Monday, September 12, 2005

The Humble Learn the Way

“Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.  He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.  All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.  For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great.  Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. He himself shall abide in prosperity, and his children shall possess the land.  The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.”

(Psalm 25:8-14)

The Armor of a Righteous Cause

 "The humblest citizen of all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause is stronger than all the hosts of error"

(William Jennings Bryan)

"It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels."

 "Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility."

(St. Augustine)

 PERILS OF FLATTERY

“The friend who holds up before me the mirror, conceals not my slightest faults, warns me kindly, reproves me affectionately, when I have not performed my duty, he is my friend, however little he may appear so. Again, if a man praises me, never reproves me, overlooks my faults, and forgives them before I have repented, he is my enemy, however much he may appear to be my friend.”

(Johann Herder)

DECADENT, AND PROUD OF IT!

More information is becoming available about the gay pride march called “Southern Decadence” held less than one week after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. The march which wound its way through the French Quarter was led by the “Southern Decadence” Grand Marshall Lisa Beaumann.  A larger parade “Southern Decadence” in exile was led by the former Southern Decadence Grand Marshal Regina Adams. Both Beaumann and Adams are transvestites.  The march presented a bizarre spectacle in a city where rescue workers are still at work collecting many hundreds of victims lost in the flood waters. Some of the marchers sported beards and feather-boas, while others paraded semi-nude.

Estimates are that it will take eighty days to pump out the water which has been contaminated with sewage, toxic chemicals, and various disease organisms.  Many rescue workers have been forced to wear gauze masks because of the unbearable odor.  In an incident that hasn’t been widely-reported, over five-hundred evacuees in the Houston Astrodome had to be treated for a mysterious ailment involved vomiting and a rash.

The tragic surroundings of a devastated city seem a strange setting indeed for a display of pride of any sort, much less for openly flaunting one’s sexuality. One wonders why the more bizarre and deviant element of the homosexual subculture appear in such great numbers in “gay pride” parades. Presumably, it should not be too difficult to hold a parade in which everyone is fully clothed. And yet costumes which “celebrate” sexual deviance and perversion are seen in great numbers. Which raises the disturbing question, are gays truly proud to appear in public like this, and if so, why? Wouldn’t a heterosexual pride parade – if there ever were such a thing – feature people who were fully-clothed? Why would anyone be proud to march through a devastated city naked, while so many of one’s fellow citizens are in mourning and in desperate need?  We have already seen photos of displaced wives and homemakers searching through bins of donated clothing to clothe their families. Truly, this is the sort of “pride” that the public has a hard time understanding. 

NEW BILL WOULD GRANT IMMIGRANT STATUS TO PARTNERS OF GAYS

A new piece of Federal legislation, if enacted into law, will allow the homosexual and lesbian partners of gay U.S. citizens and permanent residents to immigrate to the U.S. The bill, The Uniting Families Act, formerly known as the Permanent Partners Immigration Act, was introduced by New York Congressman Jerry Nadler, and cosponsored by Maine’s own Tom Allen and Mike Michaud, among others.

The bill is currently in the judiciary committees of the House and Senate. The “grassroots” organization which is lobbying hard for the bill, Immigration Equality, says it seeks to “end discrimination in U.S. immigration law against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive people,  and to help obtain asylum for those persecuted in their home country based on their sexual orientation, transgender identity or HIV-status.” In other words, if Immigration Equality is successful, homosexuals, lesbians, and transvestites from almost every country on earth will be granted refugee status and allowed to immigrate freely to the United States. 

JUST WHAT MAINE NEEDS: THE TAXPAYER BILL OF RIGHTS

This just in from Mary Adams. 

To reverse the damage being done to the State of Maine by over-spending (taxes) and erosion of individual freedoms, people need to work together when there is a common interest. The opportunity to work together has arisen in the form of a citizen  initiative petition to put a Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TAB0R) on the ballot in November 2006.

TABOR puts government on a budget, just like taxpayers. TABOR makes sure that government doesn’t outspend our incomes. To exceed the limit requires voter approval. I call it putting the bit in the mouth of government and giving the reins to the people of Maine. TABOR is a friend to churches and non-profits because when budgets get bloated, the state looks around for whom it can tax next. Spenders are poised right now to go after churches as a new source of revenue.

TABOR’s deadline is October 21st.  We have a flyer on the website http://www.TaxpayerBillofRights.com especially for churches. Please download and make copies enough for people you know who are concerned, and tell me how many petitions you need.  Thank you for your help.

Contact Mary Adams at 924-3835, Email:  mga@tdstelme.net