Guest Blogger: Renae Brumbaugh

Sometimes things just have to be shared. And Renae Brumbaugh’s recent Coffee Talk post is one of them. Her message may not be a popular one in our nation today, but it’s one I agree with and would like to pass along to you. I first met Renae through the blogging world and then had the blessing of meeting her in person at the North Texas Christian Writers conference. I encourage you to check out her main site, Morning Coffee, as well. I hope you find her following piece good food for thought. I did. (Thanks for sharing, Renae!)

Freedom of Speech

Did you know that in some parts of the world, people are thrown in jail, or even executed, for speaking against their leaders? Yes, of course you knew that. Silly question. And I am so glad that I live in a country where freedom of speech is encouraged.

Sometimes.

But honestly, I think we cross the line, way too often.

I get tired of people complaining about, and speaking against our president. We think that any time is open season on whoever holds that office, and we bad mouth and we slander and we call him a fool, and we say he is the worst president ever.

If a Republican holds the office, many Democrats do everything possible to make him look foolish.

If a Democrat holds the office, many Republicans do the same.

Then, our words are broadcast all over the world.

And we have the audacity to say that our president has made us look bad, in the world’s eyes. Now, I don’t often get up on a political soapbox. But come on, people. Our president doesn’t make us look bad. We do a pretty good job of that, all by ourselves.

The reason many countries take it so seriously when citizens speak against their leaders is because it shows a lack of patriotism, a lack of pride in one’s country. It undermines what that particular leader is trying to do, and it makes the entire country look bad.

I don’t think that we should be a bunch of mindless, fear-driven robots spouting the praises of our leaders. But I do think that, out of love for our country, out of patriotism, and out of a respect for the highest office in our land, we should be required to exercise some self control. We ought not be allowed to undermine our president’s credibility in the eyes of the world. In my humble opinion, that is downright treason.

With a little self-control coupled with a little pride in our nation’s heritage, we can learn to express our opinions in respectful ways. We can show support for our president, and pray for him, and honor his office, even if we don’t agree with all of his policies.

For example, there is nothing disrespectful about saying, “I disagree with so-and-so’s economic plan, or his foreign policies, or his views about Roe vs. Wade.” But it is just plain wrong to call our leader names and accuse him of being a rotten leader. After all, we’re the ones who put him there. And even if he isn’t our preferred candidate, I refuse to believe that anyone who makes it to that office is unqualified. To the contrary. If he had the fortitude and the perseverance and the desire to be president, and he rallied enough support to put him in the oval office, I think that journey alone separates him from the rest of the yahoos out there who do little but sit on their sofas and criticize.

Yes, I called them yahoos. But they are not my president.

So here, in black and white, for the whole world to read, I’d like to get one thing straight. I think George W. Bush has served his country well during one of the most difficult periods our country has seen. He has made difficult choices, choices that I would not have been able to make, for I would have buckled under the pressure. Every choice he made, every direction he took has been out of the greatest sense of duty and love for country. I am proud to have had him as my president for the last eight years. Mr. President, thank you for the sacrifices you have made, the stresses you have endured, and the criticisms you have ignored. May God bless you.

And no matter who wins this next election, I will be a proud American. I will respect the office of president, and I will pray for and support the office, even if I disagree with the person. I will show that person the honor that is deserving of the title.

Thank you, dear readers, for allowing me to exercise my freedom of speech here. May God bless America.

1 Timothy 2:1 – 3 “I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.”

Blogging Blessings

I missed my anniversary! Not my wedding anniversary (thank goodness), but my blog-iversary. I meant to mark it here in some way, but the day blew by without me giving it even a momentary thought. I guess I was too caught up in telling you about the writers conference. Today I will rectify my oversight and celebrate the blog :)

One year ago on September 17th, I plunged into the world of blogging. What began as a way to grow as a writer and become more visible to readers blossomed into so much more. With the first post, I caught a glimpse of the incredible ministry potential the blog afforded, and that immediately expanded my purpose and vision for it. Now God has blessed by allowing those first goals to become a natural outgrowth of my desire and efforts to refresh spirits and nourish souls. Isn’t He good?!

Blogging, as with any of my writing, allows me the amazing privilege of touching hearts and lives. My statcounter gives me a peek into how far-reaching that can be at times. During this past year, I have had hits from 28 foreign countries, from Canada to Peru to Bangladesh. Here at home, 43 of 50 states have been represented, along with Washington, D.C.. If you know anyone in Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, Vermont, New Hampshire, or Rhode Island, send them my link. By my second anniversary, it would be fun to claim all 50 :)

I have met new people as they have breezed through my blog and left comments, and I’ve also made some new friends who stop by again and again. The blog helps me stay more connected to those of you I already know as well. It makes me day when readers leave comments — we writers thrive on feedback, you know :)

And speaking of comments, one change I think I should make in this second year of blogging is how often I comment back to comments :) Since writers spend a lot of time at the computer as it is, I need to streamline my computer time where I can. I love your comments so keep them coming, please. They bless me and also add to the blog. Just know that I’ll be trying to resist the urge to reply to every single person :) I will still be commenting from time to time but want to allow myself the freedom to do it as I have time or see a need.

And now to celebrate my first blog-iversary, let me say “woo-hoo!” and “thank you” for being a part of my blogging family. I echo the words of Paul, Silas, and Timothy as they said to the Thessalonians, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well…” (1 Thes. 2:8).

Here’s to another year of sharing our lives — be blessed!

*Flickr photo by pebblechen

‘Fess Up Fun

The other day on the Boomer Babes Rock blog, Suzie Eller declared a ‘Fess Up Friday. She admitted that she is an annoying optimist and challenged us to do a little fessing up as well. I know this isn’t a Friday, but how about some fess up fun of our own right here?

Come on now, we’ve all got at least one thing we can fess up to. You know, maybe a bad habit or possibly a guilty pleasure. Maybe you drink straight out of the milk carton or don’t bother to get a bowl for your ice cream. Or could you be the one who leaves an empty roll of toilet paper or puts the water pitcher back in the fridge empty? Maybe you like to relax and celebrate the end of the day by indulging in something delicious while vegging out in front of the tv for awhile. Anybody drive while putting on make up or texting?

I’ll start us off by fessing up first. I have chocolate in my purse at all times :) Of course, I carry only the dark chocolate that docs have now declared healthy for us. Ghiradelli squares or Dove dark chocolates to be exact :) I can also be caught indulging in a few bites of low-fat ice cream at bedtime — okay, maybe at some point during the afternoon, too :) Hmmm… anyone notice a pattern to my confessions? Maybe a food theme? A love for sweets possibly? Maybe that’s why I have to watch my sugar intake now :)

Now if all this talk of confession is making you think about something more serious — something you need to talk to God about — just remember: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) The old adage is true. Confession is good for the soul.

But here on the blog, let’s keep it fun, okay? What are you willing to fess up to? Don’t be shy. Leave a comment. Let yourself go and tell your secrets. Let’s make each other smile!

*Flickr photo by Funkdooby

Have Some Fun

Over at relevantblog, Mary started a blog-tag (a 10-20-30 virus so to speak) by asking: Quick: What were you doing ten, twenty, thirty years ago?

My answers:
10 years ago: One daughter was a junior in high school and the other was in 8th grade. I had been part-time freelance writing almost 2 years but was still a stay-at-home mom so I could be available to my family. I found myself having to put pretty much everything on hold while helping care for my mother-in-law who was having serious health problems. I spent a great deal of my time in hospitals that year.

20 years ago: Gosh, my girls were just 7 and 4, and I was a full-time mom and homemaker. My writing at that point consisted pretty much of only a yearly original Christmas poem that I put in all my Christmas cards. When I wasn’t busy with my girls, I was involved in activities and ministries at my church.

30 years ago: Now I’m dating myself because I was an adult even at this point — though a young enough one that I didn’t feel totally like one yet :) I had just finished college at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS, with a BSED (major in English) and was a first-year junior high school teacher. I was a relatively new newlywed — less than 2 years — the before kids era.

So … here’s what Mary says for instructions …
“It’s an experiment to see how many degrees we can separate (kind of like Kevin Bacon, only it’s relevantblog). Even if you’re not tagged, don’t be crabby, just take up the baton and run with it. Here’s what I ask: Have folks post their 10-20-30s, and then link back to the Mother Ship (http://www.relevantblog.blogspot.com/) saying where you heard about this experiment and sharing where you blog. This isn’t to build my empire, it’s to find out how far we can expand the blogosphere. After all this talk about blog tours, it got me thinking. How many people can one blog potentially reach?”

Mary tagged people and told anyone to play. I think I’m going to say that if you’ve read this far you’re also tagged … let me know that you played by leaving comments, please. Let’s see how far this can go!! (This is just for fun — I’ll get back to more of my regular-type posts tomorrow!)