When Right Side Up Is Upside Down

From My Perspective - - -

Let’s have a Celebration - - A Party! Print More Money! Let’s join the hollow chorus of Happy New Year! What a year 2009 has been! Stimulus Packages! Corporate Takeovers! Bank Failures! Home Foreclosures! Ongoing Wars and Mounting Tensions! Nuclear Capability of Unstable Governments! Economic Uncertainty! Apparent Shift from Capitalism to Socialism! We voted for Change and Change we are getting! If it fails – blame George Bush! If it succeeds – well – we’ll just have to wait until that happens. 2010 is going to be a super year when everything falls into place and millions of jobs are created.

Meanwhile – since a Terrorist without a Passport got on an Airliner with Explosives in his under-shorts – now the demand is for equipment to do nude searches. That’s what needs to be done – inconvenience, humiliate, delay the law abiding citizen – but – let’s not profile a terrorist from Yemen! Don’t demand a Passport from him! He deserves rights! Give him a lawyer! Read him his rights! Make certain he gets returned to his native country so he can assist in the training of future terrorists. Don’t put him in Gitmo as a military combatant! That’s a George Bush tactic! Let’s not be cynical but believe in this country and its leaders!

A friend included the following in his Christmas letter. He is a widower – age 93. He writes:
“TODAY, I AM THINKING OF A VERY ALARMING PREDICTION IN SCRIPTURE, AND AM PRAYING DAILY FOR MY FAMILY, AND MY EXTENDED FAMILY!! THAT WE WILL ALL BE PREPARED WELL FOR THE COMING OF THE ANTICHRIST, AND THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH, PREDICTED IN REVELATION 13. SO ALARMING!
“OUR WORLD IS NOW BEING PREPARED ACCORDING TO OUR LORD’S PREDICTIONS IN HIS OLIVET DISCOURSE (MATTHEW 24 AND 25), AND ELSEWHERE IN SCRIPTURE, FOR THE MOMENTOUS DAYS AHEAD! I HAVE ASKED OUR LORD THAT I MIGHT LIVE UNTIL HE COMES AGAIN! NO ASSURANCE OF THIS YET! BUT, PERHAPS HE IS ALLOWING ME TO LIVE SO I CAN PRAY DAILY FOR ALL YOU PARENTS AS YOU FAITHFULLY ARE BRINGING UP YOUR LITTLE ONES IN THE FAITH, AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WORD!
“THIS SCRIPTURE TELLS US THAT GOD WILL ALLOW ONE FINAL, TERRIBLE WAR AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF GOD, A WORLD-WIDE STRUGGLE FOR THE SOULS OF MEN. NEVER BELIEVE THE LIE...THAT THIS MAN IS GOD, NO MATTER HOW AMAZING HIS MIRACLES!! TEST HIM BY WHAT HE SAYS ABOUT OUR LORD, ABOUT THE WORD OF GOD, AND GOD’S WAY OF SALVATION!! BUT, IN CHRIST, NO MATTER HOW SEVERE THE TEST, OUR TRIUMPH IS ASSURED! SATAN IS ALREADY A DEFEATED FOE! BUT SOME OF US MAY BE CALLED UPON TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR OUR LORD!!
“PERSONALLY, I AM NOW CONVINCED THAT THE GREAT REBELLION PREDICTED IN 2 THESSALONIANS 2, IS THE WORLD-WIDE RISE OF ISLAM THAT WE ARE SEEING TODAY! I BELIEVE ALSO THAT THEIR MAHDI, THEIR SAVIOR, THEIR MESSIAH WHOM THEY BELIEVE IS COMING VERY SOON, WILL BE ONE AND THE SAME WITH THE ANTICHRIST PREDICTED IN OUR BIBLES! PRESIDENT AHMADINEJAD OF IRAN, HAS SPENT MILLIONS PREPARING THE MOSQUE IN QOM, NEAR TEHRAN, FOR HIS ARRIVAL!”

Some may shrug this off as they do most things in life! That’s part of the Culture and Lifestyle that has become the comfort zone in this nation. Priorities are upside down! With all the unemployment and hunger around us, thousands of people will spend thousands of dollars to go to College Football Bowl Games! Some will spend what they don’t have for this momentary time of pleasure. Edward Gibbon writing about The Decline of The Roman Empire: “…placed the blame on a loss of civic virtue among the Roman citizens. They gradually entrusted the role of defending the Empire to barbarian mercenaries who eventually turned on them. He considered that Christianity had contributed to this, making the populace less interested in the worldly here-and-now and more willing to wait for the rewards of heaven. The decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness. Prosperity ripened the principle of decay; the causes of destruction multiplied with the extent of conquest; and as soon as time or accident had removed the artificial supports, the stupendous fabric yielded to the pressure of its own weight…” Can it happen in our nation? Is it happening before our eyes? Look! See! Comprehend! Consider these things with me!

All I Want For Christmas Is. . .

From My Perspective - - -

A novelty song written in 1944 by Donald Gardner is: “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth.” While teaching music at public schools in Smithtown, NY he asked his second grade class what they wanted for Christmas, and noticed that almost all of the students had at least one front tooth missing as they answered in a lisp. He penned the lyric during class with a simple melody and words of the verse and chorus:

Every body Pauses and stares at me
These two teeth are gone as you can see
I don't know just who to blame for this catastrophe!
But my one wish on Christmas Eve is as plain as it can be!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,
my two front teeth, see my two front teeth!
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,
then I could wish you "Merry Christmas."

That seems almost trite in the times in which we now live. Life has gotten very complex and the expectation of children and adults is for bigger and more expensive toys and things. While the Marketers look at the level of sales and how they compare with previous years, the prudent should be concerned with the level of debt and the bottom line cost involved in purchases made and the months of paying for the same.

A Financial Guru, Dave Ramsey shares that which made a difference in his life – after he had amassed a small fortune, only to have to declare bankruptcy – was Proverbs 22:7, “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Very interestingly, as one becomes indebted for the wants and needs of ones children, the verse that precedes it is – Proverbs 22:6, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” How are we training the children in terms of financial responsibility and measuring costs, etc.?

The other part to this is the function of an item. A household recently looking for a new Crock Pot found the exact one wanted on EBay for the price of $70.00 plus $17.95 for Shipping and Insurance. The local Wal-Mart had an assortment of Crock Pots. One was on a sale price of $17.00 plus 9 percent sales Tax. The shipping price alone on EBay was more than the sale price locally. While the EBay product was fancier – more bells and whistles – the function of both Crock Pots is the same. It is a case of living within ones means and being frugal rather than lavish. In turn, it leaves an amount that can be shared with the needy who would appreciate some menial basics of life – food, clothing, warmth, compassion.

Dave Ramsey has an interesting illustration regarding how one can become a millionaire. The average Car Payment in this country is $464.00 per month. He argues that if that amount was paid into a savings investment instrument for 40 years, the Balance at the end of 40 years would be 5.6 Million Dollars. It’s a case of Diligence, Discipline, and Priority. And – its always done with Proverbs 22:7 in mind: “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Another part to this consideration is attached to a beautiful model – God’s Gift of His Son to the World. The Angel Choir sang is Luke 2:14 (ESV),

"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

May each of you have a very Merry Christmas – especially as you celebrate the Reason for the Season – namely, The Birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. He would welcome a gift from you – your life and commitment to Him and His Gospel. Consider these things with me!

Feckless And-Or Reckless

From My Perspective - - -

A Collision Course should always be avoided. The Decisions of life can bring one to the brink or precipice of a disastrous result if ones current course is pursued to either its logical or unknown end. A good rule of thumb is: “If in Doubt – Don’t!” If one has Doubts or some Reasonable Expectation of a Negative Result, then to proceed would prove to be either Feckless And-Or Reckless. Something or Someone considered “feckless” means: “lacking in purpose or vitality; feeble or ineffective; careless and irresponsible. ineffective; incompetent; futile; having no sense of responsibility; indifferent; lazy.” In other words, it means a dangerous and hazardous direction that will more than likely have disaster attached to it! To be “reckless” means: “utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action; without caution; careless.” The Synonyms are: “rash, heedless, incautious, negligent, imprudent; careless; headstrong; rash.” Different ones have offered explanation for these synonyms: “These adjectives mean given to or marked by unthinking boldness. Reckless suggests wild carelessness and disregard for consequences (Getrude Atherton). Rash implies haste, impetuousness, and insufficient consideration: Take calculated risks.That is quite different from being rash. (George Patton). Precipitate connotes headlong haste without due deliberation. (James Boswell). Foolhardy implies injudicious or imprudent boldness…(Edgar Rice Burroughs).”

Two Headlines from yesterday’s news illustrate this concern and consideration. The Associated Press Headline is: Obama Hails 60th Senate Vote For Health Care. The Reporter, David Espo writes: “Jubilant Democrats locked in Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson as the 60th and decisive vote for historic health care legislation, putting President Barack Obama's signature issue firmly on a path for Christmas Eve passage. At the White House, Obama swiftly welcomed the breakthrough, saying, after a nearly century-long struggle, we are on the cusp of making health care reform a reality in the United States of America…” The second headline from a Chinese News Service Headlines: Harder To Buy US Treasuries. The report includes; “It is getting harder for governments to buy United States Treasuries because the US's shrinking current-account gap is reducing supply of dollars overseas…The comments by Zhu Min, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, referred to the overall situation globally, not specifically to China, the biggest foreign holder of US government bonds. Chinese officials generally are very careful about commenting on the dollar and Treasuries, given that so much of its US $2.3 trillion reserves are tied to their value, and markets always watch any such comments closely for signs of any shift in how it manages its assets… In a discussion on the global role of the dollar, Zhu told an academic audience that it was inevitable that the dollar would continue to fall in value because Washington continued to issue more Treasuries to finance its deficit spending. He then addressed where demand for that debt would come from: The United States cannot force foreign governments to increase their holdings of Treasuries…Double the holdings? It is definitely impossible. The US current account deficit is falling as residents' savings increase, so its trade turnover is falling, which means the US is supplying fewer dollars to the rest of the world…The world does not have so much money to buy more US Treasuries."

President Obama used this phrase: “…we are on the cusp of making health care reform a reality…” What is a “cusp”? it means: “A point or pointed end…a transitional point or time…” His intent is obvious – but – what about a possible Eternal Perspective? Matthew 24:37-39 references a “cusp”, of sorts, in the day of Noah: “For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” They lived Fecklessly and Recklessly. In Matthew 24:44, Jesus warns and cautions: “…you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” A Feckless and-or Reckless person will slough this off – which is also the consequence of failure to face the inevitable of the present national situation. A person or nation should never spend what it doesn’t have to get what it cannot afford. To do so is Feckless and Reckless! Consider these things with me!

The Syncopated Life

From My Perspective - - -

Syncopation addresses the metrical variances within a musical score. The Encyclopedia Britannica has this notation about Syncopation: “in music, the displacement of regular accents associated with given metrical patterns, resulting in a disruption of the listener's expectations and the arousal of a desire for the reestablishment of metric normality…” Years ago, a popular melody was: The Syncopated Clock. The way it was scored made it pleasant to hear for a short period of time. The narrow definition for Syncopation is: “a shifting of the normal accent, usually by stressing the normally unaccented beats; the use of rhetorical stress at variance with the metrical stress of a line of verse.” Basically, the normal flow, beat and tempo has been altered and the chords and musical tones become detached from each other.

Allowing an extended application of Musical Syncopation to life, one can readily observe that the normal ebb and flow of life for many has become syncopated at best, and discordant at worst. This Christmas Season is different for many. In one County in Alabama, more than 25% of the people are unemployed and the prospect for those individuals and families is bleak. When industries shut down and have no plan to start back up again – that is dismal and disruptive. As the National unemployment figure moves above 10% (more like 17% if those who have given up looking for employment are included), hope is replaced with despair, and gifts become unaffordable! On top of this syncopation in life, an Associated Press Headline is: “NEW CREDIT CARD HAS 79.9% INTEREST RATE.” The report states: “It's no mistake. This credit card's interest rate is 79.9 percent. The bloated APR is how First Premier Bank, a sub-prime credit card issuer, is skirting new regulations intended to curb abusive practices in the industry…Typically, the First Premier card comes with a minimum of $256 in fees in the first year for a credit line of $250. Starting in February, however, a new law will cap such fees at 25 percent of a card's credit line. In a recent mailing for a pre-approved card, First Premier lowers fees to just that limit -- $75 in the first year for a credit line of $300. But the new law doesn't set a cap on interest rates. Hence the 79.9 APR, up from the previous 9.9 percent. It's the highest on the market. First Premier targets people with bad credit who likely can't get approved for cards elsewhere. It's a group that tends to lean heavily on credit too, meaning they'll likely incur the steep financing charges. So for a $300 balance, a cardholder would pay about $20 a month in interest. In a mailing sent to prospective customers in October with the revamped terms, First Premier writes: "...you might have less-than-perfect credit and we're OK with that." The letter also states there are no hidden fees that aren't disclosed in the attached form. That's where the 79.9 percent interest rate and $75 annual fee are listed. There's also $29 penalty if you pay late or go over your $300 credit limit.”

Some desperate people may accept that risk and pay those fees – just to have something special for Christmas. Admittedly, this nation is far from being a Theocracy. However, God’s Rules and Principles for those who are coping with a Syncopated Life are applicable – especially with this new approach of sub-prime lending. In Exodus 22:22-27 is a Biblical Law about Usury: “You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child…If you lend money to any of My people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.” A summary regarding Usury is given in Proverbs 28:8, “Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.” Another interesting statement is made in Ezekiel 22:12-13, “…they take bribes to shed blood; you take interest and profit and make gain of your neighbors by extortion; but Me you have forgotten, declares the Lord GOD. Behold, I strike My hand at the dishonest gain that you have made…” In whatever way we can, try to look kindly on those whose Syncopated Lives leave them vulnerable, helpless and hopeless. Try to make a difference in the name of the God Who gave us His Only-Begotten Son one Christmas many years ago. Consider these things with me!

Tiny Tim Trait

From My Perspective - - -

Colloquialisms (characteristic of or appropriate to ordinary or familiar conversation rather than formal speech or writing; informal) are an integral part of the English Language. Idioms and Nuances abound in it. Phrases such as “Hell Hath No Fury…” and/or “Heaven Help Us…” and/or ”Outside The Box…” and/or :Break Out Of Your Comfort Zone…” are employed as a response or an interjection and may have no immediate application to the subject being considered. Some Colloquialisms appear in the Charles Dickens Classic: A Christmas Carol.

Ebenezer Scrooge is one of the principle characters. A Christmas Carol (see Wikipedia) is “…about miserly, cold, unfeeling, old and curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge and his secular conversion and redemption after being visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve.” The story also includes reference to: Bob Cratchit who is …the abused, underpaid clerk of Ebenezer Scrooge… In the story, Cratchit is seen at work, where he copies letters by hand in an under-heated dismal little cell…and in his small…home with his large family on the following Christmas Day and a future one, gatherings which Scrooge visits invisibly with the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, respectively. Cratchit is repeatedly described as little, and clothes himself in a tattered white comforter, not being able to afford a coat. Though Cratchit is treated poorly by Scrooge…he is not given wages enough to feed his family a proper Christmas dinner, he remains loyal to his employer, even in face of the protestations of his wife. It is partly through concern for the plight of Cratchit's youngest son, the frail and crippled Tiny Tim, that Scrooge makes the transformation from miser to philanthropist, offering Cratchit a raise and discussion of his affairs.”

Tiny Tim is a cheerful child in spite of his frailty and physical limitations. When Scrooge is visited by The Ghost of Christmas Present he is shown just how ill Tim really is, and that Tim will die unless he receives treatment. When visited by The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come all he sees of Tim is his crutch, as Tim has died. This, and several other visions, lead Scrooge to reform his ways. At the end of the story, Dickens makes it explicit that Tim did not die…” As the Book closes, one becomes aware of the Tiny Tim Trait when he cries "God Bless Us, Every One!" Yes, indeed – God Bless Us Everyone – more than a colloquialism – one that could be a recognition or prayer: God Bless Us Everyone!

What if you decided to “live outside the box” this Christmas and instead of lavishing gifts upon ourselves or our children, we thought of the poor in the world and practical ways by which we could alleviate their burden of wants, hunger, poverty - - - World Vision shares a very Innovative and Useful Idea for meeting the Food Needs of a growing number of people in the world was this year’s goal. Some gift ideas are on: www.worldvisiongifts.org, or you can write: World Vision; PO Box 70359; Tacoma, WA 98481-0359

As A Family, you could share in the practical provision for different ones by giving a gift for…
A Pair of Chickens - $ 25.00
A Sheep - $105.00
A Dairy Cow - $500.00
A Goat - $ 75.00
A Pair of Goats - $150.00
5 Ducks - $ 30.00
1 Family Fishing Kit - $ 40.00
6 Rabbits - $ 96.00
1 Pig - $195.00
A Donkey - $225.00
2 Oxen and Plow - $575.00
To Dig & Stock A Fish Pond - $200.00

In James 1:27, we are told: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction…” The Message translates this verse: “Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.” Embrace and Employ the Tiny Tim Trait – “God Bless Us Everyone” – and - Pray for the Orphans Widows & Hungry in our World… From our Surplus we can Sacrifice to meaningfully and creatively help others to have a Merry Christmas. Consider these things with me!

The Merry-Something-Day

From My Perspective - - -

One of America's best known poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), contributed to the wealth of carols sung each Christmas season, when he composed the words to "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" on December 25th 1864. The carol was originally a poem, "Christmas Bells," containing seven stanzas. Two stanzas were omitted, which contained references to the American Civil War, thus giving us the carol in its present form. The poem gave birth to the carol, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” When Longfellow penned the words to his poem, America was still months away from Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9th 1865; and, his poem reflected the prior years of the war's despair, while ending with a confident hope of triumphant peace. As with any composition that touches the heart of the hearer, it flowed from the experience of Longfellow involving the tragic death of his wife Fanny and the crippling injury of his son Charles from war wounds. Tragedy struck both the nation and the Longfellow family in 1861. Confederate Gen. Pierre G.T. Beauregard fired the opening salvos of the American Civil War on April 12th… Almost a year later, Longfellow received word that his oldest son Charles, a Lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac, had been severely wounded with a bullet passing under his shoulder blades and taking off one of the spinal processes. On Christmas Day of 1864, he wrote the words of the poem, "Christmas Bells." Some of the words of his poem are:

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

We’ve come a long way in our nation, culture and society. The demands of Political Correctness demand that we have Holiday Trees and Cards rather than using the word Christmas. The expression: “Merry Christmas” is now set aside for “Happy Holidays”! The deliberate effort to remove any reference to Christ and His Birth has gained momentum during the past few years. It should come as no surprise that - On December 09, 2009, the Chicago Tribune reported: “President Barack Obama and first lady send out holiday cards marked - Season's Greetings.” The Reporter, Katherine Skiba writes: “President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama have chosen an elegant greeting card that announces to recipients: Season's Greetings.” The message in the card is: "May your family have a joyous holiday season and a new year blessed with hope and happiness…” The cover, which is cream-colored with a thin maroon border, depicts a gold wreath encircling a gold presidential coat of arms. The tradition of presidents sending Christmas cards dates to Dwight Eisenhower in 1953. The Obama’s selection, though, makes no mention of "Christmas." Nor does it feature a biblical passage (as favored by George W. and Laura Bush) or an artistic rendering of a room in the White House (often the case under Bill and Hillary Clinton).” In fairness, the Polls indicate this country is predominantly a “Christian Nation.” If so, where is the voice and outrage of the so-called Christian people?

It should not surprise one that in order to adequately announce the Birth of Christ, Luke 2:8-14 states: “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" If you are a “Christian”, this is to be both your identity and message. Don’t blame the culture, society or nation. Look in the mirror and ask yourself how much you really believe the Christmas reality and message. Consider these things with me!

Drifting Toward Demoralization

From My Perspective - - -

Earlier this year, March 15, 2009, The Wall Street Journal raised this thought and question: "In ATLAS SHRUGGED, Rand tells the story of the U.S. economy crumbling under the weight of crushing government interventions and regulations. Meanwhile, blaming greed and the free market, Washington responds with more controls that only deepen the crisis…" The summary concludes with this question: "Is Rand Relevant?"

John Stossel recently left the ABC Network and affiliated with Fox Business News. His first program will be on Rand’s Book, ATLAS SHRUGGED. His reason is: “I reread the novel recently and was stunned. It was as if Rand had seen the future. Writing half a century ago, she predicted today's explosion of big government in shockingly accurate detail - The "Preservation of Livelihood Law." The "Equalization of Opportunity Law." The "Steel Unification Plan." Don't these sound like laws passed by the current Congress? All were creations of Rand's villain, Wesley Mouch, the evil bureaucrat who regulates business and eventually drives the productive people out of business. Who is today's Wesley Mouch? Barney Frank? Chris Dodd? Tim Geithner?” The Library of Congress once asked readers which books made the biggest difference in their lives. ATLAS SHRUGGED came in second, after the Bible. Atlas is still a big bestseller today. This year, it reached as high as No. 15 on Amazon's bestseller list. Clearly there's some magic in ATLAS SHRUGGED. Yet elites and the MSM hate Ayn Rand. When Atlas first came out, The New York Times wrote that the book is written out of hate. College women's studies courses rarely mention her. One professor says her department head asked: Why would you study that fascist?”

Stossel continues: “Why such antipathy? Rand celebrates business and free markets. The elites don't like business. In every newsroom where I've worked, and at my college, Princeton, capitalism was derided as selfishness. And lately, as a failure. On one website, someone wrote: "You'd think it was a joke, when the global economy was collapsing because of greed, that anyone might turn seriously to the purple prose of crypto-fascist (!) Ayn Rand and think it was the answer to anything" (http://tinyurl.com/cswqhe). Well, I, for one, think her prose answers much. The embrace of freer markets has lifted more people out of the misery of poverty than any other system -- ever. The World Bank says that in just the last 30 years, half a billion people who once lived on less than $1.25 a day have moved out of poverty. But now, Wesley Mouch -- I mean, Congress and the bureaucrats -- tell us they are going to "fix" capitalism, as if their previous "fixes" didn't hamstring the free market and create the problems they propose to solve. Who are they kidding? Rand had it right. She learned it the hard way in Soviet Russia. What makes a country work is leaving people free -- free to take risks, to invent things -- and to keep the rewards of their work. Critics say Ayn Rand promotes selfishness. I call it "enlightened self interest." When free people act in their own self-interest, society prospers.”

Someone wrote the following and stated it well: “The Word of God reveals three specific responsibilities that God has in connection with work: 1. God Gives Talents And Skills. “Every skillful person in whom the Lord has put a skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work”- Exodus 36:1. 2. God Gives Success. “The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man” - Genesis 39:2. 3. God Controls Promotion. “God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another” - Psalm 75:7. In the New Testament, Paul was direct concerning work: “If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). God's Word implies that there is dignity in all types of work.” Some things inferred by Rand’s approach may include: (a) the loss of creativity in industry; (b) the diminishing of quality in production; (c) the loss of incentive to invent and invest. In other words – demoralization sets in and antipathy becomes a reality. The work ethic should remain constant for the avowed Christian – whether during oppression, recession, depression, or other hardships – one’s work ethic and effort should always be to please the Lord. Consider these things with me!