Senators' Hard Hearts: An American Farce

 Photo Credit:  Doug Mills/The New York Times

Shame, Shame, Shame on the Senate of the United States of America.  Against the hard brick wall of partisan blocking, President Obama brought out the big "guns" (so to speak) of almost the only thing sure to turn hearts of stone into human hearts:  the eyes of those who had  lost loved ones in the Newtown Massacre.  And believe it or not, the Senate didn't blink.  They stood their ground against all reason.  Read, and please remember come election time, how your Senator voted. Did he/she vote in a way that really represents what you believe in?

The Senate trampled through the salty puddles of tears from the combined families with weak excuses like:

That's What Friends Are

Photo Credit:  www.mindfiesta.com

 

 

Our Daily Bread had a very interesting devotion today on Friendship. (1 Samuel 23:14-18. The Matthew Henry Commentary: "The very sight of Jonathan was reviving to David; but, besides this, he said that to him which was very encouraging. 1. As a pious friend, he directed him to God, the foundation of his confidence and the fountain of his comfort: He strengthened his hand in God. David, though a strong believer, needed the help of his friends for the perfecting of what was lacking in his faith; and herein Jonathan was helpful to him, by reminding him of the promise of God, the holy oil wherewith he was anointed, the presence of God with him hitherto, and the many experiences he had had of God’s goodness to him. Thus he strengthened his hands for action, by encouraging his heart, not in the creature, but in God. **Jonathan was not in a capacity of doing any thing to strengthen him, but he assured him God would.**"

Have you ever regretted that you didn't have the material resources to help a friend desperately in need? Well do all that you can to help, but remember also that even just showing up and/or praying for/with them can be the greatest gifts of encouragement because it releases them to the ONE who can do for them what you and the world (for all your good intentions) cannot. Be good to your friends and may your friends be good to you. :) Have a Blessed day.

Is The Water Killing Our Marines?

Photo Credit:  hammeringsparksfromtheanvil.blogspot.com

Dateline NBC recently aired a segment that was quite upsetting. Read the latest update here. This poor veteran and his family are suffering terribly.

The gist of the segment on Dateline NBC was that there are upwards of 500,000 veterans and their family members (adults and children) now suffering from a variety of different cancers that have been linked to contaminated water that was consumed or bathed in while the families were stationed at Camp Lejeune. The sad and sickening part is that it took so long before the public was made aware. To be fair the Marine Corps did provide a full response to queries raised by this story. Read here and form your own opinions. 

Obesity: The Winnable War at Home

Photo Credit:  eBaum's World



Hot off of the fantastic coverage and thrills of the 2012 Summer Olympics, most people are slowly settling back into their normal routines.  Yes, it was fun to watch our favorite athletes as they performed incredible feats, broke records, won medals and made their bodies do things that most of us can't recall doing recently, if ever.  For many of us, jumping up and down as we cheered them on was the most exercise we'd had in awhile.  And therein lies the problem.  Whether we viewed the Olympic games from our sofa, bed, or the local bar stool, we were watching.  Not only the Olympics, but we watch football, baseball, hockey, tennis, and many other sports from our living room.  All of this watching, along with other lifestyle habits, has led to an increase in health problems in American.  One of the fastest growing threats is...

Hair-raising Shenanigans at the 2012 Olympics!

Olympic Gold Medalist in gymnastics for the United States

Photo Credit:  Mike Blake/Reuters



Gabby Douglas, at the tender age of 16, has become the first African-American all-around gymnastics gold medalist for the United States of America.  Gabby, with the smile that lit up the arena in London like the candles lit up the sky during the opening ceremonies, has done her momma proud.  She has done her family proud, and man oh man, has she done her country proud.  And what are many people focusing on?

A Massacre at Midnight

By now almost everyone has heard about the horrible shooting massacre that occurred at the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora, Colorado, on July 20, 2012.  This story is so horrible on so many levels.  I was surprised to learn that the theater where this tragedy took place was only about 15 miles away from where the Columbine shooting took place a number of years ago.  I can't imagine the horror that replaced the excitement of being among the first to see the much anticipated installment of the Batman movie series.  However, one statement struck me in the head like a hammer.

Queen Elizabeth II Celebrates Diamond Jubilee

    

 

Credit: en.wikipedia.org

As a proud and happy citizen of the United States, I’ve always considered our government the best ever.  I love the democracy of the citizens of our country having the choice, and the means to elect our leaders.  Our presidential candidates have the opportunity to lay out their platforms before the people and we have the privilege of making a choice of the person that we, the majority of voters, feel will make the best commander-in-chief for America.  Yes, a government by the people, for the people, and of the people.  Many of us, rather smugly at times, have viewed the English monarchy as a rather stuffy lot.  I, too, was guilty of this.  That is until I got, almost involuntarily, sucked into watching the global coverage of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration.