Just a note

     I don't have time for an all out blog today but wanted to put down a few observations. Jeff Gordon is still the NASCAR points leader after this week. Spring has OFFICIALLY started. It is my brothers 44th birthday and I've never seen an administration so out of sorts and overmatched in all of my short life.

     Within the month we will see heads start to roll in Washington. Our financial system is so needy that the market reacted yesterday to NEWS that could be positive. Nothing of substance. No real numbers, just news. Just an idea put forth that the intelligent people in the private sector won't go near.

       As I predicted a month or so ago there will son be a new advisor to the president. It will be in secret at first but that stuff always comes to the surface. My first thought a while back was that it would be president Clinton. There is already enough of his former people in the administration. It's the logical next step. 

       They are experiencing a PR nightmare. Something the Clintons know a little about. President Clinton was able to stay ahead of it pretty well though. His (their) scandals didn't cause a tenth of the damage they would have to anybody else.

       The good news is that it seems that We The People are starting to wake up. We must stay alert in our cities and in our neighborhoods of ways we can get involved peacefully and say enough is enough. Too many men and women have died for this great country to let a relatively small group of people turn it into a mirror of socialist Europe.

       It is too bad the majority of Americans bought into the deception on Nov. 4th. It is not too late though. We must stand firm in our convictions and present a united front. When America has worked together we have never been beaten. Not from abroad and not from within.

A heart for spring

           A brand new month began just a few short days ago. Springtime is approaching (ever so slowly) just as it does every year. Spring is known as a season of renewal. Green things become green again, birds return to the homes that they know most of the year and in most places (sorry Northwest) the sun is greeted by a few less clouds every morning.

          We start to see life explode onto the scene once again with vibrant colors, renewed wildlife activity and creeks, rivers and waterfalls thawing back into action. It is truly a time to celebrate.

          Our lives can experience such change of seasons if we allow it. There are many times I have walked through the season of winter in my heart. Blood barely coursing through my veins as I allow myself to turn cold and almost lifeless in regards to my own spiritual well being.

          Why do we allow ourselves to get to this place? After all as Christians we have everything to look forward to and nothing to fear. We are told that in all things God works for the good of those that love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

          If you are like me you tend to let the pressures and concerns of the day take precedence over all else. Why do we make "Us" so important? That's why we end up in this winter wasteland of the heart in the first place. 

         There are directions on the side of the box for heating up though. Sure you could microwave it so it cools off almost as fast as it heats up. I'm more of a conventional method guy. Sure it takes some time to heat up and a little longer to cook but the end result is hot and satisfying all the way to your last breathe.......I mean bite. 

          Forget about new year resolutions. You probably already have anyway. Jan 1 is just another day in the middle of the cold hard winter. Let this spring season be a reminder of things starting anew. Join me in this. Identify the one area in your life that you struggle with the most. Take that area and commit to 1. ask God earnestly, three times (morning, afternoon and night) every single day to save you from it. 2. Read your Bible for ten minutes twice a day and start to recognize different scriptures that can help you beat this foe and 3. Be very intentional in avoiding whatever causes you to fall.  

         If I have a problem with donuts (not saying a donut is sin) I need to intentionally take a route to and from work every day that doesn't pass by a donut shop. If I have a problem with lust and the internet is my way of feeding it, I get a filter for my computer and let someone else set up the password. If it is judging others I intentionally think through  some of the ways I have been a bumble head and learn to be a little more forgiving.

         We all have areas where we consistently fall. Every time we give in to them we put ourselves at odds with Gods desire for us. How can we wholeheartedly praise Him and be of true service if we have unrepentant sin lurking around in our lives? Fact is we can't.

        God will forgive and God will renew if only we ask. He desires that we overcome our weaknesses but it tends to be through the conventional ways; praying and reading His word. 

      Let's face it, we became one of two things when we entered into the winter of the heart. We either just didn't care about God anymore and decided we would rather serve ourselves or we set our Bible on the shelf and  became too lazy to get up and get it. I'm guessing that for most of us it's the latter.

        Spring is almost here! What better time for our hearts to thaw, our lips to praise and our knees to bend?

       

A healthy fear

I have almost seen more than I can handle this week. I now realize that ours is not a government for the people or of the people. It's just plain government. It serves no one but itself and only answers to the same. There is no accountability or justice. We are in an age where our "leaders" can parade their immorality and illegality before the American people and have zero repercussion. There is no scandal that could do a politician in at this point. It would be used for photo ops and higher pay.

It looks as though this gargantuan bill is going to pass in the senate because of 3 spineless senators who have a republican tag by their name. It's too early to tell what they were promised to vote liberal. Judging by their track records they probably didn't need any special funding for their states to vote so foolishly. I hope the republicans in Maine and Pennsylvania overwhelmingly vote them out of office as soon as they come up for re-election. I hope their phones and emails are jam packed with angry people.

The reason this bill is being pushed through so quickly is not because of catastrophe on the horizon but because the more Americans find out about it the more they hate it. In just 2 weeks those in favor of it has dropped 43%. Only 37% of the people who are supposed to be represented in Washington actually approve of the bill. I forgot though, we're so stupid we couldn't possibly know what's best for us. Only the super intellects can understand and fix the problems we are facing.

As I promised when I started this blog I am not going to be mean. I am going to be truthful about how I feel though and will make a few predictions. This bill is going to pass and the consequences are going to be devastating. No question about it. I am however given over to optimism. This will be good because it will show once and for all that Liberalism in it's purist form causes complete and utter destruction.

Hallelujah we have a true conservative at the helm of the RNC who will have a party in place to pick up the pieces starting with the next election cycle for the House and Senate. Way to go Michael Steele!!! Boot everyone out and start out fresh. I'm sure there were a few good people who will be asked to stay but by and large good riddance.

I like Senator McCain for different reasons but any republican regime who allows him to represent us as a presidential candidate needs to be overhauled.

Kudos to Lindsay Graham for his gutsy display on the hill this week. He doesn't exactly toe the party line (which is a good attribute to have) but he knows this bill is wrong and he's not going to let the President or Babs Boxer guilt him in to voting for it. Three cheers for a Republican standing up for a conservative value. There seems to be more of that lately. I guess they see where their "reach across the aisle no matter what" mentality has gotten them and gotten us.

The vast majority of democrat Senators up for re-election in 2010 will lose their seats by a wide margin. Harry Reid will be kicked off the throne. It will be the start of a long and winding road to fix the mishaps from President Obamas mammoth bill. Let's just hope there is still some money left in the private sector to begin the repairs.

We all know a second term president is known as a lame duck. One of my predictions is that Presibent Obama will be a lame duck less than 2 years into his first term. Someone with a little knowledge of the office is going to have to swoop in and save him or that will be his fate. I imagine that within a year we will start seeing a lot more of President Clinton being involved or tagged as a consultant of sorts. The people in place now cannot run this show. I would be shocked if Robert Gibbs lasts another 3 months as Press Secretary. He'll be publicly congratulated for a great job but be moved into a more "important position", then never heard from again. I might be complimenting him and just don't know it. He's either not very bright or (and here comes the compliment) he's not a good liar. I have never heard a press secretary answer so many questions without answering the question. Who does he think he's fooling. Even some of the liberal media is starting to see through this which means he must be awful.

I know that's a lot for one blog but I had to get out a week's worth of frustration. I think next blog will be no politics and all Christianity. Thank's for tuning into Kent Talkin!

A few days off

I had to take a few days off to take in all the action on Capitol Hill. I think I have finally come to the conclusion that President Obama is making so many changes so quickly so that the conservative media in this country won't be able to pick on one thing too long. Ther's no time for debate or criticism. As soon as he makes one policy blunder or painfully dishonest executive order he's on to making another. He's bumrushing us. This administration has the full blitz package going and we're reading it like Donavan McNabb against the Cardinals.
Probably the thing that upset me the most this week was an interview I heard with Senator Abstain......... I mean McCain. The nicest Maverick the west has ever known. When asked about the potential nomination of Bill Lynn for Secretary of Defense. The man who was a lobbyist for Raytheon is going to be allowed into the administration that just signed an executive order that bans lobbyists from his administration. Hmmm? That's for another time though. I want to focus on Senator Refrain. He basically said " I don't like it" then said "I think we need to move forward and nominate him." Are you kidding me? It makes me wonder how much different things would have been had he won the election. He would have been so busy running around trying not to upset anyone he would of forgotten the people he was elected to serve just like he is now.
Let me say that I have a lot of respect for the Senators service. I owe him and millions more for the freedoms I enjoy for now. But if he doesn't toughen up along with a lot of others in the Republican party then his capture and torture will mean much less than it has to this point. Those freedoms he so valiantly fought for are being stolen away right under our noses and we can't get a voice in Washington to speak for us. They all just want to get along. Why don't a group of you remember what conservatism is, get some spine and stop the gentlelady from San Francisco dead in her tracks. You mean to tell me there's nothing you can do. Use your overblown budgets and start doing daily press conferences that spell out exactly what she's doing every day. Be honest. Don't use that ridiculous politic speak. Same with Harry Reid. Call him out. You underestimate the power of the American people. Almost 50,000,000 voted against Obama's plans and the philosophies of Pelosi and Reid. Give us a chance to use our voice. There's almost nothing we can do when you won't stand up for this great country.
Take your responsibilities seriously. I don't want to hear how blessed you all feel to serve us. You feel blessed because of the pampering and attention you get. If you were really humbled to serve you would actually do so and not roll over and die anytime you think it's getting a little to heated. If you can't then move out of the way and make room for someone who can.
There is 5 days of pent up frustration. Everyone needs to remember it's not "Powerless for the People" it's "Power to the People." What say you? (thank you Mr. Oreilly)

Intentional Living Part II

There is an inherent busyness that seems to be hopelessly attached to life. The simple act of waking up in the morning can signal the world that you’re ready to take on whatever comes your way. Cost? Not a problem. Sacrifice? It comes with the territory. You hit the ground running and never look back.
You may have a few brief moments of water walking like Peter did in Matthew 14; a second or two of experiencing an unusual demonstration of God’s power. Sometime between hitting the snooze button for the last time and before you actually sit up you voice a simple prayer. It’s quite possible though that it’s more out of duty than passion. Then your feet hit the floor, you take a few steps and then begin to sink like a stone in the craziness of the everyday. You look around for someone or something to save you as you flail mercilessly at the surrounding waves.
Suddenly you’re in a panic and just as you’re about to go down for the count you take notice of the only one that can save you. You cry out and He is immediately there to grab you.
You are saved. Not by the wind or the waves. Not by anyone in the boat behind you. No, you are rescued by the outstretched hand of Jesus Christ. You end up in the place you should have been to begin with; in His grasp.
It’s easy to wonder how Peter could have been so weak in his faith. After all, he had the Son of God bidding him to come. Telling him it was safe to take that first step onto the sea. Even though one step onto the water would have been sufficient for you and me to feel God’s power, Jesus allowed more than that. Matthew says Peter walked, which by definition means he took more than one step. The issue wasn’t the lack of power available to him it was the lack of his own intent. If Peter had taken an intentional walk that day his focus would have never left the King of Kings and he wouldn’t have found his knees at fish level.
It would do us well to start out every single day with an intentional walk for that is what pleases God. To have our attention and efforts focused on one thing; His glory is what helps us walk on top of the water and gives us a hand to grab when we falter. We will always know of the waves around us and the water below but we must never take our eyes off the Savior who forever stands before us.

A history making day

I don't claim to be a seasoned political analyst. I can only comment on what I see from my own life experience and logic. That being said I believe huge history was made today. It appears that Caroline Kennedy dropped out of the running for Hillary's senate seat because she realized she wasn't going to get a pass on the skeletons in her closet. A Kennedy possibly being held accountable? I figured to see an African American in the White House before....... oh, wait a second.
Which leads me to my next order of business. Jay Z and young GZ (whoever that is) were video taped making offensive profanity laced comments at what appeared to be an inagural event. I have heard no outrage from the usual suspects when it comes to racial equality. Maybe I missed it. I hope so.
If this President wants to accomplish what he has stated as far as gaining racial unity in this country he needs to have a 5 minute sit down with them and explain to them why a public apology is neccessary. If they don't agree to release one then the President should publicly disavow their words from that evening and hold them up as an example of colossal ignorance.
An historic night for the African American community and this country as a whole and a couple of highly paid self centered babies wanted to use it as a platform for their tired and worn out sentiments. I feel awful, seeing as how badly Jay Z suffered under the oppression of the last administration. Who wouldn't be ticked off? A reported 83 mil in 2007.
Last but not least we saw the new President and his new state of the art teamwork approach. While announcing executive orders today he had to turn at least twice to White House counsel Greg Craig to ask him about two of the orders. The President didn't understand what he was doing today (in more ways than one). I would agree with Murtha to send all Guantanimo detainees to Pennsylvania except I have a lot of relatives there that I rather like.
It's too late and I'm too tired to dive into the orders but suffice it to say the Guantanimo closing is going to come back to haunt President Obama. Unfortunately that means it's going to haunt all of us. I still like everything that I hear on the Lobbying policies being put into place. Should have been done ages ago.
A heartfelt Lawrence Welk "Good night and sleep tight."

Day one

We just finished living through a presidential mardis gras. A reported $160,000,000 was spent to celebrate the incoming president. That doesn't even include all of the fuel that was burned to get the 600 private planes to Washington for the shindig. Within hours of that financial explosion there was a pay freeze instituted on all employees of the White House making over $100,000. "Hey Rahm, I want to implement a pay freeze to show I mean business. But let's wait until my mardis gras is over. We will spend enough money to give 160,000 families quality healthcare for a year, and then we'll show the world that we are going to be fiscally responsible."
Just a short time ago somebody was ridiculed for spending $50,000,000 on their inaguration. Let's get real people. Not one person should get a pass for such stupidity and frivolity. I don't care if they're Democrat or Republican. We are being told we're in the greatest financial crisis in our history yet private parties and government can find $160,000,000 to take an oath, give a speech, sign some documents and eat drink and be merry all night. Why was this inaguration more special than any of the others? He's certainly not entering with any new vision. I guess he truly is an environmentalist though. He's entering the White House with more recycled ideas than any President in our history.
Billy Baldwin was interviewed on FOX last night and basically asked that everybody give the new President 12 to 14 months before they criticize him. Isn't it ironic? George W. Bush was being criticized before he even got into office because people felt like he stole the election. Where was the patience and tolerance then? I do agree with Mr. Baldwin in part though. Let's not sit around and criticize the President on speculation. Don't ride him for doing something before he does it. How many stupid thoughts have you had that never came to fruition because you came to your senses later on?
Where I part with Billy is here. When he does do something stupid like allowing the ridiculous budget for his frat party yesterday. Call him on that because it's a dumb idea he actually followed through on.
On the surface I like what he did today to change the lobbying rules. I'll have to dig a little deeper before I can make a final decision though.
Republicans in Washington and abroad. Give him credit where credit is due. THere is no reason to hate. But grow a backbone and stand up to him when he's wrong. In other words be honest. I know that's been a tricky word in Washington for a very long time but I can promise you that the official definition has never changed.