Archive for Religion
Whose Responsibility Is It?
Posted by: | CommentsThanks for coming back
I had a fairly secure job as a maintenance technician with a major small engine manufacturer for several years. A well-known tire manufacturer in the area ran an ad for a job fair in the local newspaper. This was an opportunity to move to a job with less stress and more money. A no-brainer. The short of it is that I went to the job fair, passed a few tests, had an interview, and was offered a job. Easier work, more money, better benefits, and more time off. If this is torture, chain me to the wall!
A Time For Change
I had been with this company for about four years when one day I got a call. It was a message to come to a meeting at a conference center in town. I arrived at the meeting with a feeling of what was going on. When I actually got to the room, I knew. Everyone from the plant was there. Boy was I excited! I was just wondering why they brought us to a conference center to tell us that we were receiving across the board raises? Well, as you may have guessed, there were no raises. Some big shirt from high in the company came swooping in complete with an earpiece wearing, secret service looking entourage surrounding him. The only thing missing was a theme song. Anyway, he proceeded to tell us that our plant was closing and good luck. He then dashed away to do press conferences with local TV stations. Our plant manager took the stage next and it was all blah, blah, blah from there.
Livin’ The Good Life
After the plant closed, I signed up for all of the government programs I could find. I mean come on, I had already heard that President Obama was going to pay house payments, car payments, and utility bills for citizens. It was time for me to collect my fair share. I now sit here in my government house watching my big screen tv (that I purchased with my government check) waiting for the 1st and the 15th. Akuna Ma Tada.
Reality
Ok, I lied. If you bought any of it all I can say is wow. The reality is that I never felt any of the dire hopelessness that seemed to plague some of my fellow employees. I knew that I would find a job not because employers would line up with job offers, but because I am responsible for taking care of my family. The government, via all of you tax payers, is not responsible for providing for my family. I knew that I would find a job because, as far as I was concerned, there was no other choice. Since there were no good jobs immediately available in our area, I signed up for the opportunity to transfer to another plant within the company and was offered a job about two months before the plant closure.
Sacrifice
In order to provide for my family I now spend several days each week working across the state. I drive over 600 miles each week to provide an immediate, short term income for my family while I hash out the details of some long term business plans. Basically, I do what I have to do to legally provide for my family. This isn’t easy. I don’t enjoy spending so much time on the road. I do what I have to do. I am responsible for my family. You are not responsible for my family. The government is not responsible for my family. My extended family and friends are not responsible for my family. I am responsible for my family. It is up to me to provide. God has handed me this opportunity, and now it’s my responsibility to accept it.
A Time For Help
I should point out that needing help is nothing to be ashamed of. There may come a time when the only way to fulfill your responsibility to your family is through some type of assistance. I don’t have a problem with that. Just don’t let it become a way of life. Don’t let that temporary assistance turn into a full time career. Also, remember that unemployment payments are not part of a government handout. Unemployment is a type of insurance. Companies pay the premiums, similar to the premiums you pay for auto insurance. When the time comes for the payout, it’s just like your auto insurance company giving you a check to cover damages from a wreck. The point is that you should feel no worse about collecting unemployment payments than you would collecting a check from a gecko. Again, the problem occurs when people start to manipulate the system to keep getting those checks.
Ashlee’s America
Posted by: | CommentsMy daughter recently wrote this poem for me. I must say, I was extremely proud of her. Apparently she’s her daddy’s girl.
America by Ashlee Sanders
The USA
America
Presidents
Blessed by God
50 States
Free Country
Loved by me
Discovered by Columbus
A perfect place for US
United States of America
Many people love the one true God
Oh, I love the USA
Oh, I love the USA
Throwing Babies Away Could Become Common
Posted by: | Comments“Live Baby Thrown In Trash” is a headline that’s unblelieveable, but Obama’s voting record indicates that he supports these heinous crimes. Put aside white, black, democrat, republican, red, yellow, or green. Anyone who claims to be human could in no way support allowing a baby to die just bacause it was supposed to be aborted. If you have any doubts, just search “Obama born alive policy”. Or, you can watch a National Right To Life video.
Thanks to digitalcaffeine for bringing this article to our attention.
Successful Chili Fundraiser
Posted by: | CommentsWe had a chili cookoff last night at Church of the Harvest for our Royal Rangers and Girl’s Ministries. We are just getting started with these ministries, and both have high startup costs. I want to thank everyone who supported this event for helping us kick off these ministries with the proper supplies needed for success. You helped raise $440 to buy handbooks, workbooks, and other supplies for these kids. Once again, thank you.
Who Is Your Enemy?
Posted by: | CommentsThis article was prompted by my recent addiction-in-the-making to twitter. I recently started following several people on twitter whose bios include words like “liberal” or “leftist”. I think these people were a bit surprised and suspicious because my bio includes words like “conservative” and “Christian”. The first response I got was from fizzboy . He said that he wasn’t sure why I would want to follow him, but he thanked me. I responded that I like his sarcastic quips. I also let him know that just because I don’t agree with someone, I don’t automatically assume that person to be my enemy.
Defensive Minds
Many people are quick to assume that an opposing view indicates a battle on the horizon. Sometimes it may, but that usually depends on the response to that opposing view. I have one particular co-worker who is as far left as I am right. We slam each other’s parties, take quotes out of context to ignite the fuse, get loud, interrupt, question the other’s sanity, and then move on to discussing woodworking, families, fishing, etc. People around us in the breakroom think they are about to see a fight, and then it’s over. I don’t recall even one square inch of common ground between us on political matters, but we both realize that it’s the other’s policies that we hate, not the person. It’s ok to disagree. Get your feelings off of your shoulder and stop looking for a reason to rally the troops.
I can’t talk of political differences without talking about President Obama. I don’t care if the man is white, black, green, blue, or purple; I don’t agree with most of his policies. However, I don’t automatically assume that every executive decision he makes will be detrimental to our country. He may have some good ideas; although, he seems to be holding onto those to use at a later date.
Relative Intelligence vs Absolute Intelligence
Absolute intelligence is pure knowledge and understanding. For example, I know that light travels at 186,000 miles/second. No matter what group of people I’m around, that knowledge and understanding is mine. Relative intelligence, however, is directly related to your immediate peers. This may seem out of context for this discussion, but think about it; what better reason to allow liberals into the group than to make the rest of us appear more intelligent!
What did you think?
That last section was an example of a joke. If you were offended, please re-read the first two sections. If after re-reading the first two sections you are still offended, I’m sorry. The only way I could make it any easier would be to include illustrations and Crayons.
Think before you act
I’m having another serious moment here, so I had better take advantage of it. When dealing with people who don’t share your opinions remember this, they are only people who don’t share your opinions. An old pastor of mine, who was a hard working contractor, said it best. “Everyone should work with a lazy man at least once in his life because he will probably end up showing you an easier way of doing some things.” Don’t immediately discredit or attack someone just for disagreeing with you. It is, however, perfectly ok to argue with them.
Obama Hitler Worship
Posted by: | CommentsWhat better way to brainwash a world than to start with the most innocent, impressionable minds? Be sure to watch the entire video, the last 30 seconds gave me chills.
Attacks Against Christians In India Continue
Posted by: | CommentsIf you missed the first post on this topic, please read it first.
Another update from Dr. Samuel’s family
Dear Pastor,
Papa had left to Kerala on Sunday. The anti-Christian violence have now spilt to many other states as well as in Karnataka. Reports on churches being attacked in many places are now only being broadcasted on the T.V. Today dad called me up from Kerala and told me that there was going to be a rally in Kerala to protest the violence against Christians and he would be speaking in that rally. There are no signs of the situation subsiding it just keeps spreading to other places and getting worse at the same time.
Please pray for him as he attends and speaks in that rally.
Help Spread This Story
Why are these attacks not being covered by the media? If this were attacks against muslims, hindus, or any religion other than Christian there would be non-stop coverage. The world is so blatant in it’s hatred of Christians that stories like these are suppressed. Please help spread this story in any way you can. No one of any religion, race, or nationality should ever have to witness thier children, and no child should have to endure, being literally ripped apart alive, burned, beaten, or hacked to death for their beliefs or any other reason. This is absolute insanity.
Christians Murdered for Faith
Posted by: | CommentsGod’s Appointment
In 1999 our pastor, Bill Bryan, had a divinely appointed meeting with a complete stranger from India. One man from Beulah, Alabama and another from Goa, India “just happened” to make acquaintance while in the Los Angeles airport. This meeting led to the founding of AHEAD, a ministry of The Bridge Church that reaches out to the poor and needy across India.
Since this meeting, Dr. Samuel has visited our church several times with information and updates about improvements in India. Recently, however, these updates have taken a horrific turn. The following is a copy of the actual email sent to our church from Dr. Samuel. As an American, it is hard to comprehend that these barbaric crimes still occur throughout parts of the world. The worst thing I have to worry about is having to verbally defend myself at times because of my beliefs. These people are watching their houses destroyed, their children tortured and murdered, and their communities destroyed by Hindu gangs; all because of their belief in God.
Dr. Samuel’s Actual Email
From: Samuel K [mailto:ahead_org@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 10:35 AM
To: Pastor Bill Bryan
Subject: Orissa report
PRAISE THE LORD
On the 25th of August the main Leader of the Orissa Missions had called to ask me to go there as some of our Missionaries were being intimidated by local religious and communal groups. The missionaries were themselves so isolated that they never knew that similar events were unfolding in several parts of that state. I prayed about the matter and travelled to Orissa on the 29th, by faith not knowing that the entire state was gripped with anti-Christian violence. It was later that I learnt that the violence was sparked by the brutal killing of a senior leader of a radical Hindu Movement by local Maoist rebels. Since the Maoists are few and far between, the Hindu radicals diverted their vengeance to the minority Christian community. Many Christian schools, orphanages, churches were burnt down and believers were burnt alive and some brutally hacked to death.
On the 31st morning I reached there in the midst of this fiery violence little knowing of the danger I was exposing myself to. As I disembarked the train, people began staring at me like they knew me and I reckoned that they knew me as I frequented that place often. A local missionary was waiting for me at the station who was surprised that I had heeded that call and actually came. He told me that it was unsafe to leave the station as many people in the locality would recognise me, his family himself had escaped to the jungles for safety. I was asked to take a train back immediately, but there are no trains until 2 days later. I prayed at the station and took to the street and got myself a room at a nearby lodge. I decided to visit nearby villages and not venture too far as I not only posed a grave threat to my life, but to my fellow missionaries as well. I arranged for the Leader to pass the message of my arrival to the other missionaries secretly. The following day a few of the missionaries turned up as the rest of them flew to the jungles for refuge.
The few missionaries who were in attendance narrated the violence and bloodshed they witnessed. One of the incidents which broke my heart most was of a baby who was tied and ripped apart in front of the mother for the simple reason of refusing to deny her Faith. And another of a Pastor who was paraded on the street and whipped and eventually killed by crushing his head with a boulder. I prayed and encouraged them to continue the work and exercising wisdom at the same time.
The official puts the death tool at close to 20, but unofficial reports suggest a death toll exceeding 60. Scores of churches and prayer halls and Christian institutions have been burnt and vandalized. Currently there are 7 refugee camps where 10,000 people are taking refuge under sub-basic conditions. (Today’s News: The refuge camp was attacked by the radical mob). Though curfew and shoot-at-sight is being imposed the violence does not seem to subside. And the Christians continue to live with this grim reality not knowing when they will be attacked. I wished deep down in my heart of providing relief to the affected, but the prevailing situation makes it close to impossible. And we still lack resources to to provide that relief.
The next early morning 2am the lodge owner woke and asked to leave immediately as 2 persons in the same lodge were hacked to death and thrown in a river 30mins ago. So I immediately left the place and rushed to the railway station and left on a 5am train.
The immediate prayer requests from me and the fellow workers in Orissa:
- To provide quick and basic relief
- To rebuild prayer halls and homes
- Continuous Prayer and Support
Continually pray for the acquirement of the hospital. Please pray that all needs would be met by the 15th of September. With the hospital we will be able to carry out relief work and support in times of need like this as well.
Yours in Christ,
Samuel.
Pictures and Video
You can see it for yourself , but be warned that some of these pics are extremely graphic.
Charlie Gibson Falls On His Face
Posted by: | CommentsCharlie Gibson tried, unsuccessfully, to trick, trip, demean, and verbally assault Governor Palin in his interview this week. The TV version of the interview was edited to change the meaning of some of her answers. His liberal attack on Palin would have crushed a lesser opponent; however, Palin’s strength made Gibson look like a complete fool. Just read the actual transcript and compare it to the TV version. Gibson’s only agenda was to exalt himself into the elitist ranks enjoyed by none other that Barack Obama.
While we are on the subject of a reporter changing what their guest says, check out George Stephanopoulos’ correction when Obama refers to “my Muslim faith.” George was quick to protect Obama and nurse him back from destruction. Here’s a few lines of the interview.
OBAMA: No, uh, well, uh, well, look, the — the, uhhhh. Listen, uhhh, you and I both know that the minute that Governor Palin was, uh — was, uh, forced to talk about her daughter, I immediately said, “That’s off-limits. And — and — and — and –
STEPHANOPOULOS: John McCain did the same thing about questioning your faith.
OBAMA: And what — what was the first thing the McCain campaign went out and did? They — they said, uhhh, look, uhhh, his liberal blogs that support Obama (nervous laugh) are out there attacking Governor Palin. I mea- ih, uh, uh, eh, L-l-let’s not play games. W-w-what I was suggesting, you are absolutely right that John McCain has not, uh, talked about my Muslim faith, and you’re absolutely right that that has not come –
STEPHANOPOULOS: Christian faith.
OBAMA: Uh, M-my Christian faith.
Did the truth slip out? I can’t say, but it was an interesting comment.
September 11, 2001
Posted by: | Comments
“Today our nation saw evil…and we responded with the best of America.” -President George W. Bush 09/11/2001
The World Center was made up of seven buildings: Two 110-floor twin towers, one 47-story office building, two 9-story office buildings, one 8-story U.S. Customs office, and one 22-story hotel.
The twin towers were 1,362 and 1,368 feet tall.
Approximately 50,000 people were employed in the twin towers alone.
An average of 90,000 tourists and business visitors each day.
“This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace.” -President George W. Bush 09/11/2001
Between 7:59 and 8:14 a.m. four flights carrying a total of 266 people leave their respective airports.
8:48 a.m. American Flight 11 crashes into the north tower of the WTC.
9:06 a.m. United Flight 175 crashes into the south tower of the WTC.
9:43 a.m. American Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon.
9:55 a.m. South tower collapses.
10:10 a.m. United Flight 93 crashes in a Pennsylvania field.
10:29 a.m. North tower collapses.
“The time has come for us to re-establish the rights for which we stand– to re-assert our inalienable rights to human dignity, self-respect, self-reliance — to again be the kind of people who once made America great.” -J. Ollie Edmunds, poet
Approximately 3,000 people died in these attacks; only 19 of them deserved it.