some internets

Wow, has it really been since October that I wrote and published a blog post? That's a long time to not write, but then again, with everything going on, there has been much to live through but not to share. Lots going on at work, but can't speak in public forums about my work. Company policy. And there's quite a bit in my life going on too and I'll try to share some of that with all y'all. I rang in the new year quietly at home with Miss June. There were no trips to the vet E.R. to start of 2017, just an unbelievable sigh of relief with the shouting of "happy New Year!". Miss June said she just felt cleansed inside. I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders. That's still there today. There are many battles to face each day, but I find strength in God and lately, I have seen His Word do some great things. I think I want to talk about that today. God's Word, the Holy Bible, is an incredible thing. It just comes alive and in so many different ways. Here's yesterday's story for an example: I sometimes feel like surrendering is a good option. I fight a lot of battles each day, and sometimes they get tiresome. Yet I know that surrendering to anything but God's will and wants for my life is a BAD idea, so yesterday I reminded myself I needed to get up and run my race. I remember last year hearing some radio broadcasts about this and I have some rules about running each day's race posted on a noteboard in my bedroom. I didn't look at them (and actually they're obscured right now by a small bed frame that is being stored for now in my bedroom against that wall. I'm waiting for the immigrant to clean her room up so I can set it up. I've had it since last summer. She's slow.) but uttered them to get out of bed. Those very words were the topic of part of our Bible Study at the Mission yesterday. The day before, I heard the story of Jacob and Esau on the radio as part of their daily trip through the Bible and in Hebrews 12, we're reminded of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew. That was the other part of what our study was about. We were looking at Hebrews 12. It's a good reminder to stay focused and don't give in or give up on what God has for you for convenience' sake. And very timely, too. I'm less than thrilled at the prospects of a Donald Trump presidency, but truth be known, I voted for him. Here's why: I had to make a choice between two candidates. There was no viable third choice: one of those two was going to win. I prayed some on it, and had to honestly look past the person and look at the agenda. In the end, I chose Mr. Trump because I believe he is less likely to nominate judges who will try to legislate from the bench. We have a Constitution and a legislative branch of government for that. I want to be clear here, too. I am a working, card carrying (well, it's on the fridge), dues paying union member who could not and never would be able to support Mrs. Clinton for President. If she didn't get fired for doing what she did with her e-mail and I could if I did that, then that choice was already made for me. We take classes on this stuff every year. EVERY YEAR. The Freedom of Information Act exists so that your government is accountable to you. I believe Mrs. Clinton's private e-mail server was an attempt to bypass the FOIA requirements about government records. Union members against Democrats. Maybe it's time to re-think some things there. After what was released during the campaign about the DNC, you have a LONG way to go to earn my votes and support. And while I'm ranting here: The same science that proves humans are having an effect on our climate proves that it's a life and not a choice. Call that another inconvenient truth. Also, if you're a Republican, I have some words for you, too. Quit not blaming the Russians. Win at all costs is not a strategy. What's best for America is a strategy. We should be outraged at an attempt by a foreign government to influence our electoral processes. If you're not.....SHAME ON YOU! I can say that. I served in the military for 27 years. It's not a defense to say "Look at what they released!" Two wrongs don't make a right. So, there's a reason for all that: Donald Trump is our President, and Scripture reminds us that God raises up leaders. Do we play a choice in who succeeds and who fails? Yep, but in that choice stands a God who already knows the outcome. I believe that God is very much in control of His creation because His Word tells me that. It didn't catch Him off guard. It also means that God raised up President Obama. I've seen some very hateful things said by some folks I know that profess to be Evangelical Christians. Does that only extend to those candidates you like or support? Mr. Obama signed my retirement letter from the military. OK, I get it was a robot that signed his name to it, but to me it was better than Mr. Bush's name on that letter. Yet, he was my President even though I didn't vote for him. Either time. And Mr. Obama is. And Mr. Trump will be. And as such, I believe he is entitled to the respect that office affords. If he does things that disqualify him from that office, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Until then, some respect is due. I can disagree without being hateful. That's Scriptural too. The Bible says to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, not to smear them and share vile, nasty Facebook memes. It also says to pray for our leaders, that we would live a quiet life. And to give to Caesar what is Caesar's. You get the picture. So that's where I'm at today. Seeing good things from God's Word and applying them to my life. Except that I wish I had asked my friends at lunch today to join me in thanking God for my food instead of quietly bowing my head. That's bugging me. Sometimes I fall short. That won't happen again, God willing. Look for more blog posts. I got me some internets for the next 30 days.