This Was in a Tampa, Florida, Newspaper

This was sent to me by a friend who reads the Tampa Tribune everyday, and I wanted to share it with you:

Will we still be the Country of choice and still be America if we continue to make the changes forced on us by the people from other countries that came to live in America because it is the Country of Choice??????

Think about it!

All we have to say is, when will they do something about MY RIGHTS?

I celebrate Christmas...........but because it isn't celebrated by everyone.............we can no longer say Merry Christmas. Now it has to be Season's Greetings.

It's not Christmas vacation, it's Winter Break. Isn't it amazing how this winter break ALWAYS occurs over the Christmas holiday?

We've gone so far the other way, bent over backwards to not offend anyone, that I am now being offended. But it seems that no one has a problem with that. This says it all!

This is an editorial written by an American citizen, published in a Tampa newspaper. He did quite a job; didn't he? Read on, please!

IMMIGRANTS, NOT AMERICANS, MUST ADAPT.
I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Americans. However...... the dust from the attacks had barely settled when the "politically correct! " crowd began complaining about the possibility that our patriotism was offending others.

I am not against immigration, nor do I hold a grudge against anyone who is seeking a better life by coming to America. Our population is almost entirely made up of descendants of immigrants. However, there are a few things that those who have recently come to our country, and apparently some born here, need to understand.

This idea of America being a multicultural community has served only to dilute our sovereignty and our national identity. As Americans...... we have our own culture, our own society, our own language and our own lifestyle. This culture has been developed over centuries of struggles, trials, and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom.

We speak ENGLISH, not Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!

"In God We Trust" is our national motto. This is not some Christian, right wing, political slogan. We adopted this motto because Christian men and women......on Christian principles............. founded this nation..... and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home.........because God is part of our culture.

If Stars and Stripes offend you, or you don't like Uncle Sam, then you should seriously consider a move to another part of this planet. We are happy with our culture and have no desire to change, and we really don't care how you did things where you came from. This is OUR COUNTRY, our land, and our lifestyle. Our First Amendment gives every citizen the right to express his opinion and we will allow you every opportunity to do so! But once you are done complaining....... whining...... and griping....... about our flag....... our pledge...... our national motto........or our way of life....I highly encourage you take advantage of one other Great American Freedom....... THE RIGHT TO LEAVE.


It is Time for America to Speak up!

Faith for the Walk

2 Kings 4: 8-37. Verses 23, and 26 when asked if everything was alright, this mother knowing her son was dead, said; “It is well!” Twice, she said, “It is well!”

Mark 11: 22- 24 tells us what God will do, when we have faith in God.

Hebrews 11: 6 But without faith, it is impossible to please him:

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith.” Do we have “now faith”? Or do we have, “well I’ll pray about it and just wait to see what happens”?

With “now faith,” we pray and believe it’s going to happen.

Do we as women of God have that type of faith?

Mark 10: 46-52 verse 46 says Bartimeus was a blind beggar.

In those days, in order to “beg” you had to have a “license” to beg, and your license was a “beggar’s cloak”. So when you were seen, with this form of license, everyone knew you were a beggar.

One day as he was sitting begging by the wayside, he heard loud noises, then he heard it was Jesus. Bartimeus began crying out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” The people around Bartimeus told him to quiet down, but he cried all the louder; “JESUS, SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME.”

Then Jesus stopped, and called for this beggar, and--here is the key to his healing--Bartimeus threw away his cloak, his “license to beg.” Bartimeus knew he was going to be healed. He knew Jesus would heal his eyes and he would be able to see.

In this everyday life, we have to have all sorts of license:

• A drivers license to drive
• A marriage license to marry
• A fishing license to fish
• A hunting license to hunt
• A building license to build or add on to your home

In biblical days, a beggar had to have a license to beg, and, since Bartimeus was blind, his “license” was a special “beggar’s cloak.”

Need caused him to put on the beggar’s cloak, but Faith caused him to throw it down.
In this chapter, I like verse 49. It says Jesus,”stopped and stood still.” Jesus heard one of HIS children crying out and just stopped what HE was doing and stood still.

The angels in heaven are always singing praises to the Most High God. They are constantly singing, "Hallelujah, Hosanna to The King." But do we know that when we cry out to God, Jesus stops what HE is doing to hear us? “LISTEN!” He says to the angels. “Listen,” Jesus says to God, The Father. “LISTEN. ONE OF YOUR CHILDREN NEEDS YOU!”

Do we have “faith for the walk”? Do we have faith to know that God hears our every prayer, even those prayers that we think just bounced right back at us.

Genesis Chapters 12 & 22: Abraham had faith in God and it was accounted unto for righteousness. Abraham believed and trusted God when God called him to leave his home country and go to a land, “I WILL SHOW YOU.” God told Abraham HE would make him a father of many nations. Abraham believed God to the point that he was willing to sacrifice his only son Isaac, believing if Isaac were dead, God would raise him back alive again to fulfill HIS promise. That’s faith.

Genesis 42 tells of the story of Jacob. God told Jacob his sons would be and were the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob’s ten oldest sons were extremely jealous of Joseph, the eleventh son. They were jealous to the point the older brothers threw Joseph in a pit, sold him as a slave, then took the coat of many colors his father had made him, killed a goat, smeared it with the goat’s blood, then told Jacob a wild animal killed Joseph and the coat was the only thing left of Joseph they found.

Jacob mourned over his son Joseph. Jacob forgot the promise God made him, saying his twelve sons, not eleven, but twelve sons would be the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jacob believed a lie straight from the devil himself.

How many times do we listen to and believe the lies of the devil? How many times have we had our own little “pity-party”?

“Oh me, oh my, I’m sick and no one cares!”

This is one my granddaughter is famous for: “No one loves me or cares about me!”

Or what about this one? “No one understands what I’m going through!”

Or, “Why should I pray, God never hears my prayers, they just go to the ceiling and bounce right back!” What's the use?

Give me a break!!!!!

Romans 2:11 says; With God, there is no respecter of persons.

What HE does for me, HE will do for you. What He did back in the biblical days, is exactly what HE will do today...IF we have faith and we only have to have faith the size of a mustard seed.

Matthew 13: 31-32 says the mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, the greatest among herbs, yet grows into a mighty tree. Then Matthew 17:20 goes on to say, if we have faith as a grain of mustard seed, we can pray and nothing shall be impossible to us.

Hebrews 13:9 says: Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever.

God never changes; we are ones who change.

2 Peter 1:5- 10: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith,

(Did you get that? in verse 5, it says to ADD to your faith)

When you have salvation, you already have a certain amount of faith, because it is by faith that we are saved and not on our own lest any person boast.

Ephesians 2: 8, 9. We already have faith, it’s just up to us what we do with it. Thru Faith in God we live and move and have our being. Begin building your faith by trusting God today for all YOUR needs. God loves you and cares about you!

Laus Deo

I thought that you and others may like to read this.

One detail that is not mentioned, in DC, is that there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.

With all the uproar about removing the Ten Commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, C, are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. But these words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, un-noticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public.

It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo ................"Praise be to God!"

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross Imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north.

The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.

A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.

Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.

• On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore
• on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians
• on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6.

Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy .."One Nation, Under God."

I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it? Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!

"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United states at large.

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Laus Deo!

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look.

You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", its location, or the architects; but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)

It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never know of or see this because someone failed to send it on.

Merry CHRISTmas!

A Great Story

THE SEARCH FOR AN HONEST MAN

I love this story which reportedly came from Sports Illustrated (I do not know which issue):

The game was played in Wellington, Florida. In it, a seven-year-old first baseman, Tanner Munsey, fielded a ground ball and tried to tag a runner going from first to second base.

The umpire, Laura Benson, called the runner out, but young Tanner immediately ran to her side and said, "Ma'am, I didn't tag the runner."

Umpire Benson reversed herself, sent the runner to second base, and Tanner's coach gave him the game ball for his honesty.

Two weeks later, Laura Benson was again the umpire and Tanner was playing shortstop when a similar play occurred. This time Benson ruled that Tanner had missed the tag on a runner going to third base, and she called the runner safe. Tanner looked at Benson and without saying a word, tossed the ball to the catcher and returned to his position.

Benson sensed something was wrong. "Did you tag the runner?" She asked Tanner. His reply: "Yes."

Benson then called the runner out. The opposing coaches protested until she explained what had happened two weeks earlier. "If a kid is that honest," she said, "I have to give it to him."

It may be that no Christian characteristic has suffered more in our society than honesty. It's lacking in the workplace, it's lacking in many of our marriages, it's lacking in our government, and sometimes it's even lacking in our churches. Like Diogenes of ancient Greece, we sometimes feel the urge to take our lantern and begin our search for an honest man.

There is something about Christians that should stand out like a neon sign on a dark night. Jesus wants his people to be known as a people of truth. We should establish a reputation, like Tanner, for speaking the truth even when it would benefit us to do otherwise. Then, and only then, will those around us trust what we say without hesitation, without wondering whether we really mean what we say or not.

"Therefore, putting away lying, each one speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25)

Simple Prayer

My granddaughter Tara recently gave me an illustrated book of "The Prayer of Jabez", in which his simple prayer was, "Lord, bless me indeed, enlarge my territory, be with me and keep me from evil so I cause no one pain or grief."

Wow, what an awesome prayer and yet so simple.

I have prayed this simple yet strong prayer many times since. My mother taught me as a child to be very careful of the words you speak, because once out of your mouth, you can never take them back. You can ask forgivness, but you can never take them back. Sometimes the pain they cause may take years to overcome and even though forgiven...your words are never forgotten.

I have always tried to remember this and do my best to not say things that may hurt others.

This morning, I read Jeremiah 29: 7, "Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be living and pray to the Lord for the peace of the city: for in praying for the peace of your city, you will have peace."

Wow! what a wonderful thought. So I'm thinking, if I pray for my territory to be enlarged as Jabez prayed and for peace, I can pray for my state to have peace, for my country to have peace. For North America to have peace. For the entire Universe to have peace, and if we all prayed the same prayer...we could see awesome things happen, not only in our cities and states, but in the entire world.

So come on people...let pray so we can see these terrible things that are happening, not only in this country and others, but throughout the world be turned around and work to our good and the good of planet earth and it's inhabitants...us, the people.

It only takes one person to get the ball rolling...let that one person be YOU!

GOD BLESS YOU.

Some Thoughts on Fasting

Here is some things I wrote down in the past that was preached upon that we all need to be reminded of now and then.

My son is going through such difficulties right now. I pray and pray, and I know he does every night, but sometimes it seems our prayers just hit the ceiling and bounce back...then I am reminded that God hears ALL our prayers and is faithful to answer on HIS time schedule, not ours...it is then I know I must hang on with all my strength, help IS on the way.

Just as Daniel after he had been praying was told by the angel, Michael, "Fear not Daniel: for the first day you prayed, God heard your prayer" (not ver batum). God hears our prayers...He always does...it is when WE START TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS ON OUR OWN....OR WE LISTEN TO WHAT THE DEVIL WHISPERS IN OUR EARS, that limits God. He wants to help us, but we ourselves tie the hands of God and then limit what HE wants to do. Boy...am I ever preaching to myself too. Read on....

Exhortation to Prayer

I Timothy 2:1-6:

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings, and for all in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of our God and Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

In order to know how to prayer, we need to have knowledge to understand what each of these areas of prayer are and what they mean.

Supplications: Precise requests for specific needs. We all have specific needs and there are times when each specific need should be spoken out to God in prayer.

Prayers: General words embracing various kinds of prayer, ie; Confession, adoration, and so on. We are to confess to God our knowledge of who He is;

‘Our Heavenly Father’, ‘Maker of the universe’, ‘Ruler of all nations’, ‘Savior of our soul’. Then go on to praise Him for who He is.

Intercessions: Prayers to God on behalf of others. We should always be praying for other people. Those in our family, our friends, our neighbors, those who we meet while out in public, those who request our prayers, and those who do not through ignorance of not knowing God as we do.

Giving of thanks: Refers to our prayers of praise to our Heavenly Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise for all He has done, for all He is doing , and all He is about to do. Praise for sending His Son, for sending a comforter, the Holy Ghost, and praise for His unending and unconditional love for you and me.

Nelson’s King James Study Bible gives us three reasons why prayers are to be prayed "for all men":

1) So Christians may enjoy a tranquil (calm and peaceful) life. (verse 2).

2) This type of prayers are good and acceptable to God. (verse 3).

3) These prayers help bring about the salvation of men. (verse 4).

Another area I for one fall short on:

Fasting:

New King James Version

Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting

¹⁶ "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ¹⁷ But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Teaching about Prayer and Fasting

⁵ "And now about prayer. When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I assure you, that is all the reward they will ever get.

⁶ But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.

⁷ "When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again. ⁸ Don’t be like them, because your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

⁹ Pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,

may your name be honored.

¹⁰ May your Kingdom come soon.

May your will be done here on earth,

just as it is in heaven.

¹¹ Give us our food for today,

¹² and forgive us our sins,

just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.

¹³ And don’t let us yield to temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.

¹⁴ "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

¹⁶ "And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get. ¹⁷ But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. ¹⁸ Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.

May your Kingdom come soon.

Fasting that Pleases God

58 "Cry aloud, spare not;

Lift up your voice like a trumpet;

Tell My people their transgression,

And the house of Jacob their sins.

² Yet they seek Me daily,

And delight to know My ways,

As a nation that did righteousness,

And did not forsake the ordinance of their God.

They ask of Me the ordinances of justice;

They take delight in approaching God.

³ ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You 4

have not seen?

Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’

"In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure,

And exploit all your laborers.

⁴ Indeed you fast for strife and debate,

And to strike with the fist of wickedness.

You will not fast as you do this day,

To make your voice heard on high.

⁵ Is it a fast that I have chosen,

A day for a man to afflict his soul?

Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush,

And to spread out sackcloth and ashes?

Would you call this a fast,

And an acceptable day to the Lord?

⁶ "Is this not the fast that I have chosen:

To loose the bonds of wickedness,

To undo the heavy burdens,

To let the oppressed go free,

And that you break every yoke?

⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,

And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;

When you see the naked, that you cover him,

And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the morning,

Your healing shall spring forth speedily,

And your righteousness shall go before you;

The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

⁹ Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;

You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’

"If you take away the yoke from your midst,

The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

¹⁰ If you extend your soul to the hungry

And satisfy the afflicted soul,

Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,

And your darkness shall be as the noonday.

¹¹ The Lord will guide you continually,

And satisfy your soul in drought,

And strengthen your bones;

You shall be like a watered garden,

And like a spring of water, whose waters do

not fail.

¹² Those from among you

Shall build the old waste places;

You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;

And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,

The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In.

¹³ "If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,

From doing your pleasure on My holy day,

And call the Sabbath a delight,

The holy day of the Lord honorable,

And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,

Nor finding your own pleasure,

Nor speaking your own words,

¹⁴ Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord;

And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,

And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.

The mouth of the Lord has spoken."

Now that we know what to do...let's ask God to forgive us for the times we forgot to pray and fast and begin today a new chapter in our lives. Remember, after we have done ALL we know to do, the bible says to "stand". I'm standing!

Have a Jesus filled day.

I love you.