545 people that maintain a dysfunctional government

I found this article online. It's written by Charley Reese who has been a journalist for 49 years.
It's long, but worth the read, especially if you're mad about what's happening to our country.

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them. Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits? Have you ever wondered; if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

• You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.
• You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.
• You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.
• You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
• You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress.

In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank. I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes.

Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi, she is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to. It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted-- by present facts - of incompetence and Irresponsibility.

Wake up America before its too late.I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

• If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair or don't care.
• If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red or don't care.
• If the Marines are in IRAQ, it's because they want them in IRAQ.
• If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way. Its a windfall for them. One term, and their set for life.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power.

Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like 'the economy,' 'inflation' or 'politics' that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people and they alone, are responsible. They and they alone, have the power. They and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses - provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!'

United States Naval Academy Women's Hockey Team!

Welcome to Wordless Wednesday (Well, almost wordless)

The very first women's ice hockey team at the United States Naval Academy, and my step-daughter is on the team!

I will not lose even one of all those He has given me

If you're like me, you've got people in your life who, if they died this very moment would go to hell. I hate to be so callous, but let's not mince words. Let's speak the truth. Perhaps it's a family member or a close friend, but either way, it's very heart-breaking. Maybe you've prayed and prayed for years for this person, but they've stubbornly resisted hearing the truth.

I find Jesus's words to his disciples in John 6 extremely comforting.

However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. John 6:37-39

Without getting into a theological debate about predesination, what this scripture says to me is that if God has called my loved ones, then they will come to Him before they die. One way or another, He will get their attention. I have witnessed this myself when my stubborn atheist husband refused to listen to anything I said about God for years and years. Finally, one day when I had given up on him ever seeing the truth (God, by the way, never gives up), my husband had a miraculous encounter with the living God up on the hill behind our house. And just like Paul's vision in Acts, he was never the same.

Remember Paul? He was about as far away from God as anyone could get. He was actually killing Christians! He'd probably heard all the arguments these new followers of Jesus had about their beliefs, but he was a stubborn intellectual who thought he knew more than anyone. Know anyone like that? I do. But, you see, Paul had been chosen by God, so God could never go back on His decision or His word and give up on Paul. So what did God do? He visited and spoke to him in an ominous voice and then blinded him (literally) with a bright light. I believe at this point, Paul still had his free will. He could have denied the entire encounter and explained it away as some natural phenomina. But he didn't.

So, don't give up on those stubborn loved ones of yours. Never give up. If God has put them on your heart, let me go out on a limb and say it's probably because they are chosen. And even if they stubbornly hold out until the bitter end of their life, Jesus will get them. Even if He has to appear in person to get their attention. For He can do anything. And tell me, how many people would turn away from the truth after they've been offered such awesome proof as a real-life encounter with the living God. Not many. Like my husband who swore for years there was no God, his mind entirely changed in a single second. That's all it takes.

So, keep praying. Keep believing, for our Lord will not lose not one single person God has given Him.

Winner of Maggie Rose by Sharlene Maclaren is

Kristi!! Thank you all for entering and for all your comments.

All Things Possible

Today, I'd like to share with you a ministry I've gotten involved with and one that is dear to my heart.

It's called All Things Possible and they minister to kids locked away in Juvenile prisons across the country. I met the president, Victor Marx, at our church where he came to give his testimony and also a demonstration of his Karate skills. He is a master of martial arts and a former US Marine and he uses his skills as a way to impress the kids in prison and get their attention so he can share the gospel with them. Victor came out of a very troubled youth himself which enables him to understand the problems and suffering of these kids.

Because, I too, had a troubled childhood, although nothing like Victor or these kids in prison, my heart really breaks for them. Victor has a book out and a great blog and website where you can find out more information about him and read some stories that will break your heart about these lost kids, and other hope-filled stories of how the Lord pulled them out of the pit!

The reason I'm bringing this up is that All Things Possible is looking for prayer partners. People who will sign up for their emails and promise to pray for the ministry and for the kids they encounter. What an incredible opportunity to move heaven and earth with your prayers and save some of these kids. If you have a heart for the "Lost Generation", Kids who've grown up with nothing but hate and violence and drugs and who need the Hope and Love that only Jesus can give them, then I encourage you to go to this blog site, scroll to the bottom and sign up to receive Victor's prayer requests. You may not think your prayers matter, but they do! Prayer is the most powerful tool God gave us to move the mountains of this world.

http://atpministries.org/blog/a-t-ps-greatest-need/

Click here for the website: http://atpministries.org/

Wordless Wednesday - Charleston

I thought you'd enjoy a few pictures from my research trip to Charleston a few years ago. I adore this city!

St. Michael's Church

The Inside of the church
Beautiful Angel Oak trees

A cobblestone street

My daughter and I having dinner!

A warrior of Prayer

Christians don't pray enough. If we did, I don't believe the church would be so weak and ineffective. I hear from so many people who feel dead in their walk with Christ. They feel useless and weak and continually battle with petty, earthy things when instead they could be walking victoriously among the clouds! Yet how many hours do we spend in prayer? I know, I know, you don't have time. Me neither. I'm not talking about sitting down for an hour or two and just praying, I'm talking about having a continual, on-going conversation with God all day long. Yes, it's important to set aside quiet time for just you and Him. But usually that's all the time we give Him. Yet there He is, following us around all day, just waiting for us to turn to Him and say something!

God answers prayers! He can do whatever He wants! But do you really believe that?

Three prerequisites of effective prayer

Humility - the complete absence of any pride. You must be destitute in spirit and heart Psalm 102:17

Faith - you must believe God exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Repentence - no hidden unconfessed sin that separates you from God James 5:16

The Benefits of prayer

• Receive your marching orders, direction and guidance Psalm 16:11
• During prayer, God changes your heart
• You will know what the will of God is for your life Romans 12: 1-2
• You learn more about who God is through prayer
• Receive strength to withstand temptation Mark 14:38
• You become more obedient
• You receive great peace and joy John 15:11
• You are empowered to do what God tells you to do--you become invincible and a force to be reckoned with in the Kingdom of God

Take an example from the life of Jesus. He was about to face the most horrific day anyone on this planet has ever faced. He was about to be beaten to within an inch of his life, marred beyond recognition, humiliated, taunted and then hung on a cross. How can any man endure this? Yes, He was God, but also fully man. What did Jesus do? He prayed. He prayed until he sweated blood. And when He was done, He told the disciples with enthusiasm to get up--that His hour had come. Then the soldiers came to arrest Him, and here's where it gets really cool. He asked them who they were seeking and they said Jesus of Nazareth.

As Jesus said “I Am he,” they all drew back and fell to the ground! John 18:6

Talk about power! Do you want to be effective for the Kingdom of God? Do you want to know God's will for your life? Do you want to become more like God and less like yourself?

Then become a prayer warrior.

Winner of It's Not about Him and another Book Giveaway!

And the winner is........ Carolyn W! Thanks, everyone for entering. I highly recommend the book or any book my Michelle Sutton.

And now introducing another book giveaway. Maggie Rose by Sharlene Maclaren!

1904 New York

Maggie Rose, the spunky, friendly, twenty-year-old middle daughter of Michigan resident Jacob Kane, feels compelled to leave her beloved hometown of Sandy Shores to pursue what she feels in her heart are God's plans for her life--in New York City.

Maggie Rose adjusts to her new life at Sheltering Arms Refuge, an orphanage that also transports homeless children to towns across the United States to match them with compatible families. Mot of the children have painful pasts that make Maggie aghast, but she marvels at their resilency. As she gets to know each child, her heart blossoms with new depths of love and compassion.

When a newspaper reporter comes to stay at the orphanage in order to gather research for an article, Maggie is struck by his handsome face--and concerned by his lack of faith. She can't deny their mutual affections, though. Will she win the struggle to maintain her focus on God and remain attuned to His guidance.

Though I haven't read it yet, this book has received rave reviews! Leave a comment to enter the drawing which will be held in 2 weeks!

If you'd like to order it for yourself, here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Rose-Daughters-Jacob-Kane/dp/1603740759/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255649673&sr=8-1

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Wordless Wednesdays

I'm going to institute something new on my blog. I'm going to just post a picture or 2 on Wednesdays of things I hope will be of some interest to you. Maybe a picture of me or my home life or a picture of someplace I visited, or maybe one of my cats! So, here goes....

This is an inside shot of Bancroft Hall at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis. You will never see the inside of this massive dormitory unless you are a midshipmen or you are a parent of a midshipmen. It is the largest dormitory of any US college and houses every student (midshipmen) at the Academy. It's absolutely gorgeous here in the main room.

We attended a parade of the midshipmen while we were there. They get all dressed up in their dress blues and march from Bancroft Hall to a huge field the size of a football field. They line up by company and march to a marching band. It is very impressive.

Happy Wednesday!

The Potter's Wheel

Yesterday at church we had a husband and wife ministry team come and give us a demonstration of how to mold clay into something beautiful and useful like a jar or pot or bowl. The husband was the potter and the wife sang and they both preached. Their stories and testmonies were awesome and quite moving. A couple of reallly cool things stood out to me.

• You can be a Christian but refuse to get on the potter's wheel. You can be saved but because you invoke your God-given free will to do as you please, you never allow God to mold you and change you.


• The potter's wheel is made of stone. It is a rock. In the Bible, Jesus is referred to as a rock, and unless you build your life upon Him, your life is in vain. So, jump on the Rock!


• In order to soften the hard clay, the potter must pour water on it. Not once but over and over again all through the process. In the Bible, God's Word and Spirit are referred to as living water. In other words, you can be on the Rock, but if you're not reading the Word of God daily and immersing yourself in His Spirit, you'll remain hard and unyielding.


• As the potter began to work, he leaned into the pot. He embraced it with his whole body. He sprayed water on his arms and neck and coat and then wrapped himself around the piece of clay he was forming, getting wet and dirty in the process. It was such a perfect picture of God's love for us, it brought tears to my eyes. Whatever you're going through--whatever He's allowing in your life to mold you, He's right there with you! He's embracing you! He's holding you up, and He's getting dirty right along with you!


• After the potter formed the shape he wanted, then he began to dig out all the rotten clay that was in the center of the pot. He had to dig way down deep into the pot and drag out all the junk that shouldn't be there. That's our rotten, filthy hearts! God has to dig deep down and get out all the sin, all the weakness, all the old clay from the old man in order for us to be useful. Can anyone use a pot that doesn't have a clean, open inside?


• When he was all done, a beautiful, sparkling vase appeared that looked nothing like the original clump of clay. Now, the vessel can be used by the potter for great things!!

God has a GREAT plan for each one of us. But whether we ever achieve what He hopes for us is completely up to us. We have to surrender. We have to hop on the potter's wheel. We have to allow God to change us, mold us and get all the junk out of us. It's painful. It's time consuming and some of the time, you'll want to scream and quit. But in the end, wouldn't you rather fulfill you destiny and be used by God Almighty to do GREAT things for His Kingdom???? Or would you rather Him set your half-finished bulky lump of clay on a shelf?

Give me your eyes

Happy Friday, everyone! I wanted to share this Youtube video with you. I'm sure some of you have already seen it, but I just came across it and it really impacted me.

How often do we all just sail through life so consumed with our own business and our own agenda that we don't truly look, I mean really look at other people. To see beneath their exterior down to the pain and yearning in their hearts. I know I'm often dashing around too busy to even notice others around me. How many opportunities are we missing? How many chances to reach out and bless someone and give them a moment, a glance at the Spirit of God living within us. A glimpse that they may remember forever, a moment that could change their eternity.

Take a few minutes and check it out, but if you do, watch it until the end:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OihvG607W-c


God bless and have a great weekend!

Approval Addiction

Are you an approval addict? If you answer yes to at least half of the questions below than the chances are pretty good you are.

Do you find yourself often getting hurt by what others say about you?
Do you habitually compare yourself with others?
Do you find yourself getting competitive in the most ordinary situations?
Do you live with a nagging sense that you aren't important enough or special enough?
Are you envious of other people's success?
Do you consistently try and impress others?
Do you worry about someone thinking ill of you?

Approval addiction is something I believe many many people suffer from. I say suffer because when you are an approval addict you are living in bondage--always at the mercy of other's opinions.

From young children in a playground yelling out "Look at me, look at me!" to the adult who glories in being center stage, vast amounts of human behavior, though painstakingly disguised, is simply attempts at showing off. The approval addict will do anything to receive the praise of others and avoid disapproval.

Even lie or shade the truth. How often have you, or I avoided telling the complete truth or shaded it slightly to put ourselves in a better light or to cast blame for something on someone else? After awhile, some people lie so much about who they really are that they end up suffering what some psychologists called "Imposter phenomenon" wherein the actual truth about ourselves and the image we project are incongruent. Often these people go through life with a lurking fear that one day the truth about them will come out.

We all want to be loved, to be liked and to be valued. But when we look to man for that validation, it always ends up skewed and we end up miserable and in bondage. Look at what Paul said about this very topic in 1 Corinthians 4

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me

How freeing it would be to no longer care what people thought. But how do we do this? How do we overcome this approval addiction?

1. We must get our value and approval from God. There is no other source that will fulfill us. That requires having a personal relationship with him through Jesus, conversing with Him daily, and hearing His voice.

2. Make an attempt to notice when you are about to say something that will draw praises from people or make yourself look good in front of others, and practice keeping your mouth shut.

3. Preform random acts of kindness and giving, such as anonymously giving money to someone in need or giving your time to help someone. And don't tell anyone. Keep it a secret! If you
continue doing this, pretty soon, you'll feel those chains of addiction sliding right off!

Taken from The Life You've Always wanted by John Ortberg.

Introducing author Michelle Sutton--book giveaway

Michelle Sutton is not only a good friend but she's a great author. She writes contemporary fiction that I would classify as "edgy" because she addresses important topics and reveals emotions and desires that most Christian Publishers shy away from. Her writing is natural and it flows so smoothly, you'll forget you're reading a book. Her characters are real and deep and flawed like everyone of us. I'm highlighting 2 of her books today. The first one It's Not about Him, Michelle has graciously offered to give away to one fortunate person who leaves a comment on this blog!

Suzie wakes up from a party and doesn't remember what happened. When she discovers she is pregnant but has no idea who the father is, she decides to place her baby for adoption with an infertile couple from church. Following through ends up being more challenging than she'd imagined. But she wants to do the right thing. If only Jeff would quit trying to marry her so she'll keep her baby! Why doesn't he understand? It's not about him; it's about what's best for her child. Meanwhile, a man shows up in her life that looks irritatingly familiar. Could he be the father?
Here's my review of It's not about Him Ms. Sutton's done it again with another poignant story for today's youth in It's Not About Him. With great finesse and sensitivity, Ms. Sutton addresses timely issues such as abortion, date rape, abuse, alcoholism, and sexual temptation all wrapped up in a colorful and heart-rending story of two young lovers who must not only battle their own abusive pasts and insecurities as they struggle to maintain a strong faith in God, but learn to open their hearts to love again, despite many obstacles and temptations. With a sight surprise at the end, Ms. Sutton brings the story full circle, leaving the reader more than satisfied.

And another incredible book, which is only available as an E-book is: Danger at the Door

Upon her fiancé's death, Laney became a recluse who only left her home for emergencies. She managed to survive - barely - on food delivery service and her work-at-home job. When she tries to move on from her grief, the commemorative meal she orders is ruined. However, it leads to an unlikely friendship with an attractive man, Bojan, who speaks little English. As he befriends Laney he continually says the wrong things, but he doesn't give up trying to win her trust. Meanwhile, she has this strange feeling of being watched and wonders if she's losing her mind. Complicating things further, every time she leaves her house something bad happens, confirming that she is safer at home. Can Bojan convince Laney she'll be safe with him, or will his presence put her in further danger? Will he be able to protect the woman he loves before it's too late? My review: I highly recommend Ms. Sutton's books. Her characters are deep and sympathetic, her plot interesting, and her romance sizzling. If you want a great romance with a high level of sexual tension without the sex, then this book is for you. The hero in this book is a guy every woman will swoon over. He's honorable, romantic, caring and of course, handsome. Ms. Sutton weaves his foreign accent through the dialogue in a funny and clever way that will put a smile on your face. The romance is sweet and touching one minute and deep and emotional the next, all the while riding upon the waves of a suspenseful plot. One thing I love about the characters is their genuineness. I guarantee by the end of the book, you will feel they are your new best friends.

If you're interesting in learning more about Michelle and her books, you can go to her website at http://www.michellesutton.net/index.html

Where you can also find out how to order her books! So, leave a comment and I'll enter you to win, It's Not About Him!

The winner of my Talk like a Pirate contest is...

Nicol Bowen!! who piped in from Facebook with her answers. Nicol got all 8 definitions correct! I believe she's either got a pirate dictionary in hand or she has some pirate blood runnin' through her veins!!

Honorable mention goes to the following people who guessed 7 out of 8 phrases correct:



G.R.I.T.S. (Rae Byuel)
Rebecca Herman.
Molly

Here are the answers!

Show a glim : Show a glim, ye drunken dogs!
Move quickly!, get to it!, snap to it! come on, let's go!

Scupper this : Blast ye, woman! Where's your hide? Rum! And scupper all this!
Get rid of it

Bowse up : So, bowse up, lad, stand away wit' me and rum it shall be.
Wake up, get up, move, come on!

This is spleen: Hum! This is spleen! A megrim or fit o' your ladylike vapors!
How dare you? You have some nerve!

Pish : Set him adrift. Pish, the same miraculous power that is to bring him provisions, can also bring him a sail.
Absurd!, Quiet, you're embarassin' yourself!

Seadog : To it, lads. . . at 'em, old seadogs!
A Seasoned sailor

Cull : And look'ee, my dainty cull, when you've seen as much o' death as Mings.....
Friend or companion

boosy : When did ever gentlemen of fortune turn astern to that much dollars for a boosy old seaman? And him dead, too
Drunken

Thank you, everyone for playing! I hope you had as much fun as I did! I loved reading all your responses. I wish I could address each of you individually to thank you and tell you how much I appreciate you stopping by, but time does not permit.

May the Lord fill your sails with wind and give you a clear horizon!
Have a great weekend!

The winner of Cowboy Christmas by Mary Connealy is...

Julie!! Wow,what great responses you all gave on Mary's first chapter. I must admit I'm going to have a hard time parting with my copy. I suppose I'll have to buy one for myself.

Anyway, thanks everyone for dropping in to enter. I'm going to skip giving another book away this week due to a lack of time. But stay tuned tomorrow for the winner of my Talk Like a Pirate contest!!