Archive for November, 2008


Bankruptcies at all-time High

Filed under: Current Events, Eagle Views, Insights on Scripture, Random Ramblings by Allen Scott — 2 Comments
November 26, 2008

Random ramblings from the resident raptor.

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”

A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org


BANKRUPTCIES AT ALL-TIME HIGH

Empire of Debt: The Rise of an Epic Financial Crisis

This topic of bankruptcy caught my eagle eye and I thought I would respond. Many financial talking heads like Larry Burkett and others speak about the Christian’s obligation to repay debts even if they file bankruptcy and that really got me to thinking. When GOD established Israel He instituted laws to regulate the society based on HIS way of doing things. Let’s take a look at what God had to say about this subject of borrowing and exacting usury.

Exodus 22:25 through Exodus 22:28 (NIV)

“If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

Again we read:

Leviticus 25:35 through Leviticus 25:37 (NIV)

“‘If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit.

Deuteronomy 23:19 through Deuteronomy 23:20 (NIV)

Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a brother Israelite, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess.

And then there is:

Proverbs 28:8 (NIV) \

He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor.

Now then we see that IF WE Christians were living like we were supposed to be living we would not be in the position of being in debt to THOSE WHO EXACT USURY. We are commanded to take care of our brothers and sisters and to lend without interest so that our brothers and sisters can remain amongst us. I am not going to expound too much on that. I think that is pretty self explanatory. NOW then if someone is in debt what did God say to do about it?

The Year of Jubilee was when all debts were to be forgiven and property being held returned to the original owner. Now then it seems like God had a great way of dealing with borrowing and debt relief. HOWEVER in our modern world we seem to have for-gotten God’s ways and replaced them with a system that exacts usury on its citizenry WITHOUT a method of redemption. I feel that bankruptcy is the closest thing to THE YEAR of Jubilee we have going for us and if a person gets into the bondage of HEAVY DEBT and is being TAXED with HEAVY usury then it is only fitting that there is a way of escape.

It would seem the financial talking heads today are missing this very important portion of GOD’S economy. Take care of our OWN and help our brothers and sisters out without taking advantage of them with excess interest. And if they do happen to get into a mess then in the year of Jubilee which came around once every 50 years then all those debts are supposed to be forgiven.

Interesting, many Christians pray THE Lord’s Prayer which addresses FORGIVING OUR DEBTS as we forgive those who are indebted to us. But then we turn around and exact excessive interest on our brothers and sisters and place them in bondage. THIS ought not to be.

It really is no wonder that America finds itself in a real financial mess. We have been violating the laws of God for quite a long while and it has only led us into financial bondage and an unbridled lust for more. We have been living beyond our means for quite some time and I guess to quote the Reverend Jeremiah Wright “America’s chickens have come home to roost”. Or in other words we have sown the wind and have reaped the whirlwind. (Hosea 8:7)
We can not continue to spend beyond our abilities to repay without ending up in some sort of slavery. Without a remedy of forgiveness those who are thusly enslaved will remain that way until they have paid their debt in full.

A person without good sense closes a deal with a handshake. He guarantees a loan in the presence of his friend. Prov 17:18 (GW)

From the sounds of things Christians should not have a problem with debt if we were living according to the scriptures. What say you?

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)
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With Hearts and Hands and Voices

Filed under: Eagle Views, Insights on Scripture, Random Ramblings by Allen Scott — 1 Comment
November 25, 2008

image001Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”

A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

A Random rambling from the resident raptor.

Now thank we all our God

With hearts and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things hath done,

In whom the world rejoices;

Who from our mother’s arms

Hath blessed us on our way

With countless gifts of love,

And still is ours today.

From “Now Thank We All Our God” by Martin Rinkhart (1586-1649)

Although Martin Rinkhart witnessed first hand severe suffering and death during the “Thirty Year War” yet he was able to find a place in his heart to praise and thank God. It is real easy to give praise and thanks to God when things are going well, but it really takes hard to go the extra mile and reach out in praise to God even though surrounded by such dire circumstances. It truly takes heart.

Brotherly Love Powers Lawn Mower Trek

image002Alvin Straight couldn’t be stopped once he came on an idea.

“Whenever he set his mind to doing something, he was about like a train on a track,” said Straight’s son, William, the middle of seven children.

Much has been written about the 73-year-old man who rode a 1966 John Deere mower 240 miles to see Hank, his older brother, four years ago. But questions remain as to who the man really was behind the white beard, thick glasses and cowboy hat.

“He was a real straight forward person, real good at setting goals,” William said.

Asked to illustrate what he meant with a story about his father, William added, “It’s kind of hard to condense a person into one story.”

There was much more to Straight, now known as the “lawn-mower man,” than his road trip.

“If I was to have Dad sit down and write a resume, it would be a long one,” including these titles: bounty hunter, farmer, rancher, carpenter and coal miner, William said. “Dad never let grass grow under his feet.”

Straight raised his seven children with high moral standards, William said. So even though they moved around a lot, to Oregon at one point, William and his siblings always knew what was what at home.

As with many families, not everyone got along all the time. This was probably a part of Alvin Straight’s motivation to ride his mower to his brother’s house. When Hank had a stroke, Alvin knew his time, too would eventually run out. So as quick as he could, Alvin went to his brother to mend some previous hurts. Source: Waterloo- Cedar Falls Courier Pulse October 15, 1998 Susan Bosch

On good days he averaged about five miles an hour along U.S. 18. But about four days into the trip, the engine failed on his mower in West Bend, 21 miles from where he had started in Laurens, Iowa.

Mr. Straight spent $250 replacing points, the condenser, plugs, the generator and the starter.

He made it to Charles City, 90 miles from West Bend, when he ran out of money in mid-July, and had to camp out until his next Social Security check arrived.

By Aug. 15, he had made it to within two miles of his brother’s house near Blue River, but then his mower broke down again. A farmer helped him push it the rest of the way . Source: New York Times Aug 25, 1994

Alvin was a man on a mission. He had a purpose and nothing was going to deter him from making his journey to be with his brother. No cost was prohibited, no obstacle was too large, nothing short of his own death was going to stop him from reaching his brother in need. Alvin had heart. He had passion.

An inscription found on the General Post Office in New York City reads:

image003

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these

couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

Inscribed in the words of scripture we find:

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Everyone has passion. Some for wealth and security, some for social status and prestige, some have a passion for a sport, or artistic expression. Like Alvin they give all they have to pursue that passion. They are willing to invest the time and energy to reach their goal.

As a church we need to be consumed with the passion of God like a dear panting for water. Where are we spending our resources? What are we passionate about?

God as Psalm 42:1 states? A passion for the lost? John 4:34 & 35 A passion for the world? Matthew 28:19

Does our worship of God cost us all or cost us nothing at all?

For where our heart is there will be our treasure.

Then the king (David) said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel.2 Sam 24:24-25 (NKJV)

David had a heart after God and he refused to offer a sacrifice that cost him nothing.

David, had been trained in ritual worship. From his earliest years he had never worshiped with that which cost him nothing. He had brought his offering, and he had paid for it, and he had denied himself something so that he might pay for it. The God whom he had found when he was shepherding was not a God to be worshiped on the cheap.

And then there came his fall, and the terrible havoc of his kingly character, and David found that all the blood of goats could not make him a true worshiper again.

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart.” Psalm 51:17

Let him give his kingdom for an offering, and he would not be an acceptable worshiper. He must give himself, he must deny his lusts; he must lay aside his pride and be penitent, or all his worship would be mockery, and the sanctuary a barren place for him. He knew from the first that worship meant denial. It was his thought of denial that was deepened. He found there was no blessing in the sanctuary unless his heart was penitent and humble. And that was a mighty truth for him to grasp, and it has enriched the worship of the ages, and has passed into the newer covenant, and into all the gatherings of its saints. -A Treasury of Great Preaching

Worship has got to be more than a nice hour on Sunday morning. Worship has got to mean more than pretty music and a stirring message. True worship of God has to cost us something. There has to be an investment on our part to make it meaningful and life changing. If we come with empty hands we shall leave with empty hearts. But if we bring all we have to the altar of God and lay it all down than God can fill us with His fullness.

Worship requires giving of ourselves. Worship requires self-denial. Worship requires heart.

Unlike Alvin we can not get to God on a John Deere but like a deer we can pant for God and find Him in worship. If we worship Him with our whole heart.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

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What Time is It?

Filed under: Eagle Views, Insights on Scripture by Allen Scott — Leave a comment
November 22, 2008

 

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”

A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

dial1c

1 Everything has its own time, and there is a specific time for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pull out what was planted,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build up,

4 a time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to hug and a time to stop hugging,

6 a time to start looking and a time to stop looking, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear apart and a time to sew together, a time to keep quiet and a time to speak out,

8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. – Ecc 3:1-8 GW

Disney’s High School Musical franchise keeps on going and going with the third installment recently released to theaters across the country. How many tweens and teens have learned and loved the song “What Time Is It” from the second musical installment. Dance DVD’s, sing-a-long CD’s, and various other marketing items flood the shelves across the nation as HSM aficionados spend money to get paraphernalia from the musical. So what time is it really? Is it a time to dance and rejoice? Is it a time to weep and mourn? Is it a time to pack up and move, or a time to dig in and wait? Is it a time to make a change or a time to stay planted? Is it a time to plan big things or just be still? Is it a time to speak out or remain quiet? What time is it really?

 

I love music, I enjoy everything about music, I enjoy singing, playing, writing, directing, arranging, performing and listening to music. One might say that music is a big part of my life. I do not dance but I have been known to get a little ’soulful’ when singing. I was involved in my own high school musical back in the day and enjoyed the whole experience. The spring all-school musical was the one big event many would strive to gain a part in, and to land a leading role was much envied and hard sought after. I on the other hand just enjoyed being a part, although I was able to land a major part in the production.

In my case I did not have to actually try out for the musical because I was chosen for a part. Our school chose to do Meredith Wilson’s ’ The Music Man’ there was a need for a male quartet. Our choral director chose 4 guys who he thought could handle the part of the male quartet and there we were, rehearsing our parts long before the actual auditions started for the rest of the cast and crew.

Being chosen was a special feeling and certainly took a great deal of angst out of the whole audition process. I am not really sure why the teacher chose to include me in the role of the high tenor in the quartet but it certainly was an experience I shall never forget, and one I enjoyed immensely. As a result of that experience I have been a long time listener and aficionado of Southern Gospel Quartet music. That solid 4-part harmony still stirs my soul. Thank you Edward O’Neil, my high school choral director.

In the musical experience known as ’High School Musical 2’ they sang about What Time Is It?. It was the end of the school year and they were ready to depart for summer vacation and time to sing and dance and party for the long school year had come to a close. What time is it? Summertime, it’s our vacation. What time is it? Party time, that’s right, say it loud! What time is it? The time of our lives, anticipation. What time is it? Summertime, schools out, scream and shout. How simple life was back then. Our days were scheduled, our weeks we pre-planned, we lived by other people’s rules and policies, our every need supplied, there really wasn’t much to concern us except perhaps an upcoming quiz.

Days were broken down into periods, and each period was punctuated by the ring of the school bell. And then finally senior year rolls around and it’s time for High School Musical 3: Senior Year . It is time to graduate and plan for a future career or further education. Time to choose which university to attend or whether to move to New York and pursue an acting career or attempt to be a Wall Street whiz kid. Hopes are high, dreams are fresh and vivid, the sky is the limit, futures are bright. But it means leaving behind the past as we embrace the future. What does the future hold? Will we be able to meet the challenges it holds or be crushed from the concerns of each day?

What time is it? If someone were to write a musical to depict your life now, what would it be about? Would it be a comedy of errors? Would it be a tragedy? Would it be filled with endless drama? Would the story line be filled with one sordid affair after another? Would we find a main character wrecked by substance abuse or just abuse in general? Would it be more of a romance novel?

What would the story line be about? Would it be an action adventure movie, or perhaps a moving, emotion filled, tear jerker? Would your life’s story be one of heroic conquest or by contrast, one that reflects a simple, quiet life?

No two people’s life stories are the same. Each of us have our own crosses to bear. Each of us have our own chapters to write. Some have led rather uneventful lives and others have had one dramatic experience after another. And yet, can anyone really tell us what time it is? Does anyone know exactly when school is going to be out? Does anyone know when that final bell will ring? Is anyone prepared for final exams?

What time is it? Can we tell from world events if it is soon time for Christ to return and end our time here on earth? What are we supposed to be preparing for? What tests should we be studying for? What should be our goals at this time of our lives? ’Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody really care? If so I can’t image why, we’ve all got time enough to die’. So goes the Chicago song written by Robert Lamm.

Your life may not be a musical but it surely is a play acted out on life’s stage. “Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Macbeth Quote (Act V, Scene V). How tragic that sounds. How dark and dreary a life led without purpose can become. If this is all there is to live for, then perhaps our musical would be more of a funeral dirge.

What time is it? It is time to be about the Father’s business. It is time to be planting and sowing in His kingdom. It is time to be preparing to meet God. It is a time of drawing near to God. As the world turns sour and darkness increases on the face of the earth, there is coming a time when to worship God, could cost us our lives.

So before the final bell rings and we are required to leave this school yard and graduate into eternity, let us use the time remaining to store up heavenly treasures and build a life worthy to be included in the final end credits. When the final chapter is written will our names be found recorded in the Lamb’s “Book of Life“. Let us learn to sing th The Songs of Zion and then we too can sing with the heavenly choir.

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To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,

 

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,

 

To the last syllable of recorded time;

 

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

 

The way to dusty death.

But those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved from this penalty of sin called death. Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:15 (NKJV)

What time is it? It is time to call upon the name of the Lord. It is time to secure your part in the heavenly musical. It is time to take your place with the “Saints of Old” so you too can be counted among the cast of the saints of God and your name added to the heavenly roll call. The curtain is opened, the casting call has gone out into all the world. It is time to join up or be left behind. The choice is yours.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

 

 

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Doctors Reluctant to take Medicaid Patients

Filed under: Articles by Allen Scott — 1 Comment
November 20, 2008
Another glaring example of why it is not a very good idea to adopt FEDERALIZED medicine. Medicaid, a federal program, underpays for services and late pays on most bills. Doctors therefore are reluctant to see these patients who have no other option when it comes to health care other than using the EMERGENCY rooms of hospitals who must treat all patients.

Anyone who still thinks FEDERALIZE HEALTH care is going to IMPROVE things either has took leave of their senses or just simply refuses to see how INEPT government run programs are. It is ignorance when a person refuses to accept the obvious even when the facts are presented.

But I guess a “give me” outweighs a persons ability to reason. Remember there is no such thing as a FREE LUNCH someone somewhere is going to pay, and believe it or not, those who are supposed to benefit from these policies are the ones who end up paying the most. Usually with their lives.

clipped from www.sphere.com

It’s widely known that while there is some variation, in most states Medicaid reimburses physicians at significantly lower rates than private insurers. As we’ve previously highlighted, research indicates that these low rates of payment affect physicians’ decisions to treat Medicaid patients.

While low reimbursement is a serious problem in Medicaid that ultimately compromises access and thus quality of care for those receiving public assistance, a new study published yesterday by Health Affairs finds that administrative burdens—in particular payment delays— can also have a significant effect on physicians decisions to accept Medicaid patients.

Medicaid payment rates matter, but the hassle factor also matters, and this study strongly suggests that higher Medicaid fees won’t have the desired effect of increasing access if physicians have to wait months to get paid.
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Doing the Right Thing

Filed under: Worship Weds by Allen Scott — Leave a comment
November 19, 2008
Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”
A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

We can’t allow ourselves to get tired of living the right way. Certainly, each of us will receive {everlasting life} at the proper time, if we don’t give up. Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers. Gal 6:9-10 (GW)

The Life of the Great Anti-Slave Trade CampaignerDuring the course of his intense efforts to fight against slavery, William Wilberforce came to a desperate place of discouragement, feeling he had absolutely no more strength to continue. In this condition he was about to give up, when his elderly friend, John Wesley, lying on his deathbed, was informed of his friend William’s distress. Wesley requested pen and paper, and with a quivering hand, wrote these words,
“Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them stronger than God? Oh be not weary of well-doing! Go on, in the name of God and in the power of his might, till even American slavery shall vanish away before it.”
John Wesley died six days later, but William Wilberforce fought for forty-five more years, and in 1833, three days before his own death, witnessed the abolition of slavery in Britain.
Living right in a wrong world can be overwhelming at times. Trying to do right when all around seems to be bent on doing wrong can take its toil on anyone. Standing up for what is right may seem to be a very lonely road but stand we must. Fighting the good fight is a worthy goal with eternal rewards. Giving up the fight can adversely have eternal consequences.
As Christians we are tasked with the responsibility of living right in a wrong sided world. To stand upright in an upside down society. Being salt and light to a tasteless, dark world is the responsibility of the church and those who call upon the name of the Lord. It is our heritage, our cross, our mission, and yes it is our duty to our fellow citizens.
Had William given up perhaps things would be far different in the world today. If we give up things will only get worse not better. We need to be the opposing force to the spread of evil in the world.
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good. Romans 12:21 (GW)
Be the good for what ails us.


But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)
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