Sandy Hook, Guns and God

Thoughts on Sandy Hook

Friday December 14th the world witnessed acts of humanity at its worst. Whatever caused the shooter to enter the school and kill 20 1st grade students and 6 adult educators, in addition to his own mother earlier in the day, we will never understand. Was he mentally ill, depressed, under unknown pressure? We will never know. But he must of been sick or ill we say? Again, this is the short answer and one that we would like to have be the answer so we can go along with our lives as normal. But we can't continue as normal. Normal is going to work, drinking our Starbucks, buying meaningless gifts and gadgets, arguing about our right to carry weapons, thinking that what happened in Newtown CT will never ever happen at our home. The sad reality is that this very thing can happen at our home in Anytown USA. It has been happening for centuries in middle eastern countries and others alike. It is a mindset of the assassin, a believe, martyrdom. I  don't believe the shooter at Sandy Hook was mentally ill or a martyr. He apparently had no cause. No history of mental illness. He was highly intellegent and thoughtful. He had a loving mother who cared for him enough to quit her job so that she could devote more of her attention toward him. According to media she had even considered selling her home so that he could attend college elsewhere. Although I did not know her she sounds like a mother who cared for her children. He sounds like he would have been a good son, a good student.

So what is the matter with our world?  The problem with our world is that we have buried God in our economy, politics, social issues and daily lives. We have banned God from our schools. We debate Christianity while lifting up foriegn faiths for fear that we might insult one another or hurt others fealings. We were founded as a Christian nation, America - the land of the FREE. We argue that same sex individuals should or should not get married. We debate whether government should be bigger or smaller, whether people are entitled to get housing support, food stamps, free breakfast at schools, etc. We even spend money and time trying to prove that our president was not born on US soil. Shame on us America! Although these are important issues they mask the problem of our society. We are a society that has become Godless!

What is the solution to preventing this type of random violence? Put God back in our schools and our daily lives. Start by praying at the school of your son, daughter or grandchild. Simply drive up to the school, get out of your car and bless the school, the students and educators. Teachers and students can do the same. You may not be able to publicly profess your faith in schools but noone can stop faith from spreading once it starts. Faith is stronger than any illness or force. You see faith in the eyes of children. You hear it in thier voices. You witness faith in the kindness of teachers and leaders. No group, not even the ACLU can stop faith.

Guns are a problem that needs to be resolved. Please don't spend time arguing that guns should be banned. Everyone should agree that Assualt weapons should not exist. Their only purpose is to kill. They exist to satisfy our coureosity and for the profit of the manufacturer. We live in a country that loves guns. I have never purchased a gun but have three. All were inherited. This is probably the case with most of us.  NRA lovers you are safe...we will never ban guns. We can better manage them though. For instance we could require a class on gun handling in order to buy one. You have to have a drivers license to drive a car or motorcycle. A pilot license to fly a plane. A medical license to practice medicine. Heck, realtors even have to have a license to sell real estate (dirt)! Why shouldn't a gun owner have to take a class on gun safety? The true gun owner and user is able to manage the weapon and thier emotions. I know too many people who have purchased guns because they fear that one day someone will knock down thier door and attack them.  If that is the case you will need to carry the weapon 24/7 in order for it to help you when and if that event ever happens. Figure that out when you are taking a shower, sleeping, making love,  you get the picture. Managing a gun by emotion is a recipe for disaster.

We are at a turning point in our nation. We can argue about guns, and talk about mental illnes until we are blue in the face. Or, we can facilitate change in our nations beliefs and faith. Share the love of God with your co-worker. Show his love when driving down the street. Perform random acts of kindness to everyone. Start today...don't waist a minute...we simply do not have that much time.



                               

Ask for Help when Needed!~

This is a reprint from a post on the Florida Association of Realtors site. When people are in trouble why don't they simply ask for help?

Struggling homeowners worry about mortgage relief help

HOUSTON – May 29, 2012 – Money Management International (MMI) recently conducted a national housing survey to learn how homeowners act when they find themselves struggling with mortgage payments.

Survey respondents said they would first seek help from family or friends (50 percent) followed by their lender (26 percent), and then from housing counselors or a mortgage relief program (13 percent).

When asked what worried them about options for mortgage assistance, survey respondents said they were concerned about scams/fraudulent services (53 percent); that the services would cost them money they couldn’t afford to pay (51 percent); and that the process would be confusing, or they would choose a solution they did not fully understand (45 percent).

“Homeowners face real concerns when considering who to turn to for help with mortgage troubles,” says Jo Kerstetter, vice president of education and community relations for MMI. “For the millions of homeowners who still face possible foreclosure, it is important to remember that quality help is available for free from HUD-certified housing counselors nationwide.”

Additional findings:

• 25 percent of homeowners or someone they know needed assistance making mortgage payments during the last four years.
• 57 percent of owners would seek help only after a job loss; 35 percent only if they knew they would miss at least one mortgage payment; and 27 percent only after they had missed one mortgage payment.
• 63 percent of respondents who sought help did so when they were 1 to 3 months behind on mortgage payments; 22 percent were 4 to 6 months behind; and 4 percent were 7 or more months behind.

Free and safe foreclosure prevention help is available. Homeowners who have questions or concerns about their mortgage payment or loan should consider meeting with a HUD-certified housing counselor to discuss their options.

© 2012 Florida Realtors®

$373.75 and 96 Hours

$373.75 is the cost to repair the lower heater hose on our 2003 Pontiac Montana. With 127,000 miles  it still looks good and has a decent ride. But be aware of those plastic connections that wear with age. Sometime along the way auto manufacturers determined that plastic was better than aluminum or steel. I assume costs outweighed longevity...besides, who would keep a car for 9 to 10 years anyway. Keeping our van as long as we have wasn't the plan but it is how it has worked out. The positive is that we don't have any car payments. The negative is that we are wearing out all of the plastic parts. $373.75 plus 4 days without the van. The part was a dealer part and being a Friday can't be ordered till Monday. Thank the lord we still have three children at home and three cars to borrow for the weekend. Hmmm...I wonder if they will give us gas money.  
    

The Homeless Man

Recently I have noticed a change in the homeless that stand on our streets asking for money. Some are so bold to simply use the phrase 'need beer - why lie?'. Many are younger. I recently met a young lady, in her early twenties, a graduate of bible school from Virginia. Her name is Sara. I had seen her walking across the mall parking lot for several weeks. The morning I met her she had been sleeping on a bench in front of the mall. I waited for her to wake before approaching her. Our conversation was short. As I started to ask her questions to determine how I could help her she said she had to go. She got up from the bench, took her bags and walked north on 9th avenue.  I haven't seen her since. I don't doubt that there are truely those who are homeless. Recently I learned that there is an epidemic of teens who are homeless. Discarded by thier parents, left to live on the streets. I am told by my own children of kids in high school that are homeless. So if we all reach out to these teens we actually have a chance to change lives or at least assist on helping them get back on a path of love and support. According to a recent ABC documentory this is most what they want. A sense of belonging. Sara seemed afraid to recieve help. She seemed ashamed that her hands were not clean enough to shake hands. Maybe she was too proud to accept help. Maybe she just doesn't want help. Perhaps this is true with the homeless that are older. I simply do not know. Who is that teen that is homeless? Who is the woman or man standing on the corner? If Christ were to return today would you recognize him? After all, he was homeless and would most likely return as such. How do you look at the Homeless man, woman, child?     

Esteem One Another

I was thinking about how we should lift one another up, support one another, even motivate one another and in today's word from Joel and Victoria Osteen the term 'Esteem' was focused one. I think we need to 'esteem' each other more. It is true that it is difficult to constantly focus on others when we have so many challenges of our own. However I find that by giving to others I am continually on the receiving end of grace.

So today I want to share this from the Osteens...maybe it will help you to make a difference in your life and the life of another today.

From 'Today's Word with Joel and Victoria (joelosteen.com)

      “And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us...”
(Ephesians 5:2, AMP)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
In today’s culture, we don’t often hear the word esteem used very much, yet, scripture tells us to esteem and delight in one another. One definition of esteem is to hold in high regard. That means we are to honor and value one another. Even if we don’t always agree with one another, even if they don’t necessarily act honorably, we are to honor and esteem others because they are valuable in the eyes of God.
Think of it this way: if you had a costly and valuable piece of jewelry, you wouldn’t just wear it to the gym or leave it on the kitchen sink. No, you would treat it carefully. You would put it in a safe place and protect it. Well, when we see others as valuable the way God sees them, we will treat them carefully as well. We should be careful in the way we talk to others. We should look for the good in them and honor them for who God made them to be.
The Bible tells us that the way we treat others is like sowing seed, and it will come back to you. Choose to esteem and delight in one another. Sow good seeds, and you will see a harvest of blessing in your own life in return!

Your Words are Life-Giving-Water...from Joel and Victoria Osteen

I believe that our words are the strongest part of our personalities and leadership skills. Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen demonstate just how large an impact our words can have.

Hope you enjoy!

Life-Giving Water ...“The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters...” (Proverbs 18:4, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
All over the world, there are people who are lonely, they’re hurting, they’ve been through disappointments; they’ve suffered heartache and pain. As believers, God has given us something to offer them. We have life-giving, refreshing water in us. With our words, we can bring healing. With our words, we can lift them out of depression. With our words, we can tell them, “You’re beautiful. You’re amazing. You’re talented. God has a bright future in front of you.” Those life-giving words will break the chains of depression. They will break the chains of low self-esteem. You can help set people free from the strongholds that are keeping them back. You may not know all that is happening, but God can take one compliment, one encouraging word, and use that to begin the healing process and set that person on a brand new course. And when you help break the chains off of others, any chains that you might have will be broken off, too!
Today, choose to speak encouragement. Choose to speak life. Tell others what they can become, give compliments, and live life as a healer. Pour out that life-giving water with your words and watch it come back to you in abundance!

Cancer Sucks!

Not knew news I know...but all the same isn't there enough of it out there already. Seems like by now we could have developed a cure. My dear friend Fritz has been diagnosed with a rare form of throut cancer. At 62, a guy who never placed a tobacco product to his lips has throat cancer. The prognosis is good although the treatment will be life altering. There are others who have the ongoing battle of the nasty 'C' word. Several of my fellow church members are undergoing treatment. I know we serve a God of miracles and believe that He will heal Fritz and those others of this disease. Until, join me in lifting those with cancer up in prayer for healing and peace. The battle is a hard one fought. Peace, blessings and LiveToWin!