New York Yankees Baseball Star Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) admits using performance-enhancing drugs. This is very sad for younger kids that look up to this million dollar sports star. But I want to look at a deeper picture. There use to be a day when sports was played on a field to just have fun. Players where committed to there team in stead of what free agency will pay for after there contract runs out. It use to be a dirt field with the bright lights, and a hot dog pop corn and Cracker Jacks. That's all but gone. What use to be a cheap evening for a family now cost way over 100 dollars for an evening of fun and that does not include the price of the tickets. The Pitcher use to play a double header, that is no longer an option. Teams have all the comfort they need these days. Just so they have a better chance to win the game. I wonder if a World Series Champion could win a 7 game series against a team from the 40 or 50"s World series. Sports Teams have lost there edge they had way back when. Yes I still watch because I like sports, but they live to much in the comfort zone to measure up to the sports heroes of long ago. And it's sad to think that a player who is at the top of their game would inject themselves with a drug just keep himself at the top of there game. At what point was it not enough for him that he felt he needed a drug to boost his performance.

But then I ask myself the same question when I play video games and shoot the bad guys. I can't even use a real gun. What would I do if I was in a real war zone?
My Daughter has the Wii, where it has been said it's gets you out of your seat. So why can I not get out of my seat in the summer time and walk around the block.

Use to be, we would put dinner on the table and eat it, now hey it's not hot enough I will jut put in the microwave and heat it up.

So what am i getting at with all this? A-Rod made a decision that he needed more and injected himself to make him play better. At what point was it not good enough?

So let me ask this final question.

Lets just say you was in the woods and it was cold and snowy, but there was a small Church, without heat. it had candles for light and fire place for heat. There was nothing modern about this Church, it was a miserable shack.

But it was a chance to hear the word of God preached and it was a message of a lifetime. but in this modern upscale world we live in Would that Church be good enough for you?

How often do we skip our modern state of the art Church building, because we can not get in our heated car because the weather is not right?

Whens is life not good enough that we have to skip Church?

I am going to the mirror right now to ask myself the same question.

One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington ,
D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than
the Washington Monument . With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington , D.C. , are displayed two words: Laus Deo.

No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and
for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to
share this with everyone you know. These words have
been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125
inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward
to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square
miles which comprise the District of Columbia , capital of
the United States of America .

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of
just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States ,
it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated
and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to
finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of
our nation, Laus Deo. "Praise be to God!"

>From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the
city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of
the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to
the North. The Jefferson Memorial is to the South,
the Capitol to the East and the Lincoln Memorial to the West.

A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation
of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church
and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a
profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898
steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and
pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a
message.

On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6.
Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument
was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the
founder and first President of our unique democracy
"One Nation, Under God."

I am awed by Washington 's prayer for America , Have
you ever read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity,
so read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou
wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate
a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one
another and for their fellow citizens of the United States
at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy,
and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility,
and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without
a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen."
Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found
in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or
she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You
may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo," its location, or the architects but no one who reads
this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)

"Do not ask GOD to Guide your Footsteps
if you are not willing to MOVE your Feet"

'Church and state separation' myth exposed (OneNewsNow.com)

Well last week I had a blog disaster on this blog. So seeing the damage I removed the post and said I was sorry. After talking and getting some counsel from my Church friends and leaders I decided not to take to long of a break from this blog. While my post did offend a few people, I have been told people with a lot more writing experience have made bigger mistakes.

While I do not feel that my subject was wrong, it is apparent that I don't have the words or skill to write that way. Now every time I have a had a problem like this I could find my self in my Church with my pastor or a guest speaker or be visiting a church and hear someone who has no ideal of what I have done just preach on what went wrong so to speak. I am sure we have all been there and heard a speaker talk about a subject and somehow we are able to match it to our problem. And sometimes the best part is that the rest of the church has no ideal that you was getting preached at. It's just between you and God and it's your decision how you will deal with what was preached.

So for all of you that may have been offended, my day is coming soon to a Church and Pew near me.

Now I am done with this and I am moving on to bigger and better things.

A week or so ago I posted "making the right choice". I am sorry for the way it was written.

I also apologize to my Church for bad representation

Bottom line is this we all have a line we should not cross and it may not be the same for everyone. But if we don't have a ear to listen, and can not hear the voice inside of us.there is a real danger.

On My Blog Freedom's Right, a blogger left a comment and so I wanted to check out there blog and I found some awesome storm pictures. you can check it out yourself by clicking here

Focus: America's spiritual awakening (OneNewsNow.com)