Church and State

While I was getting ready for work this morning I watched a report about some Government meat heads who are introducing legislation to control the finances of a Catholic Church back East (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29595611/). This scares the (#)@@ out of me. What this does, if it passes, is precedent for the government to come into any religion and dictate what they spend their money on. And if you think that it would stop there you are mistaken, they would then try to dictate church policies and practices. I, like most Americans, hold my God in high standing and I do not want anybody telling me what or how to worship.

What is the world coming to, what is going on, What are we going to do about it. I do not like to preach and very rarely am I concerned enough about government to actually speak out. I usually just keep my actions to the polls and let the majority speak. But this is too much, we have to speak up and if necessary take the appropriate action and let the government hear us. The Government is getting too big and now it is starting to bleed into areas that the constituion forbids it.

How do we make ourselves heard. For one we can write letters (I know that a lot of people think this does not work, but it does), Polititions are lap dogs and will do anything to keep their master (the people) happy. However, they often disguise their intents with "We are doing this to protect you", "We are looking after you because you can not look after yourself", or the one I like the best "Religion is out of control and we are going to get it under control". We need to wake up and start pushing back.

Now to address the article in detail. Sen. Andrew McDonald of Stamford and Rep. Michael Lawlor of East Haven that raised this bill and said that there were some parishioners that asked them to step in and help out. To those people, why do you have to go the Government for everything. The way you show the church that you are not happy with how they are spending your DONATED money is stop donating. Don't ask the State to go against the Church because you do not like the way things are going. We can blame the Government but the people need to act for themselves, when the Government gets involved then they try to make things even and by so doing take away liberties. To the polititions, why must you use this excuse (improper use of funds) to enter into the business of a Church. If you do this to a Church will you not do this to a private company, and if you are allowed to do this where will it stop...It will not stop.

I have gone on long enough but I feel like we have to be more active, we have raise our flags of freedom and declare the enough is enough and let the government know their place. George Washington put it best "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." Fire has its place and we must use it with control but I am afraid that our fire has grown out of control and may soon consume us, I can already feel the unwanted heat.

Just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance

Grateful For what I have

I was reading an article (

http://www.saltlakemagazine.com/Salt-Lake-Magazine/February-2009/The-mountain/)

and they have this quote “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” How this hit home. I am so blessed that I often sit in AWE. In another part of the article is states "During this new year and every day you live, thank God if you can see the sunlight when you wake, as there are many who are blind. When you sit down to a meal, give thanks, for there are many who are hungry. Give thanks for your family and friends, for many are alone. Thank the Lord for your job and co-workers, for there are many with no job." During these troubled times we are often wondering why US, why ME, why not somebody else. We always need to evaluate our situation and seek the learning that this trial will bring or the sweetness we will enjoy later because we know the sour. Life is hard but we do not have to become hard. If you look down and see your feet, do not complain because you do not have shoes but praise God for the feet you have and the ability to put one foot in front of the other. To all those that dont have shoes, we should seek after shoes but do not lose site that you have feet. Improve your life so that you can improve others, once you have a pair of shoes be happy help those that don't have shoes or feet.
I am rambling...I hope you get the point of what I trying to say.

Just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance

Fender Bender

This morning on my to work I got in a little fender bender. It was my fault but it was just a little tap on the bumper in front of me. That is why we have insurance. It is my first accident, if you really can call it an accident. The only harm done was a "Scratch" to an older model car bumper, and I have my doubts that I did it. The scratch was black, my Durango is blue, the scratch was way low and my SUV sits up higher. Oh well, I had to get that off my chest, this writing thing is really therapeutic. I am just glad that nobody got hurt or that there was not a lot of damage...I can only pray that my rates do not go up. You would think that for all the years I have paid for insurance and never used it that I would be able to mess up a few cars now and then and not have my rates go up. We will see.

Just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance

Shortest Month

I am getting bad, I went an entire month without writing (on a good note, it is the shortest month of the year). Things I missed commenting on.. entire Month of Bachelor, Tracy's B-day, Biggest US Bail-Out in history, Snow Days, and Most important Valentines Day (Julie Forgive me). Now that February is over and the days are starting to get longer I am excited for Spring and Summer. Since this is the first Spring in a couple of years that I have not had School I want to Play. Southern Utah is calling my Name.
Every Year or two we have taken a family Trip to Zions, Bryce, and our favorite Arches. I am going to spend the evening working late at work but I might take a gander at the map and plan a trip. I want to go and see Goblin Valley and the Slot Canyons. Utah has so many cool places to visit.
The last time we went to Moab was a couple of years ago and we had a good time. We went at the end of February and it snowed, it was beautiful but very slick on the red rock.
In addition to hiking we now have 4-wheelers and we can really see the country side.
I love thinking back to all the cool little (2-3 day) trips we have taken. We always discover a new place or find something that we never expected. With a short 4 hour drive we end up in an entire different world full of red rock, beautiful rock formations, and WARMER weather.

I know I have rambled on but this is just a few thoughts in my words,

Lance