It ain't often nowadays that you see our Government doing anything worthwhile for "the People."
No kidding. I have a hard time recalling any good coming from the "People's House" in recent times. But here's a good move for the people that I've been thinking about as a possible catastrophe at years' end. You may remember how the federal deposit insurance coverage was for up to $100,000 before the present financial crisis took hold of our economy. And Congress made a move to change that insurance coverage (FDIC) to $250,000 per depositor through December 2009. Why they put such a timetable on that change was always a curiosity of mine. I suppose they knew it was an error on their part for a one year stint. It was recognized by someone because May 19th Congress extended the temporary $250,000 coverage through December 31, 2013.
That means that if you (or your family) have $250,000 or less in all of your deposit accounts at the same insured bank, you don't need to worry about your insurance coverage - your deposits are fully insured through
at least 2013. And as always, you may qualify for more than the basic insurance coverage at one insured bank because the FDIC provides separate insurance coverage for deposits held in different "ownership categories" such as single accounts and joint accounts.
For more information about your FDIC insurance coverage, start at http://www.myfdicinsurance.gov/ or phone toll-free 1-877-275-3342 (which translates to 1-877-ASK-FDIC.
What does all this mean to you? It means you are fully protected if the bank fails. Be sure to look on the bank entry door and service windows for the sign that reads: FDIC Insured. If they are there, rest easy.
Thanks for visiting. - Bob "toujours en vedette"
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
People Are Like That
The saying: "There are all kinds of people" is proven by this believeable story. After listening to the tale I concluded that the person the man related to in his experience was gross - i.e. grossly unreasonable. Judge yourself:
The man said that he was sitting on a plane waiting for short commuter flight, armed with a lot of work he needed to finish before landing. As the other passengers boarded the plane he prayed that the seat next to him would remain empty - or if he had a seatmate he or she would not be a talker.
Normally he took every opportunity to talk to people - that was part of his job, but this one day he was pressed for time. If he could just have some quiet he could get his work done before reaching his destination. He began by burying his face in his reading material, hoping to ward off any comers.
Soon a young woman took the seat next to him. He said a quick hello then returned to his reading. But, as (bad) luck would have it, that didn't stop her. She seemed not to take notice that he was busy as she talked and talked and talked. Not about the weather or current events, no. She talked about her personal life, eventually getting into details that were far more intimate than most people would share with a stranger, cataloging in colorful language the various relationships she'd had. This went on for the entire flight, and much of what she revealed was downright embarrassing to the man.
As the plane began to descend, she took a breath and - for the first time since boarding - asked him a question about himself. "So what do you do for a living?" "I'm the pastor of a church," he answered.
He says that he said only those six words, but that was enough. Her entire posture and demeanor changed. Immediately she became stiff and unfriendly, crossing her arms and half-turning away from him. "I just hate it when people cram religion down my throat" she snapped! Then the plane landed and she walked away, still in a huff.
This female just spent the entire flight imposing herself on a stranger, showcasing her questionable lifestyle, never considering that she might say something offensive or embarrassing. But one short, six-word, non-confrontational sentence that included the words pastor and church, and she arrogantly concluded that he was "cramming religion" down her throat.
People are like that. It happens now and then. My prayer is for hope that more people don't become as this female (I won't call her a lady) revealed herself to be: Inconsiderate and unreasonable, even disgusting.
Thanks for visiting. - Bob Rom 13:12-14
The man said that he was sitting on a plane waiting for short commuter flight, armed with a lot of work he needed to finish before landing. As the other passengers boarded the plane he prayed that the seat next to him would remain empty - or if he had a seatmate he or she would not be a talker.
Normally he took every opportunity to talk to people - that was part of his job, but this one day he was pressed for time. If he could just have some quiet he could get his work done before reaching his destination. He began by burying his face in his reading material, hoping to ward off any comers.
Soon a young woman took the seat next to him. He said a quick hello then returned to his reading. But, as (bad) luck would have it, that didn't stop her. She seemed not to take notice that he was busy as she talked and talked and talked. Not about the weather or current events, no. She talked about her personal life, eventually getting into details that were far more intimate than most people would share with a stranger, cataloging in colorful language the various relationships she'd had. This went on for the entire flight, and much of what she revealed was downright embarrassing to the man.
As the plane began to descend, she took a breath and - for the first time since boarding - asked him a question about himself. "So what do you do for a living?" "I'm the pastor of a church," he answered.
He says that he said only those six words, but that was enough. Her entire posture and demeanor changed. Immediately she became stiff and unfriendly, crossing her arms and half-turning away from him. "I just hate it when people cram religion down my throat" she snapped! Then the plane landed and she walked away, still in a huff.
This female just spent the entire flight imposing herself on a stranger, showcasing her questionable lifestyle, never considering that she might say something offensive or embarrassing. But one short, six-word, non-confrontational sentence that included the words pastor and church, and she arrogantly concluded that he was "cramming religion" down her throat.
People are like that. It happens now and then. My prayer is for hope that more people don't become as this female (I won't call her a lady) revealed herself to be: Inconsiderate and unreasonable, even disgusting.
Thanks for visiting. - Bob Rom 13:12-14
Sunday, March 15, 2009
History Lesson - Know Your Enemy
"Forget the past and it's bound to be repeated." I know, you haven't heard that for a very long time. It's time it was resurrected. Here's why:
A man whose family was of the German aristocracy prior to WWII owned a number of large factories and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism. "Very few people were true Nazis "he said," but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of our world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories." We are told again and again by 'experts' and 'talking heads' Islam is the religion of peace, and the vast majority of Muslims just wan t to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The fact is the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who now wage any one of 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or 'honor' kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and the 'silent majority,' is cowed and extraneous.
Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority was irrelevant.
China's huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people.
The average Japanese individual prior to WWII was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across Southeast Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel and bayonet.
And, who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were "peace loving"?
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points:
Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence.
Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don't speak up, because like my friend from Germany, they will awaken one day and find the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.
Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late. As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts, the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
At the risk of offending: Anyone who doubts the issue is serious and fails to share this poignant summary of the history of fewer than 75 years, contributes to the passiveness that tolorates the present growing madness to expand.
Thank you for visiting. - Bob God bless America
A man whose family was of the German aristocracy prior to WWII owned a number of large factories and estates. When asked how many German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude toward fanaticism. "Very few people were true Nazis "he said," but many enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care. I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So, the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of our world had come. My family lost everything. I ended up in a concentration camp and the Allies destroyed my factories." We are told again and again by 'experts' and 'talking heads' Islam is the religion of peace, and the vast majority of Muslims just wan t to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the specter of fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam. The fact is the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who now wage any one of 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics who bomb, behead, murder, or 'honor' kill. It is the fanatics who take over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the stoning and the 'silent majority,' is cowed and extraneous.
Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority was irrelevant.
China's huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people.
The average Japanese individual prior to WWII was not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way across Southeast Asia in an orgy of killing that included the systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword, shovel and bayonet.
And, who can forget Rwanda, which collapsed into butchery. Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were "peace loving"?
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for all our powers of reason we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated of points:
Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their silence.
Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don't speak up, because like my friend from Germany, they will awaken one day and find the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have begun.
Peace-loving Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Russians, Rwandans, Serbs Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up until it was too late. As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to the only group that counts, the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
At the risk of offending: Anyone who doubts the issue is serious and fails to share this poignant summary of the history of fewer than 75 years, contributes to the passiveness that tolorates the present growing madness to expand.
Thank you for visiting. - Bob God bless America
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Rights of Health Care Workers Threatened
When I was being made aware of the strong possibility that Obama was planning to do away with what protects health care workers from doing what their conscience tells them they ought not to do, I asked myself: "Why do American people need to be protected from their own Government?" People that can need to stop this abuse of power by this new president, i.e. dictating the evil things he harbors within himself and arbitrarily puts in force. Surely there must be some law to protect us from such dictatorial acts.
The following was just received. Be interested. You may not want anyone in the medical profession working on you that do not want to do so. A guilt conscience is a powerful thing. No one should have to experience it. After all, this is still America. It is isn't it?
The following was just received. Be interested. You may not want anyone in the medical profession working on you that do not want to do so. A guilt conscience is a powerful thing. No one should have to experience it. After all, this is still America. It is isn't it?
"RIGHTS OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS THREATENED
It was reported today that the Obama administration is planning to rescind the rule issued in December by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that protects the rights of health care workers at federally-funded facilities to refuse to perform or be involved in medical procedures that violate their consciences, such as abortion. The “conscience rule” went into effect last month.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue discussed the ramifications of this action:
“'This regulation gives health care workers the right to be free from discriminatory edicts invoked by those who have no respect for their conscience rights. No one in the health care field should ever be compelled by law to perform or assist in a procedure that violates his or her conscience. This should be an elementary right, yet there are those who want to trespass on it.
“This would be another step in the wrong direction for an administration which is promoting abortion by overturning the Mexico City Policy, promising to support the United Nations Population Fund and considering the nomination of radical abortion rights supporter Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to be the Secretary of HHS. This action would be the most offensive since it compromises the rights of Catholics to act according to their conscience.
“It is imperative that President Obama not rescind this morally critical regulation. Catholics will be watching very closely.'”
It was reported today that the Obama administration is planning to rescind the rule issued in December by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that protects the rights of health care workers at federally-funded facilities to refuse to perform or be involved in medical procedures that violate their consciences, such as abortion. The “conscience rule” went into effect last month.
Catholic League president Bill Donohue discussed the ramifications of this action:
“'This regulation gives health care workers the right to be free from discriminatory edicts invoked by those who have no respect for their conscience rights. No one in the health care field should ever be compelled by law to perform or assist in a procedure that violates his or her conscience. This should be an elementary right, yet there are those who want to trespass on it.
“This would be another step in the wrong direction for an administration which is promoting abortion by overturning the Mexico City Policy, promising to support the United Nations Population Fund and considering the nomination of radical abortion rights supporter Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to be the Secretary of HHS. This action would be the most offensive since it compromises the rights of Catholics to act according to their conscience.
“It is imperative that President Obama not rescind this morally critical regulation. Catholics will be watching very closely.'”
Thanks for visiting. - Bob Mark 11:22
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Consequences of Obama's Take and Give
We've all heard about the fairness of give and take, usually in business. But have you ever heard the old refrain - and it is old - "Robbing Peter to Pay Paul"? Well, lo and behold, the present Administration has decided to put all past sayings out to pasture and create their own. Sadly, they may even believe that it's something new. Socialism is certainly not new. We know from history, and much of it relatively recent history, that it does not work and leads to total misery. Anyhow, now comes this new group of seemingly inexperienced members of Obama's court to administer this country. How? By not "Give and Take" but "Take and Give." You're invited to read the proof by clicking here:
http://fourwinds.blogster.com/
Thanks for visiting. - Bob God bless America!
http://fourwinds.blogster.com/
Thanks for visiting. - Bob God bless America!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Honest Determination
A quick look at your encyclopedia for the historical, fascinating story of Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is marked today, will teach people the meaning of determination.
The log cabin in which “Honest Abe” was born should make you say “Wow! and I am complaining!” Since schools rarely, if ever, provide American History for our young, parents and others ought to introduce their charges with history of who we are, who it was that gave so very much of themselves from the birth of our nation for its vision and progress.
Upon entering the national scene, Abraham Lincoln was an expert in experiencing defeat and failure. Had it not been for his determination to serve his fellow countrymen and his God, history would not have recorded him as one of the greatest American presidents. His failures were his victories, no doubt about it.
“Abe” met his first political failure when he lost the seat in the Illinois Legislature. Friends persuaded him to venture into business. Failing at this he spent nearly twenty years paying off debts. His next failure was the loss of the young woman he was to marry. He later married a woman who proved to be a “thorn in his side” – another failure for happiness.
Congress was his second political goal. Not only did he miss it, but also opponents claimed both the United States Land Office and the United States Senate. Most men would lose their courage after so many defeats. But, not Lincoln, he pursued even higher attainments, he believed he could gain the Vice Presidency in 1856. Failing to take the office, he tried once more in 1858 and lost to Douglas.
One failure after another throughout his entire life before ascending to the Presidency, severe and disastrous failures, is a lesson for all who would give up too soon in this life. It’s as if Lincoln knew what Winston Churchill was to exclaim a hundred plus years in the future. That is “Never, never, never, never give up!”
Who has not heard of Abraham Lincoln? Yet he is a man not known for his failures!
A grateful nation, in tribute to this man of ages past, raised The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. where he could look out over the land he so dearly loved and protected it from its road of self-destruction through the Civil War. For this he was martyred. This massive shrine pays due respect to the greatness of a simple and heroic man whose very life was offered in the name of liberty.
His image sits in a great chair 12½ feet high, the gentleness, power and determination of Lincoln come to us clearly through the features chiseled in granite by the sculptor. we can almost hear him speak the words with which he closed his famous Gettysburg Address: “. . .that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
He left us a legacy, for there is something you can do to preserve the God-given liberty with which America is blessed. Do more than complain about those who are striving in a hundred different ways to destroy it. They are on the job, not sitting on the sidelines. If your heart is in truth, you will be determined to work as hard for good as they do for evil, you will be acting as Lincoln did and carry on the torch of freedom handed to us.
The log cabin in which “Honest Abe” was born should make you say “Wow! and I am complaining!” Since schools rarely, if ever, provide American History for our young, parents and others ought to introduce their charges with history of who we are, who it was that gave so very much of themselves from the birth of our nation for its vision and progress.
From such activity, our citizens, et al, would learn the valuable meaning and result of honest determination that was so early American. I urge everyone who feel absent from details of our early founding to read about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, and others of course, as I share with you information about Lincoln from other angles.
A Grown-up Lincoln
“Abe” met his first political failure when he lost the seat in the Illinois Legislature. Friends persuaded him to venture into business. Failing at this he spent nearly twenty years paying off debts. His next failure was the loss of the young woman he was to marry. He later married a woman who proved to be a “thorn in his side” – another failure for happiness.
Congress was his second political goal. Not only did he miss it, but also opponents claimed both the United States Land Office and the United States Senate. Most men would lose their courage after so many defeats. But, not Lincoln, he pursued even higher attainments, he believed he could gain the Vice Presidency in 1856. Failing to take the office, he tried once more in 1858 and lost to Douglas.
One failure after another throughout his entire life before ascending to the Presidency, severe and disastrous failures, is a lesson for all who would give up too soon in this life. It’s as if Lincoln knew what Winston Churchill was to exclaim a hundred plus years in the future. That is “Never, never, never, never give up!”
Who has not heard of Abraham Lincoln? Yet he is a man not known for his failures!
A grateful nation, in tribute to this man of ages past, raised The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. where he could look out over the land he so dearly loved and protected it from its road of self-destruction through the Civil War. For this he was martyred. This massive shrine pays due respect to the greatness of a simple and heroic man whose very life was offered in the name of liberty.
His image sits in a great chair 12½ feet high, the gentleness, power and determination of Lincoln come to us clearly through the features chiseled in granite by the sculptor. we can almost hear him speak the words with which he closed his famous Gettysburg Address: “. . .that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
He left us a legacy, for there is something you can do to preserve the God-given liberty with which America is blessed. Do more than complain about those who are striving in a hundred different ways to destroy it. They are on the job, not sitting on the sidelines. If your heart is in truth, you will be determined to work as hard for good as they do for evil, you will be acting as Lincoln did and carry on the torch of freedom handed to us.
Thanks for visiting. God bless America and Abraham Lincoln's Spirit!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Words to Live By
Some Things Are Not Outgrown
A South Sea Islander taught an American soldier a lesson during WWII. The friendly host brought a copy of the Bible out of his hut and said: “This is my most prized possession.” With obvious disdain, the GI replied: “We’ve outgrown that sort of thing.”
The Islander, whose tribe had formerly practiced cannibalism, calmly observed: “It’s a good thing we haven’t outgrown it here. If we had, you would have been a meal as soon as we saw you.”
Uphold the teaching of the Bible and the Ten Commandments in your life and in your world. This is our challenge for the 21st century, as it has been for all who have gone before us.
The Bible, preceded by the Ten commandments, together are the words ordered by our Creator for the purpose of guiding how we ought to live. Ted Koppel of ABC’s Nightline fame, in a speech during a commencement address said: “Our society finds truth too strong…to digest undiluted…. In the place of truth, we have discovered facts. For morale absolutes, we have substituted moral ambiguity….
“We now communicate…and say absolutely nothing. We have reconstructed the Tower of Babel and it is a television antenna….
“What Moses brought down from Mount Sinai were not ten suggestions (but)…Commandments. The sheer brilliance of the Ten Commandments is that they codify…acceptable human behavior…for all time.”
Of course, Ted Koppel is “right on.” Yet, there is no doubt that countless people give but lip service to the truth. It interferes with their conscience. This next story gives us an excellent example of how easy it is to stray from Gods Law, even if your duty is to the truth of the matter before you:
Two lawyers in Chicago fell into a discussion one day about the trend away from law and order here and over the world (in fact, since this story is over 50 years old things have gone terribly worse). One lawyer said that our only hope is to get back to the Ten Commandments. “What have they got to do with it?” his companion countered. “They’re just a set of worn-out customs.”
The first lawyer challenged him to look over the Ten Commandments and see which one among them could be thrown out without endangering our homes, schools, business and normal freedom. The other man picked up the challenge and said he would have his answer ready the next time they were together.
A few days later, the two met again at their club. “You really got me this time,” said the skeptical one. “Do you know that I’ve been racking my brain for several days to find just one of those Commandments that we could do without and still keep things going? I must admit that I haven’t found it. For the first time in my life I see that they are the foundation of all law and order.”
Discover for yourself what the second lawyer learned or relearned. He found indispensible laws like this given to us through Moses, as our words for living:
1. “I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me.” (Ex 20:3)
2. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Ex 20:7)
3. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Ex 20:8)
4. “Honor your father and your mother.” (Ex 20:12)
5. “You shall not kill.” (Ex 20:13)
6. “You shall not commit adultery.” (Ex 20:14)
7. “You shall not steal.” (Ex 20:15)
8. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Ex 20:16)
9. & 10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house…your neighbor’s wife…or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Ex 20:17)
A word about # 9 & 10: These two Commandments relate to intentions and desires. Jesus said: “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and…out of the heart come evil intentions; murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These…defile a person.” (Matthew 15: 18-20)
As you can easily see and understand, the Ten Commandments begin with honor due our Creator and continue with respect for one another and ourselves. Who in a right mind could honestly find fault with them?
For all time, each Commandment offers a clear and beautiful expression of God’s love and concern for each of His children. When Jesus walked the earth, He is quoted as answering a question put to Him as to which of the Ten Commandments is the greatest. Jesus’ reply:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your mind, and with all your strength…
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
A South Sea Islander taught an American soldier a lesson during WWII. The friendly host brought a copy of the Bible out of his hut and said: “This is my most prized possession.” With obvious disdain, the GI replied: “We’ve outgrown that sort of thing.”
The Islander, whose tribe had formerly practiced cannibalism, calmly observed: “It’s a good thing we haven’t outgrown it here. If we had, you would have been a meal as soon as we saw you.”
Uphold the teaching of the Bible and the Ten Commandments in your life and in your world. This is our challenge for the 21st century, as it has been for all who have gone before us.
The Bible, preceded by the Ten commandments, together are the words ordered by our Creator for the purpose of guiding how we ought to live. Ted Koppel of ABC’s Nightline fame, in a speech during a commencement address said: “Our society finds truth too strong…to digest undiluted…. In the place of truth, we have discovered facts. For morale absolutes, we have substituted moral ambiguity….
“We now communicate…and say absolutely nothing. We have reconstructed the Tower of Babel and it is a television antenna….
“What Moses brought down from Mount Sinai were not ten suggestions (but)…Commandments. The sheer brilliance of the Ten Commandments is that they codify…acceptable human behavior…for all time.”
Of course, Ted Koppel is “right on.” Yet, there is no doubt that countless people give but lip service to the truth. It interferes with their conscience. This next story gives us an excellent example of how easy it is to stray from Gods Law, even if your duty is to the truth of the matter before you:
Two lawyers in Chicago fell into a discussion one day about the trend away from law and order here and over the world (in fact, since this story is over 50 years old things have gone terribly worse). One lawyer said that our only hope is to get back to the Ten Commandments. “What have they got to do with it?” his companion countered. “They’re just a set of worn-out customs.”
The first lawyer challenged him to look over the Ten Commandments and see which one among them could be thrown out without endangering our homes, schools, business and normal freedom. The other man picked up the challenge and said he would have his answer ready the next time they were together.
A few days later, the two met again at their club. “You really got me this time,” said the skeptical one. “Do you know that I’ve been racking my brain for several days to find just one of those Commandments that we could do without and still keep things going? I must admit that I haven’t found it. For the first time in my life I see that they are the foundation of all law and order.”
Discover for yourself what the second lawyer learned or relearned. He found indispensible laws like this given to us through Moses, as our words for living:
1. “I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me.” (Ex 20:3)
2. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Ex 20:7)
3. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Ex 20:8)
4. “Honor your father and your mother.” (Ex 20:12)
5. “You shall not kill.” (Ex 20:13)
6. “You shall not commit adultery.” (Ex 20:14)
7. “You shall not steal.” (Ex 20:15)
8. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Ex 20:16)
9. & 10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house…your neighbor’s wife…or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Ex 20:17)
A word about # 9 & 10: These two Commandments relate to intentions and desires. Jesus said: “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and…out of the heart come evil intentions; murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These…defile a person.” (Matthew 15: 18-20)
As you can easily see and understand, the Ten Commandments begin with honor due our Creator and continue with respect for one another and ourselves. Who in a right mind could honestly find fault with them?
For all time, each Commandment offers a clear and beautiful expression of God’s love and concern for each of His children. When Jesus walked the earth, He is quoted as answering a question put to Him as to which of the Ten Commandments is the greatest. Jesus’ reply:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,
and with all your mind, and with all your strength…
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
A final note: It is a known, reasonably understood fact that no man is without sin. Man is what he thinks in his heart. A close review of the Commandments will reveal that breaking just one knocks down all the others. God, being pure Love cannot accept sin. He is turned away by sin. God’s Beloved Son, Jesus, Who was without sin, obediently took all of the world’s sins to the cross with Him. For this reason, we must understand and take action to repent, seek the loving mercy of God, our Creator, for failing His Words to Live By and wholeheartedly strive not to repeatedly offend Him.
Thanks for visiting. -- Bob 2 Tim 4:2
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