Psalm 139:4 "Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether."

Nearly everyone I've ever met is dealing with something in their lives. It comes with being born a fallen creature in a fallen world. Those people who are thought to have it all together, well, it has been my experience they typically do not have it all together. We just don't know the whole story. It is Friday, February 28, 2020, and while I am not trying to end the work week on a downer, I am recognizing the truth we live out each and every day. Some folks deal with all types of limitations and we see them as they struggle. Others carry their stuff inside and it is not visible but nevertheless, it is just as real. I am a diabetic. I don't look like a diabetic. My diabetes is not the type that would be seen by others. I write quite a lot about it because it is a reality in my day by day living. So many have this disease who are much worse off than I am. Much worse. Yet, every time I have lab work done it is a reminder that I am what the tests say, a diabetic. I thought about this because of how my daily blood tests go. Earlier this week I had a 90 on my early morning fasted blood check. That's pretty much a non-diabetic reading. Hip hip hurrah! The problem is I have no idea how I got that number. Later in the week, I was expecting a good number and I got a 118. That's not a horrible number but I would have thought based on my just prior behavior it would have been much lower. See what I mean? We all have something that dogs our steps. Something. In spite of this reality, those who are believers can know that God knows and He will be with us every step of the way. (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5; and Romans 8:31) That's not only good news, but it is also the answer to how we are able to make it one day at a time. Amen.

Here's a look back at a sobering message I conveyed some 8 years ago: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2012,  President Obama: "Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal, rather than religion-specific values." I have been relatively quiet for some time now. But there are times when the radiator of my heart and mind has passed the boiling point and an overflow is imminent. Today is that day. I have no problem with steps being taken to assure the Muslim people that the improper burning of the book they hold to be sacred will not happen again. In my opinion, I think the endless array of apologies is way over the top. Here's my problem: In stark contrast to this supersensitivity to those who follow Islam, it literally blows my mind how this current administration and its minions have pursued an ongoing, relentless assault on any and all things held as sacred by those of us who embrace the Christian faith. They do so without reservation or restraint. They do so without respect for people who do, after all, represent the majority in this country. At the same time, they are bent on recognizing and showing deference to any and all cults, pagan beliefs, and other forms of radical anti-Christian groups. I wake up some days and wonder how this can go on in our nation, one nation, under God. I have done my best to stay away from impugning the motives of our President but when this battle against the tenants of our faith continues unabated day after day, legislation after legislation, agency order after agency order, it becomes very difficult to think anything other than this to be an intentional war. It appears to be a coordinated effort, in our schools, in our jobs, and everywhere we have to transact our affairs. Honestly, it makes me sick to my stomach and we had all better wake up if we are to retain the religious freedoms upon which the blood of our forefathers was shed. Seeing this working like it does makes for a sad day that we are living in my friend, a sad day indeed.

Okay. Now that we have received a slap in our face to get our attention, let me add that 8 years later, our current President, like him or not, has done a lot to try and stem this systemic bias against Christians. He has. Check it out. Sadly, many of the judges, government officials, and other influential leaders who pursued the strategies talked about above, well, they are still in their positions. Best I can tell, they have not changed their minds and they will continue to do what they can while they wait for their side to get back in power. Okay. I know we don't like to think about the battle being waged each and every day, but, it too is a reality for those who love the Lord. How else could we have arrived where the leading candidate to be the nominee of the Democrat Party is both an avowed Atheist and a Socialist with Communist leanings? Really? In America? Another wake up call for us all! With that, I bid you a farewell for now and commend you to seeking God on behalf of the nation He providentially provided to us. Amen. ....More later.