Senator Ted Kennedy

For all his failings, he is a testimony to the old saying, "God isn't through with me yet," and another from the Bible, "...for we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God." For his personal failings, he sought forgiveness and was forgiven by the One who counts--our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Regardless of what your opinion of him and regardless of your judgment of him, Google his name and you will see the worthwhile accomplishments of him and the Kennedy family. He deserves our respect for what he accomplished, for his work ethic, and for being a champion of the downtrodden. At least he did something for the country he loved and he could fight for a cause on the Senate floor and remain friends with his adversaries. The fact that there were well-known Republicans among his circle of friends is a testimony to him as a person, I think, more than as a senator.

As for me, I recognized his failings a long time ago and was one of many who thought he should have served time for not reporting the death of Mary Jo Kopechne until hours later. But, in spite of that scourge and others on his reputation, I have seen him claw his way back and he was always a patriot. For that I wish eternal peace for him and peace for the members of his family.

Philip Cameron Ministries and the Girls from Moldova

On August 26, 2009, I attended a worship service at Frazer United Methodist Church featuring the "Girls from Moldova." What a blessing and inspiration for those of us fortunate enough to attend!

Philip Cameron Ministries sponsored these girls and they have traveled throughout the United States telling their stories of how they ended up in orphanages and how the Camerons have given them a better life. Until the Camerons came on the scene, they had no hope and had never been told about Christ. We learned that once the girls have "aged out" of the orphanages, they run the risk of being sold for sex.

In Moldolva orphaned girls are considered the dregs of society. One of the girls sang a most beautiful song, entitled "Orphans of God." Some of the lyrics are, "There are no strangers, there are no outcasts, there are no orphans of God." What a powerful message!

Also on the program were the Wesley Pritchard Singers from Fayetteville, North Carolina. If you have ever watched a Gaithers Gospel program, you have probably seen Wesley Pritchard's name listed on the credits. He arranges the harmony and produces many of the Gaithers' programs.

Homes called "Stella Houses" have been built to house these girls. While they were in Fayetteville, NC, an attorney generously made up the $100,000 difference needed to establish the fourth Stella House. Many Montgomery dentists and ophthalmologists provided free care and treatment for the girls while they were here.

The Camerons have a retreat near Ramer called "Brigadoon," (in honor of their native Scotland, I'm sure) and a link to their ministry can be found online under philipcameronministries.com.

The GOP, Limbaugh and Palin

How dare anyone compare our President--or any President of the United States--to Adolph Hitler! Rush Limbaugh, a pompous pill-popping loudmouth who has nothing better to do than incite the American public with his lies and innuendos, makes me want to heave. And Sarah Palin, a woman who 'gee, golly, I can see Russia from my back door"? As soon as she and her husband are being investigated, she bales out as Governor of "Alas-KA." Just imagine if she had been elected VP--and she quit and left McCain high and dry when things got tough. Death panel? Where does she get this stuff? What is so disturbing is the fact that there are people out there who actually believe these people!

What is being proposed is no bloody different than an Advance Directive or Living Will as we know it. Is anyone so ignorant that they would believe this President and this Congress would tell people how to die? Where did McCain find this dingbat?

I know one thing: I have voted for Republicans in my day; never voted for one party. But the GOP has done it for me. In 2004 when there was no clear choice for President, I didn't pull the lever for either. If the only models the GOP can claim are the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and Glenn Beck, they are in a world of hurt and they have gotten my last vote.

And, yes, I voted for President Obama and Vice President Biden and have never regretted it.