring towards me, and always my best friend. There have been far too many times when I have failed to show her how much I love and care for her. But, I would rather spend all my time just sitting next to her than to any one else who has ever lived (and that includes Luther!). She means the world to me and I love her more today than I did when we were married.

3, I am thankful for each of my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren. When I was younger, I never thought I would be a father. But God has richly blessed me with 9 awesome children and I mean awesome. In no way do I deserve such terrific kids. And now, 5 of them have wonderful spouses for whom I am also thankful. But the Lord hasn't stopped the blessings with them. Now He has given me 9 beautiful and precious grandchildren (and, I hope, many more yet to come). Blessing upon blessing is the only way I can describe it.

4. Finally, I am thankful the Lord permitted me to be born in the 20th century and in the United States of America. Our country has many problems and our nation has progressively gone downhill since I was a child, but it is STILL the greatest nation in the world. Praise God for His providence and allowing me to be a part of this land!

May I thank the Lord each day for these blessings and may He be glorified by my life.