I will say…that the fed gov has stepped far beyond their constitutional right…no where in the constitution can you find that the gov has the right to mandate that we buy any product or service…this is unethical and very wrong and twisted…it violates the 10th amendment and the Sovereignty of the individual State Government…

they have covered up what they are really attempting to do…this is nothing more than a power grab and an attempt to gain greater power and control over our life….for the 40 million or so americans that support this…they are truly supporting health care…obama has masterfully manipulated the senate and the congress….and those 40 million people to make them believe this is about health care… but the Harry Reids/ Pelosi/ and top level obama administration…know exactly what this is about…Power and Control… Not only do they control major banks/automobile companies…but now they have gained control of 1/6 our national economy…

the only thing now we can do is pray that all of the law suits being presented by over 40 states are successful in the Supreme Court…Let’s hope obama doesn’t take any of the Court Justices to lunch…. This is wrong and unjust… Do the people w/out health care need to be taken care of….yes…is this the way to do it NO… Not even Almighty God himself mandates or actually forces you to give to those in need…He presents you w/ opportunity to help…but never forces you…

Health Care is not a right….the Government’s not the ones who get to decide what are rights are…they don’t give us our rights…if they give it…they can take it away…. The government is forcing us against our will….that is wrong…If i am going to help…let it be of my own accord and will…I believe the american people are good and generous and willing to help…

This is only the beginning…If things don’t change if we don’t turn around now…we will be a socialistic nation….where we no longer have a “Government for the People By the people” but we will soon have a “Government that Controls the People”.…

let me hear your thoughts…and also go read this from the Wall Street Journal…  http://bit.ly/8y279C

You get a free drink and a great morning of Worship / MSG / & Fellowship….Hope to see you there…it’s going to be fun…

Most of us have been taught to live our life through a list of priorities.  If asked, we would all say that God is 1st, our Families 2nd, our Jobs 3rd, and etc…The first truth is that although we say this w/ great confidence and authority, that these are our priorities and model in which we do life, the ugly truth is that few of us actually live this way.  If you want to know what your priority in life are…look at where you invest your time and money…That will show you the real priorities of your life…

The second truth is that living your life in a prioritized system…causes you to live your life in compartments of time…segmented from each other…You have your God Segment…that involves hours of dedicated prayer, study, & church time….all these to show that God is #1 in your life…then you have your family Time…40 hours at the job….then our real love….our fun hobby time….the problem is that none of these segments of time interact in our life…we keep them separated from each other…so that God doesn’t have anything to do w/ our Family, Job, or fun…and vice versa…

The Truth is God doesn’t want to be your 1st priority…He doesn’t even want to be on your priority list…if He’s on your list of priorities…once you have logged your time to show He is the priority…you can now, mark Him off your to do list…and head on to other things…leaving God behind…

Eph 1:20-24 from the msg bible gives us a great insight of how God wants to rule in our lives….it says that He rules from the “CENTER”…When God is the center of your life…He is involved in every area of your life…Family / Work / Fun / Struggle / Success…no matter what….He is there and involved…That is how God wants to rule in our lives…from  the Center…

Let Him be the center…

So many people believe that when they Sin…God is there eager to punish them for each and ever sin they commit.  Many believe that cancer, the loss of a loved one, a car wreck, or some other disaster, in their life, is God’s way of spanking us for our evil doing…

This belief is very far from the truth…God does not punish us for our sins….Sin itself, is it’s own punishment.  Sin as we know is fun…but the pleasure of sin is quickly fleeting, leaving a sometimes harsh consequence we are left to live with.  God is there, not to punish or destroy, but instead to love us through and help us in the midst of our imperfection, weakness, and humanity.

Our sins do not send us to hell…The only (unforgivable / blasphemy) sin that grieves the Holy Spirit(matt 12:31), and evil that can send us to hell is found in John 16:9 stated above…and that is the refusal to believe in Jesus Christ and receive the forgiveness He has already given to you at the Cross.  Every sin you have ever or will ever commit is already forgiven.  Stop refusing to believe…Stop living under guilt and shame because you think you’re not good enough to make God happy…stop trying to please people and pretend you are what you’re not…Be who God created you to be…Be You…

Being Christian is not about being and living perfect…it’s about being and living forgiven….

“The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.  I will avow that then I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”

“Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited . . . What a utopia – what a paradise would this region be!”

Patrick Henry – Revolutionary General, Legislator, Governor of Virginia.  “Voice of Liberty”, “Ratifier of the U.S. constitution”

“It cannot be emphasized too clearly and too often that this nations was founded not by religionist but by Christians, not on religion but on the gospel of Jesus Christ.  For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.”

“Being a Christian is a character which I prize for above all this world has or can boast.”

“The Bible is a book worth more than all other books that were ever printed.”

“The great pillars of all government and of social life are virtue, morality and religion.  This is the armor my friend, and this alone, that renders us invincible.”

John Jay – Governor of New York, President of Congress, Author of Federalist papers, original Chief Justice of U.S. Supreme Court.

“The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next.  Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts.”

“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rules and it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian Nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

Thomas Jefferson – Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Virginia, Secretary of State, 3^rd President of the United States.  He signed Presidential documents with “In the year of our Lord Christ”

“I am a Christian in the only sense in which He wishes anyone to be; sincerely attached to His doctrines in preference to all others.”

“I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.”

James McHenry – Revolutionary Officer, Signer of the Constitution, Secretary of War under President Washington and John Adams.

“Bibles are a strong protection; where they abound; men cannot pursue wicked courses and at the same time enjoy quiet conscience.”

Robert Treat Paine – Military Chaplin, Signer of Declaration of Independence, Attorney General of Massachusetts.

“I believe the Bible to be the written Word of God and to contain in it the whole rule of faith and manners.”

Benjamin Rush – Signer of the Declaration of Independence, Ratifier of the U.S. Constitution, “Father of modern medicine”, Father of public schools under the Constitution.

“I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am as satisfied that it is as much the work of a divine Providence as any of the miracles recorded in Old and New Testament.”

“The only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government is the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible.”

“The Bible contains more knowledge necessary to man in his present state than any other book in the world.”

George Washington – Judge, Member of Continental Congress, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, First President of the United States, Father of this country.

“The propitious (favorable) smiles of heaven can never be expected on a Nation that disregards the eternal rules or order and right which heaven itself has ordained.”

“You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ.  These will make you a greater and happier people than you are.”

Daniel Webster – U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, Defender of the Constitution.

“The Christian religion – Its general principles – must ever be regarded among us as the foundation of civil society.”

“To the free and universal reading of the Bible . . . men are much indebted for right views of civil liberty.”

“The Bible is a book which teaches man his own individual responsibility, his own dignity and his equality with his fellow man.”

Abraham Lincoln – Illinois Legislator, Lawyer, U.S. Representative, 16^th President of the U.S.

“The truth announced in Holy Scripture and proven by all history is that: for those Nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”

Noah Webster – Revolutionary, Soldier, Judge, Legislator, Educator, Schoolmaster to America.

“The religion which has introduced civil liberty is the religion of Christ and His apostles.  This is genuine Christianity and to this we owe our free Constitutions and laws.”

“All the evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible.”

“The Christian religion is the most important and one of the first things in which all children under free government ought to be instructed.  No truth is more evident than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people.”

“The Christian religion is the basis or rather the source of all genuine freedom in government.  I am persuaded that no civil government of a republican form can exist and be durable in which the principles of Christianity have not a controlling influence.”

This week there is a very important measure that our Nation’s Senate is debating that could have an impact on the Free Speech of the American People.  Some of our Senators are trying to sneak a Hate Crime Measure through by hiding it in a Bill (H.R. 2647  National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010   http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c111:5:./temp/~c111fwOPIy::)

In this Military Defense Bill, they have hidden what is referred to as the “Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act”.  While this is made to sound like a good thing, who wouldn’t want to protect people from Hate Crimes, they are wanting to use this as an attempt to enable Government to sensor our Speech.  For example a Pastor that would preach against Homosexuality could be “Perceived” (which is a key word in the measure) as HATE SPEECH, which would be deemed a HATE CRIME and could result in incarceration.

There are several Senators that are taking a stand and opposing this bill. They are unwilling to be swayed simply because of other’s attempt to hide this measure from the American Public and to deceive the public into believing that any Senator who would vote against this bill would be voting against the American Military when in reality they would be voting to protect our Civil Liberties.

If you are in one of the following States (Nebraska, Arkansas, Montana, Nevada, Colorado, Louisiana) Please contact your Senators to let them hear the Voice of the American People. You are in a State where you can use your influence and the influence of those you know to determine the outcome of this bill.  The reason you are so important is that your states have senators that can still be persuaded.  Some Senators (Like Oklahoma Senators Tom Coburn & Jim Inholfe) have already vowed to vote against the Bill, Your senators have not yet decided which way they will Vote.  This is an urgent concern that needs immediate action, as our Nation’s Senators are debating this bill this very week.  You have the ability to make a difference.  At the bottom of this letter will be links for each Senator of the above listed States.  We need to protect our Freedom of Speech.  If we, the people, will not speak up, you can be sure that our will and our beliefs will not be heard.

I am encouraging you to take action, speak up, email, call, write, and do what you can to protect, yours and the millions of other American Citizens, Freedom of Speech.

Seth Swindall

Nebraska:

Ben Nelson

http://bennelson.senate.gov/

Mike Johanns

http://johanns.senate.gov/public/index.cfm

Arkansas:

Blanche Lincoln

http://lincoln.senate.gov/

Mark Pryor

http://pryor.senate.gov/

Montana:

Max Baucus

http://baucus.senate.gov/

Jon Tester

http://tester.senate.gov/

Nevada:

Harry Reid

http://reid.senate.gov/

John Ensign

http://ensign.senate.gov/public/

Colorado:

Micheal Bennet

http://bennet.senate.gov/

Mark Udall

http://markudall.senate.gov/

Louisiana:

Mary Landrieu

http://landrieu.senate.gov/2009/index.cfm

David Vitter

http://vitter.senate.gov/public/

Leadership is taking people where they can’t take themselves. Maxwell

1. They r great followers
Every leader is a follower @ every follower is a leader To someone

Reap and sowing.
God is not mocked.

Centurion.  In authority. But also
under authority.

2. They r accountable to someone
The higher u go in leadership the
more important the accountability
is.
Leading a game vs. Leading people

People think higher leadership is more power and less accountability. Think it means u don’t answer to anyone. The opposite is true

The higher the leadership the more accountability u r held to.

3. R responsible
We take responsibility for what we
have been given to do or take care
of.

Not just responsible to do a task but to make sure it is done right, on time, & w/ integrity and character

Part of being responsible is not passing blame. We take ownership

4.  Have no excuses.
Excuses have no place in the language of a leader.

5.  R motivated from internal motivation. Not external.

6. R not always right.

7. R aware of their weaknesses.

8. R aware of their strengths.

9. R in front.
Leaders lead.

10. Don’t always know where they r going but know their going somewhere.

11.  Start w/ end in mind

12  R good at making decisions.
Collect info from all possible sources
And based on info and leadership of holy spirit. Make best possible decision

13. Ask questions.
They don’t just ask questions. They ask the right questions.
Not always how. But more the why.
the people saw the effects of god. Moses knew the ways of god.

14.  See the bigger picture. And know where they fit.
U have to see and balance the importance of ur role and it’s place in the overall.  This keeps us confident. And humble.

15.  Know significance comes from who u r in Christ not in why u do.
Significant people do insignificant things in significant ways.

16. Takes risks.

17. Care more for others than they do themselves.
General Schwarzkopf and mine field

Sometimes we won’t get dirty or risk ourselves because of what may happen to us.

18.  R not controlling but can take control.

19. Lift others lives.
U either suck the life out of those u r around or ads value to them. And lift the level of their life.

R people better or worse foe being around u.

20.  Get things done

21. Give opportunity for people to follow. But don’t stop moving forward if they don’t.

Jesus and disciples / rich young ruler.
Elijah / Elisha

22.  Make friends and enemies.
Some will luv u. Others will hate u.

Leadership is tuff when u have to hold others accountable.

23. Leaders lead with purpose.
Our purpose is changed lives foe Jesus.

24. Pick their battles. With those they r leading.
Know when to impose ur will or compromise.

25. Let’s others fails and helps them grow thru it.

26. Don’t always win. Sometimes they lose.  But they always learn from their loss.
Sometimes u can learn more from a loss than a win.
Leaders don’t let losing defeat them.

Righteous man falls 7 times and gets up.

Sherman woo. Fail 1st & fail fast.

27. Has someone they can vent to.
Leaders who don’t vent r a ticking time bomb.
Their will be times this summer u get frustrated.
Always vent up line

28.  Leaders don’t cause division. They encourage unity.
Some follow Paul …….
Absolom. Positioned himself to split the kingdom.

29.  Leadership is about influence. Not postion
People will follow u because. Ur relationship and the way u care for them.
3 questions people will ask before they follow you….from john maxwell
1. Can u help me
2. Do u care about me
3. Can I trust u

30.respond well under pressure.

The thing that makes it tough today is that people don’t vote on substance and character of a Candidate…they vote on the looks, style, and charisma of a candidate…

In past elections…I was only informed on the major candidate or major questions on the ballot…but Last week I took some time to research each race…each question…each candidate….I was much more informed…and able to vote clearly and confidently..

Take the time….then internet is your friend…

Vote for the substance…not the style…Don’t let the charisma hide the lack of substance…

Vote…Vote…Vote

NOT EFFEMINATE….

Gen 2:21-22…God took Eve OUT OF Adam…so everything that Eve was…Adam was no longer…So everything a woman is…a man isn’t…everything a man is…a woman isn’t…

So there are great differences between men and women…and it’s not that one came from Mars and the other Venus….we actually came from the same place….Woman was simply TAKEN OUT OF man….

1.  Men Walk Different / Physically & Spiritually

Men were designed to lead…to be out front….to blaze a new trail…to provide the “where we are going”    Women were designed to walk ALONGSIDE…not behind…Men do not want to follow…We don’t want to wait on others…We want to lead…But we want our wives by our side…supporting…walking w/ us…

2.  Men talk different

Men say…..I think we should….      Women say….I feel like we should….     Our 1 track mind and our stubbornness can be misunderstood as insensitivity…it’s not…We are men…we don’t think or talk like you…Women like the mushy details…men want the bare facts…

Here is an interesting thought….”The More Emotional Women Get…the More Rational Men Get”….chew on that for a bit…

3. Men Act different

When is the last time you saw a woman approach another woman and punch her in the arm and ask her how she is doing….Men are naturally more aggressive and competitive…we want to win…we like to wrestle….Me and several friends…got together once and had our own personal boxing match….it was a blast…women get together to paint nails and pamper each other…men somehow build relationship by punching each other…it was a blast…Men act and behave differently…it is not always wrong for your boys to be aggressive…they need to get that aggression out…

4.  Men Think Different…

Men for the most part are built to be decisive….firm…once we make up our mind we have to be firm….stand strong…Women are more flowing…more indecisive…can often change their minds quickly…Women are soft…pliable…more flexible…women are effeminate….

Men are built to be strong and have strength…we are designed to be the protectors of our families…

Here is a thought….Even in most Homosexual Relationships….one will often take the male role and one the feminine role….Even when we are wrong we are still trying to be right….

More to come….thoughts?

more to come…..