Choose When You're Ready... It's Gonna Be Great!

"Those He predestined, He likewise called; those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He in turn glorified. "- Romans 8:30

You've heard that God has a plan for us.  His plan is His alone, but ours to freely choose.  He keeps calling and calling until we hear His Word, and then, based on our choice, His plan unfolds into many opportunities and ways to live out that Word of His.  I believe that we can improve our lives as a servant to others and once that habit of service kicks in, and comes more and more natural to us, we will be rewarded with a sense of satisfaction like no other!

But remember, it all starts with a choice.  Our God IS an awesome God, and a patient one at that... Take all the time you need my friends.  Great things are coming, no matter what they do or don't do in

Washington!

Freedom Isn't Free, But It Beats the Alternative!

A short and simple post today in honor of God's gift of freedom bestowed on me, my family and my country. The phrase is true, freedom isn't free, and the many lives given over the millennia in pursuit of this dream is evident of that. We all thirst for freedom, like a deer longs for the stream (cf. Psalm 42) and many are blessed with it's fruits, and it's responsibilities! But, "until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream" (Amos 5:24), we pursue the day that all would enjoy this freedom given by God.

God bless America, and happy Fourth of July to all!

An Unjust Law!

I live in a state that boasts to have the toughest Immigration Law in the USA, and I wanted to begin to go on record by saying that the law stinks!

Where I'm not a scholar in such areas, nor can I claim to have read the law word by word, i am beginning to understands it's intent and it's expectations and I am very concerned for the well being of many innocent people who simply want to live the same "dream" that many have realized as Americans.

We Stand on the Same Shoulders... You and me stand on the shoulders of a parent, grandparent or great-grandparent, etc. that came to this country to start a fresh life full of hope. Each of those people (no disrespect to your kin) probably "smelled bad", or in some form or fashion didn't measure up to some "royal standard" that was expected of "The Man" who owned the plantation. Yet, there seemed to be a place for "Nare-Do-Wells" to start a new life and raise a family in freedom!

I Know... I Know... They take our jobs, they don't pay their fair share, and they don't follow our ways. It is a legitimate concern that there are so many people in our country that are not citizens, and not paying their way. Society is dependent upon people who answer the call, and invest in their community. So, let 'em in like President Regan did in the 80's. An Amnesty Period of entry would expand the citizenry and legitimize many many lives as simply wanting to be a part of this country.

But They'll Bring Crime and Drain the System! One thing this country did for our kin of yester-year was allow folks to invest in their new country, by agreeing to invest a little in them as well. In other words, we need to trust that someone else's thirst for freedom and a good life will result in their becoming "productive members of society".

Freedom of State AND CHURCH... The new Alabama Immigration Law simply seeks to prevent Church from being church, and hence ties their hands... Under the new law, the Church would be limited in its ability to support those in need by having to report "illegals" or stop assisting those in need that might be "illegal" (food, clothing, transportation). The law states that no one can assist an "illegal". Thee law also requires organizations to open records of students, requiring they report "illegal" parents. This is not the freedom of religion intended by the Constitution. How can a Church be "the hands and feet of Christ" with their hands (and feet) tied?

I don't agree with the new law... And in my ministry, working with the Roman Catholic Faith in the United States of America, I will not follow it! There I said it!

Next blog may be from jail... I'm sure they have wireless internet. They say, those prisoners have cable and live quite well.

Why? Because it is very important to me!

On this occasion of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I am always amazed at how much discussion goes into the celebration, or the lack there of (depending on your perspective).

For me, today is about the freedom that comes with not being judged by my appearance, or not being labeled by the group I belong to. Because of the efforts and the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it is no longer an option for me. or anyone to be limited by another. As a child of God, I am free to be me... Period!

To those deliberating on the purpose of today's holiday, or the need for it, or the fact that there should be other days like today (to be fair)... Relax. Today, we as a society are being called to repent for ever allowing such a lifestyle that would limit another individual! Today, we are being called to live the life of freedom that has been given to us! Today, we should be encouraged to dream dreams, and share visions of an even better future!

This is a very important day to me, and I thank you for "living the dream!"