Independence Day 2013: News, Reflection, and Prayers for America

Our Founders' Wisdom

[Independence Day] will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.

~ John Adams on the signing of the Declaration of Independence

Happy Birthday, America!

Happy Independence Day America!  As it turns out, yesterday, Egypt had taken brave steps in order to achieve their own independence from the radical Islamic Sharia-law jihadist Muslim Brotherhood leader, Mohammed Morsi.   He and many in his government were taken into custody by the Egyptian army.


The reactions here in the U.S. to this historic event that just happened in Egypt are certainly varied! 

They range from a so-called "anti-Obama" tweet where one can "read into it what you will":

Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion

Was that an anti-Obama Tweet? (Reader Poll) - Calling Dr. Rorschach

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To a poll held in Egypt telling us why this happened:

 

Fascinating new polls reveal why Egyptians are turning on Morsi & Muslim Brotherhood.

joelcrosenberg at Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog - 22 hours ago

 

Jerusalem, Israel) — It’s been an extraordinary week here in the epicenter. As the bloody civil war intensifies in Syria, Egypt is now on the verge of civil war. Let’s pray that doesn’t happen. But two fascinating new polls reveal shed light on why the Egyptian people are turning on President Mohammad Morsi and calling for Morsi […]

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As well as blog posts describing who the interim president is and what is next:

 

Joel Rosenberg's Weblog

Inside The Revolution: Drama builds amidst military coup in Egypt. Muslim Brotherhood leadership arrested. Who is Adly Mansour, new “interim president”? - >> Watch the 2013 Epicenter Conference on Friday, July 5, 2013 from Jerusalem. (Jerusalem, Israel) — As if there is not enough drama in the epicenter already...

 

BREAKING: Morsi removed. Under house arrest. Tanks on the move in Cairo. Is Egypt on the brink of civil war?

joelcrosenberg at Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog - 22 hours ago

 

(Jerusalem, Israel) — In two days, we will host the 2013 Epicenter Conference here in Jerusalem amidst a horrific civil war in Syria and the very present possibility of a civil war in Egypt. As I write this at 9pm local time, here are the latest developments: Millions of Egyptians have been demanding that President […]

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Of course, we have ANOTHER threat (probably an empty one) that:

 

Obama Deeply Concerned About Removal of Morsi and Suspension of Hated Islamic Constitution – Warns He’ll Cut Off Aid If Morsi Arrested

nicedeb at Nice Deb - 9 hours ago

Obama released a terse statement today, expressing his displeasure with how things are going in Egypt, reiterating his threat to withhold aid if the military doesn’t meet his demands, which includes not arresting Morsi or any of his supporters. Is his Highness afraid of what Morsi might say about his dealings with the White House […]

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So I ask readers...why is Obama on the wrong side of history...yet again?

 

And...why is an Obama appointee claiming that Sharia law is superior to American law?

 

sharia unveiled

Obama Appointee Claims Sharia Law Is Superior to American Law

 

It is great to know that:

 

"We the People"

The Obama Administration Is Afraid Of An Informed, Angry Electorate

 

 

The above link to a "We the People" post doesn't say it, but that title is a direct quote from a letter written by hero/traitor (depending on how you look at it) Edward Snowden. ** [more on this below]

 

I thank God for blogging friends like Steve over at Cry and Howl who continue to inform Americans about what other people in other nations see in Obama and what they really think about him:

 

Cry and Howl

Egyptians Love Obama … NOT!!!

 

At Steve's link (above), you will see photos that have apparently been banned by most of the mainstream media of mass corruption.  Steve writes:

 

It appears that Egyptians are even more upset with Obama than America has been. The below pictures represent the stunning link between Obama and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. These pictures will never be aired in the US mainstream media. What do you think of them?

 

The fact that the media of mass deception continues to hide facts and information that would be detrimental to the ObaMARXIST BADministration should alarm EVERY AMERICAN!  Unfortunately, there will always be those who remain uninformed and apparently like it that way.

 

 

**The following is an article that EVERY AMERICAN should read.

 

GulagBound.com

Snowden vs. National Security? It’s the Domestic Totalitarian Technocracy, Stupid!

 

Excerpt:

 

The heart of the matter is the burgeoning power of the state over our lives. The data being collected on us all is making former East German totalitarians of their Stasi envious. Last week I wrote: never before has the government of a nation spied and maintained intelligence upon its own population to any degree approaching this, without it being a totalitarian, terrorist regime. But I could have ended that with “to any degree approaching this.” period.

And the tragic distraction is that many notables seem absorbed with fulfilling the old adage, “Generals always prepare for the last war.” That is especially calamitous,
when in the last war, one was fighting for an entity which was not the enemy but which now is. According to their tragic misconception, in order to maintain the strength of U.S. intelligence and armed services in the world, they verbally fight for preserving the surveillance state and so they attack those who warn the sovereign people of its insurrection against our sovereignty and freedom, via our own government. That is a travesty so great that if it were ever found to be knowingly intentional, it would be treasonous by default.

It is as if such apparently strong conservatives in the mix, though they may have focused upon Barack Obama for a long time now, still do not understand he was “selected, not elected” to be president of the United States of America in order to be its revolutionary saboteur and the Structural Marxofascist designer in chief of the new Anti-America. That is meant literally. Barack Obama and the powers behind and collaborating beside him, are America’s foremost enemy

But do those who attack the exposers of Anti-America’s revolutionary intelligence service have a point? Yes, most travesties do. We (authentic America) must continue to fight against a constant barrage of cyber-warfare (from North Korea, China, etc.)  that threatens our banks, our businesses, our military, and our personal data. We must also continue to fight the war on terr… pardon, let me be precise… the Islamist jihad for global caliphate.  And yes, added to that cocktail may be poured the need to fight aggression of numerous kinds, including very harmful espionage, from quarters such as Beijing, Moscow, Tehran, and even Western Europe and Israel.

But is the regime that has captured our national security complex chiefly interested in that? No, they have made it very clear that they do not even wish, for example, to call Islamists what they are. In fact, they are very busy promoting Al Qaeda and Muslim Brotherhood Wahhabis in the Mideast and in the cases of Egypt and Libya, overthrowing cooperative regimes, in order to do so. Further, while “the great game” with Russia is being carried out, for real or for show in that region and southern Asia (and more so versus China, Islam, and general corruption in the African nations), the U.S. has become closely tied in numerous ways, by America’s own globalist despots, to both China and Russia. That has been going on for decades, fomented through Democrats and the top-down controllers of the Republican Party, alike
.
Muslim Brotherhood? They have had a working relationship with the CIA since Operation Paperclip (we inherited them from Hitler) according to noted investigative reporter/author, John Loftus. He reported on this extensively, years ago, significant slices into which are readily available online. And there we have “Arab Spring.”

Further, Obama’s NASA has given China critical strategic defense technology, his military flew a drone to Iran and left it for them to reverse engineer (though it could have easily been recovered), and they are collaborating with Russia in joint military “disaster response,” within the USA, to be engaged when they deem the time is right. This joint U.S./Russian effort, to quote the Russians, includes, “monitoring and forecasting emergency situations.” Having been educated to a degree in the arts and practices of the USIC, that is the United States Intelligence Community (suggestion: when we read “community” there, we should all say “awww”) what does one suppose that to mean?  It is the Obama regime doing that, hardly Ed Snowden. It is the Anti-American insurrectionists doing these things, not a resistance whistle blower, who prior NSA whistle blowers assured us had to leave the country, admitting “It was the only thing he could do.”

So, neither Marxists, nor fascists, nor Islamists are to be regarded as the enemy, nor as suspected terrorists. (We have them all in this “administration,” whether in “kinetic action” fact or in sympathy, from Obama himself, on down.) Who then are our personnel in intelligence, our armed forces, and “homeland security” being taught are the most suspected of any and all suspected terrorists?

The answer to that has been clearly reported from numerous sources by now: Evangelicals, returning veterans, constitutionalists, pro-lifers, and of course, those who take seriously our founders’ admonition of the Second Amendment, to form free militias, in order to practice vigilance for our Sovereign People’s state of freedom. In short, the chief enemies of the Obama/NWO regime are any who would take seriously the “duty” prescribed us by our national charter, the Declaration of Independence. to oppose their despotism by whatever means are appropriate and necessary.

[...]

So let us see what may be seen and hear the sounds in the air. This is not a matter of liberty adjusted for security, but of America vs. Anti-America, of popular sovereignty vs. despotism reaching totalitarian levels never before available. A government of free people does not “need to know” what its people are doing. A free people always needs to know what its government is doing.

There is no security in granting the state powers of hegemony over the People. That is utter insecurity. To be free and independent of just such control is the very reason our ancestors watching us now from Heaven fought the American Revolution, though today’s rapid trend is worse than what they faced.

 

Read it all here:

 

GulagBound.com

Snowden vs. National Security? It’s the Domestic Totalitarian Technocracy, Stupid!

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Last, but certainly not least (in fact, most importantly!!!) I want to share an Independence Day message and call to prayer that I received via email from the "Concerned Citizen" publication of Concerned Women for America:

  

  On this Independence Day, let's take time to reflect on the blessings we have in this nation. Our forefathers designed a government based on Biblical principles and one that would guide a people grounded in God's Word. John Adams' said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." 

 

We have strayed. Lost our moorings. And our society is showing the results of our decisions not to follow God's design for life, sexuality, family, and generally doing what is right in our own eyes.

 

      But we can take back lost ground - with His help and by His grace. 

 

      We ask you to pray for our nation. There are many critical concerns facing this great land. Ask God to give our leaders wisdom to protect our nation, its families and our freedoms.

 

Pray that all God's people will see the importance of being salt and light in our culture and take the time to pray and act, taking a stand for righteousness.

 

 

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5: 13-16)

Hat tips to all links.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stressed and Depressed - Americans Are Snapping Under the Pressure

David Kupelian of WND has written a long and very informative article  revealing how stressed and depressed Americans are in this current age of Obama.

Fortunately, he ends the article suggesting the most important thing to keep in mind while we go through the tribulations and trials here on this earth.

Hang in there as you read through all the turmoil and chaos being inflicted upon us by this evil administration and the government corruption that we must endure.  God's Word surpasses all of that and gives us joy - even in the midst of trials, tribulation, and the evil intent of those who oppose Jesus Christ and all genuine believers.

~ Christine

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Excerpt:

Americans 'snapping' by the millions

Exclusive: David Kupelian reveals record fear, stress, suicide – and inspired way out

Terrorism. Chaos. Fear of the future. In the age of Obama, America is undergoing a “fundamental transformation” – that much everyone knows.

But what few seem to realize about this transformation is that the sheer stress of living in today’s America is driving tens of millions to the point of illness, depression and self-destruction. Consider the following trends:

• Suicide has surpassed car crashes as the leading cause of injury death for Americans. Even more disturbing, in the world’s greatest military, more U.S. soldiers died last year by suicide than in combat;

• Fully one-third of the nation’s employees suffer chronic debilitating stress, and more than half of all “millennials” (18 to 33 year olds) experience a level of stress that keeps them awake at night, including large numbers diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorder.

• Shocking new research from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that one in five of all high-school-aged children in the United States has been diagnosed with ADHD, and likewise a large new study of New York City residents shows, sadly, that one in five preteens – children aged six to 12 – have been medically diagnosed with either ADHD, anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder;

• New research concludes that stress renders people susceptible to serious illness, and a growing number of studies now confirm that chronic stress plays a major role in the progression of cancer, the nation’s second-biggest killer. The biggest killer of all, heart disease, which causes one in four deaths in the U.S., is also known to have a huge stress component;

• Incredibly, 11 percent of all Americans aged 12 and older are currently taking SSRI antidepressants – those highly controversial, mood-altering psychiatric drugs with the FDA’s “suicidality” warning label and alarming correlation with school shooters. Women are especially prone to depression, with a stunning 23 percent of all American women in their 40s and 50s – almost one in four – now taking antidepressants, according to a major study by the CDC;

• Add to that the tens of millions of users of all other types of psychiatric drugs, including (just to pick one) the 6.4 million American children between 4 and 17 diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Ritalin or similar psycho-stimulants. Throw in the 28 percent of American adults with a drinking problem, that’s more than 60 million, plus the 22 million using illegal drugs like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens and inhalants, and pretty soon a picture emerges of a nation of drug-takers, with hundreds of millions dependent on one toxic substance or another – legal or illegal – to “help” them deal with the stresses and problems of life.

Read it all HERE

That excerpt is only the beginning of the bad news. Much more is shared in the article at the WND website. However, we can all be encouraged when we read the end of the article:

‘You just be cool and calm’
“Stress” – our modern name for all the trials and tribulations the Good Lord in His wisdom deems necessary for us to grow in character and faith – is not the enemy. It is, however, the difficult but necessary part of life that tests us, proves us, and ultimately makes us better – or kills us.

Fortunately, in the loving sacrifice of his Son, not only did God make provision for the forgiveness of mankind’s sins, but He also gave us another priceless gift – the perfect example of how to deal with stress. Even while hanging on the cross in agony, Jesus did not resent his tormentors and even asked God to forgive them. That’s the essence of what we need to find.

In one sense, our task is simple: Since our past sins have been forgiven, and since the future is in God’s care alone, we just need to focus on discovering how to live right now, in this present moment, with faith, patient endurance and perfect integrity.

Now more than ever, it is essential that Americans get a handle on stress. The pressures of modern life are being greatly multiplied by the ever-present threat of terrorism and a socialist government that thrives on promoting everything dark, perverse and angry (and therefore stress-producing) in human nature. Remember, Winston Churchill called socialism “the gospel of envy.”

After Rush Limbaugh warned his listeners that Obama wants good Americans “to snap,” he added, good-naturedly: “You just be cool and calm. Everything’s going to be fine. I’ll tell you when it’s not.”

Indeed, to prevent Obama and company from completing their “fundamental transformation” of America, we are going to have to learn to stay cool, calm and collected – and not just on the surface, but deep down in our souls.

Know this: If you are upset at Obama and the maniacal left – if you’re angry, full of rage, feeling hopeless, frustrated, wanting to drop out, or wanting to lash out and act violently – believe me, that’s precisely what your adversary wants. Not only that, that’s how he wins, because when you’re upset and angry and overreacting – pardon me for putting it this way – you become stupid. That’s what’s wrong with the Republican Party. Its principles are magnificent (read the 2012 platform), but most of its leaders are intimidated by the ruthless Obama administration and the blatantly biased and abusive “mainstream media.” Thus, in their reactive, intimidated state of mind, they become ineffective, cowardly and contemptible (with a few notable exceptions, for which we are very grateful).

This is true not just of politicians, but all of us: No matter how smart, moral and right-thinking we might otherwise be, when we’re angry and upset we do not possess God’s grace, wisdom, courage and creative genius guiding our steps, and thus we are no match for the evil rising in America.

But if Americans would discover grace under pressure – hey, Ronald Reagan had it, why can’t we? – if enough of us found strength and resolve that were rooted, not in rage, but in righteousness and love of God and our neighbor, then nothing, and I do mean nothing, could stop us. Having regained our lost innocence, we would likewise see our beloved country restored to the noble land it once was.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing,”James 1: 2-4 KJV.

The preceding is excerpted from the April 2013 issue of WND’s acclaimed Whistleblower magazine, “STRESSED AND DEPRESSED: The unreported health crisis of the Obama era.”

Amen!

Hat tip: WND

Keep Our Eyes On The Lord

After the train-wreck and utterly devastating  re-election (supposed re-election - that is**) of BHO, I've been listening to pundits claiming that "Republicans need to do some soul searching."  Well, maybe certain Republicans might need to do that, but I wouldn't include Conservatives in that mix.  We have been consistent in our views from the get-go; and have been correct about the right path to take our country back to the Constitutional Republic that was created by our Founding Fathers.  It's just that the liberals (oh...excuse me.."progressives") want to take us in the direction of socialist European countries that are involved in their own kind of battles between the "gimme dat" types and the government which now finds itself needing to impose austerity measures.  The riots that ensued have been broadcast over the past several years because those who believe that they are "entitled" to free stuff now are finding out that "what the government gives...the government can take away."

Just this morning, I saw a headline on the Fox News website where Herman Cain is now calling for a third party.   I love you, Herman Cain, and certainly appreciated all that you did during the Republican primaries, but haven't we "been there...done that" already here in America?  Just go through the list of additional parties (Rosanne Barr and Cindy Sheehan??? Ugh!!) on the ballot who receive NO attention and NO media coverage [thank God regarding the previously mentioned radical duo] and we will see how well that would work out.  Recall how long it took for a viable third party candidate (Ross Perot) to actually get into the debates?  And, poor Ralph Nadar ran for decades on the ballot, never coming to fruition as a viable candidate.

So...what is the answer?  I have a lot of information to share in another blog post regarding all of the curious voting shenanigans that have occurred not only this year, but even dating back to George H.W. Bush.  I have often had the sneaking suspicion that that the election and re-election of Ronal Reagan was the last true-the-vote kind of election.  But I will save that for another day.

Today, I received several emails from conservative writers who shared their thoughts after this election.  The first one I read was from Common Sense Citizens Blog. The essay was well written, great points, and contained important information to consider. I took special notice of this portion:

Whatever the re-election of Obama may have represented, it most certainly did not represent, as some have suggested, some sort of rejection of core American principles or some popular embrace of socialism.

In 2008, Barack Obama convinced 69 million Americans to buy in to his vague but unquestionably left-wing view of how America should be. In 2012, after four years of experience with Obama's "transformation project," only 60 million--nine million fewer, less than one in five Americans--signed on for continuing the project. Not much of a mandate, there.

Obama's reelection clearly didn't represent an endorsement of Obama's policies. Quite the contrary. The public opinion polls are abundantly clear that Obama's policies are extremely unpopular. Given an inspiring, pro-America alternative to the Obama vision, the American people would very likely have rallied behind such a vision.

Unfortunately, there was no such vision on the ballot this year.
What we had instead was a vague "me too" message that "we can do better." Not different, necessarily, just vaguely "better." This ambiguous, milquetoast moderate, pale pastel message has been tried on the American people time and time again--and it has FAILED every time.
Let us review...

In 1976, the Republicans nominated a midwestern moderate (Ford)...and LOST.
In 1992, the Republicans nominated a northeastern moderate (Bush I)...and LOST.
In 1996, the Republicans nominated a midwestern moderate (Dole)...and LOST.
In 2008, the Republicans nominated a western moderate (McCain)...and LOST.

In 1980, 1984, 2000 and 2004, the Republicans ran candidates selling a conservative message...and WON every time.
 

As I had said on this blog during the Republican primaries, Mitt Romney was not my first choice. I thought that Rick Santorum would have been a better candidate. I loved Michelle Bachmann, but she would have (and was...actually!!) been treated so mockingly and terribly - just like Sarah Palin was - so the writing on the wall told us that her candidacy would have been absolutely destroyed by the media of mass deception. I recall that both my son and I lamented that Mike Huckabee wasn't running again. He and I both voted for him back in the 2008 election primary.

Back to this election.

The bottom line is that we can STILL take back America!  It is just going to take longer to do so.

The author at Common Sense Citizens blog wrote:

 There need be no mistake as to what happened yesterday. The election yesterday may have been a referendum on Mitt Romney, and it certainly may have been a referendum on the current state of the Republican Party, but it was not a referendum on America as we know it. It was certainly not a referendum on core American principles, including but not limited to fiscal responsibility, limited government, personal responsibility, the rule of law or national sovereignty. Mitt Romney and the Republican establishment may have had a bad day on Tuesday, but the core principles of America didn't.

Viewed objectively, what happened yesterday is that a liberal incumbent from Chicago narrowly beat a liberal challenger from Massachusetts.

While we certainly won't be happy with four more years of the mid western liberal from Chicago, there's little reason to believe that we would've been particularly thrilled with the northeastern liberal from Massachusetts, either.
 

I like what the author wrote about "the core principles of America" not having a bad day. And, he wrote:

No matter who won on Tuesday, those of us who believe in our core American principles would've had a whole bunch of work to do. That work is still there to be done, and time's a-wastin'.
 

Another email that I received was from Citizenlink: Analyst Sheds Light on Election, Future.


Excerpt:

“We are in a struggle, and there are very deeply divided ideological and moral camps in this nation, but that does not mean that there is not still opportunity,” she said. “Millions of Americans stand with us in our concern for the moral future of this great land. That should give us hope to look forward to the opportunities that really are before us.”

There were a few pro-family victories to celebrate: Montana voters approved a parental-consent law by a two-to-one margin, requiring abortionists to notify the parents or guardians of girl under 16 at least 48 hours before she is scheduled to have an abortion. In Massachusetts, voters rejected a measure seeking to legalize physician-assisted suicide.

And on the federal level, Republicans maintained control of the U.S. House of Representatives, with 232 seats to the Democrats’ 191 seats.

“A majority conservative retention of the House of Representatives will offer somewhat of a firewall to protect life, marriage and religious freedom,” Earll said. But “other factors such as the Democratic-controlled Senate and the president’s use of executive orders will be harder to limit, even by a strong House.”

The level of engagement by pro-life, pro-family activists in this election was unprecedented, Earll said. “We just want to encourage them to not grow weary in doing good. There are still going to be many good opportunities before us, and the final chapter is not written.”

That includes the upcoming mid-term elections in 2014.
  
“It’s important for people to realize that the political process, the process of governing doesn’t stop,” Earll said. “We must be engaged at some level all the time because of the rights that we have in this nation. Anytime that we take a break, that we fall back, others are not going to fall back. We do need to stay engaged.”
 

Yes, indeed!  We are "not to grow weary in doing good."  We can celebrate the pro-family victories listed above, and continue to pray and work for more of such victories - especially for the sakes of our children and grandchildren.

The third email I would like to share was from Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Council.  Here is the email in its entirety:

Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman

Liberty Counsel

“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” President Ronald Reagan

The event we have just witnessed was far more than a general election – it was a referendum on the soul of America. Every patriotic, pro-moral American has reason to be deeply concerned and saddened by the outcome. Those of us who intensely prayed and worked for a different result are entitled to a time of grief for our beloved nation and what we have become.

I tremble for our country because I fear the blessings of God that made America great are being withdrawn. For the first time in our history, a plurality of Americans voted for a party platform that intentionally omitted God and advanced many positions that the Bible specifically condemns. Some Christian observers called the Democratic Party platform for 2012 a “Romans Chapter 1 Platform,” and they were right.

But positive change can still take place! There is still hope for our nation! In some important ways, we are better positioned for a return to national sanity than before the 2012 election took place. Please see my very important message below – Mat.

Christine,

Today we grieve for our country.

We grieve today like we have lost a friend or a close relative. The America we knew has changed because the values of many Americans have changed. Millions of Americans looked evil in the eye and adopted it. Abortion, same-sex marriage, and immorality carried the day.

The great values on which America was founded were set aside because of selfishness unbalanced by biblical truth and commitment to Jesus Christ.

Race and ethnicity overrode values. The America we love is sick and in need of renewal and healing. Under these circumstances, Christine, it is okay to grieve.

But, after we have grieved, we must press forward. God calls us to be faithful no matter the consequences.

We might be a Bonhoeffer in Nazi Germany who never lived to see the fruit of his faithful labor. We might be a Wilberforce in England who saw the fruit of his labor (the abolition of slavery and reformation of morals), but died soon after, never getting the chance to enjoy the results.

We might even be a David who stood up against popular opinion and defeated a giant who blasphemed God Almighty. But no matter what our lot might be, we are called to be faithful!

++We have a higher calling than the world.

Our calling and our values do not depend on a survey or an election. Whether we are on the verge of revival or are soon to face the death chamber makes no difference in how we respond or how we act. Our obedience is to Christ and to Christ alone!

The world hated Jesus and it is no surprise the world hates the followers of Christ. But, be of good cheer! The Lord Jesus Christ has overcome the world and is seated on His throne.

Without Christ we are nothing. We are lost and have no hope. And although I grieve for a season, yet I have hope because of Christ!

Yes, God is still in control. But the choices people make have consequences. He is in control throughout the narrative of Deuteronomy 28. He is also in control in verses 1-14, where Scripture speaks of the blessings that will come to a nation if that nation follows God and keeps His commandments.

And, He is in control in Deuteronomy 25:15 and following, where the Holy text speaks of the curses that come for not obeying God.

Either way, He is in control! Either way, no matter what the populace does, we are not allowed to waiver and must always remain faithful.

++Here’s the bottom line…

At the end of the day, pendulums have a way of swinging from right to left and back again. We will no doubt see and feel the consequences of this election. More children will die. Marriage will come under greater attack. Immorality will be exalted.

Sadly, the country could easily collapse under the weight of escalating economic debt. Islam will be emboldened. Our military will become weaker. Israel will not have as strong an ally as it needs at this critical time. The world will become a more dangerous place.

These are all consequences that follow national actions like the ones we have just witnessed. But, when you are down, that is the time to fight all the harder!

There is NOTHING impossible for God. He is calling on His people to serve Him and He will not abandon His people!

Christine, God has called you and me for such a time as this. God is not surprised by these events. So, to reiterate, it is okay to grieve because what has happened is indeed sad.

But, we cannot go on grieving. We must arise and remember Whom we serve. God will not be mocked and His justice will not sleep forever!

In the midst of your grief, I want to encourage you. Our eyes must remain focused on the Lord and not on the crashing waves. How can we remain down when we are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb?

How can we remain sad when Almighty God knows our name? How can we be uncertain when we know Who wrote the last chapter of the Book?

May the peace of the Lord be with you. Be encouraged. Remain strong.

God bless you,

Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman
Liberty Counsel

P.S. These are terribly challenging times for God-fearing, freedom- loving Americans. Unless we take every opportunity to resist this nation's head-long rush into godless socialism, we will soon be unable to recognize the nation we have loved and fought to preserve.

That’s why the Liberty Counsel family of ministries will never stop fighting to restore our shared values! We are in this battle together for the long haul to restore the soul of our nation.

If you want to put an exclamation point on your resolve to continue fighting with us, please go here to help Liberty Counsel financially:

http://www.libertyaction.org/7082/offer.asp

Again, God bless you, and keep your eyes on the Lord!

I have included a link which enables readers to help support the efforts of the Liberty Counsel family of ministries.

That last sentence is the best advice:

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LORD!

Amen!

~  Christine

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Hat Tips to all links.

**  See my upcoming post about the many irregularities that occurred during this election which probably illegally skewed the vote - big time - towards BHO.

America Needs to Return To Being A God Fearing Nation!

Thursday, June 28, 2012 was a monumental day in regards to the shocking Supreme Court ruling on Obamacareless and the contempt of Congress vote against Attorney General, Eric Holder.  Was it 14? Democrats voted with all of the Republicans to hold the AG in contempt?  The ObamaBorgBots cannot complain that it was a partisan vote.

I realize that I am three days late in writing about these issues.  So much has already been written about the Obamacareless decision.  But allow me to describe my initial reaction to the ruling.

My husband was not at home when the ruling came down.  Both of us were watching the  Fox News Channel but in separate venues.  When Bill Hemmer first stated (incorrectly) that the mandate was "struck down," my husband texted, "Yay!"  Moments later, when it was discovered that the mandate was upheld through the action of Chief Justice John Roberts changing the law from the Commerce Clause "penalty" mandate into a tax mandate, my husband texted, "sh**!"  Yes.  Sometimes he's a man of  very few words!  I couldn't help but get upset with Roberts for siding with the liberals on the court.  After a few days of reflection and praying, I started to write about the decision yesterday, and this is what I wrote:

When I think about the things of God, study the Bible, worship Jesus Christ and pray; the things of this world seem quite trivial in comparison.  This morning [Saturday], I was tempted to write about the Supreme Court decision on Obamacare.  Most conservatives were probably as shocked as I was to hear that turncoat and traitor, Chief Justice Roberts, sided with the liberals on the court and re-wrote the law mandate as a tax, and not a penalty.  I have heard dozens of commentary about it and read several blog posts - which range in the "Roberts is a genius for making it a tax on the people" (so that Romney will win the election), to the outrage that a supposedly conservative justice would abandon
the efforts of the three other conservatives (and Justice Kennedy - who is often considered the "swing vote") to strike the law down.

For "one stop shopping" about what has been written and said about the Supreme Court decision, I suggest the following links:

Daily Thought Pad: Shock Heard Around the World May Save America - Updated

Excerpt:

Rumor has it that Roberts received pressure, even threats, from undisclosed sources and caved, some say he moved to the dark side just this past week and some say Roberts has revealed himself to have real concern for the legacy of the Court that bears his name. Many feel that this ObamaCare ruling was the signature for ‘his’ court that he felt he needed.

The Volokh Conspiracy :  Back in May, there were rumors floating around relevant legal circles that a key vote was taking place, and that Roberts was feeling tremendous pressure from unidentified circles to vote to uphold the mandate. Did Roberts originally vote to invalidate the mandate on commerce clause grounds, and to invalidate the Medicaid expansion, and then decide later to accept the tax argument and essentially rewrite the Medicaid expansion (which, as I noted, citing Jonathan Cohn, was the sleeper issue in this case) to preserve it? If so, was he responding to the heat from President Obama and others, preemptively threatening to delegitimize the Court if it invalidated the ACA? The dissent, along with the surprising way that Roberts chose to uphold both the mandate and the Medicaid expansion, will inevitably feed the rumor mill.

Then there are the speculation that Roberts is a genius, Was Judge Roberts Just Playing Bridge? or as Michael Savage said: Roberts Epilepsy Medication Affects His Cognition and affected this decision?

"Roberts is a genius": Article 1, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution says to raise revenue (taxes) a bill MUST originate in House of Representatives. This version of ObamaCare originated in the ways and means committee of the Senate! Did the Supreme Court miss that? Or is Justice Roberts sly as a fox?

And then there are those who wonder if the all American boyish looking Chief Justice has crossed over to the dark side, either recently or perhaps he was always a closet Progressive… or worse?

The word "tax" appears 413 times in the SCOTUS’s opinion #fullrepeal If you don't buy health insurance the IRS will take your tax refunds, so good luck with that! Charles Krauthammer said Roberts’ definition of this being a tax was very thin.

Some pondered since this is now a taxation issue, in light of other SCOTUS cases this year on equal protection in tax law, can Obama still give waivers? I would say no!

Palin tweeted: Congress has the power to rescind taxes, I expect them to do this after the recess in July. #Obamatax Later on with Greta Van Susteren on ‘On the Record’ Palin said, “This is a tax on all the people. Chief Justice John Roberts just shown the light on one of the big ObamaCare lies being perpetrated by President Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and HHS Sec Kathleen Sibelius.”

Then there are serious concerns about the precedent now set for other horrific “taxes”, for anything they choose based, on this decision… maybe for breathing will be next? All citizens are now taxed for living here – except of course Muslims who are exempt because their religion doesn’t allow them to buy insurance. The Amish are also exempt. Some have said this is the dhimmitude tax. If you convert to Islam, you won’t have to pay. Some have suggested a new “We are all Muslims now” program; watering down both the effects of radical Islam by infiltration and cutting the funding for ObamaCare based on religious freedom. US Catholic Church leaders are rejecting the ObamaCare Court Ruling.

This is a complicated decision and will take more than a few hours or even a few days to decipher and study. For those of you wanting to take a shot at it. Here are the links below to the 193 page decision.

Continue reading: Daily Thought Pad

There is much more to read at the above link and dozens of links at the end of the blog post.  However, the following excerpt puts a positive bent on the ruling:

And longtime D.C. political operative considers today’s Supreme Court ruling on Obamacare a good thing in the fight to defeat Barack Obama in 2012. Here’s why:

The Obamacare ruling is good news for us. Real good news. It’s 2010 all over again now. Swing states will shift over to Romney in most cases. Trust me on this. We’ve done the polling. The data is conclusive on this. It’s a huge tax. We got Obama lying.

Again. The Tea Party movement, which was as real and powerful a political movement as I’ve ever seen in my lifetime, is back in play. That scares the hell out of the Obama White House. You just got a bunch of Dems sweating hard over their re-election. The Republican Party will now be a lot more focused and clearly conservative and that’s exactly what they need to be this time around. We must make the election a clear divide between one side and the other and this Obamacare ruling has forced that to happen.

And the initial reports I’m getting are telling me there was a lot more clever going on inside that decision than the initial reaction will indicate. It’s the Obama Tax now. And states were given an out. The entire law is a big ass convoluted mess and the ruling has reinforced that fact. Obama will have to defend something he doesn’t understand, and Romney can now sit back and just repeat over and over again “repeal-repeal-repeal”.

The giant has woken up. Country needed a hard kick in the ass to remind us what is at stake in November. Now we are truly ready to fight! Read full article: Here

Many including Senator Coburn have Repudiated the Chief Justice: He did Not ‘Enforce the Constitution’ Today, ‘Is On The Wrong Side’ In Ruling. Some have even mentioned the possibility of impeaching Supreme Court Justices, but in reality the chances of that moving forward would be like the impeachment of President Obama himself with the present Congress in place.

This decision was an overall a win for the Obama administration but, there is always a silver lining if you dig deep enough. There are five (actually six) good things about the Supreme Court’s ObamaCare decision: It made taxation the panacea for constitutional questions; The liberal judges inadvertently brought Federalism back; Roberts got the liberals to actually set up a limit on the Commerce Clause; This deflates Occupy Wall Street’s and the Wisconsin protestor types’ biggest cause so Mitt Romney will now have a much easier time defeating Barack Obama… plus Obama now owns this massive regressive tax increase. Plus the decision also allows states to choose ‘not’ to increase their Medicaid rolls if they choose to turn down the new related federal funds and develop their own programs. Former Clinton advisor and author (most recent book: Screwed!), Dick Morris says that might be the biggest win of all. Morris also says this win will ultimately defeat Obama.

Tammy Bruce: This==> Obama Wins the Battle, Roberts Wins the War By Gutting Commerce Clause

Several states have already chosen not to take the so-called new funds or return their ObamaCare grants and ‘not’ to expand their Medicaid programs or develop exchanges, because in the end, after the first year it will cost the states millions… if not more eventually. Alaska is the only state who did not apply for a grant and Florida, Louisiana and New Hampshire quickly returned theirs. Virginia, South Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas are among the list of other states who have or are expected to decline or return their funds and develop their own programs (probably most of the 27 states involved in the Supreme Court case plus Virginia who had their own case will decline the funds ).

As if we needed more reasons to reject Obamacareless, here is a great post that shows why our pre-Obamacareless health plan was better than the socialist ones in other countries:

Daily Thought Pad: Some Noteworthy Facts


Shifting gears now, let's move on to the contempt of Congress vote that was held against Attorney General Eric Holder.  See the video of Issa's evidence presented in the House chamber:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7SO4N_1fDc

(Also see the additional videos of Congressmen speaking on the contempt vote on the sidebar at You Tube link above.)

One must read blog post is The Ulsterman Report: BREAKING: Issa May Have Just Cornered Eric Holder On Fast and Furious Cover-Up

Even more intriguing are the 59 comments, including these gems:

Anonymouse June 30, 2012 at 10:14 am .
TO: Ulsterman – Part 1 Ulsterman!! Certain things are falling together like a jigsaw puzzle! I can post only one link per response, so please read this series and follow the links!

First link: http://www.orlytaitzesq.com/?p=136417 

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Anonymouse June 30, 2012 at 10:18 am .

TO: Ulsterman – Part 2

Second link: http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com/2012/06/issa-sneaks-wiretap-info-into.html

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Anonymouse

June 30, 2012 at 10:27 am

TO: Ulsterman – Part 3

Third link:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2660490/posts

At this third link, read this and more:

Federal Judge John McCarthy Roll was the Chief Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Arizona who on Friday, January 7, 2011 issued a “preliminary ruling” . . . .

The following day, Saturday, January 8, 2011, Judge Roll was shot and killed . . . .

. . . The case being ruled on by Judge Roll, is all about bulk cash smuggling into or out of the United States by Mexican drug lords and who exactly has the final right of possession of the funds.

. . . The question that needs to be thoroughly investigated is, why is Obama’s Justice Department, and A.G. Eric Holder getting mixed up in all of this, and why do they care what happens to Mexican drug cartel funds??

Full circle now . . . you will notice that that third link is cited in a reader’s response at the Orly Taitz link.

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Anonymouse June 30, 2012 at 10:44 am .

TO: Ulsterman – Part 4

  Ulsterman, I forgot to mention, that third link was posted in mid January 2011, months before Rep. Darrell Issa entered into the Congressional Record his bombshell letter about the wiretap. And no one has replied there, at Free Republic, since that same month, January 2011.

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A blogger named "Truth and Justice" shared a great response!

truthandjustice

June 30, 2012 at 2:24 pm

Thanks Anonymouse — think this kind of stuff has also been going on for decades but was kept “quiet”, etc…just like Breitbart and the rest that WHI mentioned. I’m afraid it’s part of the fallen human condition and why there have been mostly tyrannical run nations from “day one”…the U.S. was/is highly unique and was based on biblical Judeo-Christian standards and at the begainning the majority were true Believers and actually tried to live their lives that way, teaching them at their public schools and at home, voting for godly, ethical, patriotic men, etc.

Predictably, it didn’t last that long. It really hasn’t been that long ago. We started rebelling in more numbers against all that and gradually, our enemies found and took advantage of our weaknesses and knew the way to overtake us was via stealth over time.

Now we are in the period where our “chickens have come home to roost”, indeed, Mr. Wright (can’t call him “Reverend”). They have reached most of their goals and got their evil people in everything everywhere….like cancer spreads and destroys. Yes, we have awakened – but right on the verge of going over the cliff and giving them their total victory. But that’s usually the case unfortunately. But as I’ve said before, I still believe we are that unique nation among all the other nations and there are still many, many true Believers and patriots who want and cherish the Founding Fathers ideas…..many, many are descendents of them and all the others that bravely fought and stood for it in years past.

We must restore the kind of God fearing nation we used to have and have too many of us that can’t be taken out by these evil “hit men” – we will be too many — the old saying “united we stand, divided we fall” is indeed a truism – and it has to be the right kind of thing we’re united about. The only way to victory is to have God on our side. I pray that is the direction we are turning to.

Ultimately, that is what our lives on this earth are all about. We need to restore ourselves towards the God fearing nation that we were founded upon! It may take decades, but it can be done!!

~ Christine



Hat tips to all links.

The Key To Israel's Survival - Don't Trust Obama!

Former Governor Mike Huckabee was interviewed on Greta's show - On The Record - tonight. He certainly didn't mince words when he spoke of the horror over Obama and his terrible political ploys against Benjamin Netanyahu and the Sovereign State of Israel!
While doing a search, I found some very interesting blog essays about Obama's attempt to get Israel to back off considering striking Iran's nuclear facilities.

1. Caroline Glick: Obama makes the case for an Israeli strike on Iran

I highly recommend reading the entire essay. Nonetheless, here is an excerpt:

It is important to keep Blinken's threats and Caspit's scenario in mind when considering Obama's speech to AIPAC on Sunday morning.

Obama's speech was notable for a number of reasons. First, this was the first speech on an Israel-related theme that Obama has given since the 2008 campaign in which he did not pick a fight with Israel. And it is due to the absence of open hostility in his address that Obama's supporters are touting it as a pro-Israel speech.

While he didn't pick a fight with Israel on Sunday, his speech did mark a clear attempt to undermine Israel's strategic position in a fundamental - indeed existential - way. As many commentators have noted in recent weeks, Israel and the US have different red lines for the Iranian nuclear program. These divergent red lines owe to the fact that the US has more options for attacking Iran's nuclear installations than Israel.

From Israel's perspective, Iran's nuclear program will reportedly become unstoppable as soon as the Iranians move a sufficient quantity of enriched uranium and/or centrifuges to the Fordow nuclear installation by Qom. Since Israel reportedly lacks the ability to destroy the facility, Israel's timeline for attacking Iran will likely end within weeks. The US reportedly has the capacity to successfully bomb Fordow and so its timeline for attacking Iran is longer than Israel's.

The reason this is important is because it tells us the true nature of Obama's demand that Israel give more time for sanctions and diplomacy to work. When one recognizes Israel's short timeline for attacking, one realizes that when Obama demands that Israel give several more months for sanctions to work, what he is actually demanding is for Israel to place its survival in his hands. Again, once Iran's nuclear project is immune from an Israeli strike Obama will effectively hold the key to Israel's survival. Israel will be completely at his mercy.

Obama cannot be trusted. And I think that Netanyahu's speech at the AIPAC meeting (where he unequivocally defended Israel's right to defend itself and not succumb to anyone else's demands or timeline) demonstrates the strength of Israel's leader. I don't think that Prime Minister Netanyahu will wait one second longer than necessary before demolishing Iran's nuclear facilities. Why? Because he knows that his nation's survival depends on it!

One concluding paragraph:

The fact is that Obama's actions and his words have made clear that Israel cannot trust him, not on Iran and not on anything. The only thing that has been consistent about his Israel policy has been its hostility. As a consequence, the only messages emanating from his administration we can trust are those telling us that if Obama is reelected, he will no longer feel constrained to hide his hatred for Israel.

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2. The Ulsterman Report: WALL STREET INSIDER: My God…My God…What Has Become Of America?

Chilling excerpts:

WSI: My belief is that what is being attempted…the…reforming if you will of the United States…yes – that is evil. The danger it poses to the country, to the world – yes…evil. Be it ignorance on the part of Barack Obama, or willful neglect…I cannot determine for certain…but he does appear willing to cooperate with those who have long sought to destroy this country…not so much a physical destruction mind you…but rather the…spiritual destruction of America. A kind of…cancer that will eat away at its internals leaving nothing but…an empty shell of what it once was.

WSI: Obama revealed himself to us…in full. While it was suspected…certainly we feared the possibility…but to have it so openly confirmed was…it was very unsettling to people who, shall we say…don’t unsettle easily.

UM: Please explain. Something. Explain something on that.

WSI: I will simply say this – and someday this information will get out…I likely will be long dead when it does…but the truth will be spoken of this someday.

In 2008 the American people voted for a man who has absolutely no regard for human life if that life is an impediment to the agenda. The meeting between himself and the prime minister confirmed that fact. The Israelis are now staring into the face of evil – a selfishness and disregard that is stunning in its scope and singular purpose. A delay was requested that has no basis in saving lives – but rather one that puts so many lives at risk! A delay that is pure political calculation – a calculation whose sole purpose is for but one political candidate – while all others are to be sacrificed if need be! This goes beyond the disrespect and immaturity put on display when they met last…that…you told of that. I fed that information to -name deleted- and you then told of that.

But THIS…what…what Barack Obama asks of Israel now…what is threatened if Israel does not comply…for nothing more than politics? It is…it is Chamberlain all over again. And just as Chamberlain strutted and preened to the world…this Obama does much the same. To not act against evil makes one complicit with that evil…that…he ignores history…or worse yet – he hopes to repeat it!

UM: Who?

WSI

You wish to know something of that meeting between Barack Obama and Benjamin Netanhayu? The prime minister stared into the eyes of our president…and he saw the truth of the man. He understood fully and completely the corruption of his heart.

The fact that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is the leader of Israel at this time in history is a God send!! I recall cringing when Ehud Barak and that other liberal leader was prime minister in Israel; but at least we had a strong Republican President at the helm here in America. Now that we have this utterly despicable weakling in office - Obamafail - we have a strong leader in Israel to take the lead and destroy Iran's nuclear ambitions before it's too late! As the WSI stated above, NEVER AGAIN is the mantra of the Jewish race!! NEVER AGAIN will they be at the mercy of another country or leader to rescue them from the grip of evil!

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3. Lastly, the following is a "Talk Wisdom Reports - You Decide" link. Amplified Volume) Obama Caught on Hot Mic Admitting Election Fraud by TPTB

The original video was taken down and I don't know how long this one will stay up, but listen to what sounds to me like the voice of Obama admitting that there are "powers that be" meddling in the Republican Primary - even to the point of taking a "win" from Ron Paul in Maine. It certainly sounds like Obama on the hidden mic!

Hat Tips to all links.

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P.S.  After publishing this post, I read the following:

Now The End Begins

ISRAEL UNDER ATTACK! More Than 30 Rockets Fired From Gaza Hit Israel

God bless Israel and my God continue to protect Her!!

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” Psalm 121:4

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Also see:

Joel Rosenberg's Weblog

UPCOMING CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON ISRAEL, THE CHURCH AND THE MIDDLE EAST CRISIS: March 23-24 in southern California - >> UPDATE: Israel asks U.S. for arms that could aid Iran strike….IDF kills Gaza terror chief…..Israel is the only Mideast state safe for Christians, says I...

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Update on another subject - Andrew Breitbart's death:

Crime File News.com: An Eyewitness Speaks Out About Andrew Breitbart’s Death Scene. [go to site to see photos.]

Copy of post:

Los Angeles, CA—It was just after midnight when Christopher Lasseter was walking his little dog in Brentwood. He watched a man he now knows to be Andrew Breitbart crossing Barrington from The Brentwood.

Beritbart was walking without apparent distress in the direction of the Starbucks across the well-lit street. Once Breitbart stepped up on the curb, as Lasseter put it, “He fell hard like a sack of Potatoes.”

A man unknown to Lasseter called 911. The 911 operator told them to begin chest compressions on Beritbart until the police and paramedics arrived.

The very top photo shows where Breitbart died on his back with his head close to the lamp post on the left and his feet under the newspaper vending machine to the right.

Lasseter described Breitbart’s skin color as bright red.

I obtained the interview on video but it’s now property of TMZ.com so look for it over there. I will post a link here once it’s available.

We will be waiting with bated breath for the Medical Examiner's and the Toxicology Reports to know exactly what cut a young man's life short.
Posted by Crimefile at 3/02/2012 05:39:00 PM

Read all the comments, too.

Significant ones:

Anonymous said...
"Lasseter described Breitbart’s skin color as bright red."

Sounds like cyanide poisoning.


•The skin of a cyanide-poisoned person can sometimes be unusually pink or cherry-red because oxygen will stay in the blood and not get into the cells. The person may also breathe very fast and have either a very fast or very slow heartbeat. Sometimes the person's breath can smell like bitter almonds, though this can be difficult to detect.

March 02, 2012 9:00 PM
Anonymous said...
That sounds exactly like cyanide or carbon monoxide poisoning. Except with CO poisoning, he'd have likely fallen unconscious and not been walking around. Good call.

Terry Canaan said...
Flushed skin can be a symptom of cocaine or other stimulant overdose. Rich Hollywood type -- not much of a stretch. We'll have to wait for toxicology on that one.

In any case, if the witness turns out to be reliable, we know it's not the widely speculated heart attack. In those cases, the victim turns pale, ashen, or even bluish.
Anonymous said...
I had a heart attack with four arteries blocked 100% when I was 44.
My BP was 35/20 and I was a whitish gray color. To be bright red doesn't make sense.

March 09, 2012 11:01 AM
Anonymous said...
Go to YouTube and search for the video titled CIA Whistleblower talks about Heart Attack gun

After listening to the testimony, you will probably be convinced that Breitbart's red skin color resulted from poison shot from just such a gun.

March 09, 2012 6:07 PM

Remember Who Holds You Today

I once heard a descriptive quote in the cartoon movie called "The Prince of Egypt" that described what God is building here on this earth can be seen as a beautiful tapestry, perfect in every way, from the perspective of heaven. Yet, here on earth we can only see the underside of jumbled threads, colors and knots that cannot reveal the finished product. I thought that was a great description of our imperfect, sinful, human struggles here on earth. Yet, in eternity, all of the "whys," "what ifs," "how comes," "why me," "why not me," "why him/her," "hows," "whens," "wheres" and "whats" that we encounter in this life that often become questions for God; will be finally revealed to us. We just have to remain patient, even when we do not comprehend or understand all of the "whys" of this world.

You can be sure that evil, sin, and death are the causes of much pain, grief, sadness, crying and suffering. Whatever we, as Christian believers, can do to alleviate such sufferings for the sakes of others, can be counted as good. But we can't expect to do it all. It would be way too overwhelming. What we can do within our sphere of influence, should be done for the sakes of those who are in our lives at the moment and those in need around us who need help.

In the chapter entitled, "Remember Who Holds You" in Max Lucado's book, Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference, Max writes:

Frightening thing, this pride. It would rather kill the truth than consider it.

Doesn't it sneak up on us? We begin spiritual journeys as small people. The act of conversion is a humbling one. We confess sins, beg for mercy, bend our knees. We let someone lower us into the waters of baptism. We begin as self-effacing souls. Timid children who extend muddy hands to our sinless God. We relate to the thief on the cross, identify with David's forgiven adultery, and find hope in Peter's forgiven betrayal. We challenge Paul's claim to the chief-of-sinners title, wondering if anyone could need or treasure grace as much as we do.

We come to God humbly, no swagger, no boasts, no "all by myself" declarations. We flex no muscles and claim no achievements. We cup sullied hearts in hands and offer them to God as we would a crushed, scentless flower: "Can you bring life to this?"

And he does. He does. We don't. He works the miracle of salvation. He immerses us in mercy. He stitches together our shredded souls. He deposits his Spirit and implants heavenly gifts. Our big God blesses our small faith.

[We] need a big God because we've made a big mess of our lives.

Boy...ain't that the truth! Who hasn't had to admit that they have "made a big mess" of something in their own lives? We all have had one or more experiences where we say, "I should have," "I could have," "I wish I did this, or that," or "I wish I DIDN'T DO THAT," haven't we? Some choices are much more profound than others and bother us for not having listened to the urging of the Holy Spirit guiding our lives. Been, there, done that. We suffer from guilty feelings.

Max Lucado goes on in that chapter to say that "gradually God changes us." It certainly doesn't happen in one felled swoop.

As God gradually changes us, we find that we don't want to do the sins that we used to do quite frequently in the past (and probably without guilt feelings before being saved.) But after being saved by Christ on the cross, His sacrifice for our sakes changes us forever. There is no turning back to that "old lifestyle." This isn't forced upon us, because we still have that sin nature and free will to carry it out if we want to. But our desire to please Him changes us and we look towards His righteousness to guide our lives. We look heavenward more.

Max goes on to say that our good deeds then can often get recognized by more people and if we aren't careful, can result in pride. The Bible warns us, "pride comes before a fall." We should never forget who brought us here. Max describes it this way:

"We think we're shaking up the world when actually we're just along for the ride."

Take time to remember. "look at what you were when God called you" (1 Cor. 1:26 NCV). Remember who held you in the beginning. Remember who holds you today.