CNN News Anchor Involved in Gunfight

I guess I only have one question about this attempted robbery that ended with the perpetrator being killed:

IS THIS NOT A RACIST CRIME!?!?!?!?!?

Why has no one cried out using the RACE card?  If this had been a white man robbing a black couple, I am almost certain it would have been charged as a "hate crime".  Fair is fair.  It seems every time a white cop has to kill a black person in the midst of that person committing or attempting to commit a crime, it is racist and there are riots everywhere. 

And has it occurred to anyone, besides me, that if these people weren't attempting to commit a crime, or disobeying police orders to stop, there would be no need to shoot anyone?  And if all these people who are crying for GUN control, would instead cry for CRIME control, we would all have a lot less to worry about.

Most times, the people committing crimes, as was the case with this incident, have a long rap sheet of past run-in's with the law.  Obviously their prior punishments were not enough of a deterrent to make them want to stop doing illegal things.  That's because they know the worst they will get is a slap on the wrist, and a little time at the gray-bar hotel.  And during their stay there, they will be given 3 meals a day, TV, weight-lifting opportunities, outdoor recreational time,and an opportunity to take some online classes if they wish.What kind of punishment is that?

If we had stronger crime control and greater punishment for crimes, the rate would be significantly lower.  Why do criminals sit in prison for years while my tax dollars pay to house them?  If you intentionally take another's life, and witnesses saw you do it, and there is no question as to your guilt, then what is the hold-up?  You should get a speedy trial and be executed immediately thereafter.  If your crime was not violent, but your punishment is a prison sentence, then it should be PRISON.  I guarantee you the people who worked on chain gangs did NOT want to go back to prison when they were released.  Let's reinstate some hard physical labor of prisoners.  I know there are those who will say it violates their rights.  THEY violated their own rights the instant they committed a crime.  They did it knowing it was wrong and if they got caught they would be punished. You think your actions are without consequences?  Every action has a consequence - some good and some bad. If you knew you would get 20 years hard labor with barely enough food and water to sustain you, that might make you think twice before you robbed a liquor store or mugged someone or sold drugs.

I just don't understand...

Confederate Flag - Myth or Fact?

I suppose the fact that I was not alive when slavery was active in the United States makes me have little understanding about this new controversy.  But, I just don't get it. 
The best I understand, what we now refer to as the "Confederate Flag" was originally designed by William Porcher Miles, Chairman of the Flag and Seals Committee.  It was proposed to be used as our national flag, but was instead chosen as a battle flag by the Army of North Virginia under General Robert E. Lee.  This is not the same flag some refer to as a "rebel flag".
So this flag has been in existence for some 150 years, and has been displayed by a number of both public and private sectors all the while.  What happened in the last few weeks that made this particular flag such a big deal?  I wonder if the people who are raising a stink about this know that it was created by the democrats. The party of our president in office right now. The party who fought and lost lives to keep slavery.  The party who believes in the government "providing" for the people, and thus, controlling the people. 
Like it or not, it is part of the history of these United States.  It has been displayed in various places for many years.  Today it is offensive? Why wasn't it offensive in the 50's, 60's or 70's? 
I'll tell you what offends me.  The NAACP.  The ACLU.  The United Negro College Fund.  It offended me many years ago, and still does today.  Think they will dissolve because I am offended?  Doubt it. How does one get something removed for being offensive?  I have been offended by many TVshows and movies, but so far, haven't found anyone who cares. 
I have said this before, but slavery is part of our history.  It was not pleasant.  I am sorry for those who had to endure.  But no one alive right now has any first-hand knowledge of that.  I do not wish to resume the practice of slavery of black people, as I feel it is unjust.  But all those who are making a big deal about this, do you realize the people you keep voting for are making you slaves?  And color doesn't matter any more.  We are all being forced into slavery.  Our "government" is now controlling our health care system. They are making people think they are "owed" something.  They are making them feel good about receiving welfare benefits, and making them further dependent upon the government. Our government is attempting to control our religions, which is why the United States was formed in the first place.
Wake up, people!  Our government has far overstepped their bounds in what they have control of.  Their job is to protect rights.  But those very rights are what are being slowly taken away from the American people.  When we wake up one day to realize we live in a socialist country, it will be too late to change it. 

All A Bunch Of Hypocrites!

As I read all the posts and comments on social networks, blogs, etc., I see many statements by Christians simply stating their opinions on the newest gay rights controversy.  For the most part, they are not hateful and condemning, but rather reiterating what the Bible has to say about it, that it is wrong. Yes, there are a few radicals, but I feel the majority are not.
But the replies I have read from those in favor of gay rights and gay marriage are atrocious! Most of the responses are, "You have no right to judge me", or "Only God can judge me",one that said "I would rather go to hell than be with you Christians".
First of all, aren't these "rights" gay people claim to have to be free to live their lifestyle and get legally married, the very same "rights" I have to say I disagree? Or did I lose my rights when they gained theirs? And didn't they say all they wanted was to have the same rights as everyone else?  The right to have legal marital status?  So why, now, are there lawsuits popping up against Bible publishers and bakeries?  Neither of them interfered with that right. Does this mean it was all a false front?  Merely a door opening for "special privileges"? Isn't that hypocritical to say one thing and do or mean another?
Secondly, if I am not mistaken, I believe these same people who spew hatred for Christians and God, are the very same people who ask people to pray for them or a loved one when there is an illness or injury and death appears eminent.  And the same people who reply to others' requests for prayer that they are "praying".  So, who are you praying to?  And who is it you hope others pray to when you need help?  I believe if I hated God and Christians as much as you say you do, I would ask nothing of them.
And to the one post I saw that said they would rather go to hell than be around Christians, I believe you will get your wish. And it won't be funny and you will regret your decision for an eternity. If you knew what a future in hell looked like, you would not be saying things like that.
So, for all those that call Christians hypocrites, you are right - there are many.  But there are also many who are not.  For some reason, a lot of people think Christians should live perfect lives. Though we strive to, we are human and fail miserably many times.  Being a Christian doesn't mean we live above everyone else.  It means we know what we deserve, but through the grace of God, He forgives our sins and loves us anyway. And that brings a peace that only Christians can know.  God says ALL will stand before Him, and ALL will confess that He is Lord.  And on that day, whatever lame excuse you may have for rejecting Him will not matter - it will be too late.

Let's Sue the LGBT!!!

So, the saga continues.  A gay man is suing Bible publishers for references to homosexuality. Aren't these the SAME people who previously stated that "God loves everyone"  and "God made me this way".  So now they are acknowledging that God says it is wrong?  What is wrong with these people? 
In the beginning, they said they wanted "equal rights"  and "the right to be married".  Did they not get what they wanted?  And now that's not enough?  I am sure the LGBT has things written in their organizational and structural documents that is offensive to me.  Maybe I'll sue them for the anguish it has caused me.  I have read many things over the years that were offensive.  I have seen TV commercials that were offensive.  I have sat next to a foul-mouthed person at a football game and that was offensive to me. People have said hurtful things to me. 
When I was little and would run home to tell my mom someone did something mean to me, her response was always the same - "Then don't play with them anymore."  If what the Bible says offends you, then use your right NOT to read it!  If you don't like the fact that I disagree with your lifestyle, then DON"T ask me how I feel about it!  Be whatever it is you feel you need to be, and be grateful you live in a country where you are free to choose.  Stop stepping on MY rights to disagree with you! You want to marry the same sex? You got your wish.  It's legal.  Stop whining about every last thing and enjoy your new-found freedom. A baker doesn't want to participate in your lifestyle by declining to bake your wedding cake?  GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!  Leave them alone!  Tell all your gay friends never to go there if you wish, but leave them alone!
I disagree with other religious "books" - the quran has many things that offend me, like advising muslims that infidels must be killed.  The book of mormon has things that are offensive to me. THEREFORE, I do not study, nor abide by their teachings.  But because we live in a country where everyone has the right to believe as they wish, I don't infringe on others who observe the principles and teachings of those books.
So, to all the gay people, you have stepped on MY RIGHTS.  My right to flip through the TV channels without seeing a gay couple.  My right to disagree with your lifestyle.  My right to say I disagree with your lifestyle.  My right to refuse to serve you if I so choose, even though we have a sign that says we can refuse to serve anyone for any reason.
It's not enough that you people have screamed loud enough for enough years to get to "marry" another, but you want the world to celebrate and participate in your sin.  I am not knocking on your door begging you to go to church every Sunday and condemning your lifestyle, so why are you not satisfied with what you have? When is it enough?  We Christians know God's love is not shown or felt by shouting loudly in someone's ear, but rather by the quiet assurance and peace in your heart.  So, while you were shouting from the mountain tops about your "rights", we have been quietly and fervently praying for you, while being careful not to infringe on your "rights" to live this lifestyle.  And now you wish to trample us into the ground?  That is not acceptable to me.  And you will not quiet me.
I feel that if a Christian coalition were to be established, maybe a class action suit could be brought against the LGBT for violating the rights of Christians across the country. For stepping on my freedom of speech.  For offending my freedom of religion.  And I am pretty sure, even though we have a right to assemble, an assembly of people protesting gay people would result in arrests.  I just never cease to be amazed at what goes on in this country, and the judges who permit it.

Welcome to My Padded World

I'm constantly reminded of the Boy Who Lived In A Bubble, so protected that nothing could harm him.  There continues to be people, government, etc. who want to keep removing things from us.  Let's remove the Confederate Flag - might offend someone.  Let's take away guns - might kill someone.  We should probably take away silverware - someone could be impaled with a fork or butter knife.  And we should certainly take away cars - just look at how many lives are lost with them.  We should increase the number of rolls of duct tape made to cover everyone's mouth - just in case they might offend another person.  Do these idiots really think if we remove all chances of violence and totally pad the world we live in it will make nicer people?  Where the heck has personal responsibility gone?
How about we teach our kids self-control?  And respect for others?  And respect for authority?  What if we gave our teachers the ability to punish kids for bad behavior?  And what if we made the murderers responsible for the killings and not the guns?  The Nazi flag and Hitler are a part of history.  Should we not mention it because it is unpleasant?  And who is it that thinks you are going to go through life and never be offended by someone? How about instead of ADHD and zombie medication we spend time with our kids and enforce rules?  I can't tell you how many kids in the upcoming generation I have seen get mad and hit or spit at their parents.  This is OK, but a Confederate Flag is not? 
Regardless of the laws or rules our government tries to make or enforce, it all starts at home.  AT HOME!  I am constantly amazed as I watch parents typing away on their cell phones while their kids are desperately trying to get their attention.  And parents who spare no expense to ensure their children have the finest toys and enroll in the most sports.  I hate to tell you, but your kids could care less about that stuff.  What they want are parents who love them, love spending time with them, and LISTEN to them!  Go off the grid for a few hours a day.  Turn off that darn phone.  Make mud pies!  Dig worms!  DO something one-on-one with them.  Let them know they are important to you.  Let them experience some failure.  If you always get a trophy, what does that say?  In a race, there can be only one winner.  Of course their efforts should be praised, but you don't get to win everything, every time.  That's life.  Some people are nice to you.  Others are mean.  Some things are fair.  Some are not.
Our job as parents is not to have a competition with other parents.  Our job is to raise responsible, well-rounded, productive kids who are ready to tackle the real world once they leave the nest. I was always tickled at the parents I heard saying, "Well, MY kids don't do that.  MY kids would never act that way."  Meanwhile, my kids were coming home saying what little Johnny or Susie did over the weekend, and it was all I could do to not tell those parents, "Your kids are doing the same thing every other kid is doing - partying, speeding, etc."  Don't get me wrong - mine were no angels, and I wasn't stupid enough to think they were.  They had consequences for their actions.  They hated us on more than one occasion.  We were "unfair" many times.  I spanked my kids when they were little.  They knew should they ever decide to draw back as though to hit me, they would have a very red behind that day. They may not have always liked us, but they knew better than to disrespect us.
To those who think "spanking" is "beating" you are wrong.  As a child the fear of pain from a spanking is what kept me from doing a lot.  And if we were doing something wrong, any adult was likely to twist our ear or give us a swat, then tell our folks, who would probably hand out another spanking when we got home.  And there was always that walking spanking that was the worst.  Mom would grab one hand and swat me every step home while shouting in my ear. I lived.  I grew up.  I knew better than to do that again.
Until we return to a place where parents can teach and discipline their kids, this world will continue to go to hell in a handbasket. And taking away every possible sharp object or harsh word won't make a hoot of a difference if we don't teach personal responsibility for our actions.  Let's stop being "politically correct" and start being "Biblically correct"!

The Butcher, The Baker, The Mental Pain Maker

Oh. My. Goodness.  I have just read that the bakery who refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple has been ordered to pay that couple $135,000 for pain and suffering.  Really?  Would this same couple have sued if they were just too booked up to make their cake?  Or what about if they were known in their town for not paying their bills.  Or what if they were just big jerks?  Is there any acceptable reason to refuse service to someone?  And in my book, this is definitely considered infringement on freedom of religion. 
If I own a business, I should have the right to serve or not serve anyone I choose.  For any reason I choose.  EVEN if it is discriminatory!  Of course, I will be subject to the repercussions of my actions by the people I refuse to serve.  They may tell their friends and those friends may never patronize my business.  But it is still my right to choose! But do they have the right to sue me for something I have not done?  Does this mean that if I go to a bar and get in a fight and the owner tells me not to return, I can  now sue him for my mental anguish caused by not being able to go back there?  How about if I go to Walmart and shoplift and they tell me not to come back?  This opens the door to a host of stupid lawsuits.  And who on earth are the judges who rule on these cases?  Do they not have any common sense?
I can understand if the bakery agreed to make the cake, and then a day prior to the wedding changed their mind.  That would be too close to get another.  But this was months before their wedding, and there was no agreement, ever.  So what the heck are they suing for? 
And homosexual people are saying they are discriminated against.  Now, I can't speak for anyone else, but discrimination should be a term used for something a person can't help, like the color of their skin, or their mental capacity.  Who you choose to have sex with is most definitely something that is changeable.  I hear, "You can't help who you love"over and over.  But doesn't society look down on that poor girl who stays with her abusive husband because she "loves" him.  And I am pretty sure the DFS would be a little discriminatory against the girl whose boyfriend that was charged with child molestation continues to let him live in her home, even though she can't help who she loves. 
I feel for this bakery owner.  This will most likely put them out of business, all because they didn't want to make a cake.  And their right to free enterprise has been taken away.  How sad.

If Gay People Won, What Exactly Did They Win?

What a sad, sad day for our country!  I absolutely cannot believe gay marriage has been legalized, and by supreme court justices, no less!  I currently wasn't aware they had the power to make laws and/or change our constitution. I have been taught that they were to be the final interpretation of laws already in place. Speaking of interpretation, let's talk.  The Bill of Rights guarantees us certain things.  First is freedom of or from religion.  Freedom of speech.  Freedom to assemble. Freedom to petition the government.  Many more rights are guaranteed by our Bill of Rights, but this first amendment seems to be open to a huge cross-section of interpretation.
Freedom of religion. I have been given the right to believe whatever I choose and call that my religion.  If my religion believes that stealing is wrong, I am guaranteed the right to say I think stealing is wrong (freedom of speech).  If my religion believes homosexuality is wrong, I am guaranteed the right to say I think it is wrong.
I have been amazed watching Facebook posts from non-Christain people quoting Bible verses (out of context of course) stating "Love one another" and "Judge not, lest ye be judged".  Let's think about those two quotes from the Bible.  Matthew 7:1-3 states, "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

So the questions is, are Christians judging homosexuals?  Well, they shouldn't be.  This verse is a reminder from God to Christians to examine your own life before you condemn another's.  We are told to judge with "righteous" judgement.  I don't believe God meant for us to reach a point where we think we are perfect, and then go around condemning everyone else who isn't.  1. We are not, nor will any of us ever be perfect.  2.  We are not to "condemn" someone else - that is God's job.  The Bible says Jesus Christ will judge all men.  To say that I will ever attain the status to be able to judge someone else in the manner of God is preposterous! John 8:7 says "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone".  I have seen this verse multiple times on Facebook.  Again, taken out of context.  In this chapter, the Pharisees were trying to set a trap for Jesus, who was teaching in the temple. They had caught a woman in the very act of adultery.  They hauled her in to tell Jesus what she had done and let Him know that the current punishment for this crime was to stone her to death. They were waiting to see what He would say.  His statement to them was "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."  This was a pointed statement to remind them that we ALL have sin in our lives, whether we think it is big or small, it is still sin in God's eyes.  One by one, they all left the temple, knowing that Jesus knew what was in each man's heart. Then Jesus asked the sinful woman, "Where are they?  Has no one condemned (or judged) you?" She replied, "No one, Sir."  Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and leave your life of sin." Does this mean Jesus was condoning her behavoir?  Absolutely not!  He was demonstrating God's love for us.  Even in the midst of great sin, God does still love us.  But He hates our sin.  He gives us every chance to turn and repent and follow Him.  

I am equally amazed at the "Christians" I have seen posting things like, "Everyone has the right to be happy." and "You can't help who you fall in love with."  As Christians, we are commanded to "love one another".  We are never commanded to condone and celebrate sin.  We are to love all people, even the vilest of sinners.  We are shown by the example of Jesus, who dined and conversed with a multitude of sinners, that the heart of man is mostly reached through love.  We are to lovingly and gracefully point out the sin of a brother, that is, another Christian, that through God's guidance they may realize their sin and repent of it.  There is a great difference between pointing out what God says is sin, and "judging" someone.  But apparently my right to "free speech" is now called "judging" by society.  And Jesus never minced words with sinners.  When He spoke to the woman at the well, he didn't him-haw around.  He told her to go get her husband.  She said she didn't have one.  He told her how right she was - she had previously had 5 husbands, and the one she was living with now wasn't her husband at all.  He didn't try and cover it up, or mix it with something else, He just laid it all out on the table.  She was not a Christian.  Without the love and conviction of God's Holy Spirit, a person's sense of right and wrong is a little off.  They mostly live in the "it makes me feel good, so it must be ok" spirit.  So, to those people, I suppose when their sin is pointed out, they take immediate offense to it. And to those who are unsaved, without the Holy Spirit living within them, you can't know the true inner joy and peace that comes from trying to live a life pleasing to God. The calm assurance that you have when you are walking in God's will can't be described to them in an understandable way.  

God gave us all free will.  In the Garden of Eden, Eve was given free will.  She was temped by Satan, and caved under pressure. From that day on, Jesus Christ is the only man to be tempted by Satan and never, ever give in.  All of us have wants, thoughts, urges, etc. that are sinful - it's our fleshly nature.  But we all also have the power to choose what we will do.  And I think we can all say that sometimes we stand strong and do the right thing, and sometimes we crash and do the wrong thing.  When we do wrong, we are to repent - to be truly sorry for whatever sin we have committed and ask God's forgiveness.  Homosexual people generally claim they can't help that they are attracted to the same sex.  I personally don't believe that if you are a Christian, walking with God, you will have those "uncontrollable urges or feelings".  On the other hand, when we are tempted by whatever thoughts or feelings we have, we do, in fact, have the power to not act on them.  An alcoholic has urges to drink.  A recovering alcoholic has urges to drink.  The difference between the two is their choice of action. 

I see where people are constantly stating they have a "right" to be happy.  Where did you ever get that idea?  As far as I know, God did not promise happiness.  Happiness being the feeling you get from your external circumstances, or things that happen around you.  This feeling is of the flesh and is short-lived. God promised us hope, peace and comfort.  Hope for a future.  Hope for eternal life with Him.  Peace in our hearts, whether our external circumstances are good or bad.  Comfort in knowing that whatever happens in this earthly world, it is, at best, temporary, and our security lies in knowing we will spend eternity in Heaven with God if we are saved.  And if we all got what we "deserved", we would all be cast into an eternal, burning, fiery hell.  It is only by the grace of God, and by the sacrifice of the life of Jesus Christ that we have hope for something other than hell.

I also see all the comments stating that homosexuality is no greater sin than any other sin.  That is totally correct!  Sin(s) have been given "levels of badness" by humans.  In God's eyes, lying about someone is no worse than molesting a child.  But so far, I have seen many more people be "judged" by us and go to prison for child molestation than for lying.  And if society is going to condone and celebrate homosexuality, why not celebrate some other things as well?  How about if I want to french-kiss my horse in a parade? Would society look down on that?  Why?  All sin is the same, right?  Or what if all the child molesters had a convention where everyone brought a child and molested them and then had a big party after?  Sin is sin, after all.  If I wanted to embezzle money from a big company I worked at, but it made me feel really good, and I had always wanted a lot of money, shouldn't I be able to get someone to make a law that says it is ok? I can't help it if I have always wanted a lot of money.  And what if a boy, who is, say 14 thinks he is homosexual and wants to experiment with a man of, say, 50?  Is that still considered child molestation, or is it now protected by our new law, which is open to interpretation?  

You can see how this is merely the beginning of a slippery slope.  I fear there will be many more sinful things condoned by our society.  The Bible foretells of things to come that show us signs that the return of Jesus Christ is near.  Signs that are appearing all around us today.  Judgement WILL come, but it will not be by your Facebook friends.  It will be by the King of Kings, God Himself.  And for the people who are not saved, when they stand in judgement before God, whatever excuse or reason they give will not matter.  The question will be whether you accepted Jesus Christ as your Saviour, or whether you rejected Him and chose this world, sin and Satan as your guide.  There will be no gray areas.  There will be no room for explaining why you chose what you chose.  Either you chose God, or you chose the devil.  You get eternal life either way.  As for me, I choose to spend my eternity with the one who loved me so much He sacrificed his only Son to pay the price for my sins.  I pray the lost people would find the love of God before it is too late.