Favorite thing… New Year's Resolutions. I'm fudging here. I can't honestly say New Year's resolutions are one of my favorite things, but I do like the concept of a new year and an opportunity to begin again, to improve, to start over.

So….Happy New Year to all. Have you made New Year's resolutions? Or are you still thinking about them? Or have you decided not to make any this year? I've been thinking about resolutions for this New Year.  One thing I want to do this year is to be more mindful of the present. To practice being fully present in various moments through out each day. I do far too much racing ahead to the next thing. I miss the present, the now, and its meaning, whether it's joy or sadness.  I want to savor more moments in 2011.  

Another thing I want to do is "do" more what the Bibles says "to do". To put James 1:22 into practice. Reading the Bible is something I enjoy doing. "Doing" what the Bible says is a different matter for me. I tend to procrastinate…a lot. Then I'll stall some more by thinking … "surely, that verse (whatever it is) is not meant for me." "Is God talking to me when I read in James 1:26 'too keep a tight rein on his tongue'?"  Yes, Linda, He sure is. That verse has your name on it. He means you and your tongue. So instead of making New Year's resolution, I've decided to go for biblical solutions. Mary Fairchild's poem says it very well. Here it is:

Instead of making a New Year's resolution; consider committing to a biblical solution.

 Your promises are easily broken; Empty words, though earnestly spoken.

But God's Word transforms the soul; By His Holy Spirit making you whole.

As you spend time alone with Him; He will change you from within.

She was Right! Sarah Palin was right about "death panels". Remember when Sarah Palin said that the new health care law would lead to "death panels" deciding who gets life-saving treatment and who does not? She was the laughing stock of the liberal media. They ridiculed her! How stupid she was! Well now, one of the ridiculers-The New York Times- has let us know that she was right. Under a new policy, not included in the law for obvious reasons,  a  rule issued by Dr Donald M. Berwick, calls for the government to pay doctors to advise patients on options for ending their lives. These include directives to forgo aggressive treatment that could extend their lives. Who is this Dr. Berwick? He's the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services who was   appointed by President Obama during a Senate recess. He's the President's man.

To quote Cal Thomas who hit the nail squarely on the head… "Inevitably, this rule will lead to bureaucrats decided who is "fit' to live and who is not."  Folks like Rep Earl Bluemenauer, D-Oregon, one of  two states that has assisted suicide laws,  referred to the death panels as a "myth"  that Republican leaders will try to perpetuate. The truth: death panels aren't a myth. The death panels are for real and Sarah Palin said so.

All inhumanities begin with small steps so that we, the people, won't rebel. If a policy went straight to the "final solution", it wouldn't be acceptable. So a change in policy begins small. Abortion is a prime example. The assault on unborn babies began with small steps that finally led to removing the prohibition against abortion.  Now doctors routinely perform abortions.  It's called "women's health care". Forty years ago, no one in their right mind, would have ever referred to abortion as "health care" for women.

Now the next group targeted is the elderly and the infirmed.  The wording will be cloaked in compassion. It will be the"right" thing to do for these people. It will benefit all society. The "terminations" will take place out of sight, so that we, the people, won't be disturbed by them. Just like abortions are done.

Once the definition of human life changes, all human lives become potentially expendable. As Rebecca Kiessling, an abortion survivor said, "The truth is that when all are not protected, none are protected."  We are headed down a slippery slope to government mandated euthanasia. We need to let our Senators and Representative know it's the wrong path to take. See Cal Thomas's website for his article on December 31, 2010.

Anti-Christian Bias. It's becoming perfectly acceptable in our society to be biased against Christians.  Here's a good example of bias against a Christian. It's just one of thousands that occur every day in our country that was founded on religious freedom.  A  31 year old single woman in Michigan posted a note in her church's bulletin board seeking a Christian roommate.  She was sited by the state for violating the Fair Housing Act for discriminating against people of other faiths.  The complaint,   filed anonymously, complained that "she expressed an illegal preference for a Christian room mate." In her own home, mind you. The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) who is handling her case, said" This case is just one example of how the climate created by groups like the ACLU have twisted  the legal system over the years to create an atmosphere of fear, intimidation and disinformation."  See their website site at www.alliancedefensefund.org

One more thing…. Body Recall Classes will probably begin at the end of this month. Call me (343-2210) if you want more information. All current students will receive a postcard in the mail with the starting date.

May God bless you and your family in 2011. Thanks for reading my column.

Till next week.