Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Newt's Big Three...Part Three

The last two weeks I've posted the first two parts (1 & 2) of Newt's Big Three issues that if all three are driven home before the election then Repubs will maintain control of Congress. Here are the three as a recap:

1. Promoting a proven economic prosperity agenda of lower taxes and pro-growth policies vs. the failed policies of higher taxes, more regulation and bloated bureaucratic structures of the past.
2. Left-wing San Francisco radical ideas vs. the values held by the rest of America
3. Defeating terrorism and the dictatorships who threaten America vs. appeasing and being defeated by them

Here is the third of the points in full:


The North Korean nuclear test was a powerful warning about how dangerous the world is becoming.

The United Nations' speeches of Iran's Ahmadinejad and Venezuela's Chavez are reminders of how much they hate us and how much they are determined to defeat us.

The continuing brutality and violence in Iraq is more evidence that we have real enemies who want to kill us.

The London bombing plot to destroy 10 airliners included a husband and wife who the London Telegraph reports "allegedly planned to take their six-month-old baby on a mid-air suicide mission." Imagine an enemy willing to kill their own six-month-old baby if that would help them kill us (the opposite of the story of King Solomon and the two mothers who argued over the baby and the real mother proved her love by being willing to give up the baby to save its life).

In the face of these dangers and this hatred, the Democrats would make the person
third in line to be Commander-in-Chief an authentic representative of the policies of weakness and appeasement, which Ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick described in 1984 as "the San Francisco Democrats." Ironically, this new potential Commander-in-Chief really is a San Francisco Democrat.

America vs. the Pelosi Record Abroad

Consider the following national security votes by a would-be Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
-On Sept. 14, 2006, Pelosi voted against building a fence on the border to protect America from terrorists;
-Before 9/11, Pelosi repeatedly voted to cut intelligence (in 1993 by $500 million) and after 9/11 she has still voted to cut intelligence (in 2004 she voted to
withhold 25 percent of intelligence funds);
-When you ask why we were not more prepared for 9/11, remember that six months before Sept. 11, 2001, Pelosi voted to decrease proposed defense spending by $65 billion;
-The next time you think about North Korean nuclear tests and North Korean efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile to reach the United States, remember that in 2002, Pelosi voted for an amendment to the FY 2003 Defense authorization that would block FY 2003 funding for space-based missile defense programs;


-Pelosi led a faction of 124 House Democrats who voted against final passage of the Patriot Act's reauthorization;
-Pelosi voted against the $87-billion Iraq/Afghanistan supplemental that included extra money for body armor for our soldiers;
-Pelosi voted against creation of Homeland Security Department;
-Pelosi was one of only 33 members to vote against prohibiting U.S. citizens and companies from conducting any financial transaction with countries that have been identified by the State Department as active sponsors of terrorism; and
-In 2004, Pelosi voted against House passage of the intelligence overhaul bill, which reorganized 15 intelligence agencies under one Director of National intelligence.

Pelosi also supports immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq, saying that "[I] myself support the course of action that Mr. Murtha has put forth." And let's be clear about exactly what Mr. Murtha is for: withdrawing from Iraq and leaving it to the terrorists.

The future with Alcee L. Hastings as chairman of the Intelligence Committee based upon the historic record...

If all of this were not extraordinary enough, Nancy Pelosi has made clear her intention, if the Democrats gain the majority, to force ranking Democrat Jane Harman (Calif.) to step down and replace her with Alcee L. Hastings of Florida as the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

Hastings is a former federal judge who was indicted in 1981 for influence peddling, then impeached by a vote of 413-3 in the House and removed from his judgeship by subsequent conviction in the Senate on eight articles of impeachment. Hastings' conviction was only the sixth time that the Senate has removed a judge from office in an impeachment trial. It is not clear why Pelosi would place her trust in an impeached former judge to lead the oversight of our nation's intelligence agencies.

Never in American history has a person with such consistent an anti-defense, anti-intelligence and anti-security record been allowed to be third in line to be Commander-in-Chief. Every Democrat running for Congress should be required to defend their decision to vote for a person who believes in such weakness, appeasement and withdrawal policies to run the House.



Time is short. Only one week left! If you have free time over the next week and want to make calls for candidates that are in the battle districts, let me know and I can get you some numbers and a script. This election is way to important as these three posts have said to sit back and do nothing.

Our safety, the economy and the values we hold dear will be in major jeopardy if the Dems win control. We can't afford to "teach" the Repubs a lesson by staying home. As much as you may be upset with the overspending and other disappointments, the policies the Dems will enact will be way worse. The time to teach the Repubs lessons is during the primary season not the general election. The stakes are just to high.

Monday, October 30, 2006

New House

I'm venturing into uncharted territory. I'm buying a house!!! To be more precise, it is a two bedroom, two bath town house. But it will be all mine...no more wasting money on rent!!! As you can see from the listing, it has lots of great amenities and being it is a buyer's market right now, I was able to do some really good negotiating on the price.

As long as everything continues to go as planned, I close on November 30. So, if you are in the DC area, keep a look out for a fun gumbo house warming party coming soon =)

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Love

And the greatest of these is Love.



Gal 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. (NIV)

The topical word study:

LOVE

The high esteem which God has for His human children and the high regard which they, in turn, should have for Him and other people. Because of the hundreds of references to love in the Bible, it is certainly the most remarkable book of love in the world. It records the greatest love story ever written-God's unconditional love for us that sent His Son to die on the cross (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10).

Love is not only one of God's attributes; it is also an essential part of His nature. "God is love," the Bible declares (1 John 4:8,16) - the personification of perfect love. Such love surpasses our powers of understanding (Eph 3:19). Love like this is everlasting (Jer 31:3), free (Hos 14:4), sacrificial (John 3:16), and enduring to the end (John 13:1).

Two distinct Greek words for love appear in the Bible. The word phileo means "to have ardent affection and feeling"-a type of impulsive love. The other word agapao means "to have esteem" or "high regard." In the memorable conversation between Jesus and Peter, there is a play upon these two words (John 21:15-17). Jesus asked, "Simon, do you love [esteem] me?" But Peter replied, "You know that I love [have ardent affection for] You." Then Jesus asked, "Simon, do you love [have ardent affection for] Me?" And Peter responded that his love was agape love-a love that held Jesus in high esteem and which was more than a fleeting feeling.

The warm word agape is the characteristic term of Christianity. This word for love is used several different ways in the Bible.

1. Agape love indicates the nature of the love of God toward His beloved Son (John 17:26), toward the human race generally (John 3:16; Rom 5:8), and toward those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:21).

2. Agape love conveys God's will to His children about their attitude toward one another. Love for one another was a proof to the world of true discipleship (John 13:34-35).

3. Agape love also expresses the essential nature of God (1 John 4:8). Love can be known only from the actions it prompts, as seen in God's love in the gift of His Son (1 John 4:9-10). Love found its perfect expression in the Lord Jesus. Christian love is the fruit of the Spirit of Jesus in the believer (Gal 5:22).

Love is like oil to the wheels of obedience. It enables us to run the way of God's commandments (Ps 119:32). Without such love, we are as nothing (1 Cor 13:3). Such Spirit-inspired love never fails (1 Cor 13:8) but always flourishes. (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

LOVE
(Heb. 'ahaba; Grk. 'agape). Chiefly represented in the Scriptures as an attribute of God and as a Christian virtue. Its consideration, therefore, belongs to both theology and ethics.

An Attribute of God. According to the Scriptures, God has feeling, affection, although rationalistic theologians (e.g., Schleiermacher, Bruch) have asserted the contrary. We must derive our conceptions of God from the special revelation that He has given of Himself, and this declares His love as strongly as His existence. It is held by some to be inadequate to speak of love as a divine attribute. "God is love" (1 John 4:8,16).

The Scriptures contain no equivalent statements with respect to other qualities of the divine nature. Love is the highest characteristic of God, the one attribute in which all others harmoniously blend. The love of God is more than kindness or benevolence. The latter may be exercised toward irrational creatures, but love is directed toward rational, personal beings. The eternal love of God has never been without its object, a fact upon which we receive some light from the Scripture revelation of the threefold personality of God (see Trinity; see also Matt 3:17; John 15:9; 17:23-26).

The gracious love of God to men, even to sinful men, is most strongly declared in both the OT and NT (e.g., Ex 34:6; Isa 63:9; Jer 31:3; John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). The love of God underlies all that He has done and is doing, although many facts exist that we cannot reconcile with His love on account of our limited understanding. The highest disclosure and most complete proof of divine love is in redemption (see Rom 5:8; 8:32-39; 1 John 4:9-10). The reality and power of this love are properly apprehended only under the influence of the Holy Spirit. "The love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Rom 5:5).

A Christian Virtue. Love (Grk. 'agape; NASB and NIV, "love"). The only word in the Bible translated charity means love. It is affection, tender and passionate attachment, a sentiment of our nature excited by qualities in a person or thing that command our affection; a virtue of such efficacy that it is said to be the fulfilling of the law. Its absence invalidates all claim to the Christian name. It is the antithesis of selfishness. Luther calls it "the shortest and longest divinity." It is active, and dissatisfied if not blessing others. Christian love is piety, the greatest boon that God can give, for "God is love." "In it all human duty is summed up" (Matt 22:37-40; Rom 13:8; 1 Cor 13:13). Love is the first named element in the composite "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22).

Charity, in modern speech, has other meanings: first, that sentiment that prompts us to think and speak well of others, judge their acts kindly, and make them happy; second, generosity to the poor; third, that which is thus given; and fourth, a benevolent foundation.

Love is the preeminent virtue inculcated and produced by Christianity. The whole law is summed up in love, not in the sense of rendering all other requirements as inconsequential, but in the sense that love is fundamental, expresses the spirit of all others, and with enlightenment will lead to the observance of all others (Matt 22:37-39; 5:43-48; John 14:15,21; 15:12-14; Rom 13:8; 1 Cor 13:1; Gal 5:14).

Accordingly, love is declared to be the chief test of Christian discipleship (John 13:35; Matt 5:44; 1 John 3:14). Also, love is the highest motive or ground of moral actions. Without this all other motives fall short of furnishing the true stimulus of Christian living. As all sin roots itself in selfishness, so all virtue springs out of love; and yet the love that is presented in the NT as the mainspring of holy living is grateful love as distinct from the love that is wholly disinterested. "We love, because He first loved us" are words that rightly express the whole matter (1 John 4:19; see also 2 Cor 5:14; Rom 12:1-2).

The contention of Fenelon that true Christian love should be disinterested, that we must love God exclusively on account of His perfection, so that if He did not bless us, but were to cast us off, we would love Him still, finds no support in the Scriptures. It contains a measure of truth inasmuch as it emphasizes the warning that we are certainly not to love the gifts of God more than the Giver and that we are not to love God wholly on account of His gifts. In reality, grateful love includes adoring love, or that which loves God for His own sake. Christian love, it is also important to note, is made possible only by divine grace. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22; see also 1 John 3:14). (The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright © 1988.)

Father, You are Love. Your word says, “We love, because You first loved us.” Help us to always show Your love. Your word says, “We could have all the fruits but not love and what good would it be.” You showed the ultimate act of love by sacrificing Your Son for us. Help us daily to being willing to sacrifice every and anything we hold dear in order to show Your love.

1 Cor 13 sums up love the best:


13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not
love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of
prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith
that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I
possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I
gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (NIV)


Previous Posts:
Self-Control
Gentleness
Faithfulness
Goodness
Kindness
Patience
Peace
Joy

Thursday, October 26, 2006

One Nation Under...Judges???

Once again liberal judges have over-stepped their constitutional authority in order to make laws. The NJ Supreme Court has mandated that the NJ Legislature either legalize gay marriage or civil unions in 6 months or else. They even said they can find no place in the constitution for such a law however they "feel" it is time to stop being intolerant.

Since when have we become a nation of feelings as opposed to laws???

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

So It Is a Baby???

There is a slight uproar in England over a hospital burning the aborted babies (they use the word fetus) in the trash incinerator and how undignified that is. However several times the fetus is referred to as a baby. Once even by a woman who had an abortion and is now "furious" over how her baby was treated with such indignity.

So let me get this straight. People are furious and outraged about where an aborted baby is burned...seems to me this wouldn't even be an issue if they hadn't aborted the baby in the first place!!! What a tangled web we weave.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Newt's Big Three...Part Two

Last week I posted Part One of Newt's Big Three issues that if all three are driven home before the election then Repubs will maintain control of Congress. Here are the three as a recap:

1. Promoting a proven economic prosperity agenda of lower taxes and pro-growth policies vs. the failed policies of higher taxes, more regulation and bloated bureaucratic structures of the past.
2. Left-wing San Francisco radical ideas vs. the values held by the rest of America
3. Defeating terrorism and the dictatorships who threaten America vs. appeasing and being defeated by them

Now here is Truth #2 reposted in full:

Any conservative who is considering staying home this fall has to consider the
consequence of their not voting.


The Democrats are set to put as third in line to be President the most liberal leader they have ever had.

These positions are so unpopular that virtually any Republican candidate, even in a
very moderate district, ought to be able to sharply draw the contrast.

If you go back to my newsletter of September 5 on the American Eleven, you will see the kind of solutions that are supported by the vast majority of the American
people.

Contrast that newsletter with Nancy Pelosi's voting record.

Nancy Pelosi legitimately represents the values of her liberal San Francisco
district.

They are simply not values most Americans can support or feel comfortable with in the powerful position her party is willing to give her.

America vs. the Pelosi Record at Home

Consider the following votes (all opposed by the vast majority of Americans):

-On July 31, 1996, Pelosi voted against the historic Welfare Reform Bill and later voted against its reauthorization;

-On July 19, 2006, Pelosi voted against protecting the right to say "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance;

-On Sept. 20, 2006, Pelosi voted against requiring that voters be identified so we could ensure only legal citizens are voting;

-On July 13, 2006, Pelosi voted against requiring English on ballots;

-On June 30, 2005, Pelosi refused to side with homeowners against the Kelo decision that allows cities to seize private property for profitable ventures, even though 365 members voted to stop cities from taking private property.

-Pelosi has voted at least 12 times against the death penalty;

-Pelosi was one of only 67 House members to vote against the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA);

-Pelosi has voted at least eight times against banning partial-birth abortion, at least three times against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act (Laci's law), and scored a perfect 100 percent rating from NARAL Pro-Choice America;

-Pelosi voted against a bill that would "[b]ar the transportation of a minor girl across state lines to obtain an abortion without the consent of a parent, guardian or judge;"

-Pelosi voted at least 31 times for using local or federal taxpayer dollars to fund abortions;

-and Pelosi received an "F" rating from the National Rifle Association.



If the Dems win the House in two weeks, Pelosi will be the new Speaker and these are the values she will bring to that position. If you are as much against these positions as I am, then it is very important that you vote for the Repub in your district and also make sure you get as many of your family and friends as possible to do the same.

Monday, October 23, 2006

Joy

Today’s fruit is Joy.


Gal 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. (NIV)
The topical word study:

JOY

A positive attitude or pleasant emotion; delight. Many kinds of joy are reported in the Bible. This makes it difficult to give a simple definition of joy. Even the wicked are said to experience joy in their triumphs over the righteous (1 Cor 13:6; Rev 11:10). Many levels of joy are also described, including gladness, contentment, and cheerfulness.

But the joy which the people of God should have is holy and pure. This joy rises above circumstances and focuses on the very character of God. In the Psalms, for example, the psalmist rejoices over God's righteousness (71:14-16), salvation (21:1; 71:23), mercy (31:7), creation (148:5), word (119:14,162), and faithfulness (33:1-6). God's characteristics as well as His acts are the cause of rejoicing.

The joy required of the righteous person (Ps 150; Phil 4:4) is produced by the Spirit of God (Gal 5:22). This kind of joy looks beyond the present to our future salvation (Rom 5:2; 8:18; 1 Peter 1:4,6) and to our sovereign God, who works out all things for our ultimate good, which is Christlikeness (Rom 8:28-30). This kind of joy is distinct from mere happiness. Joy like this is possible, even in the midst of sorrow (1 Cor 12:26; 2 Cor 6:10; 7:4). (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

JOY

Usually some form of Heb. gil, to "leap," or "spin around" with pleasure; a stronger term than simha (Ps 30:5; etc.); masos (Job 8:19; etc.), rejoicing; Grk. chara (Matt 2:10), gladness; the cause or occasion of joy (Luke 2:10; 1 Thess 2:20).

1. Joy is a delight of the mind arising from the consideration of a present or assured possession of a future good. When moderate it is called gladness; raised suddenly to the highest degree it is exultation or transport; when the desires are limited by our possessions it is contentment; high desires accomplished bring satisfaction; vanquished opposition we call triumph; when joy has so long possessed the mind that it has settled into a temper, we call it cheerfulness. This is natural joy.

2. There is a moral joy, which is a self-approbation, or that which arises from the performance of any good actions; this kind of joy is called peace, or serenity of conscience; if the action be honorable, and the joy rise high, it may be called glory.

3. Spiritual joy is called a "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:22); "joy in the faith" (Phil 1:25). Its objects are God Himself (Ps 43:4; Isa 61:10); the promises (Phil 3:3; 1 Peter 1:8); the gospel (Ps 89:15); the prosperity of Christ's kingdom (Acts 15:3; Rev 11:15,17); the happiness of a future state (Ps 16:9-11; Rom 5:2; 15:13). This spiritual joy is permanent (John 16:22; Phil 4:4) and unspeakable (1 Peter 1:8). (The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright © 1988.)

Father, thank you so much for this fruit. I can’t imagine living a life without joy. As everyone who knows me knows, my goal is to always do my best to make sure others around me experience joy or happiness or just plain fun when I’m around. We have so much negative in the world, I made it a goal long ago to not add to it if I can help it. However, it is an empty joy if it isn’t based on You. I would have been drained of my joy long ago were it not for You renewing my joy on a daily basis so that my well never runs dry. Help all those who know You always have a joy that attracts others to You with the question, “Why are you always so positive and happy?” Then let them use that opportunity to tell the person about You.

Previous Posts:
Self-Control
Gentleness
Faithfulness
Goodness
Kindness
Patience
Peace

Friday, October 20, 2006

Mistakes of 1974

John O'Neill has written a very interesting article about the mistakes and subsequent results of the 1974 election and the possibility of repeating the same mistakes this year. It is an interesting read and warning that definitely merits attention.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

12,000!!!

After the dotcom bust, 9-11 attacks, the business scandals, two wars and constant efforts by liberals and the media trying to deny the truth, the DOW closes above 12,000 as another example of the strong economy.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Peace

Today’s fruit is Peace.


Gal 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. (NIV)
The topical word study:

PEACE

A word with several different meanings in the Old and New Testaments.

The Old Testament meaning of peace was completeness, soundness, and well-being of the total person. This peace was considered God-given, obtained by following the Law (Ps 119:165). Peace sometimes had a physical meaning, suggesting security (Ps 4:8), contentment (Isa 26:3), prosperity (Ps 122:6-7) and the absence of war (1 Sam 7:14). The traditional Jewish greeting, shalom, was a wish for peace.

In the New Testament, peace often refers to the inner tranquility and poise of the Christian whose trust is in God through Christ. This understanding was originally expressed in the Old Testament writings about the coming MESSIAH (Isa 9:6-7). The peace that Jesus Christ spoke of was a combination of hope, trust, and quiet in the mind and soul, brought about by a reconciliation with God. Such peace was proclaimed by the host of angels at Christ's birth (Luke 2:14), and by Christ Himself in His SERMON ON THE MOUNT (Matt 5:9) and during His ministry. He also taught about this kind of peace at the Lord's Supper, shortly before His death (John 14:27).

The apostle Paul later wrote that such peace and spiritual blessedness was a direct result of faith in Christ (Rom 5:1). (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

PEACE

PEACE (Heb. shalom, "peace, health"; Grk. eirene, "unity, concord"). A term used in different senses in the Scriptures. (1) Frequently with reference to outward conditions of tranquility and thus of individuals, of communities, of churches, and of nations (e.g., Num 6:26; 1 Sam 7:14; 1 Kings 4:24; Acts 9:31). (2) Christian unity (e.g., Eph 4:3; 1 Thess 5:13). (3) In its deepest application, spiritual peace through restored relations of harmony with God (e.g., Isa 9:6-7; 26:3; Luke 2:14; John 14:27; Acts 10:36; Rom 1:7; 5:1; Gal 5:22; etc.). (The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright © 1988.)

Father, thank you so much for Your peace. Thank you for giving us the ability through Your Holy Spirit to have a peace that surpasses all understanding in our lives as Your children. I pray for those who don’t yet know Your peace in their life. Bring them to You. Use me to show Your peace and thus attract others to You.


Previous Posts:
Self-Control
Gentleness
Faithfulness
Goodness
Kindness
Patience

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Newt's Big Three...Part One

Newt Gingrich, in his weekly newsletter, has posted three truths, if driven home over the next 21 days, that will help Repubs maintain control of Congress. Normally I would just give the link, but this information is so vital I wanted to make it as easy as possible to get the info. Over the next three weeks, I'll post all three parts of his newsletter.

The three truths he discusses are:

1. Promoting a proven economic prosperity agenda of lower taxes and pro-growth policies vs. the failed policies of higher taxes, more regulation and bloated bureaucratic structures of the past.
2. Left-wing San Francisco radical ideas vs. the values held by the rest of America
3. Defeating terrorism and the dictatorships who threaten America vs. appeasing and being defeated by them


Here is truth #1 republished in full:

The First Big Truth: America Can't Go Back to Tax Increases, Big Bureaucracy, Slow Economy, Rising Unemployment and Liberal Policies

It should be easy for Republicans to make the case that your wallet, your job and your country's economy are at stake in this election.

If you think you have too much money in your family budget, then you have a party to vote for, because Democrats will gladly raise your taxes shifting your money from your family to Washington bureaucrats.

On the other hand, if you think you can spend your own money better than a
Washington bureaucrat, then you, too, have a party to vote for, because Republicans will stop Nancy Pelosi and Charlie Rangel from raising your taxes.

The future with a Speaker Pelosi based upon the historic
record...

The Democrats' record is clear.

Nancy Pelosi voted against every Republican tax cut. She voted for the largest tax increase in history.

Nancy Pelosi voted 19 times against eliminating the death tax.

Nancy Pelosi voted five times for raising gasoline taxes.

Nancy Pelosi is so pro-high taxes she was one of only 27 members to vote against tax relief for poor neighborhoods in the inner city (presumably including her constituents in San Francisco).

The Future with Charlie Rangel as chairman of Ways and Means based upon the historic record...

Charlie Rangel is the perfect Ways and Means chairman for a Nancy-Pelosi-San-Francisco-values majority. Rangel recently said he "cannot think of one" of President George W. Bush's first-term tax cuts that deserve to be continued.

As the Washington Times noted: "Mr. Rangel, of course, voted against the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, he voted against the 2006 measure that extended the 2003 cuts from the end of 2008 to the end of 2010, and he has vociferously opposed making the 2001 and 2003 cuts permanent."

Failure to sustain the tax cuts would have real impact on people's lives. As the Heritage Foundation reported, the Rangel position would have the following results:

-Tax rates will rise substantially in each tax bracket, some by 450 basis points;

-Low-income taxpayers will see the 10-percent tax bracket disappear, and they will have to pay taxes at the 15-percent rate;

-Married taxpayers will see the marriage penalty return;

-Taxpayers with children will lose 50 percent of their child tax credits;

-Taxes on dividends will increase beginning on Jan. 1, 2009;

-Taxes on capital gains will increase, also beginning on Jan. 1, 2009; and

-Federal death taxes will come back to life in 2011, after fading down to nothing in 2010.

Heritage estimated that these tax increases would lead to the loss of "more than one million lost jobs each year between 2011 and 2014; more than $100 billion less in economic output per year; slower wage and salary growth; and slower savings growth."

So Which Future Will It Be?

The choice presented by the first big truth is very clear and very simple:

If you want to go back to high taxes, high interest rates, high inflation, slower economic growth, more unemployment, fewer savings, shorter vacations and more bureaucracy, then you have a party in the Democrats -- because the Democrat record proves that Democratic policies will produce these results.

On the other hand if you want more take-home pay, more jobs, more economic growth, more time with your family and more savings with lower taxes and smaller bureaucracy, then you have a party in the Republicans.

It really is that simple and direct. Republicans just have to focus on, make the case for, and then win the argument with the historic record.

As much as liberals try to hide from their record and downplay the booming economy, this shows how clear the difference is between the two parties on the very important issue of taxes and the economic success of the nation.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Finally Working

Well it only took 13 days for me to get access to my computer and start working. Can you imagine taking that long in a private company...people would get fired in a heartbeat...however with government workers it is business as usual. Government bureaucracy never ceases to amaze me. Now if I can get a building badge by the end of this week and stop having to ring the door bell to get in the office and walk around with a visitor badge, I'll be completely good to go.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Patience

This post will cover my weakest fruit, Patience (some translations use long-suffering).


Gal 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. (NIV)

The topical word study:

PATIENCE

(pa'-shens) (hupomone, makrothumia): "Patience" implies suffering, enduring or waiting, as a determination of the will and not simply under necessity. As such it is an essential Christian virtue to the exercise of which there are many exhortations. We need to "wait patiently" for God, to endure uncomplainingly the various forms of sufferings, wrongs and evils that we meet with, and to bear patiently injustices which we cannot remedy and provocations we cannot remove.

The word "patience" does not occur in the Old Testament, but we have "patiently" in Ps 40:1 as the translation of qawah, "to wait," "to expect," which word frequently expresses the idea, especially that of waiting on God; in Ps 37:7, "patiently" ("wait patiently") is the translation of qul, one of the meanings of which is "to wait" or "to hope for" or "to expect" (of Job 35:14); "patient" occurs (Eccl 7:8) as the translation of 'erekh ruach, "long of spirit," and (Job 6:11) "that I should be patient" (ha'arikh nephesh). Compare "impatient" (Job 21:4).

"Patience" occurs frequently in the Apocrypha, especially in Ecclus, e.g. 2:14; 16:13; 17:24; 41:2 (hupomone); 5:11 (makrothumia); 29:8 (makrothumeo, the Revised Version (British and American) "long suffering"); in Wisd 2:19, the Greek word is anexikakia.
In the New Testament hupomone carries in it the ideas of endurance, continuance (Luke 8:15; 21:19; Rom 5:3-4, the American Standard Revised Version"stedfastness"; 8:25, etc.).

In all places the American Revised Version margin has "stedfastness," except James 5:11, where it has "endurance"; makrothumia is translated "patience" (Heb 6:12; James 5:10); makrothumeo, "to bear long" (Matt 18:26,29; James 5:7; See LONGSUFFERING ); the same verb is translated "be patient" (1 Thess 5:14, the Revised Version (British and American) "longsuffering"; James 5:7-8, the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "patient"); makrothumos, "patiently" (Acts 26:3); hupomeno (1 Peter 2:20); anexikakos is translated "patient" (2 Tim 2:4, the Revised Version (British and American), the King James Version margin, "forbearing"); epieikes, "gentle" (1 Tim 3:3, the Revised Version (British and American) "gentle"); hupomeno (Rom 12:12, "patient in tribulation"). For "the patient waiting for Christ" (2 Thess 3:5), the Revised Version (British and American) has "the patience of Christ."

Patience is often hard to gain and to maintain, but, in Rom 15:5, God is called "the God of patience" (the American Revised Version margin "stedfastness") as being able to grant that grace to those who look to Him and depend on Him for it. It is in reliance on God and acceptance of His will, with trust in His goodness, wisdom and faithfulness, that we are enabled to endure and to hope stedfastly. (International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright © 1996, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

PATIENCE

Forebearance under suffering and endurance in the face of adversity. Two Greek words are translated as patience: makrothymia (Heb 6:12; James 5:10) and hypomone (Matt 18:26,29). The former word generally expresses patience with regard to people. It is also translated longsuffering as a quality of God (Rom 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) and is listed by the apostle Paul as one of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22).

The second word, hypomone, generally expresses patience with regard to things. It may be described as the quality that enables a person to be "patient in tribulation" (Rom 12:12). The Christian has for his example the patience of Jesus, who "endured the cross" (Heb 12:2). The Christian is challenged to run with endurance the race that is set before him (Heb 12:1). (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Father, help me to continue to learn patience. In the times in which we live and especially the city in which I live, everything is a get-it-know mentality. Please help me to learn to be patient and wait for Your timing and Your will for the direction of my life. To many times I want to take control of my life thinking it isn’t going fast enough for me. However, You know what is best and when it is best. Help me to make a willful decision to trust Your timing in every decision I make.


Previous Posts:
Self-Control
Gentleness
Faithfulness
Goodness
Kindness

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Out of Air America

Looks like liberals are learning you can't buy listenership even though you throw tons of money into the project. Liberal radio station Air America files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. So much for the liberal's answer to Rush and Hannity and all the other great talk shows who took years to build up their programs and loyal audiences. Gotta love capitalism.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Kindness

My next installment on the fruits of the spirit covers the fruit of Kindness.


Gal 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. (NIV)

Here are the topical notes:

KINDNESS

God's loyal love and favor toward His people. In the Old Testament, the word translated as "kindness" or "lovingkindness" refers to God's long-suffering love-His determination to keep His promises to His chosen people in spite of their sin and rebellion (Deut 7:12; Hos 2:14-23). This attribute of God was shown through His divine mercy and forgiveness toward sinners when payment of sins through the sacrificial system was no longer effective (Deut 22:22; Ps 51:1).

In the New Testament, the Greek word translated as "grace" best represents the idea of God's kindness or lovingkindness. Because God has been gracious toward believers, they should treat all people with kindness or grace (Luke 6:35). All people are created in God's image and should be treated accordingly, no matter how badly they have twisted and deformed that image (James 3:9). Kindness is not an apathetic response to sin, but a deliberate act to bring the sinner back to God (Hos 2:14-23; Rom 2:4). (Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

KINDNESS

KINDNESS and Loving-Kindness (Heb. hesed, "desire, zeal"). Zeal toward another in a good sense: (1) Of men, as shown in doing mutual favors, benefits (Gen 21:23; 2 Sam 10:2); compassion for the afflicted (Job 6:14; "pity," KJV). The formula to "show kindness" is frequent in Scripture (2 Sam 3:8; 9:1,7), and in 2 Sam 9:3 there is the expression "to whom I may show the kindness of God," i.e., "like that of God," or "for the sake of God." (2) Of God toward men, as shown in mercies, benefits, and so on (Ps 31:21; 107:43; 117:1; etc.). Kindness is also the rendering of the Grk. chrestotes, "moral goodness," and so "benignity" (Rom 2:4; Gal 5:22; 2 Cor 6:6; Eph 2:7; Col 3:12). (The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright © 1988.)

Father, just as you have been kind to us, help us to be kind to others in order to mirror You to them. Let our kindness not be determined by how we are treated, but based on the fact that You love everyone and desire them to be with You. Those who don’t know You don’t care what we know until they first know we care. Being kind, especially when not warranted, will point directly to You. Help us to overlook offenses and show your loving kindness to those who don’t know You as their loving and kind Father.


Previous Posts on Fruits:
Self-Control
Gentleness
Faithfulness
Goodness

New Cube


Here's my new work space. Now if only I could get my badges so I could actually start working it would be nice. 8 days and counting!

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Visiting Washington on Columbus Day






Had a great Columbus Day holiday with Mimi (for those of you who don't know yet, we have been dating just over a month now and she blows my mind daily with how incredible she is). We spent the day at Mt. Vernon, home of George Washington (the whole day was a complete surprise for her). I hadn't been since my ninth grade trip and she had never been. It could not have been a more beautiful day to be there...the weather was absolutely gorgeous as you can see in the pics. (rest of pics in Slide Show on MySpace page)

Started off with a Colonial Style lunch...then a river cruise...tour of the grounds...mansion tour (wasn't allowed to take pics inside)...then relaxing on the lawn watching the sunset. Finished the night with dinner at The Chart House, an awesome restaurant on the river in Old Town Alexandria. It was a perfect day!

Monday, October 09, 2006

Bring Back the Good Ole Days

Yep, the Iraqis were a whole lot better off when Saddam was in power...NOT!!!

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Goodness

In case anyone thought I forgot to finish the fruits of the spirit, let your heart not be troubled. Here is the next fruit working backwards, Goodness.


Gal 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. (NIV)

Here are the topical notes from PC Study Bible:

GOODNESS
— in man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good (Easton's Bible Dictionary, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

(good'-nes): This word in the Old Testament is the translation of Tobh (Ex 18:9; Ps 16:2, the Revised Version (British and American) "good"; 23:6), etc.; of Tubh (Ex 33:19; Ps 31:19; Jer 31:14; Hos 3:5), etc.; of checedh (Ex 34:6), "abundant in goodness," the English Revised Version "plenteous in mercy," the American Standard Revised Version "abundant in loving kindness"; "The goodness of God endureth continually," the Revised Version (British and American) "mercy," the American Standard Revised Version "loving kindness" (Ps 52:1), etc.

In the New Testament it is the translation of chrestotes ("usefulness," benignity); "the riches of his goodness" (Rom 2:4; 11:22, thrice); of chrestos ("useful," "benign," "kind," in Luke 6:35); "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance" (Rom 2:4); of agathosune (found only in the New Testament and Septuagint and writings based thereon), "full of goodness." (Rom 15:14); "gentleness, goodness, faith" (Gal 5:22); "in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Eph 5:9); "all the good pleasure of his goodness," the Revised Version (British and American) "every desire of goodness." (2 Thess 1:11).

The thought of God as good and the prominence given to "good" and "goodness" are distinctive features of the Bible. In the passage quoted above from Gal 5:22, "goodness" is one of the fruits of the indwelling Spirit of God, and in that from Eph 5:9 it is described as being, along with righteousness and truth, "the fruit of the light" which Christians had been "made" in Christ. Here, as elsewhere, we are reminded that the Christian life in its truth is likeness to God, the source and perfection of all good. 2 Thess 1:11 regards God Himself as expressing His goodness in and through us. (International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright © 1996, 2003 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The quality of being good; praiseworthy character; moral excellence. The Bible speaks often of the goodness of God (Ex 33:19; Rom 2:4). God's goodness consists of righteousness, holiness, justice, kindness, grace, mercy, and love. Goodness is also one of the fruits of the Spirit that should characterize Christian believers (Gal 5:22). Christians are called to goodness, even as God the Father is perfect and good (Matt 5:48).(Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

Father, first and foremost thank you for your goodness, without which there would be no hope of life with You after death. Help us each and every day to display Your goodness with our family, friends and co-workers. Let our character become more and more like Yours every day. Let it not be a passive quality but instead a quality we actively look for ways to express to others so that they may come to know You more.


Previous Posts:
Self-Control
Gentleness
Faithfulness

Friday, October 06, 2006

Don't Talk About the Economy, Stupid

No wonder Dems are hoping that the Foley story has the legs to last until the election (my prediction is this is going to backfire on them big time as more and more evidence surfaces that shows it was actually the Dems and their allies who kept the facts secret until it suited their political agenda which put more children in harms way) as more and more great news comes out about the economy. The deficit drops again on huge record tax revenues. Amazing how that works...you cut taxes...and the tax revenue goes UP. Just imagine how much stronger they would be if the tax cuts were finally made permanent and thus putting off the fear of investors that taxes might be going up in a few years.

Then throw in another drop in unemployment, more growth in new jobs, gas prices continually dropping and the record setting stock market and it is easy to understand why the Dems of today want nothing to do with Clinton's economic tag line of '92 as the economy is the last thing they want to talk about this election cycle.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Renaissance Festival




I went with some friends to the Maryland Renaissance Festival this past weekend and had a blast. If you live in the DC area and have never been...it is a must do event!!! We had so much fun seeing all the outfits. I'm definitely dressing up next year!!! Check out my MySpace page for a slide show with lots more pics.

Monday, October 02, 2006

MIA and Loving It

I've been very MIA over the last few weeks since I've gotten back from Iraq. The main reason is I've been spending lots of time with family and friends. I've been loving every minute of it. Living 1000s of miles away in the middle of a desert and warzone really puts things in its proper prospective when you get home.

Also due to not having any real schedule for this last month, I haven't spent much time on my computer or home for that matter, so I've been rather MIA on here as well as visiting the sites on my blogroll and commenting.

So, with the start of the new job tomorrow, and a regular schedule again, hopefully I'll be back to my normal posting and commenting patterns soon, then again...maybe not...we'll see how it all plays out =)