New Directions

I have not been blogging in a while. I guess I just got caught up in the mechanics of life and the blog took a definite back seat! However, I hope to change that now. I have a lot of changes coming in my life and I really want to reconnect with the audience I once enjoyed. Some changes are good and some changes not so good. Sometimes we have fear of the new and sometimes we run headlong into the unknown so excited about the prospect of change that we forget to take precautions! I tend to favor the slow calculated changes that are well thought out and developed. However, no matter who you are or what you believe definite change is around the corner and that fact will not change! Change is continuous and constant, you can choose to lead it or be led by it. So, please stay tuned for more updates and blogs and some new changes. May we all be better prepared for the changes that are in store for us!

Matthew Hilley

My Thoughts on the Governor Sanford Situation

I have been thinking carefully ever since I got the news about Gov. Sanford’s affair; about what I would say and really about how I felt personally. First, let me say that tension is high and people feel very strongly about this situation. From the comments and debating I have been hearing almost non-stop since the news broke, people seem to be divided into two main groups. They either think that he is horrible and worthless or they say the pressure of office got to him, he made a mistake and we have to forgive. I have heard people say that his personal life doesn’t affect his job and others say his personal life is reflected in his job. After hearing all the comments back and forth and after having several discussions with people from around the state, this is what I think.
Mark Sanford is a normal human being, not a god, an idol or perfect person. He is capable of falling and he has. So have we all at some point. What he has done is very wrong and has hurt a lot of people, most of all his family. He made the decision to have the affair. He was not forced into doing this and you can’t say it happened to him because of the pressure of his job or anything else. The responsibly is on his shoulders and his alone. The devil didn’t make him do it, and God didn’t allow him to do it. Governor Sanford chose to do it. Having said that, there is and should be a path of forgiveness with his family, the people of this state and with God. I urge anyone to be careful in tearing down everything the man has ever done because of this and I also caution people about being so hateful in your opinions and criticisms of him. He has done wrong and betrayed a sacred trust. He will have to pay for his actions for years to come even if he is forgiven by everyone. We should pray for him and his family, the other lady involved and for our state as a whole. I think a person’s personal life is just that. However, when you are in business of being elected to serve the people you give up a certain amount of your personal life willingly. Personal life does affect your public life and your job and the same is true in reverse.
I think Mark Sanford has done a great job as Governor. He has been a champion for fiscal and social conservatism. I voted for him twice. He has made a huge mistake and tonight I will pray for him and all parties involved because that is all I can do. In the coming days everyone will debate every detail of this story and the chain of events to follow. I urge everyone to please be civil and respectful during this time. Remember, he has a family and they will and can be hurt by people being disrespectful. Personally I am very disappointed and hurt by what has happened. I hope that we as a state can move past this without destroying anyone in the process. For what it is worth, you now know my thoughts! God Bless us all!

Matthew Hilley

Obstinate Father

*Let me preface the body of this blog by stating that my son Michael is 5 years old.

I got home just a little while ago from a dinner with friends. The family and I were spending some time together in the living room before it was time for Michael to go to bed. He and I had just finished giving each other some love and he was going to his room for his bible reading before bed. I told him that when he was finished with the bible reading, to come back and give me some more love. He told me “I already gave you night love”. I told him, I know that but daddy is stingy when it comes to love and I want more! My 5 year old son looked at me with such a serious look and said, ”I know that daddy because you are obstinate”. I was nearly blown away. I told my wife to look up the word right away. Not only did he use a word that we haven’t ever used around him that I can remember, he used it perfectly per the conversation we were having! If he was older, it wouldn’t have been such a shocker. I have always thought he was bright for his age and a little ahead of the curve, but to me this seemed a little far out. I know this isn’t breaking news or informative in any way to most people. However, I just wanted to share this tender moment that the whole family had a good laugh over. My son got it exactly right; when it comes to getting love from him I am the obstinate father! Not your typical 5 year old vocabulary.

Matthew Hilley


1 : perversely adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion (obstinate resistance to change)2 : not easily subdued, remedied, or removed.
synonyms OBSTINATE , STUBBORN , PERTINACIOUS , MULISH mean fixed and unyielding in course or purpose. OBSTINATE implies usually an unreasonable persistence (an obstinate proponent of conspiracy theories) tenacious and unwavering persistence. STUBBORN implies sturdiness in resisting change which may or may not be admirable (a person too stubborn to admit error). PERTINACIOUS suggests an annoying or irksome persistence (a pertinacious salesclerk refusing to take no for an answer). MULISH implies a thoroughly unreasonable obstinacy (a mulish determination to have his own way).

This definition was copied and pasted from www.merriam-webster.com

In God We Trust?

It is printed on the currency of this Nation and it is our Country’s motto, but do we really understand what it means or what it truly stands for? “In God We Trust”, is much more than a catch phrase or a motto, it is something you have to believe in and something you have to feel. Most people in our country claim to believe in God, but can you truly believe in God if you really don’t Trust Him? By default if you believe He exists then you have to believe He is in control. If you believe He is in control then you must trust Him. The problem today isn’t apathy, Atheists, greed or any number of other blemishes on our national character it is the believers not trusting God. In God We Trust means knowing and believing through faith that God will take care of us and do everything He has promised to do.
We live in a time of many trials and tribulations and it is so easy to lay blame and moan and groan about everything from the steps of Congress to the base of the Pulpit! However, in most cases of sin, wrong-doing or bad situations the blame usually starts on our front porch and move outward. We have to start repairing the damage in this country, our communities and this world by restoring our homes and our families and our lives. We have to Trust in God. We have to “Fight the Good Fight” and do what is right even when everything else is going wrong! We have to fight every day against evil and sin and mean spirited people. We need to rise up and start practicing what so many of us preach! It’s not about just you; it is about you as a part of them. It is about me, as a part of you. We must work together and rebel against the low expectations of Christians in this country. We much start a revolution that will change the course of the direction of this country.
God is real! I know this. However, so many people in this country don’t believe. So many refuse to believe because of the lack of good examples of what a truly changed by God life looks like! Not because He doesn’t change lives but because we hide the changes from others. If God blesses you then everyone around you should know it! Don’t fear the reactions! Don’t fear the mean stares! Don’t fear the tiny people who would have you believe that your mind is enslaved by religion because you know that God exists. “In God We Trust” if only We Trust in God! Trust Him and He will work miracles right before your very eyes. If you choose not to, then the outcome will be your only reward. May my God continue to bless this nation.


Matthew T. Hilley
Dec. 27, 2008 3:29 am

Granny!

Last night at around 1:45 am I got a call from my aunt Carol Lee telling me that my grandmother had just passed away. For those of you who didn’t know; my Granny has been in a nursing home for almost a decade. She had Alzheimer's disease and had lost control of most of her normal bodily function long ago. She was put under the care of Hospice for the 5th time a few days ago. She held on to this world longer than most in her condition. Her passing is something I personally have prayed about for many years. My Granny was a beautiful and wonderful woman who loved her family very much. She was a loving Christian and a true blessing to be around. When I was in Iraq in 2003-2004 I felt sure that she would pass away while I was thousands of miles away and I would not even get to attend her funeral. Today, I helped plan her funeral and pick out her casket. I stood and sat beside my aunt today taking part in a very hard process. Today I helped make decisions about what music would be played and how things would be handled. Today I held in my tears and pain so that I could be the voice of reason and the protector of family. Last night I cried! After I cried I prayed and after I prayed I cried some more. I didn’t expect that! I thought I had resolved that issue long ago. My Granny has been gone for a long time and I wanted her to pass! I wanted her not to suffer and to go be with Jesus! I was happy that she left us last night but my heart still hurts! I realize that life is so very precious and that we are here but for a moment. When I went to bed last night at around 4:00 am I put my 5 year old son in the bed with me and my wife. I held him tight and I faded away. This story has no point that I really wanted to make and it has no grand ending. I just wanted to take the time to honor my Granny and to let you all know that I loved her very much. I thank God for the moments I had with her!

In Honor of my Grandmother (Granny) Helen Dorothy Russell Sanders Payne
July 22, 1931 – Nov. 20, 2008

Your Loving Grandson
Matthew T. Hilley

Political Halloween

Well, the weather has gotten cooler, and the political races have gotten tighter. It is Halloween and nothing could be as scary as the prospect of your candidate, the person you support and worked so hard for coming up on the short end of the ballot. Around this time every couple of years people start to really buckle down politically speaking and start the doom and gloom speech that proves very effective to their own base. What will it be like if we lose? What will our Country, State, County or City do if this person is in control for the next how ever long?
Well, I offer up to you a glimmer of hope and a ray of sunshine no matter who you pull for or what side you are on. You may think the other guy is the Devil, the Anti-Christ or just plain stupid. However, our Country and our collective values as a nation will survive! This masterful work of art that we call the United States of America is stronger than any one President, Administration or Congress. I am equally as sure that your town, district or state will survive as well. We need to remember two things once this election is over. One, we will be OK in the end because God is in control above all else. Second, nothing is settled because anyone or any party has won or lost a single election. It may seem like the end of the world or the beginning of a new day but in the end it is another battle won or lost that will take the back seat to the next fight! On Nov. 5, 2008 I encourage you to celebrate if you’ve won and mourn if you’ve lost but on Nov. 6, 2008 I encourage everyone to look forward and prepare for the next chapter in American history. We are writing this story as we go along and we owe it to our children to continue on the path that will lead them to a better world!
This Country is so great because we as a people fight so hard to make it that way. Left or Right, Conservative or Liberal we all hope for a brighter future and a stronger America! As long as we continue to debate and compromise with a pure heart our Country will always win in the end.
So, take time out tonight to make this holiday about the kids and remember that everything starts at home! Enjoy the night, get plenty of treats and keep the tricks to a minimum. Tomorrow we will be in full swing and ready to push it beyond our limits for this election. We will do our best and we will win some and lose some. Then we will move on. Stay involved, Stay informed and remember the reason we care so much!

Happy Halloween to You All!!

Matthew Hilley

Grand Opening of ACGOP Headquarters was a Huge Success!

The Anderson County Republican Party held a Grand Opening Party on Sept. 4th and it was a huge success! Our new facility finally opened its doors the other night and we had around 130 people stop by for the festivities. Everyone got to enjoy free barbeque donated by Creekside Barbeque and a vast display of delicious desserts provided by the Republican Women. We had a great time and had the opportunity to meet a lot of new people. Later, we all watched McCain’s acceptance speech on Fox News. I would like to publicly thank all those who had a hand in planning for this event. Everyone’s hard word and dedication really paid off. The Anderson County Republican Party is known for its hard work and dedication. I would also like to offer a special thanks to Kurt at Creekside Barbeque! If you are interesting in coming by and picking up some campaign materials or would like to get involved, feel free to stop by. For more information you can call or email me or call HQ at 864-225-3125. We are located at 807 S. Murray Ave. in Anderson, right across from Duke Energy.

Matthew
(A special shout-out to the wonderful group of Clemson students that came out!)

Bill Maher is an Idiot!

Yes, I know it is a strongly worded title and I know one shouldn’t resort to name calling but frankly sometimes you have to call things as they are! Bill’s comments about Gov. Palin’s youngest child were rude, disrespectful, mean-spirited, irresponsible and down right stupid. Bill on his show called Gov. Palin some very disrespectful names in his quest to get people to laugh. I found them rude and not funny but that doesn’t bother me because I understand it is just comedy and he is trying to appeal to a certain crowd. However, when he brought Gov. Palin’s 5 month old son into the joke and then said “her infant” that she had at the age of 43 with Down syndrome, looks a lot like John Edwards that was enough to fire up any decent person! How dare someone bring her innocent child into this campaign and then heartlessly make fun or light of the fact that her child is a special needs child! That was and is probably the most disgusting thing I have ever heard in a politically campaign. Bill Maher should apologize immediately for the cold hearted remarks that he made! I have included a link to the You Tube video here so you can hear for yourself the trash that he spews.
It doesn’t matter what side of politics you are on, wrong is still wrong. This kind of behavior has no place in the public forum. It benefits no one and only hurts and causes division. I like Gov. Palin politically. It someone else doesn’t that is fine. However we should always have a common decent respect for one another no matter how much we disagree.

Matthew