The Christian life is filled with hills and valley's, good times and hard times, much like any other life. The difference is in how one deals with it. From my Christian standpoint, I don't stand around blaming some distant god, or some rich person, for my trials. I pray to God, and struggle onward. If you actually read the New Testament, Jesus doesn't promise his followers riches on earth, nor does he promise easy times. He tells us we'll be reviled because of him. That others will persecute us for His name. He also tells us to trust in Him, and the Father. Seek first the Kingdom of God... If your pastor is telling you only riches and happiness, run for the hills. and READ for yourself what Christ said.
I've been in a valley for some time. I thought I'd reached the bottom. Not even close. I face a prolonged trial. I struggle against my worldly 'self', trying not to despair. I still find reasons for joy every day, but my despair is never far away. Maybe it's a trial, I don't know. Yet, I will move ahead, not matter what comes. It's just that it's hard, sometimes. You're going along somewhat smoothly, then the bottom drops out. You hit what you think is the bottom. It's rocky, and strewn with the wreckage of your now former life, but you continue on, knowing that you'll get out. Then, the bottom drops again. It works on your Faith, tempting you to renounce. Never! I will trust in His reasons, and move forward.
Prayer is the answer. Friends are, as well. Much counsel is found in good and trusted friends. Yet, I withdraw. I see change on the horizon. Change I may not want, but also that I have no choice but to roll with. Maybe I got too comfortable, I don't know. How drastic will the change be? How much will I lose? Unknown as well. The material things mean nothing. Oh they're nice and all, but still, just things. As we get older, we like change less. It's harder to deal with. Then again, what choice do we have? I'll not sit down and whine and pewl over it. Life is about moving forward. That's what I will do. Do I tilt at windmills? Maybe. Do I trust in God? Definitely. Onward, then.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
It was the Power, Stupid!
Victor Davis Hanson is always a good read. This column is no different. You do, however, need an attention span longer than 30 seconds. It's worth the read:
I. Power — Always Was and Always Will Be
In my dumber days, between 2001-2008, I used to wonder why the Left relentlessly hammered the war on terror (e.g., renditions, tribunals, predators, preventative detention, Patriot Act, intercepts, wiretaps, Guantanamo Bay) when these measures had not only proven quite useful in preventing another 9/11-like attack, but had been sanctioned by both the Congress and the courts. In those ancient times, I was not as cynical as I am now. So I assumed that Harold Koh and MoveOn.org, though mistaken, were worried about civil liberties, or measures that they felt were both illegal and without utility.
But, of course, the Obama (who attacked each and every element of the war on terror as a legislator and senator) Left never had any principled objection at all. Instead, whatever Bush was for, they were in Pavlovian fashion against. I can say that without a charge of cynicism, because after January 2009, Obama embraced or expanded every Bush-Cheney protocol that he inherited. In response, the anti-war Left simply kept silent, or indeed vanished, or went to work extending the anti-terrorism agenda. Guantanamo Bay, in other words, was a national sin until the mid-morning of January 20, 2009.
II. The Year 4
We are in the year four of our lord, when darkness was made light, the seas gently receded, and the planet cooled. In the space of 24 hours in January 2009 the world was turned upside down: massive deficits were no longer “unpatriotic”; 5% (heck, even 9%) unemployment was no longer to be seen as a “jobless recovery”; $4 plus gasoline no longer would become “intolerable.” [1] Filibusters suddenly became ossified obstructionism. Recess appointments were now quite legitimate; lecturing the media about the myth of objective fairness was salutary. Pay-for-play time with the president was consulting; attacking the “unelected” courts was progressive. Voter fraud was not thugs eyeing polling monitors with clubs, but officials asking voters to present a picture ID — and mentioning any of these inconsistencies or writing about the Trostky-ization of American life was either racism or Palinism.
Around March 2008, the Ministry of Truth had issued new edicts about campaign financing,big Wall Street money [2], and the supposedly pernicious role of contributions: all bad if Bush trumped Kerry, all now good if Obama trumped McCain. So when Obama became the first candidate in the history of the law to renounce public campaign financing in order to shake down $1 billion, there was silence. The Left never really worried about Big Money, but only if more Big Money went to conservatives than to themselves. (Consider the current shameless money grubbing of Jon Corzine to raise cash for Obama [3] after Corzine’s looting of thousands of individuals’ lifetime investments, or the shrillness over Mitt Romney’s supposed mansion in La Jolla juxtaposed to the prior silence about the Kerry mansions, the multiple Gore residences, or “John’s room,” as in the huge and crass Edwards estate.) What was interesting about Hilary Rosen was not her stupid thoughts on Ann Romney, but hercursus honorum that led to hired-gun riches by parlaying political contacts into commerce.
There's more, and worth the read. Double standards are easy to find. All one has to do is open ones eyes. They're quite glaring. Of course, since it's the One and his Administration, it's racist to point that out. Just ask any lefty, and they'll confirm it.
I. Power — Always Was and Always Will Be
In my dumber days, between 2001-2008, I used to wonder why the Left relentlessly hammered the war on terror (e.g., renditions, tribunals, predators, preventative detention, Patriot Act, intercepts, wiretaps, Guantanamo Bay) when these measures had not only proven quite useful in preventing another 9/11-like attack, but had been sanctioned by both the Congress and the courts. In those ancient times, I was not as cynical as I am now. So I assumed that Harold Koh and MoveOn.org, though mistaken, were worried about civil liberties, or measures that they felt were both illegal and without utility.
But, of course, the Obama (who attacked each and every element of the war on terror as a legislator and senator) Left never had any principled objection at all. Instead, whatever Bush was for, they were in Pavlovian fashion against. I can say that without a charge of cynicism, because after January 2009, Obama embraced or expanded every Bush-Cheney protocol that he inherited. In response, the anti-war Left simply kept silent, or indeed vanished, or went to work extending the anti-terrorism agenda. Guantanamo Bay, in other words, was a national sin until the mid-morning of January 20, 2009.
II. The Year 4
We are in the year four of our lord, when darkness was made light, the seas gently receded, and the planet cooled. In the space of 24 hours in January 2009 the world was turned upside down: massive deficits were no longer “unpatriotic”; 5% (heck, even 9%) unemployment was no longer to be seen as a “jobless recovery”; $4 plus gasoline no longer would become “intolerable.” [1] Filibusters suddenly became ossified obstructionism. Recess appointments were now quite legitimate; lecturing the media about the myth of objective fairness was salutary. Pay-for-play time with the president was consulting; attacking the “unelected” courts was progressive. Voter fraud was not thugs eyeing polling monitors with clubs, but officials asking voters to present a picture ID — and mentioning any of these inconsistencies or writing about the Trostky-ization of American life was either racism or Palinism.
Around March 2008, the Ministry of Truth had issued new edicts about campaign financing,big Wall Street money [2], and the supposedly pernicious role of contributions: all bad if Bush trumped Kerry, all now good if Obama trumped McCain. So when Obama became the first candidate in the history of the law to renounce public campaign financing in order to shake down $1 billion, there was silence. The Left never really worried about Big Money, but only if more Big Money went to conservatives than to themselves. (Consider the current shameless money grubbing of Jon Corzine to raise cash for Obama [3] after Corzine’s looting of thousands of individuals’ lifetime investments, or the shrillness over Mitt Romney’s supposed mansion in La Jolla juxtaposed to the prior silence about the Kerry mansions, the multiple Gore residences, or “John’s room,” as in the huge and crass Edwards estate.) What was interesting about Hilary Rosen was not her stupid thoughts on Ann Romney, but hercursus honorum that led to hired-gun riches by parlaying political contacts into commerce.
There's more, and worth the read. Double standards are easy to find. All one has to do is open ones eyes. They're quite glaring. Of course, since it's the One and his Administration, it's racist to point that out. Just ask any lefty, and they'll confirm it.
A Twofer...
From Theo Spark, Only in America:
1) Only in America could politicians talk about the greed of the rich
at a $40,000 a plate campaign fund raising event.
2) Only in America could people claim that the government still
discriminates against black Americans when we have a black President,
a black Attorney General, and roughly 18% of the federal workforce is
black. 12% of the population is black.
3) Only in America could we have had the two people most responsible
for our tax code, Timothy Geithner, the head of the Treasury
Department and Charles Rangel, who once ran the Ways and Means
Committee, BOTH turn out to be tax dodgers who are in favor of higher
taxes.
4) Only in America can we have terrorists kill people in the name of
Allah and have the media primarily react by fretting that Muslims
might be harmed by the backlash.
5) Only in America would we make people who want to legally become
American citizens wait for years in their home countries and pay tens
of thousands of dollars for the privilege while we discuss letting
anyone who sneaks into the country illegally just become American
citizens.
6) Only in America could the people who believe in balancing the
budget and sticking by the country's Constitution be thought of as
"extremists."
7) Only in America could you need to present a driver's license to
cash a check or buy alcohol, but not to vote.
8) Only in America could people demand the government investigate
whether oil companies are gouging the public because the price of gas
went up when the return on equity invested in a major U.S. oil company
(Marathon Oil) is less than half of a company making tennis shoes
(Nike).
9) Only in America could the government collect more tax dollars from
the people than any nation in recorded history, still spend a trillion
dollars more than it has per year for total spending of $7 million PER
MINUTE, and complain that it doesn't have nearly enough money.
10) Only in America could the rich people who pay 86% of all income
taxes be accused of not paying their "fair share" by people who don't
pay any income taxes at all.
The second is from May 1st. It from Psychology Today and quite appropriate:
History is replete with Peoples’ movements that, claiming weight of numbers and well-meaning intentions for others, have changed the course of society--but not necessarily for the better. In other words, pathologically altruistic movements. The French Revolution, for example, began with conceptions of fairness that, in 1793, devolved into the Reign of Terror—one of the most painful episodes in French history. The monarchy and many of their key supporters were guillotined, and a dictatorial committee enacted legislation forcing farmers to surrender grain to the government—this was soon extended to bread and other essential products. The Law of Suspects was enacted, which allowed counter-revolutionaries to be charged with vague “crimes against liberty”—resulting in an avalanche of guillotined heads. Mobs beat people to death for anything that provoked their jealousyor ire—thinking differently, possessing too much, or simply falling afoul of someone who could use the excuse of revolutionary ideals to kill and take possession of another’s property.
and later:
1) Only in America could politicians talk about the greed of the rich
at a $40,000 a plate campaign fund raising event.
2) Only in America could people claim that the government still
discriminates against black Americans when we have a black President,
a black Attorney General, and roughly 18% of the federal workforce is
black. 12% of the population is black.
3) Only in America could we have had the two people most responsible
for our tax code, Timothy Geithner, the head of the Treasury
Department and Charles Rangel, who once ran the Ways and Means
Committee, BOTH turn out to be tax dodgers who are in favor of higher
taxes.
4) Only in America can we have terrorists kill people in the name of
Allah and have the media primarily react by fretting that Muslims
might be harmed by the backlash.
5) Only in America would we make people who want to legally become
American citizens wait for years in their home countries and pay tens
of thousands of dollars for the privilege while we discuss letting
anyone who sneaks into the country illegally just become American
citizens.
6) Only in America could the people who believe in balancing the
budget and sticking by the country's Constitution be thought of as
"extremists."
7) Only in America could you need to present a driver's license to
cash a check or buy alcohol, but not to vote.
8) Only in America could people demand the government investigate
whether oil companies are gouging the public because the price of gas
went up when the return on equity invested in a major U.S. oil company
(Marathon Oil) is less than half of a company making tennis shoes
(Nike).
9) Only in America could the government collect more tax dollars from
the people than any nation in recorded history, still spend a trillion
dollars more than it has per year for total spending of $7 million PER
MINUTE, and complain that it doesn't have nearly enough money.
10) Only in America could the rich people who pay 86% of all income
taxes be accused of not paying their "fair share" by people who don't
pay any income taxes at all.
The second is from May 1st. It from Psychology Today and quite appropriate:
History is replete with Peoples’ movements that, claiming weight of numbers and well-meaning intentions for others, have changed the course of society--but not necessarily for the better. In other words, pathologically altruistic movements. The French Revolution, for example, began with conceptions of fairness that, in 1793, devolved into the Reign of Terror—one of the most painful episodes in French history. The monarchy and many of their key supporters were guillotined, and a dictatorial committee enacted legislation forcing farmers to surrender grain to the government—this was soon extended to bread and other essential products. The Law of Suspects was enacted, which allowed counter-revolutionaries to be charged with vague “crimes against liberty”—resulting in an avalanche of guillotined heads. Mobs beat people to death for anything that provoked their jealousyor ire—thinking differently, possessing too much, or simply falling afoul of someone who could use the excuse of revolutionary ideals to kill and take possession of another’s property.
and later:
The Occupy movement seeks to make things fair for everyone, not by allowing people to flourish with their natural talents, but rather by focusing on and tearing down anyone who has more—more talent, more industriousness, more intelligence and, often as a consequence of these natural qualities, more possessions.
In some sense, then, occupiers can be Eric Hoffer style "true believers" with the best of intentions. Sadly, their actions can grow from jealousy writ large, underpinned by threats of anarchy, promoted by those who would benefit from being perceived as altruistic leaders, whatever their true underlying motivations.
Beware the mob that advocates fairness. History shows that the results are often not pretty.
What future can one envision when you see damn near half the Country thinking they're entitled to the fruits of everyone else's labor? When the Government spends a hell of a lot more than it takes in? When said Government has so bastardized the currency by overuse of the printer that it's value is dropped by more than 25%, but tells you that everything is fine. And people BELIEVE it! Nigh onto 50% pay no Federal Income Tax, yet get a refund. No one sees anything wrong with that? As a Nation, I believe we're past the tipping point. With the entitlement attitude of half the Country, there is no saving it. Even if you throw the current destroyer in chief out, you'll likely only slow down what will inevitably happen. It's not just the Politicians who've failed the Constitution. It's We the people...
Friday, May 11, 2012
Balance
Saw this column at Red State, and thought it appropriate:
What many people tend to forget is that Christianity is not a religion premised on some of us getting to heaven and others not. Christianity is actually a religion premised on not one single person getting to Heaven. All of us are on the express train to hell. All of us.
I no more belong in Heaven than the Pope or Billy Graham and they no more belong in Heaven than me. None of us belong there.
We get there by God’s own grace given through our saving faith in Christ. Believing in Christ gets us a “get out of jail free” card, but that card does not mean we don’t belong in jail.
Those of us who are going to Heaven view ourselves as passing through this place. But we have an obligation to fight for what we believe in and to stand up for our values. We know not just that society, over several thousand years, worked out that marriage between a man and woman is the best organization for society and we should not change that just because some people think it would make them happy or be fair.
We also, as Christians, know that marriage is an institution set up by God where man and woman become one being designed to glorify God. That’s why we can’t support changing marriage’s definition.
But as I defend marriage as it exists, and recognize that many opponents on this issue will see anything Christians say and do as examples of bigotry and hate, we Christians should reflect our values with love of our fellow sinners, not condoning violence.
Liberals view the Golden Rule as they do the Commerce Clause — a theological blank slip to justify any action they want as the commerce clause is a constitutional blank slip to do whatever they want legally.
Evangelical Christians should remember the Golden Rule and treat others with the love and respect we wish to be shown. But we should also know the limits of application for the Golden Rule and remember that sometimes loving others means saying no.
The balance in an increasingly secular world is difficult for Christians to maintain. As the world comes down on our values, it is easy to react back with hostility. But as I noted on twitter the other day, for all the people calling me a bigot and saying I am out of step with the advance of history, my response is that I am not concerned about being on the right side of history. I am concerned about whose side I am on, on the last day of history.
Read it all. It makes you think. Being a Christian, a follower of Christ doesn't make you perfect. You're still a sinner. Sometimes, I think we forget that. Arrogance and haughtiness can only be avoided through vigilance, and remembering our savior, Christ Jesus. There are dark days coming, and we are called to be a light to the world. Not a doormat, and not a thug. A light. We are to let His light shine through us.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
WTF?!
That's what goes through my mind when any politician or other twit says something so stupid as Pelosi. Now, any one who claims to be Christian and yet supports homosexual marriage also engenders the same reaction. Makes me wonder what they're reading, because it sure it sure isn't the Bible. Homosexuality is condemned harshly. Also, let me put paid to the lie that Jesus didn't address it. He wouldn't have had to. He was speaking to Jews, and knew that they knew the Torah, and it's condemnation of Homosexuality. He also said, when asked about divorce, that "In the beginning, God made them male and female. That man should leave his father, and cleave to his wife, and the two should become one flesh." Paul addressed homosexuality in Romans, and quite clearly, I might add. So, any cursory look into the Bible on this subject would show the current occupant, as well as Pelosi, that they are false when they claim their 'faith' tells them to support homosexual marriage. I have many doctrinal differences with the Catholic church, but even they have not perverted Scripture to say homosexual marriage is ok. That heresy is left to others.
Another thing that makes me say WTF?! is the recall twits. They would have you believe that Act 10 is the reason they want to recall Walker. Another lie put paid to. No, they are foisting this upon us simply because they lost. If it was about Act 10, they'd be campaigning about that. No, they did this because they're pissed at losing. The left can never leave it in the hands of the people. They know best. I've grown somewhat cynical about people lately. I won't be surprised if people in this state go against Walker. Yes, I think they could be that stupid. No, I don't have faith in most people anymore. Not Nationally, and not state wide. I do hope I am surprised in June.
On a driving note, I spent most of the last 3 weeks running between Livonia, Mi and Indianapolis, In. I was helping out at another of the Company's accounts. What the hell happened to Canadian truck drivers? I used to respect them. They were safe and courteous. Up until about 7 years ago, at least. These days, if a truck is riding too close to my backside, especially in Michigan or northern Minnesota, it's usually a Canadian. Complete A-Holes. Yes, I feel that way about the majority of American truckers these days, as well. At least, the ones I run across. it's like, people don't care anymore. Get out of my way! I have to get there! Four wheeler's are difficult enough to deal with, especially when you factor in the size and speed differentials, but a-holes in big trucks? Nasty and stressful.
Lastly, I've said I believe the current occupant to be a racist. The same goes for that corrupt jack wagon of an Attorney General. Holder is a completely corrupt jackoff. He'll go after Sheriff Arpaio, but won't do dick to the New Black Panthers. He's been lying with regards to Fast and Furious, and Democrats don't care. Kind of like our propagandist Goebbels Brigade Media. They'll lie and obfuscate with regards to the Martin case, and not report squat on the rash of black on white mob beatings. Talk about a bunch of race baiters. It's almost as if the Administration, through the Goebbels Brigade, is trying to start a race war. WTF?! I'm cynical about people because they support this Administration through all this. Amazing. WTF?!
Another thing that makes me say WTF?! is the recall twits. They would have you believe that Act 10 is the reason they want to recall Walker. Another lie put paid to. No, they are foisting this upon us simply because they lost. If it was about Act 10, they'd be campaigning about that. No, they did this because they're pissed at losing. The left can never leave it in the hands of the people. They know best. I've grown somewhat cynical about people lately. I won't be surprised if people in this state go against Walker. Yes, I think they could be that stupid. No, I don't have faith in most people anymore. Not Nationally, and not state wide. I do hope I am surprised in June.
On a driving note, I spent most of the last 3 weeks running between Livonia, Mi and Indianapolis, In. I was helping out at another of the Company's accounts. What the hell happened to Canadian truck drivers? I used to respect them. They were safe and courteous. Up until about 7 years ago, at least. These days, if a truck is riding too close to my backside, especially in Michigan or northern Minnesota, it's usually a Canadian. Complete A-Holes. Yes, I feel that way about the majority of American truckers these days, as well. At least, the ones I run across. it's like, people don't care anymore. Get out of my way! I have to get there! Four wheeler's are difficult enough to deal with, especially when you factor in the size and speed differentials, but a-holes in big trucks? Nasty and stressful.
Lastly, I've said I believe the current occupant to be a racist. The same goes for that corrupt jack wagon of an Attorney General. Holder is a completely corrupt jackoff. He'll go after Sheriff Arpaio, but won't do dick to the New Black Panthers. He's been lying with regards to Fast and Furious, and Democrats don't care. Kind of like our propagandist Goebbels Brigade Media. They'll lie and obfuscate with regards to the Martin case, and not report squat on the rash of black on white mob beatings. Talk about a bunch of race baiters. It's almost as if the Administration, through the Goebbels Brigade, is trying to start a race war. WTF?! I'm cynical about people because they support this Administration through all this. Amazing. WTF?!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Does it matter?
Lately I've been pondering this question. From the standpoint of the Nation, does it matter? Will anything change in the coming election? Many already know that if the current occupant retains, we will become more socialist and lose more freedoms. This president cares nothing for the Constitution, nor does much of his party. Trample on it all you want, it's all bout power.
What of the other guy? Well, judging from the way the republican party has carried itself, I can't see any real change happening there, either. The republicans have talked a good game, but they rarely follow through. They also have no spine. They refuse to stand up against a president that cares little for Constitutional boundaries that LIMIT his power. I guess they're afraid of the Goebbels brigade and the bad things they'll say about them. News flash! They'll say them anyway. They are an arm of the democratic party!
What of the people? Well, this is the way I see it. Liberty is not something you just get to keep once you have it. You have to fight for it. Always. It's not a birthright. There will always be those who want power over others. In order for them to have power, those they wish to have power over must cede their liberties. In a Nation such as America, you can't just take it. You have to finesse it away from the populace. You have to keep them asleep or distracted.
You create departments that pass a myriad of regulations forbidding this, or making that harder to do. Like say, energy. You slowly teach that those who founded the Nation were racist and evil, that the Nation as a whole is racist and evil. You divide the people, in other words. Check. You teach that those men weren't men of faith and belief in God. In fact, you do everything you can to get God out of the public sphere. You marginalize him. You change the belief that our rights come from God, not from Government. You teach the children that Government is the arbiter of all rights, all that is good and proper. Not right away, mind. A little here, a little there, and you'll have the children singing paeans to the great ruler! Then, you marginalize those who are awake enough to see what's going on. I think someone wrote a book on this.. Sal, Saul something?
So, in the end, the rights the people had under the document we once followed and revered, are gone. Most not even aware of what they've lost. Of course, by this time, it doesn't matter. You've given up all for a state that only wants power and control over you. You've given up your rights to bankrupt little men with monstrous egos who think the sun revolves around them. We have such a one in power now. Actually, many such ones. So, does it matter?
No. What will be, will be. What does matter, is God. For me, at least, nothing else does. This Nation will fall because we've forgotten that God DOES matter. Christ commanded US, his followers, to care for the poor, not cede that to Government. He commanded US. He told us how to live, and we, in our human 'wisdom' chose to define that differently from Him. The Bible has shown time and again, how Israel prospered while she followed the Lord. As well as how she fell apart when she did not. America prospered while we followed God and the Founders. Since we stopped, it's been one steady slide down. Because we were not vigilant.
Make God matter in your life. Christ told us the two greatest commandments. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and to Love your neighbor as yourself. Everything else flows from these. They do, you know. If you love God, you keep his commandments out of Love, not a sense of duty. When you fall, as you will, He will give you the strength to get up and move forward. Forgiven and loved. You do things not because you think, mistakenly, that there's some cosmic ledger somewhere, recording your works. That if you do more good than bad, well, you know. Did you not read that we are saved by grace, through faith, which is a gift from God, and not by works, so that none may boast? No? Read it. You follow his Law because it glorifies Him, and because you Love Him!
God matters. All that men do, shall turn to dust. America will become less because we have become less. Put God first. THAT, is what matters.
What of the other guy? Well, judging from the way the republican party has carried itself, I can't see any real change happening there, either. The republicans have talked a good game, but they rarely follow through. They also have no spine. They refuse to stand up against a president that cares little for Constitutional boundaries that LIMIT his power. I guess they're afraid of the Goebbels brigade and the bad things they'll say about them. News flash! They'll say them anyway. They are an arm of the democratic party!
What of the people? Well, this is the way I see it. Liberty is not something you just get to keep once you have it. You have to fight for it. Always. It's not a birthright. There will always be those who want power over others. In order for them to have power, those they wish to have power over must cede their liberties. In a Nation such as America, you can't just take it. You have to finesse it away from the populace. You have to keep them asleep or distracted.
You create departments that pass a myriad of regulations forbidding this, or making that harder to do. Like say, energy. You slowly teach that those who founded the Nation were racist and evil, that the Nation as a whole is racist and evil. You divide the people, in other words. Check. You teach that those men weren't men of faith and belief in God. In fact, you do everything you can to get God out of the public sphere. You marginalize him. You change the belief that our rights come from God, not from Government. You teach the children that Government is the arbiter of all rights, all that is good and proper. Not right away, mind. A little here, a little there, and you'll have the children singing paeans to the great ruler! Then, you marginalize those who are awake enough to see what's going on. I think someone wrote a book on this.. Sal, Saul something?
So, in the end, the rights the people had under the document we once followed and revered, are gone. Most not even aware of what they've lost. Of course, by this time, it doesn't matter. You've given up all for a state that only wants power and control over you. You've given up your rights to bankrupt little men with monstrous egos who think the sun revolves around them. We have such a one in power now. Actually, many such ones. So, does it matter?
No. What will be, will be. What does matter, is God. For me, at least, nothing else does. This Nation will fall because we've forgotten that God DOES matter. Christ commanded US, his followers, to care for the poor, not cede that to Government. He commanded US. He told us how to live, and we, in our human 'wisdom' chose to define that differently from Him. The Bible has shown time and again, how Israel prospered while she followed the Lord. As well as how she fell apart when she did not. America prospered while we followed God and the Founders. Since we stopped, it's been one steady slide down. Because we were not vigilant.
Make God matter in your life. Christ told us the two greatest commandments. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and to Love your neighbor as yourself. Everything else flows from these. They do, you know. If you love God, you keep his commandments out of Love, not a sense of duty. When you fall, as you will, He will give you the strength to get up and move forward. Forgiven and loved. You do things not because you think, mistakenly, that there's some cosmic ledger somewhere, recording your works. That if you do more good than bad, well, you know. Did you not read that we are saved by grace, through faith, which is a gift from God, and not by works, so that none may boast? No? Read it. You follow his Law because it glorifies Him, and because you Love Him!
God matters. All that men do, shall turn to dust. America will become less because we have become less. Put God first. THAT, is what matters.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Shall I tell...
Shall I tell you of the beauty of brilliantly flashing lightening bolts streaking across the night sky, like Michael's fingers as he casts Lucifer from Heaven? Or the day-like brightness, which brings to mind God's query of Job if he knew where lightening is stored? Shall I tell you of the blowing wind, the breath of God across the night? Or the pouring rain, the very tears of God over mans rejection of His love?
Shall I tell you of the fierce love of life the He has kindled in me, that, even though my spirit sometimes banks those flames, they roar even hotter later? Shall I tell you of the determination to go forward, when every part of me screams for rest? Of the smile that comes over me each new day?
Shall I tell you of the pound of Community Coffee Dark roast that was in my mailbox from my cousin Stan in New Orleans? Nope. Not gonna do that..
Shall I tell you of the simple pleasures that are always with us, that we take from granted? Like friends? Amber, I still care. Martha, I smile at your messages. Wiz, you da man! Love ya bud! Dave, you're the only guy I can call at those odd hours. Roz and Gary, I long to see you guys again. Kevin, you're the bro I never had, and I even like your wife! Do I need to tell you this?
Shall I speak to you of family? Of the love hate relationships that come about? At the complexity of those relationships? At the sacrifices you're willing to make for them?
Shall I speak to you of the sadness of watching the Republic slip away? Shall we speak of it? Of the deliberate destruction? Another day, perhaps. We can reminisce at what once was.
Shall I tell you of the only hope man has? That of God and our access to Him through Christ Jesus? That He is the only hope for salvation, now and forever? Of the peace and ability to face anything that comes with accepting His Lordship? Or will you scoff? Will you harden your heart?
Shall I pray for you?
Shall I tell you of the fierce love of life the He has kindled in me, that, even though my spirit sometimes banks those flames, they roar even hotter later? Shall I tell you of the determination to go forward, when every part of me screams for rest? Of the smile that comes over me each new day?
Shall I tell you of the pound of Community Coffee Dark roast that was in my mailbox from my cousin Stan in New Orleans? Nope. Not gonna do that..
Shall I tell you of the simple pleasures that are always with us, that we take from granted? Like friends? Amber, I still care. Martha, I smile at your messages. Wiz, you da man! Love ya bud! Dave, you're the only guy I can call at those odd hours. Roz and Gary, I long to see you guys again. Kevin, you're the bro I never had, and I even like your wife! Do I need to tell you this?
Shall I speak to you of family? Of the love hate relationships that come about? At the complexity of those relationships? At the sacrifices you're willing to make for them?
Shall I speak to you of the sadness of watching the Republic slip away? Shall we speak of it? Of the deliberate destruction? Another day, perhaps. We can reminisce at what once was.
Shall I tell you of the only hope man has? That of God and our access to Him through Christ Jesus? That He is the only hope for salvation, now and forever? Of the peace and ability to face anything that comes with accepting His Lordship? Or will you scoff? Will you harden your heart?
Shall I pray for you?
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