President Obama was at the 37% approval rating during the height (or the depths?) of the Congressional shut-down show-down.
Now his ratings are hitting epic lows according to WSJ/NBC polls, too, at least according to conservative websites
He has bottomed out, so far, at 41%.
Wow.
As in, who cares? 41% with all that Obama has done speaks very highly of the President.
Why are the numbers really so high, point of fact?
The fact remains that only three-fifths, or thereabouts, have a negative opinion about this President. However, he has presided, or rather ignored, or remained ignorant of one scandal after another would be dipping into the teens by now.
Then again, George W. Bush coasted at 35%-37% even while Congress was dipping to 13% during the Bush Administration.
And the media leans to the left, no matter what they may say.
Nevertheless, why is it that President Obama's rating remains fairly high considering the massive, unprecedented, and ultimately unacceptable failures of Obamacare. his foreign policy, and a domestic agenda which has created more division, and which is pushing more African-Americans to reconsider their allegiance with a party of the first black President, yet a platform which has trampled on their core values, like traditional marriage, protection of life, and school vouchers?
Could it be that under this President the welfare state has turned into a well of entitlements? Forty-three million people have ended up on food stamps, and even as the economy creeps ever slowly toward recovery, the number of food stamps recipients has increased. Workers dissatisfied with their jobs file disability claims and take paid extended vacations. These numbers are growing, and disabling our country. Social Security recipients are rolling out faster as more American seniors retire. Because of President Obama's ongoing foreign policy forays into Afghanistan, and the continued presence in Iraq, and the interminable American presence in 100 plus countries, the ovderwhelming number of wounded veterans has strained the US Veterans Administration with retiring soldiers still seeking health care. President Obama has even weakened the Clinton-era requirements for individuals to qualify for welfare, as well.
And speaking of health care, Obamacare has turned into a careless behemoth of government incompetence, so grand that the Mainstream Media can neither spin the failures nor look away from the fallout. The Daily Show’s John Stewart frequently mocks the Obamacare rollout-fallout, and late night comedians like Jay Leno and David Letterman get more laughs over careless Obama than they received over care-free (and amoral) Bill Clinton or the flappable George W. Bush.
Medicare gives out three times what members originally paid in, and the IRS still distills tax credits to the few at the expense of the many (when not probing or minimizing conservative and religious groups seeking tax exempt status)
The growing number of citizens who have made the United States “One nation under the dole”, according to Former US Senator John Sununu (R-New Hampshire), will not likely think too little of the President whose administration has made it easier to get free stuff, from other Americans.
Ben Shapiro sharply pointed out the obvious: “This President and his party remain fairly popular because of their mantra: ‘We give you free stuff!’”
And not just individuals, but corporate interests are buoying President Obama's poll numbers.
Big Banks have gotten bigger under this President, and farm subsidies are still paying off Big Agribusiness. There are more federal workers in the national capital and throughout the country, in part because of the trillion dollar stimulus, plus the expansion of the government into healthcare and homeland security. Virginia has tilted blue in the last two elections because of the growth of Washington overreach, and ballooning federal bureaucracies. Maryland has remained blue for decades precisely because the Old Line State is practically an extended suburb of Washington D.C. Florida is going blue because of a rising influx of retirees. More states elected Democratic federal representatives over the last two elections, likely because of the record number of unemployed struggling to get by in the face of crushing taxes and special interests looking for a special handout. Even the head of the Republican Party in Washington State ended up endorsing Democratic incumbent Maria Cantwell because of the gridlock in Washington, which was locking up the subsidies for his apple farms.
As more people see the State as their source, their substance, and even their salvation, no matter how incompetent the leader, the people whom he props up will keep preferring him. In the face of Benghazi, IRS abuses, Fast and Furious, NSA spying, and now the Obama-don’t-care fallout, one would assume that the President would be dipping to the 20% approval mark by now.
Obama may be bombing in the polls according to some sources, but unless our nation has a culture shock which disparages dependence and invigorates independence from the government as in times past, President Obama and the left-leaning, state-sponsoring politicians in our political culture will continue to enjoy a relatively high, or at last passable reputation in the eyes of the press, low-information voters, and everyone else receiving something from someone else through the intervention and expansion of the government
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Disciples Fear, Sons Know No Fear
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4: 37-40)
Disciples see Jesus as "Master".
What can a master do when there is a storm rumbling in your life?
They had not idea that Jesus is more than a good man, a great teacher, and He does not seek to be a Master to obeyed.
He seeks to be our servant, and when He serves us, we in turn can serve others.
John could not have written this truth more simply:
"We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4: 19, NIV)
Jesus shared in the same Gospel:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45)
Jesus was not playing word games. Jesus came to serve and to save us. The Gospel of Mark illustrates Jesus as a Servant, one who goes out of His way to "immediately, suddenly, straightaway" serve, heal, deliver, and help all who come to Him.
So, for our faith to grow, we need to see Jesus as a full and forever Savior, one to whom we can run in time of need, no matter what me face.
If we see ourselves as disciples, however, and see Jesus as merely a master to emulate, we will find ourselves in times of trouble, and cry out, not knowing or believing that He has both the will and the power to deliver us!
Disciples see Jesus as "Master".
What can a master do when there is a storm rumbling in your life?
They had not idea that Jesus is more than a good man, a great teacher, and He does not seek to be a Master to obeyed.
He seeks to be our servant, and when He serves us, we in turn can serve others.
John could not have written this truth more simply:
"We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4: 19, NIV)
Jesus shared in the same Gospel:
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (Mark 10: 45)
Jesus was not playing word games. Jesus came to serve and to save us. The Gospel of Mark illustrates Jesus as a Servant, one who goes out of His way to "immediately, suddenly, straightaway" serve, heal, deliver, and help all who come to Him.
So, for our faith to grow, we need to see Jesus as a full and forever Savior, one to whom we can run in time of need, no matter what me face.
If we see ourselves as disciples, however, and see Jesus as merely a master to emulate, we will find ourselves in times of trouble, and cry out, not knowing or believing that He has both the will and the power to deliver us!
He Calls Sons, Not Disciples
"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." (Hebrews 2: 10)
When God the Father sent His Son, He was not interested in creating disciples, but adopting His creation originally made in His image, to be adopted into Sonship:
"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," (Ephesians 1: 5)
Paul explains the Gospel in full form:
"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." (Galatians 4: 4-7)
Paul could not have made it any plainer. We are not called to be disciples, but sons and daughter.
What happens, then, if men and women insist on living under the law, under the Ten Commandments, in order to measure up to God's standard of righteousness?
Paul writes:
"Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" (Galatians 4: 8-9)
The law makes man sick and weak.
Why?
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious." (2 Corinthians 3: 7-11)
The law is a ministry of condemnation, not a standard by which anyone is expected to live:
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3: 19-20)
and then
"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5: 20-21)
The law was not written as a guide for us to live righteous lives, but rather a testimony that no man can live a righteous life in himself. He needs life to begin with, and this life within him grants him the capacity to live above and beyond the demands of the Law.
Paul also writes:
"The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15: 56-57)
Law strengthens sin, but we see our need for a Savior, then we are taken from death to life in Christ, and the deadness of our flesh is crucified forever with Christ:
"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." (Galatians 3: 19-22)
The law kept the Jewish people under guardianship, until Jesus arrived to deliver all of us, Jew and Gentile, from the sin and death to live in Christ through His righteousness and grace (Romans 5: 17)
We are called to be sons and daughters through Christ, not disciples.
In the next post, you will understand the importance of this new sonship in times of trouble.
When God the Father sent His Son, He was not interested in creating disciples, but adopting His creation originally made in His image, to be adopted into Sonship:
"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," (Ephesians 1: 5)
Paul explains the Gospel in full form:
"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ." (Galatians 4: 4-7)
Paul could not have made it any plainer. We are not called to be disciples, but sons and daughter.
What happens, then, if men and women insist on living under the law, under the Ten Commandments, in order to measure up to God's standard of righteousness?
Paul writes:
"Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. 9But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?" (Galatians 4: 8-9)
The law makes man sick and weak.
Why?
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. 10For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious." (2 Corinthians 3: 7-11)
The law is a ministry of condemnation, not a standard by which anyone is expected to live:
"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3: 19-20)
and then
"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5: 20-21)
The law was not written as a guide for us to live righteous lives, but rather a testimony that no man can live a righteous life in himself. He needs life to begin with, and this life within him grants him the capacity to live above and beyond the demands of the Law.
Paul also writes:
"The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15: 56-57)
Law strengthens sin, but we see our need for a Savior, then we are taken from death to life in Christ, and the deadness of our flesh is crucified forever with Christ:
"Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe." (Galatians 3: 19-22)
The law kept the Jewish people under guardianship, until Jesus arrived to deliver all of us, Jew and Gentile, from the sin and death to live in Christ through His righteousness and grace (Romans 5: 17)
We are called to be sons and daughters through Christ, not disciples.
In the next post, you will understand the importance of this new sonship in times of trouble.
There is No Condemnation Whatsoever
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set youa free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,b God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.c And so he condemned sin in the flesh." (Romans 8: 1-3, NIV)
This passage has brought more blessings than I would have ever imagined.
The upsets in my life, the fears, the resentments, the tumults of every type and stripe have nothing to do with me.
They are not me at all, since they are all works of the flesh, and I am called to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
Now, some might say that we are called to do something about the fears, tremors, and upsets in our lives.
Remember, we are called to a new life in Christ, through His Holy Spirit, not to strive in our efforts, in ourselves:
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5: 19-24)
Because everyone of us who believes on Jesus Christ have been taken from dead in our trespasses to alive and seated in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 2: 4-8), we can rest assured that our flesh has been crucified, that we need no longer respond to the threats and upsets of our flesh.
We do not have to see counselors or psychiatrists every time we lose our temper or get angry or afraid about anything. We do not have to hold other people responsible for our hurt feelings, because any sense of unrest merely allows more of God's grace to pour into our lives.
There is no condemnation, no debt when we rest in Christ Jesus, who has paid for our sins, and through Him we can freely receive all things.
In fact, because we still walk around in these bodies, which still has sin, we do not have to feel build when sinful thoughts and emotions rise to the forefront.
Paul invites every believer to reckon themselves "dead to sin" and alive in righteousness:
"And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8: 10)
The righteousness that we are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21) grants us life, and that more abundantly (John 10: 10) his life through Jesus, because He is our life (Colossians 3: 1-4)
I spent so much time trying to fight back or surpress any feelings of shame or reproach.
Now I know that I am dead to all sin in my flesh, and I can trust that my Daddy God is taking care of every need according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4: 19)
This passage has brought more blessings than I would have ever imagined.
The upsets in my life, the fears, the resentments, the tumults of every type and stripe have nothing to do with me.
They are not me at all, since they are all works of the flesh, and I am called to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
Now, some might say that we are called to do something about the fears, tremors, and upsets in our lives.
Remember, we are called to a new life in Christ, through His Holy Spirit, not to strive in our efforts, in ourselves:
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Galatians 5: 19-24)
Because everyone of us who believes on Jesus Christ have been taken from dead in our trespasses to alive and seated in heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 2: 4-8), we can rest assured that our flesh has been crucified, that we need no longer respond to the threats and upsets of our flesh.
We do not have to see counselors or psychiatrists every time we lose our temper or get angry or afraid about anything. We do not have to hold other people responsible for our hurt feelings, because any sense of unrest merely allows more of God's grace to pour into our lives.
There is no condemnation, no debt when we rest in Christ Jesus, who has paid for our sins, and through Him we can freely receive all things.
In fact, because we still walk around in these bodies, which still has sin, we do not have to feel build when sinful thoughts and emotions rise to the forefront.
Paul invites every believer to reckon themselves "dead to sin" and alive in righteousness:
"And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8: 10)
The righteousness that we are in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 21) grants us life, and that more abundantly (John 10: 10) his life through Jesus, because He is our life (Colossians 3: 1-4)
I spent so much time trying to fight back or surpress any feelings of shame or reproach.
Now I know that I am dead to all sin in my flesh, and I can trust that my Daddy God is taking care of every need according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4: 19)
Jesus Christ is Holding All Things
"15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1: 15-20)
Jesus holds all things together, and everything was made by Him and for Him. When the Bible writes "By Him all things consist", that word "consist" is better rendered "Hold".
He holds the whole world, and everything outside of this planet and far beyond, as well.
We can then trust that He is holding all things together for us, too.
Most importantly, He holds us in His hands:
"28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30I and my Father are one." (John 10: 28-30)
Create this image in your mind:
Jesus holds you in His hands, his nail-pierced hands. Then imagine God the Father's hands holding Jesus' hands, and the Father's hands are also holding you.
You have double security, my friend, in knowing that God the Father is holding Jesus' hand and thus you. God the Father and God the Son have you in their grasp, and you will never fall!
Jesus holds all things together, and everything was made by Him and for Him. When the Bible writes "By Him all things consist", that word "consist" is better rendered "Hold".
He holds the whole world, and everything outside of this planet and far beyond, as well.
We can then trust that He is holding all things together for us, too.
Most importantly, He holds us in His hands:
"28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30I and my Father are one." (John 10: 28-30)
Create this image in your mind:
Jesus holds you in His hands, his nail-pierced hands. Then imagine God the Father's hands holding Jesus' hands, and the Father's hands are also holding you.
You have double security, my friend, in knowing that God the Father is holding Jesus' hand and thus you. God the Father and God the Son have you in their grasp, and you will never fall!
Reject Reproach, Receive (and Keep Receiving) Christ
When Christians are born again, most of them do not know what that means.
Why do we have to be born again?
Isn't this supposed to be a life in which we go from doing bad things to doing good things?
The Bible does not say that Jesus came to make bad men good, but rather to make dead men live.
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)
Point of fact, man has two problems.
He has sin:
"
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3: 23)
We are dead, separated from God, because of sin:
"1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: " (Ephesians 2: 1-5)
We are dead because we are separated from God the Father:
"12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Why do we have to be born again?
Isn't this supposed to be a life in which we go from doing bad things to doing good things?
The Bible does not say that Jesus came to make bad men good, but rather to make dead men live.
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)
Point of fact, man has two problems.
He has sin:
"
9What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Romans 3: 9-12)
If you do not believe this, then review the Ten Commandments, and find that you do not measure up.
It was designed that way:
"19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3: 19-20)
and thus
We are dead, separated from God, because of sin:
"1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: " (Ephesians 2: 1-5)
We are dead because we are separated from God the Father:
"12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
15But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)" (Romans 5: 12-17)
Adam sinned, and through His sin we have all died. Yet Christ the second Adam came, that through Him we may all live. And not only live, but live abundantly.
I want to focus everyone on Romans 5: 17. The King James Version does not bring out the fullness and constant abundance of this passage:
"for if by the offence of the one the death did reign through the one, much more those, who the abundance of the grace and of the free gift of the righteousness are receiving, in life shall reign through the one -- Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17, Youngs Literal Translation)
The Amplified Bible is even more emphatic:
"For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." (Romans 5: 17. AMP)
For this, David wrote:
"5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." (Psalm 23: 5). And this picture of never-ending abundance speaks of God's grace. And blessed enough, David speaks of this superabundance in the fifth verse, and five is the number of grace!
Later, Paul will write:
"There is therefore now no condemnation in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8: 1)
None, not a bit.
Yet our bodies will sense reproach, there will still be reverberations of sin and shame in our bodies and in our minds. Yet sin in the flesh has also be crucified (Romans 8: 3)
So, even when we get angry, or frustrated, or fearful, we can rest in peace and grace, knowing that these upsets are not us, for we walk in the Spirit!
For this reason, Paul then writes:
"1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12: 1-2)
We need to renew our minds, receiving God's grace and righteousness at all times, that no matter how many times we may fail, the grace of God works in us and we receive His righteousness because of all that Christ Jesus has done for us at the Cross.
Reject reproach of any kind, and receive Christ Jesus every day!
Monday, October 28, 2013
You Have a High Priest Forever
"Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6: 20)
Did you know that Jesus is representing you right now before God the Father, specifically at the Father's right hand?
I did not know this at all.
I believed that I had to fight my own battles, work out everything in my life on my own.
The New Testament could not be clearer:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 31-34)
God is constantly justifying us, because Jesus at the right hand of God the Father is our mediator, our representative:
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (1 Timothy 2: 5)
and
"22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." (Hebrews 12: 22-24)
Jesus is a mediator now! Check out Romans 8 once again, and you find "justifies" (present active participle) and "makes intercession" (is interceding)
The Revelation of Jesus as my High Priest forever is a new concept to me.
Forever and now, not sometime later.
I often thought of this life as something that I had to live.
John speaks to this misunderstanding concretely:
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1 John 4: 9)
When we understand that Jesus did not just die on the Cross for our sins, but that He cut a New and Everlasting Covenant for us in His Blood (Hebrews 8: 10-12), then we can better understand this verse, too:
"1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 1-4)
Christ is our life, not our flesh, in which we are dead to sin (Romans 6: 11, 14)
We see Jesus at the right hand of God, and we can trust that in Him we receive all things.
Jesus is not some ephemeral concept, but rather our standard-bearer helping us in all things.
Wow!
Just take some time to think about that, and stop wondering if Jesus is able to help you or not. . .
Did you know that Jesus is representing you right now before God the Father, specifically at the Father's right hand?
I did not know this at all.
I believed that I had to fight my own battles, work out everything in my life on my own.
The New Testament could not be clearer:
"31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." (Romans 8: 31-34)
God is constantly justifying us, because Jesus at the right hand of God the Father is our mediator, our representative:
"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (1 Timothy 2: 5)
and
"22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel." (Hebrews 12: 22-24)
Jesus is a mediator now! Check out Romans 8 once again, and you find "justifies" (present active participle) and "makes intercession" (is interceding)
The Revelation of Jesus as my High Priest forever is a new concept to me.
Forever and now, not sometime later.
I often thought of this life as something that I had to live.
John speaks to this misunderstanding concretely:
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1 John 4: 9)
When we understand that Jesus did not just die on the Cross for our sins, but that He cut a New and Everlasting Covenant for us in His Blood (Hebrews 8: 10-12), then we can better understand this verse, too:
"1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3: 1-4)
Christ is our life, not our flesh, in which we are dead to sin (Romans 6: 11, 14)
We see Jesus at the right hand of God, and we can trust that in Him we receive all things.
Jesus is not some ephemeral concept, but rather our standard-bearer helping us in all things.
Wow!
Just take some time to think about that, and stop wondering if Jesus is able to help you or not. . .
Sunday, October 27, 2013
What Would You Like To Tell Them, Gina?!
Serving one’s community is a service which every American should esteem.
Young men and women dream of becoming cops, firefighters, and many of them settle down in their communities to serve as public workers in other capacities, too, whether in water works, or city energy supplies.
Public employees not only dream of setting aside their comfort for the well-being of their communities, but expect their city leaders to provide adequate funding and support for their pensions and benefits when they retire, especially for public safety officers. Firefighters on average face a lower lifespan for taking on the fires, and police officers suffer innumerable tolls to keep cities safe.
That a cash-strapped city, following irresponsible promises and inadequate funding, could walk away from those commitments: such an outcome seemed unthinkable, if not unconscionable. In eight cities, however, city leaders opted for bankruptcy protection for fear of mounting financial obligations, mostly because of lavish pension and benefits promises.
For the rest of the column, please visit Go Local Prov
Job Needed Righteousness, which We Receive through Christ Jesus
"Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
11He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man." (John 33: 8-12)
Job suffered not for his sins, but that as a son of Adam, he has no righteousness of himself, even in his works.
We are dead when we first enter this world:
When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they died:
"17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2: 17)
and
"6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons." (Genesis 3: 6-7)
Because of Adam, we are all dead in sins:
"12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come." (Romans 5: 12-14)
David prays the truth regarding iniquity in man:
"Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51: 5)
and
"1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, " (Ephesians 2: 1-4)
Of ourselves, we have nothing. We need God's righteousness and grace in our lives at all times for all things:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
and
"And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." (Romans 8: 10)
and
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)
What Job suffered was not for sins that he had committed, but rather that as a sinner he thought he could be righteous. The righteousness that he needed, we have today through Christ Jesus today and forever!
There is no Condemnation/Debt Because He is Giving Grace
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1, NIV)
There is no condemnation whatsoever.
Why?
Not because God was arbitrary in His niceness, but because someone else was condemned for us:
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:" (Romans 8: 3)
Everything which merits punishment, whether in our thoughts or our deeds, whether in our past or our present, or even in our future, Jesus Christ has taken all the holy wrath of God, that we need never fear being punished, because Jesus was punished for us:
"3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
There is no condemnation whatsoever.
Why?
Not because God was arbitrary in His niceness, but because someone else was condemned for us:
"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:" (Romans 8: 3)
Everything which merits punishment, whether in our thoughts or our deeds, whether in our past or our present, or even in our future, Jesus Christ has taken all the holy wrath of God, that we need never fear being punished, because Jesus was punished for us:
"3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken." (Isaiah 53: 3-8)
Because Jesus became sin for us, we receive His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5: 21), God can faithfully as well as righteousnessly forgive our sins (1 John 1: 9) and Jesus remains our Mercy Seat, or propitiation forever (1 Timothy 6: 16; Hebrews 7: 16; 1 John 2: 2)
There is no more condemnation in Christ, for in Christ we keep on receiving His gifts of righteousness and grace (Romans 5: 17)
Even when you feel bad, even when you do wrong, think wrong -- all of it is covered, and nothing can separate you from God the Father -- for you are in Christ!
The Sermon on the Mount: For Disciples, Not for Friends or Sons
"1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying," (Matthew 5: 1-2)
Since I have grown in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus and all that He is and has and does for us, as we receive from Him, I have noticed that while He was on earth, Jesus had a two-fold ministry.
1. Bring the Law of Moses back to its pristine, absolute, and humanly impossible standard
2. Announce the Gospel: that through the death and resurrection of Christ Himself, we would be made righteousness before God.
For years, I had heard preachers and pastors tell me that the Sermon on the Mount was a guideline for living, or that these precepts would demonstrate what every person would become when they were born again.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our understanding of God's Word, we find that Jesus is speaking to different groups of people, all of whom have different understandings, or different agendas.
To the multitudes, Jesus was a celebrity, someone whom they found fascinating.
To the disciples, Jesus was a great teacher, someone from whom they could learn how to live.
Then there were those who understood who Jesus is: the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God who came into the world to save us, and not just from death to life, but for all time!
So, we read the context for Matthew 5 through 7 starts with the two groups: the multitudes and the disciples. This group of disciples, by the way, indicates a group much larger than the final Twelve who Jesus called specifically.
Those twelve Apostles were called in Matthew 10: 1-4.
Keep in mind, also, that while these disciples at the Sermon on the Mount came to Jesus to learn from Him, apostles like Peter, James, John, and Matthew were selected by Jesus:
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." (John 15: 16)
And for all of us today:
"8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5: 8-9)
He has chosen us!
Now, back to the Sermon on the Amount. These sermons were for disciples.
Now, Jesus did not die on the Cross so that He could serve as an example, but that we would receive Himself:
His righteousness:
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
He is our Wisdom, as well as our sanctification and our redemption (1 Corinthians 1: 30)
He came not just to die for us, but to give us Life:
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)
And He lives in us:
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1: 27)
Jesus is our life (Colossians 3: 1-4), not a pattern, not a discipline, but the Person who lives in us:
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1 John 4: 9)
Yet for people who want to be disciples, or those who boast in their law-keeping, they need to understand the full implications of the law, that God gave the law so that no man would boast in his own works (Romans 3: 19-20)
The multitudes were not listening to the Sermon on the Mount, and many of Jesus' disciples eventually abandoned Him:
"64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Since I have grown in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus and all that He is and has and does for us, as we receive from Him, I have noticed that while He was on earth, Jesus had a two-fold ministry.
1. Bring the Law of Moses back to its pristine, absolute, and humanly impossible standard
2. Announce the Gospel: that through the death and resurrection of Christ Himself, we would be made righteousness before God.
For years, I had heard preachers and pastors tell me that the Sermon on the Mount was a guideline for living, or that these precepts would demonstrate what every person would become when they were born again.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our understanding of God's Word, we find that Jesus is speaking to different groups of people, all of whom have different understandings, or different agendas.
To the multitudes, Jesus was a celebrity, someone whom they found fascinating.
To the disciples, Jesus was a great teacher, someone from whom they could learn how to live.
Then there were those who understood who Jesus is: the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God who came into the world to save us, and not just from death to life, but for all time!
So, we read the context for Matthew 5 through 7 starts with the two groups: the multitudes and the disciples. This group of disciples, by the way, indicates a group much larger than the final Twelve who Jesus called specifically.
Those twelve Apostles were called in Matthew 10: 1-4.
Keep in mind, also, that while these disciples at the Sermon on the Mount came to Jesus to learn from Him, apostles like Peter, James, John, and Matthew were selected by Jesus:
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." (John 15: 16)
And for all of us today:
"8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Romans 5: 8-9)
He has chosen us!
Now, back to the Sermon on the Amount. These sermons were for disciples.
Now, Jesus did not die on the Cross so that He could serve as an example, but that we would receive Himself:
His righteousness:
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)
He is our Wisdom, as well as our sanctification and our redemption (1 Corinthians 1: 30)
He came not just to die for us, but to give us Life:
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10: 10)
And He lives in us:
"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1: 27)
Jesus is our life (Colossians 3: 1-4), not a pattern, not a discipline, but the Person who lives in us:
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." (1 John 4: 9)
Yet for people who want to be disciples, or those who boast in their law-keeping, they need to understand the full implications of the law, that God gave the law so that no man would boast in his own works (Romans 3: 19-20)
The multitudes were not listening to the Sermon on the Mount, and many of Jesus' disciples eventually abandoned Him:
"64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. 65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?" (John 6: 64-67)
And in Luke:
"And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14: 25-26)
Discipleship is impossible for us. We need to receive all things from Jesus!
"I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15: 5)
Yet as long as we think that we can do something, anything without the grace of God through Christ, we frustrate His grace in our lives (Galatians 5: 4)
Yet human beings need to see God's standard is impossible, the Sermon on the Mount, they see their need for a Savior.
And then we can receive His invitation:
"Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." (John 15: 15)
Jesus wants us to be His friends, and moreover God the Father wants us to receive Him as Father, that we may be His Sons:
"9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren," (Hebrews 2: 9-11)
and
"1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3: 1-3)
and
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
The Sermon on the Mount is for disciples, not friends or sons, and Jesus is inviting us to be Sons and receive all things from God the Father through this Spirit of Sonship (Romans 8: 15; Galatians 4: 6)
RI Speaker Gordon Fox in the Henhouse
I cannot believe that Rhode Islanders would reelect a vexing vixen like corrupt politician Speaker Gordon Fox (D-Providence). Now, I know that Fox has a heart, and he is not afraid to wear his feelings on his sleeve. He gave a moving farewell to Rep. Steve Costantino in 2010, but too bad that voters were not moved to remove him from office in the years to come.
Reporter Tim White questioned the state legislature’s “lack of imagination” to deal with the economic problems in Rhode Island. This lack of imagination is exactly what we need. The less that government tries to do, the more that private interests can thrive once again. People have imagination, not governments, and definitely not Speaker Fox.
For the rest of the article, please visit Go Local Prov.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Liberals Say Nothing About Obama Spying
While Jack Neworth has despises Republicans in general, conservatives in particular, and former President George W. Bush all the time, new leaked reports expose that the current White House Occupant, President Barack Obama, has been spying on world leaders in thirty-five countries, along with pretty much everyone else in the country. While there have been five terrorist attacks on this country, including the Fort Hood massacre, the fawning press has said nothing to hold President Obama accountable.
The international espionage has become inescapable, to such an extent that national leaders are appealing to the United Nations to prevent the United States National Security Administration from tapping their phone calls and infiltrating their electronic cables. For the President of Brazil to attack the President of the United States for breaches of trust and privacy should alarm all of us.
Edward Snowden, a former employee of the NSA, has received asylum in frenemy state Russia, and continues to expose the reckless endangerment, as well as officious, anti-constitutional incursions of the current administration. Even Congressman Henry Waxman has voiced concerns about the President’s national intelligence programs, which have failed to balance security and privacy properly.
One has to wonder why Neworth and the liberal media throughout the Santa Monica Bay have said nothing against Obama, yet continue to berate Bush, Republicans, and limited government advocates who have continually criticized the current administration.
I can only ask the liberals in Santa Monica the same question posed to faux-documentarian Michael Moore: “Dude, where’s your integrity?”
TEA Party Race Baiting: Empty Smear Campaign
Representatives Alan Grayson (D-Florida) released an offensive mailer which depicted the word "TEA Party" with the first "t" shaped by a burning cross, and two members of the KKK standing in the dark background. Black activists, especially conservatives, are demanding an apology.
In the October 18-31 edition of Random Lengths News [October 18-31, 2013], based in San Pedro and reporting on progressive politics throughout the Harbor Area, published a photo of one man carrying the Confederate Stars and Bars at at DC Rally. The paper picked up on the same empty, offensive meme that a neo-Confederate racism is rising up in this country, all of which because of the TEA Party revolt which rose up in 2009, brought Republicans back into power in 2010, and may be poised for greater wins in 2014.
These allegations of TEA Party = Racism are not only false, but patently reprehensible.
Let's tackle the big lie: the TEA Party movement is made up of racist white people.
Not at all.
I have attended a number of TEA Party rallies, where I met individuals of all colors. I even met Samoans and Japanese, too.
Check out these interviews.
Meet Lloyd Marcus, a vocal Obama detractor and Republican supporter.
These black conseratives, proud members of the movement, debunk the media-hyped lie right away. They turned away any questions which suggest that the TEA Party movement is racist.
MSNBC "Screwball" Chris Matthews will not let up on the racism charges (he accused Ted Cruz of racism, for example). However, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich once questioned if Matthews was racist for inferring that most people on food stamps are black. (Nope! White people are on food stamps. How about helping al Americans get jobs, President Obama?
In Matthew's interview with a black Professor from Washington State and a documentarian following African-Americans in the TEA Party Movement, the second guest pointedly challenges the claims of racism, asking "Why would black people be joining the TEA Party movement, if the movement is filled with African-Americans?"
They are joining the movement, however, and the face of the TEA Party is not a hate-group. However, Christ Matthews and Professor Christopher Parker all claim that the TEA Party movement is full of racists. There is still no evidence to support these charges. Parker's research confirms that black people are joining the movement.
Here are more videos to links this truth:
A group of left-leaning protestors maligned an African-American member of the TEA Party.
Shameful! If there is racism, you will often find it among the left.
Mia Love, a city mayor from Utah, and a Congressional candidate in 2012, is a TEA Party candidate, and an African-American woman!
She has repudiated the charges of racism attached to the TEA Party movement. Ms. Love has nothing to be afraid of. The hateful words uses to rewrite her Wikipedia page have not stopped her.
She called out the false narrative of the Democratic Party, which claims that the Republican Party and the allied TEA Party movement is racist to the core.
An NBC reporter confronted one black man at at TEA Party rally, and he affirmed that there are many black people, as well as individuals of many backgrounds, who attend these TEA Party rallies.
So, Rep. Grayons's tactics are not just offensive, blatantly false, but they need to be repudiated!
Now, a black TEA Party group in Los Angeles is demanding an apology from Alan Grayson for his offensive remarks.
And then there's former Congressman Allan West of Florida, who called out Alan Grayson to apologize for his offensive mailer. US Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina is a proud affiliate of the TEA Party movement, and currently the only African-American in the US Senate. There's also Jeniffer Burke, the social media director of theteaparty.net. People keep claiming that people such as herself, a black TEA Party conservative, do not exist, but she loudly and proudly supports conservative causes.
Here's Sean Young, a black video blogger who promotes the TEA Party movement. Here's Ted Hayes speaking at the Oceanside, CA TEA Party rally, and he does not want to be hyphenated. "Do not call me an African-American. I am an American, born in the USA!"
Now, a black TEA Party group in Los Angeles is demanding an apology from Rep. Alan Grayson for his offensive mailer. Did you also know that there is a TEA Party group in South LA? I just learned about it today!
So, Rep. Grayons's tactics are not just offensive, blatantly false, but they need to be repudiated! And so are any posts, newspaper columns, or any other media which purports to claim TEA Party = Racism.
This liberal-statist hate narrative will not work any longer. TEA Party race-baiting is an empty smear campaign, and conservatives, limited government activists, constitutional libertarians, and Americans all over who are tired of the government being "Too Damn Big" are rising up and fighting back.
In the October 18-31 edition of Random Lengths News [October 18-31, 2013], based in San Pedro and reporting on progressive politics throughout the Harbor Area, published a photo of one man carrying the Confederate Stars and Bars at at DC Rally. The paper picked up on the same empty, offensive meme that a neo-Confederate racism is rising up in this country, all of which because of the TEA Party revolt which rose up in 2009, brought Republicans back into power in 2010, and may be poised for greater wins in 2014.
These allegations of TEA Party = Racism are not only false, but patently reprehensible.
Let's tackle the big lie: the TEA Party movement is made up of racist white people.
Not at all.
I have attended a number of TEA Party rallies, where I met individuals of all colors. I even met Samoans and Japanese, too.
Check out these interviews.
Meet Lloyd Marcus, a vocal Obama detractor and Republican supporter.
These black conseratives, proud members of the movement, debunk the media-hyped lie right away. They turned away any questions which suggest that the TEA Party movement is racist.
MSNBC "Screwball" Chris Matthews will not let up on the racism charges (he accused Ted Cruz of racism, for example). However, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich once questioned if Matthews was racist for inferring that most people on food stamps are black. (Nope! White people are on food stamps. How about helping al Americans get jobs, President Obama?
In Matthew's interview with a black Professor from Washington State and a documentarian following African-Americans in the TEA Party Movement, the second guest pointedly challenges the claims of racism, asking "Why would black people be joining the TEA Party movement, if the movement is filled with African-Americans?"
They are joining the movement, however, and the face of the TEA Party is not a hate-group. However, Christ Matthews and Professor Christopher Parker all claim that the TEA Party movement is full of racists. There is still no evidence to support these charges. Parker's research confirms that black people are joining the movement.
Here are more videos to links this truth:
A group of left-leaning protestors maligned an African-American member of the TEA Party.
Shameful! If there is racism, you will often find it among the left.
Mia Love, a city mayor from Utah, and a Congressional candidate in 2012, is a TEA Party candidate, and an African-American woman!
She has repudiated the charges of racism attached to the TEA Party movement. Ms. Love has nothing to be afraid of. The hateful words uses to rewrite her Wikipedia page have not stopped her.
She called out the false narrative of the Democratic Party, which claims that the Republican Party and the allied TEA Party movement is racist to the core.
An NBC reporter confronted one black man at at TEA Party rally, and he affirmed that there are many black people, as well as individuals of many backgrounds, who attend these TEA Party rallies.
So, Rep. Grayons's tactics are not just offensive, blatantly false, but they need to be repudiated!
Now, a black TEA Party group in Los Angeles is demanding an apology from Alan Grayson for his offensive remarks.
And then there's former Congressman Allan West of Florida, who called out Alan Grayson to apologize for his offensive mailer. US Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina is a proud affiliate of the TEA Party movement, and currently the only African-American in the US Senate. There's also Jeniffer Burke, the social media director of theteaparty.net. People keep claiming that people such as herself, a black TEA Party conservative, do not exist, but she loudly and proudly supports conservative causes.
Here's Sean Young, a black video blogger who promotes the TEA Party movement. Here's Ted Hayes speaking at the Oceanside, CA TEA Party rally, and he does not want to be hyphenated. "Do not call me an African-American. I am an American, born in the USA!"
Now, a black TEA Party group in Los Angeles is demanding an apology from Rep. Alan Grayson for his offensive mailer. Did you also know that there is a TEA Party group in South LA? I just learned about it today!
So, Rep. Grayons's tactics are not just offensive, blatantly false, but they need to be repudiated! And so are any posts, newspaper columns, or any other media which purports to claim TEA Party = Racism.
This liberal-statist hate narrative will not work any longer. TEA Party race-baiting is an empty smear campaign, and conservatives, limited government activists, constitutional libertarians, and Americans all over who are tired of the government being "Too Damn Big" are rising up and fighting back.
Alan Grayson's Race-Baiting of TEA Party, and the Truth
Representative Alan Grayson (D-Florida) released a mailer to his fundraising supporters, flgrantly implying that the TEA Party movement is a racist organization.
Representative Alan Grayson (D-Florida) released a mailer to his fundraising supporters, flgrantly implying that the TEA Party movement is a racist organization.
Refusing to back away from such blatant race-baiting, Grayson later announced:
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| Rep Alan Grayson (D-Florida) released this offensive mailer. His antics are racist, not the TEA Party movement |
"One could go on and on, because there is overwhelming evidence that the Tea Party is the home of bigotry and discrimination in America today, just as the KKK was for an earlier generation. If the shoe fits, wear it,"
First of all, is the TEA Party movement mostly made up of white people?
No! These black conseratives debunked that media-hyped lie right away.
This speaker pointedly challenged the claims of racism, asking "Why would black people be joining the TEA Party movement, if the movement is flled with racists and is inherently racist?
They are joining the movement, however, and the face of the TEA Party is not a hate-group.
However, Christ Matthews and Professor Christopher Parker all claim that the TEA Party movement is full of racists.
There is still no evidence to support these charges. Parker's research confirms that black people are joining the movement.
Here are more photos to links this truth:
A group of left-leaning protestors maligned an African-American member of the TEA Party.
Shameful! If there is racism, you will often find it among the left.
Mia Love, a city mayor from Utah, and a Congressional candidate in 2012, is a TEA Party candidate, and an African-American woman!
She has repudiated the charges of racism attached to the TEA Party movement. Ms. Love has nothing to be afraid of. The hateful words uses to rewrite her Wikipedia page have not stopped her.
She called out the false narrative of the Democratic Party, which claim that the Republican Party and the allied TEA Party movement is racist to the core.
An NBC reporter confronted one black man at at TEA Party rally, and he affirmed that there are many black people, as well as individuals of many backgrounds, who attend these TEA Party rallies.
So, Rep. Grayons's tactics are not just offensive, blatantly false, but they need to be repudiated!
Now, a black TEA Party group in Los Angeles is demanding an apology from Alan Grayson for his offensive remarks.
Call Rep. Grayson's Office, and demand that he apologize for his offensive mailer!
430 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
phone: 202-225-9889
fax: 202-225-9742
hours: M-F 9-5:30pm
----- 101 North Church Street
Suite 550
Kissimmee, FL 34741
phone: 407-518-4983
fax: 407-846-2087
hours: M-F 9-5:30pm
---- 5842 S. Semoran Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32822
phone: 407-615-8889
fax: 407-615-8890
hours: M-F 9-5:30pm
Now, a black TEA Party group in Los Angeles is demanding an apology from Alan Grayson for his offensive remarks.
Call Rep. Grayson's Office, and demand that he apologize for his offensive mailer!
430 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
phone: 202-225-9889
fax: 202-225-9742
hours: M-F 9-5:30pm
----- 101 North Church Street
Suite 550
Kissimmee, FL 34741
phone: 407-518-4983
fax: 407-846-2087
hours: M-F 9-5:30pm
---- 5842 S. Semoran Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32822
phone: 407-615-8889
fax: 407-615-8890
hours: M-F 9-5:30pm
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Politics: Identity, not Information
The more that I read the for and against for a local measure, or the more that I read over the different candidates' platforms for a local office, the more confused I become.
Which candidate do I vote for?
All the information in the press will present each candidate, and each stance on a proposal in a positive light, trying to engage the reader to support the issue or the person.
All of this debating and dialectical knowledge does not help anyone make a decision to cast a vote.
More often, voters are going to return to their values, rely on their identity, whether with a political party or a set of ideas, or whether they like a person or not.
These metrics are never adequeate for vetting who to vote for for an office.
Yet participatory democracy makes these metrics inevitable.
Not only is there so much information out there, voters need to discern which information is true and false, and which world-view of the candidate is accurate.
Not just whether a person is qualified on paper, but does this person understand me and my concerns, these questions pop up all the time.
Mitt Romney struck many voters as someone who did not care about other people. Whether that is true or not, and whether that issue would affect his ability to serve as chief executive is irrelevant.
But in politics, such perceptions do matter.
Whether they should or not, is another story.
Politics is ultimately all about identity, not information. It's not enough to know what best policies to implement, especially free-market reforms which take time. Voters have to see the candidate as viable as well as a veritable choice, since they cannot depend on what they will get right away once t they vote for that candidate.
Which candidate do I vote for?
All the information in the press will present each candidate, and each stance on a proposal in a positive light, trying to engage the reader to support the issue or the person.
All of this debating and dialectical knowledge does not help anyone make a decision to cast a vote.
More often, voters are going to return to their values, rely on their identity, whether with a political party or a set of ideas, or whether they like a person or not.
These metrics are never adequeate for vetting who to vote for for an office.
Yet participatory democracy makes these metrics inevitable.
Not only is there so much information out there, voters need to discern which information is true and false, and which world-view of the candidate is accurate.
Not just whether a person is qualified on paper, but does this person understand me and my concerns, these questions pop up all the time.
Mitt Romney struck many voters as someone who did not care about other people. Whether that is true or not, and whether that issue would affect his ability to serve as chief executive is irrelevant.
But in politics, such perceptions do matter.
Whether they should or not, is another story.
Politics is ultimately all about identity, not information. It's not enough to know what best policies to implement, especially free-market reforms which take time. Voters have to see the candidate as viable as well as a veritable choice, since they cannot depend on what they will get right away once t they vote for that candidate.
Hypocrite Harry Reid on Obamacare Delay
64% believe that another shutdown is looming.
Senate Majority Leader and his Democratic caucus fear the backlash from voters following the rumbling, stumbling rollotut of Obamacare.
Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) has already talked up delaying the individual mandate for one year. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) has already argued for an indefiniate delay until the technology snags have been kinked out. Sometime in the next lifetime, Obamacare websites may be up and running.
Senate Majority Leader Reid pushed the federal government to shut down because he refused to pass a continuing resolution which would delay Obamacare and repeal the medical device tax. Now he's thinking about a one-year delay, after all.
(He also called the medical device tax "stupid", and he dismissed any proposals to save one child's life , but who's really paying attention, right?)
Wow! What a hypocrite!
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| All Smiles, When the Camera's Watching. . . |
Senate Majority Leader and his Democratic caucus fear the backlash from voters following the rumbling, stumbling rollotut of Obamacare.
Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) has already talked up delaying the individual mandate for one year. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) has already argued for an indefiniate delay until the technology snags have been kinked out. Sometime in the next lifetime, Obamacare websites may be up and running.
Senate Majority Leader Reid pushed the federal government to shut down because he refused to pass a continuing resolution which would delay Obamacare and repeal the medical device tax. Now he's thinking about a one-year delay, after all.
(He also called the medical device tax "stupid", and he dismissed any proposals to save one child's life , but who's really paying attention, right?)
Wow! What a hypocrite!
"That's Stupid!"
Let me impersonate, if you will, the opinion of some decline to state voters in California, a growing population who lean right fiscally, but lean left socially, or to put another way, are fiscally conservative and socially liberal, like much of the South Bay.
"I think that your Republicans/conservatives are wasting your time. Who cares about abortion? Who cares about same-sex marriage?"
Really? Whether someone cares or not, will that be the final arbiter for whether a political party, or our government, cares about an issue?
"People should be allowed to do whatever they want with their bodies, in their own homes. Why should you care?"
The baby does not have a voice, and marriage as an instution has effects which range outside of the home.
"I mean, you guys are just wasting your time dealing with those stupid issues."
Perhaps there is some truth to this indictment. The real concern should be: why do voters think that the sudden transformation of the marriage sacrament, and the origins of life, are "Stupid issues."
If protecting life at every stage is not important, then what are we doing here in the first place? What's the point of commerce and trade unless we are not enhancing life or embracing values which define life?
"I think that your Republicans/conservatives are wasting your time. Who cares about abortion? Who cares about same-sex marriage?"
Really? Whether someone cares or not, will that be the final arbiter for whether a political party, or our government, cares about an issue?
"People should be allowed to do whatever they want with their bodies, in their own homes. Why should you care?"
The baby does not have a voice, and marriage as an instution has effects which range outside of the home.
"I mean, you guys are just wasting your time dealing with those stupid issues."
Perhaps there is some truth to this indictment. The real concern should be: why do voters think that the sudden transformation of the marriage sacrament, and the origins of life, are "Stupid issues."
If protecting life at every stage is not important, then what are we doing here in the first place? What's the point of commerce and trade unless we are not enhancing life or embracing values which define life?
Speaker John Perez: Will You Marry Me?
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| Perhaps Everyone Californian Will Have to Marry Perez to Get Any Help from Sacramento |
Speaker Perez has played power broker for different special interests instead of speaking up for California voters and the public interest, which would prosper under less spending, less government, and less of Perez. Rather than spotlighting the pension crises assaulting our state, rather than standing up to the special interests which take a special interest only in themselves at the expense of the public interest, John Perez is well-known for defending gay marriage (or marriage equality for those who won’t state the obvious).
He supports the rights of transgendered students (whatever that means), and believes that they should not be discriminated against in California public schools. He does not support comprehensive education reform which would transform tenure from an entitlement which guarantees a job for life; however, he does support state-level micromanaging of student discipline. He still chooses to coddle teachers’ unions, which represent themselves rather than the teacher, and certainly not the students.
Mr. Perez believes that everyone person should be able to marry any consenting adult, whether of the same sex or the opposite sex. This argument carries troubling undercurrents for our state and our culture, since if a man can marry another man, what will prevent the pleas for multiple spouses? Or a marriage of man and machine, or a child? These arguments are not alarmist, by the way, since “wise Latina” United States Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor sounded her concerns about changing the definition of marriage. “What’s wrong with polygamy, then?” she asked during oral arguments about the Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8 initiative.
Of course, I doubt that Speaker Perez would care about polygamy. He has multiple partners already.
First, he is married to the interests of the public sector unions in our state. He cares more about the political hegemony of workers who work together for their own causes, even if the state and the public industries fail in the process. The California Teachers Association is notorious for defending the worst teachers while standing silent for the best. Los Angeles Unified officials had numerous reports about Mark Berndt of Miramonte Elementary, yet even when they placed Berndt on leave, they could not fire him. Following months of legal wrangling, they offered him a severance and released him. Only when a private photolab discovered then reported his salacious photos did anyone take legal action to incarcerate the man. How many incompetent teachers still survive the Dance of the Lemons in California public schools? How many students have filed lawsuits against school districts and the state because of sclerotic work rules and inadequate educational reforms? Our students cannot wait, but no matter how loudly they court love and support from Sacramento, Perez isn’t listening.
Speaker Perez is married to billowing boondoggles which are ballooning away state tax dollars. Let’s talk about the High-Speed Rail Project, which has (predictably) run over budget, and is slated to run over farms and homes in the Central Valley, many of which have lasted generations.
Speaker Perez is married to the Environmental Lobby, as well. He cares about the fish, but not the farmers. He cares about water, but not those who work the soil in the Central Valley. Perez’ callous indifference to the plight of the farmers positioned a well-known cherry farmer, Andy Vidak (R-Hanford) to carry off an open state senate seat in a two-to-one Democratic district.
Married to the animals, Perez champions the boutique interests of state senator Ted Lieu (D-Redondo Beach). Perez has ensured that bears will never fear hunting dogs, or that puppies will be sold on street corners, even though Perez is selling our state to the lowest morale and the highest lobbying bidder in Sacramento.
Perez is married to raising taxes and spending. He is married to promoting a hostile business climate in the state of California, one which drives away businesses, jobs, profits, innovation, and any hopes of a lasting recovery. Perez is married to the ideology of Progressives, who for decades infiltrated higher education, corrupting the proper scope of the state, micromanaging our k-12 public schools without antiquated and now demeaning ideologies.
Since Perez has so many partners, so much power, and the money to make it all work together, I have no choice but to propose:
“Speaker Perez, will you marry me?”
Now that the United States Supreme Court has invalidated Prop 8 state constitutional amendment, people can marry either sex. Since you have decided that the will of the voters means nothing, the best interests of our students is of no consequence, and you support a state based on regulation and frustration rather than job-creation and innovation, my best hope of thriving in California is finding the right partner.
So, what do you say, Speaker Perez: Will you marry me?
CA Assembly Speaker John Perez' DNC Speech -- All Fight, No Opportunities
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| Speaker John Perez: All Fight, No Opportunties |
California Assembly Speaker John Perez gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention on September 5, 2012. Like many guests, his remarks would expectedly come and go along with the rest of the long wave of unapologetic (yet sorry) progressivism which defines the modern Democratic Party. The policy changes so offended one keynote member, Bishop John Tobin of Rhode Island, that he switched to the Republican Party. Not just for booing God and nearly rejecting Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the Democratic National Party platform now endorses abortion without restrictions and recognizes gay marriage.
How Speaker Perez can represent the more popular chamber of the Golden State should confuse as much as offend any resident.
Here are his remarks from that evening, with the truth and challenges to his feigned optimism. Perez punched out "fight" and "opportunity" throughout his pointed talking-point speech, all of which expose a party whose energy to change everything has only deprived as opposed to revived Americans' hope.
Good evening Democrats! I am so honored to join you tonight.
What honor does Perez have, other than previously serving as a labor relations bully and an openly gay member of a state legislature? Oh, and he's former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's cousin.
Certainly, this close to the election much of our attention is focused on the nuts and bolts of victory—how we'll prevail in the swing districts and battleground states. But this convention gives us the chance to discuss something much more important than how or where we fight. It gives us the chance to reflect on the question of why we fight. And the answer to that fundamental question can be summed up in one word—opportunity.
Regarding the nuts and bolts, the Democratic Party gained the victory in a cinch. Without throwing any wrenches into the mix, Obama's ground game swept the field strong.
Regarding why Democrats fight, this question has stumped Democrats lately. Why promote an insurance mandate which has mandated part-time employment, strained health care facilities, and a marked decline in access and quality followed by sickening rises in costs and rationing? How can the Democratic Party claim to champion the working man when labor unions are breaking with the White House, severing away from each other, and losing members in the wake of a sluggish, post-industrial economy?
Opportunity is why we fight. Across the country, there are parents who want nothing more than the opportunity to have a job, and the ability to put food on the family table. We fight for them.
Opportunity is a four letter word where Democrats control the state government. No, Speaker Perez, your party's taxes and spending, regulations and frustrations fight against working families. The liberal political class jumps for unions, bureaucrats, and marginal interest groups, costing many hard-working families, who migrate to job, faith, and family friendly states, like Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.
In too many states, even some folks who have a job wake up every morning in fear that they will lose that job simply for being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. We fight for them.
Would the Speaker care to list the states where gays aren't so gay? Is there any record of LGBT employees losing their jobs because of their sexual conduct? His push for transgendered students to use school bathrooms has writhed division in the state and derision across the country: "What are people in California up to?" Not fighting for the best interests of our students, certainly.
And speaking of which. . .
On our nation's campuses, students are seeking the opportunity to go to college, earn a degree, and find a career that will unleash their potential. We fight for them.
Governor Brown signed the DREAM Act, which benefits three thousand students out of the hundred thousand or more who graduate without finding gainful employment, who broke no laws, and who did not deserve to be slighted with Brown's half-measured amnesty. College tuition has increased in California, and the once-affordable UC-CSU systems have become systematically unsustainable and unaffordable. Californians of all ethnic backgrounds opposed this law, as well as the recent provision to permit illegal immigrants to obtain a California Drivers License.
Women are fighting for the opportunity that comes with equal pay for equal work, and the respect that comes with having control of their medical decisions. We fight for them.
Equal pay for equal work: sounds nice, a perfect talking point, but fundamentally flawed. Any junior college (or high school) student will attest that adding up and averaging every person's wages will indicate a disparity among all men and women. With a more accurate study, comparing similar occupations, the number of hours, and the life-style choices of career men and women, statistics bear out the truth that men and women are paid comparably.
Inmigrantes de todo el mundo llegan a los Estados Unidos buscando una oportunidad para darles una mejor vida a sus hijos. Nosotros luchamos por ellos.
Mi respuesta: Inmigrants llegan a los Estado Unidos para el estado de derecho y la opportunidad, y ninguno do les dos estan en la California quando los Democratas tienen poder.
Yes, we fight for them. And we fight for President Obama. And we know President Obama fights for us. President Obama has fought to renew opportunities for Americans every moment of his time in office, to protect the opportunities that already exist, and create new opportunities for all Americans.
When the jobs of autoworkers, were threatened in 2009, some said "Let Detroit fail." But president Obama said failure is not an option. And today, American autoworkers can sleep securely, knowing their jobs and the opportunities for a brighter future exist because the president fought for them.
President Obama has reformed student loans, cut out the banks and lowered the cost of education for millions of students. And he's fighting for new investments to extend that opportunity to millions more.
He repealed "don't ask, don't tell," giving LGBT Americans the opportunity to proudly and openly serve our nation in uniform. And he's standing up for the right of LGBT Americans to say, "I do."
He has fought for policies to unleash the opportunities that come with 21st century jobs that will remake our economy and restore prosperity for the middle class. President Obama is leading us through a challenging era by recognizing that the strength of America is measured in the opportunities everyone has to work hard and succeed.
No. Forty-three million people on food stamps. Unemployment hovering in and around the double-digit mark, with underemployment greatly underreported. Whatever opportunities Speaker Perez was speaking about, Americans will not find them spreading forth in Democratic strongholds like California or Illinois.
That is the spirit of our party, and the guiding principle of President Obama. This election is our opportunity to rededicate ourselves to that commitment. Our pathway to victory is to fight for everyone to have the opportunity to live for their American dream. To fight for our proud national tradition of ensuring that our children will always enjoy more opportunities than their parents had.
The youth in our country are pessimistic about their options, if not their opportunities. Occupy Wall Street stormed civic plazas and suburban locales, only to dissipate with as much as haste as first pressed young people to demand action. Yelling at Big Banks and Big Labor, the Occupy Movement neglected to indict Big Government, well-represented by the corpulent Assembly Speaker John Perez.
To fight to ensure that every person has the opportunities that come with being treated with dignity, respect, and equality in the eyes of the law. We fight to restore opportunity across this country, because as Democrats, we understand the poignancy, the power and the truth of Ralph Waldo Emerson's observation that "America is another name for opportunity."
Opportunity is why we fight for our country. Opportunity is what our president fights for. And in 61 days, opportunity is why President Obama will win a second term. But we have a lot of work to do between now and then, so let's get to work! Thank you.
As for the Democratic Party, including Speaker John Perez and his Sacramento Supermajority, their ranks have provided no opportunities to show for their fighting. President Obama's second term has turned into a train wreck of scandals, stalling, and in-fighting, all of which have drained what little political capital he siphoned off from a bruising reelection, replete with expansive social media, billion dollar campaign contributions (and contributors) but with a nation more polarized, with less opportunities, and less fight to face the challenges to come.
Learning More About His Grace: More Than a Defense
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10)
We should not run from the attacks of the enemy, but rather know that when the Enemy attacks, he attacks where we are weakest.
Where we are weakest, there God is strongest.
The more that we allow Christ Jesus to have in our lives, the more that we can prosper and be in health, for all that He has for us.
Wonderful!
For this reason, that His grace would superabound in our lives where sin attacked us or where we sinned:
"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." (Matthew 5: 11)
Envy is at work in many in this world. They see the children of God propser because of all that Jesus Christ has done in their lives. Because they are unwilling to release themselves and all that they have, that they want to continue to trust in their efforts and receive very little for their efforts, they get mad.
They will attack, but we rest in the goodness of God, knowing that all things are working together for our God, becaus we know that Christ Jesus loves us, and that in Him we are fully and forever accepted before God the Father.
Every attack from man brings forth more favor from God.
So, look at the world, and no matter what you see, you can trust that God is for you, and therefore who indeed can be against you? (Romans 8: 31)
Because you have received Christ Jesus, you can be certain that through Him, you will also freely receive all things (Romans 8: 32)
I am still learning so much about the grace of God, which we receive through Christ Jesus, as we grow in grace and knowledge of Him. Not in saying His name a bunch of times, not in our Bible knowledge, but as we rest and receive from everything that Christ Jesus has done for us, and that as our Mediator at the right hand of the Father, we can know and believe in the love that God the Father has for us!
We should not run from the attacks of the enemy, but rather know that when the Enemy attacks, he attacks where we are weakest.
Where we are weakest, there God is strongest.
The more that we allow Christ Jesus to have in our lives, the more that we can prosper and be in health, for all that He has for us.
Wonderful!
For this reason, that His grace would superabound in our lives where sin attacked us or where we sinned:
"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." (Matthew 5: 11)
Envy is at work in many in this world. They see the children of God propser because of all that Jesus Christ has done in their lives. Because they are unwilling to release themselves and all that they have, that they want to continue to trust in their efforts and receive very little for their efforts, they get mad.
They will attack, but we rest in the goodness of God, knowing that all things are working together for our God, becaus we know that Christ Jesus loves us, and that in Him we are fully and forever accepted before God the Father.
Every attack from man brings forth more favor from God.
So, look at the world, and no matter what you see, you can trust that God is for you, and therefore who indeed can be against you? (Romans 8: 31)
Because you have received Christ Jesus, you can be certain that through Him, you will also freely receive all things (Romans 8: 32)
I am still learning so much about the grace of God, which we receive through Christ Jesus, as we grow in grace and knowledge of Him. Not in saying His name a bunch of times, not in our Bible knowledge, but as we rest and receive from everything that Christ Jesus has done for us, and that as our Mediator at the right hand of the Father, we can know and believe in the love that God the Father has for us!