Scripture Check 1

Proverbs 16:6    Proverbs 27:2     Psalm 1:1-3      Psalm 18:1-3

Psalm 19:7-8     Psalm 56:16       Psalm 86:7-8     Psalm 91:9-16

Matthew 7:7-8     Romans 12:11     James 4:1-3

God's Ripple Effect

This is my child with whom I am well pleased.  You have known him as others see him.  The next twelve seconds will initiate ripples that will never become stagnant.  Those ripples will travel, they will disturb those who search and haven’t found, but will find.  Those ripples will birth new ripples, never to be stagnant, always to flow across this universe and disturb those who search and haven’t found, but will find.  

My children will not fade into the horizon.  They will not disappear like smoke.  They will not be swallowed by the abyss.  Every ripple is dependent on another for energy.  Ripples, each tiny yet significant, weak yet possess strength, together will create a great disturbance that cannot be ignored.  It’s that disturbance that changes a life.  

A life filled with humility to love and forgive as Jesus Christ loves and forgives... our destination.  Kindness will result.  Generosity too.  Sacrifice the tool.  Ask and it will be given.  Seek and you will find.  Knock and the door will be open.  Search earnestly.  Pray earnestly.  And God says, “I will hear You”.   

Satan's Lie

Retirement has to be a 401k or some other tax deferred account invested in mutual funds or bonds. I'm 42 and no longer have a 401k (cashed out, paid penalty, well worth it). 

The 401k or taxed deferred retirement benefits the financial industry and no one else, or at least that is how I see it.  Why do people save money their whole life only to die with hundreds of thousands of dollars to their name... now the account owner does not get to witness the joy that money brings from helping people, the joy of making a difference or changing a life. 

My kids are now my 401k. I tell them they are my retirement. My wife and I invest heavily in our children. Always have. We teach them to think. To listen. To observe. Ask questions. To form an educated opinion. We teach them to take risks. To lead an interesting life choosing the experience because money follows experience. Chasing money leads to a boring life. We teach them to lead an interesting life.

My community is my 401k. We teach our kids to value their community. To invest in their community. We teach them our family is their most important community. We teach them to give to their community because when disaster strikes, it will be your local community who will come to help, not your government officials.

God or Mammon 2

Mark Twain said, "If voting made any difference, they wouldn't let us do it."

Our 16yr old daughter, who has recently decided she doesn’t like the name Piper, which is fine because it's not her real name, asked if she could vote for me this November.  This arrangement took shape after she asked who I wanted to be POTUS. I explained I wished there was a viable alternative to the two candidates. As the campaigns have rolled along, I have decided to opt out for many reasons, but greed is the biggest. The money spent [on campaigns] is obscene and reeks of Satan's influence and corruption. 

So, she will drive us to our polling place, we will walk in together, I will surrender my John Hancock, flash my DL with my ridiculously handsome mug shot. She will enter the booth, alone, and she has permission to do her thing, thumbs up, thumbs down, go to town, have a ball, and knock herself out.  I realize the hypocrisy of opting out but allowing, and even condoning, my daughter's  participation in a process I just described as corrupt and influenced by Satan.  I'll have to revisit that one at a later date.  

She's excited to vote Josh Mandel (R) for OH Senate and I believe she will cast a vote for President Obama. A Republican and a Democrat... she may be on to something. Shifting the paradigm? It is refreshing she hasn't been tainted by the Red vs Blue rhetoric. At this young age, political party seems to be a non-factor.

For starters, $14 million has been collectively spent by both candidates for the Ohio Senate seat. Another $11 million is at the ready. Both candidates will likely spend $25 million, minimum, in an attempt to win one senate seat. What, if any, value did that bring to the our community? $25 million. POOF. Gone.   

President Obama and Mitt Romney respond, “$25 million won’t buy you $24 million.”  Our 2012 presidential candidates spent $2.0 billion.  $336 million gone.  A whole bunch more will be consumed like straw and hay.

But, the 2008 presidential campaigns laugh at 2012. Not one of those regular, everyday laughs, but one of those doubled over on the floor, stomach knotted, choking, tears running down a beet red face, I think I might die laughs that take ten minutes for your breath to return.  

In Little League, it's called the 10 Run Mercy Rule. 2008 spending of scissored kicked 2012 in the back of the head. According to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, a record $2.4 billion was been spent during the 2008 presidential election. 

She, our daughter, hasn't realized politics is about money, not ideas.  It's about money, not people.  That money has strings.  Long leashes.  A long standing quid pro quo contract.  An eye for an eye.  Dare I say compensation for a future favor?  It's God or mammon, at least from my perspective, because Satan controls the world's systems and the political system might be his most powerful.

As for midterm elections, I have our son, who will be 14 then, possibly vote or our middle child, our daughter who happens to have Down Syndrome, who will be 17.   Plenty of time to decide.