Random pictures from the past couple of weeks

Jet

The proud triplet mommy feeding Levi green beans at Christmas!

James took these pictures at Denver City Park around the lake. It was a wondeful day!! Jet playing in the chilly water at the City Park Lake!

This was over Christmas! James and Aria were watching Baby Einstein!

Smile, Levi, you just got green beans!

Why I am a Republican... Discuss politics...

So, I had a little bit of time on my hands the other day, and I was thinking as to why I am what I am when I identify myself in politics. So, I thought I would write down everything that I believe in with politics. (For some reason I am really into politics this election season!)

Please, let me know if you agree with me or disagree with me, or if you have anything to add. I would love to have a big long discussion on here about politics.

Here is what I believe...

I believe... that individuals, and not government, are the United States of America. Those individuals should have a voice in matters of government and that every person—every sex, race, disability, or creed—has the unalienable rights to LIFE, LIBERTY, and the PERSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

I believe... in government, but not big government. The government should let people be and do and not try to regulate every aspect of life. I don’t like the fact that sometimes even republicans can go overboard in regulating. I believe that if there are regulations they should be able to be agreed upon by everyone.

I believe... that the US government should encourage the people of this nation to prosper and work toward a better life (if they so choose). The government should help people if they are in a time of need, but help them only to get their feet under them, so they can stand on their own. Every person has that ability, and if they do not know how, the government should direct them to help and education that is out of the government’s hands.

I believe... that with the prosperity that the government encourages of its people the economy can grow. Let me explain my reasoning in some steps.

1. People start businesses
2. Government encourages prosperity.
3. Businesses create profit---- businesses spend more money (see step #6)
4. Profit creates more jobs
5. Jobs give more people more money
6. Money is spent on goods
7. Goods have taxes placed on them
8. Taxes go to government
9. Government can spend the money to improve all aspects of that which they have control.
   

I believe... that people must have individual rights. (This is where I differ from some in the Republican party, but bear with me) Here are a couple of basic rights that I strongly believe in.

• Right to Free speech-- George J. Esseff, Sr said it better than I can. “The right of free speech and dissent is shared equally by those offended… as well as those who offend” http://www.whatiam.net/
• Right to choose government—I believe that every legal citizen should have the right to vote on who represents them in government.
• Right to choose your own Religion or lack of (whatever it may be)— I believe in God, but I believe that every person may have their choice of religion or lack of religion if they want. I also believe that government cannot tell you what religion you have to be. I do believe that the United States was founded on Christian principles and a few of those principles are visible in government affairs. This, to me, is part of tradition. “In God We Trust” is a part of tradition. So is “under God.” I don’t believe that these phrases are an endorsement or forcing of the government for people to become God believing people. It is a tradition of the US and should be continued as such.
• Right to protection—I believe that every person in America should be protect from theft. That includes theft of property and of life. This means that the government should provide protection for individuals and the country as a whole. I respect and support our “protectors” (i.e. troops, police, firefighters, civil patrol, etc.) even if I don’t believe in the actions of some in the government that direct our “protectors.” I feel honored that they are giving their lives to protect mine.
• Right to justice—I believe that every person (of any race, creed, sex, etc) should be able to be judged by a jury of their peers (meaning any other person no matter race, sex, creed, etc). I believe that if a person has broken the law, ANY LAW, they should have some consequence, and that consequence should be dealt with all fairness and respect for all parties involved. If any person believes that a law is wrong, they should go through the correct channels of the government to correct that law, not just break it. I don’t believe in the death penalty ("If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone.”-John 8:7), except for in extremely atrocious cases. What those extremely atrocious cases are, I cannot tell you because I believe that each person must be judged individually.
  

I believe... that every person and the government should strive to do what is right, not just what is convenient.

I believe... that everyone in this world should take care of the environment, but that global warming is a hoax. It is not a proven fact, it is just a theory. I do believe in recycling and re-using. I also believe that if regulations are going to be put on one nation’s industries and people, that all nations of the world must also have those regulations, otherwise no change will happen. Plus, how do humans know that humans are causing warming? Where is the proof that a warmer (or colder) temperature is not the “ideal” temperature for earth? How can humans say that life will cease to exist if the world gets any warmer? We do not know the answers to any of these questions, only God does, and God asks us to be good stewards of the earth, and to take care of it and the animals.

I believe... that the USA should be energy independent, and in doing so we should utilize all resources that are available to us to use. That includes wind, solar, water, renewable resources (i.e. corn, wood, etc), coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, and future resources that have yet to be created. I believe that we should drill for oil responsibly, store nuclear waste responsibly, and be responsible for our citizens by using our resources, and not sending our “resources” or money overseas to countries and people who do not care for the US and want to hurt us.

I believe... that health care should not be paid for by the government, but should be affordable to all people. I believe that any and every insurance company should be available to any person in any state of the USA. That would make insurance premiums more competitive and affordable. If health care was to be paid for by the government, every person would be paying more taxes and would not be ensured the best care that they could find.

I believe... that a healthy, calm, discussion about politics is always fun. Please don't be mean, because I won't post comments that are mean or disrespectful!!!

Science and Bibilical Faith--Both Have Their Place

So, as you can tell, I find a lot of things in church newsletters that I get at work. I find things interesting and I think other people should know them. So, here is another one. This was published in the FBC Today newsletter of First Baptist Church of Grand Junction. It was written by Jerry Springston, the interim pastor there.

"Guard the Good News which has been entrusted to you. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith." (1 Timothy 6:20-21)

Upon coming to Grand Junction I subscribed to the [newspaper]. I try to read it from cover to cover every day. My favorite sections are the letters to the editor and the Saturday and Sunday opinions expressed in the You Said It articles. These provide windows into the thoughts of certain people (probably not the majority) in western Colorado. Their opinions most frequently address politics, public works and science and religion. Of course, it's the later topic that interests me most.

Two hundred years ago, scientists feared that trains speeding more that 50 miles an hour would self-destruct. Today they anticipate harvesting minerals from asteroids and communicating with life forms in other galaxies. Complete control of the aging process is expected by the year 2050. Despite prospects like these, age-old problems still exist--problems like human hatred, international strife and socio-economic inequities. Science itself poses dangers, such as nuclear holocaust and genetic engineering. Einstein regretted that his relativistic principles had influenced ethics and morality. "Science without religion is lame." he confessed. Beside Einstein, many of the greatest scientific thinkers--Galileo, Copernicus, Newton and Pascal--acknowledged the world of the Spirit.

So while science can show the wonder of God's intelligence and purpose, only faith can know and worship God as Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Beside, the world's greatest problem is not a lack of information, but alienation from God. It is not ignorance, but sin. Sin is a problem that science cannot address because sin is spiritual, residing in a person's heart and soul.

People cannot become greater or better than their heart. Only through the power and knowledge of God can they go beyond science to deal with the issues of personal character and human destiny. Character includes honesty, trustworthiness and compassion. But how can these be realized? The Bible teaches (as history confirms) that virtues and values do not come merely through study, education or the acquisition of knowledge. Some of the most intelligent and knowledgeable people of history have been exceedingly wicked. Our sinful, fallen nature requires that science and religion join together so that we both appreciate the wonder of God's creative power and know the joy of His salvation.