Secretary of Education confirmation

Education is a hot topic. Rightfully so. I’d like to see a qualified person who is passionate about improving education for the nation and especially for our children be confirmed as Sec. of Ed. I think the questioning should be tough and thorough.  However, is this the kind of “uncomfortable” question that Sen. Warren thinks is important and pertinent to the process? 

Senator Elizabeth Warren, Democrat of Massachusetts, questioned how she could manage the Department of Education, the largest provider of student loans, if neither she nor her children have ever borrowed money for school.  (Washington Post article)

“So you have no personal experience with college financial aid?” she asked.

Really?  That is like saying, “if you have never filled out an access form or applied for food stamps, how can you manage our welfare system?”  That would disqualify every president and cabinet member we’ve ever elected or that has been appointed.  The questions about disabilities, public education and improved competency are great, and need to be explored.  Leave the ridiculous comments and questions alone, Sen Warren….it only weakens the process and makes you appear more “out to lunch” than the person you are trying so hard to discredit.  Let important questions work.   Being rich does not make a person unqualified for this position.  Ask questions that illustrate qualifications, and not silly questions that serve no purpose other than show your bias and prejudice against the nominee.  But, I get it, that’s not the way we play politics.

More Than Just The Facts

I remember, as perhaps you do, the TV series, Dragnet.  I can still hear those words from Sgt. Joe Friday:  “just the facts, ma’am…just the facts.”  This is good advice when you are trying to catch a perp.  However, when you are doing life and relationships, it can be a bit confining.  I understand the need for clear and concise communication.  We need to understand each other and be understood.  There is another side to this teeter totter.  I would challenge you, and myself, to set aside some time and energy to process from our senses, not just the facts.  How do things feel, smell, taste, look and sound? Life and relationships aren’t so black and white as are the facts.  Our senses are what gives life it’s texture and color.  Take time to really see the person you are talking to.  Be aware of how their voice sounds.  Are feelings (emotions) involved in the exchange you are having?  What does their countenance say to you as you communicate?  Ask yourself;  “I wonder what they are feeling…what they are seeing…what this exchange means to them.  Are they affirmed by our exchange?  Are they feeling devalued?”  I know it’s easier, takes less effort and is not as risky to just “get the facts.”  Today….lay down your self protection mode.  Open up a bit.  Take a risk.  LIFE is more than “just the facts.”

On Education

I posted a short quote on a friends page a bit ago, and thought it was worth posting on my page. I have a reasonably good education (undergrad degree from an accredited university, and a master's degree from an accredited theological seminary), lots of OJT and a diploma from the school of hard knocks. There is much discussion in these days about who is educated, and who is not (in terms of what your positions are and who you are for and against in elections). That is pretty pathetic, in my view. My father didn't finish high school, yet was one of the wisest, kindest men I have known. My maternal grandfather's (native Texan) greatest disappointment in life was that he had to quit school and help support the family. He was well informed. He read the newspaper, front to back every day, and when he encountered a word he did not understand, he spelled it out loud, and went on. That still makes me smile. He, Leonard Kilcrease, was a wise, and good man. I am not down on formal education....I have one. We should remember that there are many ways to educate yourself. Let's not fall into the trap of judging those who do not have formal education credentials, nor ascribe unfair labels those that have the benefit of a good, formal education. Anyone who can read, can educate themselves...very well, in fact.

I like what John Wimber (founder of the Vineyard churches) said: "Education is great, as long as it doesn't get in the way of learning." THAT is wisdom!

The Gatekeeper

American presidential values

The American people, at large, have demonstrated that we do not have a value for holding our President to a high moral or ethical standard in their personal or public life.  In this day and age, almost anything goes.  Many use specific personal incidents as fuel for their fires, depending on which candidate we are supporting or criticizing.  That is just smoke.  When the tables are turned, and their candidate is winning, the same or comparable behavior gets a huge pass and all of a sudden, it isn’t that big of a deal any longer.  This happens, as I see it, almost equally on both sides of the political aisle.  I say, “stop acting like you are all concerned about the person who was elected and what they may have done in their personal life.”  We know better.  It doesn’t play the same both ways. Check it out: 

1. At least 20 presidents have had extra marital, same sex and opposite sex affairs, and likely many more. These are just the ones that are pretty widely publicized. One president is said to have fathered 15 illegitimate children with slaves, and this is not Thomas Jefferson. He has his own story.

2. There have been several scandals in the White House, from Watergate to Monika Lewinsky to Marilyn Monroe, to the Iran-Contra affair, and so on. 

3. There have been many incidents of corruption and blatant dishonesty. Grant and Harding are perhaps top of the heap when it comes to corrupt politicians.

4. Cover-ups! This is short article, not an encyclopedia. Some involving merely “spinning” the facts to protect the president and the office. Some are more sinister, and the facts are illusive. We will never know all that goes on, and has gone on behind closed doors of the White House occupants.

My point:  When you act all enraged and appalled at what a president or presidential candidate has done, such as Donald Trump, both Clintons, Richard Nixon, JFK, LBJ, etc., don’t expect us to be all concerned with you.  Your party’s president or presidential candidate has just as many incidents as the one you are currently attacking.

In America we have some pet issues that are important to us and generate much emotion. Namely: abortion, sexual orientation issues, environment and global warming issues, women’s rights, immigration, gun control, and a few others.  Lots of opinions and lots of bantering on these kinds of issues.  We act like they matter, when in fact they are small issues to Americans. This is demonstrated by how we accept flaws in our candidate, and we crucify the same flaws in our opponents.  We will happily look the other way if our man, or woman gets elected.  We have proven that over the past 50 years, personal integrity, morals and ethics count for next to nothing…no debate!

There are really only two big issues that concern Americans.  They are national security and the economy.  That’s it.  What we really want is a president who is successful in these two arenas.  Everything else is just so much rhetoric.  We can act like the personal and public lives or our candidates and presidents matter, but our lack of consistently applying our, so called, values across the board betrays us. 

A Thanksgiving reminder

On saying thank you

I live in a part of the world where our society takes time during the fall season to stop and think about all of the benefits and blessings in life for which we are thankful. When I reflect on the attitude of thankfulness, I’m reminded of an event during Jesus’ ministry recorded in Luke 17:11-19.
 
Jesus encountered 10 lepers as he traveled to Jerusalem. They asked Jesus to heal them, and He did. The 10 men had something in common — their physical affliction. But, they also had a profound difference — one of them was a Samaritan. Most Jews of Jesus’ day despised Samaritans; they looked down on them as inferior individuals.
 
Following their healing, only one of the men returned to say thank you to Jesus — the Samaritan. This social outcast offers us an important reminder in our day: He highlights the importance of offering thanks to God and others.
 
I'm afraid many people in our generation have forgotten just how important words of thanks are. Maybe it is because of what we have been influenced by in our respective cultures. Sociologists refer to the problem as the psychology of affluence. We don't have to be rich or well-to-do to be impacted. We simply require exposure to it to become infected.
 
The psychology of affluence tells us that nice things should come our way or people should be good to us because we deserve it. It is a birthright and a privilege rather than an aspiration or a goal. The psychology of affluence also tells us we have a responsibility to look out for our own interests and happiness rather than think about others. 

With this cultural influence, we tend to forget the "magic words" — thank you. We simply take what comes our way and go on. When people do nice things for us, we figure they owe it to us. They are just treating us the way we deserve to be treated. Lucky for them they saw how deserving we are and responded accordingly!
 
My hope is that we as a Christian community can be better than our cultures; that we can recapture the wonder of the thankful Samaritan.

Why is giving thanks so important?

1. It requires humbling ourselves.
2. It requires taking time out of our schedules to stop and make a call, pay a visit, or write a note. In other words, it costs us something.
3. It implies that someone has done something to help us, and we want to acknowledge it.
4. If forces us to stop thinking about our agenda and put ourselves in another person's shoes as we see how they have honored us.
5. It puts life in perspective, reminding us that as much as you'd like to think so, we are not self-sufficient; we really do need other people.
6. It causes us to evaluate our performance and ask how we can pass thankfulness on to another person, like a chain reaction.

I trust we will take time today — wherever we are in the world — to offer a word of thanks to God for all of life's blessings we enjoy so bountifully. I trust we will always remember to thank friends and family members for what they mean to us. May God help us learn this important lesson from the thankful Samaritan.
 
Frank Moore
General Editor, Church of the Nazarene

I copied this from the NCN (Nazarene Communications Network).  Frank has been a friend since our college days at MidAmerica Nazarene University.  Thank You, Frank!

Our Two Party System

Many Americans woke up today (or stayed up late enough last night) to disillusionment and near despair.  Just as many woke up to an unexpected excitement and renewed confidence in our country and its leadership.  I stayed up, and got up today with neither of those feelings.  I was more of an observer.  My personal choice and my vote is irrelevant to this post. 

This post is about our two major party system that has worked for many years to keep America between the ditches of one extreme or another.  In my judgment, that is still happening.  All you have to do is look back at the past administrations and see that the American people will not allow any one party to dominate for too long.  It is much like the financial markets.  If the stock market goes up too fast, for too long, there are bound to be some “corrections” on the horizon.  President Obama said it well this morning in his speech concerning the election results and transitions that are ahead.  We do not move in a straight line (no pun intended)…..we zigzag….back and forth as we slowly move forward.  My expectation is that we will continue to do that for the foreseeable future (likely, for my lifetime, at least).  Some stretches we will like, because they are us.  Others we will not, because they will reflect positions and practices that we do not embrace.  That is the way it is, folks. 

My challenge is to love my neighbor, no matter which political and social persuasion they happen to adhere to or embrace.  Love is an action word, not a mere feeling.  I will treat those around me with respect and dignity simply because they are fellow human beings, and fellow Americans.  I will do my best to not slander, dehumanize, exaggerate their faults or speak hateful words to them or about them.  I will step in to lend a hand when there is a need regardless of their political position.  It’s much like what we tend to do in crisis.  After the Joplin, MO tornado, no one was asking, “are you a democrat or a republican?” People just came to lend a hand, to help, to show love…period. 

People can and will be obnoxious, hateful, disrespectful, dishonest and rude.  We all know that.  We have a choice.  I do not like what those kinds of emotions stir up inside me.  Not many people aspire to become a more angry and bitter individual, but the choices they make often lead to that outcome. My goal is to live better than that, whether or not my choice for an elected official is in office.  I have voted for candidates in both major parties over the years.  Sometimes I have been sorry I supported a particular person.  Other times, I was pleased with my choice.  I have NEVER been disappointed in myself for treating my fellow Americans, ALL OF THEM, with respect, dignity and love. 

I have traveled in parts of the world where the issues we face in America today are not even a blip on their radar screens.  Their problems are much more severe and they have little to no influence to bring changes.  I love America.  I am always happy to come back home no matter who is occupying the White House.  Chances are, it will change in a few years.  That is one of the strengths of our two party system.  Grace and peace to you all.

Gatekeeper

The Libertarian Party Platform

This is not an endorsement of anyone for POTUS.  None of my political posts are for that reason. It is simply my attempt to sort out the issues and alternatives that are before us.  I don’t really want your response if it is trying to convince me to vote a particular way.  I will figure that out on my own, and I have done my due diligence in checking out the options.  If you are in a place where you are trying to do the same, this is my take on a few of the issues of a third party (specifically, Libertarian) which I have heard many talking about and trying to decide if it could be an option for their vote in November.  If you are sincerely trying to evaluate for yourself, and have found something that has been helpful in that process, feel free to comment.

Libertarian Party Platform Issues

My main issues with the Libertarian Party Platform

1.5 Abortion

Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter, leaving the question to each person for their conscientious consideration.

1.9 Self-Defense

The only legitimate use of force is in defense of individual rights—life, liberty, and justly acquired property—against aggression. This right inheres in the individual, who may agree to be aided by any other individual or group. We affirm the individual right recognized by the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms, and oppose the prosecution of individuals for exercising their rights of self-defense. Private property owners should be free to establish their own conditions regarding the presence of personal defense weapons on their own property. We oppose all laws at any level of government restricting, registering, or monitoring the ownership, manufacture, or transfer of firearms or ammunition.

2.11 Retirement and Income Security

Retirement planning is the responsibility of the individual, not the government. Libertarians would phase out the current government-sponsored Social Security system and transition to a private voluntary system.

 3.1 National Defense

We support the maintenance of a sufficient military to defend the United States against aggression. The United States should both avoid entangling alliances and abandon its attempts to act as policeman for the world. We oppose any form of compulsory national service.

My main differences (there are other less important ones) with the Libertarian Party would be:

1.          On Abortion   Allowing late term or partial birth abortion on demand.  While I am personally opposed to abortion at any time during pregnancy, I would not impose that belief on others.  I do feel that our civil laws must protect the innocent and those who are most vulnerable, and if an unborn baby would survive outside the womb under most normal conditions, then civil laws must protect that unborn child. 

2.      On Self-Defense  While I agree with much of the Libertarian Party Platform on self-defense, I would differ in this one area.  I believe there must be some way to limit the right to own, and or carry, weapons by those who are mentally unstable, or those who have convictions of committing crimes involving weapons.  Having absolutely no controls, restrictions, or monitoring of ownership of any weapon is not, in my judgment, a prudent position for the protection of our society.

3.          On Retirement and Income Security  I am not in favor of “phasing out” government sponsored Social Security or Medicare unless it is certain that a private system would actually work.  This is an area that would require more detailed explanation and research for me to support.

4.           On National Defense  The National Defense platform would be acceptable to me, except for the statement of opposition to any form of compulsory national service.  I lean toward having a requirement, including both genders, of national military or civil service at 18 years of age.  This would likely be a two year service that all young Americans are required to participate in.  Obviously, this flies in the face of “libertarian” views.

My Bottom Line:

If Gary Johnson and Bill Weld were running on either major ticket, I would most likely vote for them over either candidate now running.  I see them as significantly more reasonable and ethical than the choices we have in the GOP or Democratic parties.  I would rely on Congress to limit the changes they could enact in areas such as Social Security and self-defense. I am not a Libertarian, and Gary Johnson would not be my choice of all the candidates that tried to get on the presidential ballot.  I may well write in a candidate of my choice.

Buttermilk Bisquick Waffles

Waffles are so simple, and yet so good.  After thousands of waffles, and many different mixes and recipes, here's what I recommend:
Use the regular Bisquick biscuit mix (not the Bisquick pancake mix).  Get an airtight container, as you see in this picture.  Cut out the recipe from the Bisquick box and tape it to the container, and on a piece of masking tape, write the expiration date and tape it to the lid.  Keep that same container...very easy and very practical.  Personally, I like my old Sunbeam waffle iron with the small pattern waffles rather than the more popular big pattern Belgian ones.

Use the waffle recipe on the box, with one exception:  Use buttermilk instead of sweet milk.  If the batter is a bit stiff, just add a very little bit more of the buttermilk.  Be sure and add the "optional" egg, as well.  I use Canola oil, but whatever you have is fine.

Spray your iron lightly with some non-stick spray.

The result will be terrific, fresh made waffles that are SO MUCH better than Eggos!  No comparison, really, and they are easy to make and easy to clean up.  No excuses for using frozen waffles.

MidAmerica Nazarene University 50th Anniversary: My Story

The year was 1971 and I had graduated from high school in 1969. After briefly attending two colleges with very little to show for it, I was “impressed” to enroll in Mid-America Nazarene College.  A church service at Springfield, MO First Nazarene, with Dr. Bill Draper and the original Colonial Quartet, was where I felt that impression.   I enrolled for the fall term.  My dad drove me to college, along with my good friend, Bonnie Shoaf.  Bonnie gave me $10 and they dropped me off.  That was all I had. 

I went through registration and when it came time to meet Jim Elliott at the financial desk, I told him I only had $10 in my pocket.  He told me to come and see him in his office on Monday.  Over the weekend I was hired by Bob and Mary Hughes (Hughes Shoes) in downtown Olathe.  When I met Mr. Elliott, I told him I now had a job and that I would be paid $40 per week on Saturdays.  I told him that on each Monday I would put $30 on my school bill, I would be sending $4 home to my church, and that I would live on $6 a week for all my other needs.  He asked me if I had a car, and I said, “no.”  In that case, you can stay this semester.  I stayed.

I graduated from MANC in May of 1974.  In 1972 I married a young professional nurse (Bonnie Shoaf) and she was able to land a position at St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Kansas City.  We worked hard.  We paid all we could on my school debt.  I was not able to participate in many extra-curricular activities, because I had to work 40 hours per week in order to stay in school.  It was not easy, but I just didn’t know any other way.  My parents were not able to pay for my education.  I had no scholarships or grants.  On the day I graduated, I went into the business office and made my last payment on my school debt.  I graduated debt free and without any loans to repay.  I appreciate my education.  I love MNU.  I am indebted to all those who helped me make it through.

I was privileged to serve on the Board of Trustees a few years later, and also on the Executive Committee of the Board.  Prior to that, for six years I served as the youth pastor of College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, KS.  Dr. Paul Cunningham hired me, and I am forever grateful to him for such an unbelievable opportunity.  I have now been in pastoral ministry for about 40 years, and I owe much of it to MNU and College Church. The nurturing and training I received from the dedicated servants in those institutions cannot be overstated.

MidAmerica Nazarene University is celebrating its 50^th Anniversary this year.  My heartfelt congratulations and thanks to all who have contributed to the success of this great university.  I am proud to be part of the history and the contribution MNU has made in thousands of lives.

Campaign 2016

I get it why it is hard to trust Donald Trump.  About the time you think that maybe you could support him, he says something else that is absolutely off the charts idiotic.  He does not foster much in the way of trust or confidence that he will act “presidential” or make decisions in the heat of battle that are not a knee jerk reaction of name calling and bullying.  This, not to mention his questionable business deals, bankruptcies, and employment record.

So, what about Hillary Clinton?  Is there any reason to think she will act and “serve” the USA in any way that is not personally profitable and in an attempt to feed her insatiable hunger for power?  This list is a problem for me, and it’s just the ones that quickly come to mind.

• The Clintons’ Private Email Server
• Clinton’s State Department Emails
• Benghazi
• Conflicts of Interest in Foggy Bottom
• Sidney Blumenthal
• The Speeches (appearance of bought and paid for influence)
• The Clinton Foundation  (the money doesn’t always arrive at its intended destination)
• The Bad Old Days:  Since the Clintons have a long history of controversies, there are any number of past scandals that continue to float around, especially in conservative media: Whitewater. Troopergate. Paula Jones. Monica Lewinsky. Travelgate. Vince Foster’s suicide. Juanita Broaddrick.
• Impeachment:  Of course that was just Bill.  OK….right.

Lots of smoke….any chance of some fire?  Not according to Hillary…she is totally innocent of any intentional wrong doing.  OK…if that’s true, then she is too stupid be POTUS.  Any reasonable person (much less a first lady, of a state and the USA, a senator, and a secretary of state) would know not to compromise national security and secret information in personal emails, etc.  Evidently, it never occurred to her! 

While some of these are “explained,” is it any wonder that a great majority of Americans don’t trust Hillary, what she says, or what she is capable of doing to cover her “self.”  While you can’t blame her for her husband’s offenses, it is abundantly clear that they have used each other for their own political aspirations.  The term is that they were “in bed together,” but in their case, who knows?  Are former Secret Service telling us something when they state the being on a Hillary Clinton detail is the worst assignment they could have and is equal to being punished?  This from a nice lady who likes children and is seen hugging them (on camera).  I don’t buy it for a minute.  She is a treacherous human being.  I would welcome a qualified woman as POTUS, just not this woman.  She is a qualified “politician” but she doesn’t pass the smell test for me.

Welcome to the Presidential Campaign 2016!

I grew up on a farm...

I just read an enjoyable post by a lady who was raised in a small town and thought there should be a post about being raised on a farm.

I was raised on a farm in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. We grew alfalfa hay, cotton, and raisin grapes as part of the Sun Maid co-op. We also had some livestock, including a milk cow and chickens. We drank our own milk and made our own butter. We grew a huge “organic” garden, but we didn’t know calling it that made it special. It was hard work, and we all had to do our part. I started driving (steering) a tractor for simple tasks before I could reach the pedals. It saved having to use a full grown farm hand for a task that didn’t require size and strength. We irrigated our fields continuously during the growing season. The mosquitoes were unrelenting when the sun was going down. I was often hosed off before I could enter the house at the end of the day. I can never remember one time waking up in the morning thinking: “Gee, What do I want to do today?” Going eight miles to town was an event. It only happened on Sundays and perhaps once or twice during the week. Most of my school friends had a very similar lifestyle. We were farm kids. I worked hard and played hard, hunted and fished alongside my father, day after day. It’s what I knew.

We rarely ever ate fast food or processed food. My grandmother was a world class country cook. Her chicken and dumplings, fried chicken, and pot roast were my favorites. Our treat was a soft serve ice cream cone on the occasional trips to town.

I attended a country school named, “LaVina,” because of the vineyard agricultural industry in that area. It was a K-8th grade school. My grandfather was one of the custodians and my school bus driver. I personally knew all the teachers, cooks (they cooked real lunches on the premises) and the principal. There was a healthy respect for authority woven into the fiber of that system. It has served me well.

Our town was Madera, California. I had family history there. My uncles, aunts and cousins lived in and around Madera. We were involved there. My relatives included the county sheriff, furniture store owners, teachers, a probation officer, a barber, mechanics, and so on. I grew up with a sense of belonging.

My background has served me well. I have never been arrested. I have never been drunk. I have never used any kind of recreational drug. I have never been fired from a job. I finished college and have a graduate degree. I have spent the past 40 plus years in full time ministry. I have traveled all over the world, and I have great friendships from every place I have lived and traveled, including the farming community where I grew up. I have never accumulated wealth. I have lived within my means, and have been blessed with an abundance of things that make life work. Does being raised on a farm guarantee all the good things I have known? No, but it helps. It gave me a great foundation for managing the gains and losses we all experience in life. Most of all, it has helped make me thankful human being.

Some Immigration IssuesTo Consider

1.    Open borders

a.    US immigration should never be a “free for all” approach…must be geographic boundaries, responsible quotas and enforceable regulations.

b.    Must have secure borders:  we need a larger workforce to see it happen effectively (mandatory two year service for 18 to 21 year olds).

2.    Unlimited immigration (there can be no such thing...not sustainable in the world we live in)

3.    Minimum, or no vetting

a.    This must end immediately:  the definition of “vetting” is to:  examine, scrutinize, investigate, inspect, look over, screen, assess, evaluate and appraise

b.    Terrorists are coming in under the guise of immigration

c.    If a person (or family) does not pass the vetting process, they are not allowed to immigrate. Period.

d.    We must be able to determine “who they are” before they can immigrate.

4.    Illegal residency

a.    Make those who should be allowed to stay, legal.

b.    Make those who should not be allowed to stay…leave.

c.    It is this way in every other country.

5.    Government (local, state & national) benefits for illegal residents

a.    No appreciable and long term benefits for illegal aliens

b.    Give emergency treatment only….no long term health care

c.    No tuition grants, student loans, business loans, etc for illegals.

6.    Assimilation issues

a.    Desegregation and assimilation must be addressed with effective solutions.

b.    No creating “small ethnic countries” within the US

c.    Help faith based and non-profit organizations to assist in the assimilation process by making resources available, such as food, clothing, job qualifying, housing assistance, etc.  This will also help establish positive relationships between immigrants/legal aliens and US citizens.

7.    Deportation of illegal aliens

a.    Must be an annual quota for deportations. It is expensive so you can’t do it all at once.

b.    Get legal, or risk deportation

c.    Living in an illegal condition is the very definition of anxiety and uncertainty.  That is their issue. There is no peace of body and mind if you remain illegal.  It is no different with US citizens.  If you are being “illegal” in any way, you live with uncertainty and the possibility of repercussions.

Food for political thought

I may be asking him for trouble, but here are some thoughts for you to ponder....

I terminated my registration in a political party, because I no longer see the wisdom in holding or promoting a position (platform) in part, or in whole, which I do not agree with morally or ethically. In order to be a liberal or a conservative the expectation is to be "all in" or "all out." Being a republican or a democrat is an untenable position for me. I'm not critical of those who are registered and supporters of a particular party platform. That's America...we can choose. I chose. Having said that, here are a few of my bullet point values when it comes to nationalistic issues.

* I love the USA, and always want to come home after traveling in other parts of the world. I am a reasonable patriot, but not blindly so.
* I do not mind paying my taxes! I see what we get. Yes, it could be better, but in comparison to most of the world, we are blessed.
* I believe in "free lunches" for the disabled, oppressed poor, disadvantaged, and those with specific physical, mental and emotional needs. People and families need help. I willingly pay my share for these "free lunches." I believe in a free enterprise system. I believe it promotes creativity and commercial advancement and financial health. I don't believe in monopolies nor in the manipulative power of special interest groups. I believe in a graduated tax scale without loopholes for commercial enterprises where those who make more, contribute more, but not to the point where it becomes unprofitable or unreasonable to do business in the USA.
* I believe in a balanced budget. Ultimately, it's the only kind that is sustainable.
* I believe in a strong, trained and equipped military. I also believe in a mandatory 2 year military/civil service program for all able bodied Americans (between the ages of 18-28). If called on, I would serve (however, in my condition and age I may be a liability, not an asset).
* I believe there are good, decent, and resourceful public office holders on both sides of the aisle, and we have destroyed any chance of benefiting from cooperative efforts because of the ego-centered, power hungry politicians who lie, cheat, steal and kill to get the vote! The system is broken.
* I believe there are plenty of others like me. We've grown tired of the fighting (within the party, and party against party). We are tired of the self aggrandizement it seems to take to get elected. We are tired of seeing the same old stuff over and over again. While I love America, our political system is seriously broken.

These are a few of my thoughts and values concerning national issues. I have many other thoughts on healthcare, education, minimum wage, discrimination policies, equal rights, legalization and taxation of recreational drugs (including tobacco and alcohol). However, since no one has asked me to share them, I'll keep them to myself. I'm not asking for support, only that you THINK through some things for yourself, rather than hearing more debate debacles on TV.

A Pastor's Heart

I have spent all of my adult life, and really, from about age 16 on, in some kind of ministry leadership. That certainly isn’t unique. Many have had a similar experience. I have heard it said of me, and of countless others; “you have a pastor’s heart.” That expression is not about a certain personality type, since there are many. It has to do with what you value. A pastor’s heart is not about the buildings you build, the great programs you originate (or copy), the quality of music your church produces, and I believe there can be great value in all of these. A pastor’s heart is about one thing, and one thing only….RELATIONSHIPS! It is all about how you value the people you are privileged to do life with.

I learned this from my youth pastors (volunteer, by the way…which speaks to the truth that we ALL have calling), Burt and Peg Thompson. Because they loved me unconditionally, and so obviously, I learned to engage in that depth of relationship when I was leading ministry. My parents were a huge part of that as well. When I became a “youth pastor,” I just naturally LOVED my kids. I mean I really loved them. I still do. They are still (in my mind and heart) “my kids.” I am quite sure that’s how Burt Thompson saw me his entire life….as one of “his kids.” It was a natural thing to transfer that relationship value to the whole church when I became a senior pastor. BUT….I will always have a special place in my heart for those who were in my youth group….can’t explain it, but it’s there. Those kids are parents and grandparents now, but they are still my kids. You know who you are! Sappy….perhaps, but I choose to call it my “pastor’s heart.”

So….have the best programs you can lead. Have the best worship teams and bands possible (and I love good ones). Have the finest building God allows you to create. BUT…when it’s all said and done, you can have “church” without any of that, but you CAN NOT HAVE OR BE THE CHURCH without real, authentic, loving relationships! I’ll stake my life on that.
John 13:35 …”they will know you are my disciples by the way you love one another.”

A Successful Cookout

How many people do you expect? You don’t need a specific number, but you do need to know if it will be 10, or 25, or 50.  Makes a huge difference in what and how you prepare.

Main course(s).  Burgers, hot dogs, steaks or various other meats. Most often, for a larger group, burgers and hot dogs are the way to go, unless you want a higher cost, fancier kind of event.

Buy GOOD INGREDIENTS!  Whatever you do, don’t skimp on quality:  hamburger 88% lean is best.  There is enough fat for flavor and to be juicy, but not too much.  93% is too dry for good grilling.  Use only all beef hot dogs:  preferably Hebrew National, or Costco’s Kirkland jumbo beef are very good.  Read the package!  No cereal fillers, chicken, pork or beef “parts.”  ALL BEEF is what you want.

Burgers for medium size buns:  4 to 5 ozs uncooked. This is a full ½ measuring cup of ground beef…slightly rounded.

Burgers for large buns: 6-8 ozs uncooked.  Use a ¾ measuring cup slightly rounded.

Avoid making meatballs!  Some folks prefer to hand pat their burgers.  I like to make them into a ball, and then place the ball in between a folded sheet of aluminum foil.  Use a heavy wooden cutting board to press them flat.  Round the edges with your hands and make them uniform in size, shape and thickness.  I hate grilled burgers that are round (not flat) and do not fill out the entire bun to the edges.  Match your bun and patty sizes, realizing there will be some shrinkage in the meat.  The pressing method gives you a flat patty rather than a round one.  making hamburger patties

You can add finely chopped onion (or other herbs and spices) to your meat if you wish.  Personally, I prefer to have just the meat and possibly use a really good dry rub lightly. Often, I just use Lawry’s Seasoned Salt in place of a rub.  Too many added ingredients will take away from the flavor of the beef.

Cooking time:  Cooking time varies.  Err on the side of undercooked rather than overcooked. You can’t do anything to fix overcooked meat.  On a grill that is approximately 500-600 degrees, 3 to 4 minutes per side is adequate. Watch the Food Network’s series, “Chopped.”  Overcooked meat will get you chopped quicker than about anything. Remember meat will continue to cook after you remove it from your heat.  I don’t care what you hear or read, if you wait until the juices in the burger are perfectly clear, you have overcooked your burgers.  They will be dry and tasteless instead of juicy with flavor. No Bueno! Personally, some red/pink is preferable, but for some it is not.  For a larger cookout where you can’t make everyone’s burger to order, I shoot for just under medium.  They will finish nicely for most folks. You can use an instant thermometer if you’d like.  They are easy and very helpful if you aren’t experienced enough to know exactly how long to cook your meat.  For hot dogs, I like the color to be right. I want a nice dark golden brown…not black.  Hot dogs are already fully cooked, so raw is not the issue here.  Keep rolling them back and forth on the grill if you want even color.  If you prefer grill marks, let them set for several minutes before turning them.  Again, good even color is what you want to achieve with hot dogs.

Heat source:  The grill.  I can’t encourage you enough, that when you purchase a grill, get a good one.  That doesn’t mean the one with the most auxiliary burners, a wine cooler chest and a blu ray player and sound system on it.  Get the best, and largest cooking surface you can afford.  I will show you my gas grill….and I love it!  Of course, a real charcoal grill is hard to beat.  The taste is sensational.

My grill:  purchased at “Barbeques Galore” in the Phoenix metro area.  It is a quality bbq grill store.

The Grandhall Odeon 32 gas barbecue uses four powerful Crossray infra-red burners to evenly spread the heat across the whole cooking area. The heat penetrates the food and cooks it from the inside out. Which locks in moisture and enhances the flavour.  It’s also safer to use then traditional BBQ’s. The burners aren’t under the food so there is less smoke and almost no flare ups. So you’ll always have evenly cooked food. The Crossray infrared burners are also 40% more efficient than traditional burners since they are hotter, faster and use up to 40% less gas/Co2.

This is not the cheapest grill, but it is a moderately priced good one.  I use it often and want it to perform.  I purchased the previous year’s model as soon as the new ones came on the market and got it at nearly half the original price.  It was still about $800, but worth every penny.  As you can see, I can easily cook 20 burgers and a dozen hot dogs at one time on this grill.  That size lets you cook for a pretty large crowd without having to be at the grill for a long period of time.  This grill also gets really hot, which is a good thing.  It sears quickly at temps well in excess of 600-800 degrees. Great for steaks and burgers. Back it off for chicken.  I learned that the hard way.

Trial and error is the best teacher, but with these few hints, you should increase your chances of having a successful cookout in a short period of time.  There are many other cooking tips and tricks.  Make it a hobby to learn all you can.

Happy grilling!

The Gatekeeper