Trumps Picks and Face Book Negativity

I hear on face book, the news or wherever, negative comments about Trumps pics for his cabinet. This is my take on a couple of these. Mitt Romney, I voted for him in 12, I think he would have made a good president. A lot of us did not expect Trump to win, but he did. I know Mitt said some negative things about Trump. I did too. I wanted Ben Carson, or second choice, Mike Huckabee. In fact Trump was at the bottom of my list. So here is Trump selecting or at least Talking to Mitt about Secretary of State. Doesn't this show a good side of Trump, not holding grudges, picking a very good man for the job in spite of what was said.  I believe the other candidate for President would hold grudges, if she had won. I think many people were afraid of retaliation from her if she won and they had crossed her. To me this is a very big point in Trumps favor. Second person I would like to mention: Chris Christy. He was somewhere in the middle of my list, but when he realized he wasn't going to win and Trump was going to or at least still looked like he was in the lead. Here Chris was on stage several times supporting Trump. My thought then was, Chris Christy is posturing himself for the future. Not that I have a big problem with that, Much of what Hillary did was not to serve the people but her short stint in the Senate was to say she had experience for being President. When she was Secretary of State, once again, it wasn't to serve the people but to posture herself for the run at the Presidency. Self-serving all the way. From her private e-mail server was not about serving the people of the US but self-serving. In a small way Chris was working for himself and his future possibilities for a run at President. Perhaps he was hoping to be Vice President or some other high office for showing loyal support to Trump. That loyalty, well it may be good and it was the right thing to do for the party to show party unity, that is not enough to make him the best pick for these positions in Trumps cabinet.  While I am on the negative comments coming across face book. Whoopi Goldberg came under fire for her support of our current President and his comments on Fidel Castro's death. I listen to her defense of Obama. I am not an Obama fan, and I am not a Whoopi fan. But I did not hear anything to criticize in her defense of Obama. Obama didn't come out and say Castro's affect on Cuba and the rest of the world was a good impact or a bad impact. I don't know his exact words without looking it up, but Castro had a huge impact either good or bad, what ever it was. Whoopi defended the President for being diplomatic, which I think was actually appropriate. The family of Fidel and possibly some supporters are grieving. Some are rejoicing in the streets at Fidel's death. But a generic white washed condolence to the people of Cuba was not a bad thing. Perhaps it could help the US to be of assistance in the future when a new government is  considered for the peoples of Cuba. Maybe it is not such a bad idea to send condolences and not berate a Dictator in the process. Fidel is gone for good.     Anyway that is my take on a couple of things from face book today. God bless, LVZ.

It Is A MESS Out There

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.  Romans 13:1-7   
I guess this will be somewhat political this morning. That's the way my thoughts are running. We need to respect authority. All authority is from God. There are large segments of our population that are staunch Democrats and Republican. then there is a smaller section that I will just call Independents because they may one election vote one way and another election vote another. I personally Identify most with the Republican but would like to call myself independent. There are occasions when I will vote for a Democrat. Mostly if I cross that line it is because of integrity. The Republican party platform more closely resembles Christian Values to my way of thinking. We are becoming so divided as a nation. The fighting seems to continue over stupid stuff.  When we had the primary debates all the Republican candidates promised to support the eventual nominee. The only one that had difficulty making that promise was Donald Trump, but he finally did. Then he became the Republican nominee. The ones that I felt had the most integrity of the bunch were quit to voice support for Donald. But the main or more well known of the established Republican party had issue right away  and did not keep their promise off the bat. Donald Trump overcame that division and became President Elect. When  every one was so sure Hillary was going to win, she pushed Trump to say he would support the election night results. SO now that that is over who has issue with the election night results and is asking for recounts. Hillary, if you haven't been watching. The ones that didn't even vote or voted differently and don't like the result are now protesting.. He picks his cabinet, and there are complaints about every one. He is a conservative candidate, representing the Republicans on who's ticket he ran. Why shouldn't his team look very conservative. We felt the country needed a change of direction and how do you do that? Certainly not by choosing the same type of people that have been there for the last eight years. Believe it or not the word of God guides us in all areas of life. Let us respect and support our duly elected representative from God. He is God's servant for our well being. The mess in the street is not of God. The rioting and protesting and destroying property is not of God. The protest against police, and especially the killing of police officers is not of God. If you are a Trump supporter or a Hillary supporter, these negative actions are not of God. That shouldn't even need to be said. The negative comments about every possible member of Trumps cabinet are not of God and are not constructive. Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work, to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, shewing all meekness toward all men. Titus 3:1-2 We need to come together as a nation and stop this evil talk. Do you remember the story of the tower of Babel?  God confused the languages of the people because he knew that working together they could accomplish anything. It wasn't time yet to build skyscrapers, the people didn't yet have that knowledge. But working together we can make this country greater. I believe God gave us someone from outside the mess in Washington DC, to help us. I truly believe Trump is God's doing and we fight against God when we do not respect authority. It is a mess out there and we can fix it working together and supporting the leader God gave us.  God bless, LVZ.

Draining The Swamp In DC

President Elect Donald trump has talked about draining the swamp in DC. I agree. It would probably be the most difficult thing he does as President. We, the people would have to be behind him all the way. there are at least 34 Senators that have been in the Senate since 2005 or longer and if we wanted a term limit of 12 years, they would need to go. Congress would be at least 138 members that have been in congress longer than 2005.  I don't know how to do it. Perhaps we start with the senate since it is a smaller number. We limit senate members to 12 years period.  Perhaps when we get the Senate on term limits we go after the Congress.
If 2% of our population can actively change our government to change the definition of marriage that has been known as between a man and a woman since time began and across the globe, why can we not do this if we are  truly a government by the people for the people?  Power corrupts, and one way to combat it is with term limits. I do not believe we would have any trouble finding qualified people to fill those shoes of our Senate and congressmen and women. They act like it is a life term once they get in there. The majority will not even retire when their health is bad, but will stay until they die. We have many 80 year olds in office, I am not for age  limits but if we have to in order to drain the swamp, start with the 75 and plus group that have been there for 12 years plus. I do not like to see it start with a state by state change because you will still have some power houses in some states that will be unfair to the other states with term limits.  If we the people had a combined mind set across this country and would no longer vote for anyone who has been in office for 12 plus years, we could do it without a change of law. We have so many differences of opinion on everything. Some how a grass roots initiative needs to happen. How do we the people do this? with a constitutional amendment? I believe this is something that needs to happen. Yes, we have had s few good servants that did not abuse their office. I am not sure I could even prove that statement. Power seems to corrupt and longevity in office seems to give power.  We the people need to change this ourselves. I do not expect congress and the Senate to support this because it is their power we are taking away. I do not know if we will ever have another President elect like Donald Trump so willing to drain the swamp. Many of our candidates for President come from the swamp. Hillary, McCain, Nixon, Sanders, LBJ, and I know there are many that are supporters of these swamp creatures. I will give some more thought to this, but I believe this is where the swamp draining begins, with Term Limits.
God bless, LVZ.

RESPECT AUTHORITY

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.  Romans 13:1-7          With the election over I thought things would die down a little. But it seems the disrespect and slander continue. Most face book post have a catchy title and very little substance. I have blogged about this scripture above at least several times. We are to be subject to our civic leaders. There may be times when some things may be contrary to God's law and then we still have God watching our back. God is above every leader on the face of this earth. He sets them up and takes them down. Now with the next few words are my words alone and my way of thinking how God might have done things. His ways are higher than my ways and his thinking is way above mine. God may look down and laugh at the foolishness of my words. Just suppose God put George W. in office to take out Saddam Hussein, I can't read God thoughts but he could have, he had a purpose. Suppose he put Obama in office to get us Christians back on our knees, where we should have been all along. Those who resist authorities resist what God has appointed. Our Rulers are God's servants, they are put here for God's purposes. I gave just a couple of possible example just off the top of my head, but I really may not see what God is really doing. I am human.  We are to pay taxes, when we cheat on our taxes, we displease God. We are to respect authority. I condemned a posting I saw on face book a couple of years ago where they showed Obama's picture on the back of a septic tank pumping truck. It was disrespectful and I said so. It is no different today when we slander and disrespect Trump.  These Presidents are God's servants and we need to honor and respect them as such. Even when we voted for the other guy or gal. We are to be in subjection for the sake of conscience and to avoid God's wrath.  We  have a lawful system in place, the Electoral College, if you don't like it, work to get it removed before the next election. Mark my words even with no Electoral College, the God factor will still kick in and God will put the person he wants, for what ever reason, in power. I do not have to understand. I do know that God is still sovereign. If this foolishness continues, what if God just takes Hillary out. Her health is bad, I don't think she would have finished her first term with her health. . Then what will you do. God is sovereign and we need to honor and respect his choices. God Bless, LVZ.

Christians Are Not Perfect

Sometimes I feel I go overboard with my comments.  I heard a Sunday School Teacher this morning in what probably was the same thing. I saw his wife motion to him as he was teaching. I understood what she was trying to say. Perhaps he was going a little overboard.  Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. James 3:1-2 I stumble and I do not expect it to be the last time. I think of the criticism any body in the public spotlight is held to. It is almost like being given your Miranda Rights. Anything you say can and will be used against you.  Perhaps all of us get a little attitude at times.  I do try to be careful, but I still feel at times when I feel strongly about something I may go overboard with it a little. I'm human, the Sunday School teacher is human. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man. That was my problem some thirty years ago, I expected Christians to be perfect. They are not. I hope to at least have a correct attitude. But even in James chapter 5, many Christians did not have a correct attitude. James the apostle was addressing that. We are held accountable for our words and I hope to not offend too many. Some times we can't help it, we live in an age that is increasingly against Christianity.   James tells us several times to be patient in chapter five. As a farmer plants and waits for the rain to come to water his crop, so we must be patient and keep doing what is right. Sometimes it feels like our words fall on deaf ears, but God's word will not return unto him void but will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent.  We keep speaking and standing up for right, being patient and in due time we will receive a harvest for the seeds we have planted. I know I expected Christians to be perfect years ago. but I see in myself the many times I mess up. Christians are not perfect, but we must continue to stand for truth and righteousness. I just say God forgive me and help me to do better and keep going.  

I decided to come back to my blogspot page. It seems I get more traffic. I am not sure why. I liked Word press better.  I think just typing  in LVZPAGE in goggle or other search engines will get you to either site.  God bless, LVZ.

Influences

There are many influences in life. One of the things I want to influence me is the word of God.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,  that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,  so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.  Ephesians 5:25-27.Sometimes I wonder what influences me more, my political persuasion or the word of God. I want it to be the word of God. I want God's love to come through in the things I write. As I intake from God's word daily even as I intake natural food to nourish my physical body I intake spiritual food from the word of God to nourish my spiritual body. Sometimes as I look at the influences of my life, have I given God's word prominent or even first place in my life. Am I being cleansed by the washing of water with the word? God desires to cleanse me with his word. Have I put God in his rightful place  in my life? As I read the scripture above and see how Christ loved me, he gave himself up for me. What that means is he died on Calvary's Cross for me. He paid my sin debt once and for all, and then works to sanctify and cleanse me. He does this work in my heart. I have used this verse many times to guide my action as a husband. That is a legitimate use of this verse, but today I am thinking on the part where it talks about cleansing my heart, with the water of the word.  This makes it personal, where I stand  with God, just me and God. Have I given God that place in my life, to allow him to cleanse me? I think so many times I am not looking for new truth or new doctrine, but how much of the word I have applied to my life. How much of the word have I allowed to alter the way I am living? I think many times we confess our sins and invite Jesus into our hearts and think it is done. The work God is doing has just started at that point. God has to be Lord and Savior of our lives to be able to sanctify us, to cleanse us. His word has to mean more than our political leaning. I wonder if I try to make the word fit what I already believe or if I allow the word to transform my beliefs into his will. I want to be cleansed by God's word. I want to live by his precepts and guide my decisions in life by his word. Sometime we may have seen that bumper sticker God is my Co-Pilot.  God does not want to be our Co-Pilot, he wants to be the Pilot of our lives. God wants to order our steps. God wants to direct the path we take. Recently I realized that many times I make a decision and then ask God for help, and where I think God is trying to move us is to a position where we ask God for direction before we make a decision not after.  Perhaps if we had asked, God would have said: don't you are looking for trouble. I want God direction, I want his help, I want his cleansing word in my life. God will bring us to perfection in his sight some day. What he wants, and not what I think he wants, if I will put him in the driver's seat of my life. If I will allow God to be the Pilot and not try to keep him in the co-pilot seat. God cleanse my heart and my life with the washing of water  with the Word.  God bless, LVZ.