Boss_Lady0952's Xanga

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:31:06 GMT

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." --Thomas Jefferson

The following is a comment taken from "The Buzz" section of the Charlotte Observer (June 28th):

What's the difference between a dictator who can do whatever he pleases without opposition and a Democratic president with a Democratic Congress?

The answer? The last 6 mos. proves there is no difference.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:44:58 GMT

As bold as a...rabbit?

I have to apologize that it’s been so long since I posted anything. In fact, I not only haven't had time to read the political updates I get every day (which is probably a good thing), but it’s been several days since I was even on Xanga, and I haven’t had time to catch up on all my friends’ posts -- although I’ve tried…. Now that summer is here, I need to work in our yard and garden as much as I can, and there's a lot to do.

The rabbits, or at least one of them, have found my garden. I was suspicious when I saw that the top of a plant had been chewed off, then I saw the footprints in the dirt. In fact, the rabbits are getting quite bold. I was working in the garden Monday, and I had brought Maya out with me and put her on a longer line than usual. A rabbit was out in the yard of the house next door, Maya saw it and took off after it, but she was brought up short by her line. Normally just her running toward it would cause a rabbit to bolt, but this rabbit just looked at her and went back to feeding.

A little later I heard Maya acting up and looked back to find Rusty had gotten out. The sliding door on the porch was open about 6-8 inches, and I assumed I hadn’t closed it all the way. So I called Rusty (thank the Lord for dog treats) and put him back in the house -- which is not as easy as it sounds, since he’s so low to the ground and drops even further when he thinks he’s in trouble or doesn’t like what’s coming. I was walking back to the house bent over with my hand only about 6 inches off the ground, and I think poor Rusty was half strangled by the time I got him back in the house. (You try walking in that position for more than 50 feet!) This time I made sure the door was shut.

Just a couple of minutes later, I heard Maya again. Although I said before that she was “acting up,” really she was trying to herd an uncooperative Rusty back to the house both times. This time the porch door stood open 12” or more. Rusty had figured out how to nose it open! I had to lay a porch chair down in front of the door to block him in the event he opened it again.

My garden is doing better than I had ever hoped. I’ve got all kinds of stuff planted in what I consider a small area, although it’s all planted according to the directions. I figure one of 3 things are probably going to happen with it: 1) The rabbits will clean me out, leaving only those things they don’t like, 2) It’ll turn into a jungle with most things just being crowded out, or 3) It’ll be productive and I’ll be glad I worked so hard on it. I’m sure there are other possibilities, but I think those are the most likely. And we've started taking Rusty out to pee around the sides of the garden where there is no fencing and are hoping that will scare off the rabbits.

I know there are spiritual applications I could use with regards to my garden, but I’ve been thinking about that rabbit. I don't know whether it was just too stupid to run from a dog coming its way, or if it had realized that Maya couldn't reach it (but, then, how did it know that the first time?), but when our enemy, Satan, comes at me I wish I could be as bold as that rabbit seemed. I don't usually "rabbit" when something happens (even when I want to) but I do find myself anxious and fearful at times -- or just stupidly standing there as the enemy charges at me. So many times the Lord says "Fear not" or "do not be afraid" in the scriptures, and I want to take that to heart. He is my strength and protector, the eternal rock of truth on which I can stand firm.

The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. (Prov. 28:1)

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:42:11 GMT

The Garden

You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Is. 58:11b)

We recently cleaned out our raised garden and replanted it. Even though it was a very small bed (only 8'x8'), believe me, it was a real chore. It had lain fallow for 10-12 years, which means that not only was it packed with grass and weeds, but the top few inches of the soil was also filled with seeds from those plants. So we dug out the top 8 inches of soil and had topsoil delivered to refill it. We knew that the dump truck load we were receiving would be more than we needed, so we asked our next door neighbors if they could use any, and they said they could use 1/4-1/3 of a load.

Unfortunately, the person who sold us the topsoil was very generous and brought an even larger load than we expected. He dumped the topsoil right in the middle of our bed and we had a 6' mountain right in the middle of our garden, spilling over on all sides of it. Since I needed to get part of our garden planted right away, Jim started shoveling soil off onto a tarp. Somewhere in the middle of his shoveling, he had a great idea: Add another 8'x8' section onto our current garden. If he bolted the new section right onto our old bed, he would only have to add 3 sides and it would be easier to then just shovel dirt into the new one.

Jim spent another weekend adding and filling the new section, but we still had almost 1/3 of the load of topsoil left sitting on a tarp. The neighbors who said they could use some hardly made a dent in that pile (I don't think they realized how large a load of topsoil really was). So, we became the "friendly neighborhood top soil distributor" for a week or so, and all our neighbors who could use a little topsoil stopped by to get some. And almost everything is planted -- in fact, I think I overestimated what I could plant in that still-small garden.

Then, when I was in prayer recently one morning and our garden was the furthest thing from my mind at that moment, the Lord spoke to me that our garden was a good analogy for my spiritual life for the past 10-12 years:

During the years when I was working 50-60 hrs. a week, still healing from a spiritually abusive church we had left, and dealing with serious problems in our family, I had allowed my spiritual walk to -- in a sense -- grow fallow. I was very, very weary physically, emotionally, and spiritually; and I was afraid to trust or become involved again. Like Peter in John 6:68-69, I clung to the fact that there is no where else to go besides Jesus and that He alone has the words of eternal life, but I withdrew from almost everything and just kind of hibernated while metaphorically licking my wounds. I didn't realize it, but "weed seeds" had begun to take root and to grow in my life.
But the Lord didn't let my life continue to lie fallow. He knew that with some work, my life could be a fruitful garden. He began digging up the top weed-filled layer, then He brought in His fresh soil -- much more than I needed for the tiny little plot of my heart, and He dumped that soil until it overflowed. Then He expanded my heart and life to receive that overabundance of His blessing and presence, and still there was more than I could handle. So what should I do with it? Become our "friendly neighborhood distributor" of His mercy and love.

Friday, June 05, 2009

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:26:02 GMT

Many people have sneered at and mocked those of us who have said that liberals were turning the U.S. into a Marxist nation. They've said we were being "vitriolic" and creating a climate of hatred and fear. Well, the following is what a Russian says about the changes the liberals have been making in this nation. It is an article written by Stanislav Mishin, a blogger and columnist for the Russian newspaper Pravada:

It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent [sic] into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.

True, the situation has been well prepared on and off for the past century, especially the past twenty years. The initial testing grounds was conducted upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was. But we Russians would not just roll over and give up our freedoms and our souls, no matter how much money Wall Street poured into the fists of the Marxists.

Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and betters.

First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather than the classics. Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas then [sic] the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their "right" to choke down a McDonalds [sic] burger or a BurgerKing [sic] burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us (Russia) about our rights and about our "democracy". Pride blinds the foolish.

Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches, all tens of thousands of different "branches and denominations" were for the most part little more then Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more then happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the "winning" side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another. Their flocks may complain, but when explained that they would be on the "winning" side, their flocks were ever so quick to reject Christ in hopes for earthly power. Even our Holy Orthodox (Russian Orthodox) churches are scandalously liberalized in America.

The final collapse has come with the election of Barack Obama. His speed in the past three months has been truly impressive. His spending and money printing has been a record setting, not just in America's short history but in the world. If this keeps up for more than another year, and there is no sign that it will not, America at best will resemble the Wiemar Republic and at worst Zimbabwe.

These past two weeks have been the most breath taking of all. First came the announcement of a planned redesign of the American Byzantine tax system, by the very thieves who used it to bankroll their thefts, loses and swindles of hundreds of billions of dollars. These make our Russian oligarchs look little more than ordinary street thugs, in comparison. Yes, the Americans have beat our own thieves in the shear volumes. Should we congratulate them?

These men, of course, are not an elected panel but made up of appointees picked from the very financial oligarchs and their henchmen who are now gorging themselves on trillions of American dollars, in one bailout after another. They are also usurping the rights, duties and powers of the American congress (parliament). Again, congress has put up little more then a whimper to their masters.

Then came Barack Obama's command that GM's (General Motor) president step down from leadership of his company. That is correct, dear reader, in the land of "pure" free markets, the American president now has the power, the self given power, to fire CEOs and we can assume other employees of private companies, at will. Come hither, go dither, the centurion commands his minions.

So it should be no surprise that the American president has followed this up with a "bold" move of declaring that he and another group of unelected, chosen stooges will now redesign the entire automotive industry and will even be the guarantee of automobile policies. I am sure that if given the chance, they would happily try and redesign it for the whole of the world, too. Prime Minister Putin, less then two months ago, warned Obama and UK's Blair, not to follow the path to Marxism, it only leads to disaster. Apparently, even though we suffered 70 years of this Western sponsored horror show, we know nothing, as foolish, drunken Russians, so let our "wise" Anglo-Saxon fools find out the folly of their own pride.

Again, the American public has taken this with barely a whimper...but a "freeman" whimper.

So, should it be any surprise to discover that the Democratically controlled Congress of America is working on passing a new regulation that would give the American Treasury department the power to set "fair" maximum salaries, evaluate performance and control how private companies give out pay raises and bonuses? Senator Barney Franks, a social pervert basking in his homosexuality (of course, amongst the modern, enlightened American societal norm, as well as that of the general West, homosexuality is not only not a looked down upon life choice, but is often praised as a virtue) and his Marxist enlightenment, has led this effort. He stresses that this only affects companies that receive government monies, but it is retroactive and taken to a logical extreme, this would include any company or industry that has ever received a tax break or incentive.

The Russian owners of American companies and industries should look thoughtfully at this and the option of closing their facilities down and fleeing the land of the Red as fast as possible. In other words, divest while there is still value left.

The proud American will go down into his slavery with out a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world, how free he really is. The world will only snicker.

Stanislav Mishin

I assume Mr. Mishin recognizes Marxism, since he's lived under it. So, although our comrades...um, the scoffers will never admit it, we've been seeing what's going on with a clarity that they obviously don't have and we've been telling it like it is.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. (Psalm 20:7-8)

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:52:06 GMT

First, I want to recommend gabrielpeter's post on "Rights that Destroy." If I could, I'd duplicate his post here, but I don't want to infringe on his blog. It's an excellent depiction of what is happening in our country right now to people who refuse to do something that would promote or support gay marriages/relationships because it is against their religious beliefs. You will hear little, if anything, in the news about these situations, but it is happening with increasing frequency not just to religious groups but also to average people.

http://gabrielpeter.xanga.com/702411410/rights-that-destroy/

Secondly, I was as disturbed as anyone about the murder of George Tiller, the abortionist who was famous mainly because he was one of three abortionists in the country who would provide abortions after the 21st week of pregnancy. I was saddened because he was killed, but I was also saddened that his life had been taken by someone with strong anti-abortion views. Why would that last part sadden me? Because this will just give the government and pro-abortion folks more fodder to use in their suppression of those of us who are pro-life and stand against abortion.

Before I go any further, let me say that I do not believe that violence against abortionists is the answer, and like many others who are pro-life, I deplore Tiller's killing. That said, I was reminded of something while thinking and praying about what has happened:

During World War II, those who tried to hide and free the Jews fell mainly into two camps: 1) They were active but took no part in violence, or 2) They felt that killing Germans or traitors was justified in their effort to save innocent lives. (Note: I'm only referring to the attempt to save Jews, not everyone's involvement in the resistance.) Although they worked together in many ways, they often disagreed with each other's methods and beliefs and criticized one another, but those who fell into the 2nd camp felt they had no choice, since it was the government that was killing these people and there was no legal recourse.

The role God has ordained for governments is not only to provide order, stability and protection for its citizens, but also to protect the lives of the innocent and powerless. When it is the government that is killing the innocent and powerless, there will always be those who in their desperate attempts to save the innocent will feel they are justified in the killing of those who are causing the deaths.

That is the situation we find ourselves in when it comes to abortion. If most pro-life people felt that killing abortionists was acceptable, our nation would have been embroiled in significantly more abortion-related violence ever since Roe vs. Wade. But, while it should be obvious that most of us who are pro-life don't feel that violence against abortionists is right or acceptable, we also won't stand by and silently watch the violent, brutal, agonizing deaths of these innocent, unborn children. And we have few options, since we can't liberate our vulnerable and helpless, unborn children or hide them behind the false back of a closet. So the more the government restricts the voice of protest and freedoms of those who are against abortion, the more desperate some people will become.

When speaking to Cain in Genesis 4:10, God said that the blood of Cain's brother Abel cried out to Him. I can't begin to imagine what the blood of the many millions of aborted children crying out to God must sound like, but there is still hope for our nation. In Jeremiah 7:5-7, we are told:

If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Sat, 23 May 2009 19:43:37 GMT

Christian persecution in the U.S.?

When I was growing up, Christians, their faith and their God were respected for the most part. Now, Christian valedictorians and student leaders have the mic turned off while they're speaking at graduations or are refused to be allowed to deliver their speech if it contains any mention of God. Christians, particularly those who are conservative in their faith and politics, are mocked and portrayed as brainless and farcical in almost every media venue. And some people have even dedicated their lives to "cleansing" everything from any reference to God, Jesus, His Word, etc.

Even though we've been seeing this intolerance and prejudice against Christians, our God and our faith growing, it's difficult to accept the fact that the attitude toward Christians and our faith has changed so much that within my generation the atmosphere in our nation has become hostile and persecution is now starting to happen. Think persecution is too strong a word? Read what's happened to one San Diego couple who has a bible study in their home. The following is an excerpt from a WorldNetDaily article by Drew Zahn:

A San Diego pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a county official and warned they will face escalating fines if they continue to hold Bible studies in their home.

The couple, whose names are being withheld until a demand letter can be filed on their behalf, told their attorney a county government employee knocked on their door on Good Friday, asking a litany of questions about their Tuesday night Bible studies, which are attended by approximately 15 people.

"Do you have a regular weekly meeting in your home? Do you sing? Do you say 'amen'?" the official reportedly asked. "Do you say, 'Praise the Lord'?"

The pastor's wife answered yes.

She says she was then told, however, that she must stop holding "religious assemblies" until she and her husband obtain a Major Use Permit from the county, a permit that often involves traffic and environmental studies, compliance with parking and sidewalk regulations and costs that top tens of thousands of dollars.

And if they fail to pay for the MUP, the county official reportedly warned, the couple will be charged escalating fines beginning at $100, then $200, $500, $1000, "and then it will get ugly."

Dean Broyles of the Western Center for Law & Policy, which has been retained to represent the couple, told WND the county's action not only violates religious land-use laws but also assaults both the First Amendment's freedom of assembly and freedom of religion.

http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=98895 for the rest of the article

It's not overstating it to call this persecution. Some synonyms for "persecution" are: Harassment, bullying, maltreatment, hounding, discrimination. And that is definitely what this couple has experienced.

Like most things, persecution begins with small steps, and we've been seeing those small steps in almost every area of our lives. So if you've grown weary of hearing about the mistreatment of Christian valedictorians, beauty pageant contestants, politicians, professors and teachers, scientists, pastors, etc. and assume that it's something you'll never experience, you'd better not count on it. It's now intruding into the privacy of Christian homes. Btw, if you're a Christian parent, be forewarned: There are some people who consider it child abuse to teach a child about God and take him/her to Sunday School and church, and those people are working to make it illegal to "train up a child in the way he should go."

What should we do? You don't have to become a political activist to stand up for what's right. Even if you're outraged, be kind and polite, but don't be silent -- let your local politicians, congressman, and senator know where you stand when things like this happen in your community, state or in our nation. But, above all, pray, pray, PRAY!!!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Thu, 14 May 2009 16:54:04 GMT

The battle has begun! I hung out our hummingbird feeders yesterday, but I wasn't sure if the hummingbirds would find them right away, since I haven't gotten the hanging baskets of flowers I also usually put out. But right now there are two hummingbirds fighting desperately and without a break over one particular feeder (I don't think they've found the 2nd one yet). They are such tiny bundles of territorial aggression, and I just love watching them.

I haven't quit blogging, but I haven't posted much lately for a couple of reasons:

I've been trying to get things done around here for a change, especially since the weather has been so nice. It seems that when I blog a lot, I also neglect tasks around our house and yard. And I find I get a lot more done when I don't get on the computer first thing in the morning and stay on it all day. Go figure....
When I post about the things that are going on in our country politically, morally, spiritually, and economically, I can hardly deal with the frustration, anger and even hopelessness that accompanies it at times. Although my life belongs to Jesus Christ and my hope is in Him, I find myself focused on these other things because I've spent so much time thinking about them. I then need to back away and let the Lord soothe my mind and spirit by helping me focus back on Him. Funny enough, He often does that when I'm taking care of those "mindless" tasks I mentioned first. I'd much rather think on the Lord when I'm mowing or weeding than the destruction being wrought on our country by our liberal political leaders (of whom Obama shall remain nameless ), and I frequently find myself praying while I work.

So, I'll be around. I'm sure there are more "rants" in my future, and almost every day I read those things posted by my Xanga friends.

Friday, May 08, 2009

Fri, 08 May 2009 18:44:32 GMT

You've gotta love small town newspapers. I've mentioned before that our newspaper is locally known as the "Daily Disappointment." Wednesday's paper was a good example : It was dated May 6, 2009, except for one page that was dated Feb. 13, 2008, and another page that was dated April 6, 2009. And the comics were the same ones that had been in Tuesday's paper.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Wed, 06 May 2009 17:58:39 GMT

No Critical Thinking Allowed

The following is taken from a post by Charlies Winecoff titled "DENIED: Bigotry of the Obamatrons" (posted at bighollywood.breitbart.com). His entry actually begins with an instance of political bigotry that he experienced in his workplace, and I'd recommend reading his entire post -- it was just too long to include here.

[S]ince the Election - I’ve begun to suspect that the rejection of critical thinking is more than a regional custom. Forget the swine flu, anti-thought is a viral pandemic - and it’s spreading fast. As Marge the Palmolive lady used to say, “You’re soaking in it!”

Twenty-somethings are fond of declaring, “It’s a free country!” But is it? Really? And what exactly does that notion mean to them, anyway? Because from what I can tell, they believe the First Amendment is a natural phenomenon which, unlike the climate, will never change. At the same time, these kids - who see nothing odd about surrounding themselves with creepy, halo’d icons of The One - mock folks who actually make the effort to exercise their right to free speech on talk radio, at Tea Parties, and at workplace printers.

Talk about a false sense of security. They think this double standard is perfectly normal.

As a young’un said to me not long ago, “But Republicans… aren’t they, like, evil?” When I was growing up, the only Republican I knew was my grandfather - and he used to describe himself simply as a “skeptic.” Party affiliation aside, I always thought skepticism was supposed to be a good thing.

Not anymore.

As the media distracts us with constant fear-mongering about hate speech, racism, and possible assassination attempts on our President - by rightwing nuts, of course - a virulent new strain of politically correct intolerance has risen swiftly and silently in our midst: an all-out intifada against the individual.

In 1950, journalist Edward Hunter coined the term “brainwashing” to explain how some American POWs were converted to Communism during the Korean War. Today, the practice is commonplace. In 2009, every time an American turns on a television, he faces non-stop identity assault from a rat-tat-tat of guilt-inducing messages and innuendo: America is bad; America is collapsing; America should become more European; America deserves to be put in its place; America must bow to the wise and humble global community (especially if it’s Third World).

I’ve talked with otherwise well-educated twenty- and thirty-somethings who seem unable (or unwilling) to distinguish between the cavalier anti-war ravings of Madonna in concert and the published propaganda of Hillary Clinton (Making History) and Barack Obama (The Audacity of Hope). While it’s reassuring to know that Gen Oers still know how to read, it’s chilling to observe how readily they accept the words attributed to their idols at face value.

For reading these books, they are validated by their peers, complimented for their good taste - and tacitly discouraged from turning a critical eye to even a single sentence. No surprise, then, that brainwashing is also known as “thought reform,” with social acceptance the dangling carrot. The thoughts in these books are “good.”

This is the exact opposite of how Gen Oers are taught to view literature by conservative thinkers like Mark Levin and Ann Coulter (who, BTW, actually write their own books). In these cases, the same kiddies are emboldened to ridicule, condemn and name call - no reading required. The thoughts in these books are “bad.”

Guilt also plays a major part in brainwashing. Everyone from gay activists and environmentalists to socialized medicine zealots use it to browbeat people into submission (like any of us need more that). If you resist their arguments, then you must: a) be suffering from internalized homophobia; b) own shares in Exxon, or c) secretly want minorities to die waiting to get into the ER.

Brainwashing can only work in an environment of isolation - and there’s no lonelier place for a conservative than New York, San Francisco or Hollywood. Hopefully, that’s changing as many of us are starting to speak out. Still, the Left controls the arsenal of psychological weapons (film, print and digital media) used to break people down.

The challenge for young people is that, unless they already know someone who at least identifies as a “classical liberal,” their malleable minds will be hard pressed to discover the joy of civil discourse or rational debate. They won’t be exposed to any.

In 1983, best-selling shrink M. Scott Peck published his second book, People of The Lie. In it, he tells the stories of several patients whom he came to believe could be clinically diagnosed as “evil” - a character disorder he describes as “militant ignorance.” According to Peck, an evil person prefers to psychologically destroy others rather than face his (or her) own faults, exhibits zero empathy towards his targeted scapegoat, and enjoys falsely labeling other people as evil.

....

When did dissent become a de facto hate crime?

The following are some graphics Mr. Winecoff included in his blog that not only make the point themselves, but they're kind of cool, too.

http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/cwinecoff/2009/05/04/denied-bigotry-of-the-obamatrons/#more-113614

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Tue, 05 May 2009 18:40:43 GMT

The President Who Hates His Country

A post I highly recommend reading. I couldn't say it better, so I'm just adding the link:
http://pastorblastor.xanga.com/700980241/the-president-who-hates-his-country/