Ideologue Free Zone

GOD STILL AMAZES ME

2010-08-12T19:39:00.000-04:00

Thursday July 29th was not a good day for me. I took my dog DJ to the vet because he was having some problems with his back legs. The vet called me and told me that she thought it was a degenerative nerve condition that was common in Boxers. As someone with a spinal chord injury, I know what nerve damage does to you. It meant that he would gradually lose his ability to walk. She was going to do some x-rays and call me back. In the mean time, I spent most of my time crying and thinking about him. I was not in a good place emotionally, so I put on this worship CD that I made. It always puts me in a better state of mind, which I really needed while I waited for her to call me back. The vet called back and told me that I could come get him.

I usually listen to that CD in my car, but my CD player got messed up when my battery went dead. As I'm getting in my car, I'm thinking to myself that I really wish I could hear my worship CD, on the way to get DJ. I turn on my radio, and it just happens to be at the very beginning of a song. It's Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take The Wheel." Those people that know me are probably smiling or laughing because I have a "small" crush on Carrie. It was like God knew exactly what I needed to comfort me.

I decided to spend the next week praying and fasting for DJ. At church that Sunday, we sang the one song that brings me the most comfort. On Wednesday night, the sermon correlated perfectly with what I was dealing with and praying about. Then last Sunday night, we happen to sing the other song that really comforts me. In fact, they are the first and second songs on my worship CD. It was like God was book ending my week of prayer. I can't describe the peace I have felt.

I know non-believers and skeptics will look at this as just mere coincidences. As a very skeptical person myself, I understand that thought process. I too would blow them off as just coincidences if they rarely ever happened to me. However, these things happen all the time. A while back I remember being really anxious over something. I was getting really stressed out one night. I hadn't talked to anyone about it, but the next morning I got an email from a friend. It was a daily devotional that was focused on anxiety. The Bible verse accompanied with the devotional was 1 Peter 5:7-Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I about fell out of my chair. This person had no idea what I was dealing with, but God did. They happen so much that I refer to them as comfortisms. They're just little reminders that He's there and looking out for us.

As for DJ, the vet said that it appears to be more an arthritis issue than a nerve one, which is the better of the two. He has been with me for just over ten years now, so I know he's in the last few years of his life. I'm just praying that God will at least ameliorate his situation, so he can enjoy what time he has left. If it's just one more week or another five years, I plan to enjoy ever minute I have left with him. He is one of the greatest gifts God has ever given me. That is a funny thing to say considering that at first I didn't want him. My other dog had recently died, and my dad brought him to my house. When I opened the door and saw him, I told him to take him back because I wasn't ready for another dog yet. He asked me just to keep him while he went and looked at a job. Within about five minutes, he had stolen my heart, and we have been inseparable ever since.

CHRISTIANS, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AND HOMOSEXUALITY

2010-03-31T13:57:00.000-04:00

This is a topic I’ve wanted to write about for a long time because it is something that I feel very passionate about. My focus is on the relationships between these people. The way gays are treated by Christians and Republicans. I am not debating whether or not homosexuality is a sin. If you want to have that debate, go have it with someone else because I frankly don’t care. Before I go on, I have to tell about my past. Where I was and where I am now, on this issue.

My first contact with anyone gay came when I was fourteen and in junior high. I was really good friends with this guy, but I had no idea he was gay. It’s been almost twenty-four years, since he came out to me, but I still remember that night, when he called and told me. My honest reaction was something like, “And…” It didn’t affect me at all. We stayed friends, until he changed schools. Sadly, things changed. As I got older, I learned just how many people hated gay people, and it took hold of me too. The more I was around it the more I started to think that way. I dressed different and listened to a different style of music than most people, so that naturally meant that I was gay. When I was young, that really bothered me, but as I got older, I could really care less what other guys thought about the way I dressed. My feelings toward gay people didn’t change, as I got older. In fact, they turned into hate. I went from this pure hearted kid that didn’t care if my friend was gay to someone that hated homosexuality and homosexuals. All that changed again, after I had my accident and Jesus came into my life.

I was sent to rehab, at Shepherd Spinal Center, in Atlanta. To my surprise, about half of the nursing staff was gay. You would think that someone with my views would have freaked out, but I didn’t. All that hatred that was in me went away, when I accepted Jesus, as my Lord and Savior. As I look back, I now realize that all that hatred was in my head and not in my heart. I also believe it was God’s way of showing me how wrong I was about gay people. I met some incredible people that were so loving and caring, which just happened to be gay. It was an eye opening experience, and it helped me find the true me once again. I remember one of the nurse’s aids telling me how the nurse she always worked with wanted me, as a patient, because he thought I was cute. The old me would have freaked, but it didn’t bother me at all. The real Lance was finally back.

I have a problem with the way a lot of Christians treat homosexuals. I find it appalling that so many people, which are commanded to love everyone, can show so much hatred and loathing to one group of people. These people treat homosexuals this way because they believe homosexuality is a sin. If that is the foundation for their behavior, then why don’t they treat other sinners the same way? Why is homosexuality so much worse than all the other sins? Why are they willing to accept friends and family members that are straight and living a sinful lifestyle, but they reject and even shun a friend or family member that is gay? Why is there a double standard? Why is one sinful lifestyle tolerated, but the other “sinful” lifestyle not tolerated?

A Christian family has an eighteen year old child that gets caught up in drugs or becomes pregnant, before marriage. In the overwhelming majority of those cases, the family pulls together and surrounds that child with love and support. However, if that same eighteen year old comes out as being gay, they are likely to be told that that lifestyle will not be tolerated in their house, which means they will never be welcomed in their family’s home, with their partner. Where is the love, of Christ, in that reaction? Would they say that if that same child was straight and living with their significant other? I doubt it.

I was told a sad story that was right in line with the above scenario. The daughter of a Christian woman finally told her mother that she was a lesbian, and it destroyed their relationship. Every time they talked, the mother would constantly tell her that her lifestyle was a sin and that she was going to hell, for it. Eventually the daughter had enough and killed herself. Now her mother has to live with that guilt everyday. Would she have berated her daughter, if she was living with her boyfriend or partying all the time? Once again, I doubt it.

There have been two stories in the news recently that back up my point. A Catholic school, in Colorado, kicked out a child because they found out the parents were lesbians. I’m sure you’re wondering if they kicked out kids with parents that are divorced, gamble, use profane language, drink too much, don’t live a Christian life, or do all the other things that are considered a sin. The answer would be no. It is sad that the Catholic Church is willing to punish a kid because their parents are gay, yet they continue to do nothing to child molesting priest. In Mississippi, a prom was canceled because a lesbian wanted to bring her date to the prom. I’m sure you are, once again, wondering if they were going to cancel the prom because that is a night usually full of drunkenness and premarital sex, by heterosexual teens. The answer would also be no.

The Republican Party is also hypocritical when it comes to their treatment of gays. I am a conservative, but I am no longer a Republican. I left that party years ago, and their treatment of gay people was one of the reasons. Like so many Christians, the Republicans shun homosexuals because they believe their lifestyle is sinful. Whenever they have their presidential convention, they refuse to allow the Log Cabin Republicans any presence at the convention at all. For those of you that don’t know, the Log Cabin Republicans are a group of gay Republicans. This really bothers me because of the hypocrisy, of the Republicans. They don’t want them there because their lifestyle is sinful, yet they seem to have no problem with the liars, adulterers, drunks, thieves, and every sin you can think of. Why not allow them a platform, at the convention. We all know that the Republicans are not a moral party, and the recent revelations just continue to back that up. It’s time for the Republican Party to come into the 21st century and stop this absurd hypocrisy!

As you can see, some Christians clearly have two sets of standards. Homosexuality and homosexuals are not tolerated at all, but other sins and sinful lifestyles are often tolerated and ignored. Why? How can people that claim to be Christians feel this way? Doesn’t that go against the teachings of Jesus? Jesus tells us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves and to treat others the way we want to be treated. In fact, He commands us to live that way (John 15-12: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you). There are no conditions in any of those statements. He doesn’t say love the straight adulterers but hate the homosexuals. Jesus also said that those without sin should cast the first stone. All those without sin, please raise your hand. That's what I thought. It’s time more Christians start speaking out against this kind of selective judgment.

As for my friend that came out to me, in the ninth grade, he and I are friends once again. We don't agree on much, as far as life and politics, but we do strongly agree on our friendship. He even did my website for me. That would have been extremely expensive, but he did it for free. He may be gay, but he has a more Christian heart than a lot of Christians I know.

I’m not advocating that people change their beliefs, on homosexuality. I am trying to get people to stop treating gay people as if they have the plague. You could be missing out on a great relationship, with a friend, a family member, or even a child. It’s time Christians start truly showing the love of Christ. After all, I have never heard of anyone being saved with hatred.

IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES

2010-03-22T19:48:00.000-04:00

Saturday September 11, 1993 is a day I will never forget. There was a volleyball tournament that I really wanted to play in, but my usual partner had committed to play with someone else. It was going to be the biggest and best tournament our area had ever seen because some great players, from out of town, were coming in to play. I was disappointed by his decision, so I made other plans. I was going to watch the Alabama football game, with a friend, and then go watch the end of the tournament, which is exactly what I ended up doing.

That day is so memorable, for me, because of what happened that morning. At about 9am, I got a call from a friend that was at the tournament. He told me that there was a guy there that wanted to know if I wanted to play, with him. This was not just some average player. He was a veteran that was very good. He would have clearly been the best partner I'd have ever played with. It would have given me a chance to see how good I had gotten, with a great partner, against very good competition. It was what I had been hoping for, since I started playing volleyball. I thought about it, but in the end, I said no. That day was the only time I ever turned down the chance to play in a tournament. That is one of the biggest regrets I have, in my life. I turned it down because I thought there would be many more tournaments. I didn't know that my volleyball days were about to come to an end (see here for why and how). There are many other regrets I have, but that is the one that still bothers me, to this day, because of how much I loved playing volleyball.

My life was taken away from me because I was stupid and irresponsible. I haven't had the opportunity to experience the things, in my adult life, that most of you have. I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that I do not regret the life I was living before I got hurt. I regret my irresponsible behavior, but not the life I was living. I was living my life to the fullest and doing exactly what I wanted. I got to travel and experience things that even some of you would be envious of. I can't explain how cool it was to travel to a beach, sleep in your car, shower by jumping in the pool of a near by hotel, change in the bathroom of McDonald's, and then spend an entire day playing beach volleyball. What a cool lifestyle to live. I could have had so many more experiences like that, but I threw it all away.

I'm sharing this story because I want to remind people that none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow, so don't take life for granted. In today's world, people get so wrapped up in the craziness of each day that they don't take time to really enjoy the simple things in life. How many times do people put off doing something today until tomorrow? How many of you had planned on doing something that you really wanted to but never did because you kept putting it off? I've heard many stories about people that saved their money, so they could enjoy it when they retired only to die shortly after retiring. That is just so sad. We should be enjoying life as its happening and not putting it off until later.

I'm not suggesting that people blow their life savings now especially in this economy. I'm strongly suggesting that you take a moment to evaluate your life. Think about the things that you've always wanted to do and could actually do, but you have just kept putting them off. It's never too late until it actually is too late. When that time comes, I promise you. You will be kicking yourself for the things you could have done but never did. Sixteen years later I still am.

THAT TOWN(D.C.) NEEDS AN ENEMA

2010-03-15T13:46:00.000-04:00

Our government seems to be broke, yet no one seems to want to really fix it. I'm not saying that our system of government is broke because I think democracy is clearly the best form of government. I think our government has been broken by lifetime politicians, in both parties. They care far too much about consolidating their own personal power, as well as their party's power.

We need to change the culture, in Washington. We need politicians that stand on principles and put the good of the country ahead of the good of their party. I don't see many of those people in our current government. I see people that resort to political games just to make the other side look bad, in an attempt to increase their power. It drives me crazy how the two parties act. It doesn't seem to matter who is in charge anymore because they both do and say the same things just from different angles.

The only time they care what their constituents think is when it's time to get elected. The rest of the time they seem to care more about what lobbyist and other special interest wants. I think it's time to give Washington, D.C. an enema and flush out the lifetime politicians. It will take something radical, but I think it could be done. I think there needs to be a constitutional convention that rewrites the way our representatives serve.

Here are my solutions:

Term limits-I think they are long overdue. I think a representative should serve no more than twelve years. That would be two terms for senators and six terms for house members. We have to stop the corruption that is brought about by lifetime politicians, and term limits would be a great start to cleaning out the Congress.
Members of Congress will have an annual salary of $100,000, and this goes for House and Senate members. They will not be allowed to vote themselves a pay raise unless the budget is balanced. The pay raise can be no more than 15%, and if the deficit goes above a set amount, they have to take a pay cut, of 10%.
Pensions, for representatives, should be abolished. I find it absurd that these people can get a pension, at the taxpayer's expense. Their salary and benefits should end the day their service, in Congress, ends.
If Congress enacts a tax increase, on individual income, that tax increase will also apply to members of Congress's salary. It will not matter if the tax is only on individuals making more than their annual salary. They will still have to pay the tax too. This might make them think twice about raising taxes.
Each member, of Congress, will only be allowed one earmark per year. That would be a maximum total of no more than 535 earmarks per year. Earmarks are out of control, and something has to be done. I think limiting the number of earmarks would go along way in controlling spending. It would also force members to vote more on the substance of each bill, instead of voting based on how good of a deal they got for themselves. Earmarks have basically become bribes to get a members vote. It's time for that practice to end! Here's a good article that illustrates the potential problems with earmarks.
Any person found guilty of tax evasion would not be allowed to serve, at the federal level, as a member of Congress. If a current representative is caught not paying their taxes, then that person will be fired immediately. I think it's beyond absurd that people responsible for making tax laws get away without paying taxes. It's time to send a message that this behavior is unacceptable.
No more retreats for Congress, on the taxpayer's dime or on the dime of special interest groups. If they want to travel or have a party retreat, then it better come out of their own pockets.
All members of Congress must have their home residence be where they are actually living. There are some members, of Congress, that live in Maryland, but have their home residence listed in another state because of Maryland's high taxes. Regular citizens can't do this, so members of Congress shouldn't be allowed to do it either.
All air travel expenses should be paid for by each representative themselves and not taxpayers. This would mean that the private jets used by members, of Congress, would be done away with. If they want to use a private jet, they can pay for it with their own money. There is no reason a member of Congress needs a private jet. We the taxpayers should not be paying for them to travel first class. Taxpayer funded transportation should only be for the President, Vice-president, and certain cabinet members.
Likewise, all auto expenses should be paid by each representative themselves. No taxpayer money can be used to provide them a car. This article points out the absurdity of Congress getting taxpayer funded vehicles.

I know that it will be almost impossible for any of these to get implemented, but something needs to be done. Our government is expanding more and more, and the people are losing their voice. We the people need to take back control of our government. We need to be limiting their powers instead of them limiting our freedoms and choices. It was Lincoln, in his Gettysburg Address, that said, "this government of the people, by the people, for the people." It's time to rise up and remind the politicians who they really work for.

The Consequences of Drinking and Driving

2010-03-08T12:10:00.003-05:00

It seems like each day I hear a new story about someone’s life being ruined by drinking and driving. When I hear those stories, it just eats me up inside, so I decided it’s time to share my story with as many people as possible. I decided to write out exactly what happened to me and what my life is like today because of drinking and driving. I’m doing this in the hope that I can help at least one person learn from my mistake. If you are going to party, do it responsibly. Don’t drink and drive! There is nothing uncool about being or using a designated driver.

My accident happened on October 17th, 1993, at about 3:00am. The partying for me didn’t start on that Saturday night. It actually got started on Friday. I was out partying all night that Friday. I got back to my house about 9:00am. I got just a few hours sleep because I had people coming over to watch the Alabama/Tennessee game. After the game was over, we went back out clubbing. I left the night club at about 2:00am and took some friends home. Instead of going straight home, I went by another club to see if anyone I knew was there. The last thing I remember was driving through that parking lot. I was about two miles from my house. The road curved, but I went straight. I flipped and totaled my car. I wasn’t wearing a seat belt, and I was thrown in the backseat. If I had been wearing my seatbelt, I might have died. The car landed on the driver’s side, and it was crushed in pretty good. As a result of my accident, I broke my neck. I was left paralyzed from the neck down. I was in the exact same condition that Christopher Reeves was in. I was twenty-one years old, and I had ruined my life.

I wasn’t able to do anything but bend my elbows. I had tongs in my head, and I was on a bed that rotated. I was put on a ventilator. I had a tube shoved down my throat, which is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced, in my life. The doctor told my parents that I had a 50/50 chance of living. He also told them that I would never walk again, be able to sneeze, feed myself, or basically take care of myself. Apparently, God wasn’t listening to the doctor. I spent two weeks in ICU before I was moved to Shepherd Spinal Center, in Atlanta. I was there for three and a half months. I spent another six months in outpatient rehab. I had to learn how to do everything again. It was like I was a little kid all over again.

I did regain my ability to walk. My left side did not come back as strong as my right, so I have to wear a knee brace on my left leg. My right hand is about 75% normal, and my left hand is only about 25% normal. I have no feeling of pain or hot and cold below my neck. I can’t even sweat from my neck down. Oddly enough, I do have constant pain throughout my body. It is called neuropathic or phantom pain, and it usually happens in people with incomplete spinal chord injuries like me. The pain is severe and it is non-stop from my neck down. I tried several types of pain meds, which didn‘t work, so I just have to deal with it. I also no longer have control over my bowels or bladder. That is the most stressful part of my disabilities. Just the thought that an accident can happen at anytime or anywhere is extremely stressful.

My life is hard because of my disabilities. I am unable work a normal job outside the home. I know I won’t ever be able to work another eight hour a day job again, but I believe I will be able to find a suitable part time job. It is hard for me to get out, but I’m learning more and more each day that I can do anything as long as God’s with me. I’ve decided that I’m no longer going to be hopeless or helpless. My future limitations will only be those that I put on myself. I thank God that He has given me a second chance. This time I’m going to get it right!

Despite all the problems I have, I’m happier now than I’ve ever been. That’s saying a lot because before I got hurt I was living my perfect life. I get all my strength and happiness from my faith and belief in Jesus Christ. There is no way I could make it through a day, with all this pain, without Him. I am so thankful for everything I have. I do not get depressed at all about my situation. I realize that my life could be so much worse, so there is no reason to get depressed. There are a lot of healthy people around the world that don’t have what I have, so how can I complain. I just thank God everyday for what he has done for me.

God Bless,

Romans 8:18-I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 12:12-Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.

I created a website, about my accident, that has pictures, videos, and my accident related blogs. You can view it here:http://www.dontdrinkandride.com/