I find it very interesting that a single life can have so many endings, each moving into a beginning somehow. Deaths, births, marriage, divorce, jobs, careers, birthdays - each represents something of an end as well as another beginning.
Drew and Olivia are safely in Richmond, beginning their lives there. It is wicked hot - 97F (36C for you Llama) today. Olivia mentioned the heat when she called Saturday evening to say they were safely in residence. Chicago, on the other hand, has had some really cool days this summer, so I had a light jacket on! So, they are beginning new life, a new home, and even a new climate. I'm sure they've already begun the quest for a new church and a new church family as well; today marks the beginning of his new teaching position too. So many new beginnings must, by definition, represent an equal number of endings. It is never easy to be in a new place and begin again, so my prayers are with them for strength and courage.
I am beginning to rework the house, to clean, to rearrange the furniture to fill in the gaps left by those things I am grateful they took with them (it was a bit too full here). I am beginning to think of the house as just mine and not ours - that is a strange thought since I've been part of an "ours" for almost 30 years. There is definitely a sense of sadness as I look at the empty room and the emptier garage, but there also is just the slightest sense of wonder beginning to spring up in me as I contemplate what God has in mind for this ending and its new beginning.
Work is a new beginning for me as well. My desk isn't in an office closed away from all the business of the lab. It isn't lined with book cases and equipped with a spacious work area. It's just a narrow desk slot in the lab beside the lab benches. There are others around talking and working and sometimes that makes concentration difficult because I've forgotten the art of being still amidst a crowd. I'm afraid my hands have forgotten a good many things too that they'll have to remember very shortly as I begin doing my own experiments again. It is a new beginning that I welcome. An old friend and colleague was in yesterday to talk with the "boss" and he noted that I looked much happier than the last time he'd seen me, and indeed he was right!
On Sunday, I found that my hands on the piano are the same way, forgetful. They fumble and stumble over the keys. And yet, there are some young women who love to sing and my piano is a wonderful place for it to happen; they just need accompaniment. In the past, there were young people that just need a place to talk and to be listened to. They don't come by now as often as they did in the past; they are grown up now and gone on to other things. But, when they do stop by, they still check to see if the cookie jar is full. Still, there are a few; and I wonder if a new stream of young people is about to begin just as one wonders when there are a few raindrops on the window panes just how much rain is to follow. Even though I love my privacy, somehow it seems right and good when they are here. I love it when the young adults come by as well; they dream aloud and plan how to best lead these younger ones. (They check out the cookie jar too.) It is good to know that they feel safe here, to talk to think aloud, to dream.
Yes, it would appear that God is not finished with me yet. It is clear that I don't get to say "finished" just because my own is on her own. God just hasn't revealed the path very far ahead yet, but I know that He has one. I have a feeling it involves these who wander through my life for a season, but we'll see. Whatever His plan is for my future, it is good. It will give me a future with hope because He is a risen Savior. Not only did He die for me, He lives for me today at the right hand of the Father, and I can depend on His love and His care.
Drew and Olivia are safely in Richmond, beginning their lives there. It is wicked hot - 97F (36C for you Llama) today. Olivia mentioned the heat when she called Saturday evening to say they were safely in residence. Chicago, on the other hand, has had some really cool days this summer, so I had a light jacket on! So, they are beginning new life, a new home, and even a new climate. I'm sure they've already begun the quest for a new church and a new church family as well; today marks the beginning of his new teaching position too. So many new beginnings must, by definition, represent an equal number of endings. It is never easy to be in a new place and begin again, so my prayers are with them for strength and courage.
I am beginning to rework the house, to clean, to rearrange the furniture to fill in the gaps left by those things I am grateful they took with them (it was a bit too full here). I am beginning to think of the house as just mine and not ours - that is a strange thought since I've been part of an "ours" for almost 30 years. There is definitely a sense of sadness as I look at the empty room and the emptier garage, but there also is just the slightest sense of wonder beginning to spring up in me as I contemplate what God has in mind for this ending and its new beginning.
Work is a new beginning for me as well. My desk isn't in an office closed away from all the business of the lab. It isn't lined with book cases and equipped with a spacious work area. It's just a narrow desk slot in the lab beside the lab benches. There are others around talking and working and sometimes that makes concentration difficult because I've forgotten the art of being still amidst a crowd. I'm afraid my hands have forgotten a good many things too that they'll have to remember very shortly as I begin doing my own experiments again. It is a new beginning that I welcome. An old friend and colleague was in yesterday to talk with the "boss" and he noted that I looked much happier than the last time he'd seen me, and indeed he was right!
On Sunday, I found that my hands on the piano are the same way, forgetful. They fumble and stumble over the keys. And yet, there are some young women who love to sing and my piano is a wonderful place for it to happen; they just need accompaniment. In the past, there were young people that just need a place to talk and to be listened to. They don't come by now as often as they did in the past; they are grown up now and gone on to other things. But, when they do stop by, they still check to see if the cookie jar is full. Still, there are a few; and I wonder if a new stream of young people is about to begin just as one wonders when there are a few raindrops on the window panes just how much rain is to follow. Even though I love my privacy, somehow it seems right and good when they are here. I love it when the young adults come by as well; they dream aloud and plan how to best lead these younger ones. (They check out the cookie jar too.) It is good to know that they feel safe here, to talk to think aloud, to dream.
Yes, it would appear that God is not finished with me yet. It is clear that I don't get to say "finished" just because my own is on her own. God just hasn't revealed the path very far ahead yet, but I know that He has one. I have a feeling it involves these who wander through my life for a season, but we'll see. Whatever His plan is for my future, it is good. It will give me a future with hope because He is a risen Savior. Not only did He die for me, He lives for me today at the right hand of the Father, and I can depend on His love and His care.
69 comments:
"..I looked much happier than the last time he'd seen me, and indeed he was right!"
Someitmes our countenance says a lot. And sometimes it doesn't. But it's nice when our hearts have a joy settled down in, and our appearance shines.
The Holy Spirit surely does the fruit bearing in our hearts, and so our physical bodies exhibit whats happening in us.
Nevertheless, there's a time for mourning, and a time to dance!
Thanks for sharing Susan.
Amen, Susan. Good words.
The end of one chapter, but the beginning of another, with surely more to come!
So good that people feel free to visit and at home in your home. We are indeed blessed in Jesus to be a blessing. And it's quite evident that you are!
Your words remind that we're to be faithful with what we have, and endeavor to keep following. That's important for me to remember- how the Lord can multiply the little we have, even for a multitude!
May this be the best yet for you, with always -in God- the best yet to come!
As we by grace continue to seek to follow on in the way of Jesus.
right now i have a full mattress and box springs leaning against a wall in the living room that goes with my daughter in september.
Cleaning, rearranging, decorating. It's all such good therapy! Hope things are getting easier!
Mostly trying to straighten at the moment and staying very busy at work. So, not much progress yet. Tomorrow is our annual trip (a huge bunch of us from church) to the east side of Lake Michigan where there are sandy beaches. We take lots of food and blankets and swimsuits and spend the entire day, watching the sunset over the lake. Then I suppose I'll have to begin on the house in earnest:)
Susan - navigating through the seasons of life can be challenging but you seem to be doing so with hope toward God. That's so commendable.
I wish I could come check your cookie jar and talk...maybe one day
ESI
Some days are better than others :(
Jess
Talking is always good - even if it's email or cell phone during free hours. Much love.
"It will give me a future with hope because He is a risen Savior. Not only did He die for me, He lives for me today at the right hand of the Father, and I can depend on His love and His care." -- I probably couldn't summarize the gospel in our lives any better.
We miss you, Susan ("Halfmom")! It's kind of lonely down here, especially when I think of what Olivia must have felt these past few days while I was away at work. We wished today that Dan and Meredith and Jason and Laura could come over for dinner and hang out.
You are missed here as well, Drew. The "dunes" just werent' the same without you. I had to blink back a few tears as I watched the clay pit pictures being taken without you two. Lots of people have wanted to know how you are and how they can pray for you - in particular the two couples mentioned were wishing for some visiting time too :)
Hope the weather was good for your outing!
I've been listening to all the comments from Britain and America about the health service. What do you thing?
Hi Llama. I hope your antibiotic has kicked in and you're feeling better.
I don't know much about Obama's healthcare plan. I would imagine Triston and Craver and maybe Don have opinions. I have several friends with Canadian family and they tell horror stories of what they have indured because they have so little choice in their health care. So, I don't want to loose my ability to choose when to see a doctor and what to see one for.
On the other hand, there are so many uninsured people who need healthcare and aren't getting it. And that's just here in the US. American's abroad like Triston can't just "come home" for health care because they are uninsured as well.
Gentlemen - opinions? I see that Don, Craver, Drew voted "no" on the facebook poll and Triston voted "yes". What's up? Is it an economic issue or a socialized medicine issue - why the disagreement?
Socialized medicine is supposed to be good for the poor, right? What global results do we see from social medicine experiments? Has it really helped the poor? I don't think so. It would be arrogance to think that we can do it right if nobody else can.
The government should be responsible for regulating healthcare, but not running it. We're adding federal red tape, historically predictable inefficiency, and removing the performance edge by taking away incentive to compete and do well.
I don't like the idea of counselling older folks every five years that we'd all be better off if we didn't take care of them.
You know how passionate I am about abortion, and so I don't like the idea of it being funded by tax dollars.
Our government is too big, ethically depraved, and wasteful.
Now, I'll yield the soapbox to the next speaker.
I ditto your thoughts and words Craver.
I heard that the procedures that are not covered by Health Insurance have become very affordable, because the technology has become excellent, such as laser surgery on the eyes. And because theirs big time competition out there.
Seems to me if the government would do like Craver says, and allow competition , then prices would come down.
I'm not very bright about all this to be honest.
And no matter what happens, even if we do have to go through another Depression, like we did in the 30's, the Lord's love is eternal and His care will never leave us.
We had a wonderful time in Texas. I posted on it.
As to health care, there are surely no easy answers. But there are serious problems that need to be addressed in our health care system in America, as is.
I do have my opinions on it, but the older I get the less stock I take in such opinions. Over on Scot McKnight's "Jesus Creed" blog they're going to start a conversation on it, I think starting Monday.
I would vote YES for govt healthcare, and it depends on who you hear, and I think on their political persuasion at times, as to how people think on this. And I like more nuanced answers, not just YES, NO, MAYBE (maybe I'd vote "MAYBE"!)
There is no way the church can do it all with the outrageous costs, THOUGH with the loaves and fishes we have we can do alot through God, to be sure, more than we think.
I do believe God holds nations accountable on how they treat people, and especially the poor. A nation's budget just like any budget can say alot about priorities.
But I think America's problem is so big and multifaceted, that to improve it and make basic healthcare truly accessible to all will be ongoing. But it needs to be done, and done sooner than later- I mean a high priority given to it.
We didn't much discuss this in Texas, as I am different politically. But they are wonderful people in Jesus, and Maxine has a heart bigger than the state of Texas- and all for Jesus. She is one of a kind, let me tell you!
Personally I believe (and I bet Ted would agree with me) that the general sin of the Democratic party is "abortion" and the general sin of the Republican party is "greed". Greed is what the Republicans have fought for these past many years and the reason why the banks gave out loans to those who cannot afford them, which is the reason for the recession we are in: greed.
I'm biased, and in the minority among Christians on the healthcare issue, because of how drastically the US lack of healthcare for its citizens has affected my family personally. So on this one issue (and perhaps this issue alone) I side with Obama; I side with Hilary.
Americans always talk about how great their healthcare is, but it is crap for me because I can't afford it. And statistics are on my side: Statistically, Europeans with their socialized healthcare have a significantly and consistently longer life expectancy than Americans and pay about half as much money as Americans do, who die sooner, with our supposedly "superior" healthcare.
The American healthcare system is useless and unaffordable for me. I would like to have what France has for its citizens, to be honest.
Ted, I also, without question, would vote "yes" to government healthcare.
"Greed" is also the number one motivational factor in why Republican politicians are against government healthcare.
Greed is what drives our US Healthcare system today: from doctors to pharmaceutical companies.
I'm with you, Don. I don't feel too bright on this situation. My gut instinct though is no.
I agree with Ted - there are serious problems that need to be fixed, for sure, but I'm not sure this is going to fix them. It just doesn't sound like the repercussions and ramifications on the nation as a whole have been thought out very well.
Triston, I don't think you can categorize anything as "general sin". It's really all idolatry, nothing more and nothing less. We put ourselves on the throne rather than the only One who deserves to be there - and we make a mess of things every time - the messes just look at bit different due to our different worldviews.
Ted, I'm glad you enjoyed your vacation!!
Craver wrote: "I don't like the idea of it [abortion] being funded by tax dollars."
Craver, I too don't like the idea of our tax dollars funding abortion. But equally true is the fact that I don't like the idea of me funding Islamic terrorism. But each one of us DOES fund Islamic terrorism every time we pump gas in our cars and, by so doing, put more money in the pockets of Muslims States like Saudi Arabia. You don't have a choice in what your US government does with the tax dollars they require you to pay them, but you DO have a choice about pumping more gas in your car....yet, I bet you will still fill up, won't you? As will I, even though Muslim States will use some of the monies they make from you and me to butcher people. I see little difference between purchasing conflict diamonds from Africa and purchasing petrol that profits Muslim nations who use some of those monies to fund terrorism. I feel LESS convicted about what my government does with the tax dollars I am required by them to pay, than the conviction I feel for the gas I choose each week to freely purchase from Muslim nations.
You, me and the rest of Americans who drive gas-driven vehicles killed the 3000+ people in the world trade center on 9/11 by funding the highjackers through the massive amount of oil our country purchases. 25% of all oil sold in the world is purchased by the USA, making America by far the biggest financial contributor of Islamic terrorism in the world!
I feel much worse about this than I do about what my depraved government chooses to do with the tax dollars I have no choice in paying them.
One thing in this debate/discussion I think all should agree on:
There has to be better provision of health care for all in this nation, and that needs to be a priority.
Under the Republicans, I don't believe it has been a priority. That is partly why I'd register Democrat probably, if I had to, even though my favorite politician, all-time, was a Republican: Paul Henry (now with the Lord), and Vern Ehlers in his place serving in congress in D.C. representing GR is perhaps just as good -also a Republican. I don't have to register for either party here in MI. And what each Christian should do on this will surely differ. We need Christians with like values in or of both parties of course, fighting in regard to the same issues (certainly against abortion), even if we might go about that differently- I believe.
My own gut instinct is we need to get the ball rolling on this. So, surprise, surprise!: I'm more on the side of Obama on this one.
:)
Peace,
Ted
Oh..., and thanks, Susan.
...me being more on the side of Obama doesn't mean I would dream he is right, period. It's all so difficult, and that's why hopefully there can be good contributions from all sides in working toward a solution.
I can't get behind either party: not Republican nor Democratic. Both are promoters of terrible sin in my mind (greed and abortion). The Republican ideal is to make as much money off the back of the poor as is humanly possibly. The Democratic ideal is the choice of the murder of human lives and of sinful life styles in general. I reject both parties. Presently I don't think I could vote for either party in good conscience.
All I can say is that I feel the British National Health Service works a treat. Of course people do fall through the net, but it is very rare.
My own experience with the NHS has been excellent, and also the way my mother was looked after through her illness, her dying and her death. No money was spared to see she was made comfortable. They even brought in a Paliative Care Consultant from the local hospice to make sure her last few hours were as comfortable and peaceful as they possible could be.
I have had emergency operation and so has my daughter. Peter is a diabetic and gets excellent care with all prescriptions for medicines free of charge.
Maybe I'm biased because I have had such excellent treatment. I personally no no-one who has any complaint.
When I lived in Canada for a couple of years it worried me, as I couldn't afford insurance. There must be millions in the States who also can't afford insurance. What does happen to them if they need emergency treatment?
Thank you for that Lorenzo.
I have scores of both British and Canadian friends and each one of them, without exception, each one has praised their government healthcare systems. I believe American people are being lied to, and many are buying into the lies of the "horrors" of government healthcare.
That is good to hear, Llama. I do not know how the Canadian system differs from your system, but friends whose parents and grandparents are still in Canada have had recent and frightening lack of care.
Here - those without healthcare are at the mercy of hospital emergency rooms that are not allowed, by law, to turn away those that are in need.
It fills the emergency rooms beyond capacity with those who do not need emergency care. What the government provides in remuneration to the hospitals for un or underinsured patients causes severe hospital deficits which affects the bottom line of course - hense my recent change of employment. That, in turn, slows down the research which might help all to live more healthy lives.
I'm afraid it is as Triston is suggesting - the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. We, as a nation, will answer to God for many more sins than just abortion I'm afraid. Failure to care for the poor will be high up on the list as well.
If only we could see God as He is, then all this would be a moot point.
Somedays, I find that I begin to long for heaven just for such reasons.
...yes, treatment of the poor is quite high on God's list when one reads the Bible. And he holds nations accountable for that, I would argue. Really he holds all accountable for it. Good words on that, Susan. I'm afraid it's all too much about "the bottom line" here.
As for Canada, I've heard tales quite the opposite. And my experience in Canada was quite superb. It's not like people always get in right away in the United States when they have life threatening problems, because they don't. You either have to have money or "be someone" or both. I'll take Canada's system any day over ours, myself. No system is perfect, for sure......
As to getting behind a party, just because one might be a member of a party does not mean one votes for all its candidates. We now have pro-life (against abortion) Democrats, even one who is a US Senator as I recall, or is at least in the US House of Representatives. I do side with you, Triston. I am not enthusiastic at all about either party, but I do find some good folks in both parties. But if Jesus could address all directly, I'm sure no one would leave feeling comfortable (yours truly, included!). May God's mercy be on all.
Just my thoughts and guesses on it. :)
Lorenzo,
Health care for US students in Canada was free. There were married couples in school who had all expenses paid for when any children were born there.
I'm sure there are problems with the system, but at least everyone there has access to basic and good health care, even if there are waits.
Again though, just my limited thoughts on the matter.
I'm so reticent to engage in discussion in which I know there are strong feelings (my own included) on opposite ends. But seems like no escape.
The older I get the more I realize how much on board people are, and how we who are in basic agreement (such as we Christians) tend to magnify what we disagree on. I think there are surely as many Christians who are Republican who care about the poor as there are Christians who are Democrat. We just tend to have different answers to the problem.
here's a bit of wisdom from a fine economist scholar, Thomas Sowell:
"The government does not have some magic wand that can "bring down the cost of health care." It can buy a smaller quantity or lower quality of medical care, as other countries with government-run medical care do.
It can decide not to spend as much money on the elderly as is being spent now. That can save a lot of money-- if you think having a parent die earlier is a bargain.
The idea of a "duty to die" has been making some headway in recent years around the fringes of the left. It is perfectly consistent with the fundamental notion of the left, that decisions should be transferred from ordinary citizens to government elites.
Liberals don't have to advocate it. But, once you have bureaucrats empowered to decide what treatments you can and cannot get, they may well decide that money spent keeping some 75-year-old grandmother alive for a couple of more years could be better spent politically by enabling ten younger people to have acupuncture or visit a shrink.
Even if her children or grandchildren are willing to spend their own money to keep grandma alive, when bureaucrats control the necessary technology or medication they may decide that it is not for sale.
Those pushing for government-controlled medical care say that you can keep your doctor. But bureaucrats in Washington will decide whether what your doctor prescribes will be allowed. Talking about your doctor is another distraction from the crucial question of who will actually have the power to decide, which can be the power of life and death."
He speaks the truth I think.
Obama is a Socialist. He wants to spread the wealth around, and yet keep all his own wealth. I don't trust any man who can vote pro-infanticide.
America is big trouble, but that could be a blessing. God is sovereign, and He will have mercy on anyone who asks Him in trusting in Christ, and God will have mercy on a nation that honors Christ as well.
Everyone have a blessed and joyful Lord's day. Jesus has risen! He is risen indeed!!
There are no "death panels" in the bill, Don. I found This helpful and pretty fair to people on both sides of the issue. You should give it a read.
We just pay too much for the care we get. Europeans pay less than we do and get more care. They get more bang for the buck. Part of the problem is all the lawsuits, and therefore the millions in malpractice insurance that doctors need to carry. Another problem is the greed of pharmaceutical companies charging (extorting) tons more money for their meds than is right. It's all about making that mighty dollar, which is why the US spends more than any other country on healthcare and yet gets less.
He is risen ideed, Don!
Let me tell you about Rob and Naomi, Canadian friends of mine: Rob, though only in his mid-forties, needed a hip replaced. It did take several months before he got it, because it is not an emergency, but he did get the hip. While he was waiting for his hip, Naomi got pregnant, and during her pregnancy as well as during the delivery, she got wonderful care by both the doctors and nurses (in her own words it was fantastic). Now just a week back, Rob was bucked off his horse, and he literally tore his pelvis in two. Did they make him wait to get his pelvis repaired as they made him wait for his hip? NO!! They called in a pelvis specialist to the emergency room!! Rob and Naomi have been given great care in Canada.
Don,
I agree with Triston on this one. And the right wing news media along with some Republicans I believe are likely even if unwittingly distorting the truth.
Obama is not a socialist, but maybe from some people's perspective he is. I'm tempted to come out on Facebook and elsewhere as an Obama supporter now on this issue, because I keep hearing this, and I just may do that.
America won't sustain the rising costs in Medicare, and all its revenue as is now will go out to that and Medicaid by the middle of the century due to the skyrocketing costs. It's just a matter of time before we have to do something like Europe.
And as ABC News reported last evening, it isn't just the 45 million uninsured in our country who are at high risk, but also many who do not have adequate coverage with the insurance they have. They had a report on it that I doubt you'd ever see on Fox News (though MSNBC from what I've heard is no better, on the opposite side). Scary indeed.
So for me it's an issue as to how we're going to fix the problem. And that's where Republicans and Democrats need to come together. And all in this nation, I believe.
Peace,
Ted
"Obama is not a socialist, but maybe from some people's perspective he is."
If he were a socialist, what would it look like?
Obama said this to Joe the plummer:
"It's not that I want to punish your success. I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they've got a chance for success too. My attitude is that if the economy's good for folks from the bottom up, it's gonna be good for everybody. I think when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."
Who is the government to tell hard workingmen that they have to spread their wealth around?
I heard a socialist on the news once say she thinks the rich should pay 50% of their money to the goverment.
She said, "This man makes $2,000,000 a year, and so he should give $1,000,000 to government and he'll still have a million dollars to live on, and that should be plenty for him."
Isn't this how Obama thinks? Just wondering.
BTW, had a very worshipful time in church today, and in the pastoral prayer we prayed for Barak Obama, and all the elected congress. We prayed they would honor the Lord. And we prayed for the people in the world to be blessed by our Lord, in Iraq, Iran, North Korea, and all nations.
The two verses that hit me this morning were Romans 5:1--"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
And Phil. 4:6-7--"..do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
The sermon was focused on our peace with God. Isn't it amazing that we were once enemies of God, and He sent Jesus Christ to make us friends of God, and even adopted children.
"No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?" -Charles Wesley
>I don't like the idea of me funding Islamic terrorism.
Christians have also been responsible for some pretty terrible carnage through the years in the name of their god.
Maalie,
Everyone has. Because all humankind is violent. Look at the exceptions. Jesus. Many of his followers have followed his words and example, refusing to bear arms and go to war.
"The truth is that, when pressed, even the most avant-garde observer drops his moral subjectivism, forgets all Nietzschean attempts to get 'beyond good and evil,' and joins the rest of us in expressing shock, indignation, and the metaphysical judgment that a murder does not belong in the world, no matter what its author (I guess he means the murderer) thinks of it. The murder of a human being is not the way it's supposed to be. This act is out of order. It is a senseless act because it saws against the grain of the universe, because, as Christian believers would say, it doesn't fit the design for shalom.
"Senseless (or, terrible?) is only one word people use to express this conviction. Haven't we all noticed that people who prefer not to judge or confess sin will nonetheless concede that some objectionable act was stupid, tragic, shortsighted, mistaken, unfortunate, miscalculated, erring, regrettable, or out of line?"
Cornelius Plantinga, Not the Way It's Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin, 114
Friends,
Here's something I think is pretty cool (I found on a blogger friend's- Allan Bevere's blog), and when you click you get more information on a subject.
Also I think the discussion on Jesus Creed starting tomorrow will be well worth looking at, the introductory post here, and I think an important post today here.
I'm just hoping something can get hammered out which will help us on the way to truly affordable decent health care for all, and won't leave those who require major surgery or medical care, forever in major debt.
"Many of his followers have followed his words and example, refusing to bear arms and go to war."
Many of His followers have sacrificed their lives in war as well. The battle of Britain, Midway, and many other needed battles of fighting for a righteous cause.
But I agree that things such as the Crusades were an abomination to the Lord.
"there's a time for peace, and a time for war"
Hey Ted, I left a comment on Scot's blog. I hope it is a good discussion on health care.
"I'm just hoping something can get hammered out which will help us on the way to truly affordable decent health care for all" -Ted
Good words Ted, and that's my heart as well.
And I think to really understand the president's position, we need to read this from him.
I think it is both a worthy and important goal.
Amen, Don.
I'll go over there and check it out. Will get people from all sides, I mean that discussion. I won't have time to do it justice, so I'll probably just look in as I can.
I don't know what the health service in Canada is like now. I only know what it was like many years ago when I lived there, for about 18 months. (that was 18 months too long!).
You talk about 'funding' abortions from your taxes. Well, it is just a part of health care. I don't particularly like funding people with smoking, alcohol or drug related illnesses, but there again, it is part of health care. You can't just pick and choose.
Darwin refutes his own claims!
DARWINISM REFUTED !!!
…and the other important information you gain from this video is how gullible the entire scientific community is to believe whatever hoax is thrown at them! The Bible calls such malady “Itching Ears”: believing what you want to hear, rather than what is true.
Why is socialism, or Obama being a socialist, so bad??
Is socialism really any better than Capitalism? Perhaps Capitalism is worse and more sinful than socialism.
Jesus said, "If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two." (Matt. 5:40-41)
Does that sound more like a socialist idea or a capitalist idea? If the government wants to spread our wealth around I think Jesus would say, "Do it! Do even more than asked of you. Give it to them. Give it to them without complaint."
How about this text from Acts 4:
"Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common."
Does that sound more like socialism or capitalism? You cannot tell me it doesn't sound like socialism. Yes it does indeed!! Admittedly though it was "Voluntary Socialism", as the Ananias and Sapphira incident suggests. But I don't hear many Christians "voluntarily" doing anything even remotely nearing what was in the 1st century church.
Socialism is NOT Communism and I would argue that capitalism is a more sinful, self-seeking system than socialism.
Triston,
I sympathize with what you say. I am for a govt run health care myself. None I know of in the world is in the condition we're in here. There is too much greed evidently, and like all sin, it is self-defeating.
We don't want to lose our freedoms, especially our religious freedoms, though the public option Obama has wanted seems Mickey Mouse to me in that it's no big deal and what we need precisely. Some won't be making their mega-bucks anymore, but that's a part of living in a society. Just my take.
Good thoughts Ted.
Here's a good video about "Greed".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWsx1X8PV_A
Ted - or whoever - if you will tell me how to imbed a hyperlink with HTML tags, I'll post two links that you'll find interesting. A friend writes on economics for a think tank in DC. He has a couple of pieces on healthcare that you'll all find interesting.
Susan,
The way I do it is go to where I write a post, use the symbol that is hyperlink there, darkening the word I want it to link to, html that, paste it to here, and send.
Best I can describe it on the fly here at work.
Whoops. Sorry about the last deletion. I had just put a comment on Maalie's blog and amazingly it didn't turn up there, but turned up here! Don't quite know how that happened, but there you are. Aren't computers strange?
Hi Don,
I watched the video link you gave, and it has a lot of truth in it, but I don't know that it actually lines up with today's reality.
TODAY'S REALITY:
American: capitalist nation, overwhelmed with debt.
China: communist nation, they own all our debt!
China is a socialist, communist nation, and instead of a deficit, it controls OUR US wealth! We owe China I believe it is in the trillions now.
We, the US, a Capitalist nation are trillions in the red and China, a communist nation is trillions in the black.
Is our system really working? China doesn't have to go to war to crush us. All they have to do is make us pay them what we owe them to crush our capitalist economy and send us all into a second great depression.
That's all true Triston, because our government didn't use the principle of capitalism, but has slowly been departing from it, which Milton Friedman so distinctly teaches us.
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independance mean very little to the corrupt government we have today. From the begining there were always disagreements and contending going on. Alexander Hamilton wanted more governement control way back in the begining,but others like Jefferson fought against it, for individual freedoms.
Freedoms are fleeing rather quickly.
"Where liberty dwells, there is my country."
Benjamin Franklin
Liberty is a gift from the Lord. Paul says don't abuse your liberty, but have charity upon one another.
America is not the Church, but it is a good nation to live in, even as corrupt as the leadership has become. Not only corrupt, but they have little by little forsaken the Holy Scriptures so that the Bible means little in the government today.
That's about it.
Here's an interesting video I thought, not that I love it, but a humble man from Russia says a lot I think: http://www.popmodal.com/video/2043/Paul-Harveys-The-Rest-of-the-Story--Americas-Heart
>but they have little by little forsaken the Holy Scriptures so that the Bible means little in the government today.
And thank goodnes for that! Who on earth wants to be governed by the dogma of a 2000 year old out-of-date and discredited book? I would prefer to be governed by those who consider the evidence and make objective and rational decisions based upon it.
Well, Maalie, me for one!
You mean you actually want to be governed by someone who believes in inter-continental swimming kangaroos? Well not for me. No sir-eee...
What - you wouldn't like to live under:
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
I'm actually very fond of these words.
But Susan, they are JUST words. They are not lived out are they? There is so much inequality. Our countries get themselves into debt by getting involved in wars they have not business being in. But, I've said this all before.
More so now ("just words") than when they were first written - but still good words to live by I think. I'd like to think we were going back to them, but alas, it's pretty much just what scripture says gets repeated over and over again - each person does what they think right in their own eyes.
Maalie seems to think that society by Biblical standards would be pretty bad - I think it would be pretty cool if we actually lived by the 10 commandments - or rather better than that, by the Great Commandment!
Susan,
Great words indeed of a great nation! But I'm not sure it's accurate to say they are lived out less now than then. After all, we gained a lot of our wealth off the backs of African slaves. And if Os Guinness is correct in "The Case for Civility," state churches within states went on for some decades into the new republic, dissenters of other faiths persecuted. The freedom in any state to worship as the founding fathers did want, not occurring until around the 1830's.
I do await the links. Just because I think it's a moral imperative for us to address the needs of citizens in regard to health care does not mean I think we should proceed just any old way. And I hope that I'm always open to correction and refinement.
Hear! Hear! Susan.
"After all, we gained a lot of our wealth off the backs of African slaves."
How is that Ted? I know slavery, and selling and buying human beings, was a part of America, and it was despicable, but how did we become wealthy from slaves?
And even until the 60's, when Martin Luther King was bold and gentle enough to speak the truth in love, did we see the dehumanizing of black Americans condemned, and the beginning of crushing this heinous sin under our feet. And it will never be completely annihilated, until our Lord returns. But we have come along way, I think. And in His grace we can continue. We do have a black president, but it stops right there for my joy.
Don,
Let me put it this way: we gained much wealth off the backs of those slaves. And that was a far cry from the good words Susan quoted: that it is self-evident that all are created equal, etc. Certainly the South depended on that to a significant extent, even the churches there defended it on the grounds of Scripture- a misinterpretation, and is part of why the Confederate government was formed and why the Civil War took place.
I say that sadly. We've come a long way since then, to be sure, but not without a lot of pain. And as you well point out, this sin will never be rooted out (racism) until Jesus appears/returns.
America is great for a number of reasons. But I would argue against the notion that it ever was a Christian nation, though we've had many Christians living in this nation. And it is built both on Scriptural principles and Enlightenment principles.
We in Jesus are part of the kingdom of God, the holy nation, citizens of heaven.
Whether I'm wrong or not on certain issues, I do agree with Susan, as you do Don, and all of us Christians here, life is about following Jesus, and an important part of that is seeking to live by the first and greatest commandment, and the second like it.
Our call to holiness is certainly not a disengagement from the world, but to be actively engaged in it. I'm sure you all agree on that. Though our kingdom is not of this world, it's for this world, here now, in Jesus and through us in him.
I do appreciate the fact that we can discuss this, even when we don't agree, and by the Spirit continue to be united because of Jesus, to God and to each other, for the world. I really am sorry for all the disagreement we do have, but we do agree on what is most important.
I really do appreciate your boldness and love in Jesus, Don. You seem to have a spirit in him that I too often lack, or maybe don't have at all. I commend you as a good brother in the Lord, one who I believe endeavors to walk day by day in God's grace through Jesus.
I'm posted out for now.
I should say that Jesus' kingdom of which we in Jesus are a part, is not FROM this world. Better translation of what Jesus said, I believe in John 18, to Pilate.
Maalie,
Do you really think it would be horrible if a nation was governed under the biblical principle:
"Love your neighbor as you love yourself." ??
I take back in part what I said earlier.
I don't really think I'm lacking in the joy of the Lord at all. There are people who struggle with this and that, and I've struggled with low thoughts of myself and depression all my life. Of course I believe Scriptural truth, but sometimes there can be a real battle going on.
But much of the time that is nothing to me as far as I can tell. And I am not a second-class Christian when it comes to joy.
I've been part of a group of Christians that has many in it which rated Christians as to their spiritual condition based on their experience. I'll have no part of that.
Though we do need discernment to help others on their spiritual journey, as we seek to help them in their lives by listening, and asking questions.
...my mistake came from following a translation, the NIV's rendering in Php 2:3, so that I would always be looking for ways that people are BETTER than me, comparing, (which Scripture actually forbids us to do):
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
(NIV)
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
(TNIV)
Actually the Greek can be translated either way. But in context I think the TNIV is better here, because Jesus lived this way, and this is the way we're to live. He certainly didn't live as if others are BETTER than him, but as if they are MORE VALUABLE than him, laying down his life for the others.
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