tax day tea time...

I normally steer away from political topics on my blog, but today I wanted to share a bit of my day. It just happened to have been a rather politically-oriented day. You may have heard on the news about the TEA Parties taking place across the country today on tax day. Thousands of Americans in cities all over the nation were "taking a stand" today for what they believe in, and I was able to be one of those folks. It was my very first political rally, and it was actually a very positive experience.

We were joining what was expected to be only about 50 or so folks in the city of Seal Beach. As it turned out, the police estimated our crowd was about 750 people! And everyone was well-behaved, polite, smiling... it was a pleasant group with whom to protest.

It wasn't just about taxes... it was about the use of those taxes...

frustration with and objections to bailouts and excessive government spending...

the passing on of such a horrendous debt to our children and grandchildren...and other issues.

There were signs carried and flags waving (a terrific wind was blowing here today!)... and solidarity amongst the extremely varied crowd of all ages, ethnicities, and walks of life.

I am grateful that I live in a country where one is allowed to gather and peacefully demonstrate... where one is allowed to exercise freedom of speech... and, even more important, to be able to enjoy and experience freedom of worship.

Thank You, God, for the freedoms of my country. May I bravely and proudly stand up for them and may I always thank You for these privileges. I AM grateful!

the first Thanksgiving...

"The First Thanksgiving",

painted by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863–1930).

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims in October of 1621 following the Plymouth Colony's first successful harvest. Though many of their number had died that winter, they had much for which to be thankful. And they knew to Whom they owed their gratitude.

"The Pilgrims were brimming over with gratitude--not only to Squanto and the Wampanoags who had been so friendly, but to their God. In Him they had trusted, and He had honored their obedience beyond their dreams. So, Governor Bradford declared a day of public Thanksgiving."*

There were feasting and games and contests with their Indian friends. Everything went so well that the celebration was extended to three days!

"They had so much for which to thank God: for providing all their needs, even when their faith had not been up to believing that He would do so; for the lives of the departed and for taking them home to be with Him; for their friendship with the Indians...; for all His remarkable providences in bringing them to this place and sustaining them."*

This was the story of the first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims had come to the new world to pursue religious freedom--the freedom to worship God as He had called them to. They were brave men and women who endured great hardships but counted it all as suffering for the cause of Christ. These were the men and women who first settled our great nation. These were the ones who 'counted the cost' and left behind all they knew to create a nation for the glory of God!

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, may we truly be thankful--not only for our tangible blessings but also for the freedoms we enjoy as a result of those who came before us. And, like the Pilgrims, may we recognize from Whom these blessings come...

Let us join with the voices across the ages as we give gratitude to God for His amazing providence and His incredible blessings! Thank You, Lord; we are grateful!!

*quotes taken from "The Light and the Glory" by Peter Marshall and David Manuel

Veteran's Day...

A great big thank you
to all the men and women who have served
in the United States Armed Forces...
in the past and in the present!


* * * * *
Thank you...
it is such a small phrase
but so very much gratitude is packed into it.

Thank you...
I appreciate you.

Thank you...
I salute you and the flag under which you serve.

Thank you...
for the freedom you protect.

Thank you...
for your courage.

* * * * *
For your service, I am grateful.
For your sacrifice, I am grateful.
For your willingness to put yourself in danger
to protect the freedoms
we so enjoy in this great nation of ours,

I am grateful!
My thanks and my prayers go out to you.

VOTE! * VOTE! * VOTE!

I hope all you Americans have already been to your polling place today and have cast your vote... If not, please be sure to do so before the polls close at 8pm!

And, as if the joy and honor of exercising your right and privilege to vote are not delight enough for your day, there are some businesses who are rewarding voters for doing so... free tall coffee at Starbucks, a free red,white,&blue sprinkled star-shaped donut at Krispy Kreme, a free scoop of ice cream at Ben & Jerry's (between 5-8pm).

Get out there and VOTE, my friends!!

As a follow-up... I voted this morning before going to work. I ended up waiting in line for an hour and 20 minutes to cast my votes. It was a long time to wait, but it is a worthy reason for which to wait. I was watching people in line, and though they weren't thrilled about the long wait, nobody was really grumbling or complaining too loudly-- and very few people left without voting.

The line and the waiting reminded me of photos I saw of that first democratic election in Iraq back in 2005. Those people were so proud to be able to vote. They went to the polls even in the face of threats of violence and possible physical danger to themselves. And after they voted, they proudly displayed their purple fingers for all to see!

And, if those folks could vote under such negative circumstances, who am I to complain about a little hour and a half wait? (It's all a matter of perspecitive, isn't it?!) It's a privilege to be able to vote, and I'm proud of all who are taking that privilege seriously and casting their vote today.

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,

And I had to start again with just my children and my wife,

I'd thank my lucky stars to be livin' here today

'Cause the flag still stands for freedom, and they can't take that away.

From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston, and New York to L.A...
Well, there's pride in every American heart,

and its time we stand and say...

I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.

And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land...

GOD BLESS THE USA!

by Lee Greenwood (country music artist)

tomorrow's big day in the USA...

That's right. Tomorrow is a big day here in the USA. Election day. It is the day when we ALL need to exercise our hard-earned right to vote.

It is hard-earned because, throughout the history of our nation, thousands of men and woman have died to protect this right. To honor them, we citizens of the U.S. need to vote.

The Presidential election is also an extremely important one this year, as there are very crucial issues at stake. (and also on the state level for Californians) We need to seek to know and follow TRUTH as we determine for whom/what we vote, and we need to approach our decisions with much prayer for wisdom and for God's mercy. In this way, to honor God and His place in our lives, we need to vote.

If you are a U.S. citizen,

please take the time to vote tomorrow.

* * * * *

If you are a follower of Christ,

please take the time to pray before you vote tomorrow.

"May the Lord, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community (the United States) to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord's people will not be like sheep without a shepherd."
Numbers 27:16-17

(thanks, Debra, for that verse!)

• for freedom of religion (128)
• for freedom to worship (127)
• for freedom of speech (126)
• for the privilege of voting (125)
• for the brave men and women who have fought for our privileges (124)
• for a country based on Godly principles (123)
• for the pursuit of TRUTH (122)
• for a Father Who cares about all these details of our daily lives! (121)