Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. St. Luke 18:1 NIV

I'm not breaking this one. If I get it a 1000 times, I will share it a 1000 more times! Of all the gifts you could give a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, & others deployed in harm's way, prayer is the very best one. Say a prayer for our troops around the world.

The Prayer: 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'

America is not a place where people live rather it has become a place where people work! Maybe America’s lack of family and friend connections and apathy towards one another is probably not a big surprise to many, I want you to realize just how bad this situation really is? Has anyone witnessed how poorly friendships and relationships are maintained? Have people you once considered as your closest friends, become an irrelevant part of your life lately? How are friendships and relationships given such a low place on the totem pole?

Is this simply a part of our human nature or is it the society in which we live in, that causes such behavior? Personally, having traveled to other countries, I believe that this phenomenon is mostly a result of American values. Instant gratification is such an important part of the American psyche that having to drive 10 - 15 or 20 minutes to see an old friend is viewed as an inconvenience.

Who really has the time or how many are willing to take the time? We are so busy with our own work lives and schedules, that we don’t have time to eat right, exercise, or properly manage our finances. So you see with all of these things going on, there is definitely no time for “Interpersonal Connections”. Some people expect from others, things that they don’t even expect from their own-selves. Things such as fairness, sacrifice, compromise, commitment, loyalty and trust.

May we continue to seize this opportunity to bring about True Change in America, land of the free home of the brave! One Nation.....Under God Indivisible With Liberty.....And Justice For All.

Peace & Blessings
Dr. Matthew A. Barber
ibg_intl@hotmail.com