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