Airport Safety in the Show-Me State

I'm sure everyone feels safer, now . . .

http://www.king5.com/news/local/TSA-agent-confiscates-sock-monkeys-toy-pistol-234986321.html?fb_action_ids=10202947484312027&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B520963057999753%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.recommends%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D

Considering

Is the "Mind of Messiah" surrendered "mental strength?"

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/13-things-mentally-strong-people-dont.html

The Danger of Being Armed

As times become more troubling, I hear of many speaking of guns and ammo, and these are the ones preparing to be ready . . . according to their interpretation of Scripture.  I've spoken about the amendments and I'm all for them, including the 2nd, but gun owning is not my personal goal.  I've given something a great deal of thought as I have been led to put myself and this place "out there" in ministry and business.  What would I do, as times intensified?  I think I've made peace with my current thoughts on the matter, but truth be told, I don't think any of us truly know, if we're alive at the time, how we'll handle the possible anarchy of the end of days.

Since I do not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture and I'm just now 55, at the rate of the momentum, it's possible that I will still be alive for the Second Coming, or at least the great tribulation that will precede it.  So, I am preparing and I've considered what I'd do about arming myself.  Now, since I'm publishing this, keep in mind it's not in stone, my mind could change as the momentum mounts.

When someone asked if I was worried about being killed for my food supply, I half jokingly replied with, "No, if they kill me, they'll have to do their own gardening and canning!"  People wiling to kill for food may not be thinking that far down the road, when and if the time comes . . . I truly can't imagine killing someone over food or even in self-defense for that matter.

A gun in my hand with any moment of hesitation would probably only result in my own injury or demise.  I think there is only one situation in which I could look someone in the eyes and still think to kill.  That would be to protect a child.  Considering the calculation in which I can write this, I'm not sure I'd even need a weapon!   With the number of people speaking of arming themselves for the end of days, I think of Messiah's words to Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Just in case this passage could be translated to include any weapon, I do feel planning to be armed is no guarantee of protection, but an invitation to my own demise.

Then said Y'hshuwah unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.  Matthew 26:52

Desperate Times

I received something in the mail this week that I find particularly disturbing.  By the outside, I could easily determine this company was obviously providing a self-cover just in case it was somehow activated by someone other than the recipient.

 Upon opening it, I was even more displeased.  In a horrible and panicked economy, does this seem like a good idea in any way shape or form?  What if I was grasping at straws?  Our economic debt system turned vehicles and real estate into "pawn shop" items and now here's an invitation for me to pawn a new business.  The wording was impeccable and the offer may have been inviting to some.  I am a cash operation, but that doesn't mean I think everyone has to be.  Those are my beliefs and I have to live by my convictions, if I want any sleep at night!



















I do know, borrowing enslaves a person, a family, or a business.  Proverbs 22:7
I don't know if you'll be able to see the body of the letter, but it clearly states that no collateral is needed, just a business bank account.

The next disturbing feature was the fact my name was already connected to a webpage and the only thing I needed to hit enter was to add my phone number and my e-mail.  The rest was already filled in.  Now, think for just a moment.  A person who is already in business and this letter acknowledged that fact, is obviously already doing everything they can to make their contact information known.  So, basically everyone who has one of my cards, ever placed an order, or even visited my website could have all the information that was lacking.  I didn't go any further into the site because to click enter I had to agree to other things, but suffice it to say.  Anyone could have gained access to the next page, just with general business information.

I'm not accusing any person pre-emptively, just the businesses, cashcall and Experian.  What if this mail had ended up in the hands of someone who could be tempted by the offer?  What if I was a young entrepreneur who believed debt was a good way to start?  With panic in the air, and headlines that showed people filling carts in an electronic glitch, how dare these companies tempt people using private names and information!

Ammo and Manna

Something has been weighing heavily on my mind as of late.  I've addressed some strange discrepancies, not just in our government's fiscal irresponsibility, but in the spending, need, and outlook of some of America's citizens as well.  I hate saying this, as I pretty much go into the category of religious nut, but some religious folks are making me just a little nervous.

I'm hearing a lot about "preparing."  So much so, the term "prepper" is now a recognizable term and it's a far cry from "preppy."  Many of the "preppers" are also associated with what mainstream refers to as, "fringe element."  I guess to a point, I would be referred to in that manner.  Actually, I've been referred to in horrible manners over my religious beliefs accompanying my lifestyle of simplicity, and I'm not stockpiling ammo, but many "preppers" are.  Preppers are also tending to head toward rural areas and high country.  It's the suburban religious folk that are speaking something I simply do not understand.

Many suburbanites are remaining in their definition of mainstream, planning to have the "heads up" to get out before it gets too bad.  It is my understanding that their preparedness plans include continuing in the lifestyle in which they have become accustomed until the trouble begins.  They have a few extra canned goods and some weapons.  This idea that religious folks are claiming to have heard G-d tell them to get guns and ammo, while they make reference to G-d providing manna is alarming.  When anarchy reigns, armed hungry people may discover they are not the only ones who feel they should be entitled to what they find!

Here is a simple truth.  The prosperity people heard the Word, but ran the wrong way with it.  YHWH Yireh a.k.a. Jehovah Jireh is the Provider for those who seek Him, but it never was about money.  It was through that time of abundance, that the greed and squandering became outrageous.  Even ancient idolatrous Egypt handled abundance with much more wisdom than America did, and now the days of abundance are over.  America spent the years of growth, digging a hole of debt, and now the only thing in abundance is debt and the attitude of entitlement . . .

For those with ears to hear, if our Creator can provide, He can also protect.  How do you really think plenty of ammunition with no sustainable food supply will turn out?

How Did This Fly?

With so many military concerns in the news this week, the decision was made to make sure we get a greater understanding of the changes being made.  Our military is really changing and challenging what has been accepted as status quo for years.  Here's a couple of changes in the Air Force.

The following article dated November of 2011, was entitled as follows, featured the image and began the article by giving the cost to build this structure.

Pagan stone circle built at US Air Force training academy
The US military has built a stone circle in its Air Force academy to give pagans, druids and witches somewhere to practice their religion.

>>The Colorado base has spent around £50,000 building the Stonehenge-like structure to allow witches to cast spells, and pagans to form "circles of power" by night.<<

Farther into the article, it is revealed that this costly project accommodates what is believed to be three out of 4,300 cadets who have openly declared themselves to be pagan.  With this kind of logic, it's easy to see why our defense budget is so costly . . .

The following statement was included toward the end of the article.   
>>>The air force says the site is to help to protect the constitutional right to religious freedom. <<<
                                                                                                   Full Article

In an article dated less than 2 years later, with the following title, these three quotes were taken  . . .
Air Force Censors Chaplain Over 'No Atheists in Foxholes' Essay

>>>Five hours after the complaint was received, Reyes' essay was taken down "out of respect for those who considered its title offensive," Duffy told Fox News.

>>>Duffy also wrote an email to the foundation saying, "While certainly not intended to offend, the article has been removed from our website. We remain mindful of the governing instructions on this matter and will work to avoid recurrence." 

The article closed with the following quote . . .
>>>Klukowski, a senior fellow for religious liberty at the Family Research Council, quoted his colleague, retired Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin, who said, "A chaplain has been censored for expressing his beliefs about the role of faith in the lives of service members. Why do we have chaplains if they aren't allowed to fulfill that purpose?"   Full Article @ Newsmax

In reading both of these linked articles from the perspective of a volunteer military that we say protects our freedom, I just shook my head in disbelief.  Then I thought this sort of "logic" would best be expressed in political/religious parody.
              So to quote the SNL Church Lady . . . "Now isn't this SPECIAL!"

Sensationalizing Misinformation

Now that I am officially, an internet journalist as well as a minister; I am constantly vigilant about confirming the information I publish.  When I only posted Scriptural messages, it was easier, as I could pray and seek YHWH or Y'hshuwah to learn details and be corrected when I was in error.

Our news is not that simple.  There is a ton of conflicting information available and sorting through the facts verses fiction is difficult enough, then there is the political bias that literally causes the facts to lean.  We can actually obtain factual information, but add the political bias, which of course produces blame and or defensiveness and the factual information becomes editorialized.

In proclaiming Scripture, G-d is truth and it's that simple.  Now, as with the news, we all have our own interpretation of understanding, and that's where the problem lies.  Whether it's a new denomination or news source, sensationalizing is what spreads.  Then like the old fashioned game of "Gossip," the story is ever changing and ever growing.  Sadly in this age of digital information it's very difficult to reclaim the original message.  I was sent a link last week, that just didn't ring with me, and thankfully, I didn't run it.  The retraction at the site was adequate, I suppose, but the false story itself was so hideous, I'm not even including the site and they've lost their credibility for future articles.

Just today, I was searching for the education data in the United States.  The states used to be listed in order of education standards.  Now that we have common core curriculum, I can't find those old stats that I could once access.  I'm not saying they no longer exist, I'm just saying there's a new priority at Google, thus a different understanding for the general population.

There are now two generations of people who do not remember life before the microwave oven.  There is a generation that won't remember a home phone or landline, except at Grandma's, and the generation before that only knows of a dial phone as retro decor.  There is a generation of people who have no idea a CD used to be obtained at a bank, before those same letters were used in the music and computer industry and then replaced with DVDs.   All of the references in this paragraph are true references, but they mean something different to various readers.  None of this was misinformation, and fortunately there is no need to blame anyone, but the interpretation and understanding is simply different based upon age.

We have an aging population that will continue to divide over the death of President Kennedy and the value of the Reagan presidency, and every account bears some merit in the telling.  It is the fervent prayer of this journalist to bring true news.  I'd like to be on the cutting edge of breaking news, as well, but never at the expense of sensationalizing misinformation.

A Political Letter

The following letter was a part of the newsletter from the Chamber of Commerce.  This particular representative also happens to own a feed store in this area.  In my comparison shopping, I have found the corn he sells in 50 lb. bags to be the highest priced in the area.  Since he touched on several topics that are near my heart, the paragraph topics will be addressed in the various sections of this week's edition.  For integrity in reporting, I felt what was sent should appear in its entirety.

 Again, he is a state rep, not federal, but it's very clear by his letter, most aspects of our lives appears to be of governmental concern . . .

September 24, 2013

We began the week with some real fun at Seneca High School. FFA teacher, Angel Roller, invited Representative Reiboldt and myself in to speak to a group of local citizens about the farm legislation we passed last session. The "Right to Farm" bill was the primary focus of the presentation. There are many who don't see a reason for us to have laws that guarantee the right to raise crops or livestock the same way that we have for generations. Why would we need such a law? There are special interest groups that are pushing for laws to drastically change the way we produce our food. I am NOT proposing that we are cruel to animals, but anyone who thinks that we can "free range" poultry in Southwest Missouri doesn't realize how many hungry coyotes, hawks, foxes, raccoons, eagles, etc. there are that would gladly support that idea. Some states have already enacted laws that prevent egg laying operations from being contained in cages. Imagine 20,000 chickens laying eggs all over a 40 acre field. Talk about job creation! I know how ridiculous this sounds, but California has already enacted just such laws. Another favorite target is raising hogs without "gestation crates". A gestation crate, or farrowing crate as I knew them growing up, is nothing more than a containment to keep a 350 pound sow from rolling over and crushing her babies. The hogs grow quite fond of them in fact, they don't have to do anything but eat and sleep for a while when they deliver their litters. The fact is, if farmers mistreated their animals, they could not have good production and that means they would go broke. Representative Reiboldt made the point that he took better care of his dairy cattle than he did himself. Most farmers feel exactly the same.

Another subject we addressed was Genetic Alterations. It has suddenly come into the spotlight that genetic alterations must be "bad". Really? Who wants to go back to grapes or watermelons full of seeds? How about an ear of corn that's 5 inches long? When I was a kid, Angus and Hereford cattle were about 4 feet tall. Hybridization and genetic alterations have been with us for hundreds if not thousands of years. With our growing worldwide population, we must continue to look for ways to grow better, faster, safer food. No matter how you look at it, we really need to eat!

We've set a date for our listening post for those with comments on Children's Services. On Tuesday the 8th of October at the Pineville Community Center starting at 9:00 a.m. we will have several hours to hear from area folks. I am asking anyone who wishes to speak to call my office at the Capitol and ask Elaine to put you on the agenda. Because we expect there to be several folks who wish to speak, we will limit times to 5 minutes each so that everyone has a chance to express their opinions. The number is 573-751-9801. I would like for there to be time for questions as well, but we'll just have to see. I intend to hold more than one meeting in the district and I am working on arrangements to hold one in Seneca also.

I just heard that a State Patrolman in St. Louis was shot but because he was wearing a protective vest, he is O.K. Those guys as well as our local law enforcement sure deserve our thanks for the job they do! I also just heard that Governor Nixon is shooting for Vice President. Do you suppose that's why he traveled all over the state in his new airplane at a cost of 780.00 per hour supposedly campaigning against a tax break? Nah, surely not!  Who knows what next week will bring, until then I am and remain in your service.

Bill Lant

Telling the Good Guys From the Bad Ones

I am not trying to disrespect the uniform, but those wearing them should not bring disrespect to their uniform, either.  The alarming increase of these videos that appear to be abuse of authority and badges to bully are reason for concern.  In all fairness to the good guys that also stand behind a badge, I don't want to incite such an attitude of mistrust that we make their job harder.

Troubling times are ahead.  It's going to be difficult to tell the good guys from the bad ones.

I don't know if this is some sort of localized tyranny or another step toward Agenda 21, in making people realize their property rights end when law enforcement arrives.
http://gunsnfreedom.com/homeowner-is-arrested-for-open-carrying-an-empty-shotgun-on-his-own-property-after-reporting-a-tresspasser/

Then there's the guy arrested for the DUI that was apparently teasing the K-9 which is a felony, facing a possible 7 years.  Definitely more than one bad decision was made while he was drinking, but . . . what caught my attention in this, though is the Police dog is named "Chaos."
http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/national/man-barked-k-9-dui-checkpoint/nZ7NL/

After viewing the above video, this one was pleasant for sure.
http://www.libertynews.com/2013/09/encouraging-video-michigan-sheriffs-deputy-treats-open-carry-protesters-with-grace-dignity-respect/

The Name Caught My Attention

I don't know if the name Hershberger is a common Amish name, but these articles pertain to two different families, both Amish.  Clearly the Amish are being targeted.  I'm going to go so far as to call it persecution,  If not religious persecution, then for the simple reason they are predominantly self-sustaining and not dependent upon the government for their subsistence.  Independence does not make for good "sheople!"

The first article pertains to someone who has the audacity to sell pure food, raw milk and raw milk products, specifically.  The dairy lobby is strong, though in Wisconsin.  Mr. Hershberger faced a five day trial and was acquitted on three of the four charges.  The conviction came on violating a "hold order."  He removed the tape from his store refrigerators.  You'd think if our government was so worried about our food supply, they'd stop giving Monsanto a free pass, but then the lobby brings nice gifts . . .

The second article clearly indicated parents who believe in healing by G-d will be targeted, but these parents had taken their daughter for treatment and the daughter didn't want to continue the treatments.  They had sought another doctor and more natural curatives.  Medicine is powerful in the country, more powerful than parental rights or religious rights.  Could be because it truly is the primary belief system of our nation, and most people have woven their secondary religious beliefs around it . . .

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/hospital-seeks-medical-authority-as-parents-halt-chemo-at-childs-request-to-stop-intense-suffering-and-probable-infertility/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2401101/Sarah-Hershberger-Ohio-hospital-wants-make-Amish-girl-chemotherapy-save-life-parents-wishes.html

I've included the last paragraph from an article at opposing views, in which an appeals court reversed the lower court's decision.  The lower court had said the parental rights and decision should not be overridden.

>>> The hospital is not contending that the parents are unfit, only that chemotherapy gives Sarah an excellent chance of beating the disease. The dispute is solely about “a disagreement between providers and parents over what course of treatment is best for their child,” the hospital said in a written statement.  <<<

And the hospital wins!