I’ve been struggling with a skin condition for several years now. I believe it is the result of sin that I committed as a Christian. I am forgiven, and God will not view it any more. However, there are physical consequences to our actions. My wife and I pray constantly for the affliction to be taken away, but I am prepared for the humbling from the LORD.

    The first dermatologist I went to gave a rather cursory examination of the affected area and pronounced with doctorly confidence, “It’s hand eczema.” It still presents that way but has morphed into something else. The last skin dr. believes it to be psoriasis. Now, bear in mind. In between these doctor visits, a couple of years, has been a daily regimen of creams, lotions, ointments, etc., etc. We have finally found a combination of things that do help, these being, Luxiva, an expensive Merle Norman product, Jergens Shea butter lotion, tea tree oil, and ice packs. Perfumes, multiple chemicals, dyes, all contribute to the irritation of the skin and these items seem to have the fewest irritants. Even now as I write I have an Ice pack draped over my foot, cooling the incessant itch.

    At my primary care Dr.’s the other day, she mentioned that as I had been diagnosed with psoriasis, that, possibly, I have what is called psoriatic arthritis, as I do have arthritic pain in my hands, feet, hips, and possibly my neck. I’ll go to the arthritis specialist later this month and be checked out. My Dr. thought that some autoimmune suppressant drugs might be called for to help. I don’t know. I’ll just have to wait and see. Until then My wife and I will keep praying to the LORD, as He is the first line of defense for Christians, and our sovreign LORD.

I’ve been having fun doing the “This Weeks Bible Verse” page. That’s why I’ve been a tad lax with adding new posts. I’ve also been gearing up for my coming campaign for City Council. Trying to list the things I stand for and believe in is a daunting task. Boiling things down to just a few bullet points is the hard part. I want people to know everything but that’s just too much information to digest. I’ve been trying to pick a few key items for a flyer. I’m basically fiscal and social conservative. Refine and reduce spending, taxes, dependence on state and federal monies, refine, reduce, eliminate “entitlement” programs, take a VERY close look at education and the problems inherent with the school systems. Basically, putting control back into the hands of the people and local communities, or, as Mark Levin puts it, going back to a “Civil Society”. One belief of mine is that a Constitutional Nation begins at home, in the home. And no, it’s not going to be “the easy way out”, It will be difficult. But a people that abrogates its responsibilities is a people under subjugation. Resecuring freedom will be a painful process. It will take a very long time. Patience and endurance needs be the watchword. Action and involvement needs be the path. Strength and courage needs be the force. And finally, do not be afraid. Stand in the knowledge of truth and right.

But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

            This verse, number 16, sits towards the end of chapter16 of Genesis. Abram had questioned God about an heir and God “brought him forth abroad and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.” God further states that He would give that land for an inheritance. Abram asks for a proof of the promises and God directs Abram to make a sacrifice. God puts Abram into a deep sleep and gives him a vision.

            13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

            How often do we, in times of trouble or stress, think that the “bad” things that happen to us are our fault? We think that we’ve done something terribly wrong to “deserve” the “punishment” we’re going through. The above verse illustrates how oftimes it’s nothing we’ve done, but are “suffering the consequences of other people’s wrongdoing.

            I’m sure it was not a pleasant thing for the Israelites to go through, four hundred years of slavery. But look what they received for it. They were fed, clothed, allowed to become a nation millions strong, protected from wars, learned trades. They learned how to live in cities instead of being nomads. They did lack freedom. But when freedom came they attained even greater glory. They got a very present God, a country, a temple, and a way of life unequaled in history.

            Hard things have a way of taking us unawares. That’s one of the reasons they are hard. The Christian has to know that God will deliver from hard times. Stay prayed up, stay read up, and keep your chin up. God has a plan and sometimes waits until the iniquity of the Amorites is full.

This is NOT original with me – I wish it was. If I knew who to give credit to, I would.

    Lawrence Livermore Laboratories has discovered the heaviest element yet known to science.  The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

    These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

    Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact.  A tiny amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second, to take from four days to four years to complete.

    Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2-6 years.  It does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places.  In fact, Governmentium’s mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.  This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass.

    When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

Freedom, Liberty, and Independence. These are words captivating to the mind and soul. These are ideals to which men and Mankind have striven since Adam’s fall. God’s word, the bible, is rife with freedom, with the yearning of His people for a more perfect redemption than fallen man offers. Yet in this created world there stands a watch fire to Freedom, a license to Liberty, and the very incentive to Independence.

            Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, God caused men to execute an instrument of exemption from Tyranny, the “Declaration of Independence.”   

 “Freedom” implies a liberation

“Liberty” implies an ability – is the fruit of freedom

“Independence” implies self-governance – responsibility

 A question, How much of a slave are you willing to be? Another, How much slavery is too much? What then is slavery? It is when your labor and the fruits thereof no longer belong to yourself, but are taken from you by another. When you are free your labor and the fruits thereof benefit YOU and those whom YOU choose to benefit.

 Freedom begins when one says, “I will no longer pay for your failure.”

Liberty begins when one says, “You will no longer pay for my failure.”

Independence begins when one no longer thinks in terms of “payment”, but does think in terms of accountability.

 Refusing the labels of the oppressor, “bigot! racist!”, saying no to the tyranny of limiting words, “un-American!, Mob!”, is the mark of the freeman. Look the name-caller in the eye and say, “No”. To argue with him is to validate his bluff and lend credence to what he says. Refuse the label.