"When I grow up..."

This is of course one of the "sounds of summer" delivered to us by who else, The Beach Boys.  It's one of my favorites.   When the DJ's at KRLA or KHJ in Southern California spun this selection I'd turn the radio up (even louder) in my 1960 Ford Falcon--and be transported into thoughts of... the future; "what will it be like?  Who...what...where...when...if?"

Today, when I select that tune on my iPod, or hear it on my Pandora "Beach Boys Radio" selection, I'm transported into thoughts of...the past; we all grew up.  I settled down early, married my High School sweetheart 40 years ago and "dig" her more today than ever!  Life hasn't always been fair, but it's always been good.

I've grown up, and now, I'm growing old(er) and I think about, legacy.  What will I leave behind that will mark my place in the passage of time?  What will my grandkids carry through their lives that has my fingerprints on it?  Have the lives of people been enriched because they spent a season in close proximity with me?  Have I been an agent of positive change? Have I equipped my children to be good citizens, parents, role models and people?

I'm grateful that I'm NOT finished. I'm grateful that I'm not alone. I'm grateful He's not done: "Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from stumbleing and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.²⁵All 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 24, 25

the Great Debate...

Politics is part of our DNA as a Nation.  It's why we don't choke up when we hear our cousins from across the pond singing "God Save the Queen."  That said, let's work to keep the Debate civil and respectful.

Let me be clear here; civil doesn't mean we can't passionately disagree with each other.  It doesn't mean we can't say what we think and apply with dazzling skill (or not), the amazing resources at our fingertips to back up our opinions.  It's ironic that we have come to believe that it's politically correct to be neutral--or at least give the appearance of neutrality.  The term "political" has no application apart from the idea of people engaged in advancing a specific set of ideas to govern the way we do things--in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, communities and government!

The freedom to speak is part of the foundation of our nation; our nation, that survives today because citizen-soldiers have taken up arms against those who would seek to subjugate us and our way of life--without regard for wether they agreed with all the politics.  We owe those who gave so selflessly a debt of great responsibility with regard to our deportment as a free-people.

That said...let's engage in the debate.

• Let's speak out with boldness.  
• Let's refuse to be thin-skinned.
• Let's choose kindness.
• Let's refuse to brand "not like me" as hate speech.
• Let's make it passionate, but not personal.
• Let's give each other the space to be stubborn and blind. Not everyone is as smart as we are...that's a good thing (wink, wink).
• Let's believe the best about those who think differently.
• Let's ask questions to clarify.
• Let's exercise grace and tolerance for those who seem, from our perspective, so intolerant.
• Let's be willing to grow and change.
• Let's not be ugly.
• Let's remind those who may embrace what we believe, but do so in ugly ways, that "ugliness isn't funny, helpful or appropriate--ever."
• Let's work to control hyperbole...which is rhetorically useful and appropriate but must be done with balance.
• Let's allow for another rhetorically useful tool: sarcasm...but those who use it unwisely do so at their own peril.  Less is more.
• Let's be willing to own our errors humbly and with grace.
• Let's be willing to forgive.

Come November 7, 2012, let's close ranks and hold those elected to govern responsible, for the way they govern; let's also allow them to compromise and advance the business of the Nation forward toward a brighter future.

Remember, we have a new-direction "fork in the road" every two years.  It's the "governor" on the system and virtually assures that the more things change, the more they stay the same; therein lies the genius of the Founders.

Politics, it's part of our DNA.

Dear Mr. President...

"WE the PEOPLE in order to form a more perfect union...do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Preamble to the Constitution

"...to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; and whenever any Form of Government becomes destrutive to these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government."

Declaration of Independence

"...Citizens of the United States do not exist to support and serve the government. Quite the contrary; our Constitution makes it very plain that the government is a creation, and servant, of the People. They pay for it, and they maintain it. If need be, Mr. Obama, they also have the right to dismantle it and start over."

Michael Nellet "A Basic Economic Lesson for Mr. Obama" 

Dear Mr. President...

I know you get it; what's troubling is your presumption that because you believe America needs to be fundamentally transformed--that, your opinion, gives you the right to exercise the power of the Presidency in ways that violate the trust given to you in 2008. You don't own the Presidency, the People lend our President's power and expect they will use, but not abuse it.

You recently described a classic American experience, people helping each other up the ladder--part of what makes our culture exceptional. Then it became clear as you continued, that you don't get it at all. In your vision of our country, "behind every successful entrepreneur there stands a successful government (Rich Lowry)."  Nothing could be further from the truth.

The truth is, Mr. President, that behind our government--the oldest most successful democracy on earth--stand exceptional citizens, who believe in a big idea birthed in the crucible of revolution, which make it great. It's this "citizen DNA" that makes democracy work. Our money builds those bridges, dams and roads, that "infrastructure;" our engineers vision and design them and our labor force contructs them; our hard earned tax dollars pay for them. Government has a role, but make no mistake: the People preceded the Government and it is this Nation's People that make her great, government possible and dreams come true.

Mr. President, the People did not anoint you to Federalize mentors, teamwork and pro bono benevolence. That's not a function of government, never has been, never will be; it's part of the character of our People and has marked every generation for 236 years. The genesis of this kind of generosity is the goodness of our People and our willingness to help each other; our passion for helping others improve their lot in life, realize a dream, move across socio-ecomic barriers and beat the odds. That's just what we do; we give back and we give generously without concern for what "our fair share" might be. That's why America is the most generous Nation on the planet; this is a place where in spite of evil, goodness does eventually prevail.

Please, Mr. President, reconsider your campaign to reinvent America in the image of collectivism. That sets the bar far too low and will surely relegate us to the backwaters of the 21st Century. The world will be a far less humane place if that becomes our destiny.

Mr. President, like many politicians, you often conclude your prepared remarks with a simple yet profound blessing; "God bless America." I pray that you will be energized by the possibilities contained in that simple phrase; that you will lift your eyes from the horizon, to the heavens and be gifted with a fresh vision much bigger than "a fair share." A vision rooted in grace, driven by faith and powered by obedience.

Mr. President, may God bless you.

Respectfully,
Ben Baier

Be still...

The word "listen" contains the same letters as the word "silent." Silence conducts the still small voice of God; it is a discipline that pays big dividends...

Be still

and know

that I am God.

Psalm 46.10

Stay engaged; Get informed!

It is easy to be dismayed (and I must say I fight it) by the cost of modern democracy, and the opportunities that cost creates for abuse.

BUT...our process today is so much better than it was 40+ years ago (things began to change in 1964).  The rise of the primaries (which has driven up the cost) have replaced smoke filled rooms where scores of people (some with money, some with power and some with money and power) made the decisions millions make today.  By comparison, there is much greater transparency now, than ever before.  The issue of disproportionate influence, well, that's part of the baggage of democracy.  Andy Stern is a good example of that in this administration...but this is a problem  in EVERY administration.

Democracy...It's messy, it's flawed and it's easily manipulated; that said it's the the last-best hope freedom has.  All I can do is participate in the process in an engaged/informed way and pray for those who are raised up to lead.

That's enough.

Today...

Today a gift; time, breath, life.  Now what?

Today horzion indigo-blue dawn.

Today sweet slumber, my retreat.

Today moments with God, my hope.

Today wished away?

Today sundance East.

Today love's gentle touch, my confidence. 

Today grandson smiles, my delight.

Today mine to squander, make great?

Today sun blazes zenith, Noon.

Today disapointment, my challenge.

Today sweet fragance, my respite.

Today spent, invested?

Today  moon reflects suns glory, sublime beauty.

Today kind word, my comfort.

Today quiet reflection, my strength.

Today, something of significance to last?

Today, here, gone.

Today, all I have, all I need.

Today, I will rejoice and be glad.

Taps begin to play...

Time adds little perspective.
Death in a hostile place, a time not chosen.
Cities hard to pronounce; countries hard to find.
Cause, clarity; clouded, confused. Hard to recall.

Time dulls memory. 
Pace pushes people on.
Space vacated, empty, gone.
Place dissolves, no trace, so it seems.

Taps begins to play.
This I remember. 
Their laughter, their scent.
First date, first kiss, first love.
A Friday night, when life was simple.
The future a certain dream, bullet proof...not.

Tears flow freely now.
Pride in a life well lived.
Grief for a life given; invested and gone.
The loss, the pain; heart broken, shattered.

These are the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen...
Their last full-measure given; duty, honor, country.
May they rest in peace. 

May we never forget.

To the women in my life...

This weekend, our country honors Mothers...

I want to extend that "honor" to a host of women God has used in my life; too many to name them all, but these stand out. My grandmother, Mary--who stood in the gap for me; my mom, Pat, who loved and raised me; my "little" sister, Tamara, who shared my childhood with me and is now such a good friend; My Aunt Carolyn who rescued me and cousin, Patty, who is a "big-sister" to me. A select few of my Friends "Mom's" who took time to invest in me like I was their son; teachers who brought out the best in me; my mother-in-law who was a part of my life for 42 years; my daughter, an inspiration for me; friends who've believed in me, encouraged me and stood with me through the intersections and storms of life; partners in ministry who've shared a common vision with me.

You are a tapestry of faithfulness and virtue. Thank you for the part you've played in making my life better, and me a better man.

Mary Patricia B.

Patricia B.

Tamara M.

Carolyn C.

Patty C.

Janice C.

Erin H.

Miss Arlene

Mrs. Rattray

Mrs. McCann

Ruth B.

Sheila Z.

Betty C.

Patty C.

Marilyn B.

Norma Z.

Stana M.

Carlene L.

Carol S.

Karen H.

BJ R.

Deb M.

Miriam R.

Becky Wag.

Ruthann L.

Connie S.

Nancy K.

Vicki J.

Beth L.

Jan F.

Lori V.

Jan K.

Finally, I honor my best friend, "for life" companion of 39 years, mother to our wonderful children and my most faithful prayer warrior.  My lovely bride who has refused to give up on me; I love you...

Laura

...Thanks to all of you.

What Moms do...

God makes the day.  

Family makes the day a joy. 

Mom's make the day a ministry.

Good day.

Good day.

Laura and I worked outside at our office building all day.  Cleaned, stained and opened the fountain, transplanted a really big Hydrangea and three Hostas...cleaned up the beds and put down our the rubber snakes (keep birds away); scrubbed the oxidation (looks like salt) off the brick finishes on the building (only happens on the North side of the building).  Packed up and drove over for a drive-by of our daughters home (in escrow) and found an open door, NICE place--so pleased for them.  Locked it up tight and grabbed a burger and salad.  Then, collapsed back at home.

Yes, it's been a good day.