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3:00 PM to 7:00 AM

10/21/2013

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There are 168 hours in a week.  We will return to that number shortly.

If you talk to most Christians and other God-fearing Americans, they will tell you that our nation's troubles began with the removal of God from the public school systems.  Consider the following U.S. Supreme Court rulings:

•   1948 - school prayer outlawed as it violates the separation from Church and State
•   1962 - prayer in school declared unconstitutional
•   1980 - posting the Ten Commandments in a school classroom violates the U.S. Constitution.

Listen to any political talk radio show about God and government in America and you will undoubtedly hear the host and/or callers say that America's downfall is traced back to the 1948 Supreme Court decision.  Rather than attack the issue at its core, many Christians, including the hallowed Christian-Right arm of the GOP, have chosen to yell, kick, scream and complain that taking God away from the school is the source of everyone's troubles.  But do we do anything about it to solidify God in our families' lives?  Still yet, do we share the love of Christ?

While I do agree that students not being able to pray to God or to read the Bible in the public schools contributes to the decline of morals and well-being, I believe that the Christian community, especially in the political realm, should have used these court decisions as a wake-up call for them to become the parents God wants us to be.  Parents are the true educators of God's teachings to our children.  
When God was removed from the school, the question for me is 'did the parents continue the Christian education and teachings at home?'  


A normal school day for kids is from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM - Monday to Friday.  Therefore, our school-aged children spend 35 hours per week under the supervision of our public educators.  Now, let's return to that 168 number from above.  As I said, kids are in school for 35 hours per week or 20.8% of the time in a seven-day period. 



From 3:00 PM to 7:00 AM Monday through Friday and all day on Saturdays and Sundays, your kids are with you.  Step up to the plate.  What, if anything, are you doing to keep them firm in their Christian beliefs during the other 79.2% of the time?

Remember, God is still in control of the universe.  I do wish that God would return to the public school.  However, until that happens, you must regain control of educating your kids about God by instilling in them Judeo-Christian values when they are with you.  And above all, be loving and caring to everyone.  After all God = Love.



Instead of blaming the left, far left, the far side or any other leftist group, maybe we should be diligent in educating our children about God. 

3:00 PM to 7:00 AM.  What are you doing with the time?


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My Label

10/17/2013

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Earlier this week, I attended a prayer breakfast.  As I sat down at one of the tables, I heard that the three men seated at the table were discussing politics, specifically the partial government shutdown.  Not knowing one of the men, I reached out my hand to him.  With a smile, he introduced himself and asked me, "what party do you belong to?" 

The gentleman I met was gracious and probably meant no harm; however, he was trying to make an assumption of me and my beliefs before he even began a conversation. I've been pondering this question for over two days. 
Although I said "Republican", I should have answered, "does it matter?"  I wonder if I passed his first impression test.  I guess I did because I was allowed to sit down.
  
 
First impressions speak volumes.  It is said that 90% of people coming to a new church make their decision on whether to return within the first five minutes of entering the parking lot.  Therefore, a welcoming church must have a clean, clearly marked parking area complete with visitor spaces.  Next, this church should have friendly greeters stationed right inside the main doors armed with a smile and a kind word or two.

I suspect the political world is no different regarding first impressions because everyone close to the political realm is labeled somehow.  Conservative. Progressive. Tree Hugger. Fighter for Women's Rights. Democrat. Libertarian. Tea Party Member. Constitutionalist. Liberal. Pro Life.  For Marriage Equality.

Labels are used by the power brokers, political elite, the political establishment and
interested voters as a litmus test of how a candidate might or will vote on a
crucial piece of legislation.  For example, if you are labeled as someone who is a Tea Party member, then most likely people would assume you will vote against the President on any issue.  Moreover, if you are labeled as a progressive, people would assume that you would be for gay marriage.  Once a label has been assigned - even unfairly - it's tough to have it removed.

We are so concerned about someone's political label that we seldom ever get to know the person.  Sadly, its all about first impressions.   So, if I'm going to run for Congress, here is my first impression statement, uh, my label for you:

Listening. Caring. Hard-working.

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Believe. Act. Serve.  The Future is Now. 

The Belief in God-fearing, Biblical principles makes us bring about thoughtful Actions that causes people to Serve one another, which lessens the burden on government and empowers our fellow man.


 

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Balloons

10/15/2013

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I am intimately involved in Lititz's annual July 4th Celebration.  Each member of the committee as well as 100's of volunteers come together for a common cause - to raise money for the Lititz Springs Park.  Collectively, we plan this family-friendly, annual event for the citizens of Lititz and the surrounding area.  July 4th in Lititz has become part of our identifier.  It's in our fabric.  It epitomizes small town Americana.
 
The admission fee for the day's event is $10.00 for adults - kids are free.  Many of the families who come to the celebration are not rich and honestly, it is probably a hardship for them to pay the $10.00.  
 
This past July, I spent two hours during the celebration handing out balloons to kids.  No fanfare.  Just the way I like it. No one from the
committee knew I did this.
  
I wandered throughout the park with a fist full of balloons in hand
looking for children who may want a balloon.  My heart melted when I handed a bright, red helium filled balloon to a particular three year old in a wheelchair, who looked like he came from a needy family.  Although he didn't speak, the look in his eyes said thank you.

I performed these simple acts of kindness throughout the park.  Some parents offered me money for balloons.  Others asked for balloons for all of their children.  I turned no one away.

As I consider whether or not to run for Congress in 2014, I am reminded of those faces I saw on July 4, 2013.  They came from rich families.  They came
from poor ones.  They may have been living with a single mom or from divorced parents or as part of a gay family.  It didn't matter to me.  I just wanted to help bring a little ray of hope to them and to show them that there still are people out there in society who genuinely care about people no matter where they land in the social-economic scale.

I may not have the political experience that the establishment seeks in
candidates.  However, I have the drive and desire to listen and help as many people as I can. Because I am a regular person who has experienced many highs and lows in my life, I can identify with the constituents. The only promise that I will ever make is the promise that I will work hard serving everyone.

Should I run, balloons will always be a part of my campaign.  They will serve as a representation that a simple act of kindness is a start in building trust again in our politicians.  

 

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Everyone Wins

10/14/2013

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For nearly 4 1/2 hours this past Saturday, Beaver Stadium in Central PA was the White House, save for a few maize and blue shirts scattered around.  With nearly 107,000 rapid fans strong plus countless people watching from their living rooms, a football game between two iconic college football programs held everyone captive. In the coming years, everyone who watched the game will swear that they were in attendance.  The players, if they had differences, settled everything on the field and not in the papers or on Twitter.  

As the clock struck zero ending the 4th quarter ending the game in a tie, the Michigan cheerleading coach turned to me and said, "it is a shame that someone will lose."  The goal of a sporting  event is to compete against yourself and/or your opponent. If we didn't compete to win, why would we compete at all?  Because, we wouldn't improve.  Winning makes us want to keep winning.  Losing makes us want to win.   
 
No one in Washington, DC these days wants to lose -- anything.  Power. Control. You name it.  The only improvement they seek is in the number of elections that they could win.  If your party wins elections, then you assume power and all is well with the world.  When will the party elite's understand that they will only truly win when they first improve their relationships with their constituents - whether they agree with them or not?

Hey local GOP.  Maybe instead of telling people to get off welfare, maybe you should first start showing love to
those less fortunate.  How?  Why not start by building relationships with them by opening up free counseling centers to teach them how to apply for a job or to how keep a checkbook or a setting up a location that offers reduced day care. How about educating the poor on the importance of self-worth and independence from government as opposed to dependence on it.  After a solid relationship is built, who knows, you may have a new Republican on your hands.  If not, you still win by getting a family off of welfare.   
 
People holding public office must learn to get out of their comfort zones and meet their constituents where they are and not where politicians want them to be.  While you may believe that this line of thinking is naïve, well, maybe you're right considering today's political climate.  However, yelling, taunting, writing letters to the editor in response to attacks, only works to incite the masses.

If I were a holder of a political office, I would strive to hold as many public forums, town hall meetings and/or conference constituent calls that I could in order to understand the thoughts, issues and dreams of the people that voted me into office.  It's better to discuss issues face-to-face instead of hiding behind an op-ed, or an email.

Building authentic, time-tested relationships first would be my goal.  Sure, I may decide to vote for legislation that may differ from some folks; however, those who opposed me know that I will listen when another issue
comes up.  And maybe.  Just maybe.  I may see their side on the second issue.

Spread love.  Build relationships.  In the end, everyone wins.

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What Would Tim Do? (WWTD)

10/11/2013

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If you open up the paper, watch television news or listen to talk radio, the majority of the articles, stories and topics are about the partial government shutdown (only 17% of the federal government is actually shut down), the Affordable Care Act and/or whether or not to raise the debt ceiling allowing the US Government to borrow more money. 

The side you are on will dictate where you will get your information: MSNBC, NY Times, Ed Shultz on the left to FOXNews and Sean Hannity on the right.  No matter what side you are on in these issues, you most likely soak up and fully digest the arguments that are most true to your heart.    I try and listen to both sides.  Rarely have I heard anyone come up with a solution.

Someone asked me recently, "If you were a Member of Congress, what you you do?"

(Note: If I were running for office, my advisors would say that putting my response to that question in writing provides the opposition with fuel to potentially obliterate my position.  And this, my readers, is why nothing gets done in Washington because both sides are too quick to criticize without working together.  However, I'll keep writing).  

So, WWTD?  My answer may be viewed as naive and because I am not "in" Washington, I am discounted immediately.  However, my solution is as follows:

First, we must understand that our national form of government is a republic and not a democracy.  The people elect citizen representatives to be their voice in the US House of Representatives and the US Senate.  Collectively, these two bodies (houses) form one of the three branches of our government.  All proposed laws originate in this branch.  If a certain piece of legislation passes both houses, the legislation goes to the executive branch of government.  It is here that the President can either accept the legislation by signing it or veto it, where it returns to the legislative branch for rework or for possible override.  

Over the last several decades, Congress has given too much of its power to the executive branch.  Instead of Congress working collectively as one body, it has allowed Presidents to dictate to them what they would sign; therefore, the President has become accustomed to shaping legislation and not Congress.

In October 2013, the GOP controls the House and the Democrats control the Senate.  Despite the differences, it is time for Congress or both houses to begin open and honest dialogues.  If Congress unites behind compromised legislation, it would put the onus on the executive branch to make the choice of approval or veto.

Unfortunately, the Senate democrats have voiced their unwillingness to to negotiate with the House, thus causing the House Republicans to to negotiate with President Obama.  And these talks, will be lukewarm at best.

If I were a Republican member of the House, I would try and build a coalition of R's and D's in the house that would put pressure on the Senate to negotiate in order to come up with a unified plan to the President.  Will concessions have to be made?  Yes.  While I have differences with the President on policies, I do not believe that this current fight should be raging on against only him.  

The legislative branch appears to mirror a dysfunctional family.  All the American people want to see is that their representatives stop the name calling, grandstanding and downright unwillingness to do the job that they were elected to perform.

This family should get their house in order first.  So WWTD? Have a televised joint meeting of leaders and non-leaders in both Houses of Congress and openly debate and discuss the issues before the American people.

Naive? Probably.  Simple?  Seems so. Hard to get everyone to talk?  You bet.  However, it is worth a try.  Here in America, we tend to overcomplicate everything even talking to each other.

I guarantee you if Congress is united, the President will be under tremendous pressure to agree to their direction.  And in the end, the country can take a deep breath, at least for moment.

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Greater Things Are Yet to Come

10/8/2013

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I read this tweet yesterday, "God's plan for your life > Your plan for your life."  Or in other words, God knows what He is doing so why don't I realize it?  Regular readers to my blog know that I have been struggling with a plan God has for me.  Below I have written a letter to my readers that in all honesty, is a letter to me.  Maybe, I will believe in what I have written.

Dear Readers of My Blog,

All of us want to impact in this world positively, whether that impact affects millions of people or a small few in your neighborhood.  God's plan for you might be to work in a coffee shop, be a CEO of a company or a stay at home mom.  The key to your life is knowing or sensing what is God's plan for you, accepting that plan and then executing it to the best of your ability, all while remaining humble.

Unfortunately, society today tends to only advertise those "jobs" (for the lack of a better word) that is perceived to affect the most people.  Human nature sometimes takes over and whispers in our ears that jobs not emphasized are not worthy enough to make a difference so therefore, we tend to overlook ways to make an impact. We overlook God's plan for our lives because it is not big enough.  

Similarly, if we do recognize God's plan for us, we might shy away from those jobs that will require us to stretch ourselves.  Excuses are made. Fear of the unknown is rampant so therefore we fail to step up and make any difference.  Two questions that most certainly float in your mind when you believe that you are called by God are: 'With all of my past issues, why would God want to use me?' and 'Why has God chosen me?' 

Today, this nation faces many negative issues: poverty, federal government debt, bullying, racism, political party infighting, increased taxes, stalemates at all levels of government, unemployment, divorce, and apathy.  I'm certain God has noticed from high above.  Given this brief list, it would be easy to throw up your hands and think that this country is long gone.

This generation has the ability to tackle and overcome all of those previously cited issues and more.  We must listen to those other whispers in our ears of how we can be a positive impact. Remember, God has a plan for your life that is part of His master plan for the world. The question to you is, will you deploy the plan He has ?

Greater things are yet to come if we stand up and take a leap of faith.  Wake up and know that the reasons God chose you aren't important.  What's important, is that you were chosen by the creator of the universe.  You will make a difference if you choose to enact the plan God has for you.  After all, it is bigger than any other plan you can dream up.

Tim

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I'm Tired, But Not Going to Sleep (part three)

10/2/2013

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(part 3 of 3)

As a kid, I loved when it snowed.  As soon as the radio deejay announced that Warwick was closed, I ran out the door, armed only with my snow shovel.  The snow, that had fallen so effortlessly overnight, landed on the sidewalks throughout my development, which had to be removed with effort.  These snow covered lanes of concrete became my means to earn money.

I quickly learned that the most money to be earned was made at those corner lot houses that contained the largest sidewalks.  Moreover, I learned to never go to a house that had kids because they would be the ones shoveling their sidewalks; therefore, no money to be had.  I also learned to get out early in the development to beat the other workers to the punch.

Over the years shoeveling snow, I learned how to sell myself to prospective clients, how to market my business, how to negotiate a fair price for my services and how to do a good job so that I would earn repeat business the next time it snowed. Foremost, I learned that work leads to self worth.

I used my earnings to buy sneakers, model airplanes, record albums or candy.  Somehow, the candy tasted sweeter, the albums sounded better and my sneakers last longer because I used my money.  I also made my purchases a little more carefully because I was using my money. Before making a purchase, I would ask myself if I really wanted to buy those sneakers.  If I didn't have enough money to buy a particular brand of sneaker, I either had to shovel more sidewalks or I had to buy a cheaper pair. 

I became dependent on me if I wanted to buy those $35.00 Puma sneakers --- not my parents.  I was a steward of my money. 

In 2013, the government needs to become a better steward of this nation's money.  Americans work hard for their money.  We are generally ok with social programs and the like that give temporary aid to those in need - "temporary" aid to those in need.  However,  keeping the money flowing without end does more harm then good to someone's self-worth and work ethic. Eventually, those recipients become dependent on government and not themselves.  Government, then, can dictate how they can spend their money, such as what food to buy, where to live or the insurance plan that they must use.

I want this nation to return to a place where individuals have the freedom to define their course -- and not a course designed by the government.

My desire to lift people from the muck and mire that is government dependency is why I can't put this leading to run for public office to bed. 

Hey Washington.  If you truly want to help this nation, start empowering people from all races and economic levels instead of empowering the government.  In the end, individuals gain self-worth.  Isn't that what we all want anyway?

I am getting my second wind - my tiredness is disappearing.  I have no intention of sleeping.  We can turn this nation around.  I haven't lost hope in the American People -- just our leadership.  

Who will join me?  #TeamTim

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    "I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.  If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." - Galatians 1:10

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