Choices are something most of us would have difficulty adjusting to having to do without. We are so accustom to having our choices. If they were to be taken away, we may get rather upset. But sometimes choices are given to get a foothold ...and once that is established, we will find ourselves with fewer choices.

We choose what food we like to eat, what TV we watch, what clothes we wear. We like to walk into a store that has more of a selection.  We want to be able to have a 30-ounce drink if we want, and to be able to celebrate by having an Egg McMuffin. 

We want to be able to decide whether we wear a helmet while riding a motorbike, and whether we can have a drink or two before taking that ride.

Other choices are more casual, but do also reveal some things about us.  Take the example of what sports team we favor. Some of us favor a team in our state or hometown.  Some of us pick our team according to who looks to have the most promise in a particular season.  Some of us like to choose the underdog. Some of us tend to change our team, if we feel the present one is not producing ...or we may just want a change of scenery.

About change ...when would you consider it time to change, and what are the criteria?

Some of us don't want change, we are usually content and satisfied.  Some of us always seem to want change ...viewing it as exciting, and progress.  Some of us find it difficult to change, but when we do get around for calling for it ...we want to change everything!!   Others of us find change difficult, but admit we need some change, though we shouldn't throw away the good with the bad.

I remember when there was consideration that Seafarer, originally known as Sanguine, may be constructed in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  It would be some sort of communication grid for submarines, or something like that.  The debate was between those who envisioned many jobs coming to the U.P., and of course the environmental concerns.  Many saw it as a great idea, but ..."Not in my back yard!"   The same happens when there is the issue of disposal of environmental waste ...what state actually wants it?  

I look at the "global warming" debate kind of that way ...we want to regulate it out of our country, but send our business to countries that care nothing about how they pollute.  So we prevent ourselves from polluting some, so others can go unleashed with reckless abandon.  And the folly of spending billions in this country on bringing awareness to various things, while financially bankrupting many through excessive regulation. How do we justify this??  We somehow convince ourselves that the environment at the polar regions are affected exclusively by the U.S., and not these other countries.

We use that same kind of logic when looking at ourselves as a Christian nation. We've often been well-fitted for that banner, though it no longer waves in the gentle breeze ...only by the smiles of those who claim it still exists.  Faded and torn, it could still hold that breeze ...but we put it in a closet, and take out other things to wave.