But What If . . . ?
Sometimes I think "worry" could be my middle name.
My name is Dawn, and I'm a worrier.
In fact, I've pretty much always been a worrier, even as a child. What if I get stuck with Mrs. Paxton as my third grade teacher? I'd fret. (You could hear her yelling all the way down the hall.) Will I have any friends in my class? Who'll sit with me at lunch? And perhaps worst of all, What if I'm the last one picked for kickball teams?
I wish I could say I grew out of my worrying as I got older, but the truth is, I've just found different things to worry about. Late at night, when the house is still and dark and my family is sleeping - that's prime worry time. Will I be able to meet that article deadline? How are we going to afford a new car? With all the bad stuff out there, how can I possibly keep my kids safe?
All that worrying might be understandable, even acceptable, but for one important factor: God has never given me reason to worry. Quite the opposite - he's gone out of his way to take extremely good care of me.
When my father, the sole breadwinner for our family, died in a car accident when I was nine, God provided for all our needs. Then after I graduated from college, God gave me a wonderful Christian husband, who also happens to be my best friend, and two beautiful, healthy children. He allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom (on my husband's teacher's salary, no less!). And when the time came for me to re-enter the work force, God opened the door to a new career doing something I'd always loved.
Yet even after all these examples of God's faithfulness, I can't seem to give up my worrying ways. This past spring, as my son graduated high school and prepared to attend college, I was at it again. Even with generous scholarships, the monthly price tag for his tuition was going to be more than our mortgage payment. How would a music teacher and an editor for a not-for-profit Christian magazine possibly foot the bill?
God must have sighed and shaken his head at my fretting.
Before that first bill arrived in the mail, our church offered my husband a part-time job to be the director of contemporary music. His salary? Just a little less than that monthly tuition payment.
God tells me he'll take care of me: "?I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, ?plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11). And he's made it clear he doesn't want me to worry: "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26).
He's told me. He's shown me. So why do I persist with the worrying?
I guess in the end it's a matter of trust. While I believe that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28), I worry (there's that word again) that I won't like the things God may choose to work that good.
One friend's husband has lost his job and they're barely scraping by. Another's teenaged son is battling cancer. Is God taking care of them? Of course! But what form will that caring take? One might lose a house. Another might lose a son. God can provide a new job, and he can heal. But will he?
And now I've reached the root of my worry. God did promise to take care of me. But he didn't promise the road will be smooth. And oh, I want that road to be smooth!
So I'm learning to trust and accept God's care for me, whatever direction it may take. I say learning, because even as I type those words, a little voice in my head hisses, But . . .! It's against my nature to give up that control, to allow God to choose the things he'll work for good in my life. But I know if I can pull it off, there'll be a blessed sense of freedom. And a lot more time to spend on things other than worrying.
In a year and a half my daughter will head to college. That means two tuition payments.
I think I'd better get started.
Posted at 9:03 AM on November 24, 2008.
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Comments
I surely can relate to this about worrying. I know that God is in control and that He will work everything out for my good....but...
I have to learn to trust Him to do it and leave it in His hands even tho my "mother" heart wants to keep tabs on the solutions!
Posted by: Alyce Bolton on November 28, 2008
Thanks for your article Dawn. I would imagine we can all identify with your comments, to a lesser or greater degree, and I guess the bottom line is as CS Lewis said: "Can I trust God's heart, when I may not be able to trace His hand?" Do I really know Him intimately?
Do I have sufficient confidence in Him that I'm willing to give the controls of my life to Him? I think that's my challenge!
Posted by: Elizabeth Havill on November 28, 2008
Thank you, Dawn for this insightful article. I'm so glad to know I'm not alone in being a worry-wart. I don't remember a time I wasn't worrying about something. But, in my heart, I know He is in control, and I pray for peace.
I will be praying for you too!
Posted by: Beth on November 28, 2008
I am so there too. After 28 yrs of marriage(and 7 kids) my husband decided to leave. I have been a stay at home mom the whole time.
God has shown me that he will provide BUT just like you said there is that Trust issue. I know He wants me to trust him.
My final court date is coming up Dec 2nd.
I know that the court system is not always just and I also know that GOD has worked in the hearts of kings. I am praying that the judge will have wisdom and that my faith is strengthened no matter what the outcome.
God promises to provide all my needs according to his riches so as you said why do we continue to worry.
I always wanted the Faith that could move mountains. So when I prayed ( a few weeks before my husband left) for the abundant life God promises, I was quick to look up to heaven and say wait this wasn't what I meant.
I know I need to hide more of His word in my heart as that is where the peace comes from, the indwelling spirit abides.
So may we all truely learn to lean on the precious promises our heavenly Father gives us. To all who read this I wish you a Blessed Christmas,
Posted by: judy on November 28, 2008
You sound like my husband!! :-)
Thankfully, I didn't get much of the worry gene. He worries enough for us both!
I'm glad to see that you know God as your Provider. Keep asking Him to help you with your worry - you know He will!!
Posted by: Beth @ A Quest for Relevance on November 28, 2008
Oh, I SO resonate with this. I have a PhD. in worrying. I have had many dark nights of the soul imagining all the ways my life is about to fall apart, especially in recent days with dreadful news everywhere I turn. The dark seems to breed fear...
I KNOW to the depths of my soul how faithful God is - He has provided over and over and over, and still... I worry, because I know what I want my path to be, and it's a pretty comfortable one. The thought of not having a home, a job, my health, my family, friends is not something I want to consider. The only way I know to stop is to pray, and to declare what I know to be true, that He will provide and it will be "good" - God's kind of good. And every now and then, I'm able to rest in that place of total certainty that I can have joy and peace always, no matter what might happen around me. And then I start to worry again.... I'm praying to spend more time daily in that peaceful place.
Posted by: Tracey Lewis on November 28, 2008
Re-read or dip into one of the classics on answered prayer: George Mueller; Ransome Cooper "He heareth us"; "Praying Hyde", et al.
Posted by: Ada on November 28, 2008
Your article is the spitting image of my own behavior. I LOVE the Lord with all my heart...yet where is my faith and trust? Even trusting Him is something that I have to pray for...that He would help me to obey Him, trust Him, and stop worring, and put my mind at peace. It is something He has to do for us...yet He waits for us to "ask Him" to do so.
Posted by: Christina on November 28, 2008
That was a wonderful article! I do worry alot also as a teenager. I'm always affraid the fact I don't know what to do with my life and I try to put my trust in the lord but...sometimes I feel I put too much trust in him. Like I'm just living how I want and trusting everything will be okay. I really admire how you unsderstand God does wonderous work, oh! and I wish you're daughter the best of luck with school!!
Posted by: Nai on November 28, 2008
Just like to share this acrostics =
DO NOT WORRY (sing to the tune of "I Don't Know About Tomorrow")
D O NOT worry
O 'er the future
N ever fear - God cares for us
O ur Father in heaven does know
T rust He will always provide
W ith God nothing's impossible, for He ordains everything
O ur God reigns & He's in control - He will never forsake us
R est in Him for He is our hope
R ock of Ages & our Shield
Y ielded to His will & obey! Delight in the Lord, Rejoice!
Posted by: AGUNG HALIM on November 29, 2008
yes, i think as women, worry is the middle name for most of us! i try, (do not always succeed!) to use my temptation to worry, (and it is a temptation!) as a reminder to turn to our Lord, review His faithfulness in the past or present, and to praise Him for His character as well. i also, try to use my temptation to worry as a reminder to surrender myself and whatever i am concerned about to Him, once again, even if it is "just', my tendency to worry!
Posted by: bonnie on November 29, 2008
Indeed we all do worry about certain things. I for one, start worrying from the very beginning of day to the time I go to sleep. I have decided to change for the better. I will start by thanking God for all those things he has been doing or has done during the day.
Posted by: Esther Anim- Dankwa on November 29, 2008
Oh my gosh, you are ME!!! Thank you so much for that little kick in the pants--we just moved into a new house and I listened to other people's horror stories about new homes, SO I'm worrying myself straight to the nut house--what's that noise, will this house stay standing, will the roof start leaking next time it rains, you get the idea! And the sentence about I know God promises to take care of me but I want the road to be SMOOTH--wow did that hit me between the eyes! Thanks again. I'll pray for you if you'll pray for me!!!
Posted by: Vivian Sawyer on November 30, 2008
This encapsulates the entire article for me: "I guess in the end its a matter of trust. While I believe that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28), I worry (theres that word again) that I wont like the things God may choose to work that good." SO TRUE!!! I am learning to trust the Lord, in spite of how I think He is working it out for my good....what a challenge!!!
Posted by: CB on December 1, 2008
During a conversation in the summer of 2005 my non-believing husband said, "There is nothing I can't handle." The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I knew God would not let that pass, not if He loves me.
During the past two years my husband's business has gone belly-up and he has been unable to find a job. I went back to work full time after being a stay-at-home mom for 18 years. We are living under a crushing load of personal and corporate debt and unless God intervenes we will face bankruptcy and possibly lose our home. My mother and brother died within two weeks of each other in December of 06. Because of all of the above, I was overwhelmed and in such emotional pain that I didn't file income taxes and now we are behind for three years.
I thought I knew God, trusted God, had faith, was resilient. I knew nothing compared to what I know now. God's love, faithfulness, companionship, and trustworthiness is greater, deeper and broader than I could have discovered on that "smooth road."
Oswald Chambers says "God engineers circumstances." A spiritual scalpel in the hands of a loving God can trim our faith into lushness and vigor but suffering is part of the package. I will confess to toddler behavior at times, envy, and self pity. But in the end I say with the psalmist, "What God is great like our God?" Psalm 77:13.
Don't wish for suffering but know that when it comes, in whatever form, trust Him to care for you the same way you would care for your own children when they face overwhelming circumstances.
Posted by: Frances Davies on December 1, 2008
I can so relate too! My youngest is getting ready to go to college in another state in a couple of months after I thought he would be "safe at home, under our wings" for awhile longer as he attended community college. As a mother, I am going to drive myself crazy with worry unless I leave him in God's hands. I keep telling myself that God needs my son to "fly" and be used by Him in someone's life there. At least that will help me keep my sanity as I lean on God and constantly work on leaving my son in His hands.
Posted by: Brenda on December 1, 2008
Amen sister! I could have signed my name to this article. Thank you for being so open and honest (especially the hissing part)! Just this morning God was dealing with me on this subject. Thanks for your wise words of wisdom and allowing God to use you as one of his instruments. Christ's peace be with you and me and all our sibling worry worts out there.
Posted by: Tammy on December 1, 2008
call the holy spirit...Noah's Ship...u.s.a and World... Ship change...
Oh my world Time and circumstance imposed by the fact Does not allow you to shoulder responsibility for what happened to the other Everyone contributed to this crisis yes The Initially The search for weapons of mass destruction And disarmament Although everyone This weapon has The trick favor of Bush Convince everyone the war on Iraq In order to disarm Serious And the dissemination of justice in that country That was the victim of the dictatorship of Saddam Everyone has pursued a policy blindness Did not know the truth it depends on the reports are baseless And the weakness of the Security Council position Making decisions With a strong implementation of the decisions Governments are supportive of the war and people refuse to war Damqrati contradictory Lost in the absence of principles and human values The war began and everyone did not know the real reason Oil wells been protected More than the protection soldiers taking part in the war and the Iraqi people Lack of appreciation of the human spirit This is for oil You are weak rather than the search for new sources...Public funds and tax money and other The source of funding war It does not matter the high incidence of poverty Or terrorism or inability to pay medical costs It does not matter Retirement System pension It does not matter does not matter...
Result high oil prices and material nourishment Chaos control on the financial markets States owner of oil exploited the situation to the high oil price Without considering the consequences After Noon weakness of the capitalist Mortgage crisis Which spread to the rest of the world...Weapons of mass destruction in the economic system And not in Iraq The inability to confront the economic crisis Because of the lack of financial stand-Qaida Is part of the public money Unfortunately this money Then Spending the war in Iraq This is the truth weak U.S. economic situation and the world In addition to other factors...
I do not allow any one to blame the U.S. people and the new government Nothing to do in this crisis Is merely a victim Governments in support of the war and Bush This is responsible for this crisis Blame the other Is weak Inability to solve the problem and escape from the face of crisis The crisis is a curse in your In my view I was a blessing Because it makes the world follow a new policy of change At the political level economic Capitalism Contribute to the increase the rich richer and the poor poorer...
Era of change and reform...Era humanitarian policy...
Change the slogan of President-elect Obama Did not choose the logo Coincidence But aware of the reality of economic And political Following the end of the Bush presidential During the past 8 years opinion nation's is absent Despite the high votes which refuses to war Indeed because the policy of deception And falsifying the truth And not listen to the opinion nation Where Damqratip Or that a free opinion was not under pressure of interest under But Bush preferred unilateral opinion He opinion sleeping conscience And not the right of people's participation in the management of the country and its Affairs With Freedom Absolute freedom of political concept And economic Accept any ideas of others because they contribute to the development of basic nation And help to discover the ideas of contemporary respond to the demands of the people in this age Is a philosophy Stressing on the freedom and equality And give opportunities Especially given that the nation is The inclusion of a large number of Ethnic diversity Any differences linguistic, religious and cultural Deep beautiful thing Here Is the triumph of the American people This Differences President Obama victory in the elections...
Some of the reasons behind the crisis...
State economic area left without a constitutional law protects the financial Safety of the individual in particular and the nation generally...
Policy Buy fish in the sea...Inflation wealth On paper for individuals and the institution was allowed to The expansion of the borrowing policy Any issuance of 100% of mortgages to borrowers Do not any credibility it is unable to pay debt Financial tumor Any goods and property Default The intention here Properties of paper And financial personnel The funds are actually on the concrete goods, but on paper or held These bonds and stocks Calculated Book Assets within Property Individuals and institutions with high property The properties These people over and grow But this increase and this growth was paper It Has no presence Consequently, many resources were in fact illusory wealth Indeed when a financial crisis Number imaginary place left empty It happens a great lack of liquidity In the period of crisis Banks are unable To pay the money vacuum This deficit extends to the rest of the financial institution...
Advice Not to sell things that do not have
And not bet on companies exposed to bankruptcy But the participation Growth in investment Thus the snowball grows u.S. investment banks are expanding its Default Without The sergeant Thus inflation economy paper At the expense of the real economy The tumor financial active role in the crisis produced by the mortgage crisis And led high oil prices and material nourishment owners to invest Trapped Between debt repayment and estimated the cost of high life So much so that even owners of investment They are demanding To pay The largest The policy of laissez-faire Let him pass Without law is a devastating weapon of the economic entity...
Some of the solutions
Participate in the risk of participation in any profit and loss distribution of wealth between capital and labor that distributive justice ...
State resources ... the taxation of savings To encourage spending Instead of saving a major boost to the economy and production Turnover...
Giving priority to public interest On Special benefit During the speculative...
Control the market, but without interfering in determining the price...
General damage payment of private damage...
New Speculation To pay His money Money To the employer or institution investment For To invest his That the distribution of profits On the basis of Specific percentage of Profits and not out Money This Achieve A greater equity in distribution Is bigger than the Tender of the capitalist system Are not Distribution of profit after the restoration of Originally capital...
The principle of participation ...Participation in the money involved parties The effort Or of one The ownership of commercial activity including joint And share with the profit and loss...
We need a policy Believes move political Can serve The conditions of the nation reform Active in creating laws of the Government in the economic sphere It contribute to the economic security of the members of society while preserving the freedoms Economic And the adoption of the renewal policy at the level of economic laws Which is Defensive Shield in such crisis The law of supply and demand balance under the average price of the appropriate parties to promote goods...
Or now that the banks are now united in one institution to separate the damage and determine imbalance Reducing the interest rate to zero The tax rate of 2% The beginning of a new This contributes to restore confidence in the investment and business owners...
A payment policy upon the long term while maintaining the average interest rate For me borrowers owners Houses ...
I do not know why the presence of religion Absent in this issue The simplest thing to be a tax area Public money The church in this find the use of money At the social level Poverty, health and development projects ...
Do not forget that greed greed and not thinking about of others cause in this crisis any The absence of spiritual ethics...
Solution for the world...
To treat the problem from the point of departure Unite the nations of the world to fill the financial void financial institution in the U.S. financial Change the modus operandi of this institution Result turnover The wheel of the new economy Extends to the rest of the world...
U.S.A
O people We need to elect members of the Congressional for To be completed Noah's ship Ship change We chose President Obama We want to choose People like him...
Like Jim Martin...
Jim's Record on Taxes and Protecting the Public Purse
A RECORD OF LOWERING TAXES
Jim supported middle class tax cuts and the largest tax cut in Georgia history. Jim has always fought for targeted tax cuts for middle class families and senior citizens. In Jim's 18 years in the state House, he supported some of the largest tax cuts in the history of the state - including the $500 million tax cut eliminating the sales tax on groceries. [HB 265, 1996] He also authored a bill to increase the homestead exemption. [HB 1542, 1992]
Jim voted for a "penny sales tax" for education in 1989 - 19 years ago - which was supported by Republicans and Zell Miller. The vote that Saxby Chambliss and his allies call the "largest tax increase" in Georgia history was a vote for a penny sales tax to fund our schools. That's right - it raised the state sales tax by one cent in order to put badly needed money into education. The vote took place 19 years ago and was followed by the elimination of the sales tax on groceries, which Jim supported. The 1989 penny sales tax for education passed the Georgia House with 129 votes from Democrats and Republicans. [Georgia House Journal, pp. 2143-2150, HB 474, 3/8/1989; Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 10/20/08]
A RESPECTED STEWARD OF TAXPAYER MONEY
Jim regularly opposed efforts to raise the salaries of state lawmakers. [HB 1264, 2/02/84; HB 78, 1/24/85; HB 1342, 2/23/88; SB 120, 2/13/86; HB 198, 1/23/90]
During his 18 years in the legislature, Jim voted once to increase the official per diem for legislators by $16 - yes, $16 - to cover inflation, and Johnny Isakson and Sonny Perdue voted the same way (twice). Jim also voted to cap what legislators could spend on official duties at $4,800 a year. In addition to the Republicans in the legislature who supported the plan, the bill was signed into law by then-Gov. Zell Miller. [Georgia Senate Journal, pp. 1186-1189, HB 62, 3/8/95; pp. 2299-2301, HB 62, 3/17/95]
By comparison, Chambliss's own salary has increased by over $10,000 since he's been in the Senate. [United States Senate] In addition, Chambliss runs a political action committee that has a budget of more than half-a-million dollars. [Center for Responsive Politics]
During his years in the legislature, Jim developed a reputation for being a staunch fiscal conservative and a trusted guardian of taxpayer dollars. When the state faced tough economic times in the early 1990s, state leaders turned to Jim to preserve critical services for seniors, children, and people with disabilities, while making necessary cuts in the budget. Ultimately, he cut millions of dollars, but he never turned our backs on the least among us.
Every budget Jim voted for in the state legislature was balanced - but while Chambliss has been in Washington, he has voted for higher deficits time and again. [Vote 74, 3/16/06; Vote 363, 12/21/05; Vote 58, 3/12/04; Vote 134, 4/11/03; Vote 79, 3/20/02; Vote 104, 5/9/01]
Chambliss voted six times against restoring pay-as-you-go rules to Congressional spending. [Vote 38, 3/14/06; Star Tribune, 3/16/06; New York Times, 3/15/06; Vote 53, 3/16/05; Vote 283, 11/3/05; Vote 340, 11/17/05; Vote 38, 3/10/04; Vote 200, 5/23/03]
The national debt has increased by almost $4 trillion in the six years Chambliss has been in the Senate, and it now exceeds $10 trillion. [U.S. Treasury, 10/23/08]
Jim turned down a pay raise as DHR Commissioner.
Jim cut government spending as DHR Commissioner. Jim took over DHR two weeks after 9/11, when the state was facing some of the most difficult economic times in recent memory. He successfully cut spending while preserving important programs.
Jim's Leadership of the Department of Human Resources
Jim believes that every child's life is precious and that it is wrong for Chambliss to attempt to score political points over the death of children.
Jim has been the recipient of numerous awards for his work on behalf of children, including the 1994 Georgians for Children "Children's Champion Award," the 1997 Parent to Parent of Georgia "Legislative Service Award," and a recognition of outstanding service in 2002 from the Adoptive and Foster Parents Association of Georgia.
As Commissioner of Human Resources, Jim took immediate action to hold the persons responsible for the deaths accountable, including firing the individuals who were at fault. He ordered all caseworkers to check on every child in the state's custody within a 48-hour period. Jim continued his efforts to implement policies aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in order to improve care for all children.
Jim served as Commissioner under both Democratic Governor Roy Barnes and Republican Governor Sonny Perdue. Perdue asked Jim and all other political appointees to tender their resignations upon his inauguration, but Perdue chose not to accept Jim's resignation for almost a year.
When Jim left DHR, Perdue praised Jim's service to the Department. Perdue said that "[Jim] could not have been a more gracious, more cooperative commissioner....He's managed a tough department in tough economic times. His service has been a service of sacrifice." [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/18/03]
Perdue spokesman Dan McLagan said at the time, "The governor knows that Mr. Martin has a heart for children." [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/2/03]
In 2006, Jeffrey Bramlett, the attorney for the children's advocacy group that sued the state regarding care for foster children, praised Jim's leadership at DHR: "The record shows that, as DHR Commissioner, Jim Martin fought heroically to protect these children and improve their life chances in a larger political context where Georgia's elected leaders over an extended period of time simply lacked the political will necessary to devote the resources required to do an adequate job of caring for these children." [Letter of Jeffrey O. Bramlett, 7/13/06]
As Commissioner, Jim's job was to look out for the well-being of every one of the 17,000 children under the department's care, many of whom were at risk, sick, or in trouble.
Jim built a reputation as a leading advocate for children over his 18-year tenure in the state legislature. Jim's achievements in the legislature include: helping create the PeachCare system which has provided thousands of children with quality, affordable healthcare; writing the law that provided for a juvenile court system in every county of the state; leading the way to close sub-standard Fulton County emergency foster care shelters and replacing them with child-friendly "First Placement, Best Placement" facilities; helping obtain funding for the Columbus Evaluation Center for local children in foster care; drafting legislation that created mental health services for Georgia's children; and authoring legislation to ensure vulnerable children actually received child support payments.
Jim's Long Record of Fighting to Get Tough on Crime and to Protect Children
A LIFELONG RECORD OF STANDING UP FOR CHILDREN
Jim voted to make child solicitation a felony - Saxby Chambliss and his friends in Washington are lying about Jim's record. Jim was working toward the passage of an alternative bill which dealt specifically with solicitation of minors (versus the bill that Chambliss and his friends cite, which had other provisions in it). The version Jim supported ultimately passed - unanimously - two weeks later, and it made solicitation of a minor a felony. It is patently false to say that Jim did not support making child solicitation a felony. Chambliss and his friends in Washington are just deliberately misleading people. [Georgia House Journal, pp. 1,165, 1,166-67, HB 1221, 2/17/88]
In 1995, Jim supported an even tougher measure to combat exploitation of children. [HB 377, 1995]
Jim has always fought to protect children from crime - because he knows what it feels like to have a child come face-to-face with violent crime. Jim's daughter Becky was kidnapped when she was 8 years old. The Martin family was blessed that she got away safely, but the experience left its mark. Jim has said: "I never forgot the way Becky trembled when she faced her kidnapper in court. That's why I fought so hard to crack down on violent crime and lock up violent criminals."
Jim voted for Zell Miller's "Two Strikes and You're Out" law - one of the toughest anti-crime laws in the country. Jim also co-authored the law requiring criminals to pay restitution to their victims, and he passed the law that allows law enforcement agencies to use the money they seize from drug dealers to fight crime.
CHAMBLISS PUTS WASHINGTON INTERESTS OVER THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN
Chambliss voted against protecting children from sexual predators. Saxby Chambliss voted against a package of 35 non-controversial bills on July 28, 2008, some of which he cosponsored, because his party leaders instructed Republicans to block all bills in the Senate. The bills Chambliss voted against, all but one of which already passed the House by huge bipartisan margins, had all been blocked by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), who was single-handedly obstructing nearly 80 bills - the most of any senator. The bills in the package covered a huge range of subjects, from protecting children from sexual predators to improving stroke prevention to expanding access to broadband internet services to helping victims of Lou Gehrig's disease and paralysis. Some of the bills that Chambliss voted to block that would have protected children include: Drug Endangered Kids (HR 1199/S. 1210); Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act (S. 2982/HR 5524); Effective Child Pornography Prosecution Act (HR 4120); Enhancing the Effective Prosecution of Child Pornography (S. 2869/HR 4136); PROTECT Our Children Act (HR 3845/S 1738).
Chambliss opposed expansion of PeachCare. "In this 68 to 31 vote, the Senate passed an expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program." In Georgia the program is known as PeachCare. [Chambliss voted NO, 8/2/07, Vote 307: H R 976, Washington Post Key Votes]
Chambliss believed covering more children with health care was too expensive. "I wound up voting against it [SCHIP] because of three reasons. One, they spent way too much money. They're going from capping the program at 250 percent of the poverty level to 300 percent and allowing waivers for up to 400 percent. [Columbus Ledger Enquirer, 2/16/07]
Chambliss voted against an amendment that would provide funding for children exploited in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Voting 41 for and 56 against, Senators refused to add $1 billion nationwide in fiscal year 2006 to the COPS program, which helps local police departments add personnel and equipment. The amendment also proposed $10 million to care for Gulf Coast children exploited in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and $8 million to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse in areas struck by Katrina. [Chattanooga Times Free Press, 9/18/05]
Chambliss voted against expanding early childhood education. Voting 47 for and 52 against, Senators refused to increase Head Start funding by $153 million, or nearly 3 percent, in fiscal year 2006. The underlying bill (HR 3010) provides more than $6 billion for Head Start, which conducts pre-kindergarten schooling for about 900,000 disadvantaged children. The amendment was designed to keep the Head Start budget abreast of inflation, with the additional funding added to the 2006 deficit. [Chattanooga Times Free Press, 10/30/05]
Is aware of The nation needed To sacrifice and change his life and see...
holy spirit
Posted by: holy spirit oprah on December 1, 2008
call the holy spirit...Silence until we hear the voice of nature...Voice of heaven and earth...Voice universe spirit...you...
Environmental Protection Agency...
O Rights God given you this planet Because he loves you A secretariat For the generations to come This planet is the secret of human existence Fee Earth the first step When I was a child You ask whether you are a large The answer Running yes yes Running and Running knowledge of the reduction of this great Earth But surrendered to the greatness the Earth The greatness of nature greatness of the universe Flying eye to the sky The dream of tomorrow You play with the stars Trying to reach stars And ask why are pending Lights the way for you It considers future Considering the strength and greatness of God Sky watering thirst People's thirst and earth thirst and live thirst sky love the earth When the pining Hugging the earth sky Born on the Embrace Beautiful Gift Is the secret of life on this planet Rain yes Water Why do you deny this...
O Environmental Protection Agency Letter protect this planet is a sacred mission Protection of life and ensure the continuation of human existence in the universe Protection of the many risks And from global warming Why the silence Are the principles and values that Arafat from the Environmental Protection Agency no longer exists Because the conscience of the Environmental Protection Agency under the pressure of special interests The protection of private interests Instead of protecting the environment It is the truth the shock of the reality of your Not your ability to innovation and invention and discovery of new Or you forgot you humans I forgot you live in this world Or it go down the path Protect life difficult and arduous Yes, it's the year of life and the lives of our forefathers fill cruelty To continue life So that we live without the agony But our duty to protect this legacy sustain life And the continued invention and innovation all contribute to the survival of life And leave all the things that kills the spirit of life on the planet This is the message This is my life and your life...
Why the silence Or is it that global warming is not serious You are calm for the nerves Stand Up Before the end of life in this presence You are in a fierce dependence on oil, gas and nuclear energy and other offset new sources of energy See the truth Air currently contains 380 part million part of the carbon dioxide gas is the primary cause of global warming, compared to the 275 million part that existed in the air before the Industrial Revolution. It is here that the amount of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere is higher by about 30% more than a little Tschimh than it was before the Industrial Revolution. The proportion of absorption of infrared 55%.
The amount of methane concentrations increased to double the amount of focus before the Industrial Revolution. Produced in coal mines and in the production of natural gas, disposal of garbage, and the proportion of absorption of infrared 15%.
Alkruflorcarbon increase by 4% annually on the current ratios. The proportion of absorption of infrared 24%.
Nitrous oxide is about 18% higher than the amount of focus before the Industrial Revolution (according to the latest press releases to the World Meteorological Organization). Composed by agricultural fertilizers and plastic products, the proportion of absorption of infrared 6%.
Industrial activity genocide activity of life You are unable even to identify the ceiling of gas emissions Global warming Look at the equation The air is a gaseous mixture filling the atmosphere, including the water vapor, consisting primarily
Of nitrogen per 78,084% and 20,946% oxygen to the are by gas
Carbon per second Oasid 0033% and some water vapor and inert gases Now hit the imbalance That modern man came and destroyed forests, challenged the construction of spaces Green The factories began to receive massive amounts of smoke into the sky, and this one
The worst effects on air and the balance of the environment, If we turned to the figures Inflation scare Carbon dioxide pollution the percentage volume About 0029% at the end of the last century has risen to 0033% in 1970 has reached more than 0038% in 2000, and this increase has bad
Very ecological balance, and now has risen dramatically...
Carbon dioxide For me a completely transparent view of the visual messages for the UV and much sun light passing through a particularly easy to reach the earth's surface temperature rises when the earth's surface under the weight of the sun's rays emitted from the surface of some thermal radiation passes through the lower layers of the atmosphere and because of this radiation Heat waves are longer than usual visible light waves and Recreation is located mostly in the infrared long-wavelength radiation, this can not go in carbon dioxide, but the gas molecules absorb this entails that much carbon dioxide in the air by booking Part of the thermal energy emitted from the surface of the earth within the atmosphere and thus prevent global warming dissipate in space and because the temperature of the earth's surface is the outcome is still Maiga between the amount of flour on the surface of the sun and the amount of reflected and dispersed in space, the increase in the proportion of gas Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere lead to increased absorption of thermal radiation reflected from the surface of the ground and stored in the atmosphere, thereby warming the atmosphere from the natural rate may rise slightly higher temperature to substantial changes in the first, but it continued to increase in the proportion of Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere resulting from increased industrial activity and burning fuel and that the activities The activities Extraction of uranium And treatment processing are contributing to the accumulation of carbon dioxide and intensified in the earth's atmosphere All this because of air pollution Is the existence of any material solid, liquid or gaseous air quantities lead to physiological damage
And economic and vital human beings, animals, plants, machinery and equipment, or affected in the nature of
Objects and the world every year an estimated loss of about 5000 million dollars or more due to the impact of the air,
On agricultural crops and plants, let alone the rest of other segments is air pollution from
The worst air pollutants, the greater the number of people in the contaminated area...
Methods of air pollution Pollution solid materials suspended smoke and car exhaust, dust and pollen
The cotton dust and soil cement, soil insecticides
Second gas pollution materials or toxic fumes and choking, such as chlorine monoxide, carbon dioxide
Nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, ozone
Thirdly pollution bacteria and germs and mold resulting from the decomposition of dead plants and animals and waste
A human
Child with previously unknown renal disease, first diagnosed in Iraq by Dr. Gunther. The speculation is that the child had played with DU ammunition casings.
Child with almost total deformity of the face; no recognisable features at all, and what appears to be one eye situated in the middle of the forehead.
Child with hydrocephalus.
Extreme hydrocephalus; deformity of face, body and ear. The line running down the right hand side of the head would appear to show that potentially two heads were forming.
Deformity of ear; possible deformation of lower body.
Born without eyes. I can offer no explanation as to the translucent quality of the skin other than it is possibly a result of flash photography at close range.
Huge hole in child's back, which is, I believe, an extreme form of Spina Bifida.
Possibly taken shortly after birth, this picture appears to show ambiguous genitalia, sometimes referred to as 'Non-Viable Children'.
IV atomic radiation pollution and industrial natural
This showed contamination with the start of the use of corn in various fields of life, especially in areas
Military and industrial Let us all and we still recall the enormous uproar caused by the bubble
Famous nuclear reactors in one state (Pennsylvania) of the United States of America and a
Atomic bombs (Nagasaki and Hiroshima) during the Second World War is far away
The pollution still exist today and still picture of the maimed and wounded outstanding mind
And located in the bodies that have emerged after the types and kinds of pollutants example, a 90 Alastrentinom
Resulting from a nuclear blast found almost everywhere and growing with the increase in the quantity
Nuclear testing is falling trees and flies you to pasture cattle and sheep
And to the rights, which affects the productivity of milk cows and livestock and damage bone and cause
Many of the diseases and dangerous nuclear explosions lie in the dust emitted from the atomic sites
Where the atomic bomb falling by gravity or by rain and contaminate everything And destroy everything in the world 26000 nuclear bomb Yes, why waste time and silence
Phenomena expected as a result of global warming
That large parts of the ice exhibition of Dubin and lead to a rise in sea level
Sinking low-lying islands and coastal cities
Increased flooding
Frequency of drought and desertification of large areas of land
Increase the number and severity of storms and hurricanes
Outbreak of infectious diseases in the world
Destruction of many species and reducing biodiversity
Disasters and the loss of some agricultural crops
Increased risk of extreme weather events
Forest fires
Remove mountains of ice
Bio-energy and the environment The spread of terrorism and political disintegration economic devastation high proportion of famine and death genocide slow death The era of chaos See not too distant future effects of global warming Forest fires hit several areas in the southern United States from Florida to California at a time when the continuing drought have caused a busy fire season.
In Southern California (West) senior arson fires this week. The fire devoured the first 330 hectares out of 1,700 hectares in the famous Griffith Park in Los Angeles, one of the largest parks in the cities of the United States. The fire was put out Friday, but damaging estimated at 50 million dollars.
The fire broke out Tuesday after a Los Angeles heat wave unusual in this season (36 degrees Celsius), while the rate of air humidity was over 10%. Did not fire any casualties.
In the early months of 2007, the city is the worst drought since the authorities began to statistics in 1877. Since the first of January rate of 8,15 cm rainfall while the annual rate of 38,1 cm and rain usually falling in the first quarter of the year.
Since Thursday is the Santa Catalina Island off the Los Angeles fires is 500 firemen to control...
The other truth The anger of heaven Scientists agreed that the monitoring of the planet Venus could help in the fight against climate change on Earth.
The data recorded by the probe show the European "Venus Express", which is milled around the planet Venus picture of the planet, probably at a similar stage of the Earth and evolved in another way after that.
Venus has been affected Balaanbas Ctarari with the detention of the sun, which resulted in the lifting of the planet's temperature to be at 467 degrees Celsius.
Published the study data sensor in the European scientific journal "Nature" or nature.
And similar planets Venus, Earth in size, mass and composition to a large extent. However, the flower closer to the sun, but this alone does not explain the differences between him and Earth.
There is no Venus on a magnetic field like the surrounding land, which means that the climate is affected over billions of years Blvh cosmic radiation and solar wind, a stream of charged atoms from the sun.
Water missing
The absence of a magnetic field to the solar wind with hydrogen and helium gas and oxygen farther from the planet Venus than Earth.
Scientists believe that Venus may have been at some time very ample quantities of water, but the solar wind has spent most of the water during the first billion years in the life of the solar system.
Fred Taylor says Professor at the University of Oxford, one of the scientists and supervisors on the task of "Venus Express": "We have begun clear why the atmosphere of Venus is very different from the Earth's climate, while similar in almost every other matter."
Barg
The probe "Venus Express" is also a lightening of the planet Venus, and the idea raised such controversy, but the magnetic measurement tool to "Venus Express" has eliminated any doubts in this area.
In fact, the sensor data to suggest that lightning on Venus occur at higher rates than on Earth.
But said the U.S. space agency NASA announced in the press headquarters and through physicists sun, the solar wind pressure and lost the first time been recorded by such decline since the beginning of an era of space exploration 50 years ago.
As has been announced, the rate of the solar wind pressure has dropped more than 20% since the 1990-1998 mid-last century and this weakness in the solar wind has not recorded since the beginning of the modern solar weather. An analysis through a "delicate solar wind" on board the Space Telescope "Ulysses" and fired into space by the year 1990, which revolve around the sun in orbit with a unique flying over the Arctic in addition to the solar equator solar
((Former fee from the vehicle, "Ulysses" It shows the solar wind pressure of the whole disk of the sun arches for the green is clear after the solar wind from 1992 - 1998, but for the blue arches is to show a low pressure of the solar wind between year 2004 - 2008 ))
According to scientists, the speed of the solar wind speed has decreased the rate of 3%, the scientists and not by a large value. Scientists said that changing the pressure comes mainly from the low temperature and density. The solar wind is 13% and 20% cold less intensity The result is the solar wind so-called "cosmic rays" surrounding the planets in the solar system, which helps to protect them from harmful particles coming from other parts of the space.
This is dangerous radiation on the health of astronauts, as it could destroy the electronic devices, which will be developed into account in the launch satellites The sun low temperature as the previous data Non low temperature Global warming Means that industrial activity and other reasons prior to the The reasons are the staple me high temperature
Solar wind back down to the lowest levels
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The solar wind back down to the lowest levels is another type of risk because it is helping to protect them from harmful particles coming from other parts of the space. What people see a short-time conduct of others trying to find solutions and You
UAE begin building the first city in the world without carbon
India's car pneumatic A team of American researchers to extract fuel from a kind of fast-growing grass reduces the emission of carbon dioxide significantly compared to oil. The researchers found that the article (Ethanol) from this type of grass provides energy increased by 540 percent over the quantities required for the production of fuel
The idea of planting a billion trees good In 2030 the world needs a new planet to live ...
Vacation days not used car...
Come on are starting a new life ...
Saving life and the universe ...
That change the course of human life...
Do not forget you are human...
holy spirit
Necessity is the mother of invention...
Posted by: holy spirit oprah on December 1, 2008
Worry has been an Issue in my life from when I was a little girl, and we know that fear and worry work hand-in-hand, but as I learn to trust God and his word, I see myself living a more fulfilling life. I still have issues I struggle with; like when will i get married, why is God allowing me to go through difficulties? But in all, I have experienced the love of God. When I least expect, he grants my request. As we walk with God, acknowledging him as the one in whom we live, move and have our being, we will see less of worry and more of His blessings. Cheers.
Posted by: Ruth Oghotuama on December 2, 2008
Well I can agree with many of you. Worry truly has become my middle name. As a single women fastly approaching her 30's I find myself asking those worry questions. Why? What if? etc What if I remain single? What if I'm not really ready for the ministry???And the list can continue if I let it. But I find it amazing how we do Love the Lord yet forget that he is truly in control when the situation doesn't seem in our favor. It is true we forget who hold our lives.
Last night I had a conversation with a friend and it made me realize that I'm holding onto my thoughts so much that I don't allow God to work his way in these worries. Am I the only women of God who is indeed going through this?
Posted by: Ms. V on December 2, 2008
I really could relate to the issue of trust - I too believe that God works for the good of those who love him - but I often worry about what He will choose for my good. My life has been blessed, but so often I do not enjoy those blessings because I am waiting for "the other shoe to drop" - an expectation of something hard that will come my way. I see so many people suffering in different ways, I wonder when I will be walking in their shoes. Only prayer can help me through those irrational fears. Thanks for your relatable article!
Posted by: Lee on December 2, 2008
Thanks for your message. I am always about my boys' future and mine too. I am a single mother and always wonder what does God going to do to me. I do not wish to see our Father shaking His head when I do something that does not please Him. But then, He is not giving us life with worries. He wants to give us joy, peace and love. I keep reminding myself to leave all worries to Him. So.... lets always remind ourselves.
Posted by: Annie on December 3, 2008
Amen sister...I have worried many times about many things until God gently reminds me that He WILL take care of me even when things don't go smoothly...my husband left 10 years ago. We have 9 chidren (7 are adopted). I also was a stay-at home mum involved in mission work in Brazil...now I have 5 kids at home still...two have had serious substance abuse problems, 2 had teenage pregnancies, my ex skipped the country and does not help at all, YET in all of this it has drawn me closer to my loving Heavenly Father who has provided every step of the way and kept me close to Him even when at times I have felt like giving up...Our God is indeed an awesome God...without Him we cannot do a thing and He is always lovingly ready to teach us not to worry...it has helped me to memorize passages of scripture that talk about worry. Bless you!!
Posted by: Gaynor on December 3, 2008
This is such a common problem for women and a big challenge for Christian women. During my walk I have certainly gotten better at learning to stop worrying so much, but I still have a long way to go. Nice to hear how others are dealing with this issue.
Posted by: Carrie on December 6, 2008
Could Oprah's meaningless blob be deleted, please? It's a major distraction.
Posted by: Karen on December 10, 2008
God works in mysterious and miraculous ways. I have been worrrying very recently about things i know cannont do as a human being but i know God can do.Reading through all these comments have given me the encouragement to give it to God and learn to trust him totally.I pray God gives us fresh testimonies very soon.
Posted by: Edeama on December 11, 2008
Worry, who me? I'm a charter member of the worry-wart club. I suffer from depression and an anxiety disorder. I been a worrier since I was a young child. one of my favorite verses is in James and it basically says that God gives us trials and the purpose for these trials is to develop perserverence, and He will grant wisdom to all who ask with sincere hearts. That verse has gotten me through the teen years with two daughters and a husband who wasn't very supportive of emotional issues, due to perimenopause. God has softened my husband's heart and my girls are now both in successful careers. A little over two months ago my husband was laid off from his job of 29 years, also during this time we lost my mother-in-law and she was laid to rest the day before Thanksgiving. Being out of work, my husband had the opportunity to be by his mom's side when she took her last breath. Five years ago, all of this would have put me into the psychiatric ward, but God is so good and he does meet our needs. Bible study, especially a good inductive Bible study, like Precepts, has allowed me to grow in my faith and also count my many blessings. Even in sad times and times of stress we need to thank the Lord for seeing us through another day and ask Him for His guidance and wisdom in our lives. It is with the love and encouragement of other Christian friends and prayer that will help get you through difficult times. Worry, who me? Been there done that, but with the Lord's help and putting my faith in Him and His love for me and my family, we will be able to get through those trials and develop that perserverence that draws us closer to Him.
Posted by: Deb on December 11, 2008
Hope doesn't change circumstances. Faith changes circumstances.
Posted by: Cecelia on January 12, 2009
Worry is likewise my middle name. It's hard for me to trust God lately. I've been hurt a number of times and have not seen God's covering over me multiple times throughout my life. I've known HIM practically my whole life and have tried to walk faithfully, but have not heard HIS voice for a long time. I'm walking in weariness and defeat and need to sense HIS presence. It seems like worrying is the only response when I feel HE is not there.
Posted by: Dianne Bright on January 12, 2009
I too am a worrier, but never thought of myself as one until my second bout of anxiety/panic disorder. It was then that my therapist pointed out that "perfectionist" tend to be worriers.
I wouldn't consider myself a major perfectionist, yet I want to find "the" answer and I want it to be the "right" one.
These days I don't seem to have panice issues too much, but the anxiety is still there and along with it sometimes comes depression cause I don't like the anxiety/worry battles I always seem to have even over the simplest things.
But I try to remind myself that God is in control, that I have a choice and that worry won't do any good, in fact it tends to make things worse. Plus apparently I have been a worrier for a long time and it takes time to change. Besides scripture tells us not to worry, but to turn "everything" over to God. Also try to count my blessings.
Didn't think about it much before till I read this, but yes I want the road to be smooth, I want it all to be okay without any difficulty of any sort.
Posted by: Gail on January 19, 2009