Saturday, July 31, 2010

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES (Part 5)

Section 9 - Limits on Congress

The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

The privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

(No capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.) (Section in parentheses clarified by the 16th Amendment.)

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties to another.

No Money shall be drawn from the Treasure, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State.

Section 10 - Powers prohibited of States

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any duty of Tonnage, keep troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Article II - The Executive Branch

Section 1 - The President

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice-President chose for the same Term, be elected, as follows:

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

(The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not lie an Inhabitant of the Same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the Presiden of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall by the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there by more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; a quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two-thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them byi Ballot the Vice-President.) (This clause in parentheses was superseded by the 12th Amendment.)

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes, which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

(In case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability; both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as president, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.) (This clause in parentheses has been moditied by the 20th and 25th Amendments.)

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defent the Constitution of the United States."

Friday, July 30, 2010

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES (Part 4)

Section 7 - Revenue Bills, Legislative Process, Presidential Veto

All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to the House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved byi two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thrids of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section 8 - Powers of Congress

The Congress shall have power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States.

To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offices against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by the Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; and

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES (Part 3)

Section 4 - Elections, Meetings

The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Place of Chusilng Senators.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall (be on the first Monday in December,) (The preceding words in parentheses were superseded by the 20th Amendment, section 2.) unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.

Section 5 - Membership, Rules, Journals, Adjournment

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and, with the Concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.

Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

Section 6 - Compensation

(The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasure of the United States.) (The preceding words in parentheses were modified by the 27th Amendment.) They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES (Part 2)

Section 3-The Senate

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, (chosen by the Legislature thereof,) (The preceding words in parentheses superseded by 17th Amendment, section 1.) for six years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; (and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.) (The preceding words in parentheses were superseded by the 17th Amendment, section 2.)

No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.

The Senate shall have the sole power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES (Part 1)

Over the next week or two I plan to recreate the entire Constitution of the United States. I plan to do it in short increments so that it doesn't take a large part of your busy day. You can then decide for yourself if we are being governed based on the Constitution privileges given to the Government by it. You can also decide if the Judicial Branch of our government are making decisions (rulings) based on the true meaning of the Constitution or if they are usurping the responsibilities of the Legislative Branch of our Government and in effect actually making laws, which is not one of the duties given it by the Constitution. As much as is humanly possible original spelling is retained.


THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

Preamble:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Article I-The Legislative Brance

Section 1-The Legislature

The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.

No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

(Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.) (The previous sentence in parentheses was modified by the 14th Amendment, section 2.) The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Caroline five and Georgia three.

When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Monday, July 26, 2010

PRINCIPLES OF LIBERTY

1. The only reliable bases for sound government and just human relations is
Natural Law
2. A free people cannot survive under a republican constitution unless they remain
virtuous and morally strong.
3. The most promising method of securing a virtuous and morally stable people is
to elect virtuous leaders,
4. Without religion the government of a free people cannot be maintained.
5. All things were created by God, therefore upon Him all mankind are equally
dependent, and to Him they are equally responsible.
6. All men are created equal.
7. The proper role of government is to protect equal rights, not provide equal
things.
8. Men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.
9. To protect man's rights, God has revealed certain principles of divine law.
10. The God-given right to govern is vested in the sovereign authority of the
whole people.
11. The majority of the people may alter or abolish a government which has become
tyrannical.
12. The United States of America shall be a republic.
13. A constitution should be structured to permanently protect the people from the
human frailties of their rulers.
14. Life and liberty are secure only so long as the right of property is secure.
15. The highest level of prosperity occurs when there is a free market economy and
a minimum of government regulations.
16. The government should be separated into three branches: legislative,
executive, and judicial.
17. A system of checks and balances should be adopted to prevent the abuse of
power.
18. The unalienable rights of the people are most likely to be preserved if the
principles of government are set forth in a written constitution.

19. Only limited and carefully defined powers should be delegated to government,
all others being retained in the people.
20. Efficiency and dispatch require government to operate according to the will of
the majority, but constitutional provisions must be made to protect the rights
of the minority.
21. Strong local self-government is the keystone to preserving human freedom.
22. A free people should be governed by law and not by the whims of men.
23. A free society cannot survive as a republic without a broad program of general
education.
24. A free people will not survive unless they stay strong.
25. "Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations: entangling
alliances with none."
26. The core unit which determines the strength of any society is the family;
therefore, the government should foster and protect its integrity.
27. The burden of debt is as destructive to freedom as subjugation by conquest.
28. The United States has a manifest destiny to be an example and a blessing to
the entire human race.

Source: Over 150 volumes of the Founding Fathers' Writings. Compiled by the National Center for Constitutional Studies.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

LET ME BE WORTHY

When I think about the Cross that My Savior had to bear
And how He died for me upon the tree
Then my heart with fervent plea cries
Oh Lord is was for me
Let me be worthy of the price You paid for me

Let me be worthy of the price that set me free
Let me be worthy of the blood You shed for me
Let me be worthy of the pain that You suffered for my gain
Let me be worthy of the price You paid for me

Oh, the beauty and the grace, Love, and pity on His face
All through His suffering and His awful pain
Made the thief upon the tree cry
Oh Lord, remember me
Let me be worthy, Let me some day with You reign

Oh, what mercy and what love, as He prayed to God above
Forgive them for they know not what they do
In my heart there rings a prayer
Let me of his mercy share
Let me be worthy of the price He paid for me

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

A CROWN OF THORNS

There was no crown for Him of silver or of gold
There was no diadem for him to hold
But blood adorned His brow and proud it's stain He bore
And sinners gave to Him the crown He word

A rugged cross became His throne
His Kingdom was in hearts alone
He wrote His love in crimson red
And wore the thorns upon His head

He did not reign upon a throne of ivory
But died upon the Cross of Calvary
For sinners there He counted all He owned but loss
And He surveyed His Kingdom from a Cross

No purple robe He wore His bleeding wounds to hide
But stripes upon His back He wore with pride
And from the wounds there flowed a crimson, cleansing stream
That was a cover for the soul unclean

Monday, July 19, 2010

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE OBSERVATIONS

During the course of the last five days I have put here the entire Declaration of Independence. I want to do the best I can to make some observations in comparison to the present day. Before you go any further I would encourage you to start with part one and read through the entire Declaration of Independence.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." Our government today does not believe this. They think that they are the ones who have the smarts to make our decisions for us. That's because they think we are too stupid to pick our own nose.

"They are endowed by their Creator." Our government todays doesn't even believe that there is a creator!

"They are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." I believe our government has lost sight of the last clause: "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." They think that we are too stupid and don't have enough brain power to even be capable of giving our consent!! So, they in essence, have given themselves "power of attorney" over every aspect of our lives.

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security." In our present age, we have had a long "train" of abuses by the government. Public opinion used to mean something. To today's politician, public opinion means absolutely nothing, once again, because we are too "stupid" to even have an opinion. I see a civil war coming because the politicians are too "stupid" to even realize that a very large portion of Americans have a much higher IQ than any member of our Government, whether local, state or Federal. But we MUST use that intelligence to realize what our government is trying to do to us and DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. We can start to do something about it in November. Perhaps "Public Opinion" will begin to mean something again when we begin to vote these people out of office. If things continue as they are, I see a "Civil War" coming once again to America. The "Common People" against the Armed Forces of the United States Military. God forbid!! But something drastic is going to happen!! Just wait and see, but by then it will be too late to escape the calamity!!

The rest of the Declaration of Independence has to do with statements made about the King of Great Britain. I want to draw some comparisons to the present day situation that we are in.

"He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good." In his oath of office, President Obama promised to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, but he has not upheld that promise. Instead, he has done just the opposite. He is trying to make the Constitution "null and void."
He refuses to contribute to the enforcement of the federal laws of the United States. When the states(Arizona) step in and try to enforce federal laws that Obama refuses to, what does Obama do? He files a lawsuit to try to stop them from enforcing laws that he should be taking steps to enforce. I truly believe that Obama's actions as President are TREASON. I also believe that he should be arrested and tried for that very crime and tossed in prison for LIFE with no possibility for parole. President Obama would make Benidict Arnold look like a TRUE PATRIOT.

We are still talking about statements in the Declaration of Independence that refer to the King of Great Britain. Some of these statements could be made, word for word, about President Obama and the rest of his "terrorists" in Congress.

"He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance." This is a perfect description of President Obama.

"He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the despository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures." Deceitful, dishonest, shoving health care down our throats whether we want it or not. Remember, we are too stupid to know what we want.

"He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration higher, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands." Obama has done just the opposite of this. He wants to open the borders, so that anyone can come in, in particular his Muslim terrorist buddies. I hope I am wrong, but I fully expect something major to happen along about July, August, or September of 2012. The lack of effort of the Federal Government to control the borders of the United States, will not only allow people from neighboring countries to flow into the United States, but it will also allow Muslim terrorists in as well. This is something that Obama wants to happen and I believe he will use these terrorists to wreck havoc in our country, so that he can declare "Martial Law" and suspend the Constitution of the United States. If that happens we will never get our Constitution back. Then he will no longer be President Obama, but rather DICTATOR OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!

"He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:" President Obama is trying very hard to sell us out to the United Nations(Muslim terrorists).


God help us all, for without his help the United States is in deep, deep trouble!! Every Christian in the United States should be praying for our country DAILY. Every Christian in the United States should be praying for our Congress DAILY.

Pray, Pray, Pray, and them pray some more, for Jesus is coming soon. We must be ready for His coming.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

From FNC's America Live 6/16/2010 - Port Chester NY gives Latinos 6 vote...

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Part 5

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved, and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.


New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton

Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samual Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry

Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery

Conecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott

New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris

New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hard, Abraham Clark

Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean

Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton

Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee, Carter Braxton

North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn

South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton

Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton



Tomorrow I hope to comment on the Declaration of Independence and how the circumstances of today are very, very similar to the circumstances of the colonies at the time the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Friday, July 16, 2010

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Part 4

For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments.

For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging way against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhapitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting lin attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitable interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of lmankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Part 3

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalizaton of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourace their migration hither and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, steanding armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent and superior to civil power.

He has conbined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation.

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us.

For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states.

For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world.

For imposing taxes on us without our consent.

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury.

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses.

For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, enlarging ists boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Part 2

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes, and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained, and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinguish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all dangers of linvasion from without, and convulsions within.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (Part 1)

I am going to spend the next few days recreating here The Declaration of Independence. I think every American needs to read this document. I plan on breaking it up into about 5 segments so that you don't have tons of stuff to read on any one day. Read it, digest it, thank God for it!! Included will be original spelling and, because I am human, there will be typos as well.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
(Adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776)

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle the, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

Come back tomorrow for part 2!

Monday, July 12, 2010

WHEN GOD DIPS HIS LOVE IN MY HEART

When God dips His pen of love in my heart
And writes my soul a message, He wants me to know
His Spirit all divine fills this sinful soul of mine
When God dips His love in my heart

Well, I said I wouldn't tell it to a living soul
How He brought salvation and He made me whole
But I found I couldn't hide such a love as Jesus did impart
It makes me laugh and it makes me cry
Sets my sinful soul on fire, Hallelujah
When God dips His love in my heart

Sometimes though the way is dreary, dark, and cold
And some unburdened sorrow keeps me from the goal
I go to God in prayer, I can always find Him there
To whisper sweet peace to my soul

He walked every step up Calvary's rugged way
To give His life completely and bring a better day
My life was steeped in sin, but in love He took me in
His Blood washed away every stain

Sunday, July 11, 2010

I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS

I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back

Should no one join me, still I will follow
Should no one join me, still I will follow
Should no one join me, still I will follow
No turning back, no turning back

The world behind me, the Cross before me
The world behind me, the Cross before me
The world behind me, the Cross before me
No turning back, no turning back

Saturday, July 10, 2010

ON THE JERICHO ROAD

As you travel along on the Jericho road
Does the world seem all wrong and heavy your load
Just bring it to Christ, your sins all confess
On the Jericho road your heart He will bless

On the Jericho road, there's room for just two
No more and no less, just Jesus and you
Each burden He'll bear, each sorrow He'll share
There's never a care, for Jesus is there

On the Jericho road, blind Bartimaeus sat
His live was a void, so empty and flat
But Jesus appeared, one word brought him sight
On the Jericho road, Christ banished his night

Oh, my brother to you, this message I bring
Though hope may be gone, He'll cause you to sing
At Jesus command, sin's shackles must fall
On the Jericho road, will you answer His call

Friday, July 9, 2010

PERSECUTIONS UNDER THE ARIAN HERETICS

Persecutions Under the Arian Heretics
The author of the Arian heresy was Arius, a native of Lybia, and a priest of Alexandria, who, in AD 318, began to publish his errors. He was condemned by a council of Lybian and Egyptian bishops, and that sentence was confirmed by the Council of Nicea AD 325. After the death of Constantine the Great, the Arians found means to ingratiate themselves into the favor of the emperor Constantinus, his son and successor in the east; and hence a persecution was raised against the orthodox bishops and clergy.

The celebrated Athanasius, and other bishops, were banished, and their sees filled with Arians.

In Egypt and Lybia, thirty bishops were martyred, and many other Christians cruelly tormented; and, AD 386, George, the Arian bishop of Alexandria, under the authority of the emperor, began; a persecution in that city and its environs, and carried it on with the most infernal severity. He was assisted in his diabolical malice by Catophonius, governor of Egypt; Sebastian, general of the Egyptian forces; Faustinus, the treasurer; and Heraclius, a Roman officer.

The persecutions now raged in such a manner that the clergy were driven from Alexandria, their churches were shut, and the severities practiced by the Arian heretics were as great as those that had been practiced by the pagan idolaters. If a man, accused of being a Christian, made his escape, then his whole family were massacred, and his effects confiscated.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

I'VE GOT THAT OLD TIME RELIGION IN MY HEART

I'm glad Jesus came, glory to His Name
Oh, what a friend is He
He so freely gave His own life to save
From bonds of sin set free

I've got that old time religion in my heart
A way down inside, I've got a new kind of feeling in my heart
True joys abide, nobody knows but my Lord and me
I've got that old time religion in my heart, a way down inside

What a joy to know, one who loves us so
He is so kind and true
He has changed my life from all sin and strife
He'll do the same for you

Sinner won't you now humbly to Him bow
Just let the Lord come in
You'll find perfect peace, joy will never cease
You shall the life-crown win

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

IT WON'T BE VERY LONG

It won't be very long till this short life shall end
It won't be very long till Jesus shall descend
And then in Christ from beds of clay shall rise
To meet the Lord and King up yonder in the skies

It won't be very long, it won't be very long
Till Jesus shall appear, the day is drawing near
Will you be ready then to meet the ransomed throng
Get ready for that day, it won't be very long

It won't be very long till here we cease to roam
It won't be very long till all the saints get home
And then with smiling face we'll walk the streets of gold
and sing the Savior's praise where the saints are never old

It won't be very long till burdens we lay down
It won't be very long till we'll receive a crown
And then we'll shout and sing with angels round the throne
And when we meet up there, we'll know as we are known

It won't be very long till earth shall pass away
It won't be very long till works of men decay
But Jesus has prepared a happy dwelling place
For all who look above and trust His matchless grace

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

I'M ON THE BATTLEFIELD

I was alone and idle, I was a sinner too
I heard a voice from heaven, saying, there is work to do
I took the Master's hand, and I joined the Christian band
I'm on the battlefield for my Lord

Oh, I'm on the battlefield for my Lord
Oh, I'm on the battlefield for my Lord
And I promised Him that I would serve him till I die
I'm on the battlefield for my Lord

I lost my flag in battle, my staff is in my hand
I'm taking it to Jesus, over in the promised land
In the distant lands I've trod, crying "sinner, come to God"
I'm on the battlefield for my Lord

I'm fighting for the kingdom, the battle's almost won
The trumpet will be sounding, for the coming of the son
I'll lay my armor down, pick up my robe and crown
I'll walk the streets of gold with my Lord

Monday, July 5, 2010

JESUS IS THE SWEETEST NAME I KNOW

There have been names that I have loved to hear
But never has there been a name so dear
To this ear of mine, as the name divine
The precious, precious name of Jesus

Jesus is the sweetest name I know
And He's just the same as His lovely name
And that's the reason why I love Him so
Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know

There is no name in earth or Heaven above
That we should give such honor and such love
As the blessed name, let us all acclaim
That wondrous, glorious name of Jesus

And some day I shall see Him face to face
To thank and praise Him for His wondrous grace
Which He gave to me, when He made me free
The blessed Son of God called Jesus

Saturday, July 3, 2010

MY LIFE IS LIKE A RIVER

I was going through some old LP records and found one by IRA Stanphill. On the back was a poem that he wrote to his wife or did he write it to the Lord. You decide. If was so beautiful that I have to recreate it here. Enjoy!!

MY LIFE IS LIKE A RIVER by Ira Stanphill

From where I sit my eyes can scan
A picture rare to mortal man
It is of mountains tall and high
Of rivers deep and cloud filled sky.

Its voice is mute, no word is said,
I only see its white topped head
And hear its voice as rapids roar
And spreads its life along the shore

The reason why this river flows
Is all because of winter snows.
And born within this whitened shroud
Is life and peace and voices loud.

And when the hear of spring and sun
Begin to make the riverlettes run
'Tis then its voice is heard aloud
From deepest vale to highest cloud.

And as the river turned and flowed
Upon its crest it bore a load
To every town and every mart
And gave its life and left its heart.

I am that stream that now is free
That winds its way out toward the sea.
And you, my dear, were warmth and love
That sent the melting from above.

I love you more than I can say,
And if I live another day
To heal a heart of bitter woe
And leave some sunshine where I go-

'Twas you that warmed a weary me,
And fanned a flame for men to see.
You gave me hope that made me new
You came just when I need you.


This poem was written on tour at a scenic view in Vancouver, Canada

Friday, July 2, 2010

WHEN MY SAVIOR REACHED DOWN FOR ME

Once my soul was astray from the Heavenly way
And I was wretched and vile as could be
But my Savior in love gave me peace from above
When He reached down His hand for me

When my Savior reached down for me
When He reached a way down for me
I was lost and undone without God or His Son
When He reached down His hand for me

I was near to despair when He came to me there
And He showed me that I could be free
Then He lifted my feet, gave me gladness complete
When He reached down His hand for me

How my heart does rejoice when I hear His sweet voice
In the tempest, to Him I then flee
There to lean on His arm, safe secure from all harm
Since He reached down His hand for me

Thursday, July 1, 2010

PERSECUTIONS OF THE CHRISTIANS IN PERSIA

Persecutions of the Christians in Persia
The Gospel having spread itself into Persia, the pagan priests, who worshipped the sun, were greatly alarmed and dreaded the loss of that influence they had hitherto maintained over the people's minds and properties. Hence they thought it expedient to complain to the emperor that the Christians were enemies to the state, and held a treasonable correspondence with the Romans, the great enemies of Persia.

The emperor Sapores, being naturally averse to Christianity, easily believed what was said against the Christians, and gave orders to persecute them in all parts of his empire. On account of this mandate, many eminent persons in the church and state fell martyrs to the ignorance and ferocity of the pagans.

Constantine the Great being informed of the persecutions in Persia, wrote a long letter to the Persian monarch, in which he recounts the vengeance that had fallen on persecutors, and the great success that had attended those who had refrained from persecuting the Christians.

Speaking of his victories over rival emperors of his own time, he said, "I subdued these solely by faith in Christ; for which God was my helper, who gave me victory in battle, and made me triumph over my enemies. He hath likewise so enlarged to me the bounds of the Roman Empire, that it extends from the Western Ocean almost to the uttermost parts of the East: for this domain I neither offered sacrifices to the ancient deities, nor made use of charm or divination; but only offered up prayers to the Almighty God, and followed the cross of Christ. Rejoiced should I be if the throne of Persia found glory also, by embracing the Christians: that so you with me, and they with you, may enjoy all happiness."

In consequence of this appeal, the persecution ended for the time, but it was renewed in later years when another king succeeded to the throne of Persia.