All Things to All People

The unique and respectable quality of Christianity is its exclusiveness. This is what non-Christians despise about it. But, it is what the God of the Bible commands of His believers; there is one true God and One Truth. That is why the Holy Bible remains undiminished.

When you accept Christ into your life, you start to appreciate some basic principles found in the Bible. If you are in doubt about what to believe, you refer back to the Holy Bible and see what God says about the particular issue. Its not always clear in one verse, but put into conext of the entire Word of God, you can come to a sound conclusion on most matters. However, if you are searching the Bible to accommodate your beliefs, you are preverting God's Word. Further, once you deviate from what the Bible says or seek other sources for counsel which conflicts with the Bible, that viewpoint can no longer be supported or tolerated within the faith. It is sin.

This assessment is not intended to address any particular issue, but to illustrate a parallel to the adoption of ones political views.

As a citizen of this country, one appreciates some basic principles of our Constitution. If one is in doubt of how the country should work or how people should be treated or what laws are based upon, one can refer to our Constitution. Not every law is detailed within the document, but from that, you can typically understand the cohesive succession of law. If a law contradicts that foundation and/or a law is being manipulated into an individual's "interpretation" of that document, it becomes a perversion of original context.

In the case of our American Constitution, much perversion or the original intent has taken place. To accruately understand the authors' intent, one needs to be reminded of the history of oppression our founding fathers experienced prior to drafting it. They were not, as some suggest, unfamiliar with the issues or today. In fact, it was many of the issues of today they they were trying to protect Americans from. Our Constitution, as the Christian faith, are based on this central theme: Freedom with Responsibility.

God allowed an imperfect world so that his children may choose the life they wish to live. Jesus came to lead, to be an example, so that people may choose to follow him. God gave us the ability, a brain and a heart make our own decision. But, He says, once you "call my name", you are "not your own." He gave us freedom, but once we choose to follow him, it comes with certain responsibilities, which we willingly and joyfully submit to, because we are thankful for his grace and forgiveness.

Likewise, our founding fathers wrote the Constitution based on freedom and responsibility. We are not wards to an oppressive King who demands our unfailing loyalty. We are not told how to think, what to say or forbidden to question. We have a President to serve as a leader, at our pleasure. He is supposed to be our representative, our defender and our example to follow. He is not elected to author the laws but to enforce them. He is not to serve the other bodies of government, but the people.

To ensure limited powers, we have the Consitution. It is to be view as a whole; a complete work. Once someone begins to chip into that framework, by adding to it or subtracting from it as trends may change, we diminish the country's integrity. It is no longer, uniquely and exclusively "American."

Therefore, if one wants to discuss the merits of Americanism, that is fine. If one wants to challenge the abuses of individuals with the established framework, great. But we are not a nation of "all things to all people." This nation is a refuge for those who are seeking what we have. If someone doesn't like the manuscript from which principles are built - well, they have the freedom to shop for a better story.

Investments with Eternal Returns

Every summer is the same conversation for my husband and I. We wrestle over the finances and ask ourselves again, "Can we afford a private Christian education for our kids next fall?"

This year was especially tough . . . we have other financial obligations, cars that are aging, dreams that are postponed and children that are growing - rapidly. Everything is costing more and it seems we never have any extra to get ahead. It is a familiar feeling among families - ours is no exception.

So, why do we make this sacrifice? Our tuition payment is almost as much as a second mortgage; at least as much as a car payment, maybe enough for a cabin on a lake. . . and definitely enough for a vacation fund! How many years to we let these pass us by so we can write that check out each month? Should we be investing it for retirement or college? Are we wasting years of memories and opportunities for our kids? What is the right decision?

I try to explain to friends and family that this decision doesn't come easily. After all, public school is FREE! Surely God doesn't want us to carry debt. Surely he cares about the safety of our cars and our retirement. Are we being irresponsible? We wonder ourselves sometimes whether it's"worth" it. The decision is an annual journey of pros, cons and prayer.

But this is where we return every time: Public Schools have failed our family. My husband and I work very hard to teach our kids truth and integrity, according to our faith. We expect from them: respect, manners and charity toward others. Our kids aren't perfect and we aren't flawless in our upbringing. But after all the trials and tears, WHY would I allow the school "system" to systematically unweave the fabric of my family?

Public schools are no longer a place or order, respect, modesty and wisdom. Through curriculum and design - even through funding - they have politicized our children's education in the name of diversity. It is sad, that I, as an American, a taxpayer and a parent, cannot enjoy one of the foundational rights of my country - free education.

But, the beauty is, I have found, is the freedoms I do enjoy - CHOICE, RELIGION, SPEECH. Albeit at a large cost, I can still exercise my faith, choose to go elsewhere and speak up. That is why, for Christ's sake, I can delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:10)

For all the explanations and justifications, I offer this from a parental perspective: "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." (Prov 20:7) The investment may be mortal to our checkbook today, but the rewards are eternal. Amen.

Who is paying the difference?

The recent "Cash for Clunkers" program is reminiscent of a not-so-distant and equally stupid strategy based on the government enabling people to purchase things they otherwise cannot afford. Although all media cries the program is "a success," ask yourselves, "Who is paying the difference?"

Haven't we learned what happens when banks loan money to people to buy homes they can't afford? Sure, it gets you in the house (car) but the devil is in the details of mortgage payments, taxes, insurance and maintenance. Likewise, that brand new car driving off the lot.

The auto industry is the most recent recipient of big government's latest brain child. On the surface, everyone wins! People are shopping! Dealerships are busy! Unfortunately, quick fixes often lead to long term frustrations. This is no different than the deceitful credit card industry making offers to consumers to charge today (No interest! Cash back! Rewards!) and pay tomorrow.

Was it so difficult for the auto industry to weather the storm? It's been less than a year since they begged for mercy at the feet of Congress. It appears the union's overindulgent uncle has yet again swooped in to "rescue" the American free market. However, while the industry appears to get a "hand up" they fail to see the empty pocket Uncle Sam pulled that hand from. Good luck - check is in the mail..

Instead, Uncle Sam should act like the depression-era grandparent, who has money under their mattress, yet holds back and lets his family figure out how to achieve success on their own. Perhaps they could learn from a typical middle-income parent, who tell their teenager to "use their own money" for those expensive shoes, instead of buying it for them. These tough life lessons teach children about choices and the value of a dollar. When those values aren't learned, when children aren't expected to succeed on their own, we all pay.

Who pays the difference for government programs? We all do. Suddenly we all pay more - for purchases, insurance, health care - everything. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs cannot get business loans, grandparents see dwindling returns on their hard earned investments and neighborhood shops that have accounted for every dime to survive, shut their doors because government propped up their big corporate competitors. It's not speculation and it's not scare tactics. It's Obama's America.

So I will be content to drive right by all these dealerships with flags flurrying in desperation, in either of my ten year old vehicles. I will be happy pass on a new car loan and know I can make my mortgage payment on time. I don't need to be told what to buy or when to buy it. I don't need rescued, Uncle Sam. I need my freedom and the opportunity to success or fail based on my choices and abilities. And so does the auto industry.