Thoughts from Within

I just recently came across a stat from a fact checking website that claimed if EVERY millionaire was taxed 100% of their income (meaning they gave every penny to the government) then the federal government could only operate for 2 1/2 months! This is the whole basis for Obama's second-term plan to balance the budget and reduce the national debt! "Tax the rich!" He knows the numbers just don't add up, but he plays this card because he knows it appeals to the welfare state and the ignorant of the middle class "who deserve an equal shot." Come on people. Let's figure it out! Yes, the problem right now is that there is not enough tax revenue to cover our expenses. So logic tells us there is two possible solutions. Either raise taxes to cover the difference or you eliminate unnecessary spending. The problem with the first solution is that it is not much of a solution at all. Raising taxes on everyone in a weakened economic environment would only crea

The story of David and Goliath is so common that many of us read through it and only take out of it what is obvious and familiar. This morning, in my Bible reading, the Holy Spirit gave me something more on which to dwell. In I Samuel 17, David left his sheep to check up on his brothers in battle only to have Eliab, his oldest brother, belittle and discourage him. In verse 33, Saul offers his own discouragement and says, "Thou art not able to go against this Philistine." In verse 39, Saul's armor discourages David. Lastly, Goliath himself discourages David and says, "Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?" His King, his family, his security and his foe offered David little encouragement, yet we find his confidence came from the LORD. Verses 45-46 say, "I will come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts," and "This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand." So often, I try to take refuge in my own ability. I must remember

Davy Crockett served four terms in the U.S. Congress from 1827-1835. In 1835 he joined the Whig Party and ran a failed attempt for the Presidency. Immediately thereafter he departed his native Tennessee for Texas to secure the independence of the "Texicans." He lost his life at the battle of the Alamo and forever secured his legendary status in history as "king of the wild frontier." The following story was recounted to Edward Elis by an unnamed Congressman who had served with Colonel Crockett in the U.S. House of Representatives. ...Crockett was then the lion of Washington. I was a great admirer of his character, and, having several friends who were intimate with him, I found no difficulty in making his acquaintance. I was fascinated with him, and he seemed to take a fancy to me. I was one day in the lobby of the House of Representatives when a bill was taken up appropriating money for the benefit of a widow of a distinguished naval offic

I have recently learned that no advantage comes from getting angry because of other people disappointing you. Disappointment is such a terrible feeling as it is, so adding anger and frustration behind it only makes the matter worse. Besides, when someone knows they disappointed you, you can rest assured that they experience one the most devastating feelings our human nature has to offer... a sense of inadequacy or worthlessness (unless that person is so blind to his own actions that he doesn't even realize that he has fallen short of any expectation placed on him). For me, I strive to go above and beyond my call of duty in whatever is asked of me. I want things to be done to the best of my ability or above my ability. I have disappointed my fair share of individuals, and I never want to feel inadequate again (though I'm sure I will). In helping others, I want to do everything I can to make their life easier. I want them to trust that when they call on me for something, they

Wow! Last night's speech by Bill Clinton at the DNC was very convincing. When he was done, I felt compelled to vote with the liberals.... Not really, but he gave a very passionate speech and he did a great job manipulating the data to give undue credit to Obama's first three and a half years in office. Clinton touted Obama's  liberal accomplishments as successes so well, that many who were on the fence jumped enthusiastically to the left. Oh, help us! What a bunch of blind sheep these liberal voters are. Have they forgotten that the man that so passionately swooned them last night brought public shame and reproach to the sacred office of the Presidency. Was it not Bill Clinton who perjured himself as President, lying to the public about his Oval Office misconduct with a one Monica Lewisnsky?  Clinton has a lying reputation! And he's the guy who's message was embraced last night!? If he lied to you while he was President, don't you think he would lie to you whe

Did you see any of the First Lady's speech at the DNC last night? I could be wrong, but for all the talking she did, she really didn't say anything! There are so many issues facing Americans today and all she really did was talk about how great of a man, husband and father the President is. Last I checked those weren't the qualifications of which the American people need convincing. No doubt, he is a great father, and husband and humanitarian even. It was pretty evident that she avoided the important issues like unemployment and the economy. I suppose that no matter how you spin it, it would be hard for anyone -- including Mrs. Obama -- to make his record on those topics sparkle. Another thing occurred to me as I inspected the crowd. Most of them were minorities and women. Those groups are the core advocates of entitlement programs because they rely on them most. It is quite clear that the Obama's are pristine in their rhetoric -- empty as it may be. They are very wel