MN GOP State Convention 2010

WELCOME to an odd mixture of Posts, Links and Videos on topics such as Family, Music, Religion, Current Events, Politics, etc. and all with my humor mixed in. And trust me, I'm verrrry funny.

I hope we engage in great conversations about all kinds of topics. So, don't hold back with your comments. (Unless you don't think I'm funny. In which case I highly suggest you reevaluate your position.)


NEW TO MY BLOG OR BEEN AWAY FOR AWHILE?
Don't miss out on some great posts in the "Blog Archive" section located at the bottom of the current posts. Enjoy and please feel free to leave comments! If needed instructions on how to leave a comment are listed in the left hand column.


Friday, May 23, 2008

Remembering Those Who Served

It's the soldier, not the preacher, who gave you freedom of religion.

It's the soldier, not the reporter, who gives you freedom of the press.

It's the soldier, not the poet, who gives you freedom of speech.

It's the soldier, not the campus organizer, who allows you to assemble and demonstrate.

It's the soldier, not the lawyer, who gave you a right to a fair trial.

It's the soldier not the politician, who gave you the right to vote.

It's the soldier who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag that allows the protester to burn the flag!

Thank God for the sacrifices of those who have died, those who have served, and those who serve us still.

-Author Unknown



Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Joyful always?! Anxious for nothing?! Personally, I can't do it without Him.

I hope to regularly open up this forum to share prayer requests, praise reports or both. Anyone and everyone is welcome to write as much or as little as you wish and don't hesitate to remain "anonymous" if you would feel more comfortable.

“Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18


Saturday, May 17, 2008

Lachanophobic? I am. Ok, enough of that. Now on to the point of my post.



Jeff Allan on Underwear

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Random Question - Best Job


What was the best or most fun job you've had and why? I'm guessing this guy would pick his current job.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Religion and Politics

I think this warrants a new post. I don't want this conversation to get lost in the shuffle of posts (I spent too much time thinking about it). I also welcome anyone wishing to get involved in this conversation to do so. However, I ask that regardless of your position you do so in a respectful way. This is especially important if you think I am a lunatic, I am sensitive and easily hurt. You know, it might just be easier to agree with me.....I'M JUST KIDDING. As I have said before, I am extremely funny and this is a fact all of you really do need to admit to yourselves.

Ok, I'll get on with it. Here is the comment I am responding to:

I read an article yesterday in the paper about a coalition of evangical leaders who have encouraged folks to pull back a bit in terms of linking politics and religion. (I can't find the link to this story). I also saw a pretty good piece on NOW that addressed a similar suject--preaching politics at the pulpit.
Here is a link to the story:
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/404/index.html

What do you think about this?

Well, I don’t think there is an easy quick way to adequately answer your question. Especially without avoiding any possible misunderstandings but I will give it a shot.

So do I agree that we shouldn’t be preaching politics from the pulpit or that we should pull back from linking the two? No and here’s why. I have a problem with the fundamental premise of the debate. I don’t believe you can separate religion and politics they way many believe should be done. If you preach the Bible you will inevitably talk about certain issues, especially current issues that some would call “controversial,” and how the Bible relates to them. I would also say that these so called “political” issues have always been “religious” issues as well. However, I do believe you can and should separate out “party politics” from the pulpit.

There is a fine line to walk with a church or religious leader when it comes to these “political” issues but one they must if they are going to stay true to preaching the Bible, the whole Bible. It is impossible, unless they wish to water down the truth of the Scriptures, to say it is acceptable to simply avoid topics that may be perceived as controversial. Perhaps you could make many arguments for why avoiding those topics and focusing solely on issues that are more “positive” might be more beneficial but is that what the Bible teaches its leaders to focus on? God doesn’t allow for picking and choosing parts of the Bible as if you are at a religious salad bar.

As a Christian, why focus on avoiding the “controversial?” Jesus was controversial, the Ten Commandments are controversial, and so it is only logical that you will encounter “controversial” topics that might also be “political” in nature. Does that mean those topics are off limits? I would say absolutely not. Jesus Himself was very involved during His time on Earth. Jesus used scripture to lay a foundation for us to follow in life. In doing so He calls on us to be steadfast in our faith and what the Bible teaches as right and wrong but to do so with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is where so many Christians go wrong much of the time. It isn’t avoiding these issues but how we handle them that will make the difference. In fact if you stay true to the Bible you can never totally avoid divisive issues anymore than Jesus did in His time. If Jesus didn't avoid it than why do we think we have to?

Having spent some time in politics I can say it can often be a very ugly place. It is a place revolving around compromise in order to win power. The church must focus on the Word of God and from that everything will fall into place. The political parties; Republican, Democrat, Independent, etc. will ultimately fail a Christian voter. It is for this reason I would advise they don't lose track of their principles if their party ultimately choses to change direction. This also helps unite Christians rather than divide them by party lines. Does that mean Christians should never become politicians? No, but it is a heavy burden with many temptations to overcome. In fact I would go so far as to say that the church in general has failed to fulfill many of the roles our government has now been given in its place. (Perhaps an entirely separate topic for another day so I will leave it at that)

Unfortunately humans are not perfect and make mistakes. Christians and their leaders have made many mistakes and how they handle “political” issues is certainly one of them. To simply not talk about those items that might be controversial is not what God calls us to do. How we approach and handle such issues is perhaps equally important to teaching what the Bible says about them. Christian leaders who are comfortable watering down or not talking about topics that could be divisive weaken the very foundation they claim to support. In addition those that preach “party politics” from the pulpit also do a disservice to those entrusted to their leadership. We currently live in what you could describe as basically a two-party political system. The political parties have a large role in determining power in our government. So figuring out how, as an individual Christian voter, to balance that fact without falling into the trap of “party politics” is something I still don’t have an answer for.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Mom

God has entrusted a sacred and humbling charge to place their needs behind a child's, no strings attached and offering unconditional love. It is to those who are given the title "mom."

I can’t express my feelings adequately when I say that I love my mom and that her life is an inspiration to me. I know she loves all of us kids more than we even realize. I know my mom wishes she could do some things differently and I am only beginning to learn just how difficult her job was (and still is). Nevertheless, I know we serve a God that can take our human errors and weave it into something He can ultimately use for good.

For those of you who know me well it is probably hard to believe I can be speechless. However, when it comes to my family and in this case my mom, I never know where to begin or how to accurately say what my heart wishes to convey. Now a mom myself I have a new respect and a now growing bitter sweet understanding of just what it must be like to watch your children grow up and start families of their own. I'm grateful I didn't realize just how much I was missing when I was living so far from my mom and dad. I hope I never to take for granted the little things now that they live near us.

I know there are probably many of you who feel similarly about their mom but trust me, my mom's the best! Come on, admit it – she puts up with me! And for any of you thinking you have the best mother-in-law, you can give that up as well because I've got that covered too! Happy Mother's Day Eileen!

Let me close this with a prayer I found when I was looking for something that could help me express the love and appreciation I have for my mom.

Dear Lord,
today we pray for mothers--
our own mothers, and mothers everywhere,
who have made such a major contribution
to the good qualities we have,
sometimes through genetics,
more often through great effort and patient instruction,
and who have done their best
to gently polish away our rough edges.
Lord, please bless our mothers
for the endless hours of time they spent
and the boundless energy they invested in us.
Bless our mothers for their sacrifices on our behalf
as they often gave up or deferred their own dreams
so that we could have ours.
Bless our mothers for always being there for us,
for being the person we know we can turn to
when we need comfort, encouragement, or just a hug.
Bless our mothers for making a home for us
where we could feel safe, where we felt we belonged.
Most of all, Lord,
bless our mothers for their unconditional love,
for loving us no matter what,
and for frequently showing love
in ways that make us feel valued and cherished.
Lord, please bless our mothers mightily.
Strengthen them, soothe them,
wrap them in Your infinite love
and shower them with blessings
too numerous to count, too magnificent to describe.
We love them, admire them, respect them,
and we wish that You would give them back
many times the good they gave to us.
In Jesus' name we pray; Amen.

By Joanna Fuchs


To all the moms reading this I wish you a very...

Happy Mother's Day!!

This is for you mom! (Click Here)


Thursday, May 8, 2008

I'M NO LONGER A REPUBLICAN! I haven't been for a while and here's one reason why.








I am a conservative. There are just too many "rinos" (Republicans In Name Only) within the republican party these days. This is a party who I can no longer be defined as a proud member of or offer complete support to. What will this mean for future campaign involvement? I do not yet know.

There is a fairly silent but fierce internal struggle within the Republican Party. A struggle that will decide what will define the future of this party in America. Will they be a party lead by leaders who fight for true "conservative" principles and policies? Or will it be defined by the ever increasing number of "rinos" (and for some of you it might be surprising who I would consider a "rino") who are worried more about getting reelected than standing up for conservative principles? Time will tell but I hope we don't turn a blind eye to this struggle.

It certainly puts those of us who value principles over party loyalty in a frustrating position with our current two party political structure. I have to wonder if this is only a conservative dilemma or if others feel they are not truly represented in our two major parties these days. Perhaps the feeling that the politicians are not listening to the people is not solely a conservative one. If so, what do “we the people” do about it? Historically a third party, especially Presidential candidate, has more of an impact on deciding which of the two major candidates wins rather than a wake up call to our political parties. We have the power to vote them in, we have the power to replace them and we pay their salaries so don't they work for us? I think we must do something (at least from a conservative's point of view) but what?

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Two Things...

First, always make sure (quadruple check if you have to WITH your insurance company) what your CURRENT plan covers and what you will owe (this time it was a $700+ lesson for us). I'm sure this gets easier to keep track of the longer you deal with having multiple types of insurance - at least I hope it does.

Second and much more light hearted, in my latest poll I gave the option of "Other" but now that someone has selected it I am trying to think of what all could be considered "Other." So, for those that select "Other" please, if you don't mind, use this post and let us know what you are referring to. It might be something we would like to get news info from too.

You know, I killed a big evil spider outside on our building this morning. Perhaps he was related to someone that was works for our dental insurance company and that's why our insurance plan is now different than we thought....hmmmmm.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

WELCOME!

Welcome to the new layout for my blog. As time permits I will be updating and adding on while I learn more about all this stuff. It's like a whole new language and I wasn't taught it. So I am learning a lot as I venture into the unknown world of the blog.

I thought I was pretty up to date on all this technology stuff. But the biggest motivating factor is avoiding my hearing this...."ah, mom we learned that in kindergarten."

Abby's First Post

R g54g ``````````57;’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’jhuuuuuuuuuuujhuyh65yt

Bh

Nnnnnng a vvvvvbbnvvvvvvv44444444444444411111111111111111111111111111111111110


abnby
(This was me pointing to the letters and Abby typing so she could sign her name. Pretty good for a 23 month old if you ask me! Of course she kept saying "c" when I would say, "a...b.." as she was typing)

PICTURE SLIDESHOWS

Coming soon: pictures of the kids!!

Pictures (from before the kids ruled our home)

One Last Thought From Me

Why not remember this act of love and sacrifice daily rather than just at Easter? Yes, this event is an indescribably joyous one because Jesus did rise from the dead but we should never forget how and why He suffered unimaginably before defeating Death and Hell itself on our behalf. He did so while thinking of you and me. In doing so he personally took on our sin, our pain and a debt we could not pay in order to provide a way to complete forgiveness and redemption. The truth is, either way death is not the end and being a “good person” isn’t a substitution for being truly forgiven.

God tells us that by simply believing Jesus rose from the dead, confessing and turning away from our sin and making the Bible the true foundation of our life, we will be forgiven for our sins and live eternally in Heaven.


As you may know, I am far from perfect and if you have doubts about that I’m sure you can find a multitude of people who can confirm that. I have made countless mistakes and bad judgments and will again in the future despite my best intentions. It is because of this that I am exceedingly thankful I can go directly to God and ask for help, ask for forgiveness and know that God's mercy is new every morning as I continually work to keep my foundation on God's Word. Truly accepting God's love, mercy and a true freedom offered in a life firmly anchored in His Word is something there simply aren't words to describe.


I have to admit that I regularly take that for granted and listening to the words in a song like “Via Dolorosa” is one way to help remind me of the sacrifice Jesus made on that cross. Deciding to live for Christ was without a doubt the best decision I made in my life. Don’t get me wrong, it didn’t solve all my problems and make my life perfect. But I have a peace and hope only God can offer and I know in God’s eyes He sees a child forgiven rather than condemned. Now that I am a parent I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like for God to watch His children exercise their free will when they chose to reject Him rather than embrace the salvation He offers each of us.


Regardless of your feelings on God and Jesus I hope you enjoy the power of the images and music I posted. And thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts about what can be a very sensitive issue.

Via Dolorosa (Latin for Sorrowful Road)


Countdown to Election Day 2012