Happy Independence Day...

Quotes from our Founding Fathers:

"A constitution founded on these principles introduces knowledge among the people, and inspires them with a conscious dignity becoming freemen; a general emulation takes place, which causes good humor, sociability, good manners, and good morals to be general. That elevation of sentiment inspired by such a government, makes the common people brave and enterprising. That ambition which is inspired by it makes them sober, industrious, and frugal. " --John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776



"A free people [claim] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate." --Thomas Jefferson, Rights of British America, 1774



"A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives." --James Madison, letter to W.T. Barry, August 4, 1822



"A nation under a well regulated government, should permit none to remain uninstructed. It is monarchical and aristocratical government only that requires ignorance for its support." --Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1792



"All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth-that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?" --Benjamin Franklin, To Colleagues at the Constitutional Convention



"A feeble executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phrase for a bad execution; and a government ill executed, whatever may be its theory, must be, in practice, a bad government." --Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 70, 1788

http://www.marksquotes.com/Founding-Fathers

Abortion is a Holy Work Says Anglican Priest

From The Berean Call

Abortion is a blessing and abortionists are doing holy work, says Anglican priest [Excerpts]

The new Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massacusetts, has given a sermon describing abortions as a "blessing" for the women who undergo them. The Rev Katherine Hancock Ragsdale also thinks that the people who run abortion clinics are "heroes" and even "saints".

Ms Ragsdale, speaking in Birmingham, Alabama, said that "when a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear a child; and has access to a safe, affordable abortion - there is not a tragedy in sight - only blessing."

Do not, please, make the mistake of assuming that she is an unrepresentative extremist: liberal Anglicans in America are among the most fervent supporters of abortion in the world, outstripping even atheists in their enthusiasm for this gruesome procedure.

[Dean Ragsdale finished her sermon with the following exhortation]: These are the two things I want you, please, to remember - abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Let me hear you say it: abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done.

I want to thank all of you who protect this blessing - who do this work every day: the health care providers, doctors, nurses, technicians, receptionists, who put your lives on the line to care for others (you are heroes -- in my eyes, you are saints); the escorts and the activists; the lobbyists and the clinic defenders; all of you. You're engaged in holy work.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/damian_thompson/blog/2009/04/02/abortion_is_a_blessing_and_abortionists_are_doing_holy_work_says_anglican_priest


(Damian Thompson, Telegraph.co.uk, Society/Religion, April 2, 2009).

[TBC: "Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen." (Deuteronomy 27:25).]

(Anyone else disgusted? -K)

The Miracle of Life

"For You formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made..."

~Psalm 139:13 & 14

St. Petersburg, FL Tax Day Tea Party

About 150 people gathered at the corner of 66th St. and 18th Ave. N in St. Petersburg to let everyone know they've been "Taxed Enough Already".

It's very saddening to me that the media has been so distorting and twisting what these events are all about. They use terms like "angry protesters," which was not the case at all. Everyone there was smiling and waving and just wanting to be heard.

Contrast that to the truly angry and vicious mob that protested Proposition 8 in California a few months ago. Yet the right-wing conservatives are considered to be the "dangerous" ones. Right...

Questions

Is it possible to long for a home you've never seen?
Is it possible to love someone from a dream?

Can you reach for the sky and find your soul?
Can you discover a place that makes you whole?

Is there inspiration in a flash of light?
Is there hope and forgiveness in the gloom of night?

Can Someone sacrifice that you may live?
Can Someone show us what it means to give?

Is there truth in the midst of lies?
Is there comfort for tear-filled eyes?

Can a sinner become clean and pure?
Can a dying man find a cure?

Is there justice for the guilty?
Is there escape from the penalty?

Can the Son of God become a man?
Can the Healer take a nail in His hand?

Is it possible you're here for a reason?
Is it possible this life is just a season?

Can you hear Him knocking, calling your name?
Can you see He's already taken your blame?

(Written April 2006)

Infinite Universe

 

Atheist Central: Ray Comfort's Blog

"I would like to hear your quantitative answers as to how big the universe is, what light is, and what life is. Since God has revealed all of these answers to you in the Bible, I’m sure that these answers will be answered with 100% precision, and will be reflected in current observations." Mudley

I have no faith in "current" observations. Every generation thinks that they are current--that they are "modern." In 20 years time they will laugh at current clothes and hair styles. In 100 years what science believes today will be a joke, and they will no doubt believe that their current knowledge is cool. Man’s quantitative knowledge is a tiny drop in the ocean of what actually is absolute truth.

To use the word "big" in describing the universe shows the smallness of our minds. If an elephant is big, what word describes the universe? The best one I can currently come up with is the "infinitude" of the universe. There's not a wall around the edge of space. Traveling at the speed of light, you would go on forever, no matter what direction in which you travel. But one thing I do know, God fills the universe. That's a big brain-strain.

He is also the source of light and the source of life. Around 800 years BC, the Psalmist maintained this: "For with you is the fountain of life: in your light shall we see light" (Psalm 36:9). In speaking of the Messiah, John said the same thing: "In him was life; and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4). Jesus said the same thing of Himself: "Then spoke Jesus again to them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Then the Apostle Paul confirms this with his: "But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death, and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:10). There you are. That's 100% precision, straight from the ever-current Bible.

SPECIAL NOTE TO MY ATHEIST (FRIENDS): It's been 2009 years since Jesus of Nazareth walked on this earth. May this be the year you come to know Him. In the meanwhile, may God continue to bless you and keep you and your family in health.