JUST A BUNCH OF HOT AIR

Be sure to watch the video below.

The continuing rhetoric between the US and Iran continues to get louder, and more threatening every day. You would naturally expect, especially since President Bush is calling for other nations to impose trade sanctions on Iran, that the United States would have a zero trade relationship with the Iranians. Right? Wrong!

Instead, since Bush has been in office, we actually have stronger trade relations with Iran than ever before! And it increases every year. $158 million worth of products were exported to Iran in the recent fiscal year, which reached an all-time high.

Georgia and North Carolina top the list of the states with the highest amount of exports to Iran. The reason is because the number one export is cigarettes. John McCain thinks that is funny, and says he hopes we can kill the Iranians with cigarettes.

But, cigarettes aren't the only things that are being reported as going to Iran. Exports also included bras, lipstick and other cosmetic products, sculptures, instruments and - get this - weapons. Now, if we are going to war with a country, which seems possible if you believe everything you hear, then why are we selling a potential enemy weapons. Of course, the US government is denying the weapons part and says it is probably a misprint. You mean, you don't know? I guess it's hard to track. Kind of like finding Osama bin Ladin.

I can't help but conclude that all the rhetoric is a bunch of hot air. It's all a show, just to keep the proles confused as to who Oceania is really at war with. Is it Eurasia? Eastasia? Oh, yeah, it's whoever Big Brother says it is!

Swamp Fox/RP


Top U.S. Exports to Iran

BOOK REVIEW: WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Where Are We Going?: Independent Baptists…Where Are We? Where Were We? Where Are We Going?
By Jack Schaap Hyles Publications © 2008

Jack Schaap asks a very interesting question in his new book: Where are Independent Baptists going? Some sincerely hope that we die out and pass off the scene. After reading the information that Jack Schaap presents, I am afraid that we are dangerously close to doing just that.

Schaap opens up by discussing what should be the passion of Independent Baptists—getting the Gospel to a dying world. He also talks about the model and the message we should all have.

Schaap also discusses where Independent Baptists were in 1976, when the Independent Baptist movement was at its height. Churches were growing, churches were being started, schools and colleges were being built. It is quite humbling to see where we once were.

In the book’s third section Schaap covers what makes one a Baptist. Baptists are losing their identity because most have no idea what makes one a Baptist. Schaap emphasizes that Baptists must study and reclaim their history and heritage before we completely lose our identity.

In the fourth sections, Schaap briefly discusses the current status of Independent Baptists, delivering some good news, but some bad news as well.

In the largest and possibly most important section of the book, Schaap discusses some of the things that are distracting Independent Baptists. Disturbing information that shows we are falling way off the mark is revealed. Moral failures among pastoral staff, schools, lack of vision, poor transfer of leadership, lack of commitment, finances, importance of committed followers, loss of focus, imbalance of issues, criticism, inadequate leadership, lack of prayer, lack of innovation, hypocrisy, mediocrity and failing to reach the next generation are all named as the biggest issues that are distracting us—and these things could destroy us. Schaap notes that some of the things we waste so much time fighting and arguing over really don’t matter. If they do, it is none of our business how one man operates his ministry. Too often we choose to attack the symptoms, instead of trying to cure the disease.

Schaap closes out by giving some suggestions that if followed, will only improve our situation.

While Schaap wrote this book primarily to pastors, I think all church members should read this book. It will help you understand the position that pastors often find themselves in. It will also better equip the church member to be a greater help to his or her pastor.

Where Are We Going? can be purchased from Hyles Publications. You can purchase it here.

NEWS 07/07/08

Something Big is Going On
Ron Paul

Real fear of economic collapse could prompt central planners to act to such a degree that the New Deal of the 30’s might look like Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence.
http://tinyurl.com/4zkxz6

AMERICANS WILL BE TAXED FOR THEIR CARBON EMISSIONS
By NWV news director, Jim Kouri/NewsWithViews.com

The tax would add $9.90 per ton of carbon emissions in 2008 and increase by $4.95 per ton each year for four years. That means an additional 2.41 Canadian cents on a liter of gas (about 9.13 Canadian cents per gallon), which costs about $1.40 ($1.38) per liter, according to Reuters news agency.
http://tinyurl.com/5hqz3t

Americans Identify What They Consider "Holy" Books
http://tinyurl.com/6q2tcn