February 11, 2004

Unemployed in America

Millions are out of work, yet what impact does job loss truly have? One loses a job and if able, finds another- Simple. My friends, this is not the case anymore. Now those who would have had no trouble finding employment only a few short years ago are mailing off hundreds of resumes- all to no avail. The jobs have dried up. The job market in America is now drier than the Sahara.

If you go to Unemployedworkers.org , you can read the stories of Americans caught in the cycle of unemployment. You can read for yourself what tolls these people's recent job losses are taking on their personal lives. These people are in desperate straights, yet all we hear from our current Administration is how glorious this economic recovery has become!
It does not trouble me to say that this recovery is a jobless farce! Sure, Wall Street may be gaining momentum, but the job markets are not. Corporate America seems only concerned with the power they yield to outsource American jobs. While we hear of terms used by the those in the current Administration and Greenspan such as "competitive job markets" and "sustained growth", these terms mean nothing when people are going without food to eat and a roof over their heads. Those who are turning a blind eye fail to realize that the jobless in America are in the worst kind of mire and sinking deeper in it as each jobless day passes.

After observing the blindness of those in power in the United States, one must raise the hard questions to those in power. Do they realize the extent of the problem? Do they know but are openly unconcerned? Honestly I feel as though they could care less.

Looking after their own profit is number one to these people.

Big tax cuts for the wealthiest of Americans is now more important than keeping the jobless Americans out of homeless shelters. It's not right, nor is it Godly.

God speaks to us through his word over and over again about the poor.

Remember what Jesus said? "To those in that day I shall say, When you've done it to the least of these, my brethren, you've done it unto me".

So let's take a look at how our own Government, those in charge of our rules and laws, are caring for the poor, and those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

1. The rapid outsourcing of American jobs overseas.

In order for big business and corporations to pay less wages to their workers, they are now moving entire factories overseas where workers there will do the jobs for a fraction of what American workers got before.

Friends, those in our current administration could do something about this outsourcing if they had a mind to. Those in power cater to those who lobby them for what is in their own best interests. Make no mistake, Who controls the House, Senate and Congress?

2. Tax cuts for the Wealthy

Our President says this strategy will help "boost our economy". What it all boils down to (our president points out) is that the (wealthiest of Americans) will have more of their money to invest, and that these investments will result in creating more small businesses, big businesses, etc. So just what are they investing in? See number 1 above because I can assure you that the majority of big business is only catering to their own interests! Sure, they are rich enough to keep these jobs here in the States, but the way they see it, (from their greedy point of view) why not make MORE PROFIT at the expense of the American worker!

It doesn't help boost the job market here, it doesn't help create jobs here!

3. The latest unemployment benefits extension

Yes, I watched this myself. A Republican Senator of Oklahoma attempted to oppose the extensions to those receiving unemployment benefits. But Senator Ted Kennedy of Mass debated in favor of giving the extensions.

I heard Kennedy say that this money was money that the workers had paid in and they were entitled to it ( I agree) but the Republican Senator from Oklahoma responded no. His reasoning?

But of course, "The economy is growing and there is no need".

The Rich and Their Disregard for the needs of others

The financial miseries coming upon many we can read about in the scriptures:

In James 5, chapters 1-6 we read of a judgment decreed upon greedy rich men.

1. Go to now, you rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

2. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

3. Your gold and silver is cankered, and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. you have heaped treasure together for the last days.

4. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of saboath.

5. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

6. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he does not resist you.

What to do?

What will it take before laws are passed to stop this insanity and blatant disregard for the rights of workers in America? It seems as if those who are in charge of passing laws and regulations here in America are not going to change things unless they experience the hardship of unemployment themselves. The very hardships they are helping to further heap on the backs of American citizens.

Workers rights have never been so completely stripped away.

I will always say that prayer is the single most important thing you can do. Pray that the Lord would give justice to those who are in need and find themselves at the mercy of a very dry job market.

Compassion is so rare in these days we live in. It is a very sad thing to wake up one day and find that you have no job. You have a family to support, medical bills, food is scarce and you don't know where to turn.

There is one thing I can tell you for sure, and this comes from experience. Know your source in these last days. Who is your source?

God should be your number one source. It is he who can take care of you when men have utterly failed you.

When they care less about you, he cares more about you. He sees the struggles and turmoil, worries of all of those who have lost their jobs and have no place to turn and are wondering if they will have a place to lay their head by the end of the day.

I would advise all of you to pay attention to what your State Reps are up to. Even if you are not given to observing political goings on, try to catch C-Span debates occasionally.

Find out what your elected Reps stand for. Are they standing up for and passing laws for the people or for political agendas that serve their party?

And please, keep praying for everyone. Ask God to forgive this Nation of it's disregard for the poor, greed and pride.

February 4, 2004

A Warning

Dear Friends, If you have read the update on what has kept me from writing, you will know that I had been ill during much of 2003.

This illness saw me in the hospital and even after my release, it took much longer that I had thought for me to get my strength back. Many months actually. But I am better now. My thanks to all of you who have kept me in your prayers during this time.

But now I have something that I must share with you, so read on.

Since January of this year, I have had something heavy on my heart. I believe at this time I am led to write down what I truly take as being a warning to our Nation.

This warning may seem strange and totally out of character for me, but even though it's a first, I feel I must. I believe that there will be an attack of some sort in the United States and I believe that this will happen very soon. I feel it is at hand. I also believe that this will be on a much grander scale than that of September 11, 2001. To say much more than this is beyond me. I feel there will be great chaos.

Friends, all I can honestly say is that I feel strongly that God has spoken this to my heart. We have been told repeatedly by the Administration in this nation that we are "safer" since Iraq is free of the previous Regime of Saddam Hussein. I do not believe we are safer, in fact, I feel we are more vulnerable now than we were before the war with Iraq started. Now, there is only one more thing I want to add As soon as it looked as though we would be going to war in Iraq, I was very ill at ease. The invasion and occupation of Iraq by our own military.

Much has been done since this war in Iraq, this war has taken it's toll and cost much, and I am not talking monetarily.

It has cost innocent people their lives- not only our people's lives, but the lives of those in Iraq, and that is not a light thing with God. He cares for all of us. It is my opinion that this war that we have undertaken is an unjust one and there will be an accounting in the end for doing so. We were not attacked by Iraq. Our president knew this. We all knew this. We all know it now.

America, I believe will see sorrow and lamentations. I did not want to write this and fought it in my spirit, but I felt so compelled to in the end, there was no choice. The very best thing I can encourage every person to do is to pray like you never have before. Trust in God and lean not to your own understanding, Allow the light of his truth - His word, his scriptures, to be shed abroad in your own heart. I can tell you that we all must listen to him and fully place our trust and care in his hands. Especially in these last days.