My father served in the U.S. Navy for over twenty years; many of his healthcare issues were caused and related to his service. In the 1980s he was promised free healthcare for he and his family for life if he served over twenty years. He kept his end of the bargain, and now with my parents' health deteriorating, they want to give them insurance like the rest of the civilian country. I believe that military veterans who were promised healthcare for they and their families for life need to sue the US government for their benefits. It is time the that elected officials stop treading on the people who have defended their offices, and make them uphold their end of the contract.
You were prepared; I don't have kids, but if I did I would not have them fly home in potentially inclement weather. There is a difference between I don't want my kid to fly home because there "could" be a terrorist attack and all the major weather outlets are talking about a definitive ice storm. There are some realities we take our chances with, and we do so responsibly, and there are some things we don't play around with. (i.e. acts of God and nature)
I don't see how it can continue to trend upward indefinitely; eventually the great demand on resources is going to neutralize the countries that used to rely on their superior technology for advantages over countries with larger populations. This is going to push the West into gradual and then rapid decline; we are in the twilight of Western Civilization. I suppose it is fitting since we no longer believe in anything other than science and with just data, laws, and facts to live by, why keep it going? Good news is the Gospel is dawning in the East and is on its way to making the complete circuit around the world back to Jerusalem and once all people groups are reached...
I think the best thing a pastor can do, from a lay person's point of view, is show that you genuinely care about the people you are talking to. Any time you start getting defensive and it becomes more about "the ministry" than ministering...you potentially hurt the person who needs your help for life. I know it sucks to have to grab someone's hand and walk with them through convoluted hurt...but speaking as someone who is still flushing through hurt and pain (from church leaders), it makes a world of difference when you really tell me you care about me. All the pastors who took it personally or could not see past my immaturity and youth never really reached me; the pastor I have now took interest in me and sees past all that to someone who really desires (though reluctantly and questioning) to follow God's call. Have patience, don't write people off, and show you care. Thanks, thought that I would share.
If a good owner like Bud Adams cannot get it together with a great like Fisher, what is the hope for the terrible owners like Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder?
Sounds like a prank...a pretty good one too.
Well said, Jon. Wow, that was refreshing and much needed. Thank you, sir.
Sadly, you don't have to be a non-Christian to bleed slowly out...so many of us, believers, live as if God does not exist. We nod and assent to what the Bible says about who God is and what kind of life he wants us to journey on, but then we go home from church and act like its not true. It takes a lot to be authentic in this area, to admit that even as someone who is clinging to the Cross for redemption...that I may be living the slow, painful death of the world.
Ditch the open letter and lets go back to the duels from that late 1700s. You know, ten paces forward turn around and...both of you totally missed. Anyway, the open letter really is an attention grabbing device much like writing a blog entitled, "Why My Church Sucks." I think it is a shame that individual Christians don't try to personally contact these people/corporations/politicians/etc. Who knows what letter they will read and it may be your heartfelt concern for their policies (or lack thereof), decisions, or even just for the eternal state of their soul. Personal letters have power to be used by God to change people's lives; just remember you are representing God when you write the letter. Dump the impersonal, personal attacks and anger mongering and be men/women of change, reconciliation, and hope.
Too many times...it is always sad and disheartening. People who are supposed be known by their love for one another are typically only know for their hate of liberals, gay people, and Muslims. The words of Jesus haunt me, "By this all men will know you are my disciples, by your love for one another." If this is true, the entire Church is in trouble, starting with me. It is really hard to love Pharisees and other people who live off tradition like flies on rotting carcass. Nothing is more discouraging than watching people who are supposed to love God, refuse to submit themselves to the authority of his Scriptures, his Word (Jesus), and his Church. Yet, if I am not careful, I just become as belligerently angry as those people and I too forfeit carrying the cross of Christ. For those of you going through this; the only way to win, for God to be glorified, is for you to love, pray for, and bless those who persecute you...even from within the Church.
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willeymac 
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