Wednesday, July 3

Just in case I don't post tomorrow, Happy Independence Day friends.
I am thankful that I live in a country that does not have a perfect form of government, but it is the very best form of government on the planet.
When Jesus walked on the earth, the Romans were in power. The government was corrupt and it corrupted others along with it. I don't recall that Jesus ever tried to influence who was going to govern or how they governed. I do recall that Jesus did try to influence each individual heart so that each person would make the right decision, regardless of the cost.
And just because something is "legal" does not make it "right."

Many things are legal, according to our laws, but they are not necessarily in line with God's teaching.
No government has to tell me how I should feel about abortion.
No government has to tell me how I should feel about same gender marriage.
No government has to tell me how I should feel about exploitation and enabling of the poor.
No government has to tell me how I should feel about how we should take care of the widows and orphans.
No government has to tell me how I should feel about how I should treat my fellow man or woman.
No government has to tell me how I should feel about every branch of the government, Executive, Legislative and Judicial, (President, congress / senate, and judges) overstepping their bounds even to the point of tyranny.
No government has to tell me when and where I can pray.
No government has to tell me whether I should like socialism over democracy.
No government has to tell me how to be dad or a pa or a husband or a neighbor or a friend or a pastor or a . . . 
I could go on, but I think that you get the point. We don't need more government. We need more Jesus.

Now on to my update regarding my cancer journey. As you know, I am scheduled to get more scans done in a few weeks. In the meantime, I have been struggling with off and on pain as well as off and on digestive issues. After talking with Dr. West yesterday, we are praying that God will lead Dr. West to get us to the right place at the right time. We are considering going back to Duke or going back to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas.
In case you are wondering, let me be clear - I am still convinced that God has a plan for us and a plan for my life. He isn't finished with me yet. We just continue to follow Him daily. God is good, and It's all about Him!

Happy July 4th - celebrate this great country by doing what is right in God's eyes, forget about what "they" think.