Burning and Banning Books

The Pentagon and military, our Pentagon and military seem to not see the irony in their duty to protect freedom and their determination to spend our tax money to destroy books. They actually bought them to destroy them. I've already mentioned earlier about the Bible burning situation in Afghanistan last year and now we read about another situation. Ironically, this is "banned book week." I believe it's supposed to inspire us to read books that have been banned for one reason or another. There are books on that list that was required reading when I was in school, but that's an issue for another blog. I did appreciate the perfect irony in one title on the list. "Fahrenheit 451" has made the list. That's the book that was written about burning books. Wonder if the Pentagon has a copy of that . . . If our military has openly destroyed two different books on two different occasions, for, of course, very good reasons, what else is being destroyed that isn't making headlines?
I think we better take note of things. Book burning is not all that is going on in our presumptuously superior civilization.
"Just following orders" has become pretty ordinary in our freedom loving republic . . . and nobody seemed to notice. We have an entire military that just follows orders, we have law enforcement that operates all together in a whole new way, that claims to just follow orders. Nurses that just follow the doctor's orders or the facility's regulations. Patients that really just come across as undignified boobs in following doctor's orders. Teachers that supposedly have their hands tied from higher up. Churches, entire congregations that "will just follow orders" from their celebrity mega pastor.
We have teachers that do not want to be tested, nurses that do not want to follow a doctor's orders for their own health, cops that do not want to be taped or recorded, yet all these same people want the authority that goes with their position. What's wrong with this picture? It seems the one common thread in all of this, is we the people just keep accepting the decisions that are made for us, for our own good.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. New Testament

School Daze

While the heat intensifies between the parties, we need to take note of what our President mentions casually, because it will be law in a matter of months, if he has his way, and so far, he seems to be getting his way. Remember, in his own words a quote, "I won!" He's talking about lengthening the school year for those attending public school and firing the bad teachers, because we are globally behind. Then I read some of the comments regarding this suggestion, and basically many people already agree that this is needed. I see a different handwriting on the wall. I see parents that are having difficulties making ends meet in this economy will see less expense for child care, more structure for their kids, and certainly the issue of "we're too old for a babysitter" will become a non-issue. And although at the surface, this may appear to be a viable solution, I see a real loss of family. A definite distinction in social classes in that those in private school will still be able to have their summers. A statement our President made early in his presidency regarding our society would also be officially confirmed, in that we will no longer be an agrarian society, at least the legal citizens. I also see a great deal of programming time for the kids rather than actually learning. The teachers now say that two months off means two months of review time when the new school year begins. Well, I noticed the statement that said "two months off" so the summer vacation has already been officially shortened without much fanfare, and now we are looking at school year round. Well, Mr. President, I think kids need a certain amount of time to simply be kids. They need to have summer time fun and if the things being taught are so easily forgotten, maybe an overhaul of content and curriculum is what is needed, not an expanse of time to learn it. When summer vacation and the beginning of every new school year with a report entitled, "What I did this summer," is replaced with year round programming, what will the benefit truly be? When this is enacted what happens to the things that are learned through life's experience? What happens to little boy's little league? What happens to scout camp? What happens to Vacation Bible School? What happens to afternoons at the swimming pool or swimming hole? What happens to family vacations? What happens to summer at grandma's? What happens to County Fairs? What happens to the opportunity to get some Vitamin D, naturally? What happens when you've programmed an entire new generation of worker bees that are taught to walk in lockstep, year round? What happens when our youth are programmed day in and day out year round, to simply follow orders? What happens when there is no time to climb trees and contemplate life from the perspective of summertime in the great outdoors?
Train up a child in the way he should go . . . a Proverb of Holy Scripture

In Regard to Burning Holy Books

I have to be honest. When I first read about the preacher in Florida, I figured, "another Fred Phelps," but I've since rethought my first impression. I do believe Dr. Jones has lost what should be a true focus of ministry. He, like so many in this country are all about what they are against. I also have been burdened under the cares of the world and know it's easy to begin focusing on the evil, but Messiah said to proclaim the good news. He didn't tell anyone to preach against the bad news, although repentance was always recommended. Those that claim to follow him, must sound a warning if given that task, but to oppress an oppressor or declare war on warmongers, is not in the job description of those that adhere to the teachings of Messiah Y'hshuah, a.k.a. the Son of G~D. Oh, I do think Dr. Jones needs to get back to the good news rather than proclaiming the evil of bad news, but I'm not his judge. What I did learn from the attention that went his way was this. Anyone that is outside mainstream American Christianity pretty much gets labelled a nut or a cult by mainstream America, Christianity included. I also noticed the bill by the Police Department and the cancellation of his insurance, to me, borders on persecution. I have no idea where he stands on eternal issues, but I do know he ruffled the wrong political feathers and they will make sure he pays. Thank G~D, it didn't turn into the FLDS situation a couple of years ago or Waco or Ruby Ridge. Right or wrong, these people do stand up for their beliefs which is why I think mainstream and certainly the government gets so aggressive. Now, I did do a bit more research and I happened on to something pretty unnerving. While our politicians are "preaching" against burning a holy book, and our nation's "tolerant" are lambasting the idea of book burning, the US Military burned Bibles in Afghanistan, because young soldier's church sent them to him in the native language to pass out. Seems our military has rules of engagement that are basically as follows. In war, we can kill 'em, but we can't share the good news. I don't know why the military refused to send them back with explanation or why they didn't think the young soldier would refrain from handing them out, when told not to. I mean doesn't a soldier "just follow orders?" At any rate, it would appear that our government finds it acceptable to burn some holy books under some circumstances. I, personally, believe this is why the war ramped up in Afghanistan last year and now appears to be impossible to win or withdraw.
Hast not thou made an hedge about him . . . Job of Holy Scripture

"A" for Effort

I remember in school when we were taught there was no "A" for Effort, because in the work force there is no "A" for Effort so we needed to learn what was needed for the real world. Well, now that we have technology, that has changed. All someone has to do is tweet about doing something on the internet, and it influences events, supposedly around the world. Right or wrong, the effort can get maximum returns without actually doing whatever . . . Another "A" for Effort involves cell phones. I actually know people that are so popular, their voice mail gets full, or so techno challenged, they don't know how to delete their messages. And we all know people that don't return calls. I think the one truly great thing about a cell phone is the call record. You know, the list of calls: missed, received, and dialed. I love it. Now, I can call someone and if they don't answer, no problem, they know I called. If they don't call me back, no problem, we both know they know I called. When I had a land line, I never bothered with caller ID, but everyone I knew had it, but without truly understanding it, I wasn't sure . . . but now that cell phones do everything but pop your pop corn, I can simply call someone, not worry about a message, and if I hear back or not, I know they know I called. I call that an "A" for Effort!
Shall vain words have an end? . . . Job of Holy Scripture

The Show Must Go On

As the mid-term election campaigns ramp up and gain momentum, there are other things going on that just might be of interest. Yesterday, that's right, Sunday, a decision was made supposedly in regard to a safety net for a "world economy." Something about more power to the world bank. I heard this as the alarm was coming on this morning and only once, then mention of it on some financial show, and then I searched the online news sites and came up with zilch. So, are TPTB meeting on Sunday and making decision toward world domination? I would guess, yes. I've mentioned how different this blogging is now that the administrations have changed and I read an article that stated a 17 year old sent an inappropriate e-mail to the White House, not threatening, just inappropriate. The results. He's been invited to leave the country and forbidden to ever visit again. I mean really. The kid used a word that was certainly less than fit for polite society, but to be kicked out of this country for something so outlandishly minor, I find to be just one more reflection of the administration's seriousness to control it all! I'm not sure what's next on the world stage for those that are presently making all these decisions, but I do so wish we actually had a choice to make at election time and could institute our own term limits. I don't yet know what the deal is with our money, on a world wide basis to be controlled, but then we don't yet know what's coming down the pike in regard to the "fullness" of our health care bill, either. Between the world bank, the world health organization, and G8 or G20 or whatever, I'm thinking the next decade is going to redefine the word CHANGE.
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Come Let Us Reason Together . . .

It is not abortion that will bring judgment on this nation, nor is it homosexuality. Although G~D is very clear in Scripture where HE stands on many of our moral debates, it is not the sin of unbelievers that will bring this nation down. It is the mixing of holy with profane by those professing to know and serve HIM, that will destroy America. It is not Muslims that will bring judgment on this country, it is G~D. Politicizing Rosh Hashanah to “make” it coincide with 9/11 is not pleasing to our G~D. Taking specific commands in Scripture and performing them at will and at whim is mockery. G~D is very specific as to when the shofar is to be blown in regard to HIS days, times and purpose. When our own military can burn Bibles in another land, but a minister is admonished by the government in America, we have missed the mark of the High calling. I, personally, do not believe abortion is a tool for birth control and I never met a gay person that was truly happy in their lifestyle, and I don’t condone the burning of books, but this is America and by every headline I read, there is still supposed to be the freedom to choose to live according to our own beliefs or according to the Word of G~D. If Sabbath is disregarded to “observe” 9/11 and Rosh Hashanah is arbitrarily celebrated to coincide, then it is the religious patriots that are bringing the judgment to America. G~D may in fact, as HE has throughout Scripture with Israel, use the enemies of America to execute the judgment.
. . . they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Prophet of Holy Scripture

Revelation Knowledge

Remember back in time when an American could disagree or even make fun of our president without being considered, racist, intolerant, or closed minded. As a matter of fact, it used to be considered open minded to challenge the "establishment!" Well that was a different America, and with that, I'm finding my blogging to be a bit more difficult. I don't like what's going on now, any more than I did in 2003 or 2006, but G.W. was a better sport about life or his supporters appreciated being persecuted or something. Something has changed and this wasn't the change I thought was promised. The transparency has turned into "in your face." The concept of listening to the people was apparently discontinued after Nov. 2008. It's just not the same to even try to challenge a good discussion, it's so partisanly divided. At least there used to be a few of us independents in the middle, but now the so called independents are clear out on the fringes of the wings and I just can't get that wingy about our politics. I think there are basically four groups of Americans, well, maybe five, but since Torah says there are four kinds of people and G~D calls HIS people sheep, I guess we have four kinds of sheep. There are the dedicated partisan sheep which make up two flocks and they pretty much always flock along party lines. These two flocks are basically defined and divided by their money. There are the hard working, but not usually highest earning group that tends to vote democratic. Then there are the higher earning, usually less community minded flock that tends to vote republican. These two groups usually flock amongst their own kind. Then there is the 3rd type of sheep which tends to be so extreme in their views that they sound exclusive and uninviting to those of us that aren't bright enough to see things the way they tell us it is, and although they do not want their rights tampered with by "the other" side, they are willing to give up rights to take them away from others! Interestingly they can get along for their purpose. Then there are the small flock that really think the solution is beyond politics and basically beyond the aspirations of humanity, and not looking for a leader or a savior for their group. There's our four kinds of sheep, but I almost considered referring to five, but that wouldn't have aligned with Scripture. Now I know why . . . the so called leaders themselves of any of these groups are not sheep, but rather wolves in sheep's clothing.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Words of Messiah - New Testament