the Centrist

Life is not about avoiding the storms; it is about learning to live with the rain.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (King James Version)
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
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“The Power under the Constitution will always be in the People. It is
entrusted for certain defined purposes, and for a certain limited period ,
to representatives of their own choosing; and whenever it is executed
contrary to their Interest, or not agreeable to their wishes, their Servants
can, and undoubtedly will be recalled.”

~~ George Washington (November 10, 1787)

I guess we have all heard the saying, Separation of Church and State… I gave a whole chapter, Chapter 14 p. 123- 125; in “Rebirth Pains” to this very subject (see website or Amazon.com for purchase)
Abandonment Theology… John Chalfant in his book, America – A Call to Greatness makes the observation that we are living in a time of Abandonment Theology (Abandonment Theology is a term devised by the author to describe a faith which deceptively pawns itself off as Christianity by operating in the name of Christ but which produces fruits destructive to America’s God-given freedoms.) What the liberal pundits have never taken into consideration is that human beings are transcendent beings. There has never been a society past or present that did not worship. Archaeologists and anthropologists assure us that each society ever studied worships something. They have a religion of some type.
The question should not be will there be a religion but which religion will be best for society. If we used logic … we know mankind will worship, therefore, we should encourage, but not enforce the religion which is best for human beings. The one which would emphasize forgiveness, peace, and love is Christianity. The one that states: give to the government that which is the governments’ is Christianity. The one that tells us to improve our system without violence is Christianity. When you understand that and you understand our history, then you begin to realize the miracle of America. America was the first and only nation ever purposely founded on Judeo Christian principles (see above) … yet governed by secular society. This was not by accident; it was because the Founding Fathers realized that this faith and its precepts gave the people the best chance for success. The foundation in Christianity has guaranteed our freedoms delineated in the Constitution, without imposing a theocracy or even a State Church.
First Amendment … Alan Keys makes his opinion known in several editorials in which he holds to the self evident truth that the First Amendment was intended to supersede all others and to bring the government back to the center if it ever went astray. He also contends that a constitutionally literate chief executive@ has the authority to restore liberty to the American people, despite what the Supreme Court says! Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. There is no separation of church and state in this Amendment. It states simply that Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; that seems as explicit, if you will, as it can be. There is no other place where this is taken up in the Constitution. Therefore, one must interpret it according to the Tenth Amendment:
Amendment X
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. Therefore, the courts have no jurisdiction in the debate over church and state … it is a matter explicitly left to the states or the people (legislatures).
Enter the Fourteenth Amendment (1868) … That should end the debate, but the revisionists quote their power from the 14th Amendment.
Amendment XIV section 1.
Section 1: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

It is judging situational ethics, and intent, rather than actions and violations … The equal protection clause has now been interpreted to the extent that it inhibits free speech. In many jurisdictions you literally cannot criticize or in general debate or disagree with the politically correct. This is the interpretation of situations, rather than laws. It is judging situational ethics, and intent, rather than actions and violations of criminals. This includes, but not limited to, the unequal treatment of Christianity opposed to other religions in Public Schools and Public Forums, the unequal treatment of the European white male opposed to minorities and women, the over protection of the gay population, to the exclusion of the Christian, Moslem, and Jewish belief that this action is sin, etc.
The Supreme Court is to determine what laws agree with the Constitution, and which do not … period. It is not previous decisions that should drive the court, but the Constitution. Each of those decisions was based on a narrow set of circumstances unique to that specific case. It is not a universal law or decision which supersedes ones right in the Constitution.

Executive Branch … So when the Supreme Court interprets the explicit, by the implicit, it is then up to the President of the United States to intervene. Therefore: since The President takes a public oath to Auphold the Constitution of the United States@, since each branch has a check and balance over the others, it is the Presidents duty to Apardon@ those actions deemed anti-Constitutional. Those decisions limited the freedoms guaranteed up to that time. For instance in a hypothetical case given by Keys in his essay AStanding for the Constitution he states if the Supreme Court decides against a person displaying his bible in a public place … the President may merely overturn that decision by pardoning that individual. That is the power given the Executive Branch over the Judicial Branch in the balance of powers. We witnessed a probable abuse of this power in President Clinton’s pardons as he stepped out of office … pardoning many for what was evidenced as personal favors.
Legislative Branch … The Legislative branch has the duty to impeach these malcontents who wish to legislate rather than interpret. The problem with this process is simple, it is fraught with politics. Rather than doing what is right and just, most legislators would first put their political finger to the wind and see what their constituency thought, rather than doing what was proper for the people.
The problem with the above argument is simple, most people have never even read the Constitution, and just like most Christians have never read the bible. As you read it notice how the Judeo-Christian Ethic is woven throughout the Bill of Rights. Also notice how much more explicit the Bill of Rights is, opposed to the more recent amendments. The Constitution of the United States is made up of a series of Amendments, the first 10 are called the Bill of Rights, and together with the Amendments it is called the Constitution. This document guarantees its citizens the freedoms represented within it.
The Constitution … can be found in the appendix.

Blogger’s Corner

Jamestown Patti sends us this reminder that Sunday is Mother’s Day… cherish them… I so miss mine, now gone nine years, but not a day goes by without me thinking of her and thanking God for her…

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the County Clerk’s office,
Was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

‘What I mean is,’ explained the recorder,
‘do you have a job or are you just a …?’

‘Of course I have a job,’ snapped the woman.

‘I’m a Mom.’

‘We don’t list ‘Mom’ as an occupation,

‘housewife’ covers it,’
Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself

In the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
Efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,
‘Official Interrogator’ or ‘Town Registrar.’

‘What is your occupation?’ she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know..
The words simply popped out.
‘I’m a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations.’

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
Looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words..
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
In bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

‘Might I ask,’ said the clerk with new interest,
‘just what you do in your field?’

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
‘I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn’t)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I’m working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
And already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers

And the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.’

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she
Completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door..

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants — ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
Testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more

Distinguished and indispensable to mankind than ‘just another Mom.’

Motherhood!

What a glorious career!
Especially when there’s a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers
‘Senior Research A ssociates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations’
And great grandmothers
Executive Senior Research Associates?’
I think so!!!

The other Bill B
A little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was ‘too crowded.’

‘I can’t go to Sunday School,’ she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.

Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements.

As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump.

Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: ‘This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School.’

For two years she had saved for this offering of love.

When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion.

He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.

But the story does not end there…

A newspaper learned of the story and published It. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands.

When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.

Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide.
Within five years the little girl’s gift had increased to $250, 000.00–a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends..

When you are in the city ofPhiladelphia , look upTemple Baptist Church , with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visitTemple University , where thousands of students are educated.

Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, ‘Acres of Diamonds’.

This is a true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.
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Lighter Side
The New Pastor
A new pastor moved into town and went out one Saturday to visit his community. All went well until he came to one house. It was obvious that someone was home, but no one came to the door even after he knocked several times. Finally, he took out his card, wrote on the back “Revelation 3:20″ and stuck it in the door. The next day, as he was counting the offering he found his card in the collection plate. Below his message was a notation “Genesis 3:10.” Upon opening his Bible to the passage he let out a roar of laughter.
Revelation 3:20 reads: (Pastors note) “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will dine with him, and he with me.”
Genesis 3:10 reads: “And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked.”

Where is God?

A couple had two little boys, ages 8 and 10, who were excessively mischievous. They were always getting into trouble and their parents knew that, if any mischief occurred in their town, their sons were probably involved.
They boys’ mother heard that a clergyman in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys. The clergyman agreed, but asked to see them individually. So the mother sent her 8-year-old first, in the morning, with the older boy to see the clergyman in the afternoon.
The clergyman, a huge man with a booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, “Where is God?”.
They boy’s mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there with his mouth hanging open, wide-eyed. So the clergyman repeated the question in an even sterner tone, “Where is God!!?” Again the boy made no attempt to answer. So the clergyman raised his voice even more and shook his finger in the boy’s face and bellowed, “WHERE IS GOD!?”

The boy screamed and bolted from the room, ran directly home and dove into his closet, slamming the door behind him. When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, “What happened?”
The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, “We are in BIG trouble this time, dude. God is missing – and they think WE did it!”

The odd couple
An elderly couple was driving across the country. While the woman was behind the wheel, the couple was pulled over by the highway patrol.

“Ma’am, did you know you were speeding?” the officer said.

The woman, hard of hearing, turned to her husband and asked, “What did he say?”

“He said you were speeding!” the old man yelled.

The patrolman then asked, “May I see your license?”

The woman turned to her husband again, “What did he say?”

The old man yelled back, “He wants to see your license!”

The woman then gave the officer her license.

“I see you are from Arkansas,” the patrolman said. “I spent some time there once and went on a blind date with the ugliest woman I’ve ever seen.”

The woman turned to her husband again and asked, “What did he say?”

The old man replied, “He said he knows you!”

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Prayer
Please continue to pray for the family of Nicole Gaulin (Fiegel) who was killed in a car accident last week. Nicole was a lifelong neighbor and former patient. She was, as my kids always said, simply a sweet heart. I personally have never heard a negative word about her… She left behind two young daughters and will be sorely missed. Nicole was in her mid thirties.
Family of Jerry Rickard, an old high school friend, who passed away last week.
Carmen – young lady with lung cancer drop her a note if you wish, her blog spot is:

http://carmennotes.blogspot.com/

Update: From Tricia: Thought everyone would want to know Carmen is HOME! She’s been home a few days and is taking calls. We rejoice with her and please keep her in your prayers.

Daughter of Dr. Tim’s pastor is missing, very suspicious circumstances… please pray. No update, please keep praying.
Grandson Scott, proud member of the US Marines, has been deployed. We do not know where he is presently, likely in battle… please pray for him… should you like to drop him a line of encouragement let me know and I will send you his e-mail. Please pray for his safety. Our granddaughter in-law heard from him last week… at that time he was okay.
Please continue to pray for the family of Steve Broadwell, a neighbor and friend who was tragically killed in a propane explosion. He is survived by his Mom, wife, and 3 adult children.
Nephew Brandon’s friend, Alisha, who has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor
Adrian’s friend who is missing in Mexico
Good friend and fellow dentist from our community In NY, AJ, had career ending surgery on his spine. Pray for success and rapid recovery. He suffers from the same malady that disabled me. No update.
Pray for Wanda who lost her mother and brother recently.
Continue to pray for Cailf. Clint … that he gets called soon with a match for liver transplant
Prayer for Fredonia Pattie’s cousin… healing and the wisdom, to pick the right treatment option … no update
G W financial problems
DG financial problems and unemployed (is now working)
Gary W undergoing radiation treatments for prostate cancer
Donovan severe anemia is responding to med
Rita H surgery for hernia and is recovering
Judy C chemo and hip surgery
From California Clint on behalf of his friend Jerry”
Please pray for Jerry’s wife Becky for strength and wisdom as both her brother and a nephew are suffering from accelerated aggressive cancer.
Please continue to pray for Mary C, as her cancer has returned
Our troops in Afghanistan as they are in the midst of battle
Continue to pray for:
Donavan’s father Derrick with heart disease
The people of Haiti
The people of Chili
Safety for troops
Please continue to pray for the Family of Harold L who recently passed away (especially two of my favorite students, his youngest children: Shaughn and Siobhan)
Answered Prayer: Baby Camdyn continues to recover but please keep her in in prayer for strength. As you know she came through her first surgery with flying colors , thanks in no small part to your prayer! But remember she will need even a more serious surgery any time now.

Cousin Dick (Jamestown Patti’s brother) cancer of prostate… radiation treatment is underway, while we’re praying include Jamestown Patti she is the main caregiver and both her and Dick are disabled… no update.
Close friend Norma W passed away after long illness… please continue to pray for family and husband Chuck
Brother Vince, heart and circulation issues bypass and stint surgery needed and upcoming

Brother Mike, high blood pressure
Krisher family for loss of son Jon
DK stress
Sue intestinal disease… she is trying medication rather than this serious surgery… so far she is responding, please keep praying
Please pray for our troops and especially the victims of Islamist Terrorism
Jamestown Patti’s special family Steven’s Johnson Syn. little 7 yr. old girl

Blogger Clint having problems with liver toxicity… may need transplant, please pray.
Our nation, our President, our Congress, our courts… to put the people before their ideology

TD for special intention

Kairos Torch for juveniles is a Christian outreach to troubled youth. Please pray that Kairos Torch will become reality in NY.

Close family friend Brenda… has been diagnosed with MS and has lost her job… no update

AE for strength to face his dilemma

TD gainful employment
Bless and pray for our service men and women as they seem to have fewer and fewer options as they deal with a mortal enemy.

wdb prostate problems continue

Continue to pray for missionary Bergman’s as they lost their wife and mother this past year

Maria – diabetes is critical. She had a skin and muscle biopsy and suspect small nerve neuropathy. Please continue to pray no change in her condition.

Clint: to find his son in Viet Nam and have the opportunity to present salvation to him.
Pastor Neil S. (long time close friend and prayer partner) pray for God’s Will in his ministry. A possible opening in a local church or continued success in his present ministries…

Niece Rhonda and strength for her new career and job

Brother Les is about the same, but he continues to have a Godly attitude. Yet the burden continues to be heavy on both he and Valarie. Please keep both Val and Les in prayer… such a faithful couple and a reminder, these are Camdyn’s grandparents!

Transplants: Good Friend Keith – liver, Brother Pat – liver, Good Friend Jim – kidney … please keep praying for their well being; they all are doing well as of this printing

Sister Jane, Brenda, Cousins Jan and Karen for strength… all are suffering from MS.
Unity for our family

Tom H and Marilyn for RSD
Tolerance, Christ’s Love, and understanding for our families, friends, and enemies

Bonnie Erbie (author accusing Christians of being knuckle draggers), prayer for salvation.

Pray for wisdom and spiritual guidance in rearing children for our family as well as the renewal of the nuclear family; pray that marriage stays as one man, one woman, but rights are extended to same gender unions.

Pray for truth in education… i.e. AIDS, abortion, evolution, American History, and Man Made Global Warming

Pray for our troops each evening at 9:00 pm. every night … pray that America wakes up to evil before it is too late

Pray for Nephews John in the Navy and grandson Scott a Marine.
Prayer for healthy and safe births: Meg; Melissa had baby girl, Kassilyn also had baby girl.

Prayer partners John and Ron and family.
Please continue to pray for health issues for five of our nieces and Marilyn.
Pastors: Dan, John, Tom, Lyell, Steve D, Ben, Estes, Gail, Sam, Whittikers, Neil, and Steve T for their ministries, ease of stress, and courage to spread the gospel; wisdom for all leadership at Yates, Greater Toledo 1st Baptist,
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Billy Graham’s Prayer For Our Nation:

‘Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics.. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!’
Clermont Baptist Sunday School

Twila will be traveling to California to visit her brother who has cancer. She and her son will be traveling together. Pray for traveling mercies and also for her brother.

Garry and Wanda: Garry has applied for a job out of state. Pray for God’s will. If God moves, everything will fall into place and all involved will understand.

Charlie Mae’s sister Adrian in New York.

Daphne will be traveling all summer. Pray for traveling mercies. Her daughter is doing well from her surgery. PTL.

Praise the Lord that Vicki’s niece Nikki is doing well from her double mastectomy and cancer treatments.

Praise the Lord that Garry’s friend who recently moved to New Mexico for a job has sold his house here in Florida.

Yates Baptist Sunday School :

Marilyn L had a heart attack … her surgery (bypass and valve) was successful and she has had a setback and still has fluid on her lung, and to return to Buffalo hospital for more treatment (mother of Karen B). She is having a difficult time moving. No change.

Jacob (5 year old) has psoriasis, and has improved but still an issue, please continue to pray… he is improving
JC and AB both children have night terrors

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing

Dr B

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