Memory-Loss and Reality-Shock

From My Perspective - - -

An adage that may have to be relived is: “Those Who Forget History Are Doomed To Repeat It.” That being said, last evening, May 30th, Andy Rooney concluded his segment on 60 minutes with reminisces of his time as a war correspondent during World War II, and he shared his idea that there might one day be – by some political agreement or religious miracle – a cessation of war. Memorial Day reminds us of the many thousands of military personnel who have been killed in all previous wars, or have since died as veterans of those wars. It includes a grim reminder that every day in 2010 more than 1100 World War II veterans will die, and overall – when including Korea and Viet Nam Veterans – the total swells to more than 1800 each day.

June 6th, 1944 – is called D-Day. A reasonable answer of why it was called D-Day, although not official is: “The invasion was planned in advance without a date being assigned. This was done for security reasons and to keep the element of surprise so that the enemy response would be minimal. For purposes of planning, you assumed the operation would start at D-Day and H-hour, with the day and time to be determined later. Then you can plan for how things will proceed, starting from Day 1 - 0 hour and start counting as in D+1 day, D+2 day,” The invasion of Normandy was the invasion and establishment of Allied forces in Normandy, France, during Operation Overlord in World War II. The invasion was the largest amphibious operation in history. The Normandy invasion began with overnight parachute and glider landings, massive air attacks, naval bombardments, early morning amphibious landings on five beaches codenamed Juno, Gold, Omaha, Utah, and Sword and during the evening the remaining elements of the parachute divisions landed.
The total troops, vehicles and supplies landed over the period of the invasion were:
By the end of 11 June (D + 5), 326,547 troops, 54,186 vehicles and 104,428 tons of supplies.
By June 30 (D+24) over 850,000 men, 148,000 vehicles, and 570,000 tons of supplies.
By July 4 one million men had been landed.
The Invasion Fleet was drawn from eight different navies, comprising 6,939 vessels: 1,213 warships, 4,126 transport vessels (landing ships and landing craft), and 736 ancillary craft and 864 merchant vessels. The Normandy landings were the first successful opposed landings across the English Channel in over eight centuries. They were costly in terms of men, but the defeat inflicted on the Germans was one of the largest of the war. Strategically, the campaign led to the loss of the German position in most of France and the secure establishment of a new major front. In larger context the Normandy landings helped the Soviets on the Eastern front, who were facing the bulk of the German forces and, to a certain extent, contributed to the shortening of the conflict there. The official death and casualty figures on D-Day are as follows. The Americans: 1,465 dead, 3,184 wounded, 1,928 missing and 26 POW for the landing troops. For the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions the general estimation was 2,499 Killed In Action (KIA), Missing In Action (MIA) & wounded. The Canadians: 335 KIA, 611 wounded The British (estimated): 3,000 KIA and wounded. The 6th Airborne division had 650 KIA, MIA and wounded.

Back to the Andy Rooney idea and/or hope regarding war, the words of Jesus Christ give one a clear sense of human shortsightedness, stubbornness and folly that often occasion war. In Matthew 24:6-14, Jesus states succinctly to His followers: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places…you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” The Gospel of the Kingdom is the message of hope and security. It alone gives one peace in the midst of conflict and calamity. Psalm 46:1 states: “God is our Refuge and Strength, an ever-present help in the day of trouble!” Turn to Him now! Consider these things with me!

King Canute - or - Casey At The Bat

From My Perspective - - -

It is always good to know one’s limitations – be it royalty or peasantry! All are mortal and all have boundaries in terms of what can and can’t be done. Charles Krauthammer has written in The Washington Post: “We expect our presidents to play Superman. Helplessness, however undeniable, is no defense. Moreover, (President) Obama has never been overly modest about his own powers. Two years ago next week, he declared that history will mark his ascent to the presidency as the moment when “our planet began to heal” and “the rise of the oceans began to slow.” Well, when you anoint yourself King Canute, you mustn’t be surprised when your subjects expect you to command the tides.” This would apply to oil leaks and sundry other issues that may occur.

Even an aspiration for “change” would require one to employ common sense and face the reality that every man is mortal and no man is omnipotent. The following is taken from: The King Who Could Not Stop The Sea But Stemmed The Viking Tide On England's Shores - Written for The Viking Network by Barrie Markham Rhodes. He noted: "Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings. For there is none worthy of the name but God, whom heaven, earth and sea obey. So spoke King Canute the Great, the legend says, seated on his throne on the seashore, waves lapping round his feet. Canute had learned that his flattering courtiers claimed he was "So great, he could command the tides of the sea to go back". Now Canute was not only a religious man, but also a clever politician. He knew his limitations - even if his courtiers did not - so he had his throne carried to the seashore and sat on it as the tide came in, commanding the waves to advance no further. When they didn't, he had made his point that, though the deeds of kings might appear 'great' in the minds of men, they were as nothing in the face of God's power.”

One gets a significant glimpse of one’s humanity in the Classic Poem – Casey At The Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer. The poem is known by most - - -
The Outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play…

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, if only Casey could get but a whack at that -
We'd put up even money, now, with Casey at the bat.

Casey did not like the first two pitches that were thrown to him – but both were called strikes by the umpire. With grit and determination, Casey waits for the next pitch… The Poem continues - - -
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow…

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Casey has struck out.

In Job 7:17-19 – in the midst of difficulty and sorrow – Job asks: “What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, that you examine him every morning and test him every moment? Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant?” David raises a similar question in Psalm 8:4, “what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” Man is wonderfully made in the image of God – but – man is not God! Man has limitations but God does not! Man is mortal and will die but God is immortal and eternal. Jesus said He would give eternal life to His sheep – have you received that gift from God? You can avoid the ultimate disaster. Someone shared: “Eternity is a long time to spend in the wrong place!” Consider these things with me!

There's An Emergency?

From My Perspective - - -

There’s an emergency – or – is there? No time for austerity or restraint – or – is there? An emergency can occur suddenly! The unexpected can become a reality. A fire - A vehicle wreck - A heart attack - A death - Damage from a tornado or hurricane - many and sundry circumstances can and will occur during a given lifetime – apart from any forethought or plan for any exigency (a case or situation that demands prompt action or remedy; emergency).

One could-should ask: Whatever happened to austerity, restraint, accountability, responsibility in government? The Daily Caller reports today: "Democrats in Congress have added $173 billion in new spending to the federal deficit in just three months since they passed a law requiring that any new expenditure be offset by cuts elsewhere in the budget. They will try this week to add another $197 billion in two separate measures. The House is expected to vote Wednesday on a package of extensions in government aid to unemployed Americans, Medicaid funding for states, and tax breaks that will add $134 billion to the $1.4 trillion deficit. The Senate is expected to vote this week on a $63 billion supplemental spending bill. Half of that amount would go to the war in Afghanistan. The rest is for aid to Haiti, settlement of land claims with American Indians and discrimination claims of black farmers, compensation of war veterans exposed to Agent Orange, foreign aid to Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan, and replenishment of the government’s disaster relief fund. Republicans, who oppose some of the spending outright, say that at the very least all but the $33 billion that the Pentagon needs to continue funding a surge of 30,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan should be offset by spending cuts. So far, it appears that Democrats plan to escape their own rules that require them to offset all new spending by declaring the measures to be ‘emergency spending’.” It matters little which party is in the majority – both parties have demonstrated a propensity to spend freely on “their” pet projects and interests."

The result of unchecked and irresponsible spending can be seen in the U.S. Debt Clock http://www.usdebtclock.org/ - which is racing at an increasing speed. It brings about the current result: “America's National Debt Tops $13,000,000,000,000; Debt Per Taxpayer - $117,975; Us Debt To Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Ratio - 90.3%. Yet, in the midst of this spending surge, more spending emergencies are found and a matter-of-fact effort is made to fund them (so these figures will obviously and steadily increase) – thereby increasing the GDP Ration closer and closer toward 100%.

In a column by George Fooshee: “10 Financial Principles That are Biblical”, he writes: “…I've seen firsthand the full spectrum of financial woes that can hopelessly trap people in a society victimized by the credit-card, "buy-now-pay-later" syndrome. As a bill collector, my business is to try to collect accounts that creditors have been unsuccessful in collecting. Daily, I see people in deep financial trouble. Thousands in this country have got themselves into financial messes that can lead to more serious consequences…” One of the key principles mentioned is “Keep Out Of Debt” – where he indicates: “The fifth principle is to keep out of unnecessary debt and thus avoid the debt trap. Borrowing for a house or car is one thing but taking on financial obligations one can't keep-buying beyond the ability to pay-is another. Psalm 37:21 says: the wicked borrows, and pays not again. The minute a person goes into debt, he loses a portion of his freedom. As Proverbs 22:7 says: The rich rules over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender." He goes on to state: “The seventh principle is that of keeping records and making a budget. Proverbs 24:3-4, Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches." King David maintained an excellent perspective of both God and life. He stated in I Chronicles 29:14-15, “For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. For we are strangers before you and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding.” Debt incurred today to be paid by the next generations is very unfair and borders on being criminal. Consider these things with me!

Useless Information

From My Perspective - - -

Is there ever a useful use for useless information (other than being the subject of a Blog)? Are there things you know but you have no place to share it? It’s the type stuff that might cause one to shrug and say: Who cares? Or: So what? Or: What’s that got to do with the price of tea in China? The data being referred to and compiled in The Good, Clean Funnies List is listed as “Interesting Facts” – some of which are:
Pearls melt in vinegar.
The three most valuable brand names on earth: Marlboro, Coca-Cola, and Budweiser, in that order.
It's possible to lead a cow upstairs, but not downstairs. (Is this similar to: You can lead a Horse to water but you can’t make him drink?)
Keeping in mind the Cow “fact” - The reason firehouses have circular stairways is from the days of yore when the engines were pulled by horses. The horses were stabled on the ground floor and figured out how to walk up straight staircases (Did they install a Pole so they could slide back down?)...
The sentence "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses every letter in the alphabet. (This was Developed by Western Union to test telex/two communications).
The only 15-letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is "uncopyrightable."
No legitimate word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, or purple.
A duck's quack doesn't echo, and no one knows why.
Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of their unwanted people without killing them used to burn their houses down - hence the expression "to get fired."
The longest recorded flight of a chicken is thirteen seconds.
The name "Jeep" came from the abbreviation used in the army for the "General Purpose" vehicle, G.P.
The highest point in Pennsylvania is lower than the lowest point in Colorado.
If you have three quarters, four dimes, and four pennies, you have $1.19. You also have the largest amount of money in coins without being able to make change for a dollar.
There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar (but the preceding is not one of them).
Only one person in two billion will live to be 116 or older.
If you put a raisin in a glass of champagne, it will keep floating to the top and sinking to the bottom (something to try during a Wedding Toast?).
Any month that begins on a Sunday will always have a Friday the 13th.

When it comes to the Bible, the cynic or skeptic might allow there is useless information there as well, such as all the genealogies. The American Bible Society has a brief article where they state the value and benefit of these passages. Some of their comments are: “People in ancient Israel placed great importance on who their family's ancestors were. The Bible includes family lists (genealogies) in order to show where certain families came from and why they were important. Genesis lists the male head of each family from Adam to Noah (Genesis 5:1-32), from Noah through the descendants of his three sons, Japheth, Ham and Shem, and from Shem to Abraham (Genesis 11:20-26). Isaac was the son God promised to give Abraham and Sarah. Genesis tells the story of Isaac's descendants, but the genealogy in Genesis 25:12-18 is a reminder that Abraham also had a son named Ishmael with Hagar, Sarah's slave…The only proper family line for Israel's priests was from Levi (Exodus 6:16-25). The long list of worthy ancestors of Israel's first king, Saul, is given in 1 Chronicles 1:1-9:44…Israel's future kings were to be descendants of King David (2 Samuel 7:16; Isaiah 11:1-5; Psalm 89:3,4). Both of the genealogies of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-28) link him with David, although they differ in details in their lists. Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel, so his list begins with Abraham…The list in Luke goes backwards beginning with Joseph, Jesus' legal father, through David the king, Jacob, Abraham, and all the way back to Adam…” The most important list is whether or not your name appears in The Lamb’s Book of Life. If your name isn’t there, you’re not an heir of Christ in God’s Kingdom! Consider these things with me!

The Tongue and Eye-Teeth

From My Perspective - - -

With much fanfare and aplomb, a speaker is introduced with many accolades and superlatives – and then – the audience is left with the sense of not knowing what was being said! Some have coined a descriptive phrase that a person is continuing to speak until he can think of something to say. An illustration of this is a report in The Guardian by Karen McVeigh regarding the new Prime Minister of England. She wrote: "David Cameron’s choice of words is sometimes rather baffling…Asked why he didn’t bring up the ‘big society’ in the first TV election debate, he said: Well all the questions were rather subjecty subjects. And in the Downing Street garden on Wednesday, he answered a question about how long the coalition would hold together with the words: This will succeed through its success.” David Crystal, a linguistics professor, said that “Cameron’s answer was a historical putdown that dates back to Roman times. Saying ‘This will succeed through its success’ is a down-to-earth way of saying ‘Don’t ask silly questions.’ This is normal rhetoric, which goes back to classical times (linguistics experts say his language has much in common with Shakespeare), to make a point simply and effectively.” You can see more about the use or misuse of language by going to: http://schott.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/20/vocabulinks-9/.

All have experienced moments where something was said that (a) was not intended in the way it was heard, and (b) a statement made that became gibberish and made no sense at all. At such a moment, another statement made is: “My tongue got in the way of my eye-teeth and I couldn’t see what I was saying.” Steven Poole has a column where misspeak is addressed. He cites: “In the last Presidential Campaign, there were instances of false statements made that became relegated to the evasive and elusive category of "misspeak." A couple of examples are: (1) John McCain, when he was asked how he could have imagined that Iran was arming “Al Qaeda”: He responded: “I just simply misspoke when I said Al-Qaeda”. (2) Hillary Clinton was forced to admit that she was not actually being shot at by snipers when she landed in Bosnia in 1996. Her glib response was: “So I misspoke.” One acknowledges that what was said was absolutely false, but the fault is not the speaker’s, as it would be if one had deliberately lied or been wrong. No, the fault is somehow in the faculty of speech itself, something going wrong in the course of that complex magic between brain, lip and others’ ears. Lying (if that’s what it is) is Unspoken as a brief blip of dysphasia.” The phrase: “a brief blip of dysphasia” has a potent meaning. The Medical Dictionary indicates Dysphasia is: “loss of or deficiency in the power to use or understand language as a result of injury to or disease of the brain.” When used as a noun, it means: “Impairment of speech and verbal comprehension.” Basically, what is being inferred and intended is that the speaker lied and knew that he/she was lying but lied anyway. The only other suggested alternative is that the speaker is brain-damaged.

One needs to stand on and for the truth, as well as to speak the truth and only the truth at all times. The basis for this type of commitment is stated throughout the Bible. Psalm 40:4 (NKJV) - Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Proverbs 12:22, “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal truthfully are His delight.” In Proverbs 19:9, “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies shall perish.” In John 8:43-45, to Abraham’s descendants, Jesus Christ spoke directly, sharply and unequivocally: “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.” The test of real character is evidenced in Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, The only way to maintain a lifestyle that is free from cynicism is to be anchored to The One Who declared of Himself (John 14:6), “I am…The Truth…” and of Whom Scripture declares (Hebrews 13:8), “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Consider these things with me!

Thumbs-A-Million

From My Perspective - - -

Thumbing a ride on a roadway? No! Thumbs Up – an indication of approval? No! A new phenomenon has infiltrated our nation and entered most homes! Questions we might ask: Is it a danger for particular age groups? Is it addictive? Can it be life-threatening? Is it a disease? A mental disorder? What is this phenomenon called? For want of a better description, we can call it Digitalized Detachment! A more common name would be – Text Messaging!

The NY Times on May 13, 2010 contained an article entitled: “Cell-phones Now Used More for Data Than for Calls” By Jenna Wortham. She writes: “…although almost 90 percent of households in the United States now have a cell-phone, the growth in voice minutes used by consumers has stagnated…Instead of talking on their cell-phones, people are making use of all the extras that iPhones, BlackBerrys and other smart-phones were also designed to do — browse the Web, listen to music, watch television, play games and send e-mail and text messages. The number of text messages sent per user increased by nearly 50 percent nationwide last year…and for the first time in the United States, the amount of data in text, e-mail messages, streaming video, music and other services on mobile devices in 2009 surpassed the amount of voice data in cell-phone calls…Originally, talking was the only cell-phone application…but now it’s less than half of the traffic on mobile networks.”

An ABC News Study released in July 2007 stated: “The addictiveness of cell phones, and the dangers of calling while driving, has become a high-profile issue over the past several years. But the effects of text messaging - which is likely even more dangerous because drivers must avert their eyes from the road for longer periods - have been mostly ignored. Is addiction to text messaging interfering with the lives of teens and endangering their safety? The evidence is mounting: Twenty-eight percent of teens admit to sending text messages while driving, according to a study just released by the American Automobile Association and Seventeen magazine. Signs of a youth population increasingly hooked on text messaging abound. Sixty-five percent of people between the ages of 18 and 28 send text messages, nearly double the population average of 35 percent, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project. In total, a whopping 93.8 billion text messages were sent in the United States during the last six months of 2006, nearly double the 48.6 billion sent in the same period in 2005…Text message addiction is slowly showing up on the radar of mental health professionals…The Priory Group, a top mental health provider in Britain, announced in 2003 that they had begun treating patients for phone-texting addiction.”

Wikipedia contains these thoughts: “Today text messaging is the most widely used mobile data service, with 74% of all mobile phone users worldwide or 2.4 billion out of 3.3 billion phone subscribers at end of 2007 being active users of the Short Message Service. In countries such as Finland, Sweden and Norway, over 85% of the population use SMS. The European average is about 80% and North America is rapidly catching up with over 60% active users of SMS by end of 2008.”

Is text-messaging a waste of time? While some would argue that it is valid means of communication, others would argue that it consumes too much of one’s time in meaningless thumb-chatter. How one uses his/her time is an important factor in the development of life and value choices. The Message translates Luke 6:31-35, “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that. I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You'll never - I promise - regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously…” For this behavior, you’ll get a Thumbs Up! Consider these things with me!

Jack and Jill Had A Hill

From My Perspective - - -

The scene is repeated over and over – Baccalaureate and Commencement exercises. Four years of study and effort has drawn to a conclusion. Another generation stands on a threshold – either further studies or entering a profession of choice. Is there a meaningful choice on the immediate horizon? Are there career opportunities for this graduating class? All of their goals and aspirations – will they find a place where they can and will be fulfilled? Or – will they be met by indifference and become dismayed and disillusioned by an uncertain market-place? In an article – Celebrity College Dropouts – The Daily Caller inserts these words: “This week, many students will receive diplomas after toiling away for four years at college. While they’ll ride a transient, euphoric wave of accomplishment, graduates will soon enter a job market that could care less about their higher education. Meanwhile, a portion of the country’s wealthiest will go about business as usual, impervious to the wants of the recent college graduate. They, unlike the students mentioned, never attended college and were never affected by a market that particularly cared about their education.”

In the general milieu (an environment or setting) of the Nation, is there any possibility or opportunity that is free from duplicity and disillusionment? In a column appearing in One News Now on May 17, 2010 – Peter Heck wrote: “At this year's National Prayer Breakfast, President Obama chided Republicans and Democrats to not contaminate our political discussions with smears and slander. Civility is not a sign of weakness, he said. At times, it seems like we are unable to listen to one another, to have at once a serious and civil debate. This erosion of civility in the public square sows division and cynicism among our citizens. It poisons the well of public opinion…If we choose only to expose ourselves to opinions and viewpoints that are in line with our own, studies suggest that we will become more polarized, more set in our ways. But if we choose to actively seek out information that challenges our assumptions and our beliefs, perhaps we can begin to understand where the people who disagree with us are coming from…At the prayer breakfast, President Obama lamented: "We become absorbed with our abstract arguments, our ideological disputes, our contests for power. And in this Tower of Babel, we lose the sound of God's voice. If the president truly seeks to encourage Americans to find their inner angels, my humble suggestion would be for him to try leading by example. This was said following his first year and a half in office in which he attempted to shun an entire news agency because they dared question him, demonized Rush Limbaugh, attempted to cut Fox News from the White House press pool, and had members of his staff orchestrating boycotts against cultural commentators who oppose his policies. Is this what seeking out information that challenges our assumptions means?"

It is essential to maintain one’s Spiritual moorings (elements providing stability or security) in the midst of duplicity and disillusionment. If the spiritual moorings are maintained, and if there is commitment in a viable relationship with the Lord, then the words of Isaiah 50:4-7 will encourage and give confidence: “The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back…Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” The NLT states verse 7: “Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph.” Will it require effort and perseverance? Yes! Will there be challenges and difficulties? Yes! Will there be steep hills to climb along the way? Yes! It is important that one never take his/her eye off of the goal or waver in terms of commitment! Moses had his Red Sea - Esther had her “if I perish, I perish” moment - Daniel had his Lion’s Den - his three friends had their Fiery Furnace - Jonah had the Whale - Jesus Christ had The Cross! In our lives, we must learn to differentiate between mountains and bumps in the road. Never make mountains out of mole hills! Never focus on the circumstances and happenings – stay focused on the Sovereign Lord Who continues to be more than sufficient for all of your need! Consider these things with me!

The Inevitability Of Change

From My Perspective - - -

All have heard and parroted the phrase: “The More Things Change The More They Remain The Same.” For those who research the words of others, this statement is attributable to Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr (1908 – 1990). The guess at what it means includes: “…it is something similar to ‘nothing new under the sun’, except that it’s more paradoxical. A simple interpretation is that it means the one thing that we can be sure of, the only thing that is consistent in life, is that nothing is permanent.”

In a Day By Day Devotional, Charles R. Swindoll wrote: “Better than any other word I can think of, ‘change’ describes our world. Vast, sweeping changes, especially in the last 150 years…Consider two of the more pronounced changes in our world. (1) Population - It was not until 1850 that the number of people on this globe reached one billion. By 1930…the number had doubled. Only thirty years later—1960—it was up to three billion. (2) Speed - Until the early 1800s the fastest any human being could travel was about 20 miles per hour on the back of a galloping horse. By 1880 the ‘streamline’ passenger train whipped along at 100 miles per hour, an unheard of and fearsome velocity. Today - manned space rockets jump the speed to 16,000 miles per hour…There are also the technological advancements in the last century; the enormous changes made in military armament and defense; advanced agricultural processes; other modes of transportation; breakthroughs in medicine; etc.”

Track and Field has also witnessed significant “change” in the last half-century. The year 1954 was notable in the Track World when the impossible became possible – a man running a mile in less than 4 minutes! It had never been done before. Investor's Business Daily carried this story – “For Roger Bannister, the gauntlet was thrown down: Someone told him his goal was ‘impossible.’ Until 1954, the fastest any human ran a mile was 4 minutes 1.3 seconds. That record stood eight years. Many thought it would stand forever. Bannister decided it wouldn't… On May 6, 1954, he became the first man to break the four-minute mile barrier with a time of 3:59.4. It was a milestone so important that Sports Illustrated rated it, along with the climbing of Mount Everest, as the most significant athletic feat of the 20th century.” It’s a strange truism – “records were made to be broken.” Shortly after Roger Bannister’s achievement, Herb Elliot – an Australian middle-distance runner who was world-record holder in the 1,500-metre race (1958–67) and the mile race would achieve that same goal and set a new record. It was reported: “He ran his first sub-four-minute mile in 1958; and in that year he set a new world record for the mile of 3 min 54.5 sec and for the 1,500-metre race of 3 min 36 sec. Elliott ran the mile in less than 4 minutes seventeen times.” Many have probably forgotten the feat of “…Ukrainian-born Sergei Bubka who beat all the competition at the 1983 World Championships with an 18-foot pole vault when he was only nineteen. After that he added one inch after another, until finally he broke the magic barrier by clearing 20 feet….”

In the spiritual realm, an anchor point for one’s belief system is this basic truth stated in Malachi 3:6, “I the Lord do not change…” The Theological term is: God Is Immutable! From an article in The Reformed Witness: “That God is immutable does not only mean that God does not change, it most emphatically means that He cannot change…We change physically, mentally, and spiritually. Styles change. Governments and their leaders change. Nations come and go. Creation underwent significant changes at the time of the fall and of the flood, and continues to undergo certain changes. Over against all this stands God!” This truth has further significance in terms of personal identity and relationship to the Lord. Because God does not change, there is great assurance in the words of Isaiah 54:5 and 10, “For your Maker - the Lord Almighty is His name - the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth…Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you.” In this world of flux, you have an Anchor; a firm foundation; a God Who is not affected by circumstances or events. He is the Solid Rock! He is unchangeable! Be anchored to Him! Consider these things with me!

Flames and The Inflamed

From My Perspective - - -

Conflict Resolution – is it a fanciful notion or is it possible? Is it worth the effort? Can those who claim Historical precedent allow for any compromise? Should we expect and/or require people of conscience, principle and conviction to compromise? The advocates of Conflict Resolution state: “by resolving conflict successfully, you can solve many of the problems that it has brought to the surface, as well as getting benefits that you might not at first expect: (1) Increased understanding: The discussion needed to resolve conflict expands people's awareness of the situation, giving them an insight into how they can achieve their own goals without undermining those of other people; (2) Increased group cohesion: When conflict is resolved effectively, team members can develop stronger mutual respect, and a renewed faith in their ability to work together; (3) Improved self-knowledge: Conflict pushes individuals to examine their goals in close detail, helping them understand the things that are most important to them, sharpening their focus, and enhancing their effectiveness.” Are these advocates correct?

A news story in a Reuters Report for May 13, 2010 by Dan Williams has this headline: “Netanyahu Turns To Bible In Tussle Over Jerusalem.” This is in reference to the ongoing “Peace Talks” and the issue of “Jewish Settlements” that continue to be built. The article includes: “Beset by questions about Jerusalem's future in talks with the Palestinians, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached for the Bible on Wednesday to stake out the Jewish state's contested claim on the city. Netanyahu told a parliamentary session commemorating Israel's capture of East Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 war that 'Jerusalem' and its alternative Hebrew name 'Zion' appear 850 times in the Old Testament, Judaism's core canon. As to how many times Jerusalem is mentioned in the holy scriptures of other faiths, I recommend you check, he said. Citing such ancestry, Israel calls all of Jerusalem its ‘eternal and indivisible’ capitol -- a designation not recognized abroad, where many powers support Arab claims to East Jerusalem as the capitao of a future Palestinian state. The dispute is further inflamed by the fact East Jerusalem houses al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third-holiest shrine, on a plaza that Jews revere as the vestige of two biblical Jewish temples.”

An unexpected and fascinating moment occurred. The article includes: “Heckled by a lawmaker from Israel's Arab minority, Netanyahu offered a lesson in comparative religion from the lectern. Because you asked: Jerusalem is mentioned 142 times in the New Testament, and none of the 16 various Arabic names for Jerusalem is mentioned in the Koran. But in an expanded interpretation of the Koran from the 12th century, one passage is said to refer to Jerusalem, he said.” How should a Palestinian Negotiator respond to the use of the Bible and Comparative Religion reference? The article includes a pathetic and hollow retort: “Responding to Netanyahu's citations, Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said: I find it very distasteful, this use of religion to incite hatred and fear. East Jerusalem is an occupied Palestinian town, and East Jerusalem cannot continue to be occupied if there is to be peace.” There is no counter-point from the Koran. No Palestinian interpolation from the Bible. Just of personal indignation.

If one wishes to experience what “inflamed” means, get a group of “Christians” to discuss the Second Coming of Christ.” Will Israel and Jerusalem be prominent? Is there going to be a literal Battle of Armageddon in the Valley of Megiddo? Will Jesus Christ be in an actual battle with the Antichrist? Will Gog and Magog resurface as nations of influence and power? Or, will Russia be identified as the nation of influence in the Middle East? If one attempts to get “Christians” to agree, the primary result will be learning about what it means to be inflamed. Jesus stated what would be occurring when he returns and what is important for one to know. In Luke 21:33-36, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." Consider these things with me!

The W.C. and Other Acronyms

From My Perspective - - -

Who needs Acronyms? FYI (“For Your Information”), all I need is a KISS (“Keep It Simple Stupid”). Forget about being PC (“Politically Correct”) with me until I have my morning glass of OJ (“Orange Juice”) and conclude my R&R time (“Rest and Relaxation”) or until someone displays adequate TLC (“Tender Love and Care”) and brings me a BLT (“Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato”) sandwich to go along with my OJ.

An Acronym is: A word formed by combining the beginning letters of a name or phrase, as in WASP for white Anglo-Saxon Protestant, or by combining the initial syllables of a series of words, as in RADAR, which stands for radio detecting and ranging; or OPEC from Organization of Petroleum, EU from European Union, WHO from World Health Organization, etc. Some can be slightly confusing, such as NAE. Does it mean National Association of Evangelicals, or National Academy of Engineering, or Naval Aviation Enterprise? If we juxtaposition NAE to NEA, does it mean National Education Association, or National Endowment for the Arts, or Nuclear Energy Association, or National Environment Association? Those who research Acronyms came across one from the Department of Defense and Intelligence – STONESOUP. It means: “Securely Taking On New Executable Stuff of Uncertain Provenance.” The researchers comment regarding this Acronym is: “It is silly and needlessly complex. The acronym’s component words have been put together, just to make this goofy phrase…The acronym itself has little to do with the substance of the program, an intelligence community research effort to find vulnerabilities in binary or source code.”

Acronyms are fine if they are kept simple and are easily remembered. Cultural Factors also determine one’s ability to understand what a certain Acronym means. A humorous illustration of this is a story called The Water Closet. “A certain English lady visited Switzerland and was having difficulty finding a room, so she asked the local schoolmaster to help her. After a satisfactory room had been found, she returned to her home and did some packing. Suddenly, it occurred to her that she hadn't noticed a W.C. (in England, the bathroom is called a Water Closet), so she wrote the schoolmaster about the W.C. The Schoolmaster, not knowing the British meaning, asked the parish priest and together they decided that it must mean ‘Wayside Chapel.’ He wrote her the following letter: Dear Madame, It is my pleasure to inform you that there is a W.C. just 9 miles from your home, in the center of a grove of pine trees. It seats 229 people, and it is open on Thursdays and Sundays. This is an unfortunate situation if you are in the habit of going regularly. You will, no doubt, be glad to hear that some people bring their lunches and make a day of it. I would especially recommend Thursdays, for then there is Musical accompaniment. The acoustics in the W.C. are excellent; even the most delicate sound can be heard. My son was married in the W.C. and there was such a rush for seats that 10 people had to sit in the same seat. The looks on their faces were very interesting. My wife is sickly but dedicated. She doesn't go regularly, and she hasn't gone for nearly a year. I will be glad to reserve a seat in the W.C. for you, where you will be seen and heard by everyone. Hoping I have been of some assistance. Sincerely yours, The Schoolmaster.”

In the Church Community, Acronyms are used frequently, such as, the text is read from the NKJV rather than the NASB. Clarifying readings will be taken from the NIV and the NLT. Some have developed Acronyms, such as – FAITH – Forsaking All I Trust Him. As an attempt to define Justification, it is said to mean that God sees me in Christ – Just As If I Had Never Sinned. We should be thankful that the Bible is free of Acronyms when it informs us: John 3:16, “God so loved the world that He gave us His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.” The Bible indicates in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.” If one responds according to Acts 16:31 to, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” It becomes a fact, Romans 10:13, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord, shall be saved.” The question of salvation is never dealt with in terms of a clever Acronym, but on the basis of a personal response to Jesus Christ. The bottom line issue is: Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord? If not, do so now! Consider these things with me!

Rolling Dice and Bursting Bubbles

From My Perspective - - -

Pinching pennies or pitching pennies – when one has limited or no income - what is most advisable for one to do? Penny-Ante Poker (a poker game in which the highest bet is limited to a penny or another small sum) – who raised the stakes? When did it suddenly become “Trillion-Ante” poker? In a bygone day, when everyone seemed to be poor and money-values were conscience-driven, such as – “Waste not – Want not!” (it became a mantra of that day)– but even then, children would gather in the school yard and Pitch Pennies (the one whose penny came closest to the wall won all the other pennies that had been thrown). How did the value system in this nation become derailed? Why are so many losing their life’s investments and homes? Is there a Financial Grinch lurking out there waiting to beguile and bankrupt whoever - - whenever?

Today - Monday, May 10, 2010 in the Washington Times, a Business Headline appears: “DEBORCHGRAVE: Stock market time bomb?” The sub-title to the article is: “Derivatives crash could blow up the global economy.” The problem is summed up in these words: “One of the Middle East's most powerful bankers conceded recently that even after listening to experts explain the drill, he still does not understand derivatives and therefore doesn't trust them and won't have anything to do with them. And when that weapon of mass destruction (WMD) explodes, he explained, our bank's customers, from all over the world, will be saved from the disaster." In other words, he is saying that the “Financial-Experts” cannot define what they are doing. It is comparable to rolling “loaded” dice (stated to be the WMD = Weapon of Mass Destruction in the Financial World) in both an undisciplined and irresponsible way – risking investor’s money without conscience or regard to the outcome. The article states: “Even the world's most savvy stock-market giants (such as Warren E. Buffett) have warned over the past decade that derivatives are the fiscal equivalent of a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) - potentially lethal. And the consequences of such an explosion would make the recent global financial and economic crisis seem like penny ante. But generously lubricated lobbyists for the unrestricted, unsupervised derivatives markets tell congressional committees and government regulators stay out of their business.

While banks all over the world were imploding and some $50 trillion vanished in global stock markets, the derivatives market grew by an estimated 65 percent, according the Bank for International Settlements (they convene the world's 57 most powerful central bankers in Basel, Switzerland, for periodic secret meetings). Occasionally, they issue a cry of alarm. This time, derivatives had soared from $414.8 trillion at the end of 2006 to $683.7 trillion in mid-2008 - 18 months' time. The derivatives market is now estimated at $700 trillion (face value, not market value). The world's gross domestic product in 2009: $69.8 trillion; America's, $14.2 trillion. The total market cap of all major global stock markets? A mere $30 trillion. And the total amount of dollar bills in circulation, most of them abroad: $830 billion. What's so difficult to understand about derivatives? Essentially, they are bets for or against the house - red or black at the roulette wheel….Credit derivatives are based on loans, bonds or other forms of credit. Over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives are contracts that are traded and privately negotiated directly between two parties, All of this…unregulated…” For further explanation see http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/may/10/stock-market-time-bomb/.

Proverbs 24:3-4 (The Message) states: “It takes wisdom to build a house, and understanding to set it on a firm foundation; It takes knowledge to furnish its rooms with fine furniture and beautiful draperies.” In the NLT: “A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.” Careful financial management will always have a positive result. Rolling Load Dice will always be lethal – especially if it is being done by those who can’t define what they are doing! Benjamin Franklin was correct – “A Penny saved is a Penny earned.” Don’t use your “Penny” recklessly or with abandon. Don’t take unwise short-cuts. Penny-ante poker and pitching pennies against the wall will take what little you had and leave you with nothing. Don’t take unnecessary financial risks. Be wise and you will also be rewarded. Consider these things with me!

Mama's Dog House Is A Bad Place To Be

From My Perspective - - -

Sunday, May 9th is Mother’s Day. Some reflections – memories – come readily to mind as one thinks of Mama and the role she had in shaping the life or lives of her children. Some personal reflections are:
If you have a choice – to go to Mama’s Wood Shed or Mama’s Dog House – choose the Wood Shed. The reasons are that (a) you doubtlessly deserved the Wood Shed moments, (b) her Board of Education to your seat of learning did more to shape character and give meaningful direction for your life, and (c) that experience is soon forgotten in the reaffirming embrace of a Mother who reminded you of her love. Just a look at the tear in her eye was reminder enough of her pain and disappointment that occasioned the discipline in the Wood Shed.

Stay in touch with your Mother – a visit, telephone call, a personal note, a gift, a card – all have far more significance and meaning beyond your imagination.
Lewis Grizzard was an outstanding southern humorist. He could be caustic and raunchy at times but there was something special he offered as Mother’s Day neared, namely: “Don’t Forget To Write Your Mama – I Wish I Could Still Write Mine.”
Erma Bombeck, a writer and humorist, made these observations about a Mother - - - "It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding." Her observation about those contemplating marriage and motherhood - - - "Spend at least one Mother's Day with your respective mothers before you decide on marriage. If a man gives his mother a gift certificate for a flu shot, dump him."
Someone made this general observation - - - "Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers, and sisters, aunts and cousins, - but you have only one mother in the whole world."
Rose Kennedy, Mother of President John F. Kennedy, shared this thought about Motherhood - - - "I looked on child rearing not only as a work of love and duty but as a profession that was fully as interesting and challenging as any honorable profession in the world and one that demanded the best I could bring to it."

In a different time and generation, it was not uncommon for a Grandmother to be part of what we called Home and Family. In a situation where a Father had died and a Mother had to have employment to provide for her child or children, a Grandmother was an invaluable resource and influence. She tended to be strict and her assessments and evaluations of our whereabouts and adventures bordered on the psychic. In such a situation, I think of what Paul wrote in II Timothy 1:5-6, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your Grandmother Lois and your Mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…” My Grandmother died when I was a directionless teenager. I’m sure she wondered where she and my Mother had failed. There are times – moments – when I wish my Grandmother could have known that her discipline and influence had not been in vain. If she could have only seen and known the direction my life took, the going to college and beyond - - and if she could’ve met the love of my life and those whom she could have known as her Great Grand-children - - I’m sure her joy would have been considerable.
For the one who became my wife, and for that patient and longsuffering Grandmother and Mother, some of the words of Proverbs 31 are deserved and fitting: (Vs. 10-12) “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.” (Vs. 28-31) “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” Never take a Wife, or Mother, or Grandmother for granted. This Mother’s Day - Don’t forget to visit, call or write your Mama – I wish I could do all of that with mine! Consider these things with me!

In God We Trust - Sometimes? Maybe?

From My Perspective - - -

Is our national motto – In God We Trust – true? Tomorrow – May 6th – represents the 59th Anniversary of the National Day of Prayer Observance. The Theme is: Prayer – For Such A Time As This and the Verse is Nahum 1:7, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” In keeping with national tradition, the President of the United States issued an official – National Day of Prayer Proclamation. He wrote: “Throughout our history, whether in times of great joy and thanksgiving, or in times of great challenge and uncertainty, Americans have turned to prayer. In prayer, we have expressed gratitude and humility, sought guidance and forgiveness, and received inspiration and assistance, both in good times and in bad. On this day, let us give thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed upon our Nation. Let us rejoice for the blessing of freedom both to believe and to live our beliefs, and for the many other freedoms and opportunities that bring us together as one Nation. Let us ask for wisdom, compassion, and discernment of justice as we address the great challenges of our time….”

USA TODAY conducted a Poll on May 1-2 of a sample group of 1,000 people. Their findings include: “83% say God answers prayers, 57% favor National Prayer Day…This fits with most Americans' views: 92% say there is a God and 83% say this God answers prayers…The survey also asked two groups of 500 people each a question about the National Day of Prayer…One group was asked if they favored or opposed the National Day of Prayer or if it doesn't matter…57% of adults favor it, and 38% shrugged it off. Only 4.5% opposed it. For most 18 to 29-year-olds, it could be the National Day of Whatever - 59% said it doesn't matter. Those who most strongly favor it were Republicans (76%); women 50 and older (71%); Midwesterners (71%) and Southerners (63%)…”

USA Today reports: “Americans are overwhelmingly sure there's a God who answers prayers. But that doesn't mean they all favor an official annual National Day of Prayer — or that its goal should be promoting Christianity.” In keeping with that sentiment, The Presidential Proclamation echoes that thought: “…We are blessed to live in a Nation that counts freedom of conscience and free exercise of religion among its most fundamental principles, thereby ensuring that all people of goodwill may hold and practice their beliefs according to the dictates of their consciences. Prayer has been a sustaining way for many Americans of diverse faiths to express their most cherished beliefs, and thus we have long deemed it fitting and proper to publicly recognize the importance of prayer on this day across the Nation.”

USA Today also reports: “If President Obama fails to intervene to allow controversial evangelist Franklin Graham to lead a National Day of Prayer event Thursday inside the Pentagon, it will be a slap in the face of all Christians…And invited or not, he'll stand in front of the Pentagon and pray…The Pentagon had invited…the National Day of Prayer Task Force, of which Graham is 2010 honorary chairman, to lead an official prayer service there. The prayers are for the U.S. military…But the invitation was rescinded after mainline Protestants, Muslims and Jews complained that Graham offends and excludes many believers because of his strict views on Christianity and his comments that Islam is evil…Graham reiterated his belief that Muslims do not worship the same God the Father I worship. He laughed at Hinduism's many manifestations of God: No elephant with 100 arms can do anything for me. None of their 9,000 gods is going to lead me to salvation. We are fooling ourselves if we think we can have some big kumbaya service and all hold hands and it's all going to get better in this world. It's not going to get better…”

What does “In God We Trust” mean and imply? At the very least, it would suggest one listen to what God has said and what he requires. II Chronicles 7:14 would be a starting point: “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” PC (political correctness) in DC (our nation’s capitol) needs to be honed and re-focused to God, and God Alone! Consider these things with me!

When Things Don't Add Up - But Down

From My Perspective - - -

Whatever happened to the business philosophy of Henry Ford, who said: “There is one rule for industrialists and that is: make the best quality of goods possible at the lowest cost possible, paying the highest wages possible.” Is this a business model followed by the Federal Government? Do they know how to Add and Subtract? Are their projections reliable? Should the Federal Government be allowed to take over and manage Corporations and Business Enterprises? Do they have any success Model that demonstrate their unique ability to manage, budget, operate within cost-effective constraints, and show a profit and/or surplus?

Consider some Federally championed services and entitlement programs - - -
The U.S. Postal Service was established in 1775 - 234 years to get it right and it is in deficit!
Social Security was established in 1935 - 74 years to get it right…it has spent the Trust Fund and has a diminishing resources for continued operation!
Fannie Mae was established in 1938 - 71 years to get it right and it is essentially Bankrupt!
Freddie Mac was established in 1970 - 39 years to get it right and it is also Bankrupt!
Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965 - 44 years to get it right and now operating costs have escalated and benefits are being reduced!
The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It now has in excess of 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before - 32 years to get it right and it is not yet achieving its goal!
The War on Poverty was started in 1964 - 45 years to get it right – more than $1 trillion is transferred to the poor and the desire for more services and benefits is insatiable!

The world looks on and sees this nation’s economic woes and morass (any confusing or troublesome situation, esp. one from which it is difficult to free oneself; entanglement). In an article written by John Myers in Personal Liberty Digest (April 28, 2010) entitled: “Bowing To China: What It Means To Our Future” some of the following is included: “Let China sleep, for when China awakes she will shake the world.” Napoleon Bonaparte. One of the sections – “No Tickey No Money” - contains the following assertions: “China’s military may not yet challenge the U.S., but Beijing wields the world’s most powerful weapon—credit. China’s foreign reserves, the world’s largest, rose to a new high of $2.45 trillion at the end of March…It wasn’t until 2006, or 30 years after Mao’s death, that China accumulated its first $1 trillion in foreign reserves. Yet by last April that amount had doubled to $2 trillion and by the end of this year Beijing may hold in its hands $3 trillion in foreign reserves. If America gets his way, $1 trillion of that sum will be in liquid Treasury instruments…Last month Premier Wen Jiabao, China’s top economic official, lectured Washington to take concrete steps to reassure Treasury investors. Keep in mind the irony: Jiabao, a communist, is demanding that the American administration rein in big government spending and preserve the dollar’s integrity…Our future boils down to Washington’s insatiable demand for more money. Earlier this month Commodity Online reported that seven U.S. states are in worse financial condition than Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain…With a $3.83 trillion budget, a $12.3 trillion federal government debt, a $1.35 trillion 2010 budget deficit and $63 trillion in unfunded liabilities, the fiscal condition of the U.S. has come into question and foreign interest in U.S. Treasuries has declined.”

In Genesis 12:1-3, we read: “The LORD had said to Abraham…I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you…I will bless those who bless you…all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Significantly, we observe in Galatians 3:29: “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” If we are not being blest and are not prospering as a people and nation, we ought to look at our relationship to the Lord – Who has promised blessing! We need national leaders that will revere and honor the name of the Lord. We need more spiritualism and less secularism! Even though time is fleeting, we still have opportunity of amending our ways and returning to the Lord! Consider these things with me!