The Clock is Ticking

1 Corinthians 10:23. Paul tells us,
"We are free to do all things, but there are things which it is not wise to do. We are free to do all things, but not all things are for the common good." (Bible in Plain English verision)
Paul's not just saying be careful what you do (which is the jist of the 1st sentence), he's also reminding us in the second sentence, we can't just take care of number 1, we have to think about numbers 2-infinity sometime. We can't be so focussed on "me", that we bring harm to someone us, either by commision or ommission.

Let me take this moment to get political for a second, something I rarely, rarely do. While I feel this is a good individually socially-responsible way to think and behave, I do not think it's fabulous all-the-time practice for nations. Particularly ours. We aren't intended to be police force for the world (regardless of what previous presidents have said). We aren't intended to fund the social programs, like welfare, for the planet. Sometimes, when talking about nation-size individuals, you MUST take care of #1 first, because #1 is who is filling your coffers with his taxes. But maybe I'm crazy for thinking that my government should use my money in ways that benefit my country--not others. And shouldn't squander it.

Off the political thing.
The real reason I'm posting today. It has something to do with this.

Yes, my friends, it's my birthday.

Gifts and cakes are optional. Embarassing me is not--don't do it on penalty of death. *hugs* Also, birthday suits are not optional--I prefer to not see yours. And I promise not to show you mine. It's nothing personal, I just don't want a messy cake incident.

So, I've resolved something. You may know already that I don't do New Year's resolutions. However, I see birthdays as a perfectly legitimate time to resolve some things.

So, I am.

1. I resolve to balance my life more, well..to get my life more in balance. For years now, I've been to heavy on the work-not-personal side of the scale, and I'm going to tie my church responsibilities into the heading "work." There's only 3 months left for some of that responsibility, and I will add no new church responsibility for at least a year, maybe 20. I've already got my work-work sorted into a more balanced place, so that helps.

2. I'm resolving to balance my checkbook. Stupid, I know. But I used to be fanatical about it. Then I got depressed every time I'd do it and have $2 left for the next 15 days. I'm going to do it again. I bought a new checkbook and got a new register and everything. Yay me!

3. I'm also going to resolve to really get back on my diet. A diet, rather. Because my diet right now is, frankly...bad. Any other diet couldn't be too much worse.

Somebody hold me to it. Please?