Presidential Qualifications!

According to the constitution--there are only a few qualifications a person must meet in order to run for president in this country. They are:

No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.

Therefore, if we're going to be real and factual, our claims (including mine) that trump is not qualified to be president are not necessarily true--according the requirements as written. Apparently, the founding fathers didn't think far enough ahead to anticipate the menace we now have in the White House--who certainly is not fit to hold the office. Ah ha! The difference between being qualified and being fit is exposed on a daily basis.
So, now how do we determine a person's fitness for the office?
I'm not convinced that a person has to have held an elected position prior to running for president or be rich or have a well-connected family name. I am convinced that anyone running for the office of president should have a genuine concern and desire to serve all the people in the United States and not just some of them. Therefore, based upon what we've seen, the current Oval Office resident is only concerned with establishing policies that benefit the rich and campaigning to appease his base (40%) of the American population. And because people were so foolish to not vote because their candidate didn't get the nomination in 2016, here we are today, in 2018, trying to figure out how we get out from under the oppressive, authoritarian mess that now exists.
The one bright spot to the traitor's election is the fact that people--from all walks of life--have felt impelled to run for office and that's a good thing. Complacency has taken a back seat to the horrors of what we now face as a nation.
I've talked to a number of people in the past year and will probably talk to more. Many are running for offices or have run and the recurring them for their political involvement is, "trump happened." I know that's true for me--if he had never been installed in office, I probably would have lived out the rest of my life, totally inactive, thinking that voting was enough. Just voting--is not enough! If we want to see a change in this country, every able-bodied, mentally stable American needs to get actively involved in the political process of this country--it's the way Democracy works.
At any rate, let's get back to the point I want to make--about having presidential qualifications which include being fit for the office. As most of my followers know, I plan to run for President in 2020. Many have said, they don't think I'm qualified based upon a few factors: I've not held an elected public office (not a career politician), I'm not rich (no matter how rich is defined), and I'm not affiliated with any religious institution (meant to appease the religious sector in the country).
On the other hand, there are number of reasons why I believe I'm the perfect person (qualified and fit) for the position of President of the United States.

• I am an American (though the founding fathers didn't have me in mind) who believes in adhering to the Constitution of the United States.
• I have been a public servant for over 20 years as an educator and volunteer in various situations.
• I know the three branches of government and the intent for checks and balances needed for a democratic process to work and have an affinity for understanding history.
• I have a better than average understanding of how government is supposed to work and will work to maintain (or restore in this case) the relationships between our allies.
• I have a heart for all people regardless of their ethnicity, gender, religious beliefs or anything else.
• I care about our planet and want to make sure my grandchildren and their children can enjoy breathing clean air, drinking clean water, and in eating foods not poisoned by toxic soil.
• I want every person who desires a higher education to have access to one without overwhelming debt (I know all too well how this is overwhelming)
• I want every educator to be treated with respect and dignity and paid as the professionals they are.
• I want every Senior Citizen to live secure in the knowledge that benefits they paid into will always be available to them.
• I want every American--regardless of age or pre-existing conditions to have access to affordable healthcare.
• I want every veteran who has served this country to be honored as the heroes they are and for them to have every service they need to continue living a productive life.
• I want every American to be treated with respect and dignity and afforded equal rights in every area of their lives.
• I want corporations to pay their fair share of taxes and for them to pay employees a living wage commensurate with their skills and ability.
• I want access for every person who wants to run for an elected office to be able to do so without finances being a barrier that impedes.
• I want to see America's Democratic process work for every American and that the people determine the direction of our nation, not corrupt, bought and paid for politicians who forget how they were elected in the first place.
• I am as mentally stable as anyone can be at the moment with the constant threat of nuclear war by the menace in the White House who is truly the enemy of the people.

In addition to the above bulleted points--I am physically fit to endure rigors of the office and if for any reason, my physical ability should falter, I have no qualms about moving aside so that the country moves forward with the best person at the helm. My strongest character traits are my integrity and tenacity. My weakest character trait (and I'm working on overcoming it) is believing in the best of people. When I see the worst in them, I acknowledge it and sever ties with them. I know how to love from afar.
For those who think that having an affiliation with a religious institution is important, let me say this. My relationship with Jesus Christ is far more important than an affiliation with any religious institution since they "change" and Jesus does not. I'm happy with my relationship with other believers and even those who don't. Neither belief or unbelief changes who I am or how I try to live life as a living representation of who God is.
So, now do you think I'm qualified to run for president? Only the voters will make that decision and I hope they find in my favor and elect an Everyday American who cares about all people, rather than a career politician, or entertainer simply because they have the money or family name. I want people to research who I am and determine for themselves whether they think I can represent who they are and address their needs.

 

On The Journey--Nun!

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

I have sworn and confirmed
That I will keep Your righteous judgments.

I am afflicted very much;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.

Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And teach me Your judgments.

My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.

Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever,
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.

I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, to the very end. Psalm 119:105-112 NKJV

The 14th letter and stanza--gratitude for God's Word in the direction our lives take.

How is God's Word a lamp for our feet and a light on our path?

When we consider how paths were lit before streetlights or lamplights were invented, foot lamps were used along a public path, set into the ground so people could see where they were going or any hazard in their way.

God's Word is indeed a light--it illuminates truths so we can see where we're headed if we don't obey and when we obey. In God's Word, we discover when we're on a path that may be hazardous to us, if we pay attention. When I remember what was said to Joshua, I can see how the writer has come to this conclusion. "If we keep God's commandments, whatever we put our hands to will prosper and we'll have good success." On a path to success, if we obey, we'll make it and if we don't, we won't.

Have we made a commitment to keep God's Word--primarily to love Him and everyone else? If we love Him, we'll always do what is right and pleasing in His sight; if we love others, we'll not do things that could harm them. This is the commitment to keeping God's Word!

And when we have made that commitment to keeping God's Word, we can better handle the attacks by the enemy. Unless our lives are threatened, we don't have to worry about stooping to the level of the enemy; we just speak God's Word over our lives and pray for our enemies that they will become enlightened by God's goodness. For we know--because of the testimonies given by others and how God sustained them, even in the midst of adversity--that He will do it again. He is the same God--yesterday, today, and forever and we can count on Him.

Have we totally submitted our hearts to God in keeping that commitment alive? Have we opened our hearts to receive all the love He has for us so we'll have more than enough to pour out on others?

If we have no love in our hearts, we certainly cannot hope to have love for others. We cannot give what we do not have. Before we can keep His Word, we must receive His Word and all the love that comes with it.

Honoring Commitment!

And she made a vow, saying, Lord Almighty, if you will only look your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then i will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head. "I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life, he will be given over to the Lord." And he worshiped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:11, 27-28 NIV)

When we pray and make vows to God, do we honor them? Or do we simply use God--to get what we want and then ignore Him and what we've said?

Hannah not only received the response she wanted from God when she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, she also had other children (three sons and two daughters) because she kept her word to God. All of this after her husband's other wife--tormented her about being barren.

Everything we go through, happens for a reason. Even periods of barrenness--dry spells--when nothing we do seems to work the way we want it to work. That's okay--because in God's timetable--everything works for our good. Sometimes, God just wants to see what we'll do before He responds to our prayers.

I think I know how Hannah felt--it was bad enough (from a 21st century perspective) to share a husband, but to be tormented by the other wife because she had not conceived--yeah, I can see why Hannah would be bitter. There are times in our lives when we feel like God has forgotten us, but we must stand firm on the faith we have in Him--knowing that He never leaves us and will not abandon us--but His plans will be accomplished.

In order for God to trust us to do what we say we'll do, He allows us to go through things--not because He doesn't know what we'll do, but He wants us to know what we'll do in certain circumstances. As He has said in His Word, "It's better not to make a vow (a commitment) than to make one and not keep it (honor it)." (Ecclesiastes 5:5)

How many vows have we made or commitments to do something and did not do it? When things fall apart--who do we see as the culprit--for us not receiving what we wanted or receiving the derision of others? Until we are able to see us clearly--our motives and agendas for doing things--we are doomed to be disappointed. For if we cannot be honest with ourselves, can we be trusted to be honest with others or in our dealings with others?

Let's think before we make vows or commit to do things we know we are not going to honor. God looks upon the heart of a man/woman, but the rest of us--can only judge a matter by what we see--based upon what we do. And when judgment is made because of our inability to honor a commitment, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Truth, Mercy and Love!

"Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths, Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. Remember, Lord, Your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to Your love remember me, for You, Lord, are good." (Psalm 25:4-7 NIV)

Sometimes, admitting the truth a matter can be a shock to the system and an ego, but the truth--no matter how much it may hurt--is always liberating. "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall you free." The truth--about so many things that has entangled my time, has shown me that I'm too old to do certain things and must make way for younger people to do them.

The truth of matter is--I'm from the old school--the school that taught us that our word was supposed to mean something and when we commit to doing something, we should honor our commitments.

Apparently--commitment and honoring one's word is not taught much these days and as a result--confusion ensues and chaos thrives when commitment is not honored. I know some would say I'm too old-fashioned, but I like who I am and the values I was taught and would like to think that I still exhibit. When I say I'm going to do something, I try to do just what I say, I'm going to do. Now, unexpected things may occur that would hinder my mission, but attempts are always made to stay focused on the mission.

My focus on trying to make sure an event was a success, proved to be a distraction--not a fatal one, but a distraction none-the-less and made me aware, that one person cannot undertake the responsibility of what requires a small army of committed people. My first mistake was in trusting others to honor their word.

But God is merciful and He has shown me mercy and not allowed things to get so far out of hand, they could cause irreparable damage. That's one of the things I love most about our God--His mercy and love--in spite of us. He never lets us down and in spite of my own shortcomings, the event was successful--as defined by Him, not me. We had absolutely wonderful weather for an outdoor event, sunny skies, and moderate temperatures. People were friendly and most complimentary. I'd like to believe the end result was a testament of His love for me because He knew, I didn't have a clue as to what I was doing, but He made it possible to happen any way.

So, with this event, I've learned some valuable lessons--about me and others. I do not have to accept responsibility for the things that others do or don't do, but I must own my missteps and correct. I cannot expect others to uphold the same standards I have because they are not me and I don't know what they've been taught. I can count on friends and relatives--when all else falls apart--to keep their word. Most of all, I've learned to expect the unexpected and have an appropriate response to it all.

Thanking God this morning for allowing me to see truth about me, be grateful for His mercy, and ecstatic over His love for me. And yeah--facing truth--is very liberating!

Are We Praying?

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:2-6 NIV)

When I think about what I might do if I was in chains, I wonder if I would have had the fortitude that Paul had. I honestly don't know the answer to that because I've never been locked away from people or in chains. I can only pray that my devotion to God would enable me to do likewise.

But that's the key--devotion--totally dedicated and committed to doing what is needful. Although most of us are appalled with the way the terrorist groups treat Christians, we must admit they are totally devoted to their goal--no matter how inhuman it is. They are so committed to accomplishing their goal they are willing to die to see it come to pass.

I don't want to be involved with taking the life of a another human being, but wouldn't it be great if the rest of us were as devoted to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the terrorists are in trying to decimate us?

This, then is why Paul encouraged the church at Colosse (and us) to devote ourselves to prayer--being in constant communication with God about everything that concerns us. He cautions us to be watchful--paying attention to the changes taking place around, hearing Holy Spirit when He warns us of things to come, and taking whatever action we need to take to make sure the way of the Gospel is never blocked or closed to all those who desire to hear it.

Let's face it--we have not always heeded Paul's advice which is why there are so many changes in our society--and not all of them good. We were not being watchful when Madeline Murray O'Hara decided that her children didn't need to be exposed to anyone praying in schools. The Body of Christ didn't think she'd accomplish her goal and did nothing and so today, the school systems all over the country are running amuck because open prayer is not allowed. In other words--the devil won that round. But there are still those who are devoted to praying--and students are leading prayer circles in limited situations. Hooray for the brave, bold students, but what happened to the adults who should have been fighting for the rights of all to hear and agree with the prayers?

Once again, Christian Leadership in the country failed to act on warnings by Holy Spirit and the Supreme Court has led the way for the downward spiral of morality and we shall soon see such decadent immorality that it will make our dead ancestors cringe in unbelief. Were we praying before issues reached the Supreme Court? Were we praying that our elected body of legislators would do their jobs?

Are we praying--even now--or have we become complacent and apathetic--willing to just let things take their course?

My daily prayer includes thanking God for wisdom being poured out upon every leader in this country--that they will hear from heaven and act accordingly. I'm praying that those who made the decision to legalize sin would repent and for those participating in sinful acts would repent and seek God. I thank God for the ability to love, the boldness to teach His Word, and the wisdom to know what to say and when. I thank God for inspiring me to teach my children and grandchildren to learn to please God, not man. And more importantly, I've taught them to seek God--communicating with Him on a daily basis--for answers to all their questions and solutions for all their problems.

Are we praying? Are we devoted to seeking God for every situation we encounter--for peace in the world and salvation for all?

Lord, give us insight to know that we will never have the answers for all the world's problems, but You do. And when You speak to us--directing us in how to help solve them, give us an ear to hear and a made-up mind to do--just as You direct us to do, exercising Godly wisdom at all times. Thank You for loving us enough to give us chance after chance to get things right before You return. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen!

Writing With His Eye Tracker!

This is a must-read post for all who desire to: understand commitment, sharing, and obeying God!
godsmanforever.com/2015/01/11/opportunities-in-trials-1112015-by-bill-sweeney-stricken-with-als/