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But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent for the Sprit of His Son into our hearts, crying “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son; and if a son, than an heir through God. –Galatians 4:4-7

Last week, my older brother and his wife had a child. She was 110 pounds, and 56 inches. Mother and daughter are doing well. A process that has lasted for years finally resulted in the adoption of their youngest child at age 13. Congratulations!

Scripture uses this wonderful act of taking on the care of a child that is not our own as a way to describe our relationship with God. Before Jesus came into our hearts, we may have walked among people of grace, we might have attended their churches, and we might even have shared last names. But only that glorious adoption achieved by the grace of Christ allows us to be truly a part of the community – as if we had always belonged. Notice in the Scripture “And because you ARE sons” – there is no distinction as to how we came to be God’s children – we simply are. My brother does not have an adopted child, he has a daughter. She is my niece – as much so as my other nieces and nephews. And we are God’s children – no matter how long and circuitous the route.

Additionally, the whole adoption process allows us to see that no act of ours can get us into the kingdom of God. My niece (no modifier, remember!) could have banged on my brother’s door all of her life. Her entrance into his family depended not so much on her, but on the actions of others – her future mom and dad, the courts, laws, etc. If they had not wanted her – no amount of actions on her part would have been successful. In the same way, we are now members of the Kingdom of God, not by our own actions, but by the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. He WANTED us to be a part of the family of God, and sacrificed Himself in order to achieve that goal. The Holy Spirit is SENT so that we may cry out “Father!” – in the intimate and reverent way that the name implies. We must always remember that it was God who wanted us – and was willing to sacrifice His “real” Son so that we too may become heirs to His family.

I am so proud of my niece, and proud of her dad and mom for staying the course through years of hurdles and setbacks. Glory be to God.

Graphic: Paulo Correa

Both are a bad sign – that we do not want to know what is going on in the world around us – nor do we care.

You shall love your neighbor as yourself. – Matthew 22:39

Although I have not conducted any scientific studies into the matter, I am convinced that most cars here in East Tennessee have turn signals that have never been used. Seriously, if there is a market for used turn signals – the Knoxville area must supply the lion’s share. Be it changing lanes, turning onto a different road, or a quick trip into the local McDonalds – one is never sure where people are going because they do not signal. I constantly find myself behind a rapidly slowing vehicle – thank goodness the brake lights work – only to find that once again it is an East Tennessean who does not know what the heck that stick on the steering column is for. To add fuel to the fire – even at today’s prices – I will often see the turn signal in use AS the car turns – instead of well before the change of direction as intended.

As disjointed as it sounds, iPods fall into this same category. iPods – those little gadgets that store hours and hours music and video. Given any group of teenagers, a large percentage of them will have the earbuds firmly in place and listening to the latest “I hate my parents” music – all the while completely oblivious to the world around them. I went to a Denny’s lately – observed both the short order cook AND the manager sporting the telltale wires that went to the miniplayer secured in their pocket.

Our society has fallen into an appalling practice of having no concern for the world around us. “I will turn when I want to turn – if you are following me, then just watch out.” “I will listen to what I want. The world around me does not matter, nor am I interested.” The “I’m OK You’re OK” attitude has never gone away – it has just changed into “I’m OK, and I could not care less how you are doing.”

We are called to love our neighbors as we love ourselves – with the understanding that in our fallen state “self-love” is at its highest. Yet, how are we to love our neighbor if we are unaware of them – especially if we purposely shut them out. I am sure that if the Parable of the Good Samaritan was recast into today’s circumstances – the priest and the Levite would have iPod and turn signal issues. The Good Samaritan would respond – only because he did not have his ear buds in – and he would signal before getting off the road.

So – use your turn signal, turn off the iPod, and take a look and listen to the world around you. We just might find some neighbors to love.

The AFL-CIO is pushing for a new tax on stock trades.  Although they sound altruistic, what the labor union is really looking for is more money with which to line their pockets.

A report from The Hill states that lawmakers are looking to pass a bill that would add a tax on every stock exchange.  While the tax would be small – about 1/10 of 1 percent – the revenues from large trading companies could raise between 50 and 100 billion dollars a year.  The new revenue would be earmarked – supposedly – for infrastructure.

The AFL-CIO is all over this idea.  They love it – for it gives a whole new way to fund projects in which they are heavily involved.  According to factcheck.org , while the federal government is not required to use organized labor, by presidential order agencies are to “consider requiring the use of project labor agreements in connection with large-scale construction projects in order to promote economy and efficiency in Federal procurement.”   A boon for labor unions – who need to use some employment leverage in order to increase sagging member numbers.  Although their numbers experienced a slight increase, unions still make up less than 15% of the American work force (Washington Post) . This funding and mandate is just what the unions need – a “join the union or join the unemployment line” push that has approval from the White House itself.

Investments from the private sector represent the best way to put people to work. Companies that sell stocks or bonds do so to increase capital to purchase equipment, conduct research, or to put people to work.  Putting a tax on the purchase and sale of stocks – no matter how small the tax – ultimately ends up in the further loss of jobs – union jobs or otherwise.

Infrastructure is important – and it is probably one of the very few areas in which the federal government should be involved.  Instead of putting in place a new tax, how about cutting costs somewhere else and putting that money into our roads.  While we are at it – how about cutting the AFL-CIO out of the mix entirely.  That alone will save millions of dollars in unneeded overhead.

The unions probably won’t like that idea – just follow the money.

The White House expressed anger and regret over the release of the Lockerbie bomber, while still insisting on making life easier for terrorists held at Gitmo.(Fox News)

Abdel Baset al-Megrahi was convicted in 2001 for the 1988 bombing of a plane over Scotland that killed over 300 people on board the plane as well as 11 people on the ground. He has been diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer – with just a few months remaining to live. He has been released to head home to Libya to live out his last few days with his family. The judge who made the decision stated this type of mercy is in keeping with “Scottish values.”

I could go either way on his release. On one hand – he murdered hundreds of innocent people. Scripture clearly tells us that a murderer – one who premeditates his crime – has lost the right to live and needs to be put to death. The fact that many western nations – and many US states – have done away with the death penalty is a testament as to why we continue to have an alarming murder rate in the enlightened West. On the other hand, international politics and the fact that this guy only has a few weeks remaining to live could justify the Scots’ decision to let him go. If we add to that the underlying doubt that he may not have been involved gives some leeway to mercy.

The problem that I have with all this is that the White House was bound and determined to keep this guy in prison. At the same time,  the Obama administration is closing down one of the most secure prisons that we have – Guantanamo Bay – and is eagerly looking for somewhere else where these very dangerous men can be held captive. Abdel is responsible for hundreds of deaths; these gentlemen at Gitmo are responsible for thousands. Muammar Al-Qaddafi – once shut off from the rest of the world – has renounced terrorism and is actively working with BP Oil and others to get his country up to speed. The terrorists at the navy prison have never turned away from their views, and will never do so. They treat their guards with contempt, often throwing human waste “cocktails” at people who walk by. The prisoners are afforded the highest of respect, yet show no remorse in return. Gitmo is portrayed by those on the left as being inhumane. The reality is that the prisoners receive better care than many Americans do: 3 square meals, full medical care, decent housing, prayer time, exercise, limited internet access, and entertainment. Most prisoners have gained weight, and look healthier than when they first arrived. Yet, the left continues to call for the closing of this base.

The White House needs to get its act together. If Obama wants to take a hard line with Abdel Baset al-Megrahi – fine. All court accounts finger this guy to be guilty. The President needs to be consistent – taking an equally hard line with those who would not hesitate to take the life of any American.

According to a report on foxnews.com, the Democrats on a house committee are petitioning records of salary information from all the major health insurance providers.  (House Dems Seek Records From Health Insurers)  They want to know about salaries in excess of $500,000.  Additionally, they are also looking for premiums paid by policy holders, claims, sales, etc.

The letter is technically a “non-binding” request, so companies can refuse.  However, those who do not provide the information voluntarily can be subpoenaed by the House committee.

I hope every company refuses.  I want to see the House’s assumption that it can pry into everyone’s salary and benefits challenged in a court of law.  I do not want these out of control politicians seeing how much I pay in premiums, nor what was paid out in benefits.  Draw the line here – this is not in the jurisdiction of this government.  Draw the line here – that salaries are negotiated between the company and the individual, and is not any of the government’s business.  Draw the here – battling the legality of this move with every penny.