WATCHING THE WORLD GO BY

I posted yesterday that ALL things ARE possible! I believe this. I KNOW this! But what I doubt is will thing change here in America- or the world, for that matter.

In my mortality, it is my strongest desire to see things turn around. The spiritual side of me knows that according to God's Word, we are heading down the road that has already been prophesied thousands of years ago.

Are we currently living in what many call the End of Days? I do not know. I honestly believe we are, but I do not know this without a doubt. For two thousand years, since Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected, Christians have believed "they" are the ones who are living in the Last Days. In reality, I guess we all are right. We just do not know when the actual end is.

The Bible says that in the Last Days the love of many will grow cold. (Matthew 24:12) It saddens my heart to see this reality played out over and over every day in our society. What is even more sad is how many people who call themselves Christian show little or no love for the lost and dying world. Yes, I believe there is a time where God may reveal to you that you should not cast your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6)- meaning, if someone is not open and receptive to hear Truth, then do not beat a dead horse.

However, I believe we will be held accountable for each and every person that God placed in our life that we did not share the love of God with. No, you cannot force someone to believe or accept God's love, but you can- and should be kind and caring!

As I sit and watch the world go by- either in real life or online- my heart truly breaks at the snide and hateful remarks that are made about people that others do not agree with.  I will not say I have never been in this category myself- I know that I have. While I cannot give you a specific situation, I know I am human, and I know I can and have gotten caught up in the hatefulness that is so prevalent. I was wrong to be involved in this, and this is something I had to go before God about and seek His forgiveness. This, I believe, is exactly what God means in 2 Chronicles 7:14 when He says to humble ourselves and pray, repent, and turn from our wicked ways and He will heal our land. This applies to ALL of us!

I dread the upcoming election of 2012. Yes, I MOST DEFINITELY disagree with President Obama, what he stands for, most all of his decisions, and yes, I MOST DEFINITELY hope and pray he is not re-elected, I dread what comes in between now and the election.

As a Conservative, the Republican Party as it is today does not represent my values and beliefs. While I am a very strong Tea Party advocate, and I believe the Tea Party movement has done a lot to shake things up politically, I have my doubts that much will change. Even if President Obama is not re-elected.

As I watch the game begin for the campaigning, I see that it's the same old people who are stepping up to the plate. First, there is Mitt Romney, who ran in the last election. While he didn't make the primary, and was not the Republican candidate, he put his hat into the ring. He did not win. Then there's the speculations of who will also run. Newt Gingrich. Rudy Giuliani. Donald Trump. Sarah Palin. Michelle Bachman.

Herman Cain has also put his hat into the ring. I remember the CPAC he spoke at- I believe two years ago- was the first time I had ever heard of Herman Cain. I liked what I heard! I had been praying he would run for office, and he has stepped up. But what bothers me is how very few Conservatives have heard of him.

I think our ENTIRE election process needs to be revamped. Why is it that the primaries start, and before I, as a Texan gets to even vote in the primaries, some of the candidates may have already been knocked out of the race?

I also believe that in the election there should not be running mates. I think it should come down to whoever has made it in the last standing- all parties- and the one with the most votes is President, the one with the 2nd highest votes is the Vice President. This would provide more chance of bi-partisan, complete representation of We The People, and less back room deals. Oh, I forgot! The back room deals is what politics is all about!

I remember now why I hated politics for so long. So much of the time the "elite"- on ALL sides- do what they want and refuse to listen to the voice of The People. And they wonder why no one trusts them?!

Without a doubt for the most part the Republican Party is just the opposite side of the same coin as the Democrat Party.

What part of CUT THE SPENDING do you not understand, Washington? Yes, this is going to mean we have to sacrifice a few things! I think the best way to handle the budget is EVERYTHING on the table! Yes, even our defense! The way to do this while still keeping our country safe is to bring ALL of our troops home! Put ALL of our troops on the border of our country! Let the rest of the world fend for themselves! How in the world can we give money away when we are in such drastic debt? That would be like me having absolutely no money to take care of myself- borrowing money from an enemy of mine- and giving it to another enemy of mine. I still haven't helped myself in the situation; I now owe one enemy and have given help to another enemy. How in the world does this make any sense?

As a Christian I believe we are called to help others. But charity starts at home.

ALL of us are going to have to make sacrifices to get our budget under control. ALL of us! We have ALL benefited from feasting at the troughs of abundance and borrowing from future generations, now it's time to step back, be big boys and girls and take responsibility in this situation! I'm sorry that some of the government programs are going to have to be cut, but what we have done with all the government help is to create a bunch of entitled brats who do not want to work for what they need and want. And this applies to people of all ages! While the younger generations are the epitome of this, there are many people in their 30's, 40's and some even beyond who feel they are entitled to things just because they "want" them. No matter that they have not worked for it, so they can actually afford it!

I love helping people! It makes me feel amazing inside when I am able to help someone. But that is MY decision on WHO to help, WHEN I want to help. If I do not help someone, then I am the one who will pay the consequences when I stand before God. Yes, God calls us to help the poor, needy, orphans and widows. However, He DID NOT tell me to give to the government so the government could decide who gets that help!  I have PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY in stepping outside of my comfort zone, making choices and sacrifices, to help others in need. And yes, the greedy will have their day!

I blame the Church- the Body of Christ- for why we are where we are. In days past, before government assistance- the Church helped those in need. Now, the Church in large part has become nothing more than a social club with their hand out, all the while the community around them starves- not only spiritually, but physically as well.

I pray desperately for this nation! We have become so pampered to our amenities! We cry injustice if we do not have the latest and greatest inventions, the fastest Internet connection, the best of clothes. We are blessed beyond measure! We are wasting away in our blessings! God has given us our blessings! He can- and WILL- take them away! I pray that America will wake up before that happens! America, I plead with you- humble yourself before God! Turn from your wicked ways! Repent! Seek God's face! He WILL heal our land!

Yes, we are given the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Notice the words here. PURSUIT of happiness, not GUARANTEE of happiness! If you are given everything everything on a silver platter without having to work for it you do not appreciate it. I know from experience! But if I work hard for something, save my money, and go purchase that item, I value it. I take care of it. I cherish it. It will not be thrown by the wayside to collect dust.

I pray that we as a nation will step back and PRAY for each other! In this tragic shooting in Arizona I have heard very few people commit to actually PRAYING for ALL who have been affected by this tragedy. We are to pray for each other. We are to pray for our enemies! (Matthew 5:44) I absolutely DETEST what Jared Loughner did a little more than 2 weeks ago in Tuscon, but I continue to pray for him. I pray for his soul. I pray that God will soften his heart and call him to repent for his evil acts. I pray for his parents, Randy and Amy Loughner, that they will be able to forgive their son and love him unconditionally. I pray that God will give them peace, comfort, strength and safety to get through this as well.

I continually pray for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords TOTAL and COMPLETE recovery! I pray for her husband, Mark Kelly, that God will give him strength and resolve to get through this. I pray for their parents, extended family and friends, that they will all be surrounded by love. I pray that this nation- Conservatives AND Liberals, will stop blaming others for this horrible event. There is ONE PERSON responsible for this horrendous act of violence- the man that committed the acts- Jared Loughner. Period. I pray that this nation would come together, unite, and work together. It is what America is known for. But the real question is- have we, as a nation, strayed so far from god, that there is not enough love to unite us? Hate cannot unite us. Love unites us. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not rude or self-seeking.It is not easily angered and keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. TRUTH, America, not political spin, lies and accusations! Love always protects, hopes, perseveres- Love NEVER fails!

America- do you love your fellow Americans? Or are you so bent on being CORRECT and getting YOUR way that you cannot stand beside each other and unite in a time that is trying us as a nation? The world watches and sees our discord. It's time to put away the childish things and be adults! Faith, hope and love. The greatest of these things is love! Without love, we have nothing!  (1 Corinthians 13:3-13 reference)

I pray these things from my heavy heart in the Name of Jesus- Amen.