A Few Bones to Pick

Okay, I have a few gripes.

First, I read the interview between Dave Ramsey, author of "Total Money Makeover", and Neil Cavuto regarding how to deal with the increasing cost of gas and utilities. When Ramsey was asked by a caller whether or not to purchase a new heating system to lower his monthly heating bills, Ramsey simply told him to work a second job.

Ramsey went on to tell Cavuto that what we really need to do is pinch our dollars, i.e. lay off the $5 drinks at Starbucks or $20 car washes and put that money in the bank towards those skyrocketing bills.

I couldn't agree more. We're increasingly living in a time of self-indulgence and not preparing for future hard times. What ever happened to saving money for that rainy day? Guess what? Those rainy days are fast approaching.

Side note: I don't advocate working two or three jobs just to pay for bills. Our soceity is already overworked and doesn't spend enough qualitity time with family.

Second gripe, evangelical pastors advocating living a luscious lifestyle rather than being content with what we already have. Lately I've listened to the sermons of many conservative evangelical pastors who are seemingly wanting their flock to, " earn more/get more". I heard one pastor say, "Jesus didn't say we couldn't have more if we earned more..." Needless to say, I was in shock.

Now I'm not talking about living in a state of poverty and giving all your posessions away. What I am saying is that we as Christians need to be more careful with what we own and not over indulge ourselves. I am writing this entry from firsthand experience. If you don't control your spending habits, money, debt, and consumption will haunt you.

When we begin to idolize money and more stuff, we are taking our hearts and minds away from a loving and boundless God.

Meeting Donald Miller

I had the pleasure of meeting Donald Miller, author of "Blue Like Jazz", who is by far different from your typical evangelical writers. He is no more a conservative, theologically and politically speaking, than a liberal. He is honest and provocative about his life experiences as a follower of Christ.

Please read my meeting with Don here...Authentic Thoughts
I really enjoyed the brief time I spent with him. He has a wonderful way of reaching people who hold a negative view of Christians. I recommend his books, "Blue Like Jazz", and "Searching for God Knows What".

Jack Carter Eyes Senate Race

From the AJC.com...Carter's son, Jack, eyes Senate run

I wasn't a big fan of Jimmy Carter when he was President. I can clearly remember my parents were as mad as hornets at how bad the country was being run. The two things I remember most were the long gas lines and the hostage standoff.

Yet, Carter had a few good highlights, i.e. the peace accord between Israel and Egypt. Carter was excellent in the role of peace maker, especially with foreign relations.

Yet, arguably, Carter did his best work outside the presidency. Habitat for Humanity is an outstanding organization. They have recently teamed up with Major League Baseball to help the victims of Katrina and Rita.

Now Carter's son, Jack, is contemplating the U.S. Senate seat in Nevada. He's not pleased with the Bush administration and wants to do something about it.

I may not support all of Jack's political ideologies, but I agree with his intentions. If you want change, then you need to do something about it instead of complaining.

Miers and Her Detractors

I found these quotes/reactions from AJC.com regarding Miers' nomination:

"The burden is on the Bush administration and Harriet Miers to prove to the American people that she will respect and protect our fundamental freedoms, including a woman's right to choose. Miers does not appear to have a public record to assure America's pro-choice majority that she is a moderate in the tradition of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who was the critical swing vote that protected women's reproductive health and freedom." — Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

"We owe it to the American people to take our time to be sure the nominee will uphold their most basic and fundamental rights. The public demands this from the process, and deserve no less." Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.

"The president has selected a loyal political ally without a judicial record to sit on the highest court in the land." — Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.

Now I don't know about you, but I sense there is a lot of misinterpretation here on the meaning of "fundamental rights". Last I looked, abortion was NOT a fundamental right. And Americans are NOT pro-choice in majority.

When are the liberals going to understand that life is precious and given to us as a gift? All they are concerned about are their so-called individual rights. And I do mean "individual". They don't care about the lives of others.

Thus brings forth the argument: Do liberals really care about social justice? If so, they sure don't care about life.

Supreme Court Nominee, Who?

And just who is this woman? She's Harriet Miers, close friend and member of George Bush's inner circle. She is an attorney by education and trade. However, she has no judicial experience. She is opposite that of John Roberts in qualifications. Where he has a judicial track record, she has none. She's the equivalent of an Etch A Sketch.

Here's my take: I truly believe George and Laura Bush chose Harriet Miers for her values and trustworthiness over her qualifications. In a soceity where everyone wants and demands tangible proof of experience, Ms. Miers is in deep trouble. The Senate Judiciary Committee will either go easy on her or she'll get eaten alive; eaten alive by the Republicans.