FREEDOM



It's interesting that the word freedom contains the word free, yet freedom is anything but free. In fact, freedom comes at a high price - the sacrifice of some, for many. Each day we enjoy freedoms without so much as a thought of the price paid for these freedoms. Let's change that today - Memorial Day! Let's remember those who stood in harm's way to face tyranny and provide and protect the very freedoms we continue to enjoy every day. Thank-you men and women of the military for the sacrifice you made so that all of us could enjoy FREEDOM.

(free)DOM

WE ARE FAMILY!



Sister Sledge took these words, combined them with a tune, and made them famous. The world series bound Pittsburgh Pirates adopted the song as their own as they made a run at the world championship.

The church is a family. It is important for us to challenge each other, encourage each other, spur each other on, listen to each other, work toward understanding each other, extending grace and forgiveness to each other, praying for each other, and just flatout love each other. We are family.

"If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is
honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ's body, and
individually members of it." - 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 (NASB)

PS- Happy Anniversary Bif and Jody!! Congratulations! Eleven years and going strong!

DOM

THE SENATOR RESPONDS

I sent a letter to the Honorable Debbie Stabenow (last post) and here's here response/talking points. I'd love to hear your take on her response. Thanks!


Thank you . . .

. . for contacting me regarding your support for eliminating the
filibuster rule of the Senate in relation to judicial nominations, also
known as the "nuclear option." I understand your concerns about
the increased role of partisan politics in the judicial appointment
process.

You might be interested to know that the Senate has confirmed 205
of President Bush's judicial nominations to date, which is an over
95% confirmation rate. Only 10 of President Bush's nominees have
faced serious opposition to their confirmation. As a result, we
currently have the lowest court vacancy rate since Ronald Reagan
was President.

As you know, Senator Frist has indicated that he will pursue the
"nuclear option" this Congress. This would be a fundamental
change in our constitutional system of checks and balances.
Because federal judges receive lifetime appointments to a separate
branch of government, our founders created two distinct steps in
the selection process. The President nominates judges and the U.S.
Senate must agree through the "advice and consent" process.
Keeping the checks and balances in this process is critical to the
American democratic tradition that minority views will be
represented and heard.

At a time when countries like Iraq are struggling to establish their
own free democracies using the American system of checks and
balances, I believe our country should not be weakening our own
democracy. For these reasons, I do not support changing the
filibuster rule.

Also, I am deeply dismayed that some have suggested that the
opposition to the ten Presidential nominees is because they are
people of faith. The personal faith of nominees was not used
against the 205 judges that we have already confirmed, nor is it
being used against those few nominations that are being opposed.

Thank you again for contacting me about this important matter. If
ever I can be of assistance to you or your family, please let me
know.



Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator

FILIBUSTER THIS!

I usually try not to blog about politics but a column in the Sunday Grand Rapids Press pushed me over the edge, so here goes:



Open blog to Senator Debbie Stabenow:

Yesterday, I read your Guest Column in the Grand Rapids Press and was disheartened by your stance. In order to defend the need for a filibuster to prevent an up or down vote on a couple of judicial nominees, you stated: "It is critical to protect our democratic system of checks and balances." How in the world can a decision to allow a simple up or down vote on judicial nominees, be transformed into a major "democratic system" battle for everything we hold dear? Did I miss something in the past 200 years? You cited the use of the filibuster in the Abe Fortas nomination 37 years ago, but failed to indicate that Mr. Fortas was already on the Supreme Court. The filibuster was related to him becoming the Chief Justice, or elevation on the court and not appointment to the court. The attempted filibuster was defeated and cloture brought by a 3-1 margin! Hardly a comparison. Additionally, Senator Stabenow, you scare tactic of tying the potential loss of our precious Great Lakes water, to this filibuster is unconscionable. What I hear you saying is that the majority does not want to protect Michigan families. That's just plain wrong and such an attitude serves only to block any possible compromise.

I respectfully ask that you as an elected Senator from the State of Michigan, carry out your "advise and consent" responsibility in the Senate and allow an up or down vote on ALL the judicial nominees - not just 95%.

DOM

BUYING A CAR



I really dislike the whole process of buying a new car. The "dance" with a salesman you just met and don't really know, is detestable. The schpiel that seems to be non-stop, the smile that can't be authentic, can it? The tried and true statement: "I need to check with my manager" routine, or the line: "This is absolutely the best I can do - at least until a much lower written offer from another dealer is presented by you." It's a game, I guess, but I don't like it. I really don't mind the negotiating process in buying a home or even a large appliance for that matter. But the entire process of buying a car just feels strange. In fact, the whole process is uncomfortable and makes me feel deurty.

DOM

TULIP TIME


"Don't pick that tulip!"

Tulip Time has come and gone, along with the Junk Wagons and sound of wood on paved streets. It's always a great time of year because it ushers in spring...I think. We spent some time doing a "person on the street" shoot on Thursday afternoon. We grabbed as many people who were willing to share their thoughts on two questions:

1. When you hear the word "serve" what comes to mind?
2. In what ways could a church serve a community?

We had some interesting responses from a variety of people - young and old. What say you?

DOM(ineer)

IS IT DARKO TIME?



The Detroit Pistons find themselves down two games to one in their Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Indiana Thugs...rather, Pacers. Just a couple of things to comment on here:
1. Will someone tell Piston coach, Larry Brown, that there's no rule against using the bench in the playoffs...that would include the Pistons secret weapon. Yes, that's right, Darko Milicic. He is just waiting to breakout and be a star, and the playoffs will provide a platform for him -reminiscent of the "discovery" of Tayshaun Prince against Orlando two years ago.
2. What's up with Jermaine O'Neil? Is he incapable of smiling and enjoying getting paid alot of money to play a game? This guy has a real chip (see a previous post).
3. What's up with me even taking the time to blog about this stuff? Get a clue!

DOM(e) Chromie

CHIPS

Remember the 80's TV show: CHIPS? This entry has nothing to do with that, but I'm sure I'll get some hits from CHIPS fans. Welcome!

The CHIPS I'm talking about, are not California Highway Patrol officers who ride around on Harley Davidsons, they are chips of every size and shape that appear on people's shoulders - right or left. A well placed chip will constantly pull a person down, making him overly critical of things that are happening around him, and the people who interact with him. A chip seems to get larger over time, and extends its influence into many areas: home, church, school, neighborhood, social events, to name a few. They inflict damage, sometimes irreparable damage, without so much as a shrug of the proverbial shoulder. Chips expose weaknesses and are a direct result of those weaknesses and hurts we are living with. A chip will remain in place at long as the host/person makes a conscious decision to allow it to remain. Additionally, a chip will not remove itself. It can only be removed by its host.

Note of interest: Check out my friend Molly's blog when you have time.

Chip shot,
DOM

SCHEME IS #1

I call my awesome wife and mother of our 3 children - Scheme - because she always seems to be scheming. Her schemes have a profound effect on our schedule and my life, and I love it!

Scheme was the guest speaker on Mother's Day at Watermark Church. She did an incredible job and I'm so proud of her. She is not only a great mother, but she's also the very best wife. I am blessed.

Do yourself a favor and check out her Mother's Day message to the great folks at Watermark.
www.iamwatermark.com

DOM(E)

CHRISTMAS KIDS

Our small group plays dirty bingo every Christmas. Just over a year ago, the big gift of the evening were two figurines affectionately known as the Christmas Kids. These two characters have been passed around from couple to couple during the 16 months of their existence. They have ridden in a police cruiser on patrol, and were seen relaxing comfortably in the office waiting room of a local financial planner/adviser. They have been suspended precariously from the peaks of two dormers. They even made a surprise appearance out of state when they stowed away in a group member's duffle bag. They have their own email and express their thoughts and whereabouts frequently. The Christmas Kids have made the rounds. It's added a whole new diminsion of fun and laughter to our small group. Crazy? Yes! Fun? Always!

DOM(inique)

KAIROS

Kairos is Greek and comes from a word that means time. It's not about chronological time but rather God-given time - a holy time. Kairos speaks of a place where key choices and decisions are made. Sometimes Kairos is a direct result of a crisis or even a tragedy; sometimes it's more about a decision we're confronted with because of the circumstances we're faced with. Kairos is a key time in which we will make a decision that will have many future ramifications.

Have you faced such a time in your life - a kairos moment? I'd love to hear about it.

"A man is what he thinks about all day long." Emerson
"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Rom. 12:2
DOM(ino)

"START SPREADING THE NEWS"



This past week, I spent two great days in New York City. I love the city! I love the sights, the sounds, the smells, the traffic, and the people. I love being in a city where more people pass through a subway station (P enn Station) in a day, than live in the tri-cities area of West Michigan. I love watching people interact with each other, jostling for position in traffic and in the subway line to pass through the turnstiles. I love to see people from every race - people of every color and ethnicity, living together peacefully (for the most part). I love to experience worship in vibrant and alive churches in the city, like Brooklyn Tabernacle and Times Square Church. I love watching people react to the "bullhorn man" on the corner of 42nd and Broadway, as he exhorts people to repent and turn back to God. There are so many possibilities - so many opportunities - so much to experience - in New York City.

DOM(icile)