Spoiled Americans?

I'm told that the author of the following commentary was none other than Jay Leno. Now I can't actually prove that he wrote this and I do find it hard to imagine a liberal performer in Hollywood having these types of opinions...but, hey, you never know. Even if it wasn't actually penned by Jay, its a great thought. Now I'm not one to use another's words on my blog, but I really liked this. So, here goes....think what you will.

"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What are we so unhappy about?''

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The Commander in Chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "media" told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by "justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed peoples on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.

With hurricanes, tornadoes, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"

Jay Leno

Feeling Loved...Needing Direction

Yesterday, I went to church. Not a big deal right? I've been faithfully attending church for the last 15 years (with the notable exception of the last 3 months). But lately, I guess you can say that I've been a bit "burned out" on church. While I know that I should be in attendance somewhere, I have had zero motivation to start seeking a new one. Why is that? The last time God led us out of a church, He led us straight to the new one. Back then, however, my children were young & I believe God knew we couldn't afford a "gap" like the one we're sitting in now. Norm & I are feeling more than a little disillusioned on the institution of church & have not felt any clear direction as to where we were headed. Yesterday, we went to church...because a friend invited us. It was a very freeing moment. The experience was real & sincere, and overall felt...well....sweet. Not only did we hear a great message, but I was once again able to worship alongside dear friends. That's when I felt loved. Loved by His children worshipping around me...but more importantly by my Heavenly Father. I had a brief conversation with the church pastor afterwards & his words of compassion & his sincere caring reassured me that His servants are out there motivated by a passionate love of Christ & a need to love His children. I don't know if this is where God is leading us, it feels irrelevant at this point. In reading my friend Jim's recent blog, I know what we've been waiting for. Not a big surprise....but trying to be patient with God & His perfect timing for us all. In the meantime, I know that His servants are everywhere - leading, encouraging, supporting....loving. I feel stronger today...and loved. Thank you Lord.

A Tribute to the "Red Truck"...

This is what my friend Cliff likes to do for fun. He is trading his camper top from his Blazer for another guy's cap top (these photos show the finished products). A man Cliff connected with through a Chevy Blazer message board (yes, there is such a thing) drove all the way from Pittsburgh to make the trade (apparently he has 29 Blazers at home). It took them about 7 hours to remove & switch. What looks like tiring, tedious work to me, was like the Fourth of July and Christmas all rolled into one for Cliff! He was in "truck heaven". Cliff has this old red Chevy Blazer that, next to his wife & foster son (I think), is his "pride & joy". Now, I know for some it doesn't look like much & maybe we don't understand his attachment, but to Cliff, he's never happier than when he can be working on that truck. He spends many hours on e-bay or perusing countless magazines looking for just the right parts in attempts to once again get it up & running, returning it to its original glory. He also won't hesitate to drive many more hours to purchase some part that he needs. To watch him & his new friend from Pittsburgh, you'd see that this is more than fixing up a truck, this is love. Again, this is what Cliff does for fun. The red truck pictured here is Cliff's, he's had it since he graduated high school & even towed it all the way from Texas to NYS when he moved here. You see, Cliff was born & raised a Texan. I believe that his attachment to this truck is reminding all us "Yankees" of just that. It's his little piece of home, if you will. While I think Cliff got the better end of the deal here, the man from Pittsburgh drove away happy. What do Deidra & Zackary do for fun while Cliff's "playing with his new friend," check it out...









They are a beautiful & unique little family & I love them all dearly. Even when the "red truck" is parked in front of our house unmoving for months on end, even when people from Pittsburgh spend the day in my driveway, I love this quirky Texan family! They are also 2 of the most generous people you'd ever want to meet. To Cliff, everything is "no problem", whether its fixing your car, driving you somewhere, or dog sitting, you can never inconvenience him. Deidra loves to cook but has this crazy ability to only cook in large quantities. It's a pain for her, but its always a blessing to my hungry family. I've learned to appreciate green chili stew, corn bread, fried okra, anything Mexican & even biscuits & gravy! I know that their time living here at the "M&M Compound", as we like call it, is limited. They, like the red truck, need to return to Texas. I can't blame them, there's nothing like being close to family. But they have become my family & I will miss them tremendously. I will miss their friendship, playing cards, eating enormous meals, and dare I say it, even miss the red truck. What landmark will I tell people when trying to find my house?? So, there it is, a tribute to a red truck & to the family that owns it. Who's your favorite now Cliff?? ;)

Weary Travelers...

At first glance, this group may not look like much. Kind of a "rag-tag" group of Western New Yorkers melting in the Mississippi sun. What you can't see is the amazing heart that is inside each one of them. Herein lies a mix of personalities, talents, strengths, backgrounds, sizes & ages all used to serve God in a most astounding way. No matter what the task, they were up for it. It didn't matter if it was 95 degrees with 100% humidity; it didn't matter if they were surrounded by black mold & pounds of rotted insulation and dry wall needing to be removed. The focus was clear. Serve God, serve His people. I don't think that thought was ever clearly vocalized, but it is without a doubt the resounding goal of each one of them. Nobody backed down from a job, complained or put their own physical needs ahead of another's. The house we are standing in front of belonged to a beautiful 73-year old gentleman by the name of Dale (seen in picture with Alicia). He built this home with his own hands. Using a bit of imagination, we could see what a lovely place it must have been. That was before Katrina came & dumped unimaginable amounts of water over it. The roof didn't hold, the house was flooded, FEMA moved in too late & this man had a home standing in ruins for nearly 2 years. Stepping through his front door was like stepping back in time, since nothing had really been touched since she blew through. He spent a 1 1/2 years sleeping on an inflatable mattress in a storeroom in the restaurant he owns, until he was granted a FEMA trailer, now positioned behind his home. He told us that many had come to see him, all promising to return to help. No one did. Until this minimally skilled but big-hearted group arrived from over 1200 miles away. What happened next is nothing short of a miracle & without a doubt - TO GOD BE THE GLORY! We emptied all the contents of his home, tore out rugs & padding, demolished walls & ceilings. This task took a mere 2 days. Again, miraculous. We were provided large dump trucks to remove the debris. We filled 5 of them. We left behind a house that can now be rebuilt & a teary-eyed, extremely grateful southern gentleman who we now call our friend. We did not have the strength, endurance or skill to accomplish what we did. "If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever." (1 Peter 4:11) The drive alone was grueling, but again, we were given the strength & endurance to make the 22-hour trip twice in one week. Lots of music, games & interesting conversation made that trip not just bearable, but actually fun. These beautiful servants became family in one short week. They worked hard, laughed hard, slept little, ate strange food & took care of each other. I love you my fellow travelers, my new extended family. Again, TO GOD BE THE GLORY!! (More to come...) (Check out the Impact Missions website for more pictures of our week or the Gulfport Photo Album both sited on the right)