I greet you this day and welcome you once again to that place where you get to share in the things that are on my front burner, so to speak. It is
Thursday, February 28, 2013, last day of the month, and a good day to feel the blessings that God has allowed us to enjoy. One of the joys of being a part of a local fellowship of believers for a long period of time is how that you become attached to those who are your brothers and sisters in Christ. The other day I read a letter from a young woman who grew up in our Church. She learned the verses. She participated in all the youth activities. Megan was one of those kids that stood out because of her love for the Lord and her heart towards others. Her mom and dad have been long term bosom friends to Marilyn and I. Megan went off to college at Baylor. Got her basic education and then an advanced degree in speech pathology. Along the way she met and married a fellow named Brian. Through a series of trips, events, and circumstances they both felt called to reaching the Muslim people with the message of the Gospel. They have a beautiful baby girl. They will be serving in Lebanon in the Middle East. They are currently studying the Arabic language so they can communicate one on one with those they desire to reach. Our Megan. That's right. We are not her parents but we feel that sense of blessing swelling up in our hearts as we see what God is doing in this young couple's life. You can join in by saying a prayer for the Pankratz family, Megan, Brian, and their baby, Kate.
Many of you are aware that I do read quite a few obituaries on a daily basis. One thing I find that is challenging are the great testimonies that so many common ordinary people leave behind. You read those that go on and on about the selfless acts and it makes your heart glad for their life and their contributions, but also makes me feel so very small. It causes me to be reminded that we are to, as the old song says, brighten the corner where we happen to be. But, it does challenge us all to pay attention to what it is that we are investing our time, talent, and treasures in. The other thing that strikes me as being particularly sad is the loss of so many super talented young people who are called home so very early in their sojourn. I read about a 28 year old fellow who literally had written the book on winning every athletic and scholastic award throughout his lifetime, from kindergarten forward. He graduated college and graduate school with all honors and was brought into a special executive development program by a major oil concern. At 28, he was named manager of an elite team devoted to planning and development. Yet, he left this life the other day in a freakish accident as he died in his sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning from a car left running underneath his townhouse. Very sad. We just never know folks. We just never know.
Because of an automatic cut in spending, the end of life as we know it may be coming to pass tomorrow due to something going on in Washington, D.C., known as the Sequester. This will happen because our government operates without a budget, without a vision, without leadership, and certainly without cooperation among the the fighting factions.
Fact: The actual cuts in fiscal year 2013 are only $44 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The rest don’t even take place until 2014 or later. Whether you use $44 billion or $85 billion we’re talking about 1 or 2 percent of total government spending. It's terrible. It's calamitous. We're talking Godzilla kinds of destruction. That's how the President is describing this coming event and he's been traveling the country selling his version of 'I can scare folks better than anyone else.' Sorry, folks, but that isn't leadership. It's called the Executive Branch for a reason. Let's look at it a little closer. We have untold billions already scheduled and appropriated to be spent, (Monies that we really don't have, but that's another matter.), and this great storm will take 85 billion away, over time. I ask you a question. Given this economic environment, have you over the last few years had to adjust your spending any at all? I agree it's a woefully poor way to operate the greatest nation on the face of the earth, on the part of the Executive and the Legislative branches, however, I believe our President could better spend his time staying in Washington and doing what true leaders do, they lead, and when there tends to be no way, leaders find a way to work this out for the good of our nation. Sadly, I don't see that happening and I also do not believe the world will come to an end when these automatic cuts kick in. But, that's just my take. See you next time and may God bless the United States of America.
Amen. ....More later.
I greet you this day and welcome you once again to that place where you get to share in the things that are on my front burner, so to speak. It is Thursday, February 28, 2013, last day of the month, and a good day to feel the blessings that God has allowed us to enjoy. One of the joys of being a part of a local fellowship of believers for a long period of time is how that you become attached to those who are your brothers and sisters in Christ. The other day I read a letter from a young woman who grew up in our Church. She learned the verses. She participated in all the youth activities. Megan was one of those kids that stood out because of her love for the Lord and her heart towards others. Her mom and dad have been long term bosom friends to Marilyn and I. Megan went off to college at Baylor. Got her basic education and then an advanced degree in speech pathology. Along the way she met and married a fellow named Brian. Through a series of trips, events, and circumstances they both felt called to reaching the Muslim people with the message of the Gospel. They have a beautiful baby girl. They will be serving in Lebanon in the Middle East. They are currently studying the Arabic language so they can communicate one on one with those they desire to reach. Our Megan. That's right. We are not her parents but we feel that sense of blessing swelling up in our hearts as we see what God is doing in this young couple's life. You can join in by saying a prayer for the Pankratz family, Megan, Brian, and their baby, Kate.
Many of you are aware that I do read quite a few obituaries on a daily basis. One thing I find that is challenging are the great testimonies that so many common ordinary people leave behind. You read those that go on and on about the selfless acts and it makes your heart glad for their life and their contributions, but also makes me feel so very small. It causes me to be reminded that we are to, as the old song says, brighten the corner where we happen to be. But, it does challenge us all to pay attention to what it is that we are investing our time, talent, and treasures in. The other thing that strikes me as being particularly sad is the loss of so many super talented young people who are called home so very early in their sojourn. I read about a 28 year old fellow who literally had written the book on winning every athletic and scholastic award throughout his lifetime, from kindergarten forward. He graduated college and graduate school with all honors and was brought into a special executive development program by a major oil concern. At 28, he was named manager of an elite team devoted to planning and development. Yet, he left this life the other day in a freakish accident as he died in his sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning from a car left running underneath his townhouse. Very sad. We just never know folks. We just never know.
Because of an automatic cut in spending, the end of life as we know it may be coming to pass tomorrow due to something going on in Washington, D.C., known as the Sequester. This will happen because our government operates without a budget, without a vision, without leadership, and certainly without cooperation among the the fighting factions. Fact: The actual cuts in fiscal year 2013 are only $44 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The rest don’t even take place until 2014 or later. Whether you use $44 billion or $85 billion we’re talking about 1 or 2 percent of total government spending. It's terrible. It's calamitous. We're talking Godzilla kinds of destruction. That's how the President is describing this coming event and he's been traveling the country selling his version of 'I can scare folks better than anyone else.' Sorry, folks, but that isn't leadership. It's called the Executive Branch for a reason. Let's look at it a little closer. We have untold billions already scheduled and appropriated to be spent, (Monies that we really don't have, but that's another matter.), and this great storm will take 85 billion away, over time. I ask you a question. Given this economic environment, have you over the last few years had to adjust your spending any at all? I agree it's a woefully poor way to operate the greatest nation on the face of the earth, on the part of the Executive and the Legislative branches, however, I believe our President could better spend his time staying in Washington and doing what true leaders do, they lead, and when there tends to be no way, leaders find a way to work this out for the good of our nation. Sadly, I don't see that happening and I also do not believe the world will come to an end when these automatic cuts kick in. But, that's just my take. See you next time and may God bless the United States of America. Amen. ....More later.
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