Charities...

We're in the midst of Advent, so for the next twenty five days, I will be posting information about a different charity.

Today, I'm starting with Child's Play. This is a charity that, well, I'm just going to steal their about us:

"For the past three years, gamers and geeks around the world have raised nearly a million dollars in toys, games and cash for sick kids in Children's Hospitals across the globe through a grassroots charity called Child's Play.

Created by Penny Arcade, no "Administrative Fees" or other nonsense is collected; all gifts and donations go directly to the hopitals for distribution to sick kids."

They even make it easy for you by directly shipping the items you purchase on Amazon.com directly to the hospital.

Please check them out and donate what you can. Remember, Jesus said, "What you do for the least of you, you do for me." You'd really be making a difference in a sick kid's life.

Blessings.

Guest Blog: Not A Penny More

The Republican Party under the leadership of Bush, Cheney, Frist, Delay and crew has pushed the tax burden from the wealthiest of Americans and large corporations onto the middle class. They have combined this financial assault on the middle class with huge cuts in government services for the middle class and the poor.

In order to pay for the huge tax cuts to the wealthiest of the wealthy, our nation has developed a growing, severe government debt problem. Combined with irresponsible government spending on a senseless war in Iraq and an reckless, ineffective expenditures on homeland security, the Bush Republican tax cuts for the Super Wealthy has finally produced a rebellion from both fiscal conservatives and the general public.

Rumors are being floated that some Republicans close to the Bush White House would like to eliminate the interest deduction on home mortgages from federal income tax laws. This measure would fall harshly on struggling middle class homeowners. It would badly undermine the real estate, construction and banking industries. It is not a reasonable response to the public debt crisis created by Bush Republican policies.

The middle class and the poor have made enough financial sacrifices in order to enrich the rich. These Americans should not provide one penny more as citizens, taxpayers and voters to the misguided policies of the Bush Republican elite.

Republicans in Congress and the Senate will likely be defeated in the next election unless these misguided Bush Republican priorities are quickly and completely abandoned. They are facing a taxpayer revolt that could return them to a permanent, small minority political Party.

The Wall Street interests that finance and control the Bush Republican political machine has pushed average Americans to the wall financially. Price-gouging, out-sourcing and exporting American jobs by large corporations are serious threats to middle class America. Government policy under the Bush Administration serves these same Wall Street policies and threatens middle class America equally.

The nation stands at the threshold of a dramatic choice between different views of our future. We will become a nation of a few very wealthy ruling over a huge majority of working poor if we follow the Bush Republican path. Our other choice is to remain a predominantly middle class nation dominated by middle class values like our Founding Fathers envisioned.

It is the firm belief of this writer that American citizens will side with our Founding Fathers. American Democracy is at stake along with the American Dream.



Written by Stephen Crockett (co-host of Democratic Talk Radio http://www.DemocraticTalkRadio.com ).
Mail: P.O. Box 283, Earleville, Maryland 21919. Email: midsouthcm@aol.com . Phone: 443-907-2367.

Reprinted with permission

NOT PRO-FAMILY

Below is the list of co-sponsors of the anti-gay amendment. This was released by a pro-family group. First, I'd like to point out the obvious -- they are all Republicans. Second, I'd like to point out that not ONE OF THESE PEOPLE should be called PRO-FAMILY!!! Not one. Anyone who blocks someone else's ability to become a family, cannot be considered pro-family. There are over 100 rights that gay people have that they will lose if this passes. I urge all Wisconsinites to contact these un-American, non-Christian and anti-family representatives and tell them to pull their sponsorship of the anti-gay, anti-American and anti-family amendment.

Either they pull their sponsorship or you're pulling your vote...(This won't work on Cathy Stepp, she's not running next year.)

Co-sponsors included Senators Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend), Ted Kanavas (R-Brookfield), Alan Lasee (R-De Pere), Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), Joe Leibham (R-Sheboygan), Tom Reynolds (R-West Allis), Carol Roessler (R-Oshkosh), Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center), Cathy Stepp (R-Sturtevant), and Dave Zien (R-Eau Claire) and Representatives Sheryl Albers (R-Reedsburg), Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan), Garey Bies (R-Sister Bay), Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon), Stephen Freese (R-Dodgeville), John Gard (R-Peshtigo), Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Washington), Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford), Eugene Hahn (R-Cambria), J A Hines (R-Oxford), Mark Honadel (r- South Milwaukee), Michael Huebsch (R-West Salem), Jean Hundertmark (R-Clintonville), Suzanne Jeskewitz (R-Menomonee Falls), Samantha Kerkman (R-Burlington), Steve Kestell (R-Elkhart Lake), Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc), Judy Krawczyk (R-Green Bay), Rob Kreibich (R-Eau Claire), Frank Lasee (R- Green Bay), Daniel LeMahieu (R-Oostburg), Gabe Loeffelholz (R-Platteville), Thomas Lothian (R-Williams Bay), Terri McCormick (R-Appleton), Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River), Phil Montgomery (R-Ashwaubenon), Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls), Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz), Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater), Lee Nerison (R-Westby), Ann Nischke (R-Waukesha), Al Ott (R- Forest Junction), Carol Owens (R-Oshkosh), Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon), Mark Pettis (R-Hertel), Don Pridemore (R-Hartford), Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford), Debi Towns (R-Janesville), John Townsend (R-Fond du Lac), Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay), Robin Vos (R-Racine), and Mary Williams (R- Medford).

Blessings

Friends...

So, yesterday, I posted the letter that I had sent to my family and friends regarding the Anti-gay amendment. Did I receive a response? No, not one person wrote back and said, "Hey, I'll do this" or even "Hell, no, I support this amendment." Nothing, not a comment in either the positive or negative.

What the heck does that mean?

If you ask your friends for help, aren't they suppose to circle the wagons and dig in? Shouldn't they say, "Hey, I'm here." or, "I had no idea this way happening."

No, I guess not.

I'm a little surprised and disappointed. I've always responded to their causes.

Blessings.

DearFriends

I sent this out to my family and friends today. I'd like to pass it on to my readers, too. Please help.
Blessings...

Dear Family and Friends,

Today, I am not sending you an email filled with jokes. I am not sending you an email with baby pictures or a cute story for you to pass on. I am sending you an email to beg you for your help.

Right now, the Wisconsin Legislature (http://www.legis.state.wi.us/) has created an Anti-Gay Marriage amendment. This amendment will assure that gays and lesbians will not be able to get married in this state, nor will they even be able to have civil unions. In fact, this amendment is so harsh that 100 current domestic partnership rights granted to straight couples will be outlawed.

For many gay people in Wisconsin, this means an end to the few rights we have – the ability to name who should make our health decisions comes to mind.

In the coming months, I am positive that you will hear a lot from the so-called Christian right. They will tell you lies to get you to vote for this amendment. They will try to convince you that this will improve Wisconsin families. All of it is a big lie.

• Gay marriage does not take away any rights straight married couples have.


• Gay marriage will not hurt your benefits.


• Gay marriage can only strengthen families in Wisconsin.

Please Cheryl and I cannot fight this fight alone. We’ve all ready made our views known to our representatives. We need you to do the same. Please click the link to be taken to the government site where you can look up your representative. (http://www.legis.state.wi.us/) Please contact him or her and ask them NOT to vote for this amendment when it comes up for a legislative vote in January. Please, keep on top of them. Make sure they know that a vote for this amendment will result in losing your vote in November.

I wish that I could wave a magic wand and make this all go away, but I can’t. I wish that I could fight this without having to ask for help from anyone, but I can’t.

I know that I (and Cheryl, too) have the best friends in the world. I know that we can count on all of you to contact your representatives and let them know you DON’T support this amendment.

And, if I’ve missed anyone, please feel free to pass this on.

If you care anything about Cheryl and my welfare, please contact your legislator.

God Bless,

Julie

Wisconsin - Today's the Day

I just wrote a terrific post regarding the Anti-gay marriage ban that the legistlature will be deciding on today. I wrote about how you shouldn't be fooled by the hatred of the right wing and how gay marriage won't harm straight marriages, etc. And, somehow, I lost it all by trying to select my whole post to change the font! The whole thing. And, of course, I was writing off the top of my head, so I didn't have any notes or anything to go by.

I'd just like to say that the right wing is wrong on this issue. Gay marriage will not hurt anyone and it would improve the lives of countless people. This is retroic it's the truth. Anyone, who would support an amendment that restricts someone else's rights, has hate in their heart. Plain and simple -- hate. That right-wing crap about love the sinner, hate the sin. That's coming from the same people who brought you "9/11 happened because of gays and lesbians" and "the hurricane hit Louisana because of gays and lesbians". Keep that in mind when you vote next November. Do you really want to throw your lot in with "those" people?

Jesus told us in Matthew what will happen during the final judgment and no where in there did He mention gays and lesbians. He did mention goats and sheep. Sheep look out for their fellow man and Goats don't. Sheep spend eternaty with Jesus and Goats are sent to the fires of Hell. (Full passage below.) You need to decide, are you going to be a Sheep or a Goat? Will you vote against a ban that will harm your fellow human beings or will you throw caution to the wind and vote for it? Will you be able to look God right in the eye and say, "Yep, I dashed the hope of gays. I destroyed their families. I made it harder for them to protect their rights as human beings."?

Well, will you?

And, when you do, just where do you think you'll be standing when its all over?

God Bless

The Final Judgement

When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all of his angels, he will sit on his royal throne. The people of all nations will be brought before him, and he will separate them, as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats.
He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, "My father has blessed you! Come and receive the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world was created. When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and when I was in jail, you visited me."
Then the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, "When did we give you something to eat or drink? When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or visit you while you were sick or in jail?"
The king will answer, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me."
Then the king will say to those on his left, "Get away from me! You are under God's curse. Go into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels! I was hungry, but you did not give me anything to eat, and I was thirsty, but you did not give me anything to drink. I was a stranger, but you did not welcome me, and I was naked, but you did not give me any clothes to wear. I was sick and in jail, but you did not take care of me."
Then the people will ask, "Lord, when did we fail to help you when you were hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in jail?"
The king will say to them, "Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me."
Then Jesus said, "Those people will be punished forever. But the ones who pleased God will have eternal life." (Matthew 25:31-46)

Anti-Gay Amendment

"Yesterday, State Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) and Representative Mark Gundrum (R-New Berlin) began asking lawmakers to cosponsor the amendment. The deadline for cosponsors is this Monday, November 21st." stated an email I received from the Human Rights Campaign.

Really? First, this is no surprise. The Republicans want to get this on the ballet in Nov. They want to secure a huge right-wing turnout in the 2006 election. They're hoping that this issue will be the one that will bring back a Republican Governor to this state.

Second, this amendment will ban civil unions -- completely. The supporters kept claiming that it wouldn't, but it will. Now, they're even admitting it. Do not be fooled by the instigators... First, this is only an issue because it is volatile, because it angers people. Otherwise, the right wing could care less. Example, Bush promised a National amendment, got elected and it went away. Second, this is hatred, plain, simple in you face hatred. Anyone and I mean anyone who would support an amendment banning one group of people from having the same rights as another group of people are filled with unmitigated hatred. Don't let them fool you. They hate gays. Deep down inside, they really hate gay people. They have even fooled themselves. Finally, don't even let them start to tell you that this is what God wants. God doesn't give a rat's ass if Gay people are allowed to marry -- He doesn't -- and if He does, may He strike me dead right now as I post this. May I die a horrible death while at my keyboard.

I'm still here.

Finally, contact your representatives, let them know that you elected them to lead this state, not to follow a hate-filled agenda.

Let's take back Wisconsin from the narrow minded, backwards, non-Christian and hate-filled people. Let's give it back to the people, you and me.

Make sure you contact your representatives and let them know just how you feel.

Blessings.

Are we a Christian Nation?

With the Wisconsin's legistlature's desire to legislate morality and the idea that America is to be a Christian nation, I thought I should discuss this overzealous movement. First, I have nothing against the idea that America is a Christian nation -- none whatsoever. Because I believe that we can live with the Christian ideals that Jesus laid out for us and still have religious freedoms. Where I disagree with the religious fundamentalists in this country is when they wish to pick and choose how they will follow Christ.

In Mark 12, Jesus is asked by the scribes, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus replied, "... You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength."¹

Have you ever met a so-called religious fundamentalist? I don't mean seen one on TV, I mean up close and personal. Have you looked in their eyes? I can honestly say that I have seen their eyes and they are full of hate and loathing for those they wish to "save". A few years ago, I went to a gay pride fest and I met one of these so-called followers of God. I could see the hate in his eyes. I wonder how you love your Lord and God with your heart, soul, mind and strength when you are filled with so much hatred for your fellow man. Can you carry around hate and still love God?

And, it isn't just the anti-gay people who carry around hatred for their fellow citizen. Ever talk to a church going racist? There are many of them who can point to biblical passages on why the races shouldn't intermingle. Please don't think the Christian racist is a breed which has died out -- they haven't, they're just quieter now.

Further in the same passage, Jesus said, "The second [commandment] is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "² When are you showing that you love your neighbor when you don't support social programs that will give your neighbor a helping hand? When are you showing love of your neighbor when you sign into law a program that makes it harder for people to file for bankruptcy -- especially when 50% of bankruptcies are caused by medical bills and approx. 30% are caused by job loss? How is that loving your neighbor?

How is supporting a Social Security plan that will leave many worst off, loving your neighbor? How is supporting legislation that denies rights to a specific group because you don't agree with the way they were born, loving your neighbor?

Jesus said, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me."³

If we do not properly educate our young...

If we do not reach out a helping hand to those less fortunate...

If we do not stand together to support and love one another, we are denying the existence of Jesus' greatest commandments.

If we support tax cuts that only benefit 1 or 2% of our nations citizens, we are not doing for the least of Jesus' people.

And, that does not make us a Christian nation.

Blessings.

1. Mark 12:28 - 30. Quoted from New American Bible
Catholic Book Publishing Co, New York 1992
{Return}
2. Mark 12:31. Quoted from New American Bible
Catholic Book Publishing Co, New York 1992
{Return}
3. Matthew 25:40. Quoted from New American Bible
Catholic Book Publishing Co, New York 1992 {Return}

Email

This is an email I received this morning:

THE LAW IS THE LAW !
This is one of the better e-mails I have received in a long time! I hope this makes its way around the USA several times over!!!!! So Be It!

THE LAW IS THE LAW

So if the US government determines that it is against the law for the words "under God" to be on our money, then, so be it.

And if that same government decides that the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government installation, then, so be it. I say, "so be it," because I would like to be a law abiding US citizen.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to think that smarter people than I are in positions to make good decisions.

I would like to think that those people have the American public's best interests at heart.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?

Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and cannot post His Commandments in Government buildings, I don't believe the Government and its employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of American life.

I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter. After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the "US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter as well as Sundays." After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives to not have to worry about getting home for the "Christmas Break." After all it's just another day.

I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved, if all government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good Friday & Easter. It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be "politically correct."

In fact....

I think that our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside for worshipping God...) because, after all, our government says that it should be just another day....
What do you all think????

If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our elected officials will stop giving in to the "minority opinions" and begin, once again, to represent the "majority" of ALL of the American people.

SO BE IT...........

Please Dear Lord, Give us the help needed to keep you in our country!

'Amen' and 'Amen'

Touche!

These are definitely things I never thought about but from now on, I will be sure to question those in government who support these changes. At the top, it says "I hope this makes its way around the USA several times over!!!!!"

Let's see that it does. Keep it in your mailbox and resend it whenever someone new comes along.

Reply...

Below is my reply to the email:

Point One: If the government is required to work on Sundays, just what day of the week should they get off? We would have to pay government employees overtime for going over 40 hours a week.

Point Two: Thanksgiving is NOT a religious holiday.

Point Three: If you make government employees work on religious holidays, then big business will decide that it is okay to make everyone work on religious holidays. I for one have spent time working on Christmas and Easter when I would rather be with my family.

Point Four: The Under God part of the pledge wasn't added until 1954, so if they remove it, we're not banning some long held tradition. As a point of fact, the pledge didn't even exist until the beginning of the last century.

Point Five: Email such as this only serves to upset people on both sides of the God talk and it clogs up email boxes when the readers could be doing work in God's name, as oppose to sending out inflammatory emails.

God Bless

Under God

But, those five points are not all I have to say on the subject.

Jesus said, "Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things which are God's." (Matthew 22:21).

What Jesus didn't say was that all things are God's. Everything from the birds in the sky to the grass on the ground to you and me. We are all God's creation and we all belong to Him. So, does it matter -- and does God care -- whether we say "One nation under God" or we don't? Whether we say the words "under God" or we leave them out, this is still a nation under God, isn't it?

Our founding father's wanted us to leave God out of it and why? Because having God involved in our nation opens the government up to being ruled by one religion and leaving religion being ruled by our government.

I happen to believe that we are NOT a Christian nation. That is to say, we have Christians in our midst, but as a whole, we do not act in a Christian manner. Despite how some of my fellow Christians feel, we will not be a Christian nation until we follow Jesus's teachings. (By definition, a Christian is a follower of Christ Jesus.)

Until we heal our sick, help our poor, work for peace, ensure justice to all and end both abortion AND the death penalty, we do not deserve to be called a Christian Nation.

Until that time comes, we will just be a nation that includes some Christians.

Welcome

Last night, as I was listening to the gospel reading, I thought about how I could create a blog where I could list Jesus's sayings and my interpretation of them. Or, maybe just list the sayings.

Anyway, society in general has been giving a lot of lipservice lately to the idea that America is a Christian nation. When I say lipservice, I mean that we're talking the talk, but not walking the walk. I think being reminded of what Jesus Said might make a difference in how we begin to live our lives.

So, a little about me.

At the age of 17, I came out and struggled for a very long time with my sexuality and with my relationship with God and Jesus. At the age of 29, I became Catholic -- not converted, because you would have to belong to another religion to convert and I didn't. I have, for the past 9 years, been very involved with the Catholic Church. I've taught both 2nd and 6th grade religious education classes. I've served on the school board for my local parish school. I sing in the choir and most recently, I have become a reader, Eucharist minister and a cantor. (I've been busy.)

I've completed a lot of Bible study on my own. If I could, I would read the actual Greek translations. I, also, do not believe that the Holy Bible is the end all and be all for the teachings of Christ. I believe that the Gospel of Thomas, as well as other writings that didn't make the Biblical cut are just as important.

Blessings