Trusting Our Government

August 13, 2015 I received an email from our local Chamber of Commerce asking all members to get involved and call MoDot; as the state wanted to hear what we had to say about a problem at an intersection of two state highways.  It seems the fourway stop was a problem for traffic, especially 18 wheelers on the east/west highway.  The north/south highway basically headed south into the sparsely populated rural county, and north bound headed into town.  In the years I've lived here, I'd never seen or heard of any serious accident at that particular intersection.  The detail I found significant in this entire mess was the fact, the problematic four way stop had been put into place July 7, 2015.  A solution was needed for this recently created problem!

So, as a vocal citizen and business person, I made the phone call.  Naturally, it went to voicemail, but I left a message; and did receive a call back.  This is where the handwriting on the wall became clear.  Immediately I began hearing that it was the business folk who wanted this four way stop.  I asked which business folk, as there is one grocery store, two restaurants and a handful of flea markets.  Several business have shuttered in the past few years.  She seemed disinterested in my question, but moved right to the "programming pitch" for a round about.  Here we have a town of about 2,000 people, with no stoplights and only one four way stop in the city limits and suddenly we need a round about?  I made the mistake of voicing a couple of simple questions.  "So, the state is proposing to fix a problem they just created last month?  In the entire department of transportation, nobody could have seen this coming?"  With that she said there would be a meeting in October to address this problem and asked for my email address.  I gave it to her and she thanked me for my interest.  Meanwhile a red flag waved in my head as to the probability of being contacted about the meeting.

Upon checking my email, to my surprise there was an email from her, confirming my email address and the simple line stating "I'd be getting an invite when the date was set."  I felt like a cynical jerk.  That was August 14, 2015.  There's been much road work on 60 Highway spanning a significant number of miles that has been black asphalt with no center yellow line or white lane markings.  For anyone familiar with the lay of the land in the Ozarks, just like "Hooterville," there are lots of curves!  September spilled into October in celebration of the High Holy Days, and I checked my emails regularly, but hadn't received anything.  I took a government employee at her word . . . By late last week, with all the construction, and having learned who the business was regarding the desire for the four way stop, I thought perhaps the meeting had been postponed.

The business involved in the four way stop to begin with, was none other than Walmart.  Walmart wanted the town to invest in changing the flow of traffic.  This would amount to nothing more than putting themselves out of business, I guess, so there was apparent resistance.  The state came to Walmart's assistance, then Walmart vacillated on the plan.  Since I now had a bit more information, I thought I'd just drop a short email making enquiry as to the date of the meeting.  That email was dated October 23, 2015.  I heard nothing until the morning of October 27, 2015.  As it turns out, the meeting has already taken place and the round about was agreed upon.   She suggested that it was my lack of awareness that caused me to miss it, as they had given it more publicity than usual.  As I read her email, I was so thankful to have saved all the correspondence.

I sent a short reply with her original email.  Within minutes she "took full responsibility" and even offered to come apologize in person, citing some reason she'd not filed the email properly.  Blah, blah, blah . . . yata, yata.  She even suggested that if any of us were unhappy, perhaps another meeting could be scheduled at a later date. We had a couple of exchanges and then I got spunky.

I sent one last email telling her, I was a member of the press and had intended to cover the meeting, but as it turns out, I'd just have to write an article about missing the meeting.  I can honestly say, I believe being heard by our government on any level is merely a choreographed delusion perpetrated on we the people.  I know "the powers that be" will do what they please and I don't have enough money to have a voice, but I do have a few regrets.  I regret ignoring the red flag in the phone conversation and I definitely regret the feeling of self-degradation over my cynicism.  My greatest regret, after all these years of seeing the reality and even blogging about it, is the stupidity I feel for actually taking a government worker at their word!

When he speaketh fair, believe him not . . . a Proverb of Holy Scripture

  

Power and the Political Process

Several years ago in a Bible Study, I heard these words coming out of my own mouth.  "I don't know what will change between 2012 and 2016, but 2012 will be the last presidential election as we've known them."  Was that prophetic?  The answer to that question remains to be seen.  It is becoming clearer and clearer, however; that America is no longer life as we knew it back when those words were spoken at the turn of this century.  America is not cycling economically and morally, but is on a steady downward spiral.  The economic recovery we keep hearing about, is Wall Street and Big Corporate, not every day mainstream America.  As a matter of fact, many who are considered everyday mainstream America can hardly afford groceries.  There are reportedly between 45 and 46 million Americans dependent upon SNAP, which is approximately 15% of the population.

There are still entirely too many Americans who believe the "right" man or woman chosen to reside at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue can turn this country around.  That is simply not the case.  Consistently, the newly elected occupant of the White House spends the first two years of their first term making sure the entire country knows what a mess the last guy left.  Then he spends the next two years of his first term telling us he needs four more years to get us on track and makes new promises for the future.  What is really amazing about America's political system are the spin doctors.  The incumbent can actually tell us what a mess he walked into, why he hasn't been able to keep his campaign promises, while also telling us what a great job he's doing.  All the while, we look around mainstreet seeing shuttered businesses and watch the price of groceries increase consistently.

As we watch the GOP tear each other to shreds, and the supposed "fair and balanced" FoxNews shape the mindset of their viewers, we tend to forget the real results of this staged choreography.  The people are being divided.  The empire, and that's what this is, best rules the subjects when we "unite" to be divided.  The process is quite serpentine, which makes it all the more troubling on a spiritual level.  First, a large number of our population actually believes our Creator is all for a federal republic style of governing.  The insistence to have "IN GOD WE TRUST" on money and police cars may sound righteous, but Messiah made the point of explaining the separation of government and G-d, using a coin to do so.  Most of this same section of the population believes G-d's laws to be bondage, while America's thousands and thousands of laws are freedom.  That is a serious misnomer.

There is a serious disconnect that is serving to categorize and divide us, and much of it seems to be based in anger and fear, while both parties reference Biblical "concepts out of context" to persuade the public.  It would seem that most Americans actually place their vote, of course, by the letter behind the name, but it's not usually "for" a candidate as much as it's against the other candidate.  Americans just don't really trust politicians.  We all know that!  We openly accept that most campaign promises will never become policy.  There is a huge disconnect between the words of "Candidate Whomever" and "President Whomever," and it is invariably the fault of Congress and the last guy.  Leadership, true leadership, doesn't look to lay blame, it looks to move forward.

Voting "against" the wrong candidate is a lot like pushing a rope or log chain.  You just don't get much accomplished.  I think Jeb Bush is just too much a part of the power process to be nominated, and it seems sad if the democrats really do believe Hillary is the best they can do.  It just seems the voters are getting played on that one.  Donald Trump is making waves and being noticed, but the election is still over a year away.  To maintain front runner status in a crowd this size until next November is highly unlikely, but maybe that will be what sets 2016 apart.  To elect a man that is not a politician and possesses no diplomacy will certainly make for a new America . . .  Then again, an outbreak of some plague, could result in Dr. Ben Carson being forgiven for his mandatory vaccination statement.  Dr. Carson is also not a career politician.  Even if the anger subsides, Americans are tired of the ineptness of Washington DC and would like a candidate they actually believe in, and therein lies the problem.

I'm going to get preachy, here.  It is time to separate our religious beliefs from our government, because all the non-Biblical beliefs are getting minority preferential treatment.  America is not a Christian nation, it is federal republic with a foundation of freedom of religion and religious expression.  I think Bible believers should stop compromising and insisting that unbelievers live as we do.  We need to separate and be the peacemaking counter-culture Messiah and his disciples were.  If everyone who truly claims to place their faith in YHWH placed all their dependency and purpose in Him, and stopped being dependent upon the government, we'd see change.  In my lifetime, our government has moved into the position of Pharaoh in just about every aspect of our lives and we can all read how that turned out . . . slavery.  The direction hasn't suddenly changed in the last few years, it's just become more apparent.   I always include a Bible verse at the end of the blog, but today, I'm also going to include a quote that brings some perspective the direction this country is going and how long it's been heading this direction.

“If voting made any difference they wouldn't let us do it.”                                       Mark Twain

We've practically elevated our government to godlike status and the "right" politician as a savior.

. . . choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve YHWH.  History in Holy Scripture

Again with Redefinition

I often get a preview of what's coming down the pike and this redefinition of good and evil has been right in front of me, my entire life, becoming more blatant in recent years.  I grew up in a home that was quite confusing by definition.  I now refer to my childhood not just as "white was black and black was white, but purple was green and orange was blue . . .  To put it mildly, I grew up confused.

I was born in the late 50s to teenagers who told me how scary the world was and how different it was from when they were growing up.  Actually, Daddy didn't do that so much, but he backed everything Mom said.  One, the stories they told me about kidnappings etc. happened before they were even born, and two, they weren't even grown when I was born.  Even in all the fear-mongering which my mother is still "family famous" for, I knew deep down, this was a control tactic.  Protection / control was my first taste of redefinition.  Appearance and reality was my next taste of redefinition.  Long before it was a social media meme I was introduced to "captivity is safety."  It went on from there, until I was a stupid teenager and made a couple of poor decisions, which resulted in my parents telling me they would never trust me again.  Now, at 57 over 20 years in ministry, they still don't, so enough energy spent there.  It has taught me, though to understand redefinition and value those who do not plant fear and do offer a mutually trusting relationship.

Moving along, I have come to realize many terms can be used to offer negative or positive implication, and quite often be very misleading.  When first coming to social media, I got a real taste of appropriate vs. inappropriate and some were lessons for my behavior and some were red flags for me, regarding the behavior of others.  After following along a particular saga of lost keys, I discovered the "victim" used the term "stalking" to describe my following in that particular situation.  Notice both victim and stalking are in quotes.  I now tend to keep my comments limited to three on any thread, with the exception of a few folks.  Of course going from yahoo groups to forum boards to now this social media, I did have some cyber manners to acquire.  Hopefully, I have, for the most part.  The funny thing about this individual who referred to me as stalking her posts, ended up unfriending me, blocking me, and now follows me . . . (need emoticon here)

Grandkids are awesome for getting the real scoop on life.  I was enjoying their visits on school breaks, especially when their mom was single and branching out socially.  As it turns out, when mom didn't need a babysitter, g-ma was informed indirectly that she was "monopolizing" the grandchildren's time.  Great vocabulary . . . serpentine definition.  That one hit kind of hard, but it was preparing me for the redefinitions that were yet to come.

In the past few years, many acquaintances have done what they can to make sure the exact location of the homestead is in a google search and on GPS.  It doesn't matter what I say . . . at any rate, one woman came to visit and wanted to learn all about everything I do.  I'm not a teacher and made that clear, but was more than happy to show her how easy it is to have a home based business in an extra bedroom.  Since I have a soap and natural health business, my product is made in batches.  Each soap batch yields about 30 bars of soap which means "inventory."  Since it takes nearly two months to cure I do try to stay a bit ahead.  I don't want to have to turn down an order or keep track of back orders.  I was certainly taken aback by her comment, as the "tour" was completing.  She voiced her appreciation for showing her my "hoarding room."  I can assure you, the very last thing any business person wants to do is "hoard" inventory.  The whole point of business is to keep product moving OFF the shelves.

As an internet journalist, I do try keep abreast of current events, folks seeking their 15 minutes of fame, and align that with where we are in the fulfillment of prophecy, as well as publishing the Good News and sounding the warning to repent.  I was speaking with one of my daughters about my distress over the Bruce Jenner deal regarding the impact on young people.  She, who took her teens to a Gay Pride Parade last year, publishing photos on FB mentioned she just didn't make time for the gossip and check stand magazines.  My first thought was to be offended at her intentional barb, but then I realized, she's chosen a path of the majority that appears to blind them as to what is really unfolding.  Bruce Jenner's need for attention doesn't concern me nearly as much as the fact our nation is choosing to rebel openly against the Word of our Creator, both in sexual perversion and blatant pride.  The fact that parents are actually introducing this to their children, is mind boggling.  How many of our young people will be confused and misled by this atrocity?  Being aware and sounding the warning has become socially synonymous with the term "gossip?"  How truly sad.

I was well aware, at least pretty sure, that we wouldn't just one day awaken in "Backward World" calling good evil and evil good, but the method seems far from subtle as the meanings of words are twisted in such a serpentine way!

Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!  Prophet of Holy Scripture

When Trust is Gone

Trust is a difficult topic to address.  It seems distrust or loss of trust is easier to identify and categorize.  Many of us openly acknowledge our distrust of the mainstream media.  Sadly, many who feel one set of initials cannot be trusted, have chosen to give blind faith to another set of initials which are basically owned by the same power behind the scenes.  In recognizing and vocalizing distrust of media, the integrity of our leaders and representatives then comes into question.  Who can we trust?  Once the distrust has been recognized, acknowledged, and even verbalized, then what?

Most of us have experienced the loss of trust on a personal level, and once that occurs, if we have any sense at all, the relationship needs to be re-evaluated, reconsidered, or redefined.  Loss of trust changes things.  Even in the case of repentance and remorse, there is still a probation period required to rebuild what was lost.  When trust is breached in personal relationships, we can choose to keep a guard up or choose to rebuild the relationship, or in many cases, just be kind, yet wary.  In my own life, when it's not matters of life and death, like broken promises about someone doing something that they repeatedly forget, I just realize that's one of those things I can't count on and do it myself.  I don't choose to let it actually alter the rest of the relationship, but . . . in matters of importance, a loss of trust is a game changer!  The only proven method of working around the situation, is 100% faith in our Heavenly Father, regarding public information and our government!

Citizens have attempted to continue to believe in our country, while changing news sources and electing a different party, but as we can see, the trust is simply gone.  We all have that sad relationship in which we love someone, but we can't trust them.  The majority of Americans seem to feel that way about our country.  We love what our nation "stands for," but . . .Very few of us, any more, feel we can believe anything the media reports, and we openly declare politicians, to be untrustworthy.   So what is the average citizen to do as an individual regarding this breach of trust?  I can't speak for anyone else, but I will voice the extremes my brain has been sorting through.

First and foremost, every headline I read is either a distraction from, or one step closer to the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy . . . or both.  When I see a report of a school shooting, I pray for our children, then wonder if it's real or a false flag.  When I see another suspected case of ebola, I feel compassion for the potential victims, concern for the possible spread, then doubt the information.  When I see CDC reports, I completely dismiss their validity.  The CDC and FDA are in the same folder in my file cabinet!  When I see common core and LGBTQ propaganda, I have no question, it's an agenda.  As for the illegal immigration situation, that's a situation both parties have proven will not be addressed in a protective manner, but is rather just one more variable to divide the people for the conquer.  There is a common thread in all of this, however; and that is the certainty of misinformation, division of the people, and the goal to control.

Ebola could certainly be the single threat that accomplishes the most control.  First, much of the citizenry is aware of the patent, so that does make it more frightening, and gives every indication, there is no one to trust.  The second problem with ebola, is we have to take "their" word for the confirmed cases, and so far, it's been those in health care who seem to be the "vehicles" used in spreading it.  These two frightening variables cannot be factored into a logical plan.  If the government controls the disease and health care spreads it, where does one go for safety?  Obviously, the only answer is The One Who is trustworthy.  Our Creator is still greater than anything humanity can come up with, but . . . and I know this sounds "preachy."  We have to make a clear and concise decision and stick with it.  Do we trust our Creator or do we vacillate back and forth?  Most in America think there is a proper combo of politics, medicine, and faith.  I no longer adhere to that blend, and haven't for nearly a decade and a half!

As most are questioning as to whether it is really even happening or the other extreme, is it potentially air borne and they aren't telling us, we have to realize these two questions are quite polarizing.  We are rapidly approaching the point in history in which there is no middle ground and none of us know which extreme to believe!  Since there is nothing new under the sun, I suggest we realize and face the fact, this has been done before, and the only personal solution is to allow our Creator to raise us above this extreme polarization with full faith in Him and Him alone.  An election will not change the prophesied course of this nation.  A vaccination will not lengthen one's numbered days, but . . . a lack of faith does have eternal consequences.

Setting aside all theories, the simple goal of earthly power, is absolute control and that will take place regardless of party leadership, social media protest, or proving agendas, it's prophecy!  This generation simply cannot continue in the societal mixing and mingling we were taught.

And if it seem evil unto you to serve YHUH, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve YHUH.  history of Holy Scripture