It seems like it's been ages since I sat down and actually wrote something on here longer than just a caption for a picture or a quick story. It's not that I haven't had anything to say. It's mainly just finding the time to sit down and try to articulate the stream of consciousness into something readable.

It seems that our country has literally lost its collective mind. I realize it's only half the country, but it's the half that controls the majority of media, and for now at least, controls the government. But to watch the news every day and see our nation sink further and further into the most oppressive, government-run, anti-capitalistic society of my lifetime is unsettling. If I allow myself too much contemplation, it's downright terrifying.

Yes, the United States does go back and forth between liberal and conservative leadership on a pretty regular basis. Obama's reign of teleprompted incompetence will draw to an end, hopefully sooner rather than later. But what will be left of this country when it does?

We are being led by a man who is more afraid of Fox News than Mahmoud Ahmadenijad. Who entertains the idea that returning Iraqi veterans are as much a terror threat as Muslim extremists. Who believes that it is proper for the government to take over failing industries rather than allow bankruptcy to take its course and weed out the companies that need weeding. Who actually believes that the way to help the poor is by taxing everyone into equal standing rather than allow businesses the freedom to grow and make money so that jobs are available. A man that seems to see America as one of the biggest problems in the world rather than a great nation with the ability to promote peace and liberty to people of all nations. Who seeks to weaken our national defense in an effort to appease those who have no understanding of what is necessary to keep our citizens safe. It is mind-boggling.

I've tried to pray for President Obama. I do pray that he will be awakened to the great danger he is putting us in, from both foreign threats and economic ones. I pray that he will not be given enough leash to allow him to put us in a place from which we can not recover. But it truly feels like each day brings a new dose of depressing news. It's only been 100 days. At least 1360 to go.

But I actually didn't open this post to discuss the state of the union. I opened it to draw attention to the work of Compassion International in India this past week. Many of you have been following the bloggers, but if you haven't, please check out Melissa, Pete, Angela, Robin and Anne.

As I've read their entries and vicariously traveled through the slums of India with them, I've just sat and wept. Because I remember. I remember what it is like to think that your heart can not stand to see anything more or it will quite possibly break in two. And I remember how startling it is to find great joy in the midst of utter depravity. To wonder how someone with nothing can seem to have everything they need. To cry out to God and question why? Why was I brought up in the relative lap of luxury when so many live lives like these?

I have said it before, and I now remind myself that ignorance is no longer an excuse. I can't pretend that I don't know these things exist. And neither can you. Christ did not suggest to us that we help the poor when we can. He commanded us to do it. It goes to the very core of what he preached. Put others first. Love your neighbor as yourself. Feed my sheep.

Do I think everyone should sacrifice a vacation and go on a mission trip? Yes, actually, I do. Because when we stay in this culture of stuff and never take the opportunity to stare reality in the face, it is far too easy to pretend that everyone lives the way we do. I've only been back from India a couple of months, and it doesn't take long for me to get sucked back in here and there to wishing I had this or that my furniture didn't look so worn or whatever the fleeting thought of the day may be. For this reason, I long to live in India. There. I do. I want my children to grow up with the awareness that American living is unique so that they won't ever take what God has blessed them with for granted.

I want to make a difference. I'm commanded to make a difference. And so are you.

I'm completely plagiarizing a quote from Pete Wilson's blog, but if you've already read it, it is well worth reading again.

“Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it.”

“Well, why don’t you ask Him?”

“Because I’m afraid He would ask me the same question.”

Get up and do something. If you need an idea, I'm sure Compassion International would love to have you.