Burned out on Turkey - but not Thanksgiving

Burn-out is a common occurrence with almost any subject. We burn out on Turkey after Thanksgiving, we burn out on soft drinks and have to switch from Coke to Dr. Pepper for a while. Weariness with our most favorite things creeps in at times - you know "too much of a good thing..."

On a more significant or consequential level we burn out in our careers, Minister's burn-out and quit the ministry (a phenomena that I will never understand or agree with). Sadly, many families burn out with each other and end in separation and/or divorce.

Personally, I have read a lot of blogs on thanksgiving and the things people are thankful for. After blogging for a while - I found myself a bit burned out on blogging. But - being thankful - for me - is not something I will burn out on. I have too much. I realize it's Monday Morning after Thanksgiving. Where most people blog on this holiday before or at least on the day, I've had to deal with my laptop burn-out. I took this weekend to step away from it, visit with family and - well - introduce myself to my kids. :)

I still need to blog (read my first blog) on the God-thing in my family's life three years ago. Not a day passes that I must stop and soak in the blessings that God has provided my family and give him credit and thanks for my home in Maryland, a provision of God that could have come from no other. Not only providing the home was a miraculous tale to be told later, but being able to keep the home in this very taxed Maryland economy.

Saturday I took my son on his first hunting experience. That will be a memory for him and me that will last the rest of our lives. Though we didn't bag a deer - we sat and watched one for thirty minutes as she stomped and snorted - knowing we were there - but couldn't really make up her mind as to what exactly we were. I am thankful for that teaching experience of responsible hunting for my son. I also told him that at age 42 I have never seen anything like the display we had just witnessed in person - and either of us may never again.

I'm thankful that my daughter includes me in her schoolwork and that we have developed a bond on her particular History project as she writes a report on George W. Bush (if he doesn't stop helping Hillary - I may have to encourage a subject change). I'm thankful that at age 12 she isn't following suit with every fad and peer pressure that comes along, but is very well aware of her relationship to Christ and desires to live her life that is pleasing to Him.

Finally, my wife Robin, though not always understanding why I do some of the things I do (both in ministry and community activity) still supports my efforts. Had it not been for her ability to manage our home, there would be times we would be in a great deal of trouble. Not only is she managing the home front but somehow finds the energy to involve herself in the ministry aspect of our lives.

So, while there are some things that burnout can creep in and destroy - appreciation for the blessings God has provided me and my family is an ever burning fire. I managed some motivation for these few minutes to type on my laptop one more time before my business day begins to tell cyber-space that I don't need anymore Turkey - but I've got plenty of Thankfulness to spread around.

Iowa Right To Life sends a message....

The letter below from Iowa's Right To Life sends several messages in one. The first being the most important was a message of silence/neutrality. When a subordinate organization cannot effictively choose to support the "mother" organization's decision to support Fred Thompson sends a loud signal. The NRLC certainly placed the states in an awkward situation by their endorsement of a candidate that can't fully support the pro-life agenda.

The second message sent by this Iowa group is a very strong message to Giulinai supporters. Not only is Rudy NOT Pro-Life but he is depicted as Pro-Abortion almost to the degree (as I read this letter) of an Abortion Activist. Whether the latter is the intent of the author or not there still needs to be a recognition of the GOP Platform. If the Pro-Life plank is removed from the GOP Platform - there will be problems on the homefront. Here's the letter from the Iowa RLC....

Iowa Right to Life Committee Remains Neutral at This Time

Des Moines, IA—The Iowa Right to Life Committee met in a closed session yesterday in a response to the National Right to Life endorsement of Fred Thompson. As the affiliate to National Right to Life, the Iowa Right to Life Board of Directors took a positive position to honor and work with NRLC toward the common goal for life.

It was the decision of the Iowa Right to Life Board to stay neutral at this time in order to maintain a long tradition that supports all pro-life candidates in a primary, including Fred Thompson.

Thompson is fairly new in Iowa, but has good name recognition among the grass roots. On the other hand, Rudy Giuliani, who is the only anti-life candidate, has practically ignored Iowa. This lack of interest in Iowa could indicate that he never stood a chance there.

“Without a doubt, Giuliani's support is soft at best since there are still so many conservatives who do not know that he is a strong supporter of abortion, including tax funded abortions,” stated Kim Lehman, President of IRLC. The right to life issue has become, in many circles, the barometer to indicate the candidate’s ethical and moral foundation. Failure to honor life is a failure to the family, which remains under attack.

Anti-life Republicans are misguided to think that they can win an election without the pro-life vote. It is important for this country to choose a candidate that respects life, as Ronald Reagan respected life, because without the right to life, no other rights matter.

For More Information
Kim Lehman
President
Kim@IRLC.org
515-202-2517