Be Thankful!

Be Thankful

As Americans we have a lot to be thankful for. Some people forget the meaning of thanksgiving, and overlook the things they're thankful for. Sometimes the simplest things in life are the most overlooked, yet are the most important. So here is the list of what I'm thankful for:

Christ, for without Him, I wouldn't be here.

My Family – They have had to put up with more of my antics than anyone and love me anyway.

My friends – few and far between, most times out of State. They'll fight for me or die trying. I appreciate and thank God for each and every one of them!

The United States military and the price they have paid to give us the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!

May we never forget this precious gift.

These are a few of the things I'm thankful for. The question is: what are YOU thankful for?

A Poem

My mom forwarded this poem to me from my grandma. I have no idea who wrote it, but it's a great reminder.

~Let us Never Forget~


The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the
snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my
child. "What are you doing?" I asked without
fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your
sleeve, You should be at home on a cold
Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in
drifts. To the window that danced with a
warm fire's light, Then he sighed and he said
"Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm
here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm
proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "that's a Christmas 'Gram
always remembers." My dad stood his watch
in the jungles of 'Nam', And now it is my turn
and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in
more than a while, But my wife sends me
pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from
his bag, The red, white, and blue ... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home. I
can stand at my post through the rain and the
sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a
feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Final Election Update (10)

Last night we went to bed wondering what the final out come would be in the United States Congress. This morning, we woke up with the democrats in control and new Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. The Senate has been reported to be in the democrat's hands as well. Although I believe we are still waiting for the official results.

Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has also resigned today. The Press conference that the President had today was rough as well.

This was a bad day for conservatives, however , it's not the end of the world...Yet. Just because we lost congress does not mean that we can no longer make a difference. In fact, now more than ever is the time we need to get involved. We also need to remember that the key to changing our Nation lies in 2nd Chronicles 7:14.

Election Update 9

We're back with more results. The candidate I've been working for since august lost.

Corker is still in the lead in Tennessee.

Maine is still in Snowe's hands.

There are mixed reports of the Virginia race.

Maryland:
MD - U.S. Senate
69% Precincts Reporting

	Ben Cardin	Democrat	540,676 (53%)
	Michael Steele	Republican	473,048 (46%)
	Kevin Zeese	Green	16,021 (2%)
Click Here for Race Analysis and Latest Polls

South Dakota is still leaning against the refferrendum:

SD - Bans all abortions unless one is needed to prevent the death of the mother
59% Precincts Reporting

	No	-	98,182 (55%)
	Yes	-	79,444 (45%)

Kyl is still leading in Arizona:

AZ - U.S. Senate
77% Precincts Reporting

	Jon Kyl (i)	Republican	402,955 (52%)
	Jim Pederson	Democrat	351,190 (45%)
	Richard Mack	Libertarian	25,547 (3%)

Election Update 8

Senator George Allen is in the lead by a few votes!

Corker is ahead 51-48% with 82% of precincts reporting.

In Georgia, Casey Cagle became the first Republican Lt. Governor in history.

Interesting results in the Arizona US Senate race:
63% Precincts Reporting

	Jon Kyl (i)	Republican	359,692 (53%)
	Jim Pederson	Democrat	293,783 (43%)
	Richard Mack	Libertarian	22,068 (3%)

Maryland turned around with 48% of precincts reporting:
48% Precincts Reporting

	Michael Steele	Republican	348,232 (50%)
	Ben Cardin	Democrat	331,924 (48%)
	Kevin Zeese	Green	11,242 (2%)

The Senate race in Maine is still Snowe's.

Finally, something good may come out of California!

A - Proposition 85 - Would prohibit abortions on minors until 48 hours after a doctor notifies parents or legal guardians, except in cases of medical emergency or with parental waiver
Polls Close at 8:00PM PST (11:00PM EST) *

	Yes	-	94,643 (55%)
	No	-	77,961 (45%)

Election Update 7

Georgia's Governor Sonny Perdue won re-election!

Corker is still ahead in Tennessee.

Allen still leads by 1% (or approx 30,000 votes) in Virginia.

The Maryland race is at a tie between Steele and Cardin. 34% of precincts have reported.

Olympia Snowe still has the lead in Maine.

In Pennsylvania the race is 60-40 in Casey's favor.

In South Dakota the refferrendum results are:

SD - Bans all abortions unless one is needed to prevent the death of the mother
20% Precincts Reporting

	No	-	29,543 (55%)
	Yes	-	24,657 (45%)

Also, Matt A. gave me some insight into the "checks". As far as he can tell, it was the FoxNews election prediction.

Election Update 6

The Maryland results are up:

5% Precincts Reporting

	Michael Steele	Republican	28,880 (53%)
	Ben Cardin	Democrat	24,240 (45%)
	Kevin Zeese	Green	944 (2%)
Click Here for Race Analysis and Latest Polls

It has been asked several times if the check means anything, in all honesty I don't know. I do know, however, that it's still early for election night and results are subject to change.

The Maine results are now at 7% reporting. Snowe is still in the lead:

7% Precincts Reporting

	Olympia Snowe (i)	Republican	17,041 (59%)
	Jean Hay Bright	Democrat	8,904 (31%)
	William Slavick	Unenrolled	2,874 (10%)
Click Here for Race Analysis and Latest Polls

In Pennsylvania at 16is Casey is still ahead:

16% Precincts Reporting

	Bob Casey	Democrat	311,819 (63%)
	Rick Santorum (i)	Republican	184,660 (37%)
Click Here for Race Analysis and Latest Polls

With 34% of precincts reporting in Tennessee, Corker is still in the lead:

34% Precincts Reporting

	Bob Corker	Republican	478,888 (51%)
	Harold Ford	Democrat	448,219 (48%)

Virginia is still very tight with Allen ahead and 83% of precincts reporting:

83% Precincts Reporting

	George Allen (i)	Republican	938,633 (50%)
	Jim Webb	Democrat	908,054 (49%)
	Glenda Parker	Independent Grassroots	20,580 (1%)
Click Here for Race Analysis and Latest Polls

Finally, Georgia is still majorly Republican in the state races. The Attorney General's race is still tight.

(statistics from foxnews.com and 11alive.com)

Elections Update 5

The results are coming in for South Dakota's refferendum:

SD - Bans all abortions unless one is needed to prevent the death of the mother
Polls Close at 8:00PM CST (9:00PM EST) *

	No	-	545 (57%)
	Yes	-	410 (43%)

Don't be discouraged, the night isn't over yet!

Elections Update 4

The Virginia race is really tight with 64% of precincts reporting:

64% Precincts Reporting

	George Allen (i)	Republican	717,626 (50%)
	Jim Webb	Democrat	703,570 (49%)
	Glenda Parker	Independent Grassroots	15,925 (1%)

Things are definately heating up! Hopefully the results will be in for the Maryland race and South Dakota abortion refferrendum shortly.

Election Update 3

Tennessee:

Corker is ahead!
4% Precincts Reporting

	Bob Corker	Republican	133,878 (56%)
	Harold Ford	Democrat	103,035 (43%)

Pennsylvania:

Polls Close at 8:00PM EST *

	Bob Casey	Democrat	7,009 (61%)
	Rick Santorum (i)	Republican	4,413 (39%)

Election Update 2

The results are slowly coming in...

In Georgia's State races:

Governor Perdue is off to a strong lead, and so is most of the Republican ticket. The downside is that only 11% of precincts are reporting.

In other races:

Maine seems to have declared Olympia Snow to win re-election. (see www.foxnews.com)

Pennsylvania is still tight, I've only been able to see the polls from Real Clear Politics. I don't know the official results yet.

The information of Tennessee and South Dakota are in the works.

Election Day! (Update 1)

It's finally here!

Many dedicated people have spent all year campaigning for this day. The time has arrived. If you haven't already voted now is the time to do it!

Evidently on the east coast it seems to be rainy while people are headed to work and the polls. In my State it is forecasted to rain all day. The rain is a great thing for the turn-out, not so great for Floridians like me who aren't used to 50 degree weather and rain occurring simultaneously.

In other news, it looks like Maine's senate race is going well, the poll is a little old. Although, with the campaigning going on up there this week, I think it might end up being close to accurate.

There will be more election updates later on today, keep watching, and if you're old enough, GO VOTE!

A Day of Prayer and Fasting

The 2006 midterm elections are almost here! As Christians we need to act, this election is crucial!
We can not skip this election day, likewise, we cannot go into this election without prayer.

I stated in part 2 of "Lessons Learned On The Trail" that prayer is vital.

Pray for America!

It is evident that God DOES hear our prayers. He also says “You have not because you ask not”. Prayer is our best weapon, so why don't we pray for America and the up coming elections? Mr. Steven Givler had a great idea about prayer and fasting for the elections on his blog. I'm planning on setting aside Monday as well. Even if the results aren't as we hoped, God does have a plan. He even tells us He will heal our land! However, we can't just say “Okay Lord, heal America”, we have to do as 2 Chronicles 7:14 says “If my people will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”.

I think it's time we put America back in God's hands!

As Christian Americans we have a duty to pray for our nation and leaders, what more crucial time than an election year?

Voting is Amazing!

How do I know voting is amazing when I'm not yet old enough to officially cast a ballot?
I know, because I was permitted to cast an official ballot this evening. Of course, my dad had to fill out the necessary paper-work since he is registered. However, when it came to cast the ballot, I was the one voting. I also learned a few things in the 10 minutes I was at the polls.

1. In my state, evidently, ID isn't necessary to cast a ballot.
don't appreciate this aspect of voting for a very good reason, anyone – illegals, terrorists, convicts, you name it - can vote. Last I checked, the right to vote was only supposed to apply to American citizens.

2. Poll workers have no idea how to judge ages.
They are very friendly, however, both times I went with my dad to the polls they asked me if I was voting. I wish I was, unfortunately, I have to wait 5 more years until there is an election I can vote in.

3. In the “write ins” you can write in anyone!
When I came to the judicial part of the ballot, it was mostly incumbent races. In that part of the ballot there was another box as well, labeled “write ins”. This is where I began to have the most fun. I voted for:
Travis Henry, Tim Sweetman, Alex King, Jake Smith, Lee C., Matt A., Michael D., Stephen H., and David Ketter.

(As a side note: I have really enjoyed working with these guys, they've been a great encouragement and great brothers in Christ. I encourage you to check out their blogs!)

I don't plan on missing any elections, and if you're old enough to vote, and registered, I urge you to go out and vote in this year's midterms! We're at a time when we can not afford to be apathetic, what happens in these elections will affect us for the coming years.

Edmund Burke was right when he stated “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. Don't let evil triumph!