Politics

who am I voting for?????

I can get cynical, skeptical and analytical. Ask my wife, I can even do all 3 at once..... however I always seem to come back to who I trust.

Not who I trust with my wallet.

Not who I trust with my retirement savings.

Not who I trust with my insurance.

Not who I trust with my kids education.

Not who I trust with my career.

Not who I trust in a bailout.

Not who I trust in a war.

Not who I trust to make a good speech.

What I have learned in my short 39 years about politics is that all men are fallable and my God is sovereign. They can promise a lot in a series of 30 second commercials.

So I return to trust. I trust God and God alone. Men (including me) will fail. We will break promises. We will let people down. We will be shortsighted. We will overlook our own miscomings and enlarge others.

So I try to vote as knowledge and information allows. Who is going to use their position to make a difference in the way my Savior would approve? I know, that is very difficult question to answer. However, mine is only one vote and it is how I muck through the wonderful process.

"Oh God, once again I ask for your direction." Pray with us as Tuesday approaches.

Joe

Friday Five

This a link from my friend Sarah Wilcox's blog. Again, I would do that nifty link thing, but I don't know how. Look over at the side and click to get to her site.
1. Who frightens you: people at haunted houses. I don't like scary.
2. Who surprises you: my kids. They are always do things that surprise me and delight me.
3. Who calms you: Joe. He always knows what to say, ans how to say it to calm me down and give me peace. Ultimately it is directing me to the ultimate Peace giver!
4. Who inspires me: People who follow their passion. Like the Wilcox's. They moved to China to follow their passion-wow, not many people have the guts to do that. Inspiring and Brave, not safe!
5. Who admires you. Not sure about this one.

Voting

Derry Prenkert had a good post today about Christians and voting. If I knew how to do that nifty go to here thing I would do it. (BTW someone could always comment how to do that to me-just saying) We as Christians sometimes vote out of fear of who may get into office or who may not . I remember the election when Clinton looked like he was going to win. I felt sick, "what is going to happen to this world?" I thought. He seemed like such a weasel to me. (Hmm....) Anyway, I remember Joe reassuring me that God is control no matter what. I believed him and was reassured. As I have grown in my faith, I REALLY believe that and have a peace about elections now. God knows who will be elected, He cares for all those little babies who are killed every day. We must do our part- vote for who we think is the right candidate, based on our beliefs. Many men have given their lives for freedoms like this one- it should not be taken for granted. Yes, God is on the throne and will remain there. What a peace to know there is a constant.
On a lighter not- we survived the Clinton years!

Be Brave, Not Safe

This is the title of our new series at church. I love it. It talks of stepping out of our comfortable lives and being brave for Christ and His kingdom. Being brave is something so different for each of us. We have had guest speakers from all over come and speak. Last week, the speaker was from South Africa. The verse he started with was " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." He made the point that the verse doesn't start out with all these things will be added unto you and then seek Him. Wow- I do that. I spend so much time running around "adding". I need to "Seek" Him before all.
My first order of business? Get back into the habit of praying first thing in the morning. I started setting my alarm early and praying before the kids get up. Its working now- I need accountability, that is why I am writing it here-eek! I have always waited until the kids were off to school, or in bed etc. Other things then get in the way.
It is my baby step. Many things to pray for these days. I may have to give up sleep to get them all in hee hee :)

Flu Shots

We all got flu shots yesterday. The whole lot of us. The kids were all complaining of sore arms this morning. I am not sure if it is because Mom gave them the shots or if they really were sore. Mine is only sore if you push on it. The only one to cry was Annie- the poor traumatized one. Two years of weekly allergy shots did a number on her. Her allergies are nonexistent now though.
Amy is sure that I punctured her muscle and that there is permanent damage- not that she is dramatic or anything.
Hopefully, no flu for the Bennett clan!

Christmas Shopping

I have been picking up gifts here and there for Christmas, to try and save some money. I have a lot done actually. I went to Borders, Family Christian Store and Hobby Lobby with coupons today. Lots of good sales too. I am not one for big crowds and lines, so buying ahead is the way to go for me. I can't list the gifts, because certain people may see this:) hee hee.

Chilly

Ok, I was REALLY, tempted to turn on the furnace this morning. We persevered and made it. I did turn on the space heater in the family room to take the chill off for a bit. We may not make it, which wouldn't be a big deal. Just silly!