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A Nation That Has Forgotten God Defined

Psalm 9 provides a simple definition of a nation who has forgotten God: one who has forgotten the needy and poor.

When we, as individuals or as a community or as a nation, fail to act on behalf of the needy and the poor, we are guilty of forgetting God. Conversely, acting on behalf of the needy and poor remembers God.

Man's history is filled with taking care of self by marginalizing others for economic benefit, and by maintaining that marginalization to perpetuate the benefit.

Have we forgotten God? Just consider who the needy and poor are around us, and whether we are acting on their behalf, or ignoring them, or worse, acting to continue their marginalization. Who are the needy and poor? Those who are sick and cannot receive good medical care, the homeless, those trapped in the poverty cycle, those in prison (disproportionately black), the elderly, undocumented immigrants who provide us a high standard of living but who are denied basic human services, etc.

There are many things each of us can do to help the needy and poor as individuals and communities. And one of them is to seek candidates and organizations that are seeking to help the needy and poor, not to continue their marginalization.

Not a Conservative

While I've always considered myself a conservative politically, I've learned that I'm not. Talk radio has awakened me to that understanding.

I'm concerned about people who live in poverty. I'm convinced that our healthcare system is broken for most people and needs to be fixed. And, I have compassion for immigrants who, while here without documentation, contribute so much.

According to the talk radio guys, these things mean that by definition I'm not a conservative.

It probably also means that I'll be paying a lot more attention to candidates they attack as opposed to ones they support.

I'm glad they clarified things for me!

New Mexico

There are places I've been that resurface in my memory, bringing with them strong feelings of peace and well-being. Most of them are in New Mexico. I can't explain why these are the places that pop up, or why they stimulate the feelings they do.

Las Cruces is one of those places, although I've only been there once before. Today we were able to sneak in another brief visit, and only to Misilla. Again, the time was good, as were the veggie enchiladas with red sauce.

I wonder if the feelings have something to do with the wonderful sauces made with the red and green hatch chilis?

Blue Jay Attacking Hawk

This red shouldered hawk appears incredulous that she's being dive bombed by a mockingbird. The hawk did leave it's back fence perch shortly thereafter, however. (Click on the picture to see the face of the hawk better.)

I Drink Coffee for Flavor

I drink coffee for the flavor. I like it to be fullbodied, and prefer
those varieties that are a little citrusy. I'm especially fond of
coffers grown in East Africa and Colombia.

I don't drink it for caffeine because that often triggers migraines
for me. So I generally have decaf.

At home, I use a french press, as that seems to make the best flavored
cup. And I use one measure to make one cup.

My real source of frustration is trying to find a good cup of coffee
at coffee shops. Most seem to believe that more of everything is
better. If roasting coffee is good, more roasting is better. Actually
it's just burned. If strong, fullbodied coffee is good, then twice as
strong must be better. Actually it just overwhelms the tastebuds so
that the complexity of the flavor is lost.

I keep trying to get a good cup at Starbucks, but failing. They're
everywhere. But their coffee is generally lousy. Their coffee drinks
are good, but their straight brewed coffee is overdone.

To be continued...

Fireflies

Sitting on the back porch this time of year, I get to see fireflies. I never cease to be amazed by their bright flashes as they head across the yard. I'm also reminded of my childhood, of catching them and keeping them in a bottle. Except now I'm content just to watch them, too slow for the chase. They're just further evidence of God's marvelous imagination.