In government shutdown over budget battle did you know Obama has the perogative on what to close or not close down as he decides what is necessary to this nation and what is not? So if you are in the military and warnings are being sent that there may be problems with your check--it makes you wonder how the Pres values this branch of government and really the nation's defense?
The budget that the Pres says must be passed now should have been passed before October 1st 2010. But repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) and other things for his backers were of a higher priority--so why all the theatrics now? Of course, it's a power play and posturing for 2012.
When you look at the facts and the stats, a simple person can't help but know the piggy bank is broke. But the Pork Train according to the Democrats have more traction while the Republicans are saying there are no more tracks and we are going to fall off the cliff just any moment.
Those are just a few of the expenditures for this now gigantic federal government which from its foundation to 1989 only had a total national debt at 2 trillion.
Obama inauguration--national debt was:
$10,626,877,048,913
as of April 6,2011--national debt was:
$14,259,761,986,880
Obama so far has spent:
$3,632,884,937,967
George Bush 8 yrs of spending was:
$4,899,100,310,609
And to hear the Harry Reid call the Republicans reckless in their budget proposal is like the pot calling the kettle black as truth be known they've been reckless with the budget for a very long time and their concerns are more for their cronies or backers in the next election than the budget for the government. Hope the people will see the truth and let them know how they feel (Congress 202-224-3121).
And last but most importantly--remember what is passed will affect us spiritually as well. When laws affirm the killing of more innocent babes, indoctrination of childrens' innocent minds away fro God and panels that decide who lives and dies--I don't think we can wash our hands like Pontius Pilate on these important matters. Get informed and involved in honoring the blessings of God to live in this land and may it stay free and home to the brave.
This is a continuing article--as we will be adding input from variety of people...
Life is at such a fast pace today. Things that were supoosed to make our lives easier and give us more quality time (like computers and internet) have done the opposite for many. Extra-curricular activities that we thought would make for better, more well-rounded children have instead made for families who don't have time to talk to each other and led to more separation vs closeness. More families have children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder which can turn daily tasks into mountains. What can families do and how much worse is it-- that today more families have just one parent which makes the days of raising children harder than ever?
Well, here are a few tips to consider:
1. Control what you can:
Shows They Watch--What enters a child's mind in your home is under your control. Take time to notice the kids shows they are watching. Does it show children respecting adults or being smart mouthed in a funny way? A popular show with teen twins showed a 5 or 6 yr old being smart to their caretaker and everyone laughs--that is a signal the writings for this show is not worthwhile. Don't allow it to be watched and others like it and you will be amazed at what it does for your child. Garbage in-garbage out. You do have control if you use it.
Video Games--Find out about the games before you get them. Go to Review4Parents and use this Christian perspective resource(use their past reviews and build on it yourself). Also visit www.esrb.org/about/resource.jsp to learn (f you don't know) howto set parental controls on video game players.
2. Control what they are taking in:
More and more children are being diagnosed with ADHD. Here are some helpful tips--study this from CBN (700 Club) from experts. There are products out there that can help naturally without the horrible side effects. Do your child a favor if already on med and look up the side-effects as more often than not--it is making for a very confused, sad child. Research some of the naturals such as Nordic Naturals and you may be very happily surprised at the results.
What they eat does affect them so be careful on the sugars--if after eating a lot of cookies and candies your kids act up --then consider decreasing some of your misery by taking control of what they eat and moderate their sugar content. Give them vitamins to help them stay well and strong--of course study the right brands to make sure of the quality.
3. Do your part and pray for them. The Bible is your best resource--read it to them. Tell them about the stories in there that will help them become better people from the lessons that are throughout that book. The Word of God is powerful and will give you hope. Just look at the Stormie O'martian books such as Power of a Praying Parent, Power of a Praying Wife etc. They seem like simple enough books but because it's main focus is God Word -- indeed you will find it a very incredible tool in helping your family as there is no such thing as perfect moms or dads or families--but praying families see God's handiwork in their lives everyday. Just look at the examples of our founding fathers like George Washington, Ben Franklin and John Adams etc... This nation's birth is proof indeed God answers prayers!
Benjamin Franklin:
I see of this truth- that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel...
I therefore beg leave to move- henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business...
Hear interview with Christian Singing Group-- Calling Levi-- who took a great leap of faith and like Matthew or Levi followed Jesus when they heard His call. What happened afterwards was an adventure of growing in faith for their families--a faith being lived and passed on to their families as well as others and to future generations. They are indeed living and walking testimonies of the sufficiency and grace of God.
You can see how God ordered their steps--first of all with their hearts and then their hands and feet (as they did many mission work) before they totally left the world of security (Mark had an accounting job earning $100,000.) You see, they saw with their obedient hearts where they were most secure--in the arms of Jesus, so they followed him. And they found Him faithful and able to meet their needs and have shared Him (Jesus) in all ways most especially through the gift of music. Their latest album Pursuit--has a single aptly titled-- "Jesus Saves" as indeed that is the message they want the hurting world to know.
Their leap of faith which has now brought them to a point where they can help multitudes of military families. Thy were inspired by the story of Nate Self, a recipient of Purple Heart and guest of George Bush at the 2003 State of the Union Address, who tried to commit suicide a year later. Calling Levi with MarkInc have written a new song with a video called "Peace in War". They hope it will help military families in the struggles they face today. Statistics on depression/suicide are at an all time high in all branches of the military. It has been said the military is like the canary--and is a sign of what is also going on with the rest of the nation.
Problems in the economy, in raising children and families are incredibly made worse by a culture that seems to be taking out what made this nation great. Alexander de Tocqueville in the early 19th century--looked for the key to greatness in America and he observed:
"Moreover, almost all the sects of the United States are comprised within the great unity of Christianity, and Christian morality is everywhere the same.
In the United States the sovereign authority is religious, and consequently hypocrisy must be common; but there is no country in the whole world in which the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America, and there can be no greater proof of its utility, and of its conformity to human nature, than that its influence is most powerfully felt over the most enlightened and free nation of the earth."
It is time to shine the light on truth and as Nate Self has found with dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD)--Jesus saves. He can save us through all our troubles but first we must have faith to put our trust in him. Hope you will as no one else gave his "all" for us like Jesus did. And when you trust Jesus--you win for eternity. See Link on how Nate learned to stop hating himself. May other churches be inspired to take a leap of faith and be "his hands" for today's hurting families such as those in the military. After all, it is a small thing to do for those who lay their lives on the line to help keep us free.
Obama's Speech on Libya--Did it score points? More importantly was it constitutional or not? In today's America where troubles economically, socially are at an all time out of control high and a Congress and Pres that has not even yet passed a budget, was Obama's intervetion in Libya justified? Hear these two history teachers weigh in on the issue with a view of the past. What is truly going on here is for the American voters to find out past the wonderful self-congratulatory speech so that they are not led down the house of cards that this administration seem to have built for us and wants us to buy-hook, line and sinker.
Japan's earthquake, tsunami and now nuclear disaster brought many of its people to their knees.
Danger lurks everywhere as there is no place in this world today, that is risk free of dangers. If it's not natural disasters to be afraid of --there are those man-made disasters ---such as the fall of the twin towers on 9/11.
We all try to plan as best we can and protect ourselves and families as well as possible, but let's face it--we have no control. We sometimes seem like busy little ants working hard before the rain and then the flood of disaster comes and all our hard work was for nothing.
The Japanese people have worked very hard to build the strongest buildings to withstand earthquakes--but the magnitude of the one on 3/11 has left many planners with their heads and bodies shaking. They did the best they could which kept the number of deaths and casualties a lot lower than Haiti's and that is a testimony to their great work.
But the impending worry of what is truly happening at the Fukushima plant is gripping the whole country as more big earthquakes (aftershocks) are being felt. Will man's attempts to stop the nuclear complex's worsening condition succeed? I hope and pray that they will see where their true help can come from. In the Holy Bible, in the story of Job who lost everything including his precious children (and his own wife told him to curse God)--Almighty God spoke to Job out of a storm. Could it be that God is speaking to the Japanese people out of their storm of trouble?
In Job Chapter 38 it says: Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
“Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’?
Job 38:8-11
In the days of Daniel, his friends Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego (Daniel Ch 3) had to undergo sufferings and they trusted Almighty God to deliver them with a determination to be faithful no matter what (because He is God.) I pray that there would rise up such faith in the hearts of the Japanese people for Jehovah God--who is able to work all things for good. What the enemy has meant for evil can be the start of freedom from the bondage of slavery to sin for many of the Japanese people--who are good but are lost. The culture of suicide that has gripped many of its people is just another sign of that bondage.
Just as the Founding Fathers of America bowed their heads and bent their knees though their worst fears of the great trials of war before them and asked Almighty God to intervene--hopefully many in Japan would do the same. The battle for survival in the physical world must be accompanied by fighting in the spiritual with prayer and hope many will stand in the gap for them. And maybe as in Daniel Ch 2:19-23...
During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision.
Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you,
---May God have mercy and grace upon Japan's people and give wisdom to those who can make a difference and stop the leaking of radiation as well as stabilize the plant. May many see that the only truly trustworthy thing they can have on this earth is the one whom God sent to earth to become man and save us. Hard to figure with man's mind--good thing--we don't have to know it all --just trust as a child trusts a parent who loves him or her. And truly God loves us, after all he gave us his one and only Son. How awesome is that! Hope you'll read the Holy Scriptures and search for yourself (don't let they naysayers deprive you of truth for eternity.)
Jesus said in Matthew 7:7
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Where does true help come from?
King David tells us in Psalm 103--Hope you will trust the One David did and pray...
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.
Ben Dupree with the Foundation For Moral Law will be updating us with the latest battles these staunch defenders of our rights are facing. Foundation for Moral Law was started with Judge Roy Moore--famous for his stand for the acknowledgment of God (after all that's what the Founding Fathers wanted as a legacy for us today.) He became a judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama in 1992, and served until his election as chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court in 2000. In 2003, Chief Justice Moore was removed from his position for standing up for the inalienable right to acknowledge God. Today he and the Foundation For Moral Law which includes Ben Dupree and Col John Eidsmoe have stood up to defend our rights and is helping steer this nation back on the right track. Please visit their website morallaw.org.
Whereas: In 1776 General George Washington headed a Congressional Committee authorized to design and produce one official Flag, which could be clearly distinguished at sea and not mistaken on land; a Flag representing the unity, strength, and noble purpose of the United States of America, a new Flag for a new Country, and
Whereas: The Congressional Committee of George Washington, Robert Morris and John Ross commissioned Philadelphia resident, Mrs. Betsy Ross to sew a Flag of red and white stripes, with white stars on a field of blue. The Flag’s colors and shapes were carefully chosen: Blue, a strong color; White, a pure color; and Red, a brave color. The thirteen stripes of red and white were to represent the original thirteen colonies, joined together in unity as one. A star is a symbol of light and truth. On the field of deep blue bunting was a white star for each state, showing each state being equal, and
Whereas: This Red, White and Blue Flag has henceforth been the standard and emblem of the United States of America. It has been proudly displayed at every Fort, boldly carried onto every battlefield, gloriously waved aboard every American ship and sharply saluted by every American soldier throughout our history. Throughout the world, the “Stars and Stripes” are raised at sunrise to the trumpeting of “Revelry”, and reverently lowered at sunset to the haunting sounds of “Taps,” and
Whereas: During the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key penned the profound words about our flag in what became our National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”. It ignited the flame of patriotism and continues to inspire all Americans as we see that “our Star Spangled Banner yet waves, over the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Americans salute our flag and sing our national anthem at every ball game and community gathering where Americans meet in every city, town and village, and
Whereas: In World War II at Iwo Jima in 1945, the United States Marines fought their way through to the top of Mount Suribachi to raise our American Flag in hard-fought victory. Photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the inspiring picture of the triumphant flag-raising, which circulated the globe, giving hope to free and enslaved people everywhere, and
Whereas: It is the American Flag which drapes the coffins of all our fallen soldiers and is presented to the surviving families. That flag symbolizes that our soldiers have not died in vain but for a noble cause, and
Whereas: Henry Ward Beecher, a prominent 19th Century clergyman and social reformer, stated: “A thoughtful mind, when it sees a nation’s flag, sees not the flag only, but the nation itself; and whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag the government, the principles, the truths, the history which belongs to the nation that sets it forth,” and
Whereas: “Old Glory” has been reverently acknowledged by patriots of every age. Americans cannot be separated from the emblem that stands for us. Our flag is a part of us, and we of it. An attack on the American Flag is an attack on the American people, “and the republic for which it stands.” An assault on the Flag is an assault on the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of the people over which the Flag waves, and
Whereas: Flag Day on June 14th is a national holiday which is celebrated by Americans throughout the country, when we reflect on the meaning and significance of our “Grand Old Flag, the emblem of, the land we love.” Every day of the year our flag flies over the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Supreme Court Building, national cemeteries, county courthouses, and homes throughout our nation. In the churches, schools, and classrooms, all Americans, young and old, respectfully rise to their feet to pledge allegiance to the flag we love, and
Whereas: The United States Flag precedes every United States delegation on foreign soil, and is flown over every U.S. Embassy throughout the world, and
Whereas: In July 1969, images of Apollo 11 astronauts planting the American flag on the Moon signaled a profound achievement for the United States and the entire world, and
Whereas: In 1861 Henry Beecher Stowe stated, “Our Flag carries American ideas, American history, and American feelings. Beginning with the Colonies, and coming down to our time, in its sacred heraldry, in its glorious insignia, it has gathered and stored chiefly this supreme idea: Divine right of liberty in man. Every color means liberty; every thread means liberty; every form of star and beam or stripe of light means liberty: not lawlessness, not license; but organized institutional liberty, - liberty through law, and laws for liberty. It is not a painted rag. It is a whole national history. It is the Constitution. It is the government. It is the free people that stand in the government of the Constitution,” and
Therefore: The history of our country is one of loving and honoring our American flag. It is worthy of respect and protection. Laws must be enacted by our United States Congress to criminalize desecration of the United States Flag on American soil, making it a federal crime to “knowingly cast contempt upon any flag of the United States by publicly mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning, or trampling upon it.” Congress must not allow this law to be subject to Judicial Review, which is within the power of Congress, Article III, Section 2, Paragraph 2 of the United States Constitution.
Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 02:35PM