God’s Assessment of Me…

What if, tomorrow God sent us all a meeting invite with the subject line: Your Life Review, Done by God. How would we react? How would we prepare? Most of us have had our quarterly or yearly review done by our boss or the HR department, but by God? I know it might seem silly but it got me to thinking about my life. And by writing this I hope it gets you to think about yours.

As we know, every good assessment has categories and areas that need to be discussed so that the assessment looks at the most important aspects of what we do in our jobs. But what would God assess? How would (s)he determine if we are achieving success? What is success in God’s eyes?

I don’t know but my guess is God would focus on three categories; Kindness Toward Others (KTO for all of you metric acronym types), Service To Others (STO), and Living Up To God Given Potential (LUTGGP). I think most of us could quickly make a case for the first two measurements and discuss with God the plan we have to do better, but the third measurement is the one that had me thinking and perplexed, LUTGGP. The first thing that came to mind for me was: what are my God Given Skills? And even though I may not have all of the skills I need to be who I want to be - do I have the potential to be that person? You see, it does start to get interesting!

What do I believe was God’s plan for me? I believe we all have a purpose here on earth so we must have been given a plan? Not the step by step type plan but as a pirate might say, “More like guidelines.” What would God say about my potential, and have I lived up to it? Would he say, “Rich, I had so many hopes for you, and it seems you have steered away from every one of the things I gave you the skills to be.” Or would she say, “Rich, you have really taken the lemon of a life I gave you and made lemonade!”

If something is burning in our belly and we conveniently find ways to ignore it, what would God say? “I have given you the passion because I know you have the GGP (God Given Potential in case you forgot) but you have ignored it. Why?” “I did not place the fear there, you did.” “Why do you fear what you desire to do with your life?”

The older we get, the more we seem to reflect on the past. It may be that we just have more past to reflect on, but can it also be that we want to make a positive impact and know time is running out? I am not being doomsday(ish), I just know that time keeps going and we can’t stop time. Someday it will run out for all of us- is all I am saying.

Are we going to be ready for our assessment? Will we have a positive tale to tell? The tale can be as simple as volunteering to help the elderly or disabled. The tale could be you’re a great coach for your kid’s team. It could simply be being the best husband or wife, father or mother you can be. It could be setting your kids up for a bright future, or reading to kids that need help to get to that bright future.

I was just thinking and I thought I would share these thoughts with you. Is that part of my potential? I don’t know but I have a lot of fire in the belly type of things I am and will pursue. I hope I, and you pass the assessment if one ever comes… I hope we all get the promotion!

Constitution Day

Ignored again! The US Constitution; the reason we have the most prosperous nation in the world; the reason we have been able to be so charitable around the world; the reason every individual no matter what circumstance they are born into can reach their dream in life’s pursuits. It is a miracle we fail to celebrate.

Our kids learn very little about this great document. It should be mandatory for all four years of High School. Yet somewhere in the back of the American psyche it is responsible for our sense of self confidence to stand up against our tyrannical leaders and all that threaten individual liberty. Even if it is only referenced in times of crisis we must celebrate its existence.

The blood that was shed to defend this document has given it sacred standing and yet we treat it with little regard. Without our constitution we have no bases of law. It encompasses our principles and is our foundation grounded in the belief we are all created equal under God, and no man has the power to rule us unless we temporarily grant them that right. But even then that power is limited by the constitution. It is our guardian angel.

If you get a moment say a little prayer of thanks that our founders were as smart and brave as we can only hope to be…

We all have a purpose and destiny…

I believe that God has a plan for each and every one of us. If you’re like me, we tend to think about our destiny and purpose when we engage in things outside our comfort zone. When we take on new challenges or take advantage of new opportunities it is normal to reflect on the purpose of our actions.

I have been thinking a lot about my purpose and destiny recently, mostly because of my choice to attempt to gain access to the ballot as a candidate for governor of Colorado. It is more than likely I will not gain access, because getting 1000 signatures in politics is not an easy task. But we continue to try. I am an executive at a start-up, and my supporters have full time jobs. We are simply determined to try to make a difference in a system we believe is broken. So as I contemplate the reason for my actions I am reflecting on the purpose of my action, and the impact on my destiny.

Has this been a waste of time if I don’t get the 1000 signatures? I know it is not because of the many great people I have met because of my efforts. I also know my kids have been watching closely and have become more knowledgeable about the state of our government, and why values and the constitution are so important. My son is running for class representative at school and maybe that is what comes from this effort; a son that becomes president? Only God knows at this point. My daughter Emily has shown interest in my efforts and I hope someday my efforts are an example for her to follow.

There are a number of people working to get signatures, and I am so blessed to have them. But my biggest concern is their disappointment if we don’t reach our goal. I will be OK because whatever happens is my destiny, I just hope they don’t consider this a failure, because getting involved and trying to make a difference is never a failure, it is a learning experience that has a lot of lessons to offer.

I have done many things in my life, and I will continue to follow the pursuits in life I believe to be my purpose, but what will the result be? Only God knows for now and that is OK with me.

I have faith that everything I choose to do is what I am supposed to do, and will make me a better person. If I am simply a role model for my kids, it is worth every moment. I am proud of everything I do, even though sometimes it is embarrassing to be out there all alone trying to make a difference.

There is something to be said about trying to make a difference. It will someday be clear when I have reached my destiny.

Senator Harkin is not God; Or any Politician for that Matter…

In comments on healthcare (he upgraded these remarks today to include the phrase inalienable right) from Senator Harkin of Iowa, he stated that the healthcare legislation is the start of the creation of “new inalienable rights” for all Americans. As if inalienable rights were something that any human could grant. Therefore he and this group of senators must believe they are God.

I would like the senator to explain how any human being can “grant” inalienable rights? The fact is we are endowed by our creator with inalienable rights. Is this senate, Mr. Harkin or any human capable of granting these rights?

This is ignorance, arrogance, and a true insight to the way these politicians view us, the holders of those rights. These people are dangerous and must be replaced with people that understand our constitution and its principles.

We must get every Governor and state legislature to speak out and nullify this healthcare bill and every other piece of legislation that is not authorized in the constitution.

This is a revolution against our constitution by the current crop of politicians. We have not heard a peep from the press or the GOP. They are both parties to this fraud being perpetrated on the people. They all must be voted out.

Find constitutional candidates and support them with your lives and fortunes… Our constitution must become front and center again. We answer to one God and he certainly doesn’t sit in this congress…

When Did Loving God Become Criminal?

Gasp! I can see why people would be so upset! I think they should consider a life sentence for such vile behavior! This is a quote directly from the article:

“The criminal charges, which carry up to a $5,000 fine and a six-month jail term, originated with a Jan. 28 incident in which Mr. Lay, a deacon at a local Baptist church, asked Mr. Freeman to offer mealtime prayers at a lunch for school employees and booster-club members who had helped with a school field-house project.”

The gall of these people to give thanks at mealtime to God! What would our founders and constitutional authors think? I’m glad you asked. They would be absolutely outraged that the effort to ban God has become so common in this country. They built the constitution on the understanding and belief we would always be grounded in Christian principles. Without this grounding they knew that the countries’ future would be at risk.

The “separation” of church and state has been so warped by the ACLU that these types of outrageous assaults on individual liberty don’t generate absolute revolt against these organizations that promote this garbage.

This is just another argument to get the “public” out of education and put it in private hands. This way people can choose their schools based on their beliefs.

Is praying to God worthy of 5 years in prison? Are we insane?