U.S. International Street Cred

There is always a grain of truth that the pearl of humor is based upon. The humor is this cartoon is not based on President Bush's inability to use or mold U.S. credibility. The truth of the matter is that we as a nation are unwilling to use a real gun.

The liberals based in the Democratic Party have done all they can to strip the United States of any credibility by tying our national security interests to the United Nations, which has absolutely no interest in the security of any nation, let alone America (the U.N.'s greatest rival). I wrote earlier on the differing foreign policy philosophies. The mere talk that most of Europe and the Democratics in the U.S. want plays into the hands of our common Islamofacist enemy. It is well known that our enemy will use negotiations and peace treaties as a delay tactic in order to undermine us until they are in a stronger position to achieve their aims, which is the conversion of all people to their religion under their control.

Why does the United States lack credibility? Because, we value the lives of our enemy more than they values their lives. We think this is a strength. Our enemy view it as a weakness. If they don't value their lives, why should they value ours? They go into malls and restaurants to blow themselves with innocent people. They hijack planes and slam them into buildings as people are going to work. They cow people into submission through terror and tyranny.

How can the U.S. regain its credibility? By taking a real gun into the street for the showdown, and be willing to use it! Talking to a bully never stops him from bullying. Talking to the evil gunslinger never stops him from robbing banks and killing innocent people. Talking to a dictator never stops him from terrorizing his people, his neighbors, or the international community. Standing up to the bully, the gunslinger, the dictator and willing to use the violence that they use to empower themselves is the only way to overcome them and gain the credibility true leaders need to lead.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." -Edmund Burke (Why are we as a nation doing nothing?)

Friends...

...the family you chose.

This weekend I had a party with friends. It was our "Three King's Day" celebration in commemoration of the three wise men that came to worship Baby Jesus. We started to do this to have a Christmas celebration with our small group of friends, so we could exchange gifts and enjoy the company of one another.

It really has hit me that how God works to bring people in our lives. Our blood relatives (or adoptive family) is the family God chooses for us. For the most part we have no choice in who are our parents or siblings. We are stuck living with these people around two decades. We end up knowing all their faults and foibles during this time and see few of their goodnesses and strengths. It's only when time and distance passes between us, do we begin to see God's wisdom in picking our family by blood (or adoption).

Thankfully for us God does give us a freewill choice in picking a family of friends. The problem with this freedom is the curse that is attached if we choose poorly.

I have been blessed through each major chapter in my life to have friends that have complemented me. Friends of love that have been compassionately honest with me. Friends that I have had the pleasure of helping in their times of trouble and been on the receiving end of help when I needed it.

I thank you, Lord Jesus, for the family you chose for me and the family of friends you have allowed me to choose. Give me the wisdom to always choose my family of friends that will complement me and glorify you. In your name-Amen.