Sometimes, God is … GOD!

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blessings, challenges, difficult life, faith, God, GOD’s love, hardships, Laura Story, life, Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience, purpose, trials and tribulations, trust

Many people quote this verse at various times and sundry situations in their lives. It is a vital truth! “Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Is 55:9 CEV) God’s priorities in our life are different than ours. He uses anything and everything we ALLOW Him to use as teaching tools for our growth in Him. That means He uses our prayers and answers them as He sees fit. It means he uses Nature to teach us His Ways. He uses other people, knowingly or unknowingly, to work His purpose deeper into us. There is nothing God cannot or will not use, as we pay attention. But it is His purpose He is working out in us, not our own!

We generally seek our own comfort, ease, or wealth. God, on the other hand, is changing us (with our cooperation) into the likeness and image of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 3: 17-18 CEV) Our Spirit is regenerated and new, but we live in corrupt bodies with unhealthy and unholy desires and habits. We all want our own way! We pray for healing, for smooth roads through the “wilderness,” for easy answers to life’s deepest questions, and we panic or revolt when we don’t see the responses we seek. Right?

There are times when God gives us exactly what we want or need. There are also times when, thankfully, God doesn’t give us what we ask for because He knows where He is taking us and what He is building into us. We seldom know.

Remember Paul’s story? He was a passionately religious man raised in the height of the traditional Jewish knowledge and traditions. So fervent was he that he chased down and murdered new Believers until God confronted him personally, like He does each of us. In that moment, Paul saw Jesus as his Messiah, and he never looked back. ACTS 9: 1-22 CEV Some believe Paul was visually disabled for the rest of his life. Paul gained a deeper revelation of God’s grace. “My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” (2 Cor 12: 1-10 NCV)

Years ago, I was a single soldier stationed in Alaska. It happened that I was the ONLY single girl in the small Christian fellowship on the base. I remember fervently praying for a Godly husband. A single man began to show interest, and we dated a few times. One night while praying again for “my husband,” thinking of this young man, I felt God say to me, “You can have this man if you wish, but He is not my BEST for you.” WHOA! The ball was in my court! Reluctantly, I yielded! I wept for days after I explained my feelings to the guy. We continued to be friends, and a few months later, he reunited with his fiance. Last I heard, they were living happily ever after!

We can pout and throw our tantrums, but if we are truly surrendered to Christ, we must acknowledge that He knows best. His ways are best. His plan is best. When we are securely nestled under the shadow of His wing, we can hear His heartbeat of devastating love for us and know that everything … EVERYTHING that we encounter comes through His fingers and is laced with His love to accomplish the purpose He intends. Even the traumas and tragedies that we each face at times, will produce good fruit as God redeems the situation.

Don’t hear me saying that God creates bad or difficult situations for us. That is not what I’m saying. He permits them for His purpose. Some difficulties are simply a result of our own unhealthy attitudes or behaviors, and we are simply “reaping” what we “sowed.” Some hardships are simply part of living in this corrupt world. We also have a very real enemy but, GOD is in CONTROL, right?

Do you love God? Are you “called according to His purpose?” If so, then trust that even the most painful and challenging situations that face us are meant to build the character of Christ into us, and for that, we can be eternally thankful!

MEDITATE on THIS: Psalm 139

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Is END TIME Prophecy Unfolding Before Our Eyes? [VIDEOS]

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9 Harbingers, blessings, economic collapse, END TIMES, gratitude, Ground Zero, Isaiah 9: 10, Left Behind, liberty, moral-decay, prophecy, Social enmity, Tree of Hope, US Constitution, WARNING

No single human being, or even a small group of humans, could possibly be behind the chaos that is growing across the globe. Economic collapse has begun in Cyprus, Italy, Greece and other EU nations and is heading toward America. Moral decay is rampant globally. Social enmity is at its highest point as government and social leaders prompt one group (collective) against another.

Those of us with a passion for LIBERTY must find a way to unite our various positions if we are to survive. I can think of no better rallying point than the US CONSTITUTION.

Uniting Around the Constitution

Immigrants arrive at America’s shores hopeful of New Beginnings. 1843.

As Americans, our heritage is rooted in Judeo-Christian ethics/morality. We were established as a Christian nation with our arms open to all under certain conditions. People flocked to America in the 1800’s to flee the various forms of tyranny in other nations. There was an understanding, though, among these immigrants that they were not coming here to recreate their homeland, but to build something better! They learned our language. They learned our Godly American history. They learned our customs while having the freedom to celebrate LIFE in whatever ways were comfortable to them. They became AMERICANS, not Lithuanian-Americans, Irish-Americans, or German-Armericans, but AMERICANS. Proud of their individual ancestry, and grateful to be New Americans. But this is gone.

People across the America are angry, jealous, and greedy for more! We have more than most elsewhere, but we are still not satisfied. We want more! Some are willing to work for it, but many are not, yet they still want more! We want more, but are not satisfied when we get it. Why?

We are not satisfied because the blessing rots if we “hoard” it. Blessings are meant to be shared. For decades, American generosity covered our nation’s errors and blunders, our misguided policies & politics. But sadly, while the generosity remains to some extent, the individual attitudes corrupt the blessing. We give to gain. We give with strings attached. We give asking favors in return.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3: 16-18 NIV

LEFT BEHIND SERIES, by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins

There are certain principles God established in antiquity. Perhaps the most significant is …

“Surely the Lord God does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” Amos 3:7

There are many websites and videos that present various perspectives of the things that must take place at some point. None have the whole and complete picture because we are but flesh and GOD is GOD! Some things are just Common Sense. The crime of America is defiance against God, as though we are “supreme” and able to control all things. As though we control our destiny.

PLEASE
Make Time
to
WATCH THIS VIDEO

10th Anniversary of 9/11: The Lord’s Word in September 11th The details and explanation of these “harbingers,” or warnings can be found in Jonathan Cahn’s book, The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery That Holds the Secret of America’s Future [Paperback]

The number of voices raised in warning is increasing. The urgency mounts with every passing day. The sin and effects of sin threaten to destroy our nation. God longs to restore our nation and our society, but we must turn away from our arrogance. We must acknowledge our limitations as humans and our need for GOD!

What about Korea? What is going on?
Just sayin …

Ground Zero fallen sycamore Interestingly, the tree fell in such a way that its branches protected Saint Paul’s Chapel of 1766, where newly sworn President Washington went immediately after his inaugural address to pray and fast that he might receive wisdom to lead the young nation. How different from the attitudes of our current President!

Old Testament prophecy fulfilled before our eyes?

“What do sycamore and cedar trees have to do with biblical prophecy, the tragic events of 9/11 and the imminent future of the United States?

“The roots of a sycamore tree at Ground Zero felled on Sept. 11, 2001, have been preserved as a memorial to the event in New York City. A local messianic rabbi believes it’s a visible fulfillment of an Old Testament prophecy about God’s current judgment on America.

“Everything, according to a new book which says an obscure text from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah is an urgent wake-up call for all Americans in light of what happened on that fateful day in 2001.”

Read more

When Will God Judge the World?

Road Rage & Cousins

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America, choices, control, COURTESY, Grow up, IMPERFECTION, kindness, out of control, plan ahead, road rage, Self-control, self-government, unacceptable behavior

Ever been on either side of a “Road Rage” incident? Someone cuts you off and nearly drives you into another car or obstacle? Or maybe someone forgets to signal for a turn and you wait and wait … then they turn! It’s enough to make your blood boil, right? Of course it is! You’re justified in your feelings, so what’s your response? Do you pound the steering wheel and let loose a string of colorful words? Do you flip the “idiot” the bird? Do you ram his car from behind?

What if it’s YOU? What if YOU’RE the one who forgot to signal because you were engrossed in a conversation on our phone? What if YOU are the one who lost concentration for a second and pulled out in front of an oncoming vehicle? Never done it? I have! I confess! Not often, but it has happened.

Most of us ave been on BOTH sides of bad driver courtesy. Hmmm COURTESY … is that a WORD? Is it something any of us think about any more? Yea, sure there are LAWS, but then there is … COURTESY. What happens if two cars arrive at a 4-way stop at the same time? Who goes first? Is it just a matter of reflexes and which punches the gas first?

Road rage is just one evidence of a universal problem we humans experience – IMPERFECTION! Now, I realize some of us are … almost perfect, but we all know the other guy is anything but perfect! In fact, the other guy is an absolute idiot, if you tell the truth, right? Until … you miss that STOP sign hidden behind a low-hanging tree branch and fly through the intersection past a parked patrol car! Ooops!

GIVENS:

1. ALL HUMANS ARE FLAWED
2. EACH live HUMAN WILL OFFEND (disappoint, discourage, frighten, embarrass, confuse, irritate, annoy, bother …) SOMEONE TODAY
3. EACH live HUMAN WILL BE OFFENDED TODAY, and, sad but true,
4. YOU WILL OFFEND SOMEONE TODAY

In light of the fact that I KNOW I will offend someone today, or at least will have the opportunity to offend someone today (in or out of a car), I can CHOOSE (gotta love FREEDOM) ahead of time, what my response will be. I can, therefore, BE PREPARED when the incident occurs.

It is humanly possible to decide ahead of time what my response will be to “OFFENSE.” ( as in disappointment, discouragement, fear, embarrassment, confusion, irritation, annoyance, bother …) I can CHOOSE:

• to throw my justified “rage” (or other justified reaction) at the well-deserving “idiot” for daring to ruin my day, OR
• to acknowledge the “mistake” graciously, as I would like to be treated in the event of MY error.

If I respond in RAGE, I can expect RAGE when I mess up. If, on the other hand, I can hold it together and wave off the mistake kindly, maybe the next time I drive with my head in my phone instead of on my driving, I will be shown kindness as well.

THIS is called: SELF-CONTROL! YES! (or Self-government) You and I have a DOMAIN! It is our own thoughts, words, and deeds! I have the ability to be … IN CONTROL of my words – to choose to speak kindness or not. Btw, truth need not ALWAYS be spoken, if it cannot be done in kindness! Honesty is wonderful, but it is trumped by Kindness!

RIGHT???

I make plenty of mistakes, just ask my kids! It is my hope, that when I do, kindness will be the response. Anger serves no positive purpose. NONE! It raises our BP, and who knows what all inside our body, and it takes our mindset to a bad place … an unsettled place.

It is the SOFT answer that turns away wrath! Did you know this? Try it next time someone yells at you. Quietly apologize. (Right or wrong!) So the next time you are distracted while waiting for the traffic light to change until a horn blasts you back to reality, smile and wave in apology as you drive away. Or the next time you’re BEHIND someone asleep at the light … don’t honk heavy … just tap it enough to alert the distracted driver in front of you and wear a smile when he looks back. Both of you will feel so much better than an ugly “Road Rage” incident.

SELF-CONTROL
is just controlling your SELF

Just in case you aren’t sure, this approach works for OTHER things as well. FREEDOM is a great thing – it allows us CHOICES!!! Wise men and women have debated the various structures of government for millennia, but most have been unwilling to recognize that even the seemingly perfect structure cannot provide security and freedom without self-government. The individual must “govern” his own choices, his own thoughts, his own responses, and his own behavior for Liberty to endure.

Each individual must undertake this journey. It does no good if only a few manage themselves well. For security and freedom to flourish in any civilization, the people must learn SELF-GOVERNMENT … self-control! We must teach our children to control their urge to lie, to steal, to throw a tantrum when they don’t get their own way. We teach them both by example and by correcting unacceptable behavior. Throwing a tantrum because mommy won’t buy that candy bar at the check out is NOT acceptable behavior.

It is time to Grow up, America! We have behaved badly for too long. Stop pointing to other people’s bad behavior as an excuse for our own bad behavior. Stop looking for JUSTIFICATION! When we throw our tantrums, we shame the GOOD and HONORABLE among us. We disrespect our GOD and our HERITAGE when we do not extend COURTESY to one another. We cannot control the thoughts and behaviors of others, but we CAN and MUST control our own! We KNOW better! We were taught better, at least if we’re over 35!

Just like our CONSTITUTION is not there to define our boundaries, but to define the boundaries of government, so GOD’s law is not here to confine us, but to release us to a more flavorful, more fulfilling life … if we just follow His WORD.

RESPONSIBILITY is FREEDOM‘s
last name!

Not the greatest video, but the SONG is GREAT!

The Truth About Government Ammo Purchases

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Ammo purchases, Apocalypse, Department of Education, Department of Homeland Security, obama, Pray for America, Social Security Administration

All of us have seen the rash of articles and scary headlines about DHS acquiring huge stores of weapons, ammo and even armored vehicles. We may also have seen articles about armed internment camps on US soil.

Should we be fearful? Should we be stockpiling? “Be prepared,” for the worst, but don’t anticipate it! After all, we are Americans, the most innovative, creative, and self-reliant people on earth … right?

The Truth About Government Ammo Purchases

The last few months have seen troubling news of massive government purchases of ammunition. Agencies from the Social Security Administration to the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Homeland Security have purchased millions of rounds. But is the whole thing more hype than substance?

Ever since Barack Obama was first elected in 2008, he has been selling guns and ammunition at a faster clip than any gun salesman could hope for. And since his re-election, citizens have been faced with severe shortages of both. This can only be exacerbated by large government purchases. The Social Security Administration (SSA), for example, purchased 174,000 rounds and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) bought 320,000 rounds. More understandable in purpose but also perhaps more staggering in scale, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) put in a request for 450 million rounds, while the FBI intends to purchase 100 million.

The headlines are ominous, but some of the hype can be put in perspective by doing a little math. National Review’s Charles C. W. Cooke does just that. The SSA’s request for 174,000 rounds amounts to just 590 rounds for each of its 295 inspector general agents “who investigate Social Security fraud and other crimes.” Some of us might go through 590 rounds in an afternoon at the range. As for the USDA, 320,000 is enough to provide the same number of rounds for 542 agents, and, through the Forest Service, those agents have an area the size of Pakistan to cover.

When it comes to the bigger orders, Cooke writes, “The FBI and DHS’s apparently vast orders are deceptively presented by the conspiracy theorists. It is true that in 2011, the FBI ordered up to 100 million bullets for its 13,913 special agents (which works out to 7,187 per agent). And, yes, the Department of Homeland Security — a composite department that oversees USCIS, Customs and Border Protection, FEMA, ICE, the TSA, the Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and the National Protection Directorate — placed a request for up to 450 million rounds for its 65,000 armed personnel (which works out to 6,923 per agent). But in the real world, ammunition is not divided up and handed out on such a basis. What is bought is stockpiled and then allocated on the basis of need. The DHS’s order is expected to last for at least five years, and it was placed up front primarily as a cost-saving measure.” Indeed, DHS is not bound to buy that much; they merely have a tab on which to order more rounds as needed. And each agent would have just under 1,400 rounds per year over that span.

That certainly doesn’t mean there aren’t questions or that we should simply shrug and look the other way. For starters, the Department of Education recently placed an order for “27 Remington Brand Model 870 police 12-gauge shotguns.” This might lead any reasonable person to ask, as Cooke does, “Whether it is in possession of one bullet or 1 million bullets, should the federal Department of Education be armed in the first place? If so, why?” We would add, should there even be a Department of Education? But that’s a topic for another day. The DoE has been known to botch raids when it was the wrong enforcement vehicle from the start.

The same questions could be asked of any number of bureaucracies. Does the Social Security Administration really need an armed enforcement division? We’ve known some unruly seniors in our day, but that seems to be overkill.

Then there’s the information that’s just plain false. Reports have been circulating that DHS has procured 2,717 Mine Resistant Armor Protected (MRAP) vehicles. The truth is, DHS has had retrofitted MRAPs since 2008, and now has 16 of them for serving “high-risk warrants.” The figure of 2,717 comes from a delivery to the Marine Corps, not DHS. None of that, however, takes away from the problem that these are more properly military vehicles for war zones, not law enforcement tools. The militarization of law enforcement is undeniably troublesome. Furthermore, DHS is the same bureaucracy that claims right-wing extremists pose a threat, and it’s run by an administration that thinks that “weapons of war” shouldn’t be on our streets. Unless they’re the ones driving them, apparently.

There are certainly troubling trends here and very real threats to our Liberty, but we must be careful not to exaggerate. While readers know that we never minimize the outrageous growth of government beyond its constitutional bounds, it also doesn’t seem to us that the government is, as some have put it, “stockpiling bullets in case of civil unrest.” Questions about procurements and functions? Absolutely. Apocalypse? Not yet. MORE HERE

Can Government Be Trusted? VIDEO

MY RESPONSE: Pray like there is no tomorrow! Pray for America, for Americans to awaken to our heritage & our destiny! Seek God’s wisdom for you and your family. That is what me & mine are doing!

IMPORTANT ARTICLES:

• DHS Approves Two New Contracts For $4.5 Million in Weapons & Ammo, Adds To Huge DHS Arsenal
• Apocalypse Soon
• Chaos from the Sky: Why the EMP Threat Is Real

AMERICA’S WARNINGS

Tags

The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America's Future

“Some world call it tolerance,I said.

“Yes,” he replied, “the same tolerance that overtook ancient Israel…a tolerance for immorality and a growing intolerance for the pure–a tolerance that mocked, marginalized, and condemned those who remained faithful to the values now being discarded. Innocence was ridiculed and virtue was vilified. Children were taught of sexual immorality in public schools while the Word of God was banned. It was a tolerance that put the profane on public display and removed nativity scenes from public sight…contraband, as if somehow they had become a threat–a strangely intolerance tolerance.” from The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America’s Future

Above is an excerpt, a taste of an inspirational book. I have never been much for conspiracy theories, but neither do I believe in coincidence. Nothing happens by accident, so everything has a purpose at least one purpose, sometimes multiple purposes. I’ve only just started the book, but there is so far, nothing NEW in it, just a different presentation, a New Organization of the same things many of us have been saying for some time.

God has always sought a People to call His own. He is a God of Covenant. He made a Covenant with ancient Israel, but Israel repeatedly broke Covenant. Their rebellion brought about their own destruction – not a punishment, but the consequence of their own actions. Will America repeat Israel’s defiance and destroy herself, or will she heed the Harbingers, the warnings, the signs and even history? I pray we will humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways and seek our loving God.

The Birth or Death of American Liberty

Tags

America, Battle Hymn of the Republic, God's Law of Love, Greatest Nation on Earth, individuals, LAW, morality, truth, We're the Greatest

Mine eyes have seen the glory … have yours?

Not long ago, I remember a discussion that posed this song, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, as our National Anthem. It’s a powerful lyric with a musical score that understands the lyrics. But what does it mean?

It means … America is a nation of individuals. Each of these men and women had their own stories, their own reasons to take a stand, and their own aspirations. None were professional soldiers. None were trained in the art of “building a new nation.” The only thing they had in common was a desire to live FREE, unencumbered by government restrictions and regulations, guided only by what was “RIGHT.” They’d had enough of a tyrant – the King – ruling over them and making decisions for them… for their own good. When the king decided to disarm them, telling them he (the government) would keep them safe and take care of them, they knew better. They’d seen how the King “took care of the people” before, and they knew there had to be a better way to live. They knew!

Now, flash forward 236 years and our government today is copying the same legislative pattern Britain’s King George III followed all these years ago. We have been lulled into complacency by the power-grabbing elite of both parties, and in the process we have compromised our values, our morals, and now, we stand for NOTHING!

America is NOT the Greatest Country in the World

If only we could remember that our neighbor is just like us. We are all the same in our basic needs. Even the major religions all believe the same basic moral values and strive to improve both the individual and the culture by helping each other. If only we could remember what it feels like to do the “RIGHT” thing instead of the most profitable thing. If only we could remember the things our gramma taught us …

• If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
• You have two ears and one mouth, so you should listen twice as much as you speak.
• Be nice to the stranger, because you may find yourself in a strange place sometime in need of help.


And so on …

There is a TRUTH that supersedes all other thought. There is a Law that is universal, fair and honest. There is a morality that governs LIFE. It is God’s Law of Love.

This is NOT a requirement to be a CHRISTIAN, but simply a point of contact, a guideline, measurement stick. Each of the major religions hold to the same basic MORAL tenets, even if other aspects differ. Buddhism, Hinduism, Paganism, Judaism, and Christianity all respect LIFE. Even Islam respects life, although they define it differently. The point is … KINDNESS, RESPECT, HONESTY, CIVILITY, INTEGRITY … there is no LAW against any of these, nor any other society that abhors any of these things. They were once vaunted here, in the United States of America, a mere generation ago. Many remember … Can we not recapture these VALUES to put VALUE back into our daily discourse with one another? Hatred is such an ugly thing! Even uglier on the streets and in the homes of … US!

God’s Law of Love is the ultimate fulfillment of Biblical law, including the Ten Commandments, as it fulfills the intent of such laws. “All the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14). Through Christ’s salvation and His Law of Love, Christians are released from the Mosaic laws in the Old Testament and are no longer bound by them. Instead, they are held to a higher law—Christ’s Law of Love, which should guide all our interactions with others. It is from this place that real liberty springs!

Only WE can change America. It’s not up to the government, or Big Business, or Walmart, or the oil companies. It’s up to US… you and me. We must decide. We MUST choose … Liberty of die!

Only Prayer Can Fix What’s Broken

Tags

America, Benjamin Franklin, Constitutional Convention, Founders, freedom, Petra, prayer, US Constitution

Only a fool has said in his heart there is no God! (Psalm 14:1 & 53:1)

America is in trouble, really big trouble. For decades, the “good” people of this nation slept and trusted our elected officials to take care of business properly. Ooops! We goofed! With increased power and decreased accountability, corrupt human nature took over. Washington DC is now occupied, and it might as well be by a foreign entity. The men and women who are charged with the responsibility to lead our nation have failed and turned us away from our heritage, away from the ideals and practices that made the US the most prosperous, most creative, most inventive, most satisfied people on earth. The way back to the Constitution, the only viable stable ground, is virtually impossible to reach simply because of the extent of the corruption and the depth of our overindulged and pampered population.

So … do we throw in the towel? Give up? HECK NO! As an old rock band used to sing, “It’s time to get on our knees and fight like men!” (and women!)

As our nation’s Founders designed their plan for a more perfect union, they understood that the success of a modern republic would require more than a political document like the Constitution. From their study of history, the Founders had learned of the pitfalls of republics before this one. They concluded that even the Constitution alone could not curb individual selfishness. They believed that virtues were necessary for sustaining the American experiment. Their fervent prayers were an integral part of the birth of our nation.

In fact, during the process, when the men were at an impass in the writing of the Constitution, it was Dr. Benjamin Franklin, (not the most devout Christian in the group!) that suggested they all pray for God’s guidance.

I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs 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 they labor 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: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall be become a reproach and a bye word down to future age. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments by Human Wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, and conquest.

I therefore beg leave to move — that 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, and that one or more of the Clergy of this City be requested to officiate in that service.

The Presidential PrayerTeam suggests the following:

• Pray for President Obama as he prepares to more fully lay out his agenda in next month’s State of the Union address. Pray he will seek to serve the needs of the nation.
• Pray For Congressional Leaders

  Senator Jay Rockefeller (West Virginia) said the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will likely hold hearings on the problems plaguing the Boeing 787 “Dreamliner,” after its grounding by the FAA.

Representative Paul Broun (Georgia) is moving rapidly to assume Texas Congressman Ron Paul’s mantle, beginning with pressuring lawmakers to get a tighter grip on the Federal Reserve. He believes support is growing. 

Pray for the new Congress as it sets out its legislative agenda for the year, especially on debt ceiling and spending.

• Pray For Judicial Needs:
  The U.S. Supreme Court dashed a Chicago-area atheist’s final legal bid to challenge the use of state funds to renovate a towering cross in Southern Illinois known as the Bald Knob Cross. The Court did not comment on its decision.

  A federal appeals court upheld a controversial Wisconsin law that restricts the power of public sector unions, the passage of which sparked the unsuccessful effort last summer to remove Governor Scott Walker. 

  Pray for the Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court who will be taking up same-sex marriage issues this spring.

Current Events

WARS AND TERRORISM

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delivered a newly completed Afghan Uniformed Police District Headquarters in Herat Province to Afghan authorities. The structure was built by Afghan contractors under U.S. supervision. 

Afghan officials say a suicide squad launched an eight-hour assault in the capital on traffic police headquarters, killing three police officers. Authorities say all five attackers were killed in the offensive in Kabul. 

Pray about the Taliban’s intention destroying facilities such as police headquarters and killing civil officers.

FOREIGN INTERESTS AND CONFLICTS

Several Egyptian members of the squad of militants that lay bloody siege to the Algerian gas complex last week also took part in the deadly attack on the U.S. Mission in Benghazi, Libya, a senior Algerian official reported. 

The broader challenges the U.S. and its allies face in confronting terrorist cells that have taken up sanctuary across northern Africa was brought into focus by the bloody hostage crisis in Algeria. 

Pray about the increasing levels of Islamist militant attacks in the African continent and level of U.S. response.

THE ECONOMY

Nearly half of eligible ex-service members who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are snubbing free federal healthcare they earned in uniform because many harbor “huge distrust” of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Even though much has changed over the past four years, the un-employment rate is the same today as it was when President Obama first assumed office in 2009. The current reported rate is 7.8 percent; some believe it is higher.
 

Pray for our ex-service members, many of whom count themselves among America’s unemployed.

ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies were sharply weakened in election results Tuesday, pushing him to try to form a coalition government with his opponents that stands to be more moderate but less stable.

The Palestinian Authority Wednesday said it would deal with any Israeli government that abides by UN resolutions calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state with the pre-1967 lines and Jerusalem as its capital. 

Pray for the strength and resolve of the new government that Prime Minister Netanyahu must now assemble.

HEALTH CARE

Millions of low-income people could be required to pay more for health care under a proposed federal policy that would give states more freedom to impose co-payments and other charges on Medicaid patients. 
The next edition of psychiatry’s diagnostic manual will include a listing for Internet-Use Disorder as a condition worth studying. Excessive internet use is a “drug” to the new generation, some claim. 

Pray about ever-escalating costs of medical care, and for America’s youth in the Facebook and Twitter culture.

Look among the nations and see; wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.

Habakkuk 1:5

Thanksgiving for Our Heritage of Liberty ~ Can we KEEP it?

Tags

and the pursuit of happiness, Endowed by our Creator, liberty, life, Thanksgiving, US Constitution

Thanksgiving for Liberty ‘Endowed by Our Creator’

“I do recommend and assign Thursday … next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” –George Washington (October 3, 1789)

By Mark Alexander

As is our tradition, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends in the mountains of East Tennessee — in warm homes with plenty.

Though I do not let a day pass without expressions of gratitude to our Creator for His provision, too often I fail to take account of the full measure of His gifts. My failure, at times, to adequately express this gratitude stems from preoccupation with the challenges I face as an individual, and moreover, concern for the ongoing crisis we face as a nation.

I welcome this Thanksgiving week as an opportunity to pause, step back, and reflect upon how blessed we really are, blessed far beyond any measure of what we deserve. It comes this year at a time of bitter setback for our nation’s great heritage of Liberty.

One of the ways God has richly blessed this unworthy servant is by allowing me to lead a team of Patriots endeavoring to keep the “flame of Liberty” burning bright for our countrymen across the nation and around the world. We are honored to share the burden of defending our inheritance of Liberty with millions of other Patriots, steadfast in that defense.

Yesterday morning, we received the following message from a Marine Corps officer in Afghanistan, a parent who, like many others serving our country, will not be home to share Thanksgiving or Christmas with family. This note reminded us of the privilege and responsibility we bear on behalf of our uniformed Patriots, and the sacrifice they make willingly in the name of Liberty:

“Thanks for all that you do, not only for the cause of Liberty, but also to support those of us who are currently deployed to the far reaches of the Earth, in support of our Country. We do not have the luxury of being able to voice our opinions and beliefs, a choice we made when we took our oath, but I can rest easy, knowing that you are fighting the good fight for us. Knowing that there are still true Patriots, willing to speak up for us, to speak up for what is right, eases the grief of being away from my family and children. Thank you. Semper Fidelis!”

In honor of the service of this Marine, and hundreds of thousands of American warriors around the world, I invite you to take a moment and put our national Day of Thanksgiving into proper context and consider our Creator, who has guided our nation through its darkest of days. As George Washington declared, “The hand of providence has been so conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations.”

In his first Thanksgiving proclamation, President Ronald Reagan wrote: “America has much for which to be thankful. The unequaled freedom enjoyed by our citizens has provided a harvest of plenty to this Nation throughout its history. In keeping with America’s heritage, one day each year is set aside for giving thanks to God for all of His blessings. … As we celebrate Thanksgiving … We should reflect on the full meaning of this day as we enjoy the fellowship that is so much a part of the holiday festivities. Searching our hearts, we should ask what we can do as individuals to demonstrate our gratitude to God for all He has done. Such reflection can only add to the significance of this precious day of remembrance. Let us recommit ourselves to that devotion to God and family that has played such an important role in making this a great Nation, and which will be needed as a source of strength if we are to remain a great people.”

To supplement that reflection, I recommend that you read our brief History and Legacy of Thanksgiving, and the proclamations of those that followed the first harvest feast celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621. I would suggest that you also view this video (above) from my colleague, renowned constitutional scholar Matt Spalding, entitled “We still hold these truths,” which is devoted to our nation’s First Principles. (For the accompanying study guide, click here.)

I leave you with an excerpt from a prayer for our nation recently penned by my friend, Dr. John Guest. Though born in the Old Country (Oxford, England), John became a U.S. citizen decades ago, and like most Americans of European extraction, he has become an outspoken advocate of our Founders’ proclamation of Liberty, as “endowed by our Creator”:

“Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for what is right and what is true and the integrity to use our Liberty in accordance with your gracious will. We thank you Lord, for the gift of our Nation and its heritage. May we live up to the Patriot dreams of our Founding Fathers. We praise You for the Constitution and government our Founding Fathers designed. Forgive us that we have strayed so far from the ideals of religious freedom and individual responsibility they embody. We thank You for our Godly heritage and the Biblical principles on which the laws and institutions of our land were established.”

Fellow Patriots, I humbly thank you for the privilege of serving as editor and publisher of The Patriot Post. On behalf of your Patriot team and our National Advisory Committee, I wish you a peaceful Thanksgiving, and God’s blessings to you and your family.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” –Psalm 100:4-5

[Permission to forward, repost or reprint this essay is herein granted.]

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The History of Labor Day via The Story of Liberty

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Labor Day, Matthew Maguire, Peter J. McGuire, President Grover Cleveland

The History behind Labor Day

Labor Day is an American federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September (September 3 in 2012) that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers. In 1882, Matthew Maguire, a machinist, first proposed the holiday while serving as secretary of the CLU (Central Labor Union) of New York. Others argue that it was first proposed by Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor in May 1882, after witnessing the annual labor festival held in Toronto, Canada.

Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday in 1887. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day. Following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, the United States Congress unanimously voted to approve rush legislation that made Labor Day a national holiday; President Grover Cleveland signed it into law a mere six days after the end of the strike. The September date originally chosen by the CLU of New York and observed by many of the nation’s trade unions for the past several years was selected rather than the more widespread International Workers’ Day because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would be associated with the nascent Communist, Syndicalist and Anarchist movements that, though distinct from one another, had rallied to commemorate the Haymarket Affair in International Workers’ Day. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday.

The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations”, followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parties. Speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labor Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess. Similarly, some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school, although school starting times now vary.

What does Labor Day mean to YOU?

My family always celebrated by “protesting” the “Union” in parade downtown Pittsburgh by having a large family picnic!

Is This the END?

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attitudes, behaviors, END TIMES, Go ... Give ... LOVE, LAST DAYS, lawlessness

Is this the END so many of us have heard about, the Last Days, the End of the World? Maybe … maybe not. No one knows. NO ONE! Since the beginning of time, with each generation there have been those who believed the End was nigh, and we’re still here. The End will come one day, for sure, but is it now? Are the “signs” pointing toward the “Great Tribulation?” Again, there are those among us that believe that is so, and I know no differently, but for one seemingly insignificant thing. The Church.

Suppose, just for a minute, the End is near. If our illustrious media (cough, cough) began to query, hypothesize and investigate the various “signs of the times” as they appear to line up today, how would it affect you? Would your behavior change? Would your relationships change? Would your daily routine change?

Like many of you, I grew up in a family that frequently attended a local church. The message from the pulpit changed depending on the one speaking. There was the pious deep voice of academic theology resonating through the crystal chandeliers about this and that; the young, passionate, if whiny voice of social consciousness; and the dispassionate, weary voice of the occasional missionary reporting in and seeking more funds. Honestly, it was nothing to inspire Godly pursuit. Still God spoke to me (and you?) in the quiet of my childhood wanderings, not in words as you and I know them, but in quiet assurances.

Now that I’m a grown up, it is sometimes hard to “hear” those quiet assurances amidst the daily banter of work, family, and survival. Yet God speaks always, if we dare to listen, and His “word” is always “Go … Give … LOVE!” I did not learn this, I’m sad to say, where we went to worship. I learned it from a man who ran a sport camp. I don’t think he ever actually spoke the words either, he simply lived them.

There’s no point in a fear-driven life. If we are in the Last Days, there is nothing we can do about it, right? Neither is there much point in struggling to determine if we are in the “Last Days.” That struggle will only distract us from our purpose. We cannot change time. We cannot change people. We are who and what we are. Ah, but we CAN change our own attitudes and behaviors.

We probably agree that the world, the USA, our states and communities have become more violent, more hateful, and even more … despondent over the last few decades. We can theorize and brainstorm till the cows come home and still be uncertain about WHY, still pointless drive-by shootings, gang violence, senseless bigotry increase in number and intensity.

Lawlessness, like a swelling ocean, threatens to engulf us. Silently, liberties and choices are being replaced with mandates and “security measures.” It may or may not mean the END, but the question is: What can I do about it? Can I make a positive difference? Do I WANT to make a positive difference?

• Do I fall on my knees and pray and wait?
• Do I lock myself behind closed doors and hide?
• Do I procure a weapon of some sort?
• Do I become a political activist and work to revive Biblical morality?
• Do I put the responsibility on the government to take care of the problem(s)?
• Do I point fingers at my neighbors and recount their offenses?
• Do I make an extra casserole and share it with my neighbor?
• Do I walk across the street and talk to my neighbor for the first time in 5 years?
• Do I take self-defense classes and learn how to protect myself?
• Do I … “Go … Give … LOVE?”

Each of us, I believe, is on this earth with a purpose born(e) within. Our mission, should we accept it, is to uncover that purpose and pursue it. It is a life-long pursuit! If we can do this, it honestly will not matter whether we are approaching the END or not. We will be satisfied in the pursuit of our purpose. It is the “higher call” that will draw us, use our talents and abilities, and reward us with an abundance of memories and love. “Go … Give … LOVE!”