Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Political priorities


If you were to ask who in our house is more involved with politics these days, or really anyday, it is Michael. I hope that one day he has the opportunity to teach history at a college level. He is so knowledgable and really inspiring when I realize how much I don't know about our nation's history and the old adage rings true......history always repeats itself.

Recently, with the rest of the country, we have watched and discussed the presidential candidates as the primarys are in full swing. As a public school teacher, I am surrounded with many friends and coworkers that have a different views politically. At the end of the day, it boils down to your political priorities. It kills me how many people make the statement "I don't know anything about anyone - I don't watch any of that stuff" Granted, I know it is not fun family entertainment and after a full day of my mind going crazy, I am not ususally dying to turn on to Glenn Beck or Hannity and Colmes. However, where has the personal responsiblity of knowing who you are voting for gone? Why, as Americans, are we so apathetic about our freedom and the cost it was and STILL IS to so many families? Why are we so passionate about voting for a party instead of the person?

I will be the first to say, I am not throughly impressed at this point with anyone running. All four candidates have a weak view of national security which, to me, is a major priority. Last week I learned that Obama, a candidate, refuses to stand and say the pledge or sing our national anthem. He was also voted "most liberal senator of 2007" by the National Journal for reasons such as voting against a foreign policy that allows the US to listen to phone calls made inside the US to other countries suspected of terriorist organizations and claiming that a baby born of an unsuccessful abortion (aka a LIVE birth) is still not considered human. To be honest, it scares me how many I work with and know that are considering voting for a man who has little to no patriotism or concern for the future of America. All that they see is he is a Democrat, African-American, and claims "It is time for a change"

I understand that regardless of who is in the presidential position God is still on his throne and in control. I understand that this world is not my home and I will never be comfortable here. I understand that the bible states that we are to PRAY for our government and leadership (we cannot assume that that means they are Christians) (1 Tim. 2:1-3)

At the end of the day, at least be able to articulate why you stand beside the candidate you are voting for and not just the image they withhold. Know their views instead of just complaining about candidates and voting for someone due to a party. Be an educated voter and speak up. The freedom we know now may change due to many ignorant people not taking the time to find out why they are chosing their candidate and the priorities they stand beside.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

starting today....

The last few weeks I have explored the world of blogging. To be honest, I have been quite content with the "no strings attached" philosophy of facebook. You can get on, check if you have anything in the inbox, look at others new updates, and then hop off. Recently, Katie (Hagen) Hinson joined the facebook club and I was thrilled to read about her life and "catch up". Ridley Barron, my old youth minister, also joined facebook and from there I read his blog. It was then I got addicted. I LOVED really reading and catching up more than the superficial quotes and tacky pictures (sorry- have people forgotten that a picture is worth 1000 words? it amazes me what people chose to post). I have always loved to journal (any ideas on what to do with the THOUSANDS I have filled in a rubbermaid tub in the garage?? - not exactly a garage sell item :) ) and fiqured I would begin to blog when Michael and I had our first kid and I would be at home more. I guess starting today I am getting a head start....

I am teaching kindergarten and loving it. I always knew that I was called to teach but after Michael and I got married and moved to Louisville I was ready to mark teaching off my list. If you ever have seen Dangerous Minds, Coach Carter, GridIron Gangs - those were my students. When we moved back to Tennessee, teaching was far from an option for a job. I became the student ministry assistant at our church for our 4 youth pastors and loved the high intensity, ministry saturated job it was. As time passed, I sensed the Lord was wanting me back in the classroom. The more I prayed, the more clear it became. I had more time to spend with the youth at church, I could better fulfill the role of being a youth minister's wife, and I would simply be in the community with lost children and families. I was ready to go back if that meant the same senerio as Louisville again. No where close to Louisville........I teach under an incredibly Godly principal, the other kindergarten teachers are also my age, and the school is a low-income school with appreciative, lost kids. I LOVE IT. God is so good to allow me to minister there.

As I said earlier, Michael is a youth pastor so our time is filled with teenagers or five year olds. Our weeks are full as well as our weekends. It is easy for us to run on the strands of our own energy. We joke and say that when we do have kids our lives will actually slow down because we will have to be home. I know.....many of you are laughing but if you know us personally, you are saying.....that is TRUE! We are so thankful to be married. Even tonight at Cracker Barrell, I was cackling laughing at something we were talking about....isn't marriage the neatest gift and creation from God? We have nothing to complain about. Our lives are so full. I hope you are able to jump on our blog and be refreshed and laugh out loud. We are looking forward to all God has in store for us in 2008!