On another note: If government has the power to take one penny of yours, they have the power to take it all.

I tend to go with the theological answer, but I would use scripture to describe it: They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42).

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching: Word rightly preached.
They devoted themselves to the fellowship: Loving each other.
They devoted themselves to the breaking of bread: Communion (Sacraments).
They devoted themselves to prayer: Lifting each other up and worship.

Church is not defined by a building, but by people. It’s not a Sunday morning event, but a lifestyle. If more ‘churches’ would recognize this, then maybe more non-Christians would be drawn to Christ.

[W]hoever desires liberty, should understand these vital facts, viz.: 1. That every man who puts money into the hands of a “government” (so called) puts into its hands a sword which will be used against himself, to extort more money from him, and also to keep him in subjection to its arbitrary will. 2. That those who will take his money, without his consent, in the first place, will use it for his further robbery and enslavement, if he presumes to resist their demands in the future. 3. That it is a perfect absurdity to suppose that any body of men would ever take a man’s money without his consent, for any such object as they profess to take it for, viz., that of protecting him; for why should they wish to protect him, if he does not wish them to do so?… 4. If a man wants “protection,” he is competent to make his own bargains for it; and nobody has any occasion to rob him, in order to “protect” him against his will. 5. That the only security men can have for their political liberty, consists in their keeping their money in their own pockets, until they have assurances, perfectly satisfactory to themselves, that it will be used as they wish it to be used, for their benefit, and not for their injury. 6. That no government, so called, can reasonably be trusted for a moment, or reasonably be supposed to have honest purposes in view, any longer than it depends wholly upon voluntary support.

–Lysander Spooner,
No Treason: the Constitution of No Authority

“Worst Economy Since Great Depression“

The Lie of Global Warming

Media Fear Mongering

Health care Crisis

And the list goes on: Smoking and other safety concerns, salt, ad infinitum.

So where is the outrage? I’ve listened to Obama: The only hope is government. While I am not a Bush Apologist, people exploded when he ran the bank bail out down our throats, so where is the disgust with the near trillion dollar spending bill Obama trying to get passed before anyone has a chance to see what it actual entails?

One of the great quotes from the move was, “People should not fear the Government. The Government should fear the people.” I expect the entity of government to steal from us (tax), oppress us in the name of protecting us, and try to control us in every way. That’s the nature of government. But people need to stop empowering the government to do so, and stop expecting the government to take care of us. With Godly wisdom and a strong community behind you, don’t sell yourselves into the slavery that the State offers.

Tonight I was feeling some stress from the added responsibilities of church leadership, feeling a bit loaded down, when ‘out of the blue’, he called. While the reason he called was innocent enough, the timing was impeccable. With a listening ear and ready encouragement, my spirits where lifted.

Thanks John and Marjorie for being there over the last few years. Your friendship means more than I can express. Or have expressed.

One thing to remember: Whenever a politician says, “Sacrifice”, prepare for higher taxes.

1: $500 to Discover, or buy groceries without putting them on the Credit Card?
2: Car payment or House payment? (Does that car have a shower?)
3: MasterCard charges 30% interest. Is it immoral for you to quit paying that card to feed and house your family?
4: Does your self worth come from your credit rating or from your relationship with God?

What it boils down to is priorities. When the crap hits the fan, remember what the real priorities of life are. My credit rating and card balances aren’t as important as caring for the family.

This can only work out one way: As the economy continues to collapse, people will subsidize their unemployment with credit. Gas and groceries, nothing tangible. People get deeper into debt to banks, and then government taxes the people heavier to pay off it’s debt. Eventually, this system will fail, because the people in the middle will have nothing, the government will keep going after bigger and bigger fish (businesses and the rich), until there is nothing left but the government and the banks.

Get out while you can.