http://www.cafepress.com/unclerons
Click here for some interesting and eye-opening political cartoons...
The Plight of Eyeyore
13 years ago
Friday, September 26, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Jacob the Cub
Funny Jacob was messing around with the camera taking pictures of bugs and himself. Those are some interesting faces, I'll say.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
In Light of this Election, Part II
Could it be God's will for Obama to be voted in as President? Who can know the mind of God? Christians know what His word says in the Bible or least we should, but yet would put so much upon whether or not we make the right decisions in life. The Sovereignty of God is coupled very ingeniously with our decision-making process.
As an example, I would say that God's Sovereignty is in the driver's seat and the decisions we make are in the passenger seat. We make decisions every day and God's Soveriegnty takes our life decisions wherever He wants them to go for His glory. Proverbs 16:9 says, "A man's heart devises his way; but the Lord directs his steps."
Obvioulsy, God would not allow Obama to be voted in as President of the United States for reasons of his being a great Christian candidate to rush in and save America, but what are the other possible reasons?
Maybe there is a trial by fire that must come upon God's people. Look at the oppression of the Jews by the Roman government which was a judgment to the Jews in the times of Jesus. Yet, Jesus never commanded His disciples or His followers to change society by interfering with Roman government, running for political office or establishment of an anti-Roman campaign. Jesus did however obey the laws of the land to maintain the testimony of the Gospel. Jesus never gave any commands to vote for government officials, so we should be careful as Christians not to assume that certain civic responsibilites are binding for all Christians.
So, having said that, where does that put me and my vote? God will have His way with or without my vote. He is Sovereign with or without my vote. I can vote for McCain and maybe I will, but that does not mean that Obama won't get in. The polls people might just lose my ballot, and what then? I really don't think God would put the entire weight of what happens to America on the shoulders of Christian voters who vote the right way or whether they vote at all.
And what about the deceiving spirit of which political campaigns seem to thrive on? God says that He uses the wicked as tools for His purposes(Proverbs 16:4). In John 18:36, Jesus answers Pilate and says, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." Never does Jesus mention in any of the Gospels an obligation to the world's kingdom, except to render to Caesar what is Caesar's, to honor civil authorities and submit to their laws, inasmuch as our conscience can cooperate with them. In Christ, we are obligated to His kingdom to carry the Gospel to all of the earth and to keep our testimony unsoiled by the world. Other than that, we are not under the bondage of thinking that the judgments of God on this country can be stopped by our vote. Ultimately, this country is to come under the power of the Beast and the one world system. It is the will of God and it will come to pass, no matter what we vote.
The only thing I am commanded to vote for is the renewing of my mind and the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2). I am confident that in Jesus Christ I am free from the guilt imposed by others who say it is my Christian duty to vote, which is really the conscience of other people. There is not any clear scripture on voting that I am aware of. Again, I say clear scripture; not the conscience of another person. We need to respect each person's leading of the Holy Spirit and yes, He does lead us in different ways for different reasons.
I will close with this verse and a final thought, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power, but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God." Romans 13:1
And thus, I will let God be in the driver's seat and I will ride shot gun and cup my hand over my left ear and try to listen to His still small voice while those in the rear attempt to do the back seat driving.
As an example, I would say that God's Sovereignty is in the driver's seat and the decisions we make are in the passenger seat. We make decisions every day and God's Soveriegnty takes our life decisions wherever He wants them to go for His glory. Proverbs 16:9 says, "A man's heart devises his way; but the Lord directs his steps."
Obvioulsy, God would not allow Obama to be voted in as President of the United States for reasons of his being a great Christian candidate to rush in and save America, but what are the other possible reasons?
Maybe there is a trial by fire that must come upon God's people. Look at the oppression of the Jews by the Roman government which was a judgment to the Jews in the times of Jesus. Yet, Jesus never commanded His disciples or His followers to change society by interfering with Roman government, running for political office or establishment of an anti-Roman campaign. Jesus did however obey the laws of the land to maintain the testimony of the Gospel. Jesus never gave any commands to vote for government officials, so we should be careful as Christians not to assume that certain civic responsibilites are binding for all Christians.
So, having said that, where does that put me and my vote? God will have His way with or without my vote. He is Sovereign with or without my vote. I can vote for McCain and maybe I will, but that does not mean that Obama won't get in. The polls people might just lose my ballot, and what then? I really don't think God would put the entire weight of what happens to America on the shoulders of Christian voters who vote the right way or whether they vote at all.
And what about the deceiving spirit of which political campaigns seem to thrive on? God says that He uses the wicked as tools for His purposes(Proverbs 16:4). In John 18:36, Jesus answers Pilate and says, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." Never does Jesus mention in any of the Gospels an obligation to the world's kingdom, except to render to Caesar what is Caesar's, to honor civil authorities and submit to their laws, inasmuch as our conscience can cooperate with them. In Christ, we are obligated to His kingdom to carry the Gospel to all of the earth and to keep our testimony unsoiled by the world. Other than that, we are not under the bondage of thinking that the judgments of God on this country can be stopped by our vote. Ultimately, this country is to come under the power of the Beast and the one world system. It is the will of God and it will come to pass, no matter what we vote.
The only thing I am commanded to vote for is the renewing of my mind and the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2). I am confident that in Jesus Christ I am free from the guilt imposed by others who say it is my Christian duty to vote, which is really the conscience of other people. There is not any clear scripture on voting that I am aware of. Again, I say clear scripture; not the conscience of another person. We need to respect each person's leading of the Holy Spirit and yes, He does lead us in different ways for different reasons.
I will close with this verse and a final thought, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power, but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God." Romans 13:1
And thus, I will let God be in the driver's seat and I will ride shot gun and cup my hand over my left ear and try to listen to His still small voice while those in the rear attempt to do the back seat driving.
Monday, September 15, 2008
In Light of this Election
The Life of a Democracy
It has been said that “eventually, all democracies commit suicide.” Since history bears this out, what is the average lifespan of a democratic society? How long will it typically last before forces within it topple or implode it? What are the limits beyond which it cannot survive? What forces threaten it?
The following quotes from well-known American patriots demonstrate the short-lived nature of democracies and why this is so. Wise King Solomon wrote that “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). If a democracy has any chance to survive longer than normal, it will only be character found in its citizens that permits this. Consider these statements in light of the severe, fast-increasing moral decay that looms as the very greatest threat to the democratic nations of the West.
“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising them the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over a [lousy] fiscal responsibility, always followed by a dictatorship. The average of the world’s great civilizations before they decline has been 200 years. These nations have progressed in this sequence: From (1) bondage to spiritual faith; from (2) spiritual faith to great courage; from (3) courage to liberty; from (4) liberty to abundance; from (5) abundance to selfishness; from (6) selfishness to complacency; from (7) complacency to apathy; from (8) apathy to dependency; from (9) dependency back again to bondage.”
-Alexander Tyler, in his 1770 book, Cycle of Democracy
George Washington referred to the United States as “a great experiment.” And in his farewell address he said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
“Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks—no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without virtue in the people is a chimerical [an illusion or fabrication of the mind] idea.” And “Democracies have always been spectacles of turbulence and contention and as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.”
-James Madison
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.”
-Benjamin Franklin
“We have no government armed with powers capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice [greed], ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our constitution as a whale goes through a net.”
-John Adams
“Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis? A conviction in the minds of the people, that these liberties are a gift of God? That they are not violated but with his wrath?”
-Thomas Jefferson
“Men are not flattered by being shown that there has been a difference of purpose between the Almighty and them. To deny it, however, in this case, is to deny that there is a God governing the world.”
-Abraham Lincoln, March 15, 1865, letter to Thurlow Weed one month before his assassination
Compiled by David C. Pack
Me talking now:
I've always been a voter, but I do believe I may sit this election out. There's no way on earth I am voting for Obama. I respect Senator McCain for all that he was put through for our country, but I cannot vote for him based solely upon his tortuous time during the Vietnam war. Palin had me standing up and cheering when I heard her Convention speech, but I am just too old-fashion to think it is a good thing for her to put her pregnant daughter, down syndrome baby and the rest of her family in the back seat for four years(maybe eight depending on if they get re-elected). Just my humble opinion. I haven't made a completely solid decision about it, but I'm pretty sure that I won't be voting.
The heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord and He turns it wherever He will.
It has been said that “eventually, all democracies commit suicide.” Since history bears this out, what is the average lifespan of a democratic society? How long will it typically last before forces within it topple or implode it? What are the limits beyond which it cannot survive? What forces threaten it?
The following quotes from well-known American patriots demonstrate the short-lived nature of democracies and why this is so. Wise King Solomon wrote that “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). If a democracy has any chance to survive longer than normal, it will only be character found in its citizens that permits this. Consider these statements in light of the severe, fast-increasing moral decay that looms as the very greatest threat to the democratic nations of the West.
“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising them the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over a [lousy] fiscal responsibility, always followed by a dictatorship. The average of the world’s great civilizations before they decline has been 200 years. These nations have progressed in this sequence: From (1) bondage to spiritual faith; from (2) spiritual faith to great courage; from (3) courage to liberty; from (4) liberty to abundance; from (5) abundance to selfishness; from (6) selfishness to complacency; from (7) complacency to apathy; from (8) apathy to dependency; from (9) dependency back again to bondage.”
-Alexander Tyler, in his 1770 book, Cycle of Democracy
George Washington referred to the United States as “a great experiment.” And in his farewell address he said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
“Is there no virtue among us? If there be not, we are in a wretched situation. No theoretical checks—no form of government can render us secure. To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without virtue in the people is a chimerical [an illusion or fabrication of the mind] idea.” And “Democracies have always been spectacles of turbulence and contention and as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.”
-James Madison
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.”
-Benjamin Franklin
“We have no government armed with powers capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice [greed], ambition, revenge or gallantry would break the strongest cords of our constitution as a whale goes through a net.”
-John Adams
“Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis? A conviction in the minds of the people, that these liberties are a gift of God? That they are not violated but with his wrath?”
-Thomas Jefferson
“Men are not flattered by being shown that there has been a difference of purpose between the Almighty and them. To deny it, however, in this case, is to deny that there is a God governing the world.”
-Abraham Lincoln, March 15, 1865, letter to Thurlow Weed one month before his assassination
Compiled by David C. Pack
Me talking now:
I've always been a voter, but I do believe I may sit this election out. There's no way on earth I am voting for Obama. I respect Senator McCain for all that he was put through for our country, but I cannot vote for him based solely upon his tortuous time during the Vietnam war. Palin had me standing up and cheering when I heard her Convention speech, but I am just too old-fashion to think it is a good thing for her to put her pregnant daughter, down syndrome baby and the rest of her family in the back seat for four years(maybe eight depending on if they get re-elected). Just my humble opinion. I haven't made a completely solid decision about it, but I'm pretty sure that I won't be voting.
The heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord and He turns it wherever He will.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Wow, It's Been a While...
Let's see, we've been busy. Busy homeschooling Ian, Jacob, Lauren in 3rd, 2cd and K5. Busy worrying about hurricane Gustav. One of our big pine trees fell down, but only because it was eaten by termites. Good thing it didn't land on the roof. Now we have to worry about hurricane Ike. What a name! How do they come up with these names?! Hannah, Ike and Gustav? Bible character, former Presidential candidate and a french name meaning the staff of the gods. Hilarious! Yeah, I looked that one up. You thought I was smart for a minute there, didn't you? Well, they say that Ike is moving toward Texas, but they don't know completely for sure. Sometimes a hurrican can have a mind of its own. I hope they are right for my sake, but wouldn't it be nice if it fell apart in the gulf and no one is affected by it. The Lord is in control of all that I know.
We are also facing another dilemma. Brian's hours have been cut. He will have to look for another job in his field, Registered Nursing. If he can't find one here that is decent, then, we'll probably have to move to a big city where there is a guarantee of many RN jobs being available. I don't know what my husband's thinking is yet, but I've got my sights set on Nashville. It's a huge city with lovely rural areas surrounding it and it's midpoint between both of our families. Well, at least the ones in WI, IL and LA. If any of you think of it, please pray for us. We may have a ton of decisions to make soon.
And yeah, it'd be nice, too, if this hurricane doesn't knock all our trees into our roof, then we would really have to move.
We are also facing another dilemma. Brian's hours have been cut. He will have to look for another job in his field, Registered Nursing. If he can't find one here that is decent, then, we'll probably have to move to a big city where there is a guarantee of many RN jobs being available. I don't know what my husband's thinking is yet, but I've got my sights set on Nashville. It's a huge city with lovely rural areas surrounding it and it's midpoint between both of our families. Well, at least the ones in WI, IL and LA. If any of you think of it, please pray for us. We may have a ton of decisions to make soon.
And yeah, it'd be nice, too, if this hurricane doesn't knock all our trees into our roof, then we would really have to move.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
