To being with, please understand that I do realize how paradoxical the title of this work may seem. In fact, I can hear the astonished question you may be asking just now: Povertya blessing! How can that be? Well, lets go to the dictionary and see if the definition of the word blessing can help answer that question. In Websters New Collegiate Dictionary we find the following entry next to the word blessing: a thing conducive to happiness or wellbeing. Most of us are so focused on the happiness part of the definition that we only see Gods hand of blessing when were happy; we forget that not everything conducive to our wellbeing makes us feel happy. Just as a loving parent will bless their child with both comforts and discipline, so God blesses us with both comforts and challenges. As I look at the lives of my family and myself, I can see how God has strengthened our walk with Him through our financial struggles. Because of this fact, I say with assurance that financial struggles can be used of the Lord to truly bless us. Next, I want to ask you to take my use of the word poverty with the proverbial grain of salt, as my intent is to use the term in a very tongue in cheek manner. Ive actually heard of individuals complaining because they have to choose between landscaping their newly built home or taking a second vacation this year; or lamenting the fact that times are so hard they have to cut their annual vacation to Hawaii from the usual four weeks to only two weeks. The truth is many, many people sharing our world would be ecstatic to have the standard of living that most of us are enjoying. So, viewed from their perspective, wouldnt it seem that if we have a roof over our heads, proper clothing to wear and eat three meals a day were doing pretty well for ourselves? Its also true that God has spread His children throughout the world in different cultures, with different gifts and with different incomes. There is nothing wrong with having a comfortable income or owning lovely things. And there is certainly nothing wrong with working hard to provide for your family. In fact, many Godly people mentioned in scripture had a great deal of wealth: Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Job, King David and Joseph of Arimathia are just a few that spring to mind. There are also many Godly people mentioned in scripture who had very little wealth: Mary & Joseph, the beggar (Lazarus), the widow with her two mites, and our Lord, Himself. There is nothing inherently more spiritual with one state or the other. Those with wealth need to thank God most sincerely for what they do have and to beware of falling into the trap of pride (look at me and how successful Ive been!). And its been very interesting for me to realize that those with modest incomes also need to thank God most sincerely for what they do have and to beware of falling into the trap of pride (look at me - getting along on a small income must somehow make me more spiritual than the wealthy!). Did you know that when the Lord was on earth one of His most frequent topics of discussion was money? He never condemned wealth, He condemned the preoccupation with wealth and the belief that a persons worth or security comes from amassing huge amounts of wealth. Regardless of whether we have a large amount of this worlds goods or a small amount, it all belongs to God. We need to use whatever we do have to further Gods kingdom and honor Him by caring for our families and reaching out to those in need. And all of us need to embrace the truths found in Matthew 6:25-34 and find our security in the wonderful care of our loving Heavenly Father. I, myself, was raised in a Christian home by parents who were quite well off financially. I just never realized it until I was almost finished with high school. Im sure this is partly because Im not a very visual person, so I tended not to notice or compare things as much as others. But I really think that it wa

In a vigorous defense of public life, Senator Joseph Lieberman defines the duty, the honor, and the privilege of the public lives of politicians in the face of perennial American cynicism. Americans have always been suspicious of government and have misunderstood and mistrusted those in public life. This attitude is even more prevalent as the boundaries that once separated public and private have fallen. Lieberman argues that some of the public's mistrust is based on a misconception of what public life is and why we need it. He describes life as he has lived it over three decades in the public eye with all its purpose, privileges, pressures, and pleasures. Lieberman asks fundamental questions about what standards of behavior should be expected of politicians in the sharply partisan, big-money, search-and-destroy atmosphere of politics today. Who should set these standards? Is there room for a public figure to "be human," to "make mistakes"? Is there a line beyond which the personal behavior of a public official is nobody's business? Do citizens have an obligation to understand and determine the responsibilities of public life? Drawing widely from his own experience as a politician and his pride in public service, Lieberman makes a passionate, hopeful argument for the value of public life. He believes it plays a place necessary role in our democracy and more Americans need to embrace it if we are to sustain our self-government.

Tom A. Coburn, a congressional maverick who kept his promise to serve three terms and then leave Washington, offers a candid look at the inner workings of Congress-why the system changes politicians instead of vice versa. Breach of Trust shows readers, through shocking behind-the-scenes stories, why Washington resists the reform our country desperately needs and how they can make wise, informed decisions about current and future political issues and candidates. This honest and critical look at "business as usual" in Congress reveals how and why elected representatives are quickly seduced into becoming career politicians who won't push for change. Along the way, Coburn offers readers realistic ideas for how to make a difference.

This writing was inspired by my reunion with four old friends that had spent the first grade through high school together, reunited after fifty two years! It was the nostalgia generated at the dinner party that made me realize I had to preserve my collection of dreams and aspirations, travels and accomplishments, so that family and friends would know where I came from, how I got here and who I am! The chronologies of the events in my life are not especially significant in terms of fame or fortune, but important to me, none the less! It is for this reason that I want to record the people and places that were meaningful in my life, and to share my love for them all!