Should Social Security and SSI laws be changed immediately?

The U.S. budget deal comes with a Social Security surprise: the media reports a provision could take $50,000 out of some Americans' lifetime benefits.   The media should report that it takes from Americans that are abusing the system.

The deal President Barack Obama and congressional leaders have reached would end a strategy, called ‘file and suspend’ that retirees are using to get more money out of the Social Security System. A strategy that should have never been allowed in the first place!

The rules for claiming Social Security are enormously complicated, and a law passed in 2000 made them even more complicated by creating the opportunity to 'file and suspend'. File and suspend is a rule that practically no one knows about unless they are financially secure and have tax consultants or financial advisors. It certainly does nothing to help the poor elderly or middle class trying to survive on Social Security and it certainly depletes the Social Security fund faster.

The longer you wait to start receiving your Social Security benefits, the higher your monthly benefits will be. File early and you lock in a lower benefit. Wait until 70 and you lock in your maximum benefit. The monthly check for a single person who files at age 70 can be 76 percent higher than if he or she had filed early at 62.

Under 'file and suspend', married workers can file for Social Security and then immediately suspend their benefits. Their benefit checks won't start arriving in the mail, and the value of their eventual benefits will keep rising as if they hadn't filed. In the meantime, their husband or wife can apply for a portion of the spousal benefit they are entitled to once their spouse has filed. In other words the couple does not really need their Social Security benefits to survive. They allow their spouse to draw the spousal benefits and wait until age 70 for the other one to draw. This allows the one to draw benefits immediately and the other to get about 76% more when they begin to draw at age 70. This is but another example of the rich getting richer and the poor worrying if their Social Security benefits will last until they die. GREED!

Couples who 'file and suspend' are double-dipping. They're getting the extra benefits that come from waiting until age 70 to file, while also accessing benefits early. Boston University Professor Laurence Kotlikoff estimates that file and suspend can boost lifetime Social Security benefits for many couples by $50,000.

The loophole even provides a clause if you try 'file and suspend' and do not like it you can suspend it and be paid a lump sum for all the back benefits from age 62 that you did not collect and it is paid in one check. I wonder how many wealthy elderly use the program as an insurance policy.

The legislators and President now call 'file and suspend' an "unintended loophole," and there is evidence that Congress never meant to create the strategy. The 2000 law that allowed it was the Senior Citizens' Freedom to Work Act, aimed at encouraging older Americans to work if they wanted to. It only took 15 years for them to discover the loophole and try to correct it. I have to give credit to President Obama for proposing to close the loophole last year claiming it was a strategy that mostly benefits wealthier retirees. Nancy Pelosi said that the Obama health care bill had to be passed before they could read it.  I guess the same happen with the Senior Citizens’ Freedom to Work Act.

If passed in its present form, the bill would end 'file and suspend' for future retirees. It would make it impossible for people to access their spousal benefits while their spouses are still waiting to access theirs.

It also stops children of Social Security beneficiaries, who have their own version of 'file and suspend'. Social Security sends a monthly check to children of beneficiaries who are either under 18 or are adults who were disabled when they were young or attending college. These children wouldn't get their checks until their parents start getting theirs.

The budget deal would end 'file and suspend' in six months for everyone using the strategy. They are trying to amend the bill so it would not affect those presently using the strategy and would only affect those that intend to use the strategy in the future. I SAY STOP THE STRATEGY FOR ALL NOW!

Most people don't know how to take full advantage of Social Security. The Social Security Agency Administration should be doing more to help retirees find legal ways to maximize their benefits. The truth is that a larger percentage of rich people than poor people are eligible for government money because of the gap in knowledge. Most people don't even know about the thousands of government giveaway programs because most of these programs are funded by Washington, but administered through either the states or little-known organizations. The 1% know about the venture capital and special "loans" they can get from the government and do not have to pay back.

Did you know that a legal alien that has a sponsor, a person who signed an agreement with DHS to provide support for them can have the sponsor’s income and resources count as their income and resources which may entitle them to more S.S.I. benefits? If a sponsor agreed to support the alien why is the government involved in supporting them. SSI is not Social Security it is a U.S. Welfare Program.

Did you know legal aliens from Haiti or Cuba are automatically eligible for SSI for a maximum of seven years from the date DHS granted their immigration status.

Did you know legal aliens who are blind or disable can draw lifetime SSI?

Did you know you can be a “deemed qualified alien” for SSI if you, your child or parent were subjected to battery or cruelty by a family member while in the United States?

Did you know alien immigrants seniors are allowed to collect SSI even if they have children who have money and could support them. I know of an alien from India who owns two dry cleaning shops in Houston, Texas who has brought his mother, father, mother-in-law and father-in-law over and they all draw SSI. I wrote my Congressman to have it verified and he advised me that it was legal. I question the man from India who was renting space from me in a strip center and he told me that his pastor in India teaches them how to do it. To make matters worse his father owns a drug store in India being run by another son.

It is no wonder the U.S. is trillions in debt. The government admits billions of dollars are paid in fraudulent funds each year for Social Security Disability Benefits. The Government Accountability Office identified 36,000 people who have received $1.29 billion of disability overpayments at the same time they were working and earning wages.

It is worth noting that current Federal law prohibits the Social Security administration from paying a financial reward to an American citizen who reports a case of Social Security disability fraud. This law should be changed immediately. Give an incentive to report fraud!

Is there major corruption in Christian Prosperity Ministries?

The senior pastor of Singapore's second-largest mega church bowed three times to his congregation and apologized. Is he sorry that he misappropriated 35.9 million U.S. dollars (some say $50 million) of the churches funds or is he sorry that he and his board members were caught? I suppose only those involved and God know the answer to that.

Last week, Kong Hee and five other leaders of his 17,000-member City Harvest Church were found guilty by Singapore's charity commissioner of siphoning church funds to support the singing career of Kong's wife and church co-founder, Sun Ho, in the United States and Asia. The mega church maintains that Ho's pop music was intended as a form of outreach to non-Christians. The 17,000 membership at the home church does not reflect accurately the number of members in the organization because they have 48 multiple sites which have approximately 59,000 members.

CHC is Singapore’s second largest mega church that preaches a prosperity gospel.  A prosperity Gospel generally makes the Pastor and those on the inside very rich by telling the people their giving to the church will bring them abundant blessing’s from God. In other words the more they give the more they get from God. Corruption runs wild in these prosperity ministries. This teaching is unbiblical, but it is successful in making it possible for some men and women of God to live in multi-million dollar homes, travel in private jets, stay in the finest hotels as they travel the world and drive the most expensive automobiles.

Ho’s secular music career was launched in 2002 as a “Crossover Project,” meant to reach non-Christians and expand the church. Ho, was not charged and is still the megachurch's executive director. Ho has five albums in Taiwan, and appeared in a few hip hop albums in the United States beginning in 2003. A decade ago she became a full-time pop singer wearing skimpy outfits and doing provocative gyrations to accent her music ability.

In 2012, six church leaders were arrested and charged with misusing church building funds to promote Ho’s career. The Commissioner of Charities accused Kong of diverting funds under the guise of contributions to a sister church in Kuala Lumpur, and one witness testified that building funds were used to buy investment bonds in church-owned companies that promoted Ho’s music career. The megachurch also purchased $500,000 in unsold albums to boost her ratings before her American debut. Perhaps she should have tried to launch her singing career on America’s Got Talent or Asia’s Got Talent.

To this day the six profess they do not think they did anything wrong and that the members of the church did or would approve of any use they made of church funds. The pastor maintains no member has come up to him and said he has done anything wrong or that they felt deceived. It is hard for me to believe that the six and Hee’s wife did not know they were acting dishonestly. If they were not trying to hide what they were using the funds for they would have been straight forward and not claimed before being caught the funds were used to build churches in Indonesia.

They now claim to have new people running the operation and a new board, but Hee’s wife is still Executive Director of the organization. They got rid of the underlings and kept the one that was smart enough or shrew enough not to be indicted.

I will concede that part of the problem could have been cultural. Church-sponsored outreach projects—like films or crossover artists performing both religious and secular music are strange to Singapore non-Christian church goers. It is a common practice in the United States. Bishop T.D. Jake’s owns secular media production companies. Daystar television ministries promote and produce crossover music festivals all the time.

There appears to still be thousands of gullible young Singaporeans Church members that have closed ranks, claiming that they approve of their leaders’ spending. The CHC’s building fund alone raised $23m (U.S. Dollars) last year after the deception was known and the trial had begun. They seem to trust Mr. Hee to spend their money in any way he sees fit. Local activists also acknowledge that the church contributes much to the community.

Still, the case has revealed a lack of accountability and transparency at religious organizations. Worshippers often place blind faith in their church leaders, showing little interest in where their tithes and donations go, but hasn’t the public known that for more than two decades. GREED leads people to believe in false hopes and I guess that will never change. We also must remember they prey on those that have lost hope and are experiencing financial difficulties.

You may be wondering how Pastor Kong Hee’s secret got out; well a disgruntled church member Roland Poon made public allegations in 2003 that the funds were being misused to bankroll Hee’s wife’s music career. Instead of church members thanking Mr. Poon they are shunning him. They should have paid him a “whistle blower” fee. In the state of Texas you see signs all along the highways that read “Don’t mess with Texas”. The CHC Christian’s motto should become, “DON’T MESS WITH OUR CHURCH LEADERS.”

The Supreme Court did not rule on how Christians must view homosexuality.

The U.S. Supreme Court has delivered an historic decision that same-sex couples have the right to marry in the United States.  Their decision reflects a shift in U.S. public opinion concerning same-sex relationships.  Prior to the Supreme Court decision, nearly two-thirds of Americans favored extending the rights of marriage to same-sex couples.

It is important to note that the Supreme Court interpreted the U.S. Constitution, not the Bible.  The Court did not try and discern God’s will, or what constitutes Christin ethical or moral behavior and Christians should not determine their morals from public opinion polls.

The Supreme Court ruling did not define how Christians should or must view same-sex marriage.  Churches are still permitted to refuse to marry same-sex couples, and to see the love of a same-sex couple as incompatible with Christian teaching.

I know that many if not the majority of Christians will disagree with me, but I will state my personal views anyway – I am not sure that CHRISTIANS should expect non-Christians to think and live like Christians. I think it is far better to let our lives do our preaching than to try and force others to accept our beliefs. As a Christian I do not expect the government to force my Christian values or morality on me. Of course, I would love for all people to think and act like Christians “SHOULD”. It would be a better world in which to live, but I know laws will not change a cold, hateful, bitter, selfish, bigoted heart only a work of God’s Spirit will.  I think Christians should work for just laws that are fair to all and protect the rights of the minority, bring dignity to people and work for the common good of the nation and world.

What is the will of God concerning same-sex marriage?  Franklin Graham made it clear he opposes same sex marriages in uncertain terms and made it clear in his opinion it is a sin. I do not claim to be as versed in the Bible as Franklin Graham after all he had a great mentor – Rev. Billy Graham, but I know the Bible is complicated and intelligent people who read it with an open mind will find things that they might question. Some things found in the Bible seem to me to reflect the culture of the authors more than the will of God.

Women in the Bible were often seen as second class citizens. Slavery was found to be morally acceptable in the Old Testament and slave-owning Christians in the early church were not asked by the apostles to set their slaves free.   Priests were commanded to burn their daughters alive if they became prostitutes, and rebellious children were to be stoned to death. Women who were raped were required to marry their rapist.  And when Israel went off to war she believed God called her to destroy every man, woman, and child among the nations she conquered.  The Apostle Paul teaches that women are to pray with their heads covered and to not wear their hair in braids.  Women were not permitted to teach a man, and Paul notes that it was “shameful” for a woman to even speak in church.

We are not always able to discern God’s will, simply by quoting a handful of verses from the Bible.  If it worked that way we would still embrace slavery, polygamy, and concubines.  Victims of rape would still be forced to wed their rapists. All denominations would still be like Catholics and not allow women to serve as pastors and would require women to remain silent when it comes to church doctrine.

I am not going to argue the point if God makes us gay or straight.  I do know sexual orientation is developed in most of us at a very early age if not from birth.  Could it be possible that God looked at His gay and lesbian children and said, “It is not good that this one should be alone; I will make them a helper as their companion”? That is what God said in Genesis regarding a man and woman.

Spousal relationships are more about sharing lives together as one another’s helpers and companions than sexual.  It is about holding hands, sharing dreams, helping one another when one or the other is struggling.  It is about shared memories, companionship, and a warm embrace. The Supreme Court has said that this kind of committed love should not be legally denied to same sex couples.

The Catholic Church even after the recent synod in the Vatican says that gay and lesbian couples cannot enter into this kind of covenant.  They cannot receive God’s blessings upon their love within our church and from our priest because, according to our doctrine, to share their lives together as companions (engaging in sex) is “incompatible with Christian teaching.” They claim this knowing that many of our priests are homosexuals.  We teach that God says gay and lesbian people should be alone.  I really wrestle with this doctrine.

Pope Francis has instructed our cardinals, bishops and priest to welcome and love gay and lesbian people.  Catholic Christians should certainly be able to do that and remain brothers and sisters in Christ in the same church.  Unlike Protestant churches we will never be able to leave it to each parish to make their own individual choice for this would require a new type of governance and that will never happen in the Catholic Church and I do not think it should.

The famous love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, was Paul’s answer to divisions.  In verses 4-8 he taught the Corinthians what love looks like, “I will show you a still more excellent way:  Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrong doing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.  Love never ends.”

In Philippians Paul offers these words to end the division: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.”

We must always remember that those with whom we disagree are human beings, children of God and it opens the door for us to see them not simply as adversaries, but as friends.  And this may lead us to work harder to find solutions to those issues that divide us.

The real issue for the church is not homosexuality, but the Bible. What kind of book is the Bible?  How has God spoken to us through the Bible and how does He continue to speak through it.  The answers determine how we read the handful of passages in the Bible that seem to speak to homosexuality. 

Rev. Adam Hamilton says:  some scriptures express God’s heart, character and timeless will for human beings and some express God’s will in a particular time, but are no longer binding and some never fully expressed the heart, character or will of God. I agree with him!

I certainly believe we are for all times to love God and love our neighbor and do unto others as we would have them do unto us.  I do not believe males must be circumcised or  that most of the other hundreds of passages found in the O.T. regarding the Law must be obeyed. I do not believe God ever spoke the words found in Leviticus 21:9 which requires  - if the daughter of a priest becomes a prostitute she must be burned to death or in Exodus 21:20-21, God permits slave-owners to beat their slaves with rods provided they don’t die within the first 48 hours after the beating “for the slave is his property,”  or God commanded the destruction of every man, woman, and child in 31 Canaanite cities and later killed 70,000 Israelites in punishment for David taking a census. These passages seem to me to be completely inconsistent with the God revealed in Jesus Christ who cared for prostitutes, commanded that we love our enemies, and gave his life to save sinners.

I question what category does same-sex intimacy fall into?  Consider Leviticus 20:13 in which God is said to command: “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them.”  Anyone who has a child that is gay would rightly ask, “Did God ever really command that gay and lesbian children be put to death?”  They might also ask, “Does God really see my child, or the love they share for their partner, as an abomination?”

Do these passages we use to condemn homosexuals describe God’s heart and timeless will, or do they address specific forms of same-sex activity in ancient Israel and in the first century world, or perhaps they may not captured God’s heart and character at all?

How we answer the questions of what scripture is, how when and why it was written, and the way in which God influenced its human authors shapes how we make sense of issues like homosexuality.

What do you think of politicians who use religion to try and win elections?

Donald Trump knew exactly what he was doing when he said, “I’m Presbyterian, boy, that’s down the middle of the road, folks, in all fairness. I mean, Seventh-day Adventist, I don’t know about. I just don’t know about.” He was attempting to alienate evangelical Christian voters in Iowa, who like Dr. Ben Carson. In painting a religion as unknown, Trump seems to me to be suggesting there must be something wrong with Carson’s faith. Trump or his advisors knew that Evangelical Christian’s are a bit suspicious of the Mormon and Seven-day Adventist faith.

The church of Carson’s choice has already touched and will continue to touch the lives of millions of faithful followers around the world, even if Trump is ignorant of the denomination. They own and operate hospitals and clinics. In fact The Adventist lifestyle, which encourages abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and meat, is credited with extending lifespan. Studies have proven that those that follow the Adventist lifestyle live on average seven years longer.

In addition to providing excellent medical care the Adventists maintain a large education system, from kindergarten through postgraduate. They train approximately 1.8 million students around the world at any given time.  The low-cost, high-quality Adventist education is often a way up to escape poverty, especially in Third World countries.

Adventism is a Protestant Christian faith granted somewhat different from Trump’s Presbyterian religion. They worship on Saturday instead of Sunday as all Christians did until the Catholic Church selected Sunday as the Sabbath. They use the same Bible as all other Protestant denominations. They strongly believe that religious liberty belongs to all people, everywhere. They do not believe any writings should take preference over the Bible.

Donald Trump’s comment demonstrated his ignorance, but I am sure there are millions of Adventist that would like to inform him about their faith.  Donald Trump is not the first nor will he be the last who will try to use religion to win elections or destroy opponents. Politicians in Singapore created racial and religious riots in the 1960s. The religious issue is used often in Malaysia in an attempt to win elections. I am Republican, but I have to be honest it seems to me that the Republicans play the God card more than the Democrats. Most politicians would use almost anything, God included, to win elections and to maintain power.

Instead of using God and religion to divide us, I would like to see politicians use religion to unite us.  Christianity according to Jesus is to be used to unite and not divide. I am tired of politicians who have probably never studied the Bible using O.T. scriptures to try and influence voters. My party the Republican Party has been cherry-picking from the Old Testament for years to bash gays and justify capital punishment. If I am not mistaken Christianity began with the words, actions and life of Jesus, not Leviticus and Exodus. The use of Old Testament Biblical scripture to justify a "moral agenda" for America is clearly wrong.

A general lack of Biblical and Christian understanding on the part of Americans has allowed the GOP to present itself as "God's Official Party." The reality is that any reading and interpretation of the New Testament will show that Jesus was not conservative, nor Republican.

Our Founders were correct when they proclaimed that the separation of church and state is paramount for our government. The invoking of God and Jesus Christ by our elected representatives is shameful, but not as shameful as Americans who believe that Jesus-God would take sides in a political debate.

The teachings of Pope Francis - Part II

When a person truly knows Jesus Christ and believes in Him, that person experiences His presence in their life. They cannot keep from communicating their experience to others. If this person meets with misunderstanding or adversity, he or she will behave like Jesus.  Jesus answered adversity with love and truth. Brotherly love is the closest testimony we can give that Jesus is alive.

The testimony of faith comes in very many forms. They are all important, even those which do not stand out. In God’s great plan, every detail is important, even my (Popes) humble little witness, even the hidden witness of those who live their faith with simplicity in everyday family relationships, work relationships and friendships.

No one can proclaim the Gospel of Jesus without the tangible witness of one’s life. Those who listen to us and observe us must be able to see in our actions what they hear from our lips. Preach with your life.

Jesus wants to establish with us a relationship which mirrors His own relationship with the Father.

How marvelous it would be if, at the end of the day, each of us could say: today I have performed an act of charity towards others!

How beautiful it would be if each of you, every evening, could say: Today I showed a sign of love towards one of my friends, an older person or my parents.

Do not be content to live a mediocre Christian life.

How are you faithful to Christ? Are you able to make your faith seen? Are you attentive to others, do you notice who is in need, do you see everyone as brothers and sisters to love?

New things always make us a bit fearful, because we feel more secure if we have everything under control. This is also the case when it comes to God. Often we follow Him, we accept Him, but only up to a certain point. Let us ask ourselves today: Are we open to “God’s surprises”?

God is good, let us imitate God.

The world tells us to seek success, power and money; God tells us to seek humility, service and love.

Let us say “Yes” to love and not selfishness. Let us say “Yes” to life and not death. Let us say ”Yes” to freedom and not enslavement to the many idols of our time. Let us say “Yes” to God who is love, life and freedom and who never disappoints us. Let us say “Yes” to the God who is the Living One and the Merciful One.

We are a community. Be like the Samaritan in the Bible and help someone in need. Desire to identify with the person you help. Be willing to share everything. Do not be indifferent to the needs of others.

Charity, patience and tenderness are very beautiful gifts. If you have them you should share them with others.

Recite slowly Psalm 103 (102): “Bless the Lord, O my soul”. Pray it all and you will learn what to say to the Lord when you ask for His grace.

We cannot be Christian in bits and pieces, part-time Christians. We must be wholly Christian and full time Christian.

Every Christian is called to be a bearer of hope that gives serenity and joy. We first experience the joy we give to others by allowing ourselves to be console by Him. We can bring joy to others. This is important if our mission is to be fruitful. We must feel God’s consolation and pass it on to others!

Why do people expect more than they are willing to give?

I received an email from a woman that I have known for many years.  I would consider her and her husband friends.  I have not seen them since I moved to the Philippines, but we keep in touch.  I love them both equally. .I enjoyed their company and I respect them both. 

I was not shocked by her email as she expected me to be, because I saw each of their faults and I always thought they would eventually lead to serious problems.  I admit I thought the problems would have begun sooner than they did.

It is difficult to minister to close friends.  You try to do so without affecting your personal relationship and that is nearly impossible.  If the relationship is extremely important to you then you try to get your point across without really stating your point and that never works and that is exactly what I did. 

I regret it now, but I doubt if either would have appreciated or heeded my advice if I had been upfront back then.  I have thought many times over the years I had been wrong about their relationship because if they had made it this long they would make it to the end. 

She began her email by stating, “You will never believe what happen to us, but after forty years of marriage (X) has ask me for a divorce and has moved out.  Can you believe that?  I am willing to give him the divorce without putting up a fight, but I need to know why and he refuses to tell me.  At first I thought it was another woman or even a man, but I know now that is not the case.  He is in the process of purchasing a small house next door to our oldest daughter and her husband.  I know you must be as shocked as I am, but if you can help me figure this out I would appreciate it.  Love X” 

I replied, “Do you really want to know what I think or do you want me to just try and console you.  The choice is yours.  You know I love you both and it breaks my heart that this has happen, but truthfully I saw it coming many years ago.  Let me know what you want from me.”

She replied she wanted me to tell her what I honestly thought the problem was and not hold back.  She asks did I think he was going through a mid-life crisis.  She has spent a considerable amount of time trying to figure the problem out on her own and by asking others for help and no one has been honest with her.  I assume knowing them like I do they both have prayed about this matter daily. 

How do you tell one of your best friends that you cannot expect more out of a relationship than you put into it, but that is exactly what I had to do?  Of course at first she did not agree with me, but I think over several months she has come to see that much of the problem was her ambition.  To be frank her GREED! 

When I began to deal with her about the problem I ask her to advise me what she felt she had contributed to the relationship and to list at least ten items.  This is her list: 1. I worked at the same place of employment from before we were married until now and as you know I made more money than he did.  2. We were able to take very nice vacations every year from the additional money I brought home.  3.  We were able to send our daughters to the best universities and get them started in life because of my income.  4.  We were able to live in a very nice home in a very nice neighborhood with very nice furnishings due to my income.  5. We each had nice automobiles and were able to provide nice automobiles to the girls when they were living at home.  6. I did not cheat on him and cheating never crossed my mind, although I had many opportunities.  7. I attended football games, basketball games and baseball games with him and you know how I hate sports events.  8.  When he needed clothes I went and picked them out because he did not like to shop and he had bad taste in clothes.  9. I was a good wife and mother.  10. HE KNEW I loved him.

I ask her if she read what she emailed me.  Five of the ten had to do with the money she provided to the relationship.  There was nothing mentioned about meeting emotional needs. Relationships need more than money.

Number six was something any wife or husband is expected to do.  Number seven she stated she does not like sports and everyone knew that because she told everyone and never let him forget the sacrifices she made to attend the games.  Number eight I do not know if I believed it or not.  I tend to believe she did not let him shop for his own clothes because she is particular about her appearance and wanted him to look his best when with her.  I needed her to define number nine to me as to what she thought made a good mother and wife.  How did he know she loved him?  I never saw the two of them holding hands, I never heard an argument, but I never heard verbal expression of love or saw physical signs of love between the two of them.  I heard her say many times when people took offense to what she said to him,  “He knows I love him and only say things that are good for him,”

Before you say it is obvious that they would have problems think about your own relationships at home, work, school and church. Do you take them for granted.  Do you expect more than you give or do you take more than you give?

I have known many people who go to work daily and expect 100% of their pay and give their employer about 50% of their time.  Ask yourself does my employer pay me to carry on personal telephone conversations, look up personal items of interest on the Internet, go back and forth to the coffee maker and eat Bon-Bon’s throughout the day, pay my personal bills at work, listen to my co-workers problems or tell my co-worker my problems on my employers time.  I doubt they do, but a lot of people do it. We are not willing to give what we are even paid to give. 

My dad told me if you take pay for time you were not productive from your employer you rob them of what they are rightfully due.  If you think they do not pay you enough do not try to justify being a thief get another job. 

I am disgusted with men and women, especially men, who have affairs on the side.  I am even more disgusted when society approves of a man having more than one family, while living with his wife and legal family.  Men and women who have these affairs obviously expect more than they give and society by their silence gives a sign of approval. 

It is appalling to me that some people are given the best pews in the church when everyone knows they have a wife and two or three mistresses with children.  It does not make it right just because the man supports the wife and mistresses and all his children.  It is immoral and it certainly is not what God meant for married couples to do when they took their wedding vows and it certainly is not appropriate for a Catholic to do or for a Catholic society to accept as the norm. 

Now to address what my friend said about her never cheating on her husband as if that made her a GOOD wife and mother.  I am sure that is a contributing factor to being a good spouse, but I believe that is what God expects of any spouse and what society should expect of married couples.  When I questioned her about his fidelity she said she honestly believed he never considered being unfaithful to their wedding vows.  So by her standards he was a good husband.

What does the fact that she maintained the same employment for forty plus years and made more money than him have to do with being a good wife and mother?  The fact that she made more than him and she made sure everyone knew it probably contributed to the marriage ending. 

The man before he retired was a chemical engineer making a six figure income.  Did she work so they could have more or so she could have more?  Did she ever consider that her husband and daughters may have needed her time more than her money?  Which did she love more her job, money, title or family?  People can easily be blinded by greed and ambition and not even notice that their spouse has become mother and father to their children.  

She thought having to be out at night four or five times a week dining at expensive restaurants with clients was a big sacrifice for her.  I will admit that the money they made together did make it possible for them to have a housekeeper/cook and that is something few have in the United States.  He had meals prepared every day, but ate alone four or five times a week after the daughters left home.  It seems to me that he made the sacrifices not her.

How do people know you love them if you do not express it with words and deeds?  My dad was a good provider, but a failure in expressing his love to my mother and his children.  It was only two years before he died that he began to realize the importance of expressing his love.  I am thankful for the two years, but honestly to this day I still feel it was given too late in his life. I feel cheated!

I do not believe anyone should remain in a relationship where they have to assume they are loved.  I can recall my mother saying many time, “Your daddy loves you he just does not know how to show it.”  She did not understand that was his problem not ours.  Her remaining silent in order to keep a false sense of peace in the family did not contribute to solving the problem it only made the problem worse and last longer.

Everyone has a responsibility to feed what is feeding them.  I am not talking only about physically feeding; I am also talking about emotionally feeding. 

I have been given many rewards during my life for achievements, etc. but the biggest reward I have ever been given was to be able to take care of my mother the last 18 years of her life. I was able to show her that I appreciated her feeding me, washing me, dressing me, teaching me, protecting me and cleaning up my pee and the other when I could not do those things for myself.  I was not always able to do those things for her personally, but I could see that they were done when I could not.  I can tell you with all sincerity nothing I have done in my life has made me happier than knowing I cared for my mother until the end.  I believe God has blessed me for that more than anything else I have ever accomplished.

A black man at a carwash once told me, “Father you will always be blessed for the way you take care of Ms Reiddie.”  He was a very wise man.

Over the years I have watched people attend church Sunday after Sunday and be fed and never consider feeding the church that fed them spiritually and emotionally.  They never felt they had any responsibility to feed the church.  It is not just a responsibility it is an obligation that God gave us. 

If the man or woman of God is willing to work hard preparing a sermon to feed you every Sunday you owe it to God to feed the him or her and the church.

Do you go to the movie, walk in and out and not pay.  No you do not.  You expect to pay so the theater can continue to operate.  Then please tell me why you have different expectations for the church.  I guess it is because you know you would be arrested for not paying for services rendered anywhere except at the church.  Everything in life revolves around being responsible and at least giving as much as you receive.

Giving and receiving is a cycle that God established when He created the earth.  A farmer does not expect food from the ground, unless he or she plants seeds.  You do not expect a plant in your home to grow unless you feed it water and sunlight.  You do not expect a baby to be born healthy unless you feed it properly in the womb.  You do not expect your vehicle to run unless you feed it fuel.  Then why do you expect love to grow when you do not give love, respect to grow when you do not give respect, loyalty to grow when you do not give loyalty, protection to grow when you do not give protection, friendship to grow when you do not give friendship, etc.

You should have high expectation from all your relationships because you should be willing to give more than is expected to maintain and grow those relationships.

In closing, I want to say something that has bothered me for some time.  I wish people would stop complaining about the relationship they have with their children and the younger generation.  We are as guilty as they are if they are not responsible.  Have you ever stopped to think if we have given them the time we should have.  Have we been excellent role models of how to foster good relationships?

If we give more than we expect we usually get more than we expect and if we do not maybe we should consider getting out of the relationship as my friend did.

The wise man seeks advise the fool turns his back on advise.

My dad told me many times, “A man can learn from the preacher and the drunk if he will just listen.”  He would say, “One is not smarter than the other they just have different experiences.  The preacher will tell you what to do and the drunk will tell you what not to do.”  Both pieces of information are valuable.

My dad had a third grade education and was one of the wisest men I have known.  He worked his way up to be the number two man at Sheffield Steel’s Coke Plant.  He supervised engineers and at my dad’s funeral in 1958 several of the men told me that my dad could figure equations in his head faster than they could on paper.  He listened as he moved up and memorized the equations.

Over the years I have had to deal with many men and women who would come to me saying they were looking for help with a problem.  It quickly would become apparent that they didn’t want advice if it required them to listen and make changes.  In fact, the entire conversation would usually be about why they couldn’t change, why they didn’t need to change, and why they were not responsible for the results they were getting.  They simply did not want to LISTEN! 

Ten minutes into these discussions, I would realize I was dealing with a fool.  There was no point in continuing the conversation.  More talk would not change anything.   In fact most of the time they would leave my office upset that I would even attempt to offer any advice, because they thought I could not possibly know what they were going through. 

Dr Henry Cloud gave me clarity about something I had struggled with for years. The difference between a wise person and a fool is not about:

Position - Plenty of business leaders, pastors, and politicians are fools.  I have met wise office clerks, gardeners, and even one extremely wise car wash man.

Intelligence - I know fools with master’s degrees and Ph.Ds.  Some of them teach in universities and have written books.  I know wise people who never graduated from high school and a few who can’t read.

Talent - I know fools who are successful entrepreneurs, worship leaders, and television pundits.  I know wise people with average talent and modest income.

According to King Solomon, there is one major thing that makes the difference between wise people and fools: How they receive instruction and correction (Proverbs 1:5; 9:8–9; 10:8; 12:15; 15:12; 17:10; and 19:20.)  How they listen!  A wise person: Listens without being defensive, accepts responsibility without blame and changes without delay. 

If you are dealing with a wise person, talking is helpful.  They listen and soak up what you say and use it to adjust their lives for the better. Your input can make a difference. 

If you are dealing with a fool talking is a waste of your time.  They refuse to listen, they resist change and the problem is never with them.  The problem is always out there somewhere caused by someone else and bad breaks.  Their favourite line is you do not understand because you have not been through what they have been through or you have not had done to you what they have had done to them.

In the beginning I wondered why some conversations never seem to go anywhere.   They would leave and I would be left confused and frustrated.  Now I know.  This happens when you are talking with a fool. 

This doesn’t mean that I would write fools off.  Instead, I changed strategies. More talk won’t help a fool.  Instead, you must: Stop talking; Provide limits and Give consequences. 

At an Egyptian exhibit at the Houston Museum I once read "The wise man doubts often and his views are changeable.  The fool is constant in his opinions, and doubts nothing, because he knows everything, except his own ignorance" Pharaoh Akhenaton, c.1250BCE.  I have used that in sermons many times over the years.  The fool is constant in his or her opinion because they have never heard another opinion.  They refuse to listen to anything new. 

Jesus taught that in order to be wise, a person must put into practice what he has learned.  I believe books give knowledge, but books do not give wisdom.  Wisdom comes from listening to others with the intent of learning from their experiences and putting them into practice.  You keep the good and discord the bad. 

I have met a lot of seminary trained people with book knowledge about the Bible, but there is a difference between book knowledge and life experiences.  No one can experience everything, but you can experience lots of things simply by listening to others and not assume you know everything. 

Many people throughout the years have turned their brain and ears off at the door of the church assuming they knew more than the man or woman in the pulpit.  Some students do the same in class.   Don’t assume anyone knows more or less than you.  Listen to everyone and you will be surprised at what you can learn.  You can also learn what the speaker thinks he or she knows, but doesn’t.

Some people when they come to you for advice come to have their own opinions strengthened and not corrected.  God did not put us here to give strength to stupidity.  Be honest and say what you think, without pride and with a willingness to acknowledge you could be wrong.  Never assume what works for you will work for everyone.  Don’t assume you know what they are going to say before they say it.  You need to listen to them as well!  And if you do not know how to fix their problem admit it - don’t make a fool of yourself!

What makes you happy?

Do you even know what would make you happy? A lot of people believe if only I had this or that I would be happy or happier. I can guarantee you getting the right stuff will not make you happy or happier. Just look at the movie stars who are extremely wealthy.  Daily we read of their unhappiness, drug abuse, relationship failures and bad choices.  Then look at people in Third World countries that have little to nothing and they are smiling and happy. The people in the Philippines are a good example that you can be poor and be happy.  

The people around you have more to do with your happiness than money or material goods. If you want to experience unhappiness and depression surround yourself with unhappy and negative people. You will soon become unhappy, negative and discontent.

I have been at the bedside of many people who were dying. I have never heard one person ask a family member or friend to bring their expensive automobile to the parking lot so they could gaze upon it from the hospital window. I have often heard them request friends or family members to contact a loved one so they could spend a few last moments with them.

Have you noticed that happy people are most likely people who are at peace with God? I believe anything that undermines your peace with God will eventually make you unhappy. Peace with God allows you to be at peace with yourself and others. Jesus said the greatest command is love God, self and one another. Love gives you the capacity to be peaceful and extend peace to others. People love peaceful people and avoid trouble makers. It may be hard to believe, but if you are at peace with God and self you can remain at peace when you are being persecuted.

Some people have come to believe that you cannot be happy and serve God. I can assure you serving God will not stand in the way of anyone being happy. God created us to be happy. God is the way to happiness. Sinful pleasure separates us from God and others and will eventually bring unhappiness to us and others. Sinful pleasures may bring temporary happiness, but not lasting happiness.

People who depend on God are happy. People who believe God is in control of all their circumstances are happy. If you think you control the outcome of your life then you are sadly mistaken. My father thought he was financially secure and if something happen to him he had prepared for us to be financially secure. In 1957 his health began to deteriorate rapidly. The last days of his life cost us nearly $300,000 now keep in mind it was 1957 and 1958 not 2015. They did an experimental heart surgery replacing a valve in his heart with the valve of a pig. His last eleven days were spent begging my mother to let him die before she used up all the saving trying to keep him alive.

Some people allow the fear of dying to rob them of an opportunity to live. We must accept death as a part of life just as we accept birth as a part of life. There is no reason for those who believe in Jesus Christ to fear death. I am in the final stages of heart failure. I do not know how much longer I have, but I am determined the fear of death is not going to rob me of living what time I have left to the fullest. I no longer pray for healing, but I do pray for comfort in order to continue to serve God and others.

Meekness is your having the correct evaluation of you. Unfortunately today many have come to view meekness as weakness. Meek people can deal with the realities of life. They accept the valuation that God has of them. They strive to accomplish what God called them to do and do not strive to do more than they have the ability to do. Meek people are happy people.

Happy people do the right thing even when no one is looking. They do the right thing even if it cost them. Eventually doing the wrong things in life will catch up with you and you will regret them. Happiness follows moral decisions and unhappiness follows immoral decisions – always.

Generous people are happy people. God created us to serve and to give. Joy comes from helping others.  Our financial model should be to give, save and then spend the rest.

We reap what we sow. Farmers plant seeds, but they do not become plants the next morning, it takes time. Happiness takes time and it is a process. Foolishly some people plant bad seeds and because nothing happens immediately they think they have gotten away with their immorality.

There is a relationship between money and happiness, but the relationship is not how much money you have. The relationship between money and happiness is what you do with your money. The relationship you have with your money is what is important. Money in itself is not evil, but what you do with your money can be evil.

In today’s society our chief competition with our love of God is our love of money. It is impossible for both to be our master or to be number one in our lives. Our human nature leads us to want what we do not have. Greed is the result of mismanaging our money and trying to keep it all for ourselves. Greed can also be the results of fearing we will lose our money or need it at a later date and this leads us not to be charitable. This fear demonstrates a lack of faith in God to provide.

Debt makes us a slave to money. The more debt we have the more money we need to pay the debt and take care of our daily needs at the same time. Debt can easily rob you of your peace and happiness. We have all purchased things that we did not really need and later regretted it. Debt is the number one cause of divorces and relationships ending. I do not suggest that anyone get rid of all their credit cards, but I strongly suggest you manage your use of them wisely. For the past ten years I have not had one single credit card or bought one item on credit. I have chosen to wait until I had the money to pay for the purchase in cash and I assure you I am much happier. I also have more because I do not have interest payments.

You have more control of your happiness than anyone else. You can choose to be around positive people, you can choose to use your money wisely, you can choose to put God first in your life, you can choose to always do the right thing, and you can choose to be a reconciler and peacemaker.

Being unhappy can lead us to making bad choices because we are looking for a quick fix. Do not make major decisions when you are unhappy. There are no quick fixes in life.  Immoral pleasure is more tempting when we are unhappy so always prioritize your happiness over pleasure.

As long as you are always about you then you are not going to be happy. You are not enough to make yourself happy. We need God and others in our lives. We need good relationships. We need to share what we have with others. We need to be available to serve God and others.

I have heard it said a thousand times, “I do not have time to volunteer or serve.” I am telling you today you need to make time for serving others. Service will bring you true peace, joy and happiness.  God created us to give, serve and mentor. Selfishness may come natural, but that was not part of God’s plan for our lives.  Giving and serving are important life lessons to teach our children.

Jesus Christ gave his life for you! What have you freely givne to others? Learn to make sacrifices of your time and finances and happiness will follow!

Readers in Russia

I want to thank my readers in Russia.  I am surprised by the number of readers that I have from Russia and I am grateful to you all. I pray that my blogging is beneficial and that God blesses you. 

What kind of giver are you - grudging or cheerful?

Deuteronomy 15:10 – “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”  2 Corinthians 9:7 – “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”  Proverbs 11: - “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Romans 12:8 – “If it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

The above scriptures do not apply only to what you give to the church or to the Lord.  These scriptures apply to what you give to friends, family and the poor.  They include all types of giving.  The meaning is simple if you do not truly want to give a gift then do not give it.  No blessing comes to you when a gift is given out of obligation or resentment.  Many times people give only because someone asks them to give and they would be embarrassed to refuse.  Sometimes people give in hopes others will look favorably upon them.  Often people give simply because they do not have the courage to refuse.  Do you know the meaning of hypocrite?

Paul said, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. “  The attitude behind the giving really matters.  There is a huge difference between giving stuff that you feel obligated to and cheerfully giving something to another person from the heart because it brings you joy.  Giving should bring you joy and happiness and when you give cheerfully it brings God joy.

Giving is a natural and a spiritual process.  Receiving plays a major part in that process because the giving is not complete until the gift is accepted.  Many say never refuse to accept a gift.  It is true; you really should not block someone's opportunity to receive a blessing.  But what if you know the gift was not given to you with the right attitude?  Should you accept a gift when you know someone did not want to give it?  Say the gift giver has deliberately avoided you for months or years and has not responded to you in that same period of time are you obligated to accept there gift.   If you did not accept the gift you would not be blocking a blessing because God is not going to bless that kind of giving in the first place.  Loveless giving is not Christian giving!

Refusing to accept a gift can deny a person the opportunity to extend a blessing to others that would bring them joy and happiness.  I have to admit it has always been difficult for me to accept gifts for I have never really needed anything.  I was reminded by an elderly lady of the harm I was doing when I refused a gift. She said to me, "Father it is not fair for you to deny me a bit of happiness when I give you a personal gift."

When we give we should ask ourselves what is the reason for our giving.  The Lord wants us to give for the right reasons.  Jesus warned His disciples not to give for the sake of being admired by men. "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them," Matthew 6:1.  We should seek God’s approval for our giving, rather than the praise and admiration of people.  Are you giving for God's praise or the praise of men? 

The question of accepting a gift from someone who does not like you or does not respect you or no longer wants to be friends with you can be a problem.  I do not believe refusing the gift in a polite way is a sin.

Some would say you should not refuse a gift because it may embarrass the giver, but what about the receiver’s feelings?  Should the receiver be a hypocrite and accept something that goes against their conscience?  I honestly believe some people continue to do wrong because they are allowed to get away with it.   I think we do wrong by trying to save the face of those who do not deserve to have their face saved.  I would prefer to be honest than be a hypocrite.

I personally do not want anything that someone gives to me grudgingly or with strings attached.  I have had gifts given to me that I could not use or someone else needed more than me and I have passed them on.  The giver would later find out and be enraged at me for giving their gift away.  This is one example of giving with strings being attached.  Once you give someone a gift that gift becomes the receivers free and clear unless you have an agreement beforehand. 

The question remains do you accept gifts from hypocrites.   I guess you have to weigh each situation.  Will others be hurt if you refuse the gift?  What is to be gained if you refuse the gift?  I do not think it is a sin to refuse a gift when you think it is morally wrong for you to accept it. Politicians are certainly acting immoral when they accept bribes.  Whatever you decide to do be polite and do it in love.  Do not do it in an attempt to get even or seek revenge.  Perhaps God will give you a triple blessing for swallowing your pride and saying ‘thank you’.  

I admit I have an issue with pride and it is hard for me to allow people to think they are pulling one over on me.  I often confront others when I think that is happening and sometimes I wish I had not.  I pray and work hard at trying to think before I react.  The tongue can truly be destructive.

What should be the primary purpose or goal of U.S. foreign policy

I have no doubts that Hillary Clinton is not prepared to handle the foreign policies of the United States if elected President.  She has a track record as Secretary of State and her foreign policy was a disaster.  I cannot name one thing that she really accomplished as Secretary of State except get one of our Ambassadors killed. 

I have been listening for one of the Republican Primary candidates to give a thoughtful discussion on foreign affairs and as of today I have not heard any of them do so.  Their discussions on any subject have not been more than three minute sound bites.

Some right wing conservatives want our foreign policy to be based primarily on religious and ethical values and I disagree with them.  I think our foreign policy should be based primarily on advancing our national interest.

We should lead the people of the world by example, but we should not try to impose our moral and ethical values on any other country.  I do not know a single American that would approve of any country trying to impose their ethical and moral values on us.  The Muslim and Sharia Law question is an example of our distaste of anyone trying to change our system of governance.

Our foreign policy should have as its primary interest security, strong alliances, diplomatic success, and economic self-interest. Those interests have nothing to do with us wanting to be powerful and wealthy.  They have everything to do with making America greater for Americans.  What is wrong with wanting world events to work out in a way that benefits our interests?  Isn’t that what the people of other countries want for themselves?

I am sorry but I do not understand the wisdom in the United States borrowing money from China to assist other countries.  If we were not trillions of dollars of debt I would be all for our assisting any country that needed it.  If all Americans who wanted to work had jobs I would be for assisting other countries. 

For decades we have helped other countries that took jobs from the United States.  After World War II we rebuild Japan’s steel industry.  We installed the latest electric furnaces which destroy the U.S. steel industry.  My family suffered because of it.

I am for the strongest military in the world because I think it is a deterrent to our having to go to war.  I am not for sending troops to Iraq to overthrow a government when they have demonstrated they are not willing to fight for their own democracy.  We have done this over and over and not just in Iraq.

Some Liberals and some Republicans would like to see our Foreign Policy primarily based on a moralistic view that says the goal of U.S. foreign policy should be to advance American/humane values.  If we are demonstrating morals and humane values in the United States then perhaps the people of the world will want to model us.  We should not try to push/advance our values on others. I am for freedom, democracy, human rights, global peacemaking, and advancing the global common good, but I am not for doing it on the backs of the American taxpayers.  I am not for borrowing money to advance those goals. 

I am sorry but charity begins at home and your excess you share.  Do you think I would allow my family to starve or not have medical care while helping strangers?  That may be cold, but it is a fact.  No one reading this is more charitable than I am, but my family has never suffered so I could help others.

These Liberals and Conservatives that want this type of foreign policy are for maintaining substantial budgets for foreign aid, regular use of US diplomacy and perhaps military force to advance freedom and democracy, humanitarian intervention in situations of human rights violations, and strong support for the United Nations and other global and regional bodies.  They want us to police the world and I do not believe that is not what the people of the world want us to do. 

There are people in the Philippines where I presently live that are disgusted with America because that is exactly what they think America is trying to do in the Philippines. The Philippine government forced the United States to close its military installations in the Philippines shortly after Martial Law ended.  There are regular protests in front of the American Embassy in Manila today by students that are against U.S. intervention in internal affairs.  Any time the American Ambassador makes a comment on Philippine policies you can expect a demonstration.  

These Liberals and conservatives that have this foreign policy mindset think if we do not do as they say our only option is isolationism, which would limit international engagement and focus only on issues within our borders.  That is an extreme view.  We do not have to isolate ourselves from the world in order to have a foreign policy that is in the best interest of the United States. 

We can continue our trade agreements.  We can continue our disaster relief programs. We can continue to protect our allies from outside threats. But, nation building should not be our goal. 

They admit they want to use U.S. military power and U.S. dollars to fix world problems.  It has not worked in the past so why do they think it would work in the future?  All it has accomplished so far is to put us deeper and deeper in debt.  A debt we can never pay in full. It has caused us to be humiliated worldwide over and over again. What good is a weak and broke United States to the world? In a position of weakness we will not be able to help the people of the world in times of disasters and we certainly could not help our allies when facing outside threats. We would be forced to isolate ourselves and pray no one came after us.

Religious zealots try to push pious politicians toward the Good America philosophy where we try and buy friendships, push our religious beliefs on others and go deeper in debt helping some countries that do not want or appreciate our help. In a lot of cases the politicians in those countries steal the money for personal use and the people realize little to nothing from our help. It has been a normal practice for the U.S. to give aid with requiring accountability. 

They will tell you the morality in foreign affairs during the administrations of Wilson, Carter and Bush was good and criticize the foreign affairs policy of Nixon, but was it not Nixon that renewed our relationship with China. Was it not Nixon who signed the first arms treaty with Russia. Maybe you have to have foreign policies that fit the character and nature of the country you are dealing with. When dealing with corrupt politicians abroad they will take advantage of your religious values and moralistic views.  You have to deal with them on their level. They see you as being weak and STUPID!  Perhaps this is why we have so many bad trade policies with other countries. I do not think the Carter, Bush and Wilson foreign policies will be adopted by Donald Trump and that may be why he is leading in the polls.

I want to see a presidential debate that require candidates to clarify their foreign policy.