New Year’s Resolutions

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I apologize for not posting in a while. I’ve been busy making my New Year’s Resolutions and I got huge inspiration from Alan Caruba‘s post on Tea Party Nation. He’s encouraged me to add many of his ideas to my list.

1. I resolve to do everything in my power to help defeat Obama and the Democratic Party and ensure both houses of Congress will be Republican, the less progressive the better, and in a position to begin real change.

2. I resolve to do more to communicate, to whomever I can, that Islam is a real threat to our nation and the world. The Middle East lies in turmoil and there is a reason, it is called jihad. This threat has been at work in our country a long time and it’s time we stopped letting it gain power.

3. I resolve to find more ways to fight for less taxes and less spending and for a consumption tax vs. an income tax. Only 49% of Americans currently pay income taxes, and we wonder why our country is only going deeper in debt.

4. I resolve to fight harder to end Obamacare and help others to stand up and fight against the requirement that Americans have to purchase anything or be penalized by fine for not doing so.

5. I resolve to do what I can to ensure older Americans, who have paid into the system can obtain their benefits, and that younger citizens have the freedom and know-how to structure their own retirement and health plans.

6. I resolve to do what I can to fight for tax credits for oil companies and the removal of environmental obstacles that keep them from building refineries in this country. Our nation owns vast reserves of coal, natural gas and oil and all of them should be unobstructed by special interest groups.

7. I resolve to help identify and fund the repair of our nation’s aging infrastructure and will be calling on our representatives to do the same. We must hold their feet to the fire on this and all issues.

8. I resolve to fight for term limits for our senators and representatives. We have to be done with our permanent political class, now and forever.

9. I resolve to work hard to help downsize our federal government and will be fighting for the end of the Departments of Education, Labor, Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. The 10th Amendment is still part of our Constitution.

10. I resolve to do everything I can to fight for the expansion and upgrade of our military, which has been significantly reduced in size and structure and I will do all I can to fight for its clean up of gang members and thugs.

11. I resolve to do everything I can to communicate to my representatives the importance of rejecting and rescinding all legislation based on “global warming” or “climate change” as both have been proven to be either a hoax or meaningless because I am not arrogant enough to believe we have any power over God‘s creation.

12. I resolve to do everything in my power to battle the federal government’s continued acquisition of more of our nation’s landmass.

But, I also want to spend more time with my family and have a cleaner house, so please resolve to pray for me more this year? Thank you!

Related articles

• States Check & Balance Obamacare: 10th. Amendment ~ States May Null & Void Supreme Court Decision On Obamacare! (politicalvelcraft.org)
• Iowa’s Federal Assistance Surpassed Income Tax Payments in 2010: Study (ibtimes.com)
• The 2012 Check List for America’s Survival (papundits.wordpress.com)
• Obama’s War on U.S. Energy – Tea Party Nation (gds44.wordpress.com)
• Running to Win (freshlyground.wordpress.com)

Procrastination is Preparing to Fail

“By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.” — Ben Franklin

An emergency is usually sudden, sometimes unforeseen, but always requires immediate action. Emergencies will vary due to location but can include disease, earthquake, fire, flood, hurricane, lack of power, terrorism, tornado or tsunami. None of these events are pleasant to think about, but preparation requires pre-planning.

Location, Location, Location

NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE OR WHERE YOU VISIT, you are at risk for contagious disease, power outage, terrorism or fire. If you live on the coast, you should also be prepared for tsunamis and hurricanes. If you live in an area prone to tornado, earthquake, flooding, blizzards or avalanche, you should be prepared for those. For instance, in the last 100 years, the area where I live has suffered damage or loss of life from flood, flash flood, tornado, derecho (windstorm), snowstorm and blizzards. It would be wise to take precautions and make sure my family is knowledgeable in case those things ever happen again.

Don’t be HOOD-winked: Know your neighborhood

 You don’t have to have tea with your neighbors, but it doesn’t hurt to know them and know who regularly visits them. This is about being aware of your surroundings and keeping your family safe. It’s also a good idea to have the phone numbers of a few of them. There is power in numbers. Do you have elderly or disabled neighbors who would need help in an emergency? Don’t hesitate if you are able, an emergency situation is the wrong time to test the validity of karma.

What are you waiting for?

* Familiarize your family with two places they can meet you in the event of an emergency, one within the neighborhood and one outside of it.

* Keep all your vehicle’s gas tanks at least half full at all times.

* Keep cash on hand, at least $100 in small bills.

* Talk to your family about possible escape routes from your home in the event of different types of emergencies.

* Make sure all family members know how to use a fire extinguisher.

* Make sure all family members have a contact number memorized that everyone can call in case you are separated.

* Locate gas main and other utilities, and make sure all family members know when and how to turn them off.

* Practice different scenarios during different types of emergencies regularly.

FIRE!

Make fire drills something you do monthly if you have kids. They will especially  benefit from the repetitiveness to help them remember what to do in an actual fire. Make sure they know two ways out of every room. Remind all family members to crawl on the floor because smoke rises, to check doors for heat before leaving a room, and to stop, drop and roll if their clothes catch fire. Emphasize getting out of the house quickly and that once they have left, they MUST NOT re-enter the house for ANY reason. Have a designated neighbor’s house to meet at and instruct everyone to go there and to call 911. Make sure you keep important documents in a fire-proof safe or at a secure location. Check batteries in your smoke detectors every time you have a drill.

Inventory

Filing an insurance claim a horrendous activity if you have just experienced a loss. You will be asked to provide minute details, and the more timely and accurate the details, the more likely you will receive a faster and more accurate settlement. Make a home inventory of everything. Even if an item isn’t valuable, it will still require replacement. Whether you document your inventory on paper, by photographs or video, make sure you have more than one copy and that at least one copy is offline. Important things to remember are:

a. Take pictures of both the inside and outside of your home, and of each room within your house. This will help you to list your items, and will provide evidence of the item’s existence if needed later.

b. List items by room and take notes on specific information, such as serial numbers, purchase prices, date of purchase and present value if known. It might be worth it, especially for valuables, to have them appraised.

 c. Scan photos and receipts if available. This saves you having to enter so many details.

d. Update your inventory at least once or twice per year, or sooner if an expensive item has been purchased or sold.

e. Here is a list that can help you remember items:

• Appliances
• Books
• China and Flatware
• Clothing
• Collectibles, i.e. stamps, coins, art
• Computer, Electronics & Accessories
• Furniture
• Jewelry and Watches
• Musical Instruments
• Toys
• Vehicles
• Wine/Spirits

Documentation

Gather these items now:

* marriage license/divorce decrees

* passports/travelers’ checks

* driver’s license/professional licenses

* birth certificates

* insurance policies, numbers, information

* wills/trusts/deeds

* financial statements

* prescriptions

Store copies outside of your home in a safety deposit box or with a person you trust.

Go-Go Gadget!

Buy, borrow or beg a back pack or a rolling suitcase for every member of your family and attach an ID tag to it. After this has been done, put the following items into each one:

* flashlight

* battery operated radio

* batteries

* pocket knife

* change of clothing and shoes

* emergency money (small bills and quarters)

* local map

* food and water

* photos of family and pets

* emergency phone numbers

* list of medications

* allergies and medical conditions

* copies of health insurance and identification cards

* extra prescriptions

* first aid supplies

* personal items

* tooth brush and paste

* extra keys for your home and vehicle

* Don’t forget a Go kit for your pet. Theirs should include an extra collar, ID tags, license information, crate or carrier, food, water, medications, non-spill bowl, manual can opener, plastic lid and a recent photograph.

Go Long! (Disaster preparedness for a minimum of 72 hours)

Several manufacturers make plastic, sealable containers in many sizes and shapes. Buy some with carrying handles that make them easy to transport. Clean trash containers with tight-fitting lids are another choice. Buy a variety of container sizes that you can pack into your car in a short time if necessary. Include the following:

* Food and water

* Manual can opener and cooking utensils

* First Aid Kit and instructions

* Copy of important documents and phone numbers

* Warm clothing and rain gear for every family member

* Heavy duty work gloves

* Disposable camera (specifically for documentation of damage for insurance claims)

* Liquid bleach and an eyedropper for water purification

* Personal hygiene items

* Prescriptions and/or medical equipment

* Basic tools

* Heavy duty garbage bags and a bucket

Master Binder

This will be an important and useful gift for a spouse or friend in case of an emergency, such as a sudden illness, hospitalization, or funeral. It will help them keep your household running. It can also be a great friend to you in time of need, when it’s not easy to think clearly. Make sure to include:

* important phone numbers

* shopping lists

* lists of prescriptions and dosing information

* bills and cleaning checklists

* maps to nearby locations

* menus for local establishments

* written instructions for a babysitter

* central family calendar, birthdays and special occasions

* family and pet information

Hurry up and wait!

If you’re prepared, things will automatically go more smoothly. Just take things one step at a time and do not panic. Some of us will never have to use these preparations, and most will be used for minor situations. But, reality teaches us there’s always the possibility of an emergency.

Being prepared is the key to getting back to a normal life as soon as possible, after the situation has passed.

Related articles

• Emergencies Affect all of Us, Including our Pets (valleyranchassoc.wordpress.com)
• Hurricane tips that patients and health professionals should know (kevinmd.com)
• Preparing for emergency (lostincolonisation.wordpress.com)
• This Is Already the Worst Year for Natural Disasters (lewrockwell.com)

Are you a successful Christian?

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You are the only one that can define your success, as a Christian or anything else that you set out to do. What you want from your Christian life could vary greatly from what I want from mine. The true meaning of what it means to be a Christian may be different for you than it is for someone else. We could say we are a success now, just because we call ourselves a Christian. But, what if we decide that our becoming a Christian, was really the sacrifice and work of Christ alone, that we just accepted Him as our Savior and that really, the road to Christianity is just beginning, and we have a long way to go before we reach success? That is what I decided and these are just some of the areas that I am working on, ways that I want to illustrate that Christ is King of my life.

I want to remember people, so they will remember me.

As a Christian, I want people to know I feel they are important by remembering their names and remembering important things they share with me. I want this not only because they are God‘s children and I should care about them because God does, but also so that they will be more likely to remember me. I want them to know I am there for them and can help them if they need it.

I want to remember that success is independent of age, education, failure and public opinion.

There are many other traits that you could put into this category that could be your stumbling blocks, but these particular ones have just been areas where I’ve personally had the most difficulty overcoming. The enemy uses these attributes as weapons against me often, wanting me to believe that my age, my education or lack thereof, a fear of failure and what other people think about me or my actions are legitimate reasons for me not being the best Christian I can be.

I had to generate a life purpose and remember it every day.

It’s tempting to get caught up in our families, jobs and even church work. Those things aren’t bad, but we know there is an eternal life beyond the one we are living. We have God’s Word as the instruction book for our lives. So, there are certain things we are commanded to do. Beyond our own wants and desires, we must concern ourselves greatly with the will and purposes of the Father. It’s easier and more beneficial to us, if we incorporate His will into our lives instead of keeping our plans and purposes separate from His. Our goal, as much as humanly possible, should be to let Him guide us into our purposes.

I have to work really hard to keep a positive attitude, and I fail often.

It would be nice if God could flip a switch in us, after we become Christians, that made us magically feel good all the time, regardless of the circumstances. Or, would it? I guess it kind of goes against the free will rule, doesn’t it? I know there are others like me who are trying really hard to bite their tongues, think before speaking and trying to leave work outside the door when they come home. But, I also know others that seem to never be ruffled, never speak a cross word, and seem to have a smile on their faces every time I see them. What is the secret? I do know that there was a time in my life when I didn’t even question my attitude, it never occurred to me that I had to be more open to others and less caustic when someone didn’t get my order right the first time. I praise the Lord for opening my eyes to my behaviors and attitudes, I guess that’s a good start.

I have to remember to have a sense of humor.

If you’ve spent any time in this world at all, you know our Lord has one. Otherwise, we would have never had the experience of seeing a giraffe or an anteater. And, how about the coldest winter on record after the big, bad, global warming scare? A co-worker made some special coffee at work one morning and told me it was ready. As I went into the break room, I noticed there was only enough left in the pot for one more cup. I was feeling particularly smug, being one of only a few who would have the privilege of drinking this delicious brew, as I poured the coffee into my styrofoam cup. I gazed out the window at the beautiful morning, and as I looked back down at my cup, to my utter horror, the coffee was going into the cup and right through the bottom side, where there was a hole the size of a dime. I hurried and grabbed another cup to hold underneath my damaged one, but I was only able to save a little less than half.  I was so disappointed, but I repented as I cleaned up the break room counter, and I laughed all the way back to my desk. I very much enjoyed my three drinks of coffee and as the scriptures tell us, I know the Lord was laughing too.

There’s so many other areas that the Lord is helping me with, like perseverance, dealing with change, and especially giving me courage through Him, so I can share Him with others. We have to remember we are, sometimes, our own worst enemy. Don’t stop learning and growing; you will be a successful Christian, if you will just allow Him to walk with you.

American Revival

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139:23-24 (KJV)

The root meaning, of the word ‘confess‘ is “to say the same as.” So when we confess our sins to God, we are essentially agreeing with God about our sin. God is far from clueless about our sin, so we are just taking responsibility and letting God know that we realize we are doing something wrong.

In 1 John 1:9 of God’s word, we are told, “IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (NIV).

That’s a big IF. I don’t think it’s going ‘out on a limb’ to say that America is not very good at confessing sin. We Americans usually do everything we can to shirk responsibility. But now, more than any other time, it’s imperative that we are on our knees. We are in a position of needing God’s hand in our country, in our lives, in our leadership and in our future. If you agree that this country needs a revival and a turning of our faces to the Lord, it has to start with you.

Jesus said, “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” Matthew 7:3
(KJV)

The thing to remember is that we can pray for each other, but we cannot confess for each other. No other man or woman knows your heart, just as you do not know mine. We must all be responsible individually. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t do this together. We must make sure to name our sins to God. For example:

“Lord, I have not put You first in my life, I have neglected Your Word and Your sovereignty.”

We must not make excuses, God doesn’t care for the reason, He knows we are humans. Proverbs 28:13 says, “He [or she] who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (NIV).

Mercy sounds good, doesn’t it?

I propose that we write our sins down. Then, when we are finished, we can rip them up and throw it away as a tangible reminder that we have a  promise from God in Psalm 103:12: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Personal revival is where American Revival begins, so let’s get started on those things we may not give much thought to at the time they are
committed:

1. Matt. 6:12-15 Do you hold a grudge against anyone? Is there someone who you have not forgiven? Do you justify your bad attitude toward another because of their actions? Are you doing unto others BEFORE they do unto you?

2. Matt. 6:33 Are your decisions based on your own wisdom and desires, rather than God’s will? Does your ambition, your pleasure, your loved ones, your money or your plans interfere with your surrender and service to God?

3. Mark 16:15 Do you care that members of your family, some of your friends and those that you may not even know yet are going to hell? Do you even think about that when you are talking to them, do you ever witness to them with your mouth that Jesus loves them and wants them to accept Him as their Savior as you have done?

4. II Timothy 2:22 Are you engaging in activities that you know are unholy? Do you allow impure thoughts about the opposite sex to stay in your mind and do you read that which is impure and suggests unholy topics?

5. John 13:35 Are you happy about the bad fortune of another? Are you guilty of any instigation and contention? Do you argue and/or engage in heated discussions? Are you an active or inactive participant in division? Are you envious of another’s good fortune?

6. Philippians 2:14 Do you ever seek to hurt people? Do you gossip? Are you carrying prejudices against others because they are of some different group than yours, or because they do not see everything as you do?

7. Acts 20:35 Are you guilty of stealing from God? Any time we withhold our time, talents or money from God that is His due, we have failed to support His Kingdom work either by service, prayer or giving?

8. Ephesians 5:20 Have you neglected to thank God for all things? Have you been guilty of doubting His Word? Do you worry and is your spiritual mood based on feelings instead of the promise of God’s Word?

9. Colossians 3:9 Do you engage in unprofitable conversation? Lying, exaggeration, cheating or stealing?

10. I Corinthians 6:19, 20 Are you careless with your body? Do you fail to care for it as the temple of the Holy Spirit?

Don’t be discouraged and start beating yourself up. That’s not what this exercise is about. I am guilty of all the above, most of us are. The  point is to be aware of it, own up to it, confess it to God. He knew we were sinners way before He sent His Son to die for us.

Let’s get it all out there and start depending on God to forgive us and to lift us up to be better stewards for Him and lights in a very dark world. We can do this and we can then ask Him to turn our whole country back toward Him. God bless you and God bless America!

Kentucky 9/12

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More than any group I’ve ever belonged to, the Kentucky 9/12 exhibits sacrifice, courage, honor and passion. They are taking a stand. A stand with Israel, a stand for our country, a stand for our children, and a stand for our grandchildren.

On August 20th, a Saturday, we will be coming together at our state’s capitol at 2:08 p.m., to show our solidarity with the Nation of Israel. We’ve entitled it ‘Kentucky’s Restoring Courage‘ and it will be a peaceful stand of courage for Israel.

This event will be a sort of crescendo for me with this group. I’ve always been proud to be a part of this amazing group of people because of everything they stand for, but this event is truly the icing on the proverbial cake.

The Kentucky 9/12 group stands for 12 Values, those we all shared on 9/12 when Islamic jihad visited our country and brutally murdered more than 3,000 Americans: Honesty, Reverence, Hope, Thrift, Humility, Charity, Sincerity, Moderation, Hard Work, Courage, Personal Responsibility and Friendship.

The Kentucky 9/12 group and its members stand for 9 Principles: We know that America is a good place. God is the center of our lives. We try to be more honest today than we were yesterday, with ourselves and others. Our families are sacred and my spouse and I are the ultimate authority of our family. No one is above justice and if you break the law, you pay the price. We have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but there’s no guarantee of equal results. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with whom I choose. It isn’t un-American to share my opinion or to disagree with authority. The government is my employee, I don’t work for them. 

If you hold any of these principles or values near and dear, please join us on Saturday, August 20th, as we stand at our state’s capitol. Stand with us in solidarity with our friend, our ally, the Nation of Israel. They deserve the loyalty of our people even if our government wants to back away from them at this crucial time. God bless you, God bless Israel and God bless the United States of America!

Jeremiah’s Hope and Change

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It’s something America already knows about God, but it won’t touch her soul until she comes to the end of herself. She will discover that at the very bottom, God is there! The farther down we go, the more of God there is to be discovered. The best place to discover and recognize God is in the shadows of grief and despair.

When Jeremiah hit the dark bottom, he bumped into God! This is what Jeremiah learned:

“God is a God of compassion…his compassions for me cannot fail…they are new every morning…great is his faithfulness…” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Jeremiah realized that great truth can only be realized by those who are falling down.

1. We are at a very low point; when troubles flow over my heart like water, I say, “I am cut off,” but God draws near and whispers, “Do not fear!” (Lamentations 3:54-57).

2. When God seems to have “covered himself with a cloud, so that my prayers could not pass through,” he will still see our troubles and will “judge my case” (Lamentations 3:44, 59).

3. If the Lord allows grief and sorrow, he will at the same time uphold us with abundant compassion and love (Lamentations 3:32).

4. God is not against us, trying to crush us under his foot when we are down (Lamentations 3:34).

5. God is not trying to sabotage any of our plans; he is not causing confusion; he is not working against us (Lamentations 3:35-36).

6. Even in despair and bitterness, when it’s hard to face a new day, his compassion does not fail. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

7. Because God is always faithful, he will not cast us away. He will do right by us and save us (Lamentations 3:25-26).

8. Being down will leave us empty and humbled, so hopefully we will begin to depend on his mercies! (Lamentations 3:18, 20-22).

We are falling down America! We have enemies, and some are from within. Are you looking to God to save you and your family? He’s the only one with true hope and change that will save us. Join me on my knees for our country.

Hijra: 1,400 Years of Experience Behind Every Batch

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While mosques in American cities and towns are increasing, Islamic schools and Muslim organizations are multiplying. America is accommodating new demands: foot baths, public calls to prayer, segregated male/female gym and swimming pool hours, halal food, female head and face coverings and Shari’a-compliant financial transactions. Some are congratulating ourselves for our tolerance.

In reality, the demands we are meeting are the ingredients of a 1,400-year-old recipe in the Koran cookbook. The dish being served up is Hijra, the doctrine of immigration inspired by Mohammed’s migration from Mecca to Medina.

They are building their physical presence with public calls to prayer, schools, libraries and research centers. The Muslims are engaging in haram (forbidden actions) because it’s necessary to establish their community. The Koran has rules against friendship with infidels, but these can be deferred while they work toward their objectives. Establishing the mosque as the center of local Islamic life is mistakenly viewed by non-Muslims the same way as Christians building a church. They do not place a billboard in front of the construction stating, “Mosque coming soon! We are building a non-integrated Muslim identity so we can advance our goals of cultural, political, and spiritual Islamization of your country!”

The fight for special status and Shari’a will continue to grow with the Muslim population. They will pretend their demands are just an attempt to humor the more devout members of their community. Any actions to suppress them will be labeled religious discrimination and the complainers will be called islamophobes. Representatives of Muslim communities are cooperating with our government to bring about change. Their goal is to get us accustomed to their buildings, their customs, their holidays, their dress and their food.

In our colleges and universities, students are indoctrinated to become Islamic advocates. They are encouraged to participate in interfaith activities, proselytization and jihad training. Non-Muslim professors are solicited through zakat, a word meaning charity. It’s actually more like bribery. Money is exchanged for courses favorable to Islam and for professors to write and speak publicly, promoting Islam. Saudi Prince Al-waleed bin Talal gave $20 million dollars for Islamic study centers at Harvard and Georgetown universities. This payment was exchanged for a guarantee on the positive research, publications and presentation of Islam.

Muslims are gaining power and mass through taquiya. This is a practice where they conceal their beliefs when under threat or compulsion. They can legally deny their faith and commit illegal and blasphemous acts when they are at risk. Meanwhile, they silence their opponents and obtain favorable reputations. The sly use of zakat elicits favorable views from politicians, the media and other organizations. The results are significant. Just within the last couple of years, the words, “jihad”, “Islamofascism” and “Islamic terrorism” have been expunged from the lexicon of government officials and the media.

As Islamization of our country proceeds, preparations begin for learning the skills necessary for jihad. Young jihadists travel to their countries of origin for further indoctrination and terrorist training. Pressure has begun on politicians to permit Shari’a law courts in exchange for Muslim votes. As the Hijra advances, you will begin to see areas where non-Muslims are prohibited or physically threatened if they enter. Muslim movement will not be restricted, they will continue to venture freely anywhere in our country.

The Hijra is a political strategy to undermine our culture and values, and replace them with Islam and Shari’a. It is a cancer that is, and will continue to transform our culture, behaviors, customs, rules and laws into an Islamic state. Are you checking out the enemy within, or are you just checking out?