I have a question.  And let me preface by saying this isn't about politics.  AT ALL.

Why has the church in America seemingly transferred/delegated/given over its Christ-mandated responsibility to care for the 'least of these' to the central government?  Did I miss the verse where Jesus said to give to the Romans and let them take care of the poor/oppressed/widows/orphans/prisoners? 

It seems to me what passes for the body of Christ in America has become fat and content to partake in a safe religion, practiced principally in our multi-million dollar facilities.  We've allowed ourselves to become 'busy' to the point of distraction.  I think we have allowed ourselves, perhaps willfully (!?!?), to become blinded to the needs just outside our oftentimes ornately decorated front doors.

I don't have any answers.  I have my own issues, and am feeling more and more convicted on this matter with each passing day.  But I think Paul, Timothy, Titus and their peers would be collectively face-palming at the self-centered busy-ness of the 21st century church in America.

But I do think this:  We need to get the church out of the buildings and into the communities of which we are a part.  We need to stop doing church and start being the church.  We are Christ's body.  Let's start acting like it.

At home and resting.  Surgery went smoothly, and I couldn't be more pleased with the care I received from the folks at Audie Murphy VA Medical Center here in San Antonio.

Gall bladders.  Stones.  Not a good combination...

I'll be at the VA Medical Center tomorrow having mine removed.  In and out on the same day.  Surgeon thinks no more than 3 small cuts are needed to do the deed laparoscopically.  Not looking forward to the recovery period, but definitely looking forward to not having pain for an hour or two after I eat, everyday, just about every meal.

I guess it shouldn't be surprising given the proclivities of POTUS towards narcissism. 

But ending White House tours and if anything picking up the pace of vacations, all while allowing the DoD to end tuition assistance to active duty troops?  That certainly shows the stripes of the guy who lives there.  Really, Mr Commander-in-Chief??  You'd think the first affirmative action POTUS would keep a weather eye out for things that do real harm to minorities.  I can tell you from first-hand experience that a lot of minorities in the military completed one if not two degrees using tuition assistance.  Several of them work for me now in their post-military careers.

I suppose the question he always asks of himself--"What's in it for me?"--was answered "not much", so it doesn't qualify as important for POTUS and his staff.  Pathetic.

And on a side-note, why couldn't I find a link at CNN to such?  Perhaps they are showing their true colors as well...

Meetings, bloody meetings.  3 hours straight...3 meetings back-to-back-to-back.  They're a necessary thing, but they can be exhausting.  It sometimes makes me wonder how Americans ever get anything done.  It seems we spend more time sitting around conference room tables than we spend actually doing real work (whatever that is...).

On the other hand, the paycheck continuation plan is a wonderful thing, eh?