Defining Hillary

Excuse me for saying it, but Hillary Clinton kind of reminds me of a Veternarian. I would expect to see her in the clinic treating doggey ailments or performing surgery on a pussy cat. I don't mean this in a bad way, so don't take it as such. But I definately see Hillary as a take charge person who can get things done. She's a great communicator, maybe a little bit insensitive at times, but very effective at getting her point across. This could be really helpful when dealing with poorly trained pets.... I think she would also look good with a white lab coat on and a stethescope around her neck. You see, she fits the role perfect. She's loves health care and could do wonders for our pets. The only problem: She wouldn't be long in the profession before proposing a nationalized health care program for pets! You see, with Hillary, everything comes back to something the government can do. Which is not altogether bad, I actually support the government doing it's part. But somehow with Hillary it's never enough...

At the risk of sounding political, I'd like to challenge your thinking a bit. Societial problems are deeply rooted in the selfishness of humankind. Rick Warren describes it this way, "We live in a “me first,” serve-yourself world that says it’s all about you. Commercial slogans cater to this viewpoint. Slogans like, “have it your way,” “we do it all for you,” “obey your thirst,” “you’ve got to think of what’s best for yourself,” and “You deserve it.” There is no end to the selfish demands of humankind.

In some ways, it's easy for politicians to play into that and promise more than they can deliver. For that reason, a nationalized health care is easy to sell because it's free and it affects each one of our lives. But in reality, is this what we really want? Hillary seems to think so. And so does Edwards, Obama, and Richardson. All candidates for President.

I guess what I want you think about is this: Where do we get this notion that the government exist to meet my needs? Why do we think this way?

Now I know this is going to shock some of you, but I'd like to take it a step further. Where do we get this notion that the Church exist to meet my needs? Why do we think that way about the Church? I heard one well known Church official make the following statement: "I really don't care if the Church meets my needs or not, because it's not about me." Woah! That really got me thinking.

I would venture to say that most Americans don't see life that way. We somehow expect the government to meet our needs and solve our problems. And thats where you will find every politician running for office. They cultivate the ground of unmet needs whether those needs are legitmate or not.

So here's what I want to challenge you with: When you have a need or an expectation, bring it before God first. Ask yourself: Who is responsible for addressing this need? Is this a need that really needs to be met? How can I go about meeting this particular need in a legitimate way? How can I do what Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well."

This probably doesn't come as a surprise to you, but I have a hunch that things don't turn out very well when live with a 'me' first mentality. I'm not the hand of my own providence and niether is anyone else. When you think about it, there is no limit to the runaway demands and endless expectations we place on other people. And at some point, it just never works out.

Which leads me to a prediction: Nationalized health care will never work out as we would like. Great idea, maybe....But will it work...probably not. I think nationalized pet care has a better chance of succeeding! That's why I'm voting for Hillary to receive "Veternarian of the year" honors!

(I realize that this blog entry may touch a nerve with some of you, that's why it is a blog entry, so feel free to blow off some steam and share your point of view!)

Love affair gone bad

I grew up in a coffee drinking family. Ever since I can remember a pot of coffee brewed early in the morning and was gone by noon. I can remember drinking that coffee at an early age. For me, it was almost an immediate love affair. Everything about it was attractive. The aroma, the taste, and yes even the jolting affect. I can remember putting 2 teaspoons of sugar in one cup of coffee, YUM! I was so wired up on caffine and sugar, you'll never know.

My love affair with coffee continued through high school and college. In fact, during my college years I was introduced to flavored coffee, Mmmm! (this was before I knew about espresso.) Soon I didn't want anything to do with regular coffee, the flavored beans were far superior. Not long after flavored coffee exploded on the scene, specialty coffee shops began springing up all over the place. In fact, my wife and I began our love affair at a coffee shop in Kansas City. We went out for coffee at a German shop on our fist date. How ironic! I'm in love with my date and my drink... Could anything be better?

I've been around a few Pastors in my day, enough of them to know that they prefer coffee over any other drink. It must be the caffine or maybe the sobering smell. Who knows? Whatever the case, I came to realize that I had become a coffee addict. I worshiped at the altar of Jehova Java! I simply couldn't begin the day without my adored fix of caffine.

All was going well in this love affair until body began to revolt. My lover was letting me down. Drinking strong brews of coffee were beginning to wear down my urinary tract and disrupt my sleep. After a series of visits to the Doctor, I came to realize this love affair had to end. At least the caffinated portion of it. In 2005 I quit drinking caffinated coffee during a 40 day fast. The first 2 weeks without my beloved fix of caffine, were miserable. Oh, how I missed my beloved java and longed for her embrace. But I remained committed to let her go.

By now, you're probably having a good belly laugh! Go ahead, I really don't care. For a while, I thought I was the only idiot negatively affected by coffee. It sure doesn't seem to affect 30 Million or so a day who frequent Starbucks. Or does it? I did some research on the internet and quickly discovered that I am not alone. I found that scores of men my age were facing the same issue. Our caffinated culture is quietly wreaking serious havoc on our health and most of us don't even know it. Perhaps because we're smitten with love. And maybe for you, it's not coffee, it's Mountain dew, or Rockstar energy drinks. Whatever the case, you might be one of the lucky ones and escape the adverse affects of caffine. Unfortunately, I was not.

Today, my coffee drinking is strictly limited Decaf! In fact, I rarely drink a caffinated beverage of any sort. Frankly, my body just can't take it. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of mornings I wake up and long for the fresh aroma of brewed coffee. And yes, there are many times, I wish I had the jolt of an espresso. But at what price?

Quit honestly, I have never shared this before and wonder how some of you might respond. Dont' get me wrong, I'm not dogmatic about this or anything. Coffee is a wonderful drink, an I'm not against her. And besides, what works for me, might not work for you. So I hope you don't think I'm obsessed or on a soap box. If drinking coffee doesn't bother you, then great! As for me, I am reminded of a verse from I Corinthians 6:19 where Paul says, "do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?" It just so happens that this temple has to be caffine free!

Comments? Questions? Go for it!