The final part of my series Patriotism, Politics, and Poop

And the final "P" in my 3 part series...poop. I know that most of you have just been scrolling

down past the previous two posts just looking for an Abram update. So here it is. He is still doing great. Don't know his current weight, but I'll tell you this...it's not going down. His cheeks are at least twice as big as they were last week...very fun for squeezing. And with all this weight he's gaining, he has to be setting new records for diapers used in one day. I think Shea is talking to him while I'm off at work and telling him how I'm cheap. So now I am pretty sure he is intentionally waiting until I've just put a new diaper on him and then immediately filling it up. But regardless, Shea and I absolutely love him!

In an ideal world, a baby would poop when its diaper was securely fastened about its bottom. But not my baby. He likes to go right in the middle of changing time, when his diaper is off and the world is his to explode upon. ~Stephen Altrogge Abram in mid diaper change

And everything is all better

The second in a three-part series...Patriotism, Politics, and Poop

Politics. I have an interest in politics, mainly because most places I look, I see it being done so wrongly. Of course, votes or public policy positions regarding matters of morality are fairly easy to distinguish. But aside from that, what truly drives my thinking is big government versus small government. The MS Center for Public Policy lists 10 governing principles. I will discuss 2 of them.

"Government exists to protect rights, not to create them" - The Declaration of Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men... Government should "secure" rights, not create them. Unalienable rights require nothing from anyone else, except respect. Compare this with the current thought that it is my "right" to free healthcare. I won't even try to go into all of the complexities and enforcement and regulators and agencies necessary to provide this "right." And providing that for me will most certainly require something from others...their money! Is such an idea a product of big government or small government?

"Individuals are ultimately responsible for governing themselves and for the consequences of their decisions" - This principle basically speaks to the need for personal responsibility. Due to the US government enabling this kind of thinking, many Americans today depend on government programs for income, housing, healthcare, and education. Food and and shelter are no longer the product of hard work but are viewed as "rights," "or "entitlements." I know it's easy to say this and point the finger when I've never had to skip a meal or sleep on the streets, but even in those situations, there is still personal responsibility. As an aside, churches and other private charities have proven over and over to be far more effective at lending aid than the government can ever do. Again, big government or small government...

You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves. ~Abraham Lincoln

The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' ~Ronald Reagan

The first in a three-part series...Patriotism, Politics, and Poop

Well, despite my best creative efforts to design a blog that measures up to those of our friends, I do believe, "failed" is the word that comes to mind. I guess that's why I'm an accountant...no creativity required. What was red and blue all over without a hint of Ole Miss on it? Daniel and Shea's blog! Well, not any longer. Which leads me to my first P...Patriotism.

I've read three military history books this year (Flags of our Fathers, Flyboys, and Don't Tread on Me). Reading these, as well as reflecting on what's going on in the world today, has really reminded me that even in 2007 America still needs Patriots. I'm not planning on dressing up like Mel Gibson anytime soon, but the fight for our freedom still exists. These books have also really helped me to be more mindful of all that I have to be thankful for as an American. So many people throughout history have sacrificed so I can enjoy the America that exists today. I desire to live a life that honors that sacrifice. Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free. ~Ronald Reagan

Go Dogs!

Call it a coincidence, but we couldn't help but notice that since September 6, 2007, when Abram arrived, the Bulldogs are 2-0. Now last week he was a little out of it, but he still propelled the Dogs on to victory, but yesterday, Abram jumped right in and yelled at the TV with his dad, which obviously helped to finish off Auburn. So, beware Gardner-Webb. MSU has "Superfan!"

Introducing Abram Michael Scarbrough

In Psalm 8, David seeks to give unto God the glory due to his name. “How majestic is Your name in all the earth!” How bright this glory shines even in this lower world! But how much brighter it shines in the upper world! We, on this earth, only hear God's excellent name, and we praise that. The angels and blessed spirits above can see his glory, and they praise that. Yet he is exalted far above even their blessing and praise.

The grace of God appears wonderfully in small children. How amazing that the most frail and delicate little thing can reflect God’s glory in such an enormous way! Verse 2 states, “from the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise.” And as Shea and I sit and watch his tiny lips move about as he makes all of his funny little expressions, there is no other response but to praise our God and give glory to His name.

We couldn’t be more thankful for this precious gift in our lives.

(Footnote - Paragraph 1 appears courtesy of the Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary, and thanks to Shea's mom and dad for holding Abram while Shea sleeps and I blog.)

Today is September 5, 2007. This blog was created for the events of September 6, 2007, which will include, among other things, the arrival of our first child, Abram Michael Scarbrough. As we have not met him yet, the only picture we can offer is his sonogram. MUCH more to follow I'm sure...much, much more.