Our Trashed Economy: The Chickens Come Home To Roost

Years ago I warned of a significant economic downturn to hit this country with the end result being a devaluation of our currency. Folks, the dollar is going to end up getting trashed.
Call me a doomer if you will but I am by no means the only one. Many have sent out the call for one and all to get their financial affairs
in order and to prepare for the worst. The U.S economy is currently in a downward spiral.
The view from this christian country girl is the following:
We have consumed until we've spent ourselves ragged and into a corner in regards to the credit situation. Our Government has spent billions on an unjust war with Iraq and now the chickens have come home to roost. The mortgage mess is one in which we have yet to see the final outcome. Folks, this is not by any stretch of the imagination over. We've only just begun to see the tragic effects on our country because of it. Credit cards have only gotten us into one big mess. Easy
credit is never the way. Spending on things without using cash will bring us many miseries and this is what many of us have only recently found out. Our governments way out of this nightmare is to throw money at the problem by bailing out major corporations who have only proved that they cannot be trusted. These failing companies are good at throwing parties and dishing out fat bonuses to their CEO's, but fail miserably at taking care of
the meat and potatoes which truly help them the most - their workers. For their employees, they offer pay cuts, lay-offs and early retirements!
Lay-offs are at record highs now and if you want to see something which will knock your socks off and may wake you up to the sorry state of our economy, visit here folks, it is an interactive map which shows the literal vanishing of jobs in our
country since 2006. The projected stimulus package is a joke and is not going to help the common man. Here is a website which discusses our leaders considering cuts to such needed programs such as Head start and food-stamps. I know that many countries are dealing with their own financial mess, it's not just us. But I am a firm believer that as far as finances go, as we go, so goes the rest of the world. What is the New York Stock Exchange? It is the main artery to which the other countries are joined in respect to world finances. It's been the economic capital of the world for some time now. Where are we getting the money for the bail-outs? Where does the TARP (troubled asset recovery program) money come from? My friends the only answer is that we are printing money so fast that our presses
will soon explode. What do I think will happen next?
Our dollar will be DEVALUED. I know it has been coming, I warned of it in my article:
"Economic Collision Just Ahead: The Titanic has nothing on America". Here is another incredible website which lists the layoffs and closings in our nation
every single day: Layoff Daily.
I visit this site and regularly and I have been increasingly disturbed at the enormous number of people who are losing their jobs. My heart goes out to every single one. Why are we not seeing more families homeless? Well, that is coming my
friends. No doubt you have heard of the tent cities springing up all over our nation. What will we do in order to help people who have been affected by job loss and other financial hardships
and how hard will it be to help them when we ourselves may end up the ones who are in need of help?

What is my advice for those who are worried they will lose their income and end up on the streets? If you don't have a job, look for one immediately and once you get one, stay put! If you have recently been laid off, see if you can draw unemployment, although if you are able to do this it won't last forever. So here is what we all must do no matter if we have a job or not, Get back to the basics... In other words, look and see where you can makes cuts. Cancel your cable, cell phone, Internet service, and other bills you have which are NOT necessities.
Also, think of ways to make your dollar go further than it's ever gone before. Stop buying things which are not necessary and if you have only a few feet of earth, plant a small garden. Buy products when they are on sale, take a look at what you are spending and decide that now you will have to do things differently. Don't buy that new car, instead take the cash and lay it down on an older model, who cares if you have a fancy car if you can't afford to eat and have peace of mind? I read only yesterday that states are considering cutting funding for certain medicare services such as home health, etc. This is absolutely astonishing! Counties are
laying off policemen, firefighters and EMT workers! Nurses and schoolteachers are not immune. Once this starts who in this world knows where we will end up. I made up my mind that me and mine would get back to the basics and in fact I am getting pretty good at it. When
I get paid I fill up my tank, get groceries, pay the bills for the week and rat-hole the rest of the money! Always before we may have went out to eat once a week or called in a pizza for delivery- my friends, those days are OVER. Although we can afford to do this, we will not because you never know when that $20.00 we would have spent for pizza could have come in handy on some necessity down the road.
I save my change and cash it in every 3 months at one of those coin counting machines. I plant a garden in the spring and I can, freeze and dehydrate every spare bit of fruit and veggies I can get my hands on. These are the things we must do in order to make a
positive lifestyle change in this horrid economic downturn. More on the sorry state of our economy in upcoming articles.

Our politicians: More talk while their faces turn away from Iraq

Time keeps ticking away, yet those in Washington cannot seem to pull themselves away from their meaningless fluff in order to come up with an exit strategy from Iraq. I have to say, I don't care to watch the evening news anymore. I don't want to hear of another man or woman who has lost their life to the war in Iraq. Hearing of our military death tolls angers me to no end. Every time a news item revealing how many more men and women we've lost comes across the screen, I have this same thought: Our government seems content to let this massacre continue.
Our politicians and those in charge of our military could do something about this tragic situation, yet they seem strangely indifferent and uninvolved. According to this news item from May 29: 10 U.S. Soldiers Killed On Memorial Day, 5 British Nationals Kidnapped, "Gunmen dressed in police uniforms kidnapped five Britons from Iraq's Finance Ministry Tuesday, the same day that two suicide bombings killed at least 44 people and U.S. officials announced the Memorial Day deaths of 10 American soldiers".

Friends, this is not an isolated incident. These types of killings and kidnappings are a regular occurrence now. What do we hear from our President? Is he silent on this issue that is the single most important one this nation has faced for years?

A recent article from Counterpunch seems to sum it up. Here is a snippet:

"President Bush can meet with family friend, Prince Bandar while Vice President Cheney meets with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, but neither leader are able to meet with Cindy Sheehan and the mothers who ask to know why their children have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Our President and politicians seem indifferent, aloof, and unconcerned about the ever growing death tolls in Iraq because they are unconcerned! Man, what a revelation.
They are much too busy finding ways to line their pockets and stay in office. From the time of our President's infamous, "Bring it on" statement to this day, The Prez seems like it doesn't matter how many of our military are killed and maimed.
Why are we still in Iraq?
Why are more of our sons and husbands, wives and daughters, dying?
These have been my questions over and over again. I can see my own son giving his life to protect this country. It would be hard on me, but I could take that. I could accept that. But I could never get my arms around him giving his life for an unjust and futile cause.

The loved ones who have lost family members to this war are the first ones our government should give an account to.
The intelligence was flawed and this was the reason why we waged this war? Well it isn't flawed anymore. We have known full well for some time now that going into Iraq was a mistake.

War Profiteering

I will tell you my opinion of why we are still there and why our government has told us to buckle down and get ready to be there much longer than anticipated: It is because there are some getting very rich off of us staying there! Carlyle, Halliburton, Bechtel, and other corporations are loving this and every drop of blood that is spilled is nothing to them. If we leave, the money spigot stops for these people. But all is not lost. There is always something we can do, no matter how futile the situation may seem.

You can contact your Senate, just dial the switchboard for Congress at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your senator by name.
If you need additional contact information for your senator, here is the place to get it.

Who wants us out of Iraq? The Out of Iraq Congressional Caucus. Take note of the names while you're there.

America Is A Mess

The mess that has become America cannot be fixed by any man. The only way for this country to get out of the mess that it has been in and remains in is by repenting collectively as a nation. We have went to Iraq and are there fighting an unjust war and untold numbers of innocent people have been murdered and maimed as a result of our foolishness. I truly don't care what many might say. If I do not speak this, it is on my conscience and that is something that I can't live with.

It is not only the war that we've waged against Iraq which has been our undoing. We send our military and national guard off thousands of miles away to spread "democracy and freedom" to those who don't want us intruding within their space, while our own northern and southern borders are a joke. Our unguarded borders will also be our undoing. And while some enjoy the cheap labor this offers, there will be a bitter pill to be swallowed in the end. I fear that the bitter pill will prove to be much more devastating to our nation than we fully understand.

I have related before on my site that I believe God's protective hand is being slowly but surely withdrawn from this nation. This is not to say that he will not watch over and protect those in this nation who remain faithful to him till the end. But there will be repercussions to us as a nation because of our sin and indifference to his commands.

What will the consequences be of our disobedience, failure to repent, and callousness to God and his word? I want to tell you that I cannot fathom it. I only know that God has had long patience and has been very good to this nation for so long that we have become as spoiled expectant children in the good things he's always provided to us. We take him as well as his protective hand for granted.

The scripture which relates to us that in the last days, "Everything that can be shaken WILL be shaken" is precisely what I believe we are in for. We will all be shaken. We will all have doubts and fears. We will all be tested in these last days before our Lord's return. But this test is one which we have brought upon ourselves. This nation should be the light bearer for all others but instead, we find that our light has dimmed and is now barely a flicker. How can we be a beacon to all nations if our light is almost out? the answer is, we cannot.

A Second Warning for America

For some years I have written on the topic of the downfall of the United States. The reasons for America’s approaching downfall and recent decline are many. It is my opinion that for years America has shown God its back and not its face. Many in America do not feel that they need God anymore. The lady of freedom snubs her nose and turns away her face from the very creator who gave her the freedom she has enjoyed for many years. My first warning was back in 2004.

In a nutshell, here is what we face:

Due to our lack of repentance, we will suffer. This is by our own choice and God has nothing to do with it. When we as a people do not repent of our sins and of our failure to recognize the God who made us, we will be chastised and suffer in numerous ways. I cannot get away with turning my back on God and you cannot get away with it either. The mercy of God is greater than any other, but it is not eternal in the face of stubborn and proud man. He is long-suffering, not wanting any to perish in their sins, but we have our part to do as well. Our part is to recognize that we have turned our back on God and to repent.

I gave a warning previously. I am now prepared to say more.
1. There will be a great earthquake in California and will involve the ever active San Andreas fault.
2. The inadequate guarding of our southern and northern border of the United States will prove to be one of the biggest causes of our demise. Terrorist cells will grow and escalate in America due to our open borders.
3. There will be terrorist attacks in random cities in the United States.
4. These attacks will escalate and will ultimately lead to WW3.
5. There will (possibly) be a military draft and because of this, there will be martial law in our country and great chaos. Americans will not go along with a draft willingly. But due to escalating attacks in our nation, the call will go out for one.
6. Chaos and destruction coupled with an escalation and progression of terrorist acts, there will be great bloodshed and fear.
7. Financial ruin for the United States is a certainty and I have written about this for years .

Doubt and Disbelief

Many will choose to disregard these warnings as they have heard some or all of them before. Regardless of how the Lord has prepared us for these incidents, we will all be shocked and find ourselves in a state of utter disbelief at what will be occurring in our own nation. We in America could never imagine chaos and deep lamentations would be at our very doorsteps. We had better wake up; we had better be ready to meet our maker.

What did we bring into this life?

Just as we are reminded of in the scriptures, we brought nothing into this life and it is a certainty that we can take nothing with us when we depart it.

1 Timothy 6:7

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Think of it this way, if you were to die today, what would happen to you? If you are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, you have no need to worry. If you have shrugged off salvation and the truth that we are offered by him, you have every reason to fear.

Knowing that these things will happen what should we think and do? We should get the truth in us if we are lacking it. The truth I speak of is the word of God, The bible. This truth illuminates and empowers us with strength, love and faith. It then enables us to live this life without fear and with much love and compassion for others.

God protecting his children and the fiery furnace
Do I believe that God will protect his own during the dark days that are soon coming upon our nation?

Yes, I do. However, lately I have been gaining more insight into how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego felt when they were faced with the fiery furnace. Below is the commandment of the king put to them:

The king said:
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

Here is the response from the children of God:
Daniel 3:
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

I believe that we must get this down in our spirits. We must understand and accept that no matter what we may face, we will not allow ourselves to succumb to the powers of evil and what they may do to us. Jesus talked about this and how we are to respond to it:
Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

This is my nation. I do not want chaos and destruction to come to it. But I know that due to our lack of repentance, these things will most likely come to pass in our lifetime. Because of our culture of self , we will pay a high price.

Many years ago I had a dream. I will not go into the full explanation of the dream, but I will just say that it was frightening to me. At the end of it, right before I woke, I saw a bible with threads of light flowing out from it and through its pages. The vision of this bible was to be my answer and helper to the fear the dream had brought upon me. I was being nudged by God to get those words of truth and light down into my spirit and heart. This was the remedy for all the fears and grief that I would face and that others would face in the future. We must work now, while we are able, to get the truth of God’s word down into our hearts. While we are able, we should pray and draw closer to God than ever before. This is the most vital part of our preparation for the dark days ahead.

Our War in Iraq: Firestorm None Can Put Out

To get your own house in order should be the primary concern with every great nation that ever existed. America does not have their house in order by a long shot, yet they have went about in order to spread freedom and democracy in other nations. When I hear the phrase, Spreading democracy, I think to myself, “What kind of “freedom” did we bring to Iraq by way of torturing its citizens? By now most of us must realize that the only thing being spread very thick in Iraq is hatred.

We are told by those in charge in our Administration that some lives will be lost in the war on terror. However, the casualties of both our own military as well as the citizens in Iraq cannot be properly categorized as “some”. A majority of Iraqi citizens do not want us to be in their country. They continue to be very leery of our reasons for being there and who could blame them?

As I have said several times before in my writings, if another country invaded the United States and did to us what has been done to the citizens of Iraq, I would take up arms and fight with every fiber of my being against those invaders.

The War on Terror

Our being in Iraq has caused a firestorm of hate and killing that will not end until we leave. Those who decided to go in act oblivious to these things. What are the true reasons we went in and why are we still there? Some of these reasons I am sure we will never know. But I know that some have gotten wealthier than they were before we went in. Those corporations and oil producers will probably fair better and come out better in the end than anyone else. What sparked many people’s curiosity about all of these things is when we found out that there were plans sought by President Bush to go into Iraq eight months before 9/11 ever occurred.

What has happened since this invasion?

Our great military machine has been weakened in a major way. Don’t think for a moment that it hasn’t. We have not won this war in Iraq and we have suffered severe blows because we went in for the wrong reasons. This is not the fault of our military. As George Bush said recently, he takes full responsibility for what has went on. It makes me cringe when I think about what a staggering responsibility this truly is. Just think of all the blood that has been shed, the cries to God for vindication and help from the innocent. Yes, our President has a huge responsibility and he will have to answer for what his actions. Think about the many lives this war has claimed. It is staggering.

9/11 was Carte Blanche

The atrocities that were perpetrated on 9-11 seem to have given carte Blanche to those in our administration. What did we hear immediately after 9-11? Those who committed these atrocities would be found and brought to justice. The President promised us this when he spoke through the bullhorn at ground zero. Have those who perpetrated 9-11 been brought to justice? No, of course they haven’t. However, our military is being used to protect the oil fields in Iraq. Does this confuse you? It should my friends because it doesn’t make sense.

Our troops let the looters have their way when Baghdad was taken, yet the first order of business was protecting the oil ministry.

Have we learned anything about this war on terror yet?

We are told that we fight the terrorists over there so that we won’t have to fight them here. This is rubbish. We are going to have other attacks on our soil whether we have our troops in Iraq or not. You don’t invade a country which has not harmed you without suffering being doled out to you at a future date.

This is a warning I have given for some time. I believe that we in America will likely go through a war on our own soil because of what we have done in Iraq. Remember, you reap what you sow. Our own nation is in disorder, and we need to get our own house in order as such so who are we to go about nation building and nosing into other nation’s business?

As I have often said, this nation will be in such a mess come the next presidential election that I don’t believe we will recover from it. What is a new president going to do about this mess? I just don’t think it will happen. What has happened in the past six years can be equated to a raping and pillaging of our nation. Who are the rapists? They are a few radicals in our Administration, as well as those who tell them what to do.

I don’t claim to know why they have done what they have done to our country. But ask yourself this: Would someone who does such things to a nation love that nation? Of course the answer would be no. If you care for a nation, you don’t want to take steps that would weaken it in any way, let alone the depths that the United States has descended to.

We are in deep financial debt to other nations. There will come an accounting of that debt someday but we in America don’t like to think of such things. All I can say at this point is that we will only prolong the suffering of this nation if we choose to hide our head in the sand.

What can we do?
What I am doing is keeping my faith in the God of the bible. I am attempting to get out of debt. I owe bills and I am trying to get them paid off. I am learning to do without things I don’t have to have. I am not driving a fancy car or truck. I am trying to learn to be more self sufficient. I don’t see my government as my bail out. At one time I did not think on these things and now they are often on my mind and in my heart. Keep your faith in the God who is the creator of both the heaven and the earth. Pray for this nation as well as other nations. All people are important and have value in God’s eyes and we would do well to remember that truth.

The Nation Whose God is the Lord

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.

We are told all through the bible that the nation which keeps the Lord as their God is blessed. We can then say that the nation who does not keep the Lord as their God will live under a curse and will not be blessed. In America there has always been much talk of “freedom”, but the fact is that in America, more and more of us are becoming slaves to sin.

As I have stated before in my writings, I believe that judgment is at the door of America. Why would this happen? Let’s review:

What rules and runs America?

Who or what can we say holds sway over America? Money

Money is America’s Lord at present.

We see this at every turn. In the media we are reminded of it every day. There are many Americans who have still not bowed the knee to the love of money, however, a great majority have. The corporations are only concerned with one primary issue, that of profit. At one time in our past, those who made decisions in big business were just as concerned with the people who worked for them. Not anymore. Now they will lay off people so they can make the portfolio of their shareholders look more profitable. The bottom line is profit at all cost. And the ones who suffer are the American workers.

The love of money is still the root of all evil.

With money, we feel as though we can do all things. If we are sad, going shopping is often the remedy. If our neighbors have something we envy, we feel we must have what they have. If we have a chance to take a high paying job, yet we know that staying home with our children is the right and noble thing to do, many of us choose that great career instead. Life is made up of choices and sadly, there have been seriously bad choices made by many in our current culture as a result of simple selfishness.

What happens to Nations whose God is not the Lord?

They fall and are taken captive. That nation may get what they want for a time. But there will be a day of reckoning. The Lord God is the one who made this earth. He also made the men and women who inhabit it. When mankind cares more about the money in his wallet than he does the God who created him, that day of reckoning will come quickly and strike suddenly. As that Nation’s sin intensifies, their discernment grows weaker and weaker. The discernment of the people fades gradually until there is none left. They turn dumb and deaf. They cannot see spiritually and cannot discern between truth and lies. This is a sad picture, but one I must get across to everyone nonetheless.

Is God Angry at America?

Yes, I believe that he is. Here are a few reasons why he may be:

The American Christian Church – I have written for years about the charlatans who make up a large number of our Christian leaders and teachers in the United States. To read more on this issue click here and here .These people are making a profit and living the high life. They talk about feeding the hungry and caring for the poor and yet they have five expensive cars parked in their garages that are the size of most of our homes! They put out pleas on their websites and in writing for the money to buy a state of the art airplane for their ministry. They cannot fly in an ordinary plane I suppose. Where do these desires for the best in life come from? They don’t come from Jesus Christ. They are carnal desires that these preachers are controlled by. We are pressed to flip on our televisions and find a simple preaching of the gospel. Instead, we are bombarded with prosperity teachers who tell us that Jesus was rich and we can be too. The early Christians suffered lack and hardship. We are told about this in the book of Hebrews. They lived in caves for crying out loud! Yet none of these particular truths are brought up in the prosperity pushers sermons.

The greed and selfishness of many – We have parents who are not parents to their children at all. These parents are so lost they behave like children themselves. We have politicians who do not keep their word on key issues that got them elected. They use words to gain control of an office and then do nothing they promised. We have a majority of citizens whose key thought is how they can get and stay ahead. They are looking out for number one, and this means themselves, period. You cannot worship God and money. Jesus told us this when he was on this earth and the same still holds true for these days we live in. Do you worship your comfort and your fat wallet? Or do you worship God in heaven more than money? If your God is money, God is angry with you. Make no mistake.

We have forgotten God and we refuse to repent of our sins – We are told over and over in the scriptures that we are to REPENT of our sins. God is angry for one thing because we REFUSE to do this. We simply are bullheaded and will not do it! We are told the consequences in the scripture if we fail to heed his admonishment: Chastisement comes to us from God and is beneficial to those of us who learn from it and repent. But to those who refuse to learn of it, they will remain stubborn and remain in their sins. There is much more woe ahead for these people. They care more for themselves and their stubborn pride will cost them so much more than they ever bargained for. When you refuse to choose God as your Lord, you are choosing self and the devil. Satan is all about self and those who are his care more about themselves than anything else.

All nations that forget God will be turned into hell

Psalms 9:17

The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

If we forget God, we cease to exist for long. We may go about our lives and do alright for a time. But the one who made us longs for us to acknowledge him. He has kept his hand of divine protection over these United States for a long time. I believe we have stopped being thankful for that protection he has provided to us.

America: Who will buy her goods?

American workers are feeling bitterly betrayed.

Due to outsourcing, buyouts, wage cuts and massive layoffs, the left out workers of today have no money to buy the goods that America has to offer.

The past few times I have walked in my nearest grocery store I noticed barely any customers there. I thought it strange the first time it happened but my last visit was much the same. This started me thinking. Rising gas prices along with those who have recently joined the growing ranks of the unemployed, have joined together to create a murkiness of the financial waters that will prove to be fatal for those who sell their goods in the U.S.A.

Those who sell in America will come to see that the average consumer will be too broke for them to sell their wares to.

Here is a scenario for you to contemplate:

A man has worked at the same company for 20 years or more.

He is laid-off or is forced to take a buy-out deal or a significant wage cut.

This man has a mortgage, utility bills, grocery bills, ever increasing abuse at the gas pumps, a wife, 2 children and upkeep for the kids alone breaks the bank.

How is a man put in this no win situation supposed to keep up with these financial demands?
This scenario has been played out in truth throughout America in recent years. Many are not getting extensions on their unemployment benefits and are ultimately losing their shirts in this sorry excuse for a robust economy.

In an online news item, "Buyout Feels to Them Like Being Sold Out" a man shares his predicament:
"We were promised a future with these companies. We've spent our lives at these factories. So have our parents, and so are our children," said Shotwell, 55, a machine operator at Delphi's fuel-injector plant in Coopersville, Mich. "We have to fight, any way we can."

Multiply this scenario by thousands and you will understand where our economy is headed. I believe that many are soon to feel the full effects of this.

Gas gouge

What are we supposed to do to battle this gas gouge that seems to be worsening? The answer seems to be for some to buy motorcycles and sell off their cars. Sounds like pretty drastic measures for an American citizen to take but you never know what we may have to resort to.

I don't believe we've seen the worst yet. Read my article "The Titanic Has Nothing On America".

Might as well face it we're Addicted to Oil?

Our President tells us we are "Addicted to Oil".

Yes, we are addicted/dependent upon oil, but those who are hooked the worst on it is those who have ties to it in our administration, Cheney, Bush Sr. and Bush Jr, Rice, etc.

They are addicted to the profits the oil industry generates.

Doing more for less in the declining American Economy

A changing of the lifestyles is in order for one and all, here and now.

Americans will have to learn the hard way that they are going to have to live on less of everything.. Less money, less groceries, less entertainment, and less gasoline.

The days of living beyond our means are finally drawing to a close. Who cares about keeping up with the Jones's when one cannot even keep gas in the tank or food in the fridge? Always before it was important for many to drive the newest S.U.V or the raciest sports car.

Now many are trying to sell off those luxury items that at one time were so dear to them in order to make their next mortgage payment so they can keep foreclosure at bay.

For those "high maintenance types" that have had their desires met in years past by charging their credit cards to the max,they are going to be in for the reality check of a lifetime. These people's lives will be dismal for a very long time to come. People feel they need things they don't. Their "needs" are only their "desires" and are NOT the necessities of life.

Rising unemployment + rising prices = empty aisles

Any way you look at it, the increasing numbers of the unemployed, combined with rising prices in all areas will equal empty aisles. But hey, those stock futures look a lot better ever since thousands of faithful workers got the axe. These companies are laying off workers and never does it cross their minds that the very ones they are getting rid of are the ones who will not be able to buy their products! Who is that company going to find to buy their products since the average American consumer cannot afford them due to job loss?

I have said repeatedly that our currency is going to lose out in the end. It is the stumbling block that will prove to be our downfall.

Crazy Making in Washington: Ports, Borders and Fighting Terrorism

The policies our Government is trying to implement are beyond belief to the average American. The recent decision to give control over to Dubai Ports World of our six major American ports is only the most recent example. Our President along with Michael Chertoff have both given their seal of approval on this ridiculous move. There is no way for the American citizen, regardless of their political affiliation to look the other way and to conclude all is well after finding out about this. We as Americans have to conclude that there is without a doubt something rotten afoot within Washington.

Have we allowed the Fox to guard the hen house?

What is the Administration's view on this? Read on.
White House defends ports takeover stance :"The White House is embarking on a vigorous defense of its decision to approve Dubai Ports World's £3.9bn (€5.7bn) takeover of P&O, the UK ports operator, in the face of mounting congressional opposition to the deal".

and here's another bit from the same article :

" The Bush administration will also call on State and Defence department officials to persuade legislators that the US has a "long-standing" and "good" relationship with the United Arab Emirates".

We will see where this goes. I believe this proposal will be approved because the Powers that be desire it. They care nothing about the average American citizens opinion on this most serious matter of national security. Just as they've cared nothing on numerous other security decisions that will effect our way of life and safety. Homeland Security is a joke at this point.

Our Government is very serious about tapping our phones without our knowledge and would go to great lengths to see that legislation is approved for measures such as this. Funny how these legislative measures seem to benefit anyone BUT the American people.

Borders Wide Open, Eyes Wide Shut

Our border policy is another joke. While thousands illegally cross our borders every day, this administration's stance is certainly not busying itself with passing legislation in favor of stronger border policy. Why isn't American taxpayer money being thrown at this serious problem? There is plenty of money for the unjust war in Iraq, yet our own nation is desperately under funded when it comes to securing our borders.

February 15, 2006

Rising tide of border crime and violence Brazen drug criminals now smuggle people.

HOUSTON – "First came an armed standoff between Texas lawmen and drug smugglers disguised as Mexican soldiers. Next, federal officials seized a stockpile of heavy-duty weaponry - assault rifles, hand grenades, and improvised explosive devices - along the Rio Grande. Then a Mexican police reporter was critically wounded after intruders fired more than 60 rounds into the newspaper's offices. These three incidents in as many weeks dramatize the rising violence along the US-Mexico border. Drug traffickers are becoming more brazen and expanding their operations to include smuggling people. Even as President Bush proposes to beef up border security, these attacks are renewing the debate over how best to keep criminals - perhaps even terrorists - from crossing into the United States".

We have serious border problems. That problem is not only shrugged off as nothing, but now our Government proposes that we turn over the controls of our ports to Dubai? Something certainly does not add up here folks. While our Government is pressing more in favor of stifling the average American citizen's rights, they show no interest at all in doing the essential things necessary to protect our borders and now what do we find out is next?

Our ports!

What will we be left with?

This administration will be leaving our nation in a horrible mess upon their departure. We now have the mile-high deficits and the sky rocketing job losses to contend with. Am I the only one who feels that we are experiencing what in the end will amount to a raping and pillaging of our nation?This nation will be left with a mess I do not believe we can recover from after they're gone. Big money for defense has been given top priority, as has been tax cuts for the most wealthy of Americans. Friends, I adjure you to pray like you have never prayed before for our nation. Those in power who have taken these actions are the ones to be held accountable. We may never know why they have done what they have done. In years past I have written about an economic downfall with decline of our currency and other matters that I have felt we cannot escape from. I do believe as I have said in related articles, that we are in for dark days ahead. But just remember that if you have your faith in God, the God of the Bible, you will not be abandoned nor ever suffer his wrath.

More on the insecure state of America to come!

A view of the home front while observing the war on Terror

To many on the American home front, it is becoming more problematic to keep the home fires burning while observing the War on Terror. Paying through the teeth while the gas gouge is in full swing is only one example of the pain the average American is presently enduring.

Another example is the growing scarcity of well paying jobs.

Just recently it was revealed that General Motors will be cutting 30,000 jobs

While we observe this war on Terror, the average American is being laid off and left out to hang with this struggling and sorry excuse for a "robust economy".

Sure, gas producers and private military contractors are not complaining. And for those of us who do complain about the current state of economic affairs in America, we are viewed as annoying bugs that those who are fairing financially well desire to shoo away from them with the back of their hand. That reminds me of the attitude those in the Administration have toward all who question their actions in Iraq. One gets the feeling that anyone who may take issue with them over their past and present actions are just a trivial annoyance to them.

Another sad state of current affairs on the American home front is the prescription drug plan instituted by our President. Many I know are confused at best and frightened out of their wits over the ultimate outcome of this much touted plan put into law by those in the Administration:
" Report Asks if Some Poor May Lose Coverage "

The above linked article goes on to report: "Government auditors said Friday they are uncertain that all poor people now getting medicine through Medicaid will be able to get their prescriptions filled beginning Jan. 1.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is automatically enrolling them into the private plans. However, even if 1 percent are overlooked during the transition, 60,000 people would have problems getting their medicine".

Who will be the one to stick up for those who will be left defenseless and disappointed because of this new drug plan? In another recent article, the headline reads:

Neediest may be hurt by new Medicare drug plan

"Some of the nation's oldest, sickest and poorest people could wind up being hurt instead of helped by Medicare's new prescription drug benefit, health advocates warn.

They fear that some people -- including patients in assisted-living homes, the mentally ill and those with chronic conditions such as AIDS -- could face higher costs and bureaucratic obstacles that make it harder to get the drugs they need ".

I have been concerned that in the end a mess might ensue when this prescription drug plan was first being discussed and touted.

These are only a few of the views from the home front that we as Americans are faced with every day. But what of those whom we love and who are absent from the home front due to the war on Terror?
Mission Accomplished

The question utmost on many people's minds is:

Just when is the mission truly going to be accomplished? When is the United States military going to get out of Iraq?

The way I see it, in order to answer these questions, we must first understand what we are doing there.

This is not a simple task.

We are told we are there because reconstruction must be completed. So let's see how the reconstruction effort is going shall we?

This from the Christian Science Monitor, dated August 26, 2005: the headline reads

" Iraq reconstruction shows limited progress :Need for extra security, money lost to corruption, hinder rebuilding efforts".

The article goes on to relay "A series of recent reports by the US government, non-governmental agencies and private organizations shows that despite spending more than $9 billion in Iraq in the past two years, the US has had only "limited progress" in important sectors such as oil and power".

This is only one news item I have found while stumbling across many. I am sure you can get a much clearer picture from reading the article in it's entirety.

All of that money and time, not to mention the loss of life equals limited progress with the reconstruction effort.

Can someone please tell me how reconstruction in Iraq is to be completed in a bloody war zone? Such efforts would appear to be in vain.

From this perspective, how are we to believe the situation will get better in Iraq to the extent that our military can come home?

When having this question put to them, those in the administration act as if we are whining cry babies. They act as if we are being unreasonable by asking any questions about our mission there and when it will end.

This is not the way for any Administration to act. After all, how many of those in our current administration watched their sons or daughters march off to risk their lives for this war effort? We have valid questions but I take it our questions do not matter to them.

While defense contractors are enjoying a rosy and vital economic status since this war began, the rest of us are struggling to pay taxes and keep gas in the tank so we can get to and from our low wage jobs. That is, if we have one. Where is the outrage at all these issues? We should all be seeking God in this hour and asking him for guidance during these chaotic and dark days we live in.

With this said, I believe as I have said before, America is in for dark days ahead. If we believe that we can escape God's hand of judgment, we are mistaken. Do you believe that this war is a good thing?

Do you believe that God himself condones our actions in Iraq?
Do you believe that it is a justified action that those in the current administration have undertaken?

James 1:27

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

In Isaiah 58:6, God says :

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

We are to be currently engaged in setting the captives free by first telling them the good news and secondly, by helping and not hurting them. How different this is from innocent people being killed in this bloody war the American administration has chosen to undertake. The Iraqi's didn't cause the terror in the United States, yet they are being treated as if they did. They have been punished as if they have. We are to be yoke breakers. Instead we are placing a heavy and painful yoke on the necks of those innocent souls we have harmed since the beginning of this war.

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?

Again, this is easy to understand. Our Lord always makes it that way. Instead of taking away from people, we are to be adding to them, for their good and all to bless them. We have done the complete and total opposite in doing what we've done by force in Iraq. Those stripping the clothes off Iraqi's and taking photographs of them to taunt them is a disgrace. Those who have done such things should be ashamed. But they had their orders and they chose to carry them out. Those who gave the orders for our military to do these things, as well as those who actually participated in such atrocities should be ashamed.

8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.

These are our rewards for doing as the Lord has instructed. We will enjoy good health and be filled with understanding and wisdom and joy. The very glory of the Lord will be our reward.

The bottom line:

Among other things, I believe that this war on terror is serving to ultimately wear down and weaken our military. Many see this fact and are asking why those in power are continuing to let it happen. If we were dealing with and fighting an enemy who threatened our freedom and way of life, then it would be in every way understandable. But since this is not the case with Iraq, many are right to sit in awe and silence when they think of this war on "terror".

How is a weakened military in America's best interest?

It is not

But it is in the interests of some, I am sure of it.

If there is another terror incident in the USA, will a draft be implemented?

I believe that an attack on America is the only event at this point that would perpetuate a draft, I believe this wholeheartedly.

We are told that if we do not defeat the terrorists on foreign soil *Iraq* then we will have to fight them here. It was the United States that invaded Iraq's turf, and not the other way around. No friends, something does not add up and hasn't made sense to me ever since the administration's "effort" in Iraq commenced.

What about the negative implications of this war on terror? Where is the debate when it comes to these things? Foremost among these negative implications we can see a weakened United States Military and a tremendous debt to the United States of America.

We most certainly have suffered casualties as a result of this war on terror.

On the one hand:

The numerous lives and limbs of those who have only done what they were ordered to do. These men and women have trusted our administration that they would not put them in harm's way unless absolutely necessary.

On the other hand,

The strength of our military has suffered. Our military of these United States has been weakened in a major way.

Are these two things in the best interest of Americans?

I think not.

The fork in the road: 911 and beyond

I believe those of us who live in America have passed that fork in the road.

In fact, I believe that we are currently traveling along a path that will end in suffering and lamentations we can scarcely imagine. I believe that steps have already been taken that will ultimately end in a disruption of our lives as we have known them thus far. How do I reckon this? I have had my eyes open for the last 4 years and the following are some of my observations:

The first were the elections of 2000. There were many African Americans and others who did not get to vote or did not get their votes counted in the Presidential elections that year. Never before had we witnessed such an event. At least not in our nation. We had all heard of other nations having their elections toyed with, yet in America we had not experienced this. This was one of the first times that I sat up and began to take notice that our good old America had changed, and not for the better. After the elections were over, I regained some of my composure but still pondered on what a travesty had taken place. I then observed 9/11.

After the tragic events, I did not hear much in the way of repentance and trust in God. I suppose it was not fashionable to speak of the spiritual and deep things of God at that time, but this is wrong thinking, for that was the perfect opportunity to speak the truth. Had the pastors and preachers on Television started preaching on the repentance of one and all in our country, who knows where it would have led. At that time we all would have greatly benefited from strong repentance messages, but we were way too busy listening to others with vengeance on their minds and rallying alongside them. No time for timely repentance messages. Exhorting others to repent was not given top priority. The same news reporters who dared not bring up God's name were now busy asking every preacher they could drag onto their news programs and other shows "Why would GOD allow this tragedy to happen"?

The real question was and continues to be:

"Why were a group of fanatical terrorists so angry with America that they would board planes and slam them into the World Trade Centers"? Did God force those terrorists to board the planes and create this chaos and havoc? No, he did not, no more than he can force anyone to do anything. So then, the real question is WHO did this and WHY did they do it? The terrorists who perpetrated these crimes were not angry at God for anything, they were obviously angry at AMERICA and more specifically, the financial institutions of America. The World Trade Centers were the financial hubs of America.

The Trade Centers were the center for commerce in America. Why would a group of terrorists want to destroy America's financial Institutions and the thousands of innocent civilians working there? This was a question that I was wondering myself. I am not absolutely sure of anything, but I do know we should all have enough sense to understand this much about the matter.

Downward Spiral Ever since the elections of 2000 and 9/11

This country has been in a downward spiral that it has not yet recovered from. When we have opportunity to repent of our sins and the sins that our country has committed against other nations, we will hear none of it. We remain headstrong despite how low we continually fall into the abyss. What crimes have we committed against other nations you may ask. I will tell you, the crimes of INVADING and OCCUPYING Iraq. I heard many times that there were weapons in Iraq that would cause a possible mushroom cloud to come upon us if we did not invade. Well, we now know that there were no weapons. Many innocent lives have been lost there because of this invasion not to mention the disruption of vital services to those who have to live in that country.

We must understand that we are to think on these things and have compassion upon those who are currently having this done to them. If we say that we are Christ's people, yet we do not have our hearts broken over what is going on over there, we are not fooling anyone. The truth of the matter is if we have not compassion and love for everyone in this world, we are not his. We had better set up and take note of what we consider justice and righteousness. It matters to God and it should matter to us. Before 9/11 and After 9/11 we were busy living life which for most of us means, tending to our jobs and indulging in whatever hobbies that are near and dear to us. There is most surely a lesson to be learned from 9/11 and it's aftermath for every one of us no matter how near or far we are from New York City. It is just this, in simple terms, America did not have 9/11 perpetrated upon it for no reason. I have heard that they did these things because they hate our freedom we enjoy in the U.S. I don't buy that for a moment. There are those out there who long for America's destruction and there is a reason for their madness. I am currently trying to understand what has caused this great hatred, but I already know one thing for sure, when a nation turns their back on God, anything will and most usually does happen to them. I am currently trying to get the message out that because we invaded Iraq, we will most likely be invaded sometime in the future. What you give out you get back. I truly believe this. This is bible. Any nation that invades another nation for no reason will pay for it in spades. Mark it down, it will happen.

It is called reaping what you sow. If you would like to read my earlier articles, If God is to bless America, We must have a call to repentance and Lamentations for America , please do so.

Here are some ideas as to why America finds itself on the brink of it's destruction, caused by the power of it's own hand.

We have turned our backs to God and our faces are no more beholding his Glory.

This happened before 9/11. Our faces were beholding our own glory. And we in our majesty believed our visage was wonderful and a sight to behold. Sin always ends up this way. Our minds were consumed with our wants, needs and desires. We were oblivious to other parts of the world and the struggles they were continually facing. For that matter, our hearts were oblivious to our next door neighbor's lack and the struggles they might be going through. Compassion being almost non-existent toward others, we forget that while we enjoy our life, there are always others who are not enjoying theirs because they lack the basic necessities of life.

To care for others and to place other's lack as a focal point in our own lives is the true hallmark of being a Christian, but have we done this? Are we currently doing this? Jesus Christ fed the 5000. Why did he do this? Because he had compassion upon that multitude of people. It hurt him to see those people hungry and without food. Our stubbornness and disregard has caused us to be engrossed with a perpetual lullaby. We are currently in a state of carelessness and idleness.

We have been put to sleep by our own delusions, devices and desires.

We believe that everything in our lives will get better and better. Never can we fathom a worse case scenario for the nation we live in. Although I am one voice, I will use it to give the call to one and all that America will see misery and lamentations if she does not repent.

I do not want this to happen and God does not want this to happen, but if we as the people of this great nation do not repent of our sins, it surely will become a reality that we will have to live through.

Remember this: Though the flood came, God protected Noah and his family. But there would have been no protection had Noah not listened, made a choice, and acted upon what God told him to do. This brings me to my final point in this small article. You have to be listening in order for God to talk to you . Then you must CHOOSE what you do with the information that God supplies you with. Then you must ACT upon that knowledge that has been given to you.

These are 3 steps but they are all crucial. Not one can be left out if you are to have discernment that is needed in these days we now live in. If you choose to disregard a warning that God gives, you are signing yourself up to suffer in one or more areas in this life. His truth is the one sure thing we can count on in this life. It is the solid rock that we must be bound to. As the days grow darker we should grasp onto his truth in addition to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Comforter and the friend who sticks closer to us than the dearest brother we could ever find on this earth.

Building A Nation by Blood and Force

Habakkuk 2:12 Woe to him that builds a town with blood and establishes a city by iniquity!

We are currently engaged in rebuilding the nation of Iraq by shedding blood and by using force.

We go into a country that has not attacked us, start dropping bombs and allowing others to be tortured, yet we expect that nation to roll over for this and accept it?

Where is the outrage in our own nation over this? Where is the outrage of the Christians in regards to these policies we have introduced?

The astonishing truth is that many do not have a problem with our actions in Iraq.

If this is spreading democracy, I am not for it. How much longer will the masses be duped by the ridiculous explanation that we are there to spread "freedom and democracy"?

Would any of you tolerate or accept this type of "freedom" and "democracy" being perpetrated upon you in your own country? They speak of freedom, but the freedom they speak of is shedding innocent blood and getting away with it. But let me assure you that God sees all and will reward accordingly. The time is rapidly approaching in which the number of casualties of this war will exceed numbers we could scarce imagine. And yet those in control of setting policy and making decisions are not speaking out. Their tongues remain silent when the American public demands an answer from them.

Here is a bit of truth for those who want to hear it:

Those who have never known the hell and atrocities of war are all too eager to send another man or woman's son into it. And stop and think about what type of war is being waged.

Is this a war in which we are defending OUR liberties and OUR freedoms for our country? Let's take a look.

Saddam Hussein NEVER committed a crime against the United States. The nation of Iraq did nothing to us personally. We first went into Afghanistan and then somehow found our way into Iraq.

Do you not see something wrong with this? Who wanted to go into Iraq and for what purpose? I was watching television when it was announced that we would go into Iraq, two words came into my mind and heart, they were WHAT and WHY.

Enough of the atrocities, enough of utilizing our military for purposes that are going nowhere and that kill innocent people. Those who say "We are there now, so we must stay, we must win and make this thing work", I want to ask one question.

How can you take a wrong and make it appear right?

You cannot, the only way you can make a wrong right is by being honest and confessing that what has currently been done was in error.

What about the Families that have lost loved ones over this war? We need to be asking those who plunged us into it, but I doubt there will be an answer. See my links at the bottom of this page for web sites as well that you should check out for families of the military.

A wrong cannot be made to appear right, for it is not possible to call white black and black white. Those who do these things are only engaging in their own fruitless wishful thinking or else are engaged in the most sickening of deceptions upon those who believe them.

But we do not hear anything about our being wrong or making an error in judgment in regards to going into Iraq. We constantly hear how there are positive thing goings on in Iraq and many tell us that we are not hearing the good news. I fail to understand how the good we have done could justify the atrocities that those live with every day in such a bloody war zone. It is as if those who decided to start and keep up this war are in a constant sleep or dreamland. But the decisions that have been made have placed countless others in for the nightmare of their lives.

We went on and on about the torture chambers in Iraq, then what do we do? We go and prove to the world that we are torturers as well.

Read the current news article,"A Soldier's Heart"

Here are a few issues that I feel must be raised, I believe they are worthy to be addressed:

Stop loss policy

This policy is nothing more than an attempt at slavery.

Notice I said "attempt", because it will not last. This attempt at slavery will fail God willing. Here is a news story: Soldiers fails to halt 'stop-loss' rule Those soldiers who have served their time over the years should not have shackles put on them afterward. But this current war we are engaged in is calling for more bodies and more blood even if those bodies have already served their time in the heat of combat. Every time I hear the question asked, "Why are we still there" I hear an answer like "We must complete reconstruction". How can there be satisfactory reconstruction in a war zone? I have yet to get an answer on this. The situation is now such that all attempts at reconstruction can be thwarted at the drop of a hat. Bombs going off at sites that are under reconstruction is a chaotic effort to say the least.

Not to mention that the Governor of Baghdad was recently assassinated:Baghdad Governor Assassinated

How can there be fair and safe elections if the Governor cannot manage to be kept safe?

The top General of the Army reserves has stated that the reserve is rapidly degenerating into a "broken force".

In the midst of this madness, we hear that our Secretary of Defense is not even signing condolence letters by hand to the families of our military.

Here is an article to read: A lot of people are paying now for Bush excesses

Shedding Innocent Blood:

One of the seven deadly sins spoken of in the Bible is "Hands that spill innocent blood".

Numbers 35:33

So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.

How many more have to sacrifice their lives in order for the blood letting to cease? What will it take before this war in Iraq is examined through eyes that WANT to see the truth of the impossible situation that has become the "War in Iraq"?

What will happen to America because of what we have done in another country and allowed to take place there?

In the bible, we can always look back and see what becomes of a nation that goes against the principles that God has set forth. To a country that does what we have done to another, this means that we will get what we have given. We invaded and took over another country and have subjected them to atrocities that we would never want to be subjected to. With this knowledge, it is a good GUESS that we will someday have the same done to us. This is the old adage that you get what you give or you reap what you sow.

In other words:

We go into a country, spill innocent blood,

Another country will come unto us and spill our innocent blood.

The only ones who would take issue with this are those who are so steeped in pride that they refuse to see the truth.

Was Jesus a war monger?

No, he was not. I challenge you to find one passage in the Bible that states otherwise. You will not find it.

For even when Jesus was approached in the Garden of Gethsemene by those who sought to take him and kill him, Peter drew his sword and Jesus instructed him to put it away. Even when Jesus had done no wrong and there was an apparent NEED to protect the innocent *Jesus*, our master said: "Put up your sword".

John 18:

10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

When the Samaritans did not receive Jesus, James and John had an idea: Notice how Jesus rebuked them for it:

Luke 9

54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

When any country goes against what God has set forth as truth in his word, that country has begun to weaken itself through it's own actions.

Galatians 6

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

The Injustices:

We have veterans that have had to suffer with their benefits being cut, where is the outrage about this?

There are numerous soldiers who are injured for life and do not have adequate checks to live on and nothing is done about this.
Our military trusted that those who have the rule over them would not send them into harms way unless absolutely necessary. Has this war in Iraq been proven to be ABSOLUTELY necessary to our military or to us as American citizens?

Below are some web sites that are managed by families of the military, I advise you to check them out for yourselves.

Military Families Speak Out

Bring Them Home Now

Veterans For Peace

Economic Collision Just Ahead, The Titanic has nothing on America

In watching the movie Titanic, I gained more than just entertainment, and all from a much hyped Hollywood movie.

Only the Best people would be lucky enough to stride most of its glorious expanse.

When the Titanic set out for New York Harbour from Newfoundland , all seemed well. The passengers were excited about gaining the experience of a lifetime.

Those with boarding tickets, carried in their hands the rare opportunity to ride this "Ship of Dreams".

The passengers

Both the wealthy and the poor were overtaken with anticipation when boarding the great ship.

Among the passengers, there was old money (those who came from wealthy and influential families, their wealth was inherited) and new money (those newly wealthy, among these was The "unsinkable Molly Brown", who had "married" money). Most of the passengers had only one thing in common - MONEY.

Anyone who has seen the film would remember the snide, stuck-up mother of Rose. She had a real problem with her daughter. The mother was penniless, left nothing from her deceased husband but a "good name" and some bad debt.

The daughter was not in love with the rich fiance that was chosen for her by the mother, but was being forced to marry him. The snide mother watched over her daughter and hovered so that the daughter would not back out of the arranged marriage. Her daughter's marriage to a man she did not love was the mother's meal ticket.

There was the wealthiest man on the ship, John Jacob Aster. He was having a fling on the Titanic with a girl many years younger than himself. The elite passengers of the Titanic were well taken care of and seemed to have every need met.

The other group of passengers had one thing in common also, poverty. These were the "steerage" who were for the most part restricted to the lowest level of the ship. When the Titanic was sinking, many of these people were kept from boarding the lifeboats, this disgusted me, but such is the way of the world.

One thing was clear, the steerage on the lower deck seemed to be having a much better time than the wealthy on the top deck.

They danced, drank and sang while the wealthy retired to their smoking rooms for a cigar and brandy and talk of their most recent economic conquests.

The young "Rose" of the upper deck, took off with one of the "rats" (Jack) of the lower deck and commenced to run away from her fiance's nosy bodyguard who was chasing them frantically.

The Journey

On April 11, the ship leaves from Newfoundland bound for New York.

The poor were no doubt happily dreaming of the opportunities that awaited them in America. Many of these poor people were going to America to start new lives, hoping for the better life that the New World would offer them once they arrived.

The first few days were wonderful and no problems arose with the ship. None that was accounted of in the movie. Seems to me that after I had seen the movie, I watched a documentary that noted how the Titanic narrowly escaped an impact with another ship while pulling away to leave. If this happened, it was not recounted in the film. All seemed eerily calm and the captain and crew seemed to have everything under control.

How could they have ever known that in a very short time, the great Titanic would be carrying it's passengers to their watery graves.

Trouble Ahead

While making the journey for New York, the ship's designer *Bruce Ismay* had a little chat with Captain Smith. The designer commented to the captain "wouldn't it be wonderful if the Titanic made it to New York BEFORE it's anticipated arrival time"?

He commented how it would make for "great headlines" in the papers.

The captain said he would prefer not to stress the ship's engines before they'd had a chance to be broken in.

It was not enough that the ship was on course, perhaps a bit ahead of schedule, the designer of the great Ship wanted the Titanic to "make headlines". No doubt that in the Titanic making headlines, Mr. Ismay himself would make headlines.

Iceberg Warnings

Now at some point, during the two days of calm, there were iceberg warnings from nearby ships. These iceberg warnings were addressed to the Captain who upon hearing of the possible dangers ahead, seemed unconcerned. Had he and the crew taken the WARNINGS more seriously, the disaster perhaps could have been avoided. But it was not to be.

The captain then gives the order to take Titanic "full steam ahead".

Now here is something interesting:

Had the lookouts been doing their jobs, and had the speed not been set to full, and had the warnings been heeded, in all likelihood the great ship would not have met it's terrible fate.

These three, not heeding to the warnings of others, accelerated speed and lack of alertness caused the sinking of the titanic.

By the time the iceberg was spotted by the watchers, the speed the ship was set at made it impossible to steer the ship away from the iceberg. The impact did not have to happen. It was simply a result of wrong decisions. There was a chain of negligent decisions that caused the sinking of the Titanic.

Just before midnight, April 14th, 1912

When the ship hit the iceberg, there was simply no time for planning. There was not adequate lifeboats available for the passengers. There was a ship that was not far from Titanic when the Titanic went down, but this ship didn't notice the distress signals from the Titanic. This other ship most likely thought that the signals were celebratory and nothing to do with distress. In the havoc that followed, there was no time for the passengers to be astonished. There was simply no time for anything. The speed at which the Titanic went down was remarkable. Passengers scurrying around grabbing for anything to keep their heads above water. Looking for anything to grab onto. In the movie, we see many of the lower class passengers having to stay below, they were locked in down there, while the first class passengers were offered lifeboats. Women pleading to have their husbands go with them in the lifeboats, children screaming for their fathers to come with them.

It took around 2 hours for the Titanic to finally go to it's watery grave.

God himself could not sink this ship!

Before the impact and while all was well, passengers commented on the safeness of the Titanic.

One passenger commented "This ship is not capable of sinking! God himself could not sink this ship!"

But in the end, these brazen and confident proclamations would not prove to be accurate.

Warning, Economic Collision just ahead

The Titanic Has Nothing on America

I can see many similarities in the Nation we live in and that great and grand ship Titanic. But first, some recent changes I've noticed.

America was a great Nation and still has in it the capabilities to surpass even what we used to be. But at present, we have lost sight of those things we most need (A healthy and strong spiritual life) and have focused on those things that are of no use to us and are at best, detrimental to our nation (greed, selfishness and pride). All U.S citizens have been very fortunate to live in such a nation as this. The reasons for being fortunate are many. The freedom that America affords those who have lived in bondage in other countries is something to be extremely thankful for. The economic freedoms we have been allowed to enjoy have seemed to be infinite. However, they are not infinite. Ask the many who are no longer employed. Ask those whose jobs have been given away to cheap foreign labor markets abroad. The career opportunities we have been able to enjoy have been a sight to behold in times past. But it's not quite what it was before, and the career outlooks for many who are graduating college are bleak at best. Many who have a degree are flipping burgers and IF they can find a better offer, they will grab it up for less money than was previously offered them in years past.

The problem is, America is increasingly becoming less of what it was and more of what it was not. As I said above, we have been blessed with much but now we seem to be spinning out of control. Lack of self control and a dry or non-existent spirituality has made us blind and as a result, we have lost our discernment.

Economic Disaster for Our Great and industrious American economy?

The money analysts on CNN will not sound an alarm before economic disaster hits this country, it will not be done.

The money barons of Wall Street forecast nothing but the most excellent financial projections for American companies. Never mind the fact that lately, more and more projections turn out to be below expectations.

They say, "This quarter, profits could be down but it's ok, profits are projected to rise during the next quarter". There are an abundance of economic prophets and prognosticators. They will always have something good to say, never anything dismal or negative. The bulls always will overshadow the bears. These bulls foresee positive growth and excellent economic potential for various companies and corporations. We can forget about getting a warning from these people. No matter how bad our economy gets, they will always mouth the optimistic commentaries of those they serve, regardless of what the truth is.

Of Living in America in 2004

Here is just a small peep into what we experience every day in our current society:

We have American workers going broke and losing jobs, while corporations are making more profit than ever before.

We have tax cuts for the richest in America while the poor in America are paying the price for their corporate Greed.

We have Billions of dollars going to a foreign country to rebuild their schools while our own schools are in shambles. Do we care about our children's education?

We are building fire stations in Iraq while our own firehouses are drastically under funded and do without necessities. Not that we should not build theirs, but should we hold such disregard and disinterest for our own? Should we build their's at the expense of our own?

We have many Christians turning a blind eye to gut wrenching sins, while ranting about the few (sins) they choose to rant on about. They speak out against the sins of their own choosing.

We have millions of citizens cowering in fear after watching a two minute clip on the latest terrorism warnings.

A presidential nominee and Vietnam Veteran who served his country well and should be commended, is instead slandered, yet many see no problem at all with this.

We have Veterans that have to worry about getting their benefits cut, yet they were the ones who served our country and should be held in high regards by our Administration.

The Ten Commandments are hauled out of a courthouse, yet a little later, homosexual marriages are performed on courthouse steps all across the nation.

We have pastors divorcing their wives and marrying another soon after. There is no sorrow over it, he believes he is in God's will and his previous wife was not his "soul mate", but he has been told by God that this new one is.

Money, The Stumbling Block Of our Iniquity

What can be said is the one thing that we hold most dear to our hearts?

The love of Money, The Root of All Evil

It was not by accident that God placed this warning to us in the Bible. We should thank him many times over for giving us this warning.

God knew that the Love of Money is indeed the root of all evil. Money, or the love or lust for it brings greed. When greed takes control of people, there is a disastrous outcome, not only for the greedy, but for the victims of those who would allow greed to gain control of their lives and steer them toward a devastating and destructive path.

It is all too true that at present, there are many who are walking over whomever they have to in order to extract GAIN in financial respects. Some of them are even known as Christians, but Christ said that we would know these people their fruits.

Why would God allow our prosperity to be taken away from us? Why would God allow our country to experience an economic Titanic?

Because money has become the stumbling block of our iniquity .

Ezekiel 7:19

They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumbling block of their iniquity.

Money is the biggest Idol in the world, and can certainly be said to be the biggest idol in America.

We believe that if we can buy it, then it will make us happy. What we fail to realize is that the most precious things in life cannot be bought. Just like salvation , it IS the most precious gift we could ever have in our possession, yet it cannot be purchased with money. It cannot be bought with the finest gold or the most choice silver.

An Economic Titanic

There is coming upon this earth an economic disaster that I do not believe has been seen in history, and America will not be spared. We somehow think that we as Americans will never know the suffering and judgment of God, but this is incorrect. We will not get by escaping God's judgment. The most important thing that we can do right now is to prepare for the dark days ahead, and in order to do this we must repent . We must repent of our sins as well as ask God to forgive everyone in this nation for setting up the idol of money in their hearts and leaving him out of their lives. We must realize also that we have done this to ourselves. God has not done this to us and he is not responsible. When we turn away from God and allow ANYTHING to take the place that he rightly deserves in our hearts, we have chosen a slippery path that will surely plunge us into disaster.

First off, we know that this economic catastrophe will happen according to scripture because the new monetary system must be implemented at some point. Money will surely be worthless and I believe it will be replaced by a universal monetary system. We read about this in the book of Revelation. I plan to write at length on this topic, but that will be in 2005/2006.

A warning to the Rich of this World

We are given a warning from God. This warning is to the rich of this world who engage in fraud and other deceptive practices. God addresses the fraud that they place upon their laborers who are hired to work in the rich man's fields. This scripture tells me that the cry of those who are treated unjustly will be heard by God, and he will make it right and defend those weaker ones who cannot resist the greedy tyrants of this world.

James 5 1-6

1Go to now, ye 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. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

4 Behold, the hire of the laborers 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 sabaoth.

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 doth not resist you.

This Ship is Sailing

Just as the passengers of the Titanic were carefree and without a concern in the world, many in America have lived in the lap of luxury and expect nothing to change. They expect that the type of life they lead will never be taken away from them. Others in America have not had many needs and have not had to do without. But that is going to change. The prosperous economic ship of the 90'S has set sail AWAY from us and is no more. We may not see this completely at present, but the full impact is not here yet either.

Many of us just cannot believe that this great economic ship called "American Productivity" will surely sink. All who refuse to give heed to a valid warning are doomed to suffer. Just as the ship's captain was warned of surrounding icebergs and chose not to take the warning seriously, many in America will be in disbelief when the full measure of economic mayhem strikes this country. We are told of the major deficits that we have incurred since 2001, yet many are unconcerned about this as well. Where is the concern you may ask? Gone, all concern about paying off the debt of this nation is something that we feel can be put off, just like many other vitally important issues, we simply refuse to deal with it. Just like we refuse to deal with the most important issue of the current state of our souls. When we are given warnings from the word of God such as the above scriptures I listed, we must heed them. Disregarding them and counting them as nothing will surely cause us to suffer the consequences of our inaction at a future time known only to God.

The Economic Health and Security of this nation does not depend upon this Election

It does not matter which President is elected in 2004, we are going to see an economic disaster no matter who is appointed to the White House. The reason why is because a MAN or an ADMINISTRATION cannot stop a judgment from the Almighty God. We have foolishly thought that a United States President could protect us from Terrorist attacks. How ridiculous and unbiblical. A human being is not able to watch out for us, even if that person carries the title of President. The only one who can take care of us and give us security is God, in his mercy. Many do not realize that we are to heed what God says in his word if we expect to enjoy a thriving and healthy economy, as well as a secure nation.

The only thing that will remedy our ills and the course we've taken is our repentance coupled with a genuine heart felt seeking of the one true God. But how many of us will choose to alter our course, get on our knees in humbleness and DO what we are told to by the one who made us and fashioned us? We have been given a mandate, this mandate is thousands of years old. It promises us that God will heal our land IF we choose to hear it and live by it.

Here it is, read it, believe it and put it to practice in your life:

IF my people who are called by my name shall HUMBLE themselves and PRAY, seek MY face, and TURN from their wicked ways, THEN will I hear from HEAVEN, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Identifying our culture of self

Ours is a culture of self . Money is the "means" to acquire what the heart desires.

These are only 5 characteristics that identify our current culture of self:

1. Image

We are mainly concerned over the contents of our wardrobe, the type of car we drive, the home we live in. Image is not everything to many in our generation, it's the only thing. Will our children get accepted to the most reputed school? Will our husband "land" that corporate managerial position? Were we able to obtain those tickets for the show or football game that we just know will be sold out? We are willing to go into bankruptcy rather than drive a reliable yet older model car or pick-up truck. We must "look" the part. We must polish our "Image" even if it is a FALSE facade or image, one that does not represent the truth about us..

2. Perverted Sexual Desires (Those that are NOT what God intends for us)

Perverted sexuality is the hallmark of a failing and faltering society. Our uncontrolled sexual desires will cause us great pain and heartache in the end, yet at the time we are feeding them, we mistakenly say to ourselves, "If it feels good, do it". Sexual Addiction is rampant in our society today. Sex is as much of an addiction as drugs, yet many reject this truth. Many that are sex addicts are repulsed by drug addicts, yet they have their own drug of choice - SEX. When we turn away from God and his truth, what his will is for our lives, we will ALWAYS turn to something else and be open and fair targets for addictions. In our culture we have the ability (If we pay for it) to receive X Rated programs into our own living room. We see and hear back to back commercials for "Male Sexual Enhancements" and now even "Female Sexual Enhancements". There are condom commercials in which young couples are portrayed. When I see these things, I want to turn away. I remember about what we read in the Bible about Lot before Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed:

6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample (example) unto those that after should live ungodly;

7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

3. Sports

Those who do have their sexual desires in check and under control and would never consider themselves "addicts" have the Sports Idol raging out of control in their lives. Who would dream that a dozen guys, a fifty yard line, and a pigskin could create such a frenzy of followers? Some may say that sports ALWAYS was as it is today. I beg to differ with them. I can remember many years ago and what it was like. Today is totally different. Sports of any kind was not all about profits and six figure salaries for the players. Yes, profiteering from Sports was always there, but not to the extent it is today. Sports was never such a monster of merchandising as it is now. The fans were not like savages and the games were not as picked apart and scrutinized by commentators as they are today. Today, sports is MUCH more important to many men and women than their family is. There is always enough time to catch a game of your preferred sport, yet time is short for so many other more important matters. Sports will prove to be a MAJOR addiction in the lives of many as time goes on. I like sports but I do not place it above God or my family. When you give more time to it than you do God and family, something is wrong. It has become an addiction to you.

4. Food

Isn't it something that an obviously obese preacher would blast drug addicts, sex addicts, sports addicts and numerous others while he cannot gain control over his addiction to food? Yes, it's something, but I've seen it happen over and over again. These people must keep their spiritual and physical eyes closed when it comes to examining their own selves. We in America have an abundance of everything and manage to lack nothing if we have the money to get it, this includes food. Now I'm not knocking obese people, the truth is, it took a long time to get overweight and it will not be shed overnight. This is what people who do not struggle with obesity do not understand. Anyone who is looking to lose weight and sticks with it, being disciplined will manage it and come out stronger, healthier and happier in the end. But the bible calls food addiction what it truly is, Gluttony. I've heard statistics that a high percentage of Americans are obese. The fast food restaurants we have to choose from do not help the problem, yet if we have a food addiction, we should STAY AWAY from them. The fast food restaurant to an overweight person is the absolute equivalent of a bar for the alcoholic or a crack house to a drug addict..

Overeating, is an addiction - it is a Food addiction.

5. Drugs

What can we say of the destructive scourge that drugs have created in our society? I have seen friends of mine and family members almost lose EVERYTHING because of their addiction to drugs. One time I asked someone I know if it ever crossed their mind that the next time they did their drug it would kill them? I didn't have a motive when asking it other than my own curiosity which had got the better of me. Guess what they said? They told me that at the time they crave it, they never gave death a second thought. They were helpless against their addiction to drugs. Our drug rehabs are filled to overflowing here in America. Filled with those who cannot manage a destructive addiction that has them in it's grasp. Today we have 10 year old children experimenting with drugs. We have addicted parents who are not feeding their children because the money must go to feed their addiction. Today "casual drug use" is considered the norm and acceptable by most. But there is no such things as "casual" use when it comes to drugs. It certainly can start out that way, yet soon it is found out that drugs will take us farther than we were willing to go and cost us far more than we would ever have dreamed or imagined. And I might add here, we've all seen the commercial "Just Say No" to drugs? Well, if you ever have to help a drug addict to get clean, try telling them that.

Or better yet, when your child is tempted to try drugs and is under peer pressure to use, try telling them, "Just say no". A much better approach would be to tell them that they would be destroying the life that GOD gave them and don't just leave the discussion there. That would only be the starting point. But remember, children must know that they are loved, appreciated and cherished, and in our society there is not much time given to our children. So, children will not respect, let alone listen to a parent who will not take the time to BE a parent. This is the major reason why children are in rebellion and will not listen when we DO talk to them. They see our neglect of them. Our major fault as parents in this current generation is not spending enough quality time with our kids. We parents are much too preoccupied with ourselves which is both sad and tragic.

Our current generation is one that caters to self-gratification. Yet we are not beyond help. It is, as it always has been as far as God is concerned, his hand is stretched out still. God is still here for us, God still loves us. Jesus gave all for us and suffered to do it because of his great love for us. He seeks to free us from self. He wants our eyes focused on him and the result of this will be our concern for the welfare of others and less concern for ourselves. Jesus was all about others. His compassion was for others, not himself. We must strive to put down addictions and strive to be free of self-gratification. First and foremost, we must ADMIT that we are addicted in certain areas of our lives. There is no changing of our ways and deliverance in denial. Our denial of the truth about ourselves is prolonging our own suffering. And recognize that there is not one person better than you, we have ALL struggled with addictions in our lives no matter how free we are right now. We must remember where we came from in order not to go back there again.

So first, admit that you are unable to free yourself from whatever has you in it's grasp. Admit it to God and admit it to yourself. This is humbleness at it's best.

It is only through God's help, God's truth and God's Love that we will be able to escape the bondage of self gratification and go on to enjoy the freedom in Christ that we so need in this current "culture of self" so many have fallen prey to and are trapped in.