Saturday, February 2, 2013
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February 1, 2013
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I matter; my opinion - not so much!
If you are like me, you want to be relevant. I WANT to MATTER! Beyond that, I want to make an impact in people’s lives. I freely admit that I have NEVER gotten up in the morning and said, “Today, I wish to be completely irrelevant on every level.” Not me. Life’s too short for that.
Here’s what God is teaching me – and has been for a long time. HOW do I matter? In my “little world” the answer may surprise you. No, it is not preaching before hundreds (or more). No, it is not TV or position or influence publicly. That is a calling, and I love it, but that does not make me relevant.
We have this in common no matter how different our callings are. Mine is to be a Pastor/Teacher/Shepherd of a local church. Yours may be to be a teacher, businessman, homemaker, shop worker, or retiree. We have in common the desire to be relevant. The key question is – how do we do that? The biblical answer is to give our lives for the TRUTH.
Here’s the dilemma. We confuse OPINION with TRUTH. Not only are they NOT the same, they aren’t even close to equally important. I learned a long time ago that my opinion matters only to me, but truth matters to everyone. Therefore, I gave up on advancing my opinion completely and committed my life to advancing the TRUTH. That gives me relevance. Some people think relevance comes in advancing their opinion. It does not. Even further, God commands that we turn from our own opinion and embrace His TRUTH. It’s called “dying to self.” Yet, so many of us think that as Christians we “have the truth, so we need to speak.” NOT TRUE – GOD, and God alone, HAS THE TRUTH. So our calling is to advance HIS TRUTH. Speak HIS TRUTH!
Only in passing and with much hesitancy will I ever share my opinion. Two reasons – I have proven to myself so many times that I am very capable of being (often!) wrong. Also, my opinion matters far more to me that it does to anyone else on the planet, so I need to share my opinion mostly with the people that opinions matter to most – ME! Therefore, I talk to myself (kidding, or maybe not!).
Consider this – you have opinions – so do I – and they matter. But realize who they matter to most – YOU (or me!). What our friends need most, what others around us need most from us, is God’s TRUTH. You DO MATTER. God sent His Son to die for YOU! He redeemed you, loves you, cares for you and paid for your sins with the blood of His Son. You DO MATTER. But your (and my) opinion – not so much.
Our relevance in this world doesn’t depend on our opinion. Nobody else wants to hear it – they have one of their own. And God certainly doesn’t want to hear it – He already knows it and better yet, He already knows what is TRUTH regardless of our opinion. What makes us relevant is knowing and sharing His TRUTH!
So – what do I do? Know His TRUTH. Study His Word. Read His Word. That is TRUTH. Then – get relevant. Be more relevant. How? Tell others the TRUTH. Talk based on the TRUTH. Live based on the TRUTH – not your opinion.
Why? Because you ARE RELEVANT, to the degree that you share TRUTH. Your opinion – not so much.
For me – I want to matter. I want to be relevant. Therefore, I choose to live, know, and share TRUTH from God.
What is your choice?
Dr. Richard A. Powell
Senior Pastor
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Florida Native Plant Society Blog
Florida Needs Your Help
Posted: 01 Feb 2013 07:04 AM PST
Dear Friends and Native Plant Enthusiasts,
Protecting our waters, cherished natural areas and wildlife is fundamental to a healthy and vibrant Florida. It’s not too late to make 2013 the year in which you make a difference. How? By helping FNPS and Florida’s Water and Land Legacy Campaign place a critical conservation amendment on the November 2014 ballot.
Good karma will come back to those who gather signatures!
Given the glorious weather of late, it is no wonder there will be so many outdoor festivals in the coming months throughout Florida. These offer some of the most productive signature gathering opportunities that this campaign can benefit from. For this reason, we need volunteers now more than ever.
To put the Water and Land Conservation Amendment on the 2014 ballot, we will need to gather 480,000 signatures (in addition to those we’ve already collected); we have less than one year to make this happen. Right now, the most important thing you can do to protect our rivers, springs, beaches and the places you hold dear to your hearts is to volunteer.
You have a chance to make sure that state lawmakers continue to invest in conservation by:
Protecting clean water for people and wildlife,
Restoring important natural areas like the Everglades, and
Safeguarding our springs, among other magnificent treasures, for future generations to enjoy.
Florida needs your help. Please visit Florida’s Water and Land Legacy website to learn more about the campaign and consider signing up to volunteer today.
---
Articles by other news sources regarding this amendment (listed from most to least recent):
Florida Forever keeps flesh on Florida’s precious bones
Stand up for Florida Water and Land Legacy (page 15)
An amendment that is good for Florida
Graham backs new environmental land-buying amendment
Protecting the best of Florida
Green Florida
Proposed constitutional amendment would guarantee money for environment
A way to protect Florida’s treasures
Posted by Laurie Sheldon
~Leaders and organizations react to environmental items in Gov. Rick Scott's budget proposal~ Gov. Rick Scott Proposes $74.2 Billion Budget Tampa Bay Times
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
On the environment, Scott wants to steer more money into programs than in his two previous budgets by earmarking $75 million for the Florida Forever land-buying program and another $60 million for the state's share of Everglades restoration.
"It's starting to put environmental spending back on track where it used to be,'' said Eric Draper of Audubon of Florida. "Gov. Scott is starting to make the environment a priority. This does seem like a different Gov. Scott. We're seeing his office listening more."
What They’re Saying: Rick Scott’s $74.2 Billion Agenda ‘Is All About Growth’ Sunshine State News
The Florida Forever Coalition said, “The governor’s Florida Forever budget recommendation is a positive step forward for Florida. His $75 million recommendation puts Florida Forever back on the right track. With the economy recovering, it is important to allocate funds to preserve our state’s natural areas and protect the places that make Florida special. We look forward to working alongside the governor this legislative session to advocate for the appropriation of funds for Florida Forever.”
Florida Governor Scott’s Budget Brings Cheers For Environmental Items The News-Press
With $75 million earmarked for the Florida Forever land buying program and another $60 million for the Everglades, Scott’s spending blueprint met with applause Thursday from environmentalists encouraged by a seeming re-commitment to their causes.
Environmentalists say they will watch to see where the money comes from but at first blush are encouraged at funding levels of Florida Forever and the Everglades , which have been hit hard by recent tough fiscal times.
“This is really good news on both fronts,” said Eric Draper Executive Director of Audubon Florida. “It’s the first time in several years that we will see over $130 million in potential funding for both these programs.”
Scott’s budget breakdown: Courts & Environment Orlando Sentinel
Scott’s budget proposal includes $60 million for Everglades restoration, an increase of $30 million from last year’s appropriation.
The proposal matches a budget request from the Everglades Foundation, which said more money was critical to enact a water quality plan that was agreed upon by the state and federal government.
“We strongly support his recommendation to provide $60 million for Everglades restoration,” said Eric Eikenberg, Everglades Foundation Chief Executive Officer. “We appreciate the governor’s commitment to Everglades restoration and we believe the Florida Legislature will more than match his recommendation. “
The environmental budget also calls for $75 million for the Florida Forever program, a $66 million increase, to buy environmentally sensitive lands.
Budget: Governor Requests More Money For Conservation Land-buying, Everglades Restoration The Florida Current
Some environmental groups praised what they said was the governor's new commitment to land-buying. Scott vetoed spending for land buying in 2011 before requesting $15 million in 2012.
"It feels like we have turned a corner with Governor Scott," said Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida and chairman of the Florida Forever Coalition. "This budget seems to be a good environmental budget."
The budget request also includes $25 million for beach restoration, $19 million for state park improvements, $6 million for springs protection, and $3 million for Apalachicola River stormwater projects and a flow study.
Everglades Foundation Applauds Scott’s Budget Proposals The Florida Independent
The Everglades Foundation, a nonprofit environmental group, has come out in support of Gov. Rick Scott’s recent budget proposals, which include a recommendation to the state Legislature that it invest $40 million next year on Everglades restoration.
The number is a significant increase from Scott’s first budget, in which he recommended spending only $17 million.
Last month, Scott told a crowd of Everglades Foundation supporters in Naples that his administration is “absolutely focused on making sure the right thing happens with the Everglades.”
“We know Gov. Scott has to face tough choices in making his budget recommendations,” said Everglades Foundation CEO Kirk Fordham in a press release. “The fact that Gov. Scott is willing to more than double his previous request for Everglades funding, demonstrates his understanding that protecting the Everglades and our water supply is a necessary ingredient to growing our state’s economy.”
Scott's $74.2 Billion State Budget Draws Measured Support From Area Lawmakers Naples Daily News
While the dollars for education may be one of the highlights of Scott's budget, the spending plan also called for spending more on key environmental programs, such as the Florida Forever land-buying program and Everglades restoration.
About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The Department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally-sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. To view the Department’s website log on to www.dep.state.fl.us.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Now it's Stalingrad....What Next Mr "More Flexable" Obama?
News from The Associated Press
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_RUSSIA_STALINGRAD?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-01-31-06-54-20
I got a new dog
I'm not big on assault rifles but I believe everyone should be able to own a gun to protect themselves if they want to. This is not anything political but something I found to be funny no matter what your political beliefs are. Take it for what it is.
I got a new guard dog to guard my house. He was a little more than I thought I should pay.
But, I think when word gets out, we'll be a relatively crime-free neighborhood.
The nice part is he is only a year old and already fully trained.
For your safety, you might want to call the house if you're coming over!
If you delete this without sending it to at least one friend,
you're probably a Democrat.
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