Space Station Just Flew Over Idaho

We watched the Space Station fly over Idaho tonight at 9:47...one minute of sighting...18,000 mph...180 miles high! Bright as Jupiter. Awesome!

Has Obama Gone Absolutely Nuts...?

Multiple former CIA Directors say Obama's determination to investigate CIA interrogations will severely weaken our desperately needed intelligence community. Yet Obama seems determined to discredit those who by justice department approval seek to discover the plans of terrorists who want to destroy us!

Obama was Acorn's lawyer early on in his career and repeatedly affirmed Acorn in his campaign for the presidency. He is President of the United States and now he says he didn't know about the funds to Acorn? A huge lie.

Obama wants to transform America's health care system to the point where we would not even recognize it, but he won't endorse liability suits reform. He will require everyone to pay for heatlh care or suffer a huge fine.

Obama will not appear on FOX NEWS, though FN is kicking the other media venues into yesterday. Is his refusal to appear on Fox wise, or does he have no guts?

Obama charges the media of promoting racism. Check out Harry Reid's words, or Nancy Pelosi's word's or Charlie Rangle's words. Who is Obama trying to kid?

Obama says he won't include illegals in his health care proposals, but he will grant them amnesty...which, in turn, makes them eligible for health care.

Obama is offending our closet allies. He has abandoned Honduras. He is weakening our commitment to Israel. He is encouraging Russia to pursue 20th century aggression. He promised no new taxes on the middle class, but he's back paddling on his promise. We have a president who can use words very well, but the words have no truth in them. We elected a tried and true socialist.

It's all so crazy, scary and nonsensical!

Bill Cook is A Hero!

Today was "Make a Difference Day" at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Boise (where Helen will join in early November.) MADD is a multi-ministry mission day at Covenant when many CPC members spread throughout Boise to serve in various capacities of helping others in need.

We chose to go to the VA Hospital/Facility to visit with veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, etc. Many were in wheelchairs, on crutches, etc., and many walk haltingly. It was a heart-rending experience to see shirtsleeves tucked in pockets, pants lags pinned to stumps of legs and eyes that didn't seem to see anything alive. But we visited with many of the vets, telling them how much we appreciated their service and sacrifices to keep our country free.

My most meaningful moments were spent with Bill Cook, a Vietnam Veteran who lost both legs when he stepped on a land mine. He was smiling, grateful for the words of appreciation and smiled again big time when I told him we would be back to visit regularly.

My, how we take the vets' sacrifices for granted!

Would we be more ethical ...?

Among the many novels I've read recently, John Grisham's The Street Lawyer was for me more than a fictional story. The novel challenges your priorities and moral sensibilities. After concluding the novel I read the following on a blog at presbyweb.com:

"If an infant is born to poor parents, would we be more ethical to give medicine to that child so he or she does not die prematurely of preventable diseases, or would we be more ethical if we let the child die screaming in his or her parent’s arms so we can keep more of our money? It’s amazing to hear Christians who talk about the right to life as though it ends at birth. They believe every egg has a right to hatch, but as soon as you’re born, it’s dog eat dog."
I don't think most believers I know rationalize like the above quote. However, I also don't think most believers I know, including me, share as much of our resources, time and energies as we are able (to keep from sounding prescriptive, I won't say 'should'.) I've worshiped in many different churches this past year and observed the ministries offered. I've read a significant number of local church newsletters online and noticed the appeals of various kinds. I've also listened to pastors speak from their pulpits of the need for more volunteers and more financial support. In many affluent congregations with the ability to give of self and means, there is always a huge gap between what is needed and what is provided.

I was privileged, during 45 years as a pastor, to assist in raising millions of dollars for ministries, institutions and social causes. I learned from the best how to manipulate people to give. After doing so for decades I decided I was no longer going to beg members for money. So, in my last pastorate we didn't beg or try to manipulate. We stressed responsible discipleship, believing faithful disciples give generously. Interestingly enough, we concluded every year in the black, had one of the highest per capita giving in our district and gave generously to benevolence causes. All without begging or manipulating. However, as I told the congregation, if we all gave a minimum of 10%, we'd have to burn some of the money to get rid of it. So, in spite of the high per capita giving, 'we' still fell short of our capacity to give sacrificially. And that's true in most every congregation I know.

Back to the quote, in part: "It’s amazing to hear Christians who talk about the right to life as though it ends at birth. They believe every egg has a right to hatch, but as soon as you’re born, it’s dog eat dog."
I'm pro-life. For me it's a God thing. But why can't we conservative pro-lifers be as passionate about the hungry, the homeless, and disadvantaged as we are about the right to life (birth)?

I have a friend (former college classmate, fraternity brother and seminary classmate) who has personalized the Grisham-novel lead characters in his personal life and ministry. Though I don't agree with some of Ed's radical leanings, I appreciate how often he and The Open Door in Atlanta have quickened my social conscience.

Again, "If an infant is born to poor parents, would we be more ethical to give medicine to that child so he or she does not die prematurely of preventable diseases, or would we be more ethical if we let the child die screaming in his or her parent’s arms so we can keep more of our money?"

If you want to have your conscience pricked, read Grisham's novel.

www.jerrystwocents.blogspot.com

If you have a minute, please read the above. Jerry (of jerrystwocents.blogspot.com) was my scrawny little brother when I was growing up. He served in the United States Army, and took a double degree from Georgia State University in business and economics. Mortgaging his house to the max, he built and sold several very successful businesses in the Atlanta area. A few years ago he was voted "Entrepreneur of the Year" in Atlanta, Georgia. Jerry is very well known in the southeast. At one point, he had business offices in Atlanta, New York, New Orleans, Denver and San Francisco.

Jerry and his wife are leaders in their church (United Methodist). They have been incredibly generous with all of the blessings God has given them. There are hundreds of people who can tell you of their financial aide during catastrophic illnesses. They gave of their time and money. There are hundreds that they put thru college. He and one of his business partners became the founders and chief financiers of Honduras Outreach International (HOI). HOI is a non-denominational mission in one of the most needy valleys (San Esteban) in Honduras. When the Twin Trade Towers were hit in New York by the terrorists, the manager of the mission ranch in Honduras called Jerry and offered to hide his family from the terrorists. He may still have to take him up on the offer. (By the way HOI needs financial stimulus if you are interested. They have a website.)

We were a very large and poor family when I was growing up - 6 kids. I am proud of Jerry and his beautiful family. He and his wife are my 92 year old Mom's primary caregivers. If you ever meet Jerry, you realize immediately, that he has a tremendous sense of humor. He isn't laughing right now. The America that we grew up in is in trouble. Helen

Remember "We are all blessed to be a blessing!"

Larry's Doghouse!

Texas Molly II is no longer naked. She has her skirt on.Now the front of Molly II has a skirted room for Larry to sit, read and watch TV when Helen has sent him to his 'doghouse'.Every husband should be so lucky!