Among Good Christian People...

Delivering the Goods

2009-11-23T13:14:00.000-08:00

The United States rose up from a handful of rebellious colonies to become the richest and most powerful nation in the world. Why? Because we led the world in production. For 200 years, America delivered the goods.

But, in the 1970’s, all that suddenly changed. For the first time in history, the U.S. started having trade deficits. That means our net consumption exceeded our net production. And, every single year since 1975, our nation has consistently consumed more than it produced. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that’s not sustainable.

The depressing truth is America is no longer a world leader in production. We are trailing the pack. We are now a debtor nation, and our biggest creditor is China. — What the hell happened? And how will we ever recover? And, the more disturbing question is, what will happen to America if we don’t?

If we ever want to restore America to its proper place in the world, the first thing we need to understand is why we no longer have a productive economy. It’s pretty simple, really. — Because we no longer produce. Why not? – If we take a good hard look at the nature of production, maybe we can figure that out. The three key elements of production are capital, labor, and raw materials.

First, you need capital for research and development. To develop a new product that meets a real need in the marketplace takes a lot of research. It may take many years to develop. Research and development is extremely expensive, and there’s no guarantee of success. There has to be an enormous potential return on investment to justify that kind of risk.

That kind of return on investment is what our current administration refers to as “excessive profits.” And they have this notion that “excessive profits” should be punitively taxed. When government puts a lid on the potential for return on investment, what happens? The investors take their capital and invest it someplace else, — someplace that welcomes production, and wants to build up their economy and provide employment for their population. (Unlike the United States, it would seem.)

The second thing you need for production is raw materials. No matter what you want to produce, you need some combination of raw materials to produce it, whether wood, paper, metal, glass, fiber, or petroleum products. All raw materials come from the earth; they don’t come out of the air, or some genius’ imagination, or the printing presses at the Federal Reserve. They all come out of the ground, either through timber, mining, or agriculture.

Here, in Southern Oregon, we live in one of the richest areas in the country, in terms of natural resources. We’re rich in timber. We’re rich in minerals. But, if this part of the country is so rich, why is it so poor? Why is unemployment so high? Because we’re not allowed to use the natural resources with which we’re abundantly blessed. Overregulation, and the endless environmental litigation it has spawned, has all but curtailed the timber and mining industries, — the very industries that provide raw materials for every sort of production on which our economy relies. And the overregulation doesn’t stop there. It’s hobbling the manufacturing industries, too.

The third thing required for production is labor. We’ve actually got a surplus of that. Look at our unemployment numbers, nationwide. Private sector jobs are steadily declining because our industries are stymied by excessive regulation and punitive taxation. So how does our government address that issue? It tries to replace the jobs lost due to declining production by creating new jobs in the public sector.

The trouble is those jobs do nothing to restore our national productivity. Public sector jobs and service jobs don’t create any new wealth. They just swirl money around in the economy. And, as that money swirls around, more and more of it leaks out to other countries, as we buy foreign-made products because we can’t or don’t produce enough at home.

As the real wealth leaks out of our economy, the Fed prints up more and more new money, which only dilutes the value of the money we already have in circulation, leading to higher and higher inflation. As long as we consume more than we produce, there is no way to add real value back into our economy, and our currency will continue to lose whatever value it has. We must restore production to have a sustainable economy.

This country was founded on the sacred principles of liberty and freedom. Not just individual freedom, but economic freedom. America became a world leader because America delivered the goods. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what it’s always been about. We have to stay solvent to preserve our liberty. If our economy fails, we’ll lose our freedom. Stifling production smothers the economy. And that’s what our government is doing.

Contact your Congressmen and Senators and tell them we want our economy back. Government can’t solve this problem. Government is the problem.

FAITH ISN'T FAKE...

2009-01-13T10:18:00.000-08:00

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"
- (Hebrews 11:1)

It’s an amazing promise, isn’t it? That no matter where you are in your stillness or walk with the world God can meet you there. A lot of Christians don’t understand that it is by grace that you are saved. Grace is the absolute substance that makes God up. The next time someone asks you who God is tell them, “God is Grace” or you could simply reply, “God is Love”. God’s love and mercy abounds if we are only willing to look for it. Remember that nothing in this whole entire world can separate you from His love. As well, never forget that true faith is when you know what you believe, why you believe it, and you are committed in acting in accordance with it; and that anything less than that is not true faith. That is the kind of faith that you must have in God and the Bible.

Faith leads us beyond ourselves. It leads us directly to God. It is faith that directs our prayers and faith that directs God’s mercy on us. I am one of those who would rather sink with faith than swim without it. Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you. Understand that all things can be done through Christ who strengthens you.

“The beautiful and majestic thing about this odd adventure called faith is that we can always and at any minute count on Him never to lead us astray.” - Charlie Swindoll

Going Astray...

2009-01-10T21:22:00.000-08:00

It's an amazing promise isn't it? A wise man once said that "Good things take time; but great things happen all at once." I suppose that fear drives this place. Isn't it sad that something so made up could move mountains in our hearts. It can cause us to lose beautiful relationships, great dreams that were only footsteps away, and treasured intimacy with ourselves.

"Now faith is the substance of things hopes for, the evidence of things not seen"
-Hebrews 11:1

One thing that man has forgotten to do is "JUST LIVE". Just live... This never, though, to be confused with success because even the most successful people are not happy. Man should never forget that success created by ones own self through manipulation is success not reviving nor happy. True faith is when you know what you believe, why you believe it, and you are committed in acting in accordance with it. That is the kind of faith that one must have in God and the Bible. Anything less than that is not true faith.

The question, though, is... Is you're faith strong enough to move mountains? Can you're faith destroy than rebuild the highest temple in Jerusalem than rebuild it in 7 days. Can you're faith make peace with you're empty and unhappy past? Does you're faith make you happy? Does lift you when you are sad? Can you're faith withstand whirlwinds and hurricanes? Can you're faith fight the forces of evil?

If not, than you're human... Welcome to the real world.

Just Another Day...

2009-01-07T13:19:00.000-08:00

Well today's just been a real hoot!

I'm so tired of doing nothing... I'm finally in Washington but I'm not doing what I want. First off, I wanna meet people! New people! My plan is to take this experience and come back to Ohio so that I can use it to my advantage. I wanna run for Chairman of the Ohio College Republicans Federation. Sounds like quite the step there doesn't it? I know it's kind of long winded.

I don't know what else to write so I'll talk to you later...!

A Quick Argument Against Calvinism...

2008-12-04T07:50:00.001-08:00

My main beef against calvinism is the belief that God predestined certain people to be "elect"; in normal words, calvinists believe that God dictated who will be saved before that person was even born.

Now, that in itself is not so radical when you stop to consider how God sees time. But what is outragous is how calvinists believe that man has no free will in the matter.

I.e., man does not choose to follow God, God predestines man to follow God and be saved. So they believe that it's not: "Because you have faith in God and follow his ways, God will have mercy on you and save you." Instead, they believe it's: "Because God chose you, you will serve God and be saved."

You know Romans 9:15-18...

The calvinists suggest that this is the silver bullet proof that God predestines the elect. However, this is an incorrect interpretation. These verses are simply stating that nothing man can do by himself can get him into heaven. Man needs God's grace and mercy, which only God can grant. God grants mercy to those he grants mercy to, and we can presume from Jesus' teachings that God will grant mercy to those whose hearts are truly seeking God and who follow Jesus' path in heart, mind, and action.

If God has already elected those who are going to heaven, then why evangelize, seek to be saved, or even follow God's path?

Your traditional Calvinist would proclaim, "Because God told us so!" But if God has already elected those who will be going to heaven, no amount of influence from Christians will change who is elected or not. Evangelism may be the means of how God saves the elect, but our conscience decision to not evangelize will not affect the elect.

Yes, I believe God predestines many events. Many events throughout the Bible have been predestined. Jesus' birth was predestined. Jesus' death was predestined. Jesus' resurrection was predestined. Many things in our own lives could very well be predestined. But God certainly does not predestine people to go to heaven or go to hell. It is man's choice to either accept God's path or reject it.

Holy Crap

2008-10-16T16:30:00.001-07:00

Spice Girls - The funniest movie is here. Find it

Something Hit Me:

I was reading my friends blog when out of no-where I found the funniest "saying" he had written... EVER!!!

LOOK BELOW:

"Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils..."

Too bad God gives us so much time to make "fishers of men"! Please remember that when you live your life... Live it "intentionally"!!! Forget Political Correctness!!! Forget trying to please!!! Live life for no one else BUT God Himself!!!

"The man who smiles when things go wrong has thought of someone to blame it on..."

Hungry...

2008-10-15T12:04:00.000-07:00

God is so good to His people; but His people are not so good to Him. Why? Why do people insist on living there lives in anger as though the gov’t or God himself has forgotten them or owes them something. God has given us life and opportunity too freedom and justice; but we as people look over the greatest of these gifts, Grace, and continue pushing and bickering for “MORE”!!! That angers me!!! I’m pissed off when I see Christian living a double-life of “Sunday Youth Group” and “Monday-Friday whatever sinful else”.

I’ll bet it breaks God’s heart.

-Gannon

Among Good Christian People

2008-10-14T11:16:00.001-07:00

Stop Sign Kid - The funniest videos clips are here

What a crazy day it's been... I'm tired of everything...

I'm sorry if I seem so hateful! LOL, it's nice to get back on though! I'm at Shawnee's "Innermission" and it is freaken awesome!!! Everyone needs to check it out. LOL, maybe not... I'm not sure what else to talk about except for my just recent 2 by 4 moment. Ha Ha, it was an awkard day and I had just come home from my cousin's house after play Halo 3 all day with buddies of mine. I remember specifically thinking about God for some odd reason. IDK, it's odd; but I soon reconciled with myself that it's ok to not know the solution to all of life's weird moments or problems.

Being me I don't ever think I've ever not tried to figure out ever problem in my life. It's rediculous what people would do to detur or stop an event from happing. I think, though, I realized that It's ok to not have the "answer"...

ALL I KNOW IS THAT "GOD IS GOOD" AND NO MATTER WHERE I AM IN MY LIFE "GOD CAN MEET ME THERE...!

Love All,

-"Gannon-Dog"
Stop Sign Kid - The funniest videos clips are here

Good Things Are Happening Here...!

2008-10-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

Really cool thing just happened in my life... I, about a month ago, got hired/elected to start a new chapter of "College Republicans" at Shawnee State University!!! I'm super stoked for this adventure of a lifetime!!! God is so good to me; and I don't know what I'd ever do without Him. I've learned recently that it's one thing to talk about living for the Master Planner then there's really living for Him... In Philippians 2 God strongly urges "His" people and all that follow Him to live free of fret and worrying! He says to live humbly and remember that in the midst of toilsome trouble and worry God is still there and He still has control over everything... I challenge anyone reading this blog to remember God once again not only as the deliverer but as the Master of All!!! Remember that God is always in control; and that whenever something good happens in our lives it's because God had a hand in it... Not because of ourselves but because of God!!!

Hussein's Racist Church...

2008-03-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

Imagine if Mitt Romney’s church proclaimed on its website that it is “unashamedly white.”

The media would pounce, and Romney’s presidential candidacy would be over. Yet that is exactly what Barack Obama’s church says on its web site — except in reverse.

“We are a congregation which is unashamedly black and unapologetically Christian,” says the Trinity United Church of Christ’s website in Chicago. “We are an African people and remain true to our native land, the mother continent, the cradle of civilization.”

That’s just the beginning. The church has a “non-negotiable commitment to Africa,” according to its website, and its pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. subscribes to what is called the Black Value System.

While the Black Value System includes such items as commitment to God, education, and self-discipline, it refers to “our racist competitive society” and includes the disavowal of the pursuit of “middle-classness” and a pledge of allegiance to “all black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System.” It defines “middle-classness” as a way for American society to “snare” blacks rather than “killing them off directly” or “placing them in concentration camps,” just as the country structures “an economic environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.”

In sermons and interviews, Dr. Wright has equated Zionism with racism and Israel with South Africa under its previous policy of apartheid. On the Sunday after 9/11, Wright said the attacks were a consequence of violent American policies. Four years later, Wright suggested that the attacks were retribution for America’s racism.

“In the 21st century, white America got a wake-up call after 9/11/01,” Wright wrote in a church-affiliated magazine. “White America and the western world came to realize that people of color had not gone away, faded into the woodwork or just ‘disappeared’ as the Great White West kept on its merry way of ignoring black concerns.”

In one of his sermons, Wright said, “Racism is how this country was founded and how this country is still run!…We [in the U.S.] believe in white supremacy and black inferiority and believe it more than we believe in God.”

As for Israel, “The Israelis have illegally occupied Palestinian territories for over 40 years now,” Wright has said. “Divestment has now hit the table again as a strategy to wake the business community and wake up Americans concerning the injustice and the racism under which the Palestinians have lived because of Zionism.”

Obama says he found religion and Jesus Christ through Wright, whom he met in the mid-1980s. He has been attending Wright’s church regularly since 1988.

The church occupies a tan building on West 95th Street near a public housing project and railroad tracks. Since becoming pastor in 1972, Wright has seen the church’s membership grow to more than 8,500. The church is the largest congregation in the United Church of Christ, a predominantly white denomination known for its liberal politics.

In 1991, Obama joined the church and walked down the aisle in a formal commitment of faith. Wright later married Obama and Michelle Robinson and baptized their two daughters.

The title of Obama’s bestseller “The Audacity of Hope” comes from one of Wright’s sermons. Wright is one of the first people Obama thanked after his election to the Senate in 2004.

But Obama’s life does not exactly support Wright’s thesis that blacks in America are oppressed. A Harvard Law School graduate, Obama married a black Princeton graduate who also has a degree from Harvard Law School. Obama is a U.S. senator from Illinois; his wife is a vice president of the University of Chicago Hospitals. With his wife, Obama has been making more than $1 million a year.

On a few points, Obama has sought to distance himself from Wright’s teachings or explain them away. While Wright is his pastor and friend, Obama has said, they do not see eye to eye on everything. In particular, Obama has said he “strongly disagrees with any portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that advocates divestment from Israel or expresses anything less than strong support for Israel’s security.”

As for Wright’s repeated comments blaming America for the 9/11 attacks, Obama has said it sounds as if the minister was trying to be “provocative.”

Just before Obama’s nationally televised campaign kickoff rally last Feb. 10, the candidate disinvited Wright from giving the public invocation. Wright explained: “When [Obama’s] enemies find out that in 1984 I went to Tripoli” to visit Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, “a lot of his Jewish support will dry up quicker than a snowball in hell.”

According to Wright, Obama then told him, “’You can get kind of rough in the sermons, so what we’ve decided is that it’s best for you not to be out there in public.’” But privately, Obama and his family prayed with Wright just before the presidential announcement.

To his credit, Obama so far has avoided race-specific appeals as part of his candidacy, accounting in part for his widespread appeal.

Obama “has taught the black community you don’t have to act like Jesse Jackson, you don’t have to act like Al Sharpton,” conservative commentator Bill Bennett said on CNN on Jan. 3. “You can talk about the issues. [Obama has] great dignity.”

But if Obama rejects Wright’s warped view of this country, why does he continue to attend his church, raising the question of whether Obama secretly agrees with his friend and mentor? At the least, Obama’s membership in Wright’s church suggests a lack of judgment and an insensitivity to views that are repugnant to the vast majority of white Americans who are not bigots.

That same lack of judgment has shown up in Obama’s gaffes—threatening to invade Pakistan and offering prompt negotiations with anti-American despots. More frightening, Obama voted last August to give Osama bin Laden and other terrorists the same rights as Americans when it comes to intercepting their overseas calls in order to pick up clues needed to stop another attack.

Jen Psaki, a spokesman for Obama’s campaign, has tried to paper over the candidate’s support of the Black Value System by saying that Obama “believes its basic tenets of commitment to God, to community, to self-discipline and self-reliance continue to have applicability not only to the African-American community but to all people.”

But that is not what the Black Value System says. One can only imagine the outrage that would erupt if a white presidential candidate like Romney subscribed to something called the White Value System. Yet while Obama has been referred to in the media tens of thousands of times in the past month, only one story in the Concord Monitor in New Hampshire offhandedly mentioned Obama’s church’s “unashamedly black” slogan.

In contrast, in an exquisite example of the double standard they apply to Democrats versus Republicans, the media love to focus on Romney’s religion, which is not relevant to how he would perform as president. Close to half the media references to Romney refer to the fact that he is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Very few of them mention that he is both a Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School graduate, credentials that are relevant to how he would perform as president.

When Romney’s father ran for president, his religion was not an issue simply because the media rightly recognized that it was not pertinent to his candidacy. Today, as part of their coverage of Romney, the media run denigrating quotes about Mormonism that they would never dare to run about any other religion. At the same time, the media have largely ignored or downplayed the clearly racist slogan of Obama’s church and the anti-American and anti-Israel stances of its pastor.

In two exceptions to the media blackout, Tucker Carlson of MSNBC described Trinity as having a “racially exclusive theology” that “contradicts the basic tenets of Christianity.” Sean Hannity of Fox News confronted Wright on TV and asked how a black value system is any more acceptable than a white value system.

If a white presidential candidate’s church had a similar statement and “you substitute the word black for white, there would be an outrage in this country,” Hannity said. “There would be cries of racism in this country.’”

“If your spiritual advisor makes outrageous statements, it’s incumbent on you as a leader to denounce those statements,” says Brad Blakeman, a former Bush White House aide who heads the conservative Freedom’s Watch. “Silence is an admission that you agree with what your spiritual advisor pronounces.”

If his church membership calls into question Obama’s judgment, the dichotomy in the coverage of his and Romney’s religious affiliations spotlights the media’s double standard and how its skewed reporting influences who will become president.

But media bias or not, if Obama is his party’s nominee, his Republican opponent will rightly be able to make use of Rev. Wright and his radical teachings as effectively as supporters of George H.W. Bush used Willie Horton’s furlough to help Bush win the presidency.