We worship a God that we cannot see.....

We worship a God that we cannot see.  One that we have never heard speak.  We live by faith, belief and hope.

This is pretty much every religion.

By all religious standards it is understood that power over all things are out of our grasp and only in the hands of the gods. This is true in most all teachings and there is nothing that we can do to change something that we as humans did not create from the beginning of time. Whither it be the big bang theory, evolution or Adam and Eve.

 We only have rule over our self's and those that we enslave.  That is the limit to our control.

My God is the living God.  His son is the child of God. A product of God and the daughter of men.  The son of God is also the brother of men. By the death and spilled blood of the son of God.  The sons of mans spirit are conquered from death, even thought the outer body is shed. Because God walked among us, the shed blood of God's son  blinds God of my transactions of my will against his. God's sacrifice of his only begotten son is the grace of salvation.

It is a story filled with everything from murder to infidelity, to mystery and betrayal. My God teaches Love as well as strength to stand against Evil with force. He teaches non judgement of others transactions and humility of heart.  It's a good story of intrigue whether you believe or not. His teaching and laws are sit forth in a book. A book of many writings by many authors that serve as record  from creation to revelation. This book is the word of God. It is where we hear God speak to us. The story connects along with History laid outside of God's word.  Our date system is based on this fact.  World events have been influenced and changed by it. Politics and wars have been fought over and about it.

I therefore challenge you to ask your self.  If God or any other gods created all;  then how and by what reason do we as humans think we can change or influence anything that we did not create?

Some call it Mother Natural.  Some call events in life, such as natural selection.  Some belief in evolution and creativity.  Even with all these things in mind and whether true or not, still how do we, as humans have any ability to change events that are bigger than we?

WE don't.  We only have rule over our self's and those that we enslave in the name of such things.

Leaders are not gods.  Governments are not gods.  They have no control over events that they have not created. Only control of those they have enslaved through the "pretension" that they do.

pre·ten·sion¹

noun

1. 1.

   a claim or the assertion of a claim to something.

   "their pretensions to culture"

   synonyms:

   aspiration, claim, assertion, pretense, profession More
2. 2.

   the use of affectation to impress; ostentatiousness.

   "he spoke simply, without pretension"

WE the PEOPLE are the masters of ourselves and our families.  To live and be judged by only the one we call Master. And a government is not our Master but our servant.

This is what our Founding Fathers knew and this is what they gave us.  Can you keep it or are you going to give it away in the name of things you can't change nor have control over?

John F. Kennedy- The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God

Ronald Reagan- Of the many influences that have shaped the United States into a distinctive nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible. 

Abraham Lincoln- I am profitably engaged in the reading the Bible.  Take all of this Book upon reason that you can, and the balance by faith, and you will live and die a better man. 

Theodore Roosevelt- A through knowledge of the Bible is worth mor than a college education.

No one can deny that many of the founding fathers of the United States of America were men of deep religious convictions based in the Bible and their Christian faith in Jesus Christ. Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, nearly half (24) held seminary or Bible school degrees.
These Christian quotes of the founding fathers will give you an overview of their strong moral and spiritual convictions which helped form the foundations of our nation and our government. 

John Hancock
1st Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual. ... Continue steadfast and, with a proper sense of your dependence on God, nobly defend those rights which heaven gave, and no man ought to take from us." 

Benjamin Franklin
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Unites States Constitution

"Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His Providence. That He ought to be worshipped.

"That the most acceptable service we render to him is in doing good to his other children. That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this. These I take to be the fundamental points in all sound religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them.

"As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, is the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see;

"But I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes, and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and more observed; especially as I do not perceive, that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in his government of the world with any peculiar marks of his displeasure."

Samuel Adams
Signer of the Declaration of Independence and Father of the American Revolution

"And as it is our duty to extend our wishes to the happiness of the great family of man, I conceive that we cannot better express ourselves than by humbly supplicating the Supreme Ruler of the world that the rod of tyrants may be broken to pieces, and the oppressed made free again; that wars may cease in all the earth, and that the confusions that are and have been among nations may be overruled by promoting and speedily bringing on that holy and happy period when the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ may be everywhere established, and all people everywhere willingly bow to the sceptre of Him who is Prince of Peace." 

George Washington
1st U.S. President

"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian." 

John Adams
2nd U.S. President and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God ... What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be." 

"The general principles, on which the Fathers achieved independence, were the only Principles in which that beautiful Assembly of young Gentlemen could Unite, and these Principles only could be intended by them in their address, or by me in my answer. And what were these general Principles? I answer, the general Principles of Christianity, in which all these Sects were United: And the general Principles of English and American Liberty, in which all those young Men United, and which had United all Parties in America, in Majorities sufficient to assert and maintain her Independence.

Thomas Jefferson
3rd U.S. President, Drafter and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever; That a revolution of the wheel of fortune, a change of situation, is among possible events; that it may become probable by Supernatural influence! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in that event." 

In conclusion, regardless of your belief, there is no question that this nation was and is better off with very least the morality that the Bible teaches and the influence in the creation and sustainability of this great nation.  There is also not doubt that without it we have seen a decline of a nation due to it's absence and influence. 

Tolerance is not the same as belief and neither is thinking we as humans have any control of something such as the weather. 

wel3

OF A DYING MAN- o how short it is

From the moment you were born you started your journey to death.  Yes, that is correct. I have been dying since the moment I was born and I'm in Constance disbelieve that I have survived this long.

In our youth we dream of all that is ahead of us.

In our 20's and 30's we push ourselves in the name of those dreams.

In our 40's we realize that we are not yet there and wonder if we ever will be where we intended to rest.  It becomes a midlife crisis of grabbing what we can while we can still enjoy some of what we wanted.

Throughout our 50's, we realize that the quest for our dreams will be continued on by our children.   We tend to sense the end of a season and it is closer than our youths perception allowed us to grasp.

Life as long as it seems; is yet nothing but a mere speck in the element of time and history.

Despite all efforts to conquer it.

As our years draw Ni, It can be with grace or bitterness.

One is acceptance and peace, the other anger and regret. But neither truly effect the sitting of the day.

Take care of your Soul.  It is no where, yet every where.  And always will be.

wel3

Why Putin thinks he has power? Because he does!

Could you imagine telling your bank that you are placing Economic Sanctions on them??  They would just laugh and laugh at you.  Especially if you owed them money on your car or home.

Russia is one of Americas top 10 creditors that we owe money.
 
In 2011, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin denounced the United States as a "parasite" on the global economy.

At the time, the U.S. Congress was embroiled in a debt ceiling debate. (that's raising the limit we borrow and spend past a pre-set amount).

Where does Russia get all it's buying Power?  The answer is oil.  Russia is the worlds largest oil producer.

Side note- a lot of Russia's pipe lines for this oil go across the Ukraine.  Another side note- makes one wonder why we borrow money when we have access to our own oil???

Any how, this is why Putin does what he wants, when he wants.  We have neither the power or money to be the power we once were, due largely to progressive political powers and policy's in re guard to oil and foreign policies.

For those of you that need plain English, we owe Russia tens of Billions of dollars because we had to borrow it from them to stay a float.  That is the reason we reset things with them and pulled down our missile defenses.

Now you know who is slave and who is master.

We owe more money to the world, in which, is lending us Billions upon Billions while we spend it faster than we can borrow it.
 
If you don't believe this, simply just Google "Americas Top 10 creditors.  You will be surprised.  We have gone from strength to deadbeats.  All at the hands of those we voted into office to manage these things on our behalf.

wel3

THE AMERICAN FLAG & MILITARY FUNERALS

Did you know that at military funerals, the 21 gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

Have you ever noticed the Honor Guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the flag 13 times?
You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but it's not.

READ ON TO LEARN

The 1st Fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd Fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

The 3rd Fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th Fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance.

The 5th Fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our Country, right or wrong."

The 6th Fold is for where our hearts lie.  It is with our heart that to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation, under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th Fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through them that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries or our republic.

The 8th Fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.

The 9th Fold is a tribute to womanhood and Mothers.  For it has the character of the men and women who have made this country great, has been molded.

The 10th Fold is a tribute to the father, for he too has given his Sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The 11th Fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The 12th Fold represents an emblem of eternity, and glorifies in the Christians' eyes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The 13th Fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are in the uppermost, reminding us of our nations motto, "In God We Trust."

After the flag is completely folded, then tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.   There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning.  In the future, you'll see flags folded, and now you will know why.

Share this with the children you love, and all others who love the symbol of "Liberty and Freedom!"

Dignity Memorial

... and that is the regulation of liberty

Biggest parts of our nation's problems are the same exact problems we have been facing from the beginning of time.  Most of these problems even though better than they once were; are screamed about by very few and shouted by the media as if it was many.  I would be willing to bet if there was no news media, most of us could just live the way we wanted without feeling judged about our liberties in the way this so called "out dated document" the constitution affords us to live.  But that's not how it is.  We hear about political correctness, in the name of our safety, other peoples rights other than your own, we give our enemies full rein to worship how and when they want, we change our laws to allow it to happen and if people disagree, it's now a hate crime. While Christians come under fire everyday for their beliefs. In the name of fairness the many tear down their liberty so the few can change it and exploit theirs onto the many.  Yes, change is happening and its coming from the few at the silence of the core.  Our history is being rewritten. You simply need to pick up a school history book today and compare it to all history books before to see this yourself. Those with agendas to change American have been putting these things in motion and implicated them withing our society through using things such as equality, fairness, safety, addicting the populous to dependence rather than self reliance, which in turn places those that are dependent to keep voting for those who give them stuff.  It's a silent enslavement by those who are in power.  It's control. It's change.  For what reason would the constitution, which has allowed such freedom, and capitalism, which has made this the greatest country on earth, all the sudden be out dated. Well, it's simply for the ability to change it's structure to suit those who we have so mistakenly elected into office to protect our way of life. We made these mistakes by listening to what we thought were truths when in fact they were lies.  Misdirection, in which change, ever how slow, could silently sneek into our core.  Things are not the same.  The core of this country has become infected with a cancer that is slowly spreading and killing our core values in the name of redistribution, income equality, 535 people plus a president that claim they have the solutions for the 313.9 million citizens.  That is not America and that is not what they are there for... this country was Not founded on the theory of a gov taking care of the world.  It grew from a independence. A independence that through hard work, core values, religious beliefs, relying on yourself to stand or fall and living under basic laws of not killing your neighbors and justice would be served, have allow us as a nation to care for each other as well as the world.  We at one time lived with out taxes, fines our gov regulations.  Now I understand the need for such things, but when they reach the point of snuffing out jobs and the creations of such things, then they rob the individual person the ability to be or become independent.  And that is just a simple truth.  There are millions of small businesses and even mid size companies that are falling under the weight and closing due to one simply reason.  Gov intrusion into things they were not meant to be involved in... and that is the regulation of liberty. How can one claim success when all they do is exhibit failure. How are we to succeed when we are suppressed by their Failure.

We Live in A strange screwed up World of Social dysfunction, Misconception and Direction.

I often wake up with the thought....are we as a society really as stupid and shallow as we appear to be in the short moments of life that we surround ourselves with such petty unrelated things to us that we fall into the Drama of things that don't apply to us.

Every day there is a new headline of something that is so pounded within our brains that one would if they would think for their selves, they would believe it to be just a stupid as those of us that see life as it is without it's distractions and it's simplicity.

Last night before retiring to rest my body for the night, I read about Paul Walkers death.  I thought to my self.  That's terrible.  Being that I am a big fan of his movies and knowing a little of his history. My first thought was that of his daughter.  I pondered on the pain, hurt, distress that she must feel and what all she had before her.  I felt bad for the family and thought about how short a life could be cut from this earth we live on.

Now with that said, I did not know Paul.  I did not attend thanksgiving with him this year and had never received anything from him or know anything of him personally other that he was one Hell of an actor and I Love all his movies.

The second thought I had before dozing off was OMG at the crap that would be posted tomorrow on face book.  Mainly the stuff that would make it look like everyone was his best friend.  Like they knew him personally.  People would be leaving messages and comments of what he meant to them when they didn't even know him.

Again, it is a tragic event.  One that maybe things can be learned from.  Maybe one that because of his Hollywood stature and the fact that as a actor of good standing might draw attention to things that need to be thought about and reflected upon.  A moment to reflex on yourself and your family and be vigilant and thoughtful of how precious life really is and how it can be cut so short.

All of this is said to state a few simple facts.  Today at this very moment all over the United States there is someone dying.  At this very moment, someone has lost there love one in a car crash.  Someones -love one has been shot, stabbed or beat to death. Someone did not make it out of a house fire.  A father and mother have lost a child.  A child has lost a parent or their parents.  A man or women has lost their sibling.  Someone has just kissed their husband or wife bye and will receive a call within the hour that they are no longer with us.

As everyone knows, I'm very straight forward. I usually don't pull punches or debate with idiots.  I believe facts, common core sense and the ability of a human being to reason for their self is the basic element of liberty.

Among those that tragically die are our service people.  And they give all.  Even when they survive and make it home.  They do so at the expense of divorce,  not getting to see their children born or raised, and spending time alone in a far away place

This year alone in Afghanistan, 109 American human beings have died.  In 2012, 301 dead.  In 2011, 412 dead.  In 2010, 496 dead.  In 2009, 310.   Since 2001 the total is 2189.  These numbers are Afghanistan only.

The casualties of those that have not died have a separate number.  It's 6750. This number is for both Afghanistan & Iraq.
 http://apps.washingtonpost.com/national/fallen/theaters/afghanistan/

My point and our failure.  We glorify people that we do not even know, but like to think we do.  When there are truly people that have given all. Granted, we do not know them either, but what they gave for us was themselves so we could retain the privilege of going and buying a movie ticket to watch the actors we love in movies we know are not real.  

And they do it all without it blowing up all over social networks like it was a personal event in our personal lives.

So I ask, you upon waking this morning.  Really?  

THE STORY OF TAPS

As soon as Taps was sounded that night in July 1862, words were put with the music. 

First were "Go to Sleep, Go to Sleep."  As the years went on, many more versions were created.  There are no official words to the music but many popular verses exist today. 

Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting and the history of its origin is interesting and somewhat clouded in controversy.  

Taps began as a revision to the signal for Extinguish Lights (Lights Out) a bugle call that was used as the final call of the day and as the name implies, ti was a signal to extinguish all fires and lights.  Up until the Civil War, the infantry call for Extinguish Lights was the one set down in Silas Casey's (1801 - 1882) Tactics, which had been borrowed from the French.  The music for Taps was adapted by Union General Daniel Butterfield for his brigade in July, 1862.

As the Story goes, General Butterfield was not pleased with the call for Extinguish Lights, feeling that the call was too formal to signal the days end, and with the help of the brigade bugler, Oliver Wilcox Norton, wrote Taps to honor his men while in camp at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, following the Seven Days battle.  These battles took place during the Peninsular Campaign of 1862.  The new call, sounded that night in July, 1862, soon spread to other units of the Union Army and was reportedly also used by the Confederates.  Taps was made an official bugle call after the war.    

                                                                                                 

Why the name Taps?  The most likely explanation is that the name was borrowed from a drummer's beat.  The beating of a bedtime roll-call called Tattoo by the drum corps would be followed by the Drummer of the Guard beating three distinct drum taps at four count intervals for the military evolution Extinguish Lights.  Following the call, three single drum strokes were beat at four-count intervals.  This was known as the "Drum Taps" or in common usage of soldiers "The Taps" or "Taps."

It is not clear how or why Taps became associated with funerals.  However, it's earliest official reference for use at military funeral ceremonies is found in the U.S. Army Infantry Drill Regulations for 1891.

Maybe just maybe it signals the final "Extinguish Lights" of someone who gave all. 

Wel3