There are a lot of concerns on my mind that I really don't feel like blogging about, but they are on my mind much of the time so here goes.
My sister, Lori, (as many of you know) is having health problems and is taking some heavy duty medications which leave her with pain. It hurts me to think about her in pain. I think about her all the time and pray for her many times throughout my day. There is also a whole list of folks I care for who are literally fighting for their lives dealing with diseases and I pray for them. I pray for those who have lost loved ones. Suffering is all around me and I feel so very helpless much of the time.
Then there is concern over the direction of my country. I see trillions of dollars, most of which we don't even have being spent, and I and most of America feels confused and concerned.
I am concerned about this administration's desire for control over just about everything. The thought of government control health care is especially scary to me in light of my sister's battle. It doesn't comfort me to look around the world and hear how those people with life threatening illnesses are treated. (Those who suffer with ordinary illness might be satisfied, but when you are relatively healthy why wouldn't they be?!) Being reduced to a number is just what happens when you are part of a huge system that is trying to be "fair". The individual seems to get lost in the shuffle.
52% of our population voted for CHANGE and it appears we may get it, but something tells me when it all shakes out those voters are not going to like it. It just reminds me of when I was in Cuba and the folks there shook their heads and told me that they thought the govt was going to solve all their problems, yet 50 years later they now know things are much worse. They were deceived into thinking there was a noble purpose, yet they have nothing now. They feel duped. So I took away an important lesson : "beware govts bearing gifts". They will hold out something you want and when you reach for it the bars will slam closed and next thing you know your life is totally changed and you are wondering what happened. "Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone..."* Yes, I am very concerned.
Here is something that should raise concern.....our president wants a "national civilian security force", a domestic army if you will, to handle dissidents within our borders. Who are these dissidents? Are they any people...even bloggers like me who disagree with the administration!? I thought the national guard was to address the law inside the border, but it seems they want something closer to them...their own personal army to enforce "their" rule of law. Yet, they will defend tyrants and give them asylum and set terrorists free. I guess their army won't waste time on these folks. Do they need this army to enforce the edicts of the 36 Czars who have been appointed and answer to noone but the President? I am concerned that questions such as these will not be addressed.
As I type there are also those in the present administration working diligently to pass legislation which will silence any media from their opponents.....they call it the "fairness doctrine". SILENCE as a verb now that is a concern. What sorts of governments want to SILENCE those who disagree. To them it is fair to only hear one side of any argument.....their side. The first amendment to our constitution might go up in smoke while many citizens of the country worry more about things like the death of Michael Jackson or what team is headed for the Super Bowl. I am concerned that popular culture trumps any serious conversation concerning the direction our republic is taking. I am concerned what sort of country my children and their children will inherit.
Power grabs like this have happened before in history....way too many times, yet because our memories are so short and we as a nation are not serious students of history, we are are big trouble. Remember George Santayana's quote, " Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it."
So what to I do in the face of all these grave concerns? Well, I am ashamed to say I worry, (sometimes I write to legislators), but I am also proud to say I pray. I pray more now than I have ever prayed. Does it "work", you ask. Sometimes it brings peace, but much of the time it leaves me feeling as if I am knocking at a door that will forever remain closed. Even then I have hope because I know the Lord's attributes of love and mercy and I will not stop because the scripture tells us to keep knocking, keep asking, and to keep seeking the One who created heaven and earth and has the ultimate power. We may not see every concern addressed to our liking on this side of heaven, but I have faith that all things will work together for the good....God's ultimate good. On days when this faith of mine grows weak....well, I pray for faith and in His mercy He continues to answer that prayer.
My sister, Lori, (as many of you know) is having health problems and is taking some heavy duty medications which leave her with pain. It hurts me to think about her in pain. I think about her all the time and pray for her many times throughout my day. There is also a whole list of folks I care for who are literally fighting for their lives dealing with diseases and I pray for them. I pray for those who have lost loved ones. Suffering is all around me and I feel so very helpless much of the time.
Then there is concern over the direction of my country. I see trillions of dollars, most of which we don't even have being spent, and I and most of America feels confused and concerned.
I am concerned about this administration's desire for control over just about everything. The thought of government control health care is especially scary to me in light of my sister's battle. It doesn't comfort me to look around the world and hear how those people with life threatening illnesses are treated. (Those who suffer with ordinary illness might be satisfied, but when you are relatively healthy why wouldn't they be?!) Being reduced to a number is just what happens when you are part of a huge system that is trying to be "fair". The individual seems to get lost in the shuffle.
52% of our population voted for CHANGE and it appears we may get it, but something tells me when it all shakes out those voters are not going to like it. It just reminds me of when I was in Cuba and the folks there shook their heads and told me that they thought the govt was going to solve all their problems, yet 50 years later they now know things are much worse. They were deceived into thinking there was a noble purpose, yet they have nothing now. They feel duped. So I took away an important lesson : "beware govts bearing gifts". They will hold out something you want and when you reach for it the bars will slam closed and next thing you know your life is totally changed and you are wondering what happened. "Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone..."* Yes, I am very concerned.
Here is something that should raise concern.....our president wants a "national civilian security force", a domestic army if you will, to handle dissidents within our borders. Who are these dissidents? Are they any people...even bloggers like me who disagree with the administration!? I thought the national guard was to address the law inside the border, but it seems they want something closer to them...their own personal army to enforce "their" rule of law. Yet, they will defend tyrants and give them asylum and set terrorists free. I guess their army won't waste time on these folks. Do they need this army to enforce the edicts of the 36 Czars who have been appointed and answer to noone but the President? I am concerned that questions such as these will not be addressed.
As I type there are also those in the present administration working diligently to pass legislation which will silence any media from their opponents.....they call it the "fairness doctrine". SILENCE as a verb now that is a concern. What sorts of governments want to SILENCE those who disagree. To them it is fair to only hear one side of any argument.....their side. The first amendment to our constitution might go up in smoke while many citizens of the country worry more about things like the death of Michael Jackson or what team is headed for the Super Bowl. I am concerned that popular culture trumps any serious conversation concerning the direction our republic is taking. I am concerned what sort of country my children and their children will inherit.
Power grabs like this have happened before in history....way too many times, yet because our memories are so short and we as a nation are not serious students of history, we are are big trouble. Remember George Santayana's quote, " Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it."
So what to I do in the face of all these grave concerns? Well, I am ashamed to say I worry, (sometimes I write to legislators), but I am also proud to say I pray. I pray more now than I have ever prayed. Does it "work", you ask. Sometimes it brings peace, but much of the time it leaves me feeling as if I am knocking at a door that will forever remain closed. Even then I have hope because I know the Lord's attributes of love and mercy and I will not stop because the scripture tells us to keep knocking, keep asking, and to keep seeking the One who created heaven and earth and has the ultimate power. We may not see every concern addressed to our liking on this side of heaven, but I have faith that all things will work together for the good....God's ultimate good. On days when this faith of mine grows weak....well, I pray for faith and in His mercy He continues to answer that prayer.
* lyrics by Joni Mitchell (Big Yellow Taxi)
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