Hum...

The smarter we get, the dumber we are.

When I grow up to be a man...

Celebrated our 38th anniversary with my lovely bride. Wonderful meal together at Bone Fish then "True Grit." Grew up listening to Beach Boys, reminded of the tune "When I Grow Up To Be A Man"..what will I be? Well, for me, the answer is blessed. Haven't realized all my dreams, but Laura has stood with me through "the best and worst of times" and still loves me...never dreamed I'd be so fortunate.

Born, again...

42 years ago tonight...December 28,1968...I placed my trust in Christ; thanks Mark Z, Roger C, Ed S, Gene C and so many others who have mentored me along the Way.  Now..."All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen."  Jude 1.25  NLT

"Willing it" won't make it happen...

Started PT today. I am intrigued by how fast our joints "freeze up" and muscles atrophe when we don't use them. As I strained to lift my arm above my shoulder, I could only move it half that distance; no matter how hard I tried--I could not "will" it up. Getting my "shoulder back" is going to require discipline and hard work.

Life is like that too. When we live careless, reckless, aimless lives, we miss the best life has to offer. People are filled with potential; we are "wired" for growth, relationships, productivity and yes, achievement. Realizing these possibilities brings shape to life, purpose for living; talent and apptitude must be transformed into ability by disciplined effort. "Willing" it won't make it happen. Success and failure are two sides of the same coin and people tend to get what they expect. Our expectations tend to dictate our effort; dicipline tends to dictate our success. Successful people do the things unsuccessful people aren't unwilling to do; the door to success isn't hard to see, but it demands much of those who choose to pass through it.

But, what about "life" after death?  People of faith believe that we've been created with eternity in our hearts. The Scriptures tell us that...

"When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners...God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us."  Rom 5.6,8 NLT

We embrace this gracious provision by trusting Christ as our Lord and Savior. But this kind of effective faith doesn't just kick back and "let it happen." Saving faith points us to "a long obedience in the same direction." Life becomes the canvas where we see worked out, what God has worked in. Like purposeful living, spiritual strength and godly character are the by-products of disciplined effort. The apostle Paul understood this...

"Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." 1 Cor 9.24-27 NLT

Good outcomes don't just happen.  Life and eternity demand our very best and our very best is always more than enough.

Number 57.

It's done; memories are carefully packed away to enjoy for a lifetime. Miranda's first Christmas with us, Braden working hard to figure out chords on a new guitar, the sound of Lego's being "sifted" by Kellen, a good book to read; Inception & Toy Story 3 (strange "BEDfellows")...house filled with laughter, love and too much good food. My 57th edition; the best one yet.

WE are the reason...

We are the reason for the season...

"When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners...God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us..." Rom 5.6, 8 NLT

Christmas is joyous because God's love never fails.   

Shalom.

...Times that try men's souls...

"These are the times that try men's souls" wrote Thomas Paine in his pamphlet "The American Crisis" published Dec 23, 1776; the Colonies faced the almost certain prospect of defeat in their war for indpendence.  Paine implored Americans "don't give up the fight."

The "idea of America" has been the fuel driving our resolve to be "one nation, under God, indivisable, with liberty and justice for all;"  an idea those who traveled this way before us thought to be worth fighting and dying for.  Indifference to this "big idea" is the real, the urgent threat to our liberty.

"A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to..."

During the battle to ratify the US Constitution, many Americans worried that the founding document failed to list specific rights to be protected against government's tendency to abuse power. Thomas Jefferson gave voice to their concerns in a letter to James Madison: "A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth...and what no just government should refuse."  


Reluctant at first, Federalists agreed to add amendments protecting personal liberties.  Madison along with several others, crafted a set of 10 amendments, a Bill of Rights, which ironically, were ratified December 15, 1781. These of course, constitute the first 10 Amendments to our Constituion.


The battle to protect the liberty of individual rages on. Round 1: limited government prevailed when a Federal Judge struck down the provison, in the recently "passed" Health Care bill, mandating that every person in these United States must secure for themselves Health Insurance.


It's certainly not over yet.  These are historic days.  Regardless of what the future holds, the strength of our Nation is demonstrated by the civility of our process. I am so proud to be an American.  May God bless our nation.

Color my world...white.

The snow switch has been flipped; my world has turned white with Lake effect snow; light, fluffy, beautiful. Weather keeps life interesting. The seasons help me find a rythm I never experienced growing up in SoCal. It's refreshing. Life slows down; relationships breath deeply & gain strength by growing deeper roots, becoming more initimate and real. I wouldn't change a thing, even if I could.

Freedom isn't free.

December 7, 1941. 2400 dead. 1200 wounded. 18 US Ships and 300 planes destoryed or damaged.

"A date that will live in infamy" President Roosevelt
"I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant and instilled in him a terrible resolve." Admiral Yamamoto

Both men were right and the world was rescued from an Axis of evil, but not before millions lost their lives. Freedom isn't free.

Linclon said it best...

December 1, 1862 Abraham Linclon reminded the nation: America is  "the last best hope of the earth."  Though often reviled around the world, I believe that President Lincoln's premise has been demonstrated time after time over the past 148 years...May God contine to bless America; may He empower us to be people of character and good will; with generous hearts, brilliant minds and dynamic vision...for making tHis world a better place.

Thanks...

Hope yours will be a THANKSgiving week. So much to distract us; refocus on issues that really matter; God's love and provision, our famlies-where life makes up its mind, friends & mentors-our "difference makers" who've been there for us, and freedom-the heros who've served to preserve it. Color me thankful.

It's enough.

Today's predicted high: 46. "It's begining to feel alot like...WINTER." But that's just fine. Lawns are done for the season, the air is crisp and filled with the fragrance of fresh coffee; as the season changes and our pace slows down, a new perspective emerges. We glance back, we look ahead and we live, today; for that's all we have, that's all we need.

Carpe Diem

Today is here. What will we do with this gift of time, breath and life? Will we wish it away; squander the opportunities it will produce or will we seize it, make it great and do somehting significant; invest our resources in someone, someway, that will outlive us? It's your day, make the most of it. Today is here...and then gone.

Vexed but not beaten...

Someone recently asked me about a passing comment I had made about the Tower of Babel; wanting me to expand on what was said.

Over the years I've always attempted to find "dynamic equivalents" in the culture around me to help people understand a deeper principle from the Scriptures. The Tower of course was the ultimate expression of hubris on the part of mankind; our effort to shake a collective fist at God and say "See, you aren't so transcendent after all." Foolish pride led to an inflated opinion of who we were; God breathed, language changed and chaos ensued. We discovered we were no match for the transcendent God.

Fast forward to modern culture: God, in his grace, has allowed mankind to apply his intellect and ingenuity, these also graciously granted by God, to "discover" thousands of things that insulate us from the ill-effects of the fall: drugs, asphalt, steel, plastic, roads, air conditioning, engines, automation--the list is endless. We in turn, tainted by sin and swelled with pride, believeing ourselves to be wise "shake our fists" at God and say, "You see, the Scriptures are myth; there was a big-bang and then there was mankind and look at how we have evolved...we have the power to give and take life. We don't need myths to prop us up anymore. We are God."

In reality, everything we touch we corrupt. Look at what we call our "system of Justice." We condition the air at the same time we poison it with hydro-carbons. We pollute the planet, poison our bodies, can't beat cancer or aids and when/if we do, something else always emerges. Regardless of how effective we are at blunting the effect of sin on life and the planet, sin always trumps our best efforts...and God allows it, to point us to our need for a Savior and His gracious provision for our redemption.

The farther evolved civilization becomes the further it devolves into moral and spiritual chaos--abortion, failed economies, addiction, violence, corrupt governments, greed, broken relationships, idolotry, shaminism, social injustice. Think about it, in 1965 LBJ gave us the Great Society. These unfunded mandates have done nothing to enlighten culture and end poverty--but they have driven us to edge of bankruptcy and destroyed families while perpetrating genocide on the poorest of the poor. The smarter we get, the dumber we are. We can run from God, but we can't hide.

So then, civilization as we have fashioned it, has become mankind's' most recent "Tower of Babel;" the work of "our hands" which demonstrates our independence, our ability to "get it done without God." We set out to be like God, and in a final irony, we create the very modality that could be the end of life as we know it. We can destroy it, but we can't fix it..."and all the kings men, couldn't put humpty-dumpty together again."

The lie that deceived Eve, continues to vex us. But we aren't beaten, there is hope..."When we were utterly helpless...God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5.6a,8

Will-power

I am reminded throughout the Scriptures about "the sacrifice of praise." When I discipline myself to offer that to Him, without exception I experience a "breakthrough" to worship...where a dynamic exchange takes place--Kingdom authority for authentic Worship. That's why we see so much conflict around "worship" in the church today. Failure to worship prevents Believers from experiencing His empowering flow from the throne of God to the people of God; as a consequence we underachieve; we never fully appropriate "His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Eph 3.20

It's about time...

Summer "daze" is history now.  Footballs fill the air, Baseball stumbles toward the World Series and Fall is just over the horizon...as are the nation's mid-term elections; change is in the air.  But is it?

Will this election give birth to real, new leadership or will we simply swap one set of suits for another?   How will we know what the election produces?  Here's my "watch" list...

1. New leadership will act reponsibly as stewards of our wealth.  No more blown budgets.
2. New leadership will refuse to act in its own self-interest.  No more pork.
3. New leadership will build bridges across the asiles of Congress.  No more gridlock.
4. New leadership will work on behalf of the people.  No more paybacks to unions, lobbies, business or deep pockets at the people's expence.
5. New leadership will set a different tone as it charts our course as a Nation.  No more lionizing the "loyal opposition" or winner-takes-all arrogance.
6. New leadership will commit to reform--of both the Senate and the House.  No more tolerance for cronyism, nepotism or corruption.
7. New leadership will understand that "less is more."  No more unlimited terms of serivce.
8. New leadership will celebrate our history, diversity, vision and way of life, while at the same time seeking to make us a better, more compassionate and inclusive people.  No more excoriating the nation because it seems the "hip" thing to do.
9. New leadership will set a "living example" of good citizenship.  No more double standards.
10. New leadership will act in the interests of the nation.  No more back room deals where the only winners are the politicians and their handlers.

Seems polyanna.  But we've seen this before.  Read about it in John Adams. Leaders serving selflessly, fearlessly and without guile.  It is this kind of leadership that gave birth to our nation and now must re-emerge to carry us, our childern, into the 21st Century with a reclaibrated vision, but a vision that stands stedfastly, still, on the prinicples of freedom, equality and the inalienable rights of its citizens.  These principles birthed a confederaton, nurtured a union and established a Nation...of the people, by the people and for the people.

Nine years and counting...

 Nine years since that beautiful morning in New York was rocked by an infamous act of terrorism, and life changed in an instant. Proud to be an American, a citizen of a nation that has consistently worked to make our world a better place. Yes, we have issues, but our "better angels" have prevailed--I wonder, what will our legacy look like in 2019?

The Word became flesh...

      As believers we have been "gifted" to add value to the lives of people. We've been called to love people--the best and the worst--with a love that looks past what they are and sees whose they are, and what they can be.

Whether or not they come to Christ, is not my responsibilty.  That is the work of the Holy Spirit.  He uses me to be sure.  But it's not a "head thing".  It's a heart thing.  When I selflessly serve people in a way that adds value to their lives;  I reflect Christ--no, I flesh out Christ--and they wonder, "Why, what's in this for you?"  When (if) we are given opportunity to answer that question, our witness is powerful becasue the reality of Christ in us has manifested itself in an "incarnational"--they have seen Christ in/through us--way that is compelling...and used by the Holy Spirit to transform hearts, minds and lives.

All this to say that any evangelistic effort that does not wholistically address--begin with-- the felt needs of people and work toward their spiritual needs is something less than the gospel.

If my people...

Many people of faith (I've taken my shots) are piling on this current Administration, decrying its polices, arrogance and penchant for demagoguery.   

     

But, let's face the the hard truth: Government shares only part of the responsibilty for the tragic state of our Nation.  The failure of the Church to be the Church has accelerated our decline. The light from The City set on a hill cannot penetrate the darkness because "The City"  too often has become a dark, anemic, impotent place.

     

The Church has embraced popular culture and been absorbed by a pursuit of the good life; by a quest for "relevance" in the name of Christ.  She has a vital role in culture: to be the watchman on the wall, the harbinger of Good News;  instead, she slumbers.  The Church need not quest for relevance; when she behaves as The Church, she is relevant.  Instead...  

    

Apathy, division and moral compromise have ravaged the fruit of the Spirit.

Reaching out with the Good News has become an unfunded mandate.

Codependence has swallowed up courageous leadership.  

Sound teaching has been replaced by pop pyschology.

Relevance has pushed reality to the back of the bus. 

Sacrifice is considered a synonym for weakness. 

Integrity is open to interpretation.

Godliness just isn't hip.

         

This isn't the first time the people of God have lost their moral and spiritual compass: 

      

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."   2 Chronicles 7.14   

      

It ended badly for Israel.  But, it need not end badly for this nation; there is hope.

Hope springs from humility 

Humility leads to repentance 

Repentance produces healing

   

 This, is change we can believe in.

Forever friends...

When I was a younger man, we enjoyed poking fun at M.W. Smith's song "Friends" because it just seemed so schmultzy..."friends are friends forever." Here's what I've discovered the hard way: not all friends are created equal...but soul-friends are friends forever--nothing schmultzy about that. We enjoyed today with two of our soul-friends, Don & Donna. Blessed to have forever friends; thanks for all you mean to us.

Face the facts!

Facts are problematic. It's easy to simply dismiss them, but then we can't make progress as a nation; we can't do what we have done so well for so long; put the best of both political visions to work to create a synergy that empowers our "We the people" political will. 

Step back, breath deeply, think critically and refuse the Kool Aid people on both sides of the asile have prepared for this election cycle...oh, and don't forget to pray for guidence.

On the road again...

On the road, headed to KS...500 miles today, most of it off the beaten path, avoided the interstate where I could; wanted to get close to the land, the water and communities like...Watseka, Vandalia, Mexico, Blowing Green, Lee's Summit and Humansville..."2 lanes only" kind of trip.  I love my country.  So diverse...so independent but interdependent too...what a place.


As dusk gave way to darkness I came around a curve; there before me was the Mississippi. It startled me--so close I could see steam coming off the backwater.  What a beautiful sight-the bright dusk sky reflecting off the river--a barge making it's up down to St. Louis. The best part: an instant before I navigated the curve, my Bluetooth beeped and Laura was on the phone with me.


We shared that moment together. I'm blessed.

God, bless America.

I am blessed to live free; to dream of what could be. I pray my nation will have passion to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.

As time goes by.

Fathers Day is in the books.  What joy it was to watch our kids and our grandkids grow through another year filled with "moments," triumphs, near misses, new memories and peril.  They are our legacy--and it looks and feels like a keeper.  They make us proud.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Regrets...

Thinking about my dad. I was 17 when he died, suddenly. As time has given me perspective, I realize that he was a stranger to me...NOT his choice. An unhappy home, mom (in my case) pits kids against their dad. Too young to realize I was seeing only one side of the pain. I often imagine what it would be like, now, to sit with him and talk...words I would have said; regrets. So dad...happy Fathers Day.

What's wrong with this picture?

 I'm perplexed.
     President Obama makes no secret of his contempt for American Citizens (can anyone say sarcasm) who don't share his vision for the nation and American Allies who won't knuckle under and go along to get along.  He routinely excoriates both; he implicitly questions their integrity, their character, their motives and their intelligence.  At the same time he disdains our nation in the courts of other nations; sits idly by as Iran builds weapons of mass destruction and sponsors terrorism around the globe; minces words over the murderous behavior of N. Korea; demagogues issues related to Health Care and the Economy and shamelessly throws people, share holders, institutions, leaders, Corporations and Insurance Companies under the bus.
     It isn't that he doesn't like old institutions, big money, back room politicians and powerful Lobbies.  He consistently celebrates union bullies--cuts closed door deals exempting them from his vision for a new order and panders for their votes and money. 
     Just what is it people see in our President?  I'd really like to know.  Some might say "He's committed to justice and equity."  What about justice and equity for the unborn?   Others weigh in and say "He fights for the small guy, the underdog."  If you subscribe to the adage that "misery loves company" then I'll stipulate that point to you...he's certainly added to the rolls of those in misery.    
     When it's all said and done it really is about vision.  The fact is, his vision for the nation clearly appeals to many Americans, though I suspect far fewer today than in November 2008.  His vision is a radical departure from where we've come from as a nation.  A vision that "dumbs down" the wealth of this nation while at the same time expanding entitlements and those receiving entitlements; thereby expanding the voter base that is the ticket to power in Government.  This vision brokers more government services, programs and entitlements in exchange for votes and power...who would dare bite the hand that feeds you? 
     The irony of this perverse swap is that the power brokers, in this case the Democrats, become the elite ruling class in a nation owing its very existence to their whims and  fancies.  This of course flies in the face of the rallying cry of the Dem's "we are the party of the people...the little guy."    They don't empower anyone, they enable anyone willing to trade a vote.  
     So, what's wrong with this picture?  Co-dependence on a massive scale that crushes the very spirit that has made this nation great, inter-dependent, entrepreneurial and free; 21st century feudalism.
     In 148 days we will have a chance to do something about it.  Till then we wait, hope and pray.  Don't forget to vote.

Some gave all...

Dreams dashed. Hearts broken. Anger, confusion...pain, grief. Roads not traveled. Lost love. Lives that could have been, should have been; stolen, lost--laid down.  A last full measure, given, taken. Sacrificial death; not in vain. A way of life preserved. Not deserved. Grace. THANKS.

Help!

Listening to the Old Beatles tune today..."Help." It occured to me...what a tremendous insight that song had into what happens to us as we move into the final third of our lives...which are filled with tradoffs. While we can't "do it all" anymore, the tenderness we experience as our spouses, kids, and friends "stand in the gaps" is profound. Life is good.

Seasons come...

Sitting on the front porch as dusk begins 
to settle over the neighborhood, 
watching Lily entertain herself in the front yard. 
Blooms everwhere I look, pink..yellow..white..red..burgandy. 
Listening to the water cascade from the fountain 
and down into the bowl...
a dragon fly buzzes by. Spring.

Simple pleasures...ARE best!

Busy weekend. 

Laura supervised the Landscape install at son Joseph's house. I worked to catch up after being out of the agency most of last week. Laura and I enjoyed lunch with daughter Erin, Matthew and our grandsons...spent the afternoon attending to yardwork at office building. 

I thank God for life. My father died at age 55 and mom at age 53. I never really thought I'd make it to 57. 

Every day is a gift.

A "taste" of Chicago

Today I had a really interesting drive.  I had a business conference in St. Charles, Illinois, so I hopped in my Ridgeline and hit the road bright and early; as it turned out, not nearly early enough!
      My route to this lovely western suburb took me through the heart of the City.   I think they must be spending all the stimulus money on repairing the expressways of Chicago...and that translates to something other than "express."   It got pretty intense.  As I struggled to stay alive, it occurred to me that driving in the big City is a lot like life.  It requires a little skill and a lot of luck.  
     It's interesting how many driving "styles" are out there...as I dodged and darted, it dawned on me that these parallel the personal styles of the people we rub up against in the ebb and flow of life.
     There's the squatter.  They like to think they're qualified to drive in the fast lane...not.  They squat and expect everyone else to work around them--they were there first and they own the space.  They are oblivious.  They are obstructionists...they hate change and so they find a groove in life and put it on auto pilot...and won't move regardless of what it may mean to others.  These are the passive-agressives that populate our churches, neighborhoods and the workplace.  
     One of my favorites is the lane changer...the grass is always greener for these folks.  They tend to create a lot of stress for the rest of us, because they're unpredictable and unreliable.   They just can't be depended upon.  These are the underachievers in life.  Their lives are a series of starts and stops...and in the end, they never stay at any thing long enough to enjoy the synergy that develops when we discipline ourselves to pursue a long obedience in the same direction.
     Danger: here comes the guy that loves to pass on the right.  These are the folks who think the rules apply to everyone else.  They are rouges.  They break all the rules, then blame others when things go really wrong.  These people just don't play well with others; they don't get it...ever.
     Have you noticed the guy with the biggest most expensive car is the one who always drives at a recklessly inappropriate high speed.  "I'm important so move out the way, I have people to see and things to do."  The world is full of these narcissistic types that are captivated by their own reflections.  They get it, they just miss most of the really choice moments in life because they don't have room for anyone else. 
     Don't you just want to scream at the guy who refuses to yield...they do their best work by driving in the slow lane victimizing the poor souls who attempt to merge into traffic.  Ah, yes, these are the rules keepers."  They are intolerant and follow the rules to the letter of the law, and never give any grace; then wonder why they are tolerated but never celebrated.
     So...what does your driving say about who you are?  The lesson here is that the world is a big stage where the way we live is constantly scrutinized.  And when the way we live demonstrates we can be trusted, that we care--we take a giant step toward relevance; a chance to make a difference in lives of people we touch...a chance to make hard lives, easier.
     I don't know if the conference I'm attending will prove to be a "keeper."  But I do know this; the drive was worth the conference.  

WHY?

Please, tell me...
Why is the express line, not very "express?"  Why is over-night delivery always 2nd day?  Why do yellow lights make people see red?  Why is urgent rarely important?

Why do we expect politicians to lie to us, and then get upset when they do?  Why do we complain about the quality and direction of government, then refuse to vote?  Why do we ask government to lower our taxes then complain when they reduce our services?  Why does everyone think they can do a better job teaching than our teachers, but make so little effort at educating our children?

Why do we make vows we don't really intend to honor?  Why do we "honor" people we often don't respect?  Why are love and heartbreak two sides of the same coin?  Why do we swear on a book we don't revere?

Why are teachers accountable, but parents aren't?  Why do we need a license to marry, but not to parent? Why can a 15 year old get an abortion, but not a divers license?  Why do we mandate an education for "students" who won't try, don't care and refuse to cooperate?

Why do we feel sympathy for those with great need and outrage for those with great privilege?  Why is the Humane Society only about animals?  Why do we pretend everyone should be treated the same way. when we know that's not the way life really works?  Why do we act like everyone is born with the same set of genes, when we know that's just not true?

Why does the right to privacy trump the right to life?  Why is profile a dirty concept when, if applied appropriately, it can save innocent life? Why does our Constitution work harder for criminals than for good citizens?  Why are some lives more valuable that others?

Why is justice such a fleeting ideal?
Tell me, please...

AWOL

Education in America...and educators... are in trouble.  I don't know why we tolerate it; but I do know we, our culture, have lowered our expectations for parents and embraced unrealistic expectations for our teachers.  By any reasonable measure, what we are asking our educators to do is unreasonable.  The result: the implosion of the system.

It's happening right now, this year, this month, TODAY.  Entire teaching staffs being reassigned; schools closed and teachers fired.  Educators chasing the holy grail--passing scores on standardized tests.  Under pressure to achieve a "passing grade" administrators have dumbed the system down by teaching to the lowest common denominator.  The result...a brain drain of gargantuan proportions.

Effective education is a partnership.  Parents and teachers working together. Problem...too many parents are AWOL.  Parents from every demographic...busy parents, tired parents, distracted parents, ambitious parents...selfish parents.  Unless and until parents see parenting as a worthy vocation, a selfless vocation and we can build some sort of accountability into the system for PARENTS, as well as teachers, our system will continue to breakdown.

For some reason, it's just not politically correct.   It's always easier to blame someone else.  Meanwhile, another generation slips away and gets left behind.

Credit, where credit is due...

Say this about President Obama.  He is courageous.  Regardless of core values; this man has convction about the ideas he has embraced.  That's a good thing.  Leaders need to "lead boldly."   Unfortunately, for many of us, he is leading/leaning the wrong direction.

But...if in the course of this presidency, this President is persuaded--it's possible--to tack back toward the middle, his courage in leading, his charisma and his intellect will make him a very formidable politician--in terms of what he might be able to accomplish during his tenure as the leader of the free world; the most powerful person on the planet. 

The key...to courageosly face down those on the extreme left.   If he, when he, finally embraces the fact that he's not simply reperesenting the South Siders of Chitown...but "we the people"...I believe his presidency could be salvaged and become something more than simply a watershed "moment" when America came to grips with her diversity--then moved on. 

I believe it can happen.

Perplexed...and amused.

Yesterday, President Obama reminded us, again, that the election is over.  Mr. President, when does the governing part start?   Please, Mr. President,  keep the main thing, our economy and jobs, the main thing.

Not to be outdone, Vice President Joe Biden, made an interesting assessment of his role in leading our nation.  "Being Vice President is...easy."  Laura, my wife, commented this morning at breakfast..."This must be what candidate Obama meant in his campaign promise to bring a 'new transparency' to Washington."

She is so clever.

Finding rest...

Last week Home taking care of my soul mate.

This week breathless trying to catch up.

From stress to distress.

Last week Gentle servant, loving husband,

best friend, chief cook, bottle washer, caretaker.

This week Solving problems, answering questions,

consulting, advocate, agent, sales pro.

From stress to distress.

Then it occurs to me...

"Come unto me all you who are weary

and burdened and I will give you rest...

for I am gentle and humble in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy and

my burden is light."

Peace.