Christian Reflection and Prayer

Another week in Washington brought another
week of attacks on the poor.

The immoral budget proposed by Rep. Paul Ryan
called for billions of dollars in cuts to poverty
programs like Medicaid, food stamps, and other
programs that feed hungry Americans and help
those in need.

But here’s the kicker: Ryan’s destructive plan
would increase the already bloated military budget
by 20%.

Cuts for the least of these. More money for bombs
and guns. Sounds like a horrible plan, right? We
think so. But the sad reality is that this budget
actually passed in the House and was only narrowly
defeated in the Senate.

It was a close call. Too close.

And the threat lingers. Just this weekend, Rep.
Ryan went on Meet the Press and audaciously
claimed these budget priorities were the medicine
needed to restore America's economic health.
These policy debates will continue from now until
election day.

Washington needs to act responsibly with taxpayer
money, but balancing the budget on the backs of the
poor is anything but responsible. Paul Ryan and
many other decision-makers believe the only solution
to the budget deficit is cutting poverty programs. You
and I know that’s just not true.

This is not responsible politics. These politicians are
playing chicken with the budget, but the people who
will lose the most are the poor.

Sojourners

AS A PERSON ON MEDICARE & MEDICAID AND
A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST THIS CONCERNS
ME!

Scripture:

"I knew you before I formed you in your
mother's womb. Before you were born I
set you apart and appointed you as my
prophet to the nations."
Jeremiah 1:5, NLT

Reflections:

God knew you, as he knew Jeremiah,
long before you were born or even conceived.
He thought about you and planned for you.
When you feel discouraged or inadequate,
remember that God has always thought of
you as valuable and that he has a purpose
in mind for you.

(Life Application Daily Devotion)

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then we have to remember
That it's in the valleys we grow.

If we always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
We would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.

We have so much to learn
And our growth is very slow,
Sometimes we need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys we grow.

We do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.

The little valleys are nothing
When we picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share Your love with others
And help them find their way.

Thank You for the valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!

Have a blessed day!

REMEMBER...
The shortest distance between a problem and a solution
is the distance between your knees and the floor.
The one who kneels to the Lord,
can stand up to anything.

(from GodVine)