Am I entitled to healthcare?

Image by Army.mil via FlickrThis has been the issue that has irked me this election year (and well before that). Since when does my employer have an obligation to provide me health care benefits? Furthermore, when exactly did I become entitled to any benefits from my employer? Don't get me wrong, health care costs are ridiculous and those companies that provide it out of the goodness of their hearts and not because a union has kicked and screamed for it, I applaud you.

However, when the government and those running for office step in and say they are going to help the average Joe by making sure companies take care of their employees with health care benefits then I want to vomit. That's the road to socialism.

You see, I am healthy. I pay my own insurance premium. [-Warning: Sarcasm Alert!-]
So, why doesn't the government make my employer pay for my auto insurance, or provide me with a home. Isn't every American entitled to own their home? Then let's make "big old greedy business" buy those homes and pay off those cars for employees. How about it? Also, it's not enough that you give me vacation...I demand you pay for the expenses of where ever I choose to go.[-Sarcasm Complete-]

Ronald Regan said something along these lines..."if someone knocks at your door and says they’re from the government and here to help, RUN!" I couldn't agree more.

uugh...I can't wait until the election is here and college basketball returns.

Logos Bible Software Ref Tagger

Image via Wikipedia

A few weeks ago, I learned about a new tool for blogs that I like a lot. It is a Bible reference tagger put out by Logos Bible Software. It is completely free and works great. Plus, if you have the actual Bible software on your computer it integrates with that as well.

Logos is by far the top of the line when it comes to Bible software. Any seminary student would be thrilled to have it as a resource. Anyway, the reference tagger is a script you add to your blog template, then if you were to type a scripture reference into your blog post, the script automatically links that reference. Below is an example of what it looks like.

2 Timothy 3:10-17

So, if you reference scriptures very often this is a great tool to have. It works great and it's free You can get the ref tagger code here.

Boasting in the law

Image via WikipediaMy personality likes to have rules. If I know what is expected of me then I can hold up my end of the bargain. However, that also means that I expect you to hold up your end of the bargain as well. I like to have things spelled out up front.

Unfortunately this can be a disadvantage at times. It's easy to find my identity in boasting (even if it is to myself) about how good I am at following rules. I try not to think about all the rules I fail to follow though.

Yesterday I had the privilege to speak at a small Tennessee congregation. I spoke on Romans 4:1-5:21. It's all about following rules. That was the problem. The Apostle Paul points out that too many people are boasting about how well they follow the law, which puts them at risk of thinking God owes them something (eternal life) in return. Entitlement thinking is dangerous. Especially when keeping the whole law is impossible.

Yesterday reinforced my thinking when it comes to pointing fingers. I have nothing to boast about. I couldn't keep the law. Thankfully, God still chose me anyway.

Experiencing grace is hard for a person who gives attention to detail.