Day 12

Yahweh Pays Close Attention


The next intriguing bit of information is really pretty big actually... Yahweh actually pays close attention to you.

Now, this can be taken as either a blessing or a dread. Most of humanity, if they thought about it for a moment, seriously considered the ramifications of this truth, that Yahweh is closely watching... would try to find a dark hole to hide in... yet they would find the gaze of Yahweh even there.

Should sober the most wanton reprobate.

Then, for the child of Yahweh, this should be a blessing. To know that your every effort for the kingdom is seen by the ONE.

The child runs laughing to her parents with her newly molded mud pie, "Look at me Mommy and Daddy... look what I've made for you... I've made a pie just for you!!!"

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of that mud pie...

Exodus 3:16-17
"Go and assemble the elders of Israel and say to them: Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I have paid close attention to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt."
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

... so is Yahweh.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Wednesday, September 30th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Youth has to do with spirit, not age. Men of seventy and eighty are often more youthful than the young.”
(Henry Miller)

May we catch the vision of Joshua that even as we grow older may our vision not grow dim but may we see clearly what the Heavenly Father wants for us.

"God, let me walk with you as in the days of my youth.
Amen."

Let your life shine daily.

Tuesday, September 29th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Happy is the man who is too busy to worry by day, and too sleepy to worry at night.”
(Unknown)

Billions of dollars are spent each year (maybe each month) to help individuals forget their worries so they can sleep at night. The above quote gives us good advice: stay busy, work hard, and sleep well.

We also rest well in the hands of our Heavenly Father. Let us take the advice of the writer of Jeremiah 3:8:

“He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.”

God, let me rest in You as You keep me in Your care. In Your care my I can rest easy.
Amen."

Let your life shine daily.

Day 11
Yahweh Is NO Human


The book of Genesis demonstrates for us the rapid development of human’s ego mania, and it is no where more clearly seen than at the end of chapter four. In verse 26 we find the often misunderstood and condemning comment that people began to call themselves by God’s name.

Genesis 4:26 “At that time people began to call on the name of the LORD.”
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The verse would be better translated, “At that time people began to invoke on themselves the name ‘I Will Be and Do What I Will.’”

Chapter four of Genesis chronicles the devolution of human existence.

Cain arrogantly names the first city after his son and Cain’s grandson is then named a ‘wild ass’ whose son was called ‘smitten by God.’ This smitten one then fathered a son whose character was know for his cowardly attempts at appeasement of evil. Then, the fifth from Cain, Lamech meaning ‘made low,’ attempts to elevate himself by instituting polygamy and then boasting of his slaughtering of a youth and trumpets said slaughter to God’s enabling.

One of Lamech’s wives bore two sons… one that was named a vagabond and the other also a wanderer that went about blowing a horn. The second wife’s son was known as being sick, mortal, and in despair.

Now, their crowing reaches it’s pinnacle in verse 26 as these desperately miserable creatures begin to call themselves by God’s own name, Yahweh… yet “I AM” is not who humans are… nor claim to be.

The modern ‘humanists’ make the same boast as they brag that “Man is the measure of all things.”

This is the ultimate statement of abject delusion.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Monday, September 28th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“God give me work Till my life shall end And life Till my work is done."
(Winifred Holtby, 1898–1935)

God has a purpose for each of us, and as we see the life expectancy extended, not only is it good to see the number of years lengthened but also to know the quality of life is made better.

The writer of Ecclesiastes gives us this word:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

"God, help me to keep my eyes on You all the way through the days You will give me.
Amen."

Let your life shine daily.

Sunday, September 27th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Our weaknesses make us appreciate God’s strength.”
(Erwin W. Lutzer)

When we can come to grips with the fact that we are human and have imperfections, we are able to rejoice in knowing that what we are is because God lives in us.

The apostle Paul shares this truth with us in 2 Corinthians 12:10:

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

Let God be God in your life.

Day 10
When Humans Attempt to Supplant Yahweh #2

(or The Failure of Anthropogenic Global Warming)

The fear mongering attempt to convince humanity that humanity is both the cause and the solution to Anthropogenic Global Warming is doomed to fail. The reason is the same as those who attempted to control humanities unity by the pitiful efforts at the Tower of Babylon.

Humanity boasted that they would build a tower, they would not be divided... and Yahweh was obligated to take their challenge... the result... the great diaspora of humanity over the face of the earth.

Genesis 11:4-5 “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
5 Then the LORD came down to look over the city and the tower that the men were building.
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Mankind is not Yahweh... mankind cannot control themselves... much less control the environment of the earth.

For humans to say that they can control the climate of the earth is a direct challenge to the power of the Great I Am... and the Great One will not be overshadowed... nor ignored as some quibbling child.

The very moment that humans stated that humans could "turn down the thermostat" of planet earth they challenged Yahweh to a duel. The only weapon humans have against Yahweh is their mouth... yet Yahweh has all power and all authority.

xtnyoda has observed with great delight the preposterous posturing of humans against The One Who Is.

It is going to be a very cold winter.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Saturday, September 26th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“I not only use all the brains I have but all I can borrow.”
(Woodrow Wilson)

What great advice, considering many folks apparently don’t use the one brain they have. It appears Woodrow Wilson learned how to listen and use what advice was given to him. I will bet with an attitude like that, he never lacked for people to give him their opinions.

The writer of Proverbs gives this advice which would be good for all of us:

“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.”
(Proverbs 1:5)

"God, help me to use all the brains I have as well as the ones You bring across my path.
Amen."

Let God be God in your life.

Politico is celebrating this shocking disclosure...


the government is going to actually put you in jail for a year and fine you $25,000 if you fail to pay up in the health care scheme.

Perhaps this is the reason for all the massive detention centers that are being constructed around our nation.

Perhaps though... we will get good health care locked up... prisoners today can sue for good health care... and drugs... and food... and shelter!

Go to the "This" link to see the actual handwritten note.

Ensign receives handwritten confirmation

This doesn't happen often enough.

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) received a handwritten note Thursday from Joint Committee on Taxation Chief of Staff Tom Barthold confirming the penalty for failing to pay the up to $1,900 fee for not buying health insurance.

Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor and could face up to a year in jail or a $25,000 penalty, Barthold wrote on JCT letterhead. He signed it "Sincerely, Thomas A. Barthold."

The note was a follow-up to Ensign's questioning at the markup.

Consider and Ponder.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Day 9
When Humans Attempt to Supplant Yahweh

Historically, humans have had a difficult time coming to grips with the reality that we are not God… yet… Yahweh is always prepared to remind us that we are not God.

There are certain things that only Yahweh can do, and one of those things is to control the destiny of the human race.

Consider the boasting of our race in the day that we decided that we would not be divided…

Genesis 11:4-5 “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
5 Then the LORD came down to look over the city and the tower that the • men were building.
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Yahweh straightway confused their language… scattered them over the face of the earth… and demonstrated that human efforts at solidarity apart from and in the place of Yahweh are… nonsense.

It is a difficult lesson to learn.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Friday, September 25th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“With silence one irritates the devil.”
(Bulgarian Proverb)

With silence, arguments lose their fuel. With silence, the heart is heard. With silence, we can just let the presence of God fill our being.

The writer of Habakkuk 2:20 says,

“But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.”

"God, let the silence be deafening as I enjoy Your presence.
Amen."

Let God be God in your life.

Day 8
Yahweh… the God Who Vows



We can tell a great deal about the character of an individual by how faithfully they keep their word. Yahweh has made certain vows… and he keeps his word.

The amazing point to begin with here is to think for a moment about the magnitude of this scriptural truth… Yahweh… the eternal one… the holy one… has spoken to humans… and not just spoken… but has vowed… to keep his word… to humans.

Gen 22:16 “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD…”

This leaves me breathless…

xtnyoda, shalomed

Thursday, September 24th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

Dean Dexter asks, “If someone were to pay you 10 cents for every kind word you said about people, and collected 5 cents for every unkind word, would you be rich or poor?”

Our words are powerful for building relationships or tearing down relationships. There is some truth to the fact: “Birds of a feather flock together.” If the groups we hang out with are negative we are very likely to be negative--unless we choose to rise above the bunch.

Paul, in the letter he wrote to the church at Ephesus, gives us this challenge:

“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
(Ephesians 4:32)

"God, let my actions as well as my words be a blessing to others.
Amen."

Smile, God loves you!

Day 7
What Yahweh Sees…



We see quickly in scripture that Yahweh wants us to understand that he thinks in generational terms… we must understand this. We actually see it first in the slaying of Able by his brother Cain.

Yahweh… coming to Cain after the fateful murder of his brother… makes a very telling statement to Cain. Actually, no English translation gets it correct in one especially important place. Following is the Holman’s rendering…

Genesis 4:10 “Your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground!”
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

In the Hebrew language text, the Hebrew word “blood” is actually in the plural form. The sentence would therefore literally read, “Your brother’s bloods cry out to Me from the ground!”

Yahweh is actually saying to Cain that not only has he killed his brother Able… but in so doing Cain has also killed all of Able’s descendants that would have been… “your brother’s bloods…”

Yahweh not only saw Able's descendants... Yahweh also heard them crying out...

You see… God thinks and sees generationally…

xtnyoda, shalomed

Wednesday, September 23rd. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“It is better to serve God in solitude than sin with the multitude.”
(Unknown)

According to the world’s actions today, the statement above may be one of the best kept secrets.The world is not trying to stand for righteousness, but it seems to be running like rats following the Pied Piper toward all manner of evil.

Paul gives us good advice in Romans 12:2:

“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

"God, let me walk with You enjoying every minute, oblivious to the world and its confusion.
Amen."

Let God be God in your life.

Day 6
The Generational Mandate



Yahweh will use you today… for someone’s benefit two hundred years from now…. and he knows the person and the benefit…

If you and I are not living our lives with the conscious reality that we are going to impact future generations then we haven’t learned the first thing about Yahweh.

If you and I are not living our lives with the conscious reality that we are going to impact future generations then we will never understand the sacrifices we are often called on to make…. We will never understand what to give ourselves and our efforts to in this life if we have not a vision for future generations.

This is seen in the statement that Yahweh is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Exodus 3:15 “…Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.”
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

This is the beginning of understanding generational thinking.

Ps 105:8-10 “He forever remembers His covenant, the promise He ordained for a thousand generations — 9 the covenant He made with Abraham, swore to Isaac, 10 and confirmed to Jacob as a decree and to Israel as an everlasting covenant.”
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Tuesday, September 22nd. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The way in which you endure that which you must endure is more important than the crisis itself.”
(Sam Rutigliano)

Into every life a little rain must fall. Into some lives little sprinkles will fall, while others are blessed or plagued with bucketfuls. However it is given unto us, we must remember God is with us and will not leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

"God, Thank You for the sunshine, the rain, and for everything in between. Thank You for the walk with me through whatever may be.
Amen."

Let God be God in your life.

I've been hearing about this rather 'hush-hush' news story that Reuters news group is finally reporting on.

The mortgage market is in the process of starting to literally implode.

The reason is because of the insane Adjustable Rate Mortgages that people have gotten themselves into. Those "adjustable rates" are getting ready to adjust upward... and the interest rates are going to go through the roof on folks.

Some are going to find themselves having to pay as much as 5 to 10 times their original monthly payment... five to ten times...

These ARMs are a scam and those buying into them are getting ready to reap the wind.

By Lisa Lambert

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The federal government and states are girding themselves for the next foreclosure crisis in the country's housing downturn: payment option adjustable rate mortgages that are beginning to reset.

"Payment option ARMs are about to explode," Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said after a Thursday meeting with members of President Barack Obama's administration to discuss ways to combat mortgage scams.

"That's the next round of potential foreclosures in our country," he said.

Option-ARMs are now considered among the riskiest offered during the recent housing boom and have left many borrowers owing more than their homes are worth. These "underwater" mortgages have been a driving force behind rising defaults and mounting foreclosures.

In Arizona, 128,000 of those mortgages will reset over the the next year and many have started to adjust this month, the state's attorney general, Terry Goddard, told Reuters after the meeting.

"It's the other shoe," he said. "I can't say it's waiting to drop. It's dropping now." ..... "Because the new monthly payments can be five or 10 times what borrowers are accustomed to paying, they "threaten a much greater hit to the consumer than the subprimes...."

Get ready America, great sorrow in rushing over the horizon... and this is only one aspect of the coming financial crisis facing those less able to deal with financial crisis.

Oh... and there will be those waiting to scoop up these failed mortgages for pennies on the dollar... and this was known to be the result when the lenders began issuing the Adjustable Rate Mortgages... they knew... it was perpetrated on purpose... with intent...

Consider and Ponder.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Day 5
The Strategic Yahweh

Exodus 3:14-15
God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you." 15 God also said to Moses, "Say this to the Israelites: Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation."
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The next point to establish is that Yahweh wishes us to think in terms of generations, or we might say that Yahweh wants us to have a life strategy based on generational impact and thinking.

The back door approach to understanding generational thinking is to first mention it’s opposing life strategy. That would be living with a simple survival mentality. This is probably best typified by the street person whose only concern is where their next meal or 'fix' is coming from. The most advanced form of the survivalist mentality is seen in the pretty typical American life strategy for middle class American’s… and that is planning for retirement.

You may not have thought of it this way before… but simply attempting to plan for an adequate retirement… is frankly living with a survivalist mentality.

Yahweh doesn’t strategize this way.

“Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob…”

xtnyoda, shalomed

Monday, September 21st. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Every well-built house started with a definite plan in the form of blueprints.” (Napoleon Hill)

Have you ever thought about how special you are? Many verses in the Bible remind us that we are here not by accident, but by God’s design and purpose. The writer of the Psalm 139 puts it this way:

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
(Psalm 139:14)

I'm glad The Master Designer had a plan in mind for me. How about you?


"God, knowing Your ways are better than my ways, remind me to let You keep working on me until I am what You want me to be.
Amen."

Let God be God in your life.

Day 4
Yahweh
What The Name ALSO Means

Ps 135:6
The LORD does whatever He pleases
in heaven and on earth,
in the seas and all the depths.
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

When you see the word LORD, written with all capitals, that in Hebrew is actually the name, Yahweh… as in the above verse. This verse also points out an important fact about the living reality of God’s name, Yahweh.

“The LORD (Yahweh) does whatever He pleases.” In other words, God does what he wants too… when he wants too… how he wants too… regardless of what anyone might think.

The only law that God must follow is the law that he must do what pleases himself… and… you and I don’t decide what pleases God.

We have natural law… but Jesus walked on water, healed the sick, raised the dead, drove out demons, saw the future, fed multitudes with little, and saw what was in the human heart.

We have moral law… but… Yahweh crushed his own son… because it pleased him to do so.

Isaiah 53:10
Yet the LORD was pleased to crush Him,
and He made Him sick.
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Romans and addressing this very issue, states it this way:

Romans 9:20-21
But who are you — anyone who talks back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"
(Holman Christian Standard Bible.)

* The three Hebrew children said that Yahweh could deliver them from the flames of the furnace, yet, if he chose to let them be roasted into a blasted cinder, they would still not bow down to the idol. (Daniel 3:17, 18)

* Balaam, learned that it pleased God to bless and not curse Israel. (Numbers 24:1)

* The traders on the ship on which Jonah had made himself a stowaway acknowledged that they knew that Yahweh does exactly as he pleases, then promptly tossed the errant prophet overboard and into the belly of the great fish. (Jonah 1:14, 15)

And, many other examples could be given… but… the simple point is that… Yahweh, being perfect existence and self- sustaining being… does exactly what he pleases… anytime he wishes…

It’s just what his name means.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Sunday, September 20th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Brokenness is not revival; it is a vital and indispensable step toward it.”
(Arthur Wallis)

During times of prosperity and safety, it is easy to become prideful and forget where the blessings came from; however, with adversity naturally comes a time for brokenness and reflection. In spite of this time of sorrow, to stop there is to miss the blessing of repentance and restoration.

The writer of Proverbs tells us: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” (34:18-19)

Let us repent and confess our sins as called for in 1 John 1:8-9: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

"God, forgive us for forgetting You. Let us return to a nation again whose God is the Lord. (Psalm 22:12)
Amen."

Seek God while He may be found.

Day 3
Yahweh
What The Name Means

Ex 3:14-15
God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you." 15 God also said to Moses, "Say this to the Israelites: Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation."
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

As is the usual case in Hebrew culture, one’s name carried a significant meaning about the person named… this is especially true regarding God and his name, Yahweh.

Yahweh, comes from the Hebrew verb of ‘being’ or ‘existence’. In English we would say it is the verb, ‘to be’ or ‘to exist’. Therefore, we have the rendering in verse 14 above, “I AM WHO I AM.”

The meaning is difficult to express in any human language… but we shall make an attempt.

Yahweh, means self-contained existence. Included in this name is the revelation that God is totally self existent. God needs no outside resource to exist, this is true of God, and God alone.

God needs no air, no food, no water, no shelter… God alone is totally self-existent. No other person or thing can make this claim… therefore… only God can rightfully claim the name, Yahweh… “I AM.”

Therefore, God asks in Isaiah 46:5

"Who will you compare Me or make Me equal to?
Who will you measure Me with,
so that we should be like each other?"
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Prayer:
“Dear Father, Thank you for this revelation of your indescribable reality. You alone, can stand alone, without any other thing, you alone, have no need. Thank you for sharing your person with us.”

xtnyoda, shalomed

Saturday, September 19th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord.”
(Albert Benjamin Simpson)

When Jesus fed the 5,000 and the 4,000 and performed miracle after miracle many followed to receive His blessings and His handouts. Even some of the disciples were at times confused by what Jesus could give them, but Peter summed up a correct assessment by proclaiming Jesus as The Christ, the Son of the living God in Matthew 16:16.

"God, Thank You for the many blessings you have given me, and most of all thank You for Your daily presence.
Amen."

Draw near to God, He is as near as your heartbeat.

Friday, September 18th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

After crises crush sufficiently, God steps in to comfort and teach.
(Charles R. Swindoll)

When you are in the middle of a trial, are you able to praise God through it all? In recalling my own experiences, I would venture to say--if you are anything like me--that most of the time we forget to give thanks to God in all things as we are told to do in Ephesians 5:20.

While we are in the crucible of learning, may we remember what Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:20:

“...lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

"God, be with those today going through a crisis only You know about.
Amen."

Draw near to God, He is as near as your heartbeat.

Do you know God's name?

Day 2

“What is His name?”

Exodus 3:13 “Then Moses asked God, ‘If I go to the Israelites and say to them: The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, 'What is His name?’ what should I tell them?”
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

There is a special significance to God’s name in our sacred scripture. In the accurate Hebrew understanding, to speak God’s name was much more than simply saying a mere word, to speak the name was to literally bring about a Divine manifestation… to speak the name was to actually bring God into one’s presence.

God knows, hears, and responds to his name.

When we want to get someone’s attention we speak their name, “Judy!”… and when Judy hears her name it gets her attention… the same is true of God.

As the Hebrews grew to fear God they also grew to fear saying the name since they feared being in his presence. For hundreds and hundreds of years the name of God was never breathed through human lips…. thus… we began to substitute “titles” for God’s name.

Our unfortunate reality is that English bible translators have done the same in our English translations. The supposed reasoning was something like, “We are not going to actually print God’s name out of ‘respect’ for the name.” This is a misplaced ‘respect’ that is actually the product of fear… a tragic loss.

It is time to reclaim the name.

Yahweh.

We will pronounce it as Yah-weh… two syllables. I like to say the name in this manner… inhale as we say ‘Yah’… and exhale as we say ‘weh’.

Would you practice saying the name this way, and meditate on the Glory of our Great God as we learn to speak the name… without fear.

xtnyoda, shalomed

I received a good question from a Xtn brother today and thought you might be interested in the question.

I've added my answer at the bottom... if anyone has more and better... let me know?

I heard once……”when you have sin in your life, it means that you are in need of a closer walk with God”…….but as much as one tries…….isn’t it impossible to be without sin, even if you follow all the laws and moral codes of being a Christian, we fail…...so we are always in a state of needing a closer walk with Him!

We deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us if we think we don’t have sin in our lives as noted below in 1 John. That answers that question above...so sin drives us away from God, and we will have sin in our lives as noted in 1 John……….so. How do we react when sin does creep into our lives? Do we count on grace, accept the consequences of sin, and repent and try harder not to sin the next time?

I have always wanted to ask my pastor this question! Maybe I am rambling….have a good day….

Great question... not that I've got it down pat personally!

I've felt for years that the real victory over temptation is not to be found in our simply "resisting" temptation... I mean that hasn't really worked for anybody for about... well.... since the Adam and Eve thing in the garden!

Where I am today is that I think our greatest efforts should be directed in the one area that YahShua points us toward... and that is developing the character of Christ into our lives. The more we become in character like Christ I would think the less we will surrender to temptation.

In Matthew 11, YahShua tells us to take his yoke upon ourselves... in other words... to become like him... "For I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls."

Every time I fail... should give me more determination to work on becoming as our Messiah... so I try to use failure as a motivation to grow in Christ... to become as Christ... instead of sitting around and bemoaning my indiscretion.

Keep short accounts with God, repent quickly, then get on with learning humility and gentleness. That's my thought.

God Bless,

xtnyoda, shalomed

Do you know God's name?

...like your name might be Jim, or Mary, or Judy... do you know God's personal name? I am not talking about a "title"...

It is a pretty significant name to know... when one considers that scripture encourages us to "call upon the name of the Lord..."

How can we call on his name... when we know it not?

I believe that God desires us know his name since it is recorded in the Old Testament... are you ready for this... 6,521 times... yet most humans, even most Christians, have never heard God's name... the first time.

I would like to take a journey with you in discovering God's personal name. We now have at our disposal an English translation of the scripture that reveals for us God's name... for the first time... in the history of the English language.

In 76 verses the Holman Christian Standard Bible gives us God's Holy name... back... after a very long and dark night.

In the days ahead... come and celebrate with me as we discover the name...

Exodus 3:14-15
God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you." 15 God also said to Moses, "Say this to the Israelites: Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation."
(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

xtnyoda, shalomed

Thursday, September 17th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Adam was the only man who, when he said a good thing, knew that nobody had said it before him.”
(Mark Twain)

The fact that you are reading this today is a blessing to me. The fact that you read yesterday’s and came back today is even more special. Nothing good in me can come to you except it comes to you through the blood of Jesus.

With these words, Paul reminds us (especially me) not to get too puffed up:

“I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
(Romans 12:3)

"God, let Your words through me touch others.
Amen."

Let others see Jesus in you.

Brian's Blast has an amazing video and information. This is a MUST SEE for EVERY American... EVERY one...

Big News Cong. Ron Paul and Mrs Huffington Agree on the FED, economics, and more.

In this video clip from msnbc Cong. Paul and Mrs. Huffington who are polar opposites in the political arena actually agree on a number of topics. This shows us that the left-right, conservative-liberal, and Democrat-Republican fight, is a false paradigm. We have more in common than we don't. Come and see for yourself. It will amaze you. Also listen to the commentator's compliment to Ron Paul's prophetic words he spoke in 2003.

Wednesday, September 16th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Never become irritable while waiting; if you are patient, you’ll find that you can wait much faster.”
(Unknown)

One day, while sitting at a four-way stop, my dad kept letting others go ahead of him--much to the frustration to others in the car with him. Noticing the act was causing others to become irritated, dad said something like this: “Patience is a virtue; let’s start an epidemic.”

Needless to say, the experience became funnier after it was over and the smoke had cleared, but the incident reminds us we are not a generation that likes to wait. Whether by intent or accident, dad exemplified what Paul said in Romans 15:5-6:

“Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

"God, grant me the mind to have patience with my fellow man, especially those with whom I come across daily.
Amen."

Let others see Jesus in you.

Found this via the latest Brian's Blast. Brian asks...

Obama Pushes Banker Takeover Plan at Federal Hall... Is it stupidity, ignorance, or arrogance?

It should be coming into very clear focus that this administration is NOT acting out of ignorance of what their policies and initiatives are intended to accomplish. It's like the article I quoted here a few days ago from Politico's Camille Paglia, she still believes that this administration is simply inept... puts up a good argument that the administration needs to clean house and get some capable people... but it is coming clearer all the time that to clean up this administration's "ineptness" one would have to begin with the one that inhabits the White House... for it appears more and more that "ineptness" isn't the issue... purposed efforts to change our free enterprise system into a centrally controlled government with a financial system totally free of any public accountability is now the actual issue... whether this administration knows what it is doing or not.

The judge in the video says it pretty well.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Tuesday, September 15th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"For the heart that finds joy in small things,
In all things each day,
Is a wonderful gift.
(unknown)

As a young boy one of the first verses I learned was James 1:17:

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

Every day is a present God gives us to open and enjoy. When we understand this, we will be filled with joy.

"God, thank You for this day You have given me. Help me to be the steward You want me to be of each hour, minute, and second of every day.
Amen."

Give God praise!

Here's a heart warming story for today.

I don't know if it's true... and don't care. The moral is true.

H/T to Mildred!

An eye witness account from New York City , on a cold day in December, some years ago: A little boy, about 10-years-old, was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold.

A lady approached the young boy and said, 'My, but you're in such deep thought staring in that window!'

'I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,'was the boy's reply..

The lady took him by the hand, went into the store, and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her.

She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet, and dried them with the towel.

By this time, the clerk had returned with the socks.. Placing a pair upon the boy's feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes..

She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him.. She patted him on the head and said, 'No doubt, you will be more comfortable now.'

As she turned to go, the astonished kid caught her by the hand, and looking up into her face, with tears in his eyes, asked her.

'Are you God's wife?'

xtnyoda, shalomed

Monday, September 14th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“David swung. And God made his point. Anyone who underestimates what God can do with the ordinary has rocks in his head.”
(Max L. Lucado)

David is an encouragement to all of us who are average or below. It is not what we are or what we can do on our own that God wants, but His desire for us is our yielding to His control of who and what we are so to become what He wants us to be.

The Apostle Paul reminds us:

“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
(Romans 6:13)

"God, use what I am and what I have to bring glory to You.
Amen."

Give God praise!

Sunday, September 13th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Praise is the best auxiliary to prayer. He who most bears in mind what has been done for him by God will be most emboldened to ask for fresh gifts from above.”
Andrew Melville

After petitioning the Heavenly Father it is important to remember to thank Him and praise Him for His blessings. As the writer of Psalm 106:1 says,

“Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.”

"God, Thank You so much for Your mercy and grace toward me.
Amen."

Give God praise!

Congressman Mike Pence speaking at the little "Tea Party" gathering of two million angry tax payers in DC.

I think that about now, at four am Sunday morning, some of the tax and spend promoters are having their last beer before passing out until lunch time later today... they'll then start looking frantically for a "bloody Mary" to try and stave off their stupor and hang over... but their misery is just now beginning.

A big H/T to My Freedom Post for the text and link to the video!

You are free to relish the following words to Pence's speech.

U.S. Congressman Mike Pence, Chairman of the House Republican Conference, delivered the following remarks today at the National Tea Party “March on Washington:”

I am Mike Pence. I am from Indiana, and it is an honor to welcome the largest gathering of conservatives in American history to your nation’s capitol.

There are some politicians who think of you people as astroturf. Un-American. I’ve got to be honest with you, after nine years of fighting runaway spending here on this hill, you people look like the cavalry to me.

We stand together at a historic moment in the life of the conservative movement and in the life of this great country. The coming weeks and months may well set the course for this nation for a generation. How we as conservatives respond to these challenges, could determine whether America retains her place in the world as a beacon of freedom or whether we slip into the abyss that has swallowed much of Europe in an avalanche of socialism.

While some are prepared to write the obituary on capitalism and the conservative movement, I believe we are on the verge of a great American awakening. And it will begin here and begin now and begin with you.

This Administration and this Congress are getting a badly needed history lesson, starting with just what our founders meant by ‘consent of the governed.’ If silence is consent, it is now revoked.

We the people, do not consent to runaway federal spending. We the people, do not consent to the notion that we can borrow and spend and bail our way back to a growing America. And we the people, do not consent to government-run insurance that will cause millions of Americans to lose the insurance they have, and that will lead us to a government takeover of health care in this nation.

This week, the president came to this hill and he gave one more speech about the same bad plan. Mr. President, America doesn’t want another speech, we want another health care plan that is built on freedom.

And we the people, do not consent to Members of Congress passing thousand-page bills without anybody ever reading them. Members of Congress should be required to read ever major bill that Congress adopts. I’ve got to be honest with you, I think Members of Congress should read major bills, but I’d be just as happy if some of them read this just a little more often – the Constitution of the United States.

You know, there is a lot of good stuff in there and it reminds us that we are a nation led by the people, and not the elites and the bureaucrats and the politicians. It reminds us that the powers not delegated to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved to the states or to the people.

And nowhere in our Constitution can you find the word ‘czar.’ It is time Washington, D.C. became a No Czar Zone.

The American people are not happy. But it is not just about dollars and cents. It is about who we are as a nation.

As Ronald Reagan said in 1964, it’s about whether ‘we abandon the American Revolution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capital can plan our lives for us better than we can plan them ourselves.’ My money is on the American people. My money is on freedom. My money is on the future.

This great national Capitol is filled with memorials to freedom’s heroes. Americans whose faces are carved in bronze, whose names adorn monuments, and just across that river, lie the remains of Americans who paid freedom’s price so we could gather here today. In their time, they did freedom’s work as citizens and patriots. Now it’s our turn.

Let us do as those great Americans we remember in this city have done before: let us stand and fight for freedom. And if we hold the banner of freedom high, I believe with all my heart that the good and great people of this country will rally to our cause, we will take this Congress back in 2010 and we will take this Country back in 2012, so help us God.

C-Span video of Pence speech... definitely worth a viewing!

xtnyoda, shalomed

Wow... just WOW!

The Daily Mail UK is reporting that up to 2 million (2,000,000) American tax payers converged yesterday onto the Capitol grounds in Washington DC in regal protest against Congress and this administration's tax and spend policies.

The organization of this happened quickly and almost in stealth mode. The city authorities in DC were shocked at the turn out of angry citizens... there are going to be a lot of shocked congressmen come next election.

This is really an unparalleled event in American history... unparalleled.

Take my word for it... there is more to come... our congress and president have awakened a gentle, yet when roused, an angry giant... middle America.

Go read the full article, and just let Pelosi call this 2 million a "mob."

This is a joy to behold.

Up to two million march to US Capitol to protest against Obama's spending in 'tea-party' demonstration

Up to two million people marched to the U.S. Capitol today, carrying signs with slogans such as "Obamacare makes me sick" as they protested the president's health care plan and what they say is out-of-control spending.

The line of protesters spread across Pennsylvania Avenue for blocks, all the way to the capitol, according to the Washington Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.

People were chanting "enough, enough" and "We the People." Others yelled "You lie, you lie!" and "Pelosi has to go," referring to California congresswoman Nancy Pelosi.

Demonstrators waved U.S. flags and held signs reading "Go Green Recycle Congress" and "I'm Not Your ATM." Men wore colonial costumes as they listened to speakers who warned of "judgment day" - Election Day 2010.

Richard Brigle, 57, a Vietnam War veteran and former Teamster, came from Michigan. He said health care needs to be reformed - but not according to President Barack Obama's plan.

"My grandkids are going to be paying for this. It's going to cost too much money that we don't have," he said while marching, bracing himself with a wooden cane as he walked.....

Organizers say they built on momentum from the April "tea party" demonstrations held nationwide to protest tax policies, along with growing resentment over the economic stimulus packages and bank bailouts.

Many protesters said they paid their own way to the event - an ethic they believe should be applied to the government.

They say unchecked spending on things like a government-run health insurance option could increase inflation and lead to economic ruin.

Terri Hall, 45, of Florida, said she felt compelled to become political for the first time this year because she was upset by government spending.

"Our government has lost sight of the powers they were granted," she said. She added that the deficit spending was out of control, and said she thought it was putting the country at risk.....

We are in an awakening.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Saturday, September 12th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"When Jesus comes, the shadows depart."
—Inscription on Scottish castle wall

In John 8:12 Jesus said,

“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Follow Jesus that there might be light in your life even in the middle of your darkest storm.


"God, Thank You for sending the true light into this world. May we reflect that light.
Amen."

Give God praise!

I really didn't want to post anything today other than the previous remembrance video of 9/11... then I read the Borg Conspiracy's commentary.

It is a MUST read.

Consider and Ponder...

(UPDATED by the Borg Conspiracy)

Today is the eighth anniversary of the terrorists attacks of 2001. We all remember where we were and what we were doing when the news of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center sunk in that morning. And later when the Pentagon was hit and the towers came down and the news of Shanksville further numbed our psyche.

I am sure that the media will put together their various remembrance's and video collages and look backs to note the anniversary properly. And they will all attempt their nefarious levels of either abject detachment or pseudo emotional representations in the process.

But what will really be remembered by most Americans today.

I remember the eight years since our world was changed that terrible day. And I remember all that has transpired in the interim and who has been involved. Right down to and including the commentaries of last year. Commentaries that seemed to seek agreement that the remembrance required little more than some passe acknowledgement and that it was becoming blase for most of the enlightened liberal class to even bother with. After all, they were looking forward to the new liberal era of Obama and hope and change.

I also remember those who swore that we would never forget that day.

But now I have to wonder if many Americans haven't already forgotten. I also have to wonder how much longer our bubble of safety will last, before we are once again viciously attacked by murderous Islamic militants.

When I was a boy, there was frequent mention of the Pearl Harbor attack and my parent's generation looked upon that day with reverence and long remembered heartfelt pain. As they also looked upon the subsequent sacrifices made by those who never returned from defending this nation during that war. Theirs was a blood sacrament paid on the alter of freedom in our behalf.

What a difference a couple of generations makes.

Many in my generation (the generation that followed) were demonized and spit upon for having served this nation and for having attempted to defend her freedoms and heritage. While many others who never served went on to join the ranks of anarchist and Marxist and were schooled in the methods and tactics of socialist fifth column warfare against the nation of their birth. And now the product of the last forty odd years of their efforts and teachings has come full circle and is visible for all to see.

We are now reaping our reward as a nation for having raised a generation of moral cowards and those who shirked away from individual responsibility and allegiance to the country of their birth. After all, they have spent a lifetime hating this country and actively engaged in inflicting the wounds that would ultimately lead to what we see now and what we have seen for the past eight years.

Make no mistake, they saw the September 11th attacks of eight years ago just as we did that morning, but they did not mourn the nation's loss as we did. They did not feel the same pain. They may have bowed their heads and given the outward impression that they were being solemn in their reactions to what had occurred and what was unfolding, but secretly and down deep inside they were in personal celebration.

They were pleased with the fact that their country had been attacked for it's supposed arrogance and superiority and abundance and they relished the reality that the great imperialist leader of freedom in the world had been wounded by a vicious terrorist attack on it's people on it's own soil.

These are the same people who have been with us ever since that September day eight years ago and before. They have protested and slandered our troops and our nation, while all the while attempting to wrap themselves in the the flag and it's freedoms that they truly do not know and have never understood and would just as soon destroy.

These people have never served anything or anyone, outside of their own twisted liberal political agendas and ideologies and themselves. They know not what patriotism is, because patriotism is something that to them has always represented some alien concept of arrogance.

Who would have believed eight years ago that we would still be engaged in a war against Muslim militants in Afghanistan. Who would have believed eight years ago that there would be those who would openly question the value of our commitment to our own freedom and future.

Who would have guessed that they these myrmidons of socialist and Marxist angst, would once again challenge this nation to just walk away and allow those who would destroy us to gain another victory.

That's the funny thing about war. Wars are either won or lost but they are never simply walked away from. But that is how our video game generation of cumbaya and their drop out parents see things. That's the way they have always seen them. The generation of Haight Ashbury, Woodstock and the Manson family and peace and love is still with us. And they are still at it.

And their version of vision and leadership?

Just hit the reset button. Or just download the cheat codes and move on people. Just re-spawn another life and have another Coke and a smile. Life is good after all. Isn't it? "Don't Bogart that joint my friend, pass it over to me." The sad thing is? That really has become our official version of US diplomacy from this administration. Just send the Secretary of State to Russia with some candy a s s mock up of a reset button and all will be fine after that.

I wonder what Bill Mahr and Jon Stewart and Conan O"Brien will have to say about today and the eighth anniversary. Probably something snappy and obliquely twinged with the back handed humor that has come to represent the twisted sensibilities of today's generation of enlightened liberal Americans and their version of comedy.

It's sad really.

But I will remember.

I will remember that day and those who died.

I will remember those who have died since in the service of this nation and I will remember those who caused their deaths and those who will gladly see more American blood spilled in pursuit of their radical philosophies and socialist agendas.

There are a few things in life that are simple truths IMO.

There are no reset buttons.

There are no do overs.

There is no Nirvana.

There are only consequences.

And those who forget or fail to remember will pay dearly for their folly.

Thank you sir for your insight.

God Bless America,

xtnyoda, shalomed

This is September 11th, 2009. This is eight years since our nation came under renewed assault by Islamic radicals.

This is a day to consider and ponder the events of the time in which we live.

We dare not ignore nor diminish the challenge of our day in history.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Friday, September 11th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“Eagles don’t flock. You have to find them one at a time.”
(Unknown)

Turkeys run in groups. We usually find them scratching around on the ground, basically hanging with the other turkeys. I have to ask myself, "Which am I and which would I like to be?"

The writer of 1Peter tells us,

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
(1Peter 2:9)

In light of that Scripture, I have to say to myself, "Rise up and be the eagle God intended you to be."


"God, I choose to be peculiar for You. Not an odd duck like the world, but peculiar like You want me to be.
Amen."

God Bless American once again.

Getting ready for some FOOTBALL! And Mildred sends me this video of a pretty amazing presentation of our National Anthem.

Also, tomorrow is 9/11... I'm remembering...

Thursday, September 10th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“You know it’s time to move to another job when some mornings you’d rather go to the dentist and have a root canal than go to work.”

It is interesting to talk to some people and have them tell us they do not enjoy the jobs they have. Ironically, as we talk to them, we discover they would not trade those jobs for anything.

Then, we talk to the volunteers we see at the hospitals or nursing homes, and we will find out how much they, too, love what they are doing. Not only that, but we hear in their voices and see in their eyes how much they enjoy what they are able to do. I feel that the volunteers have discovered the Apostle Paul's secret:

“And whatsoever your hand finds to do, do it heartily as unto the Lord.”
(Colossians 3:6)

"God, let us find enjoyment in all You allow us to do.
Amen."

Give God praise!

Wouldn't you love to take a gander into a crystal ball and sneak a peak into the future of nationalized health care? Well... now we can! Rick over at Brutally Honest has the sad, sad story that should make one think... for at least a minute or two?

Go take a look at the whole story... and if you are intoxicated right now... it just might sober you up... at least for a couple of minutes.

When you think of Obamacare...

... you must think of this: A young British mother has criticized medical guidelines that, she said, resulted in doctors refusing treatment and leaving her newborn premature son to die. 23 year-old Sarah Capewell told media that her son Jayden, born at 21 weeks and five days gestation, was refused intensive care because he was two days under the limit set by the British government's National Health Service (NHS) rationing guidelines.

Capewell said that her son Jayden cried and lived for two hours before dying in her arms. During that time, his mother took photos of him and pleaded with doctors that he be admitted to the special baby unit at James Paget University Hospital (JPH). Staff at the hospital, in Gorleston, Norfolk, told her that had Jayden been born two days later they would have helped him.

Since her son's death, Capewell has launched an internet campaign to change the guidelines....

Kyrie Eleison, (God have mercy)

Wednesday, September 9th. Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"Never wrestle with a pig. You will both get all dirty ... and the pig likes it."

We must walk with integrity in a world where filth abounds. The world really does not care if we get dirty (and we will), for the world likes bringing us to its level. The Apostle Paul admonishes us:

“Be not conformed to the world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
(Romans 12:2)

"God, let me be transformed by keeping my mind on You.
Amen."

Give God praise!

Now... I love Camille Paglia, of Salon. I'm sure you all know that she is unapologetically about as liberal as one can get. I just ran across her latest piece and as happens now and then she expresses what I'm thinking about the current situation better than any efforts on my part to share here would accomplish. One can read the entire piece here at Salon.

Too late for Obama to turn it around?
By Camille Paglia

Sept. 9, 2009 | What a difference a month makes! When my last controversial column posted on Salon in the second week of August, most Democrats seemed frozen in suspended animation, not daring to criticize the Obama administration's bungling of healthcare reform lest it give aid and comfort to the GOP. Well, that ice dam sure broke with a roar. Dissident Democrats found their voices, and by late August even the liberal lemmings of the mainstream media, from CBS to CNN, had drastically altered their tone of reportage, from priggish disdain of the town hall insurgency to frank admission of serious problems in the healthcare bills as well as of Obama's declining national support. ...

... As an Obama supporter and contributor, I am outraged at the slowness with which the standing army of Democratic consultants and commentators publicly expressed discontent with the administration's strategic missteps this year. I suspect there had been private grumbling all along, but the media warhorses failed to speak out when they should have -- from week one after the inauguration, when Obama went flat as a rug in letting Congress pass that obscenely bloated stimulus package. Had more Democrats protested, the administration would have felt less arrogantly emboldened to jam through a cap-and-trade bill whose costs have made it virtually impossible for an alarmed public to accept the gargantuan expenses of national healthcare reform. (Who is naive enough to believe that Obama's plan would be deficit-neutral? Or that major cuts could be achieved without drastic rationing?)

By foolishly trying to reduce all objections to healthcare reform to the malevolence of obstructionist Republicans, Democrats have managed to destroy the national coalition that elected Obama and that is unlikely to be repaired. If Obama fails to win reelection, let the blame be first laid at the door of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who at a pivotal point threw gasoline on the flames by comparing angry American citizens to Nazis....

...This column has been calling for heads to roll at the White House from the get-go. Thankfully, they do seem to be falling faster -- as witness the middle-of-the-night bum's rush given to "green jobs" czar Van Jones last week -- but there's a long way to go. An example of the provincial amateurism of current White House operations was the way the president's innocuous back-to-school pep talk got sandbagged by imbecilic support materials soliciting students to write fantasy letters to "help" the president (a coercive directive quickly withdrawn under pressure). Even worse, the entire project was stupidly scheduled to conflict with the busy opening days of class this week, when harried teachers already have their hands full. Comically, some major school districts, including New York City, were not even open yet. And this is the gang who wants to revamp national healthcare?

Why did it take so long for Democrats to realize that this year's tea party and town hall uprisings were a genuine barometer of widespread public discontent and not simply a staged scenario by kooks and conspirators? First of all, too many political analysts still think that network and cable TV chat shows are the central forums of national debate. But the truly transformative political energy is coming from talk radio and the Web -- both of which Democrat-sponsored proposals have threatened to stifle, in defiance of freedom of speech guarantees in the Bill of Rights. I rarely watch TV anymore except for cooking shows, history and science documentaries, old movies and football. Hence I was blissfully free from the retching overkill that followed the deaths of Michael Jackson and Ted Kennedy -- I never saw a single minute of any of it. It was on talk radio, which I have resumed monitoring around the clock because of the healthcare fiasco, that I heard the passionate voices of callers coming directly from the town hall meetings. Hence I was alerted to the depth and intensity of national sentiment long before others who were simply watching staged, manipulated TV shows.

Why has the Democratic Party become so arrogantly detached from ordinary Americans? Though they claim to speak for the poor and dispossessed, Democrats have increasingly become the party of an upper-middle-class professional elite, top-heavy with journalists, academics and lawyers (one reason for the hypocritical absence of tort reform in the healthcare bills). Weirdly, given their worship of highly individualistic, secularized self-actualization, such professionals are as a whole amazingly credulous these days about big-government solutions to every social problem. They see no danger in expanding government authority and intrusive, wasteful bureaucracy. This is, I submit, a stunning turn away from the anti-authority and anti-establishment principles of authentic 1960s leftism....